Palo Alto
Vol. XXXIX, Number 20
Q
February 16, 2018
Teachers agree to forego bonuses Page 5
w w w. P a l o A l t o O n l i n e.c o m
Focused
on the flyway
Migratory-bird exhibit lands locally Page 18
Spectrum 16 Worth a Look 20 Eating Out 21 Movies 22 Title Pages 23 Q News Palo Alto oats idea of suing FAA Q Home Creating private space in a crowded place Q Sports A new era begins for Stanford baseball
Page 7 Page 26 Page 46
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Page 2 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 3
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Page 4 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
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Upfront
Local news, information and analysis
Teachers union agrees to forego $2.2 million bonus As a result of negotiations, one-time bonus will go to the schools by Elena Kadvany
T
he Palo Alto Unified School District and its teachers union have tentatively agreed that if the union foregoes a 2 percent one-time bonus this year, the funds — about $2.2 million — will be used for
schools’ per-student funding. On Tuesday night, Board of Education members discussed a proposed memorandum of understanding with the Palo Alto Educators Association (PAEA) and appeared likely to approve it at
the board’s next regular meeting. The memorandum states that if the union gives up the bonus, the board will put the dollars toward increasing the district’s per-student allocation from $85 to $115 for the next six years, starting with the next school year. The board had decreased schools’ per-student funding from $105 to $85 during budget cuts last year. The cost over six years will be
$2.25 million, or $375,000 per year, according to Anne Brown, the district’s interim human resources director. Principals can use the funds at their discretion for a wide range of purposes, from paying for reading specialists to purchasing books for classrooms. A majority of the teachers union ratified the agreement this past week, PAEA President Teri Baldwin told the Weekly. She declined
to comment further, considering the union to still be in confidential negotiations until the agreement receives formal board approval. Board members repeatedly thanked the teachers union for being willing to return to the table to renegotiate the bonus. President Ken Dauber called the agreement a “win-win for the district and the (continued on page 14)
HOUSING
Palo Alto adopts plan to build more housing Despite divisions over details, council backs plan to add about 300 units annually by Gennady Sheyner
P Veronica Weber
Heart to heart Oakland Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie shows his scar from open-heart surgery to Soraya Duckworth, 8, at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital as Soraya’s mom Marlanea Duckworth looks on. Soraya was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and has undergone numerous intensive surgeries. For more about Carrie’s visit to the hospital, see the Around Town column on page 6.
HOUSING
Repairs begin at Buena Vista Mobile Home Park Homes are being brought up to code; new services launch for students, families by Sue Dremann
L
eaking pipes, faulty electrical switches and other badly needed repairs are underway this month at more than 100 homes in Buena Vista Mobile Home Park. Caritas Communities, the new park operator, is working to bring the aging Palo Alto dwellings up to code. On Tuesday afternoon, contractors were busily filling a jumbo dumpster with trash, old furniture and construction materials. At Juan Rodarte’s residence, a bright blue ladder leaned against
his small motor home as workers repaired his bathroom floor, fixed lights in the living room and kitchen and added a smoke alarm and light bulbs. “It’s more clean around here now,” said Rodarte, a 15-year resident who lives with his wife and two children. Rodarte’s eyes shone as he pointed in the direction of a new home. At least one or more mobile homes have been replaced, with gleaming windows and slidingglass doors, a sturdy porch and
flashing that protects pipes, the roof and downspouts. “I have been over there and seen that home,” he said, expressing hopes that Caritas will eventually get rid of all of the old homes and replace them with new ones. The mobile home park was purchased last year using city and county funds, the culmination of a years-long effort to preserve the city’s last bastion of housing for people of very low income. (continued on page 11)
alo Alto’s effort to triple its housing production got off to a promising start Monday night, when the City Council unanimously approved a plan that includes more than a dozen policies aimed at spurring residential construction. The Housing Work Plan identifies a list of initiatives that city planners will be undertaking over the next two years to address one of the council’s most urgent priorities. Its programs include changing the zoning code to provide more incentives for residential development; requiring housing projects to provide more below-marketrate units; and relaxing density requirements for housing projects in downtown, around California Avenue and along El Camino Real. The goal of the plan is to produce about 300 units per year, thereby meeting the housing targets identified in the city’s new Comprehensive Plan. The document, which the council finished updating last November, calls for between 3,545 and 4,420 units between 2015 and 2030. But even as council members united in supporting the plan’s broad goals, they squabbled over the details. Over the course of an at-times tense discussion, council members sparred over the best way to revise the city’s “inclusionary zoning” laws for producing affordable housing; the merits of building housing on city-owned parking lots; and the need to find dedicated parking spaces for RVs. Council members made clear that their support for new housing is by no means unconditional.
One of the policies the council removed upon urging from Vice Mayor Eric Filseth called for exploring opportunities for developing housing over parking on cityowned parking lots. Filseth noted the breadth of the work plan, which he called “aspirational,” and suggested that the city take a more targeted approach, with a special focus on housing low-income residents or those with special needs. Some policies, including the one targeting parking lots, go too far, he said. “Once you build a building on top of it, it’ll be there for the next 100 years,” Filseth said. Councilman Greg Scharff agreed and called public parking lots a valuable amenity that the city can ill afford to give up. He pointed to the city’s decades-long quest to find land for a new public-safety building — a project that only became viable when the city agreed to use a public lot for the new facility. “We can’t buy land. We can’t afford it,” Scharff said. Others vehemently disagreed. Councilman Cory Wolbach noted that the policy only calls for exploring new policies, not actually adopting them. “This is a multigenerational problem that we’re trying to address and that we haven’t addressed in several decades,” Wolbach said. Councilman Adrian Fine, who wrote the memo that spurred the creation of the Housing Work Plan, also argued in favor of keeping the policy. Leaving the parking lots as they are, Fine said, will (continued on page 12)
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 5
Upfront
Music Director
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Winter Concertos
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Assistant Conductor & Composer-inResidence
Lee Actor
Debussy Petite Suite Actor Saxophone Concerto Bartók Concerto for Orchestra featuring
8 pm* Saturday ,
Ron Bowman
Cubberley Theatre, Palo Alto (*7:30pm pre-concert talk)
www.paphil.org CITY OF PALO ALTO PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING 250 HAMILTON AVENUE, COUNCIL CHAMBERS FEBRUARY 28, 2018 AT 6:00PM
Study Session: 1. Discussion Regarding the 2017 Annual Housing Element Report Prepared for City Council Review and Submittal to the State Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department. The Planning and Transportation Commission is live streamed online at http://midpenmedia. org/category/gover nment/city-of-palo-alto and available on via cablecast on government access channel 26. The complete agenda with accompanying reports is available online at http:// www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/boards/ptc/default. asp. For Additional Information Contact Yolanda Cervantes at Yolanda.Cervantes@cityofpaloalto.org or at 650.329.2404.
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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) Staff Photographer/Videographer Veronica Weber (223-6520) Editorial Assistant/Intern Coordinator Christine Lee (223-6526) Editorial Interns Marley Arechiga, Sarah Klearman Contributors Chrissi Angeles, Dale F. Bentson, Mike Berry, Carol Blitzer, Peter Canavese, Yoshi Kato, Chris Kenrick, Jack McKinnon, Alissa Merksamer, Sheryl Nonnenberg, Kaila Prins, Ruth Schechter, 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), V.K. Moudgalya (223-6586), Caitlin Wolf (223-6508) Real Estate Advertising Sales Neal Fine (223-6583), Rosemary Lewkowitz (223-6585) Legal Advertising Alicia Santillan (223-6578) ADVERTISING SERVICES Advertising Services Lead Blanca Yoc (223-6596) Sales & Production Coordinators Diane Martin (223-6584), Toni Villa (223-6582) 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) BUSINESS Payroll & Benefits Zach Allen (223-6544) Business Associates Cherie Chen (223-6543), Suzanne Ogawa (223-6541) 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 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.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Do we want a great city to raise a car or a great city to raise a family? Adrian Fine, Palo Alto City Councilman, on using existing parking lots for new housing. Page 5.
Around Town
A NEW BEGINNING ... Palo Alto’s elected leaders agree that the north Ventura area represents an exciting opportunity for the city to boost its housing supply while adding desired amenities to the neighborhood. To meet these goals, the City plans to launch a “coordinated area plan” for the neighborhood. Yet the Council’s Monday discussion about the new plan also hinted at the challenges ahead. The Council was scheduled to approve an agreement to fund the plan, which will be boosted by a $638,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation and $250,000 from The Sobrato Organization, which owns various properties throughout the neighborhood, including the site that includes Fry’s Electronics. Instead, after spending most of the meeting debating the city’s new Housing Work Plan, an exhausted council opted to defer its discussion until a future meeting. Councilwoman Karen Holman observed that delaying the discussion will undermine the city’s proposed timeline for the planning effort and made a case for coming back with the item as soon as possible. Several residents stuck around until about 11 p.m. to offer their thoughts on the plan and Ventura’s future. Terry Holzemer said the city should consider amenities such as an aquatic center, a new animal shelter, a community center or a decently sized park. “Our nearest park is Sarah Wallis Park, which as you know is the size of a postage stamp,” he said. Angela de la Porta, a member of the Ventura Neighborhood Association, said she is excited about kicking off the process. “We really want to make it into a pleasant and thriving place for the entire neighborhood,” she said.
SPREADING THE LOVE ... Oakland Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie spent his Valentine’s Day at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford to reunite with Dr. Frank Hanley, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon who performed open heart surgery on him on Feb. 14, 2006, to repair his congenital heart defect while he was a sophomore at De La Salle High School in Concord. The 27-year-old teamed up with his friend Taylor Gamino, who also underwent surgery by
Hanley, to deliver a “Heart Warrior” message for heart patients at the hospital. Gamino was born with half of a heart and had four open heart surgeries. He’s the namesake for Camp Taylor, a free, medically supervised camp for children with heart disease. Carrie brought the patients a “TJ Carrie Heart Shadow Buddy,” which has an incision down its chest and a red mended heart, in addition to a pair of Raiders shorts and Carrie T-shirt. “It’s a blessing to have had my open heart surgery on Valentine’s Day, wouldn’t change it for the world,” Carrie said in an Instagram post on Wednesday. A PERFECT FIT ... Florie Hutchinson has changed the emoji fashion game with her proposed image for women’s flat shoes expected to show up on mobile phones in August or September. The self-proclaimed emoji enthusiast based in Palo Alto advocated for the addition in her proposal to the Unicode Consortium, a nonprofit that governs universal character coding system Unicode Standard used to encode the popular symbols. The mother of three, who works in media strategy work, saw a gap in the selection of shoes available to users: a stiletto, a boot and a mule, which all have heels. She made the case that flats are growing in popularity across the world compared to stilettos, made from a variety of materials and sold at “all price points.” The addition also would be more representative of “female shoe-wearing habits.” Hutchinson also proposed six colors for the shoes: teal, yellow, peach, brown, light brown and blue (with an optional ribbonlike binding at the forefront). For Hutchinson, the end goal is to give women “an emoji that confirms that their height and leg lengths are perfect, as they are.” Q
Correction
In the Feb. 9 Around Town item “Flying High,” Stanford alumni Jordan Bademois, Cameron Fleming and Jordan Richard were incorrectly listed as Philadelphia Eagles players. The trio are members of the New England Patriots. 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.
Upfront TRANSPORTATION
Palo Alto flustered over airplane noise With relief nowhere in sight, some urge city to take FAA to court by Gennady Sheyner
I
t’s been nearly four years since the problem of airplane noise appeared on Palo Alto’s radar and — for residents and city officials — relief remains well beyond the horizon. Despite numerous studies, hundreds of citizen complaints and extensive lobbying of the Federal Aviation Administration by Palo Alto and neighboring communities, air traffic remains as high as ever. So are frustrations.
noise-canceling headphones — you need to do the legal option,” Yarkin told the committee Tuesday. The council committee had its own frustration. In 2016, a special committee chaired by Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian had compiled a report with a list of recommendations aimed at providing relief. But after some back and forth, the FAA informed participants
‘You need to do the legal option.’ —Kerry Yarkin, resident, Palo Alto That much was clear on Tuesday night, when several residents urged a City Council committee to take a more aggressive stance toward the FAA, the agency with jurisdiction over the invisible highways in the sky. Traffic in these aerial routes has been on the rise since 2014, when the agency adopted new flight paths and procedures as part of its Next Generation initiative. Kerry Yarkin was one of several speakers who cited the impact of the added plane noise on her quality of life and encouraged the council’s Policy and Services Committee to consider litigation to solve the problem. “I just think that at this point, after four years, to be able to sit in my backyard, do my gardening, relax, take a walk in my neighborhood ... without my
last November that some of the report’s most ambitious recommendations will not be pursued. This includes the suggestion that the FAA attempt to reduce the concentration of flights at the MENLO waypoint, which is located near Palo Alto and which functions as a hub for planes waiting to land at San Francisco International Airport. The agency responded that it cannot shift flights around without interfering with the flight space of planes bound for Mineta San Jose International Airport. For a similar reason, the FAA rejected a suggestion that altitude for planes at MENLO be raised to 5,000 feet. Such an action, the FAA countered in its report cannot be done “without jeopardizing the safe operation of each aircraft.”
The FAA’s November report noted that the higher the aircraft flies, the farther away from SFO it must travel to descend in the appropriate altitude for approach. The airspace around MENLO does not allow for the extra distance because it is “primarily responsible for aircraft landing and departing the San Jose airport.” Faced with few good options, the Policy and Services Committee agreed on Tuesday to pursue a broad strategy that includes building new alliances, increasing monitoring efforts and — if necessary — pursuing litigation. Committee members and staff recognized that the problem is by no means unique to Palo Alto, though because of the convergence of various flights paths, the city’s noise problems are particularly pronounced. Deputy City Manager Michelle Poche Flaherty noted that Palo Alto has had more people filing noise complaints over the past year than any other city — a reflection of the fact that air traffic has grown significantly in recent years. According to the most recent report from SFO’s Aircraft Noise Abatement Office, Palo Alto had 213 people filing complaints in December 2017. Los Altos and Los Gatos were a distant second and third, with 169 and 147 noise reporters, respectively. To grapple with the problem,
BUSINESS
the city has been forging new partnerships. The San Jose City Council has recently formed the Ad Hoc Committee on South Flow Arrivals to consider noise impacts from airplanes at San Jose International Airport. Palo Alto Councilwoman Lydia Kou represents the city on the committee. Councilman Greg Scharff, meanwhile, is one of seven members on another ad hoc committee — one that is trying to establish a permanent “Roundtable” group for Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, with a focus on noise issues relating to both San Francisco and San Jose airports. Speaking as a bloc would make it easier for local communities to express their concerns to the FAA, which is generally reluctant to deal with individual jurisdictions, Flaherty said. Palo Alto officials have also been talking to mayors from nearby cities to communicate consistent messages to the FAA, according to a report from the Office of City Manager. “The formation of one or more roundtable entities would provide a more effective, comprehensive and transparent means of establishing a regional position on airplane noise,” the report states. The council committee agreed that these memberships are worth pursuing, even as they also acknowledged that the city will need to do a lot more to make real progress. Councilman Tom DuBois noted that the interests of different cities in the region may not align. “The communities that now have less noise aren’t particularly eager to get it back,” DuBois said. DuBois and his three committee
colleagues — Chair Adrian Fine, Cory Wolbach and Karen Holman — unanimously endorsed a set of recommendations presented by staff for addressing airplane noise. One was to request temporary noise monitoring from San Francisco International Airport. Another called for lobbying the FAA to implement those changes that it deemed feasible — including making more use of the BDEGA east arrival route, which uses the Bay and largely avoids the city. The committee also agreed, however, that the city should be prepared to sue, if needed. The council’s motion included a provision that the council schedule a closed session to discuss its legal options. If Palo Alto pursues litigation, it would join the company of cities like Newport Beach and Phoenix, which also recently challenged the FAA over “NextGen.” Peter Kirsch, the attorney who worked on the Phoenix lawsuit, has been consulting with Palo Alto on its own response to the FAA, City Attorney Molly Stump told the committee Tuesday. Stump said her office is “watching and waiting,” and she suggested that a lawsuit might be premature at this time. “We do not have an actionable legal situation before us right now,” Stump said. The committee acknowledged the complexity of the problem. Wolbach, who last March was part of a delegation that traveled to Washington, D.C., to discuss airplane noise with FAA officials, noted that the council has no jurisdiction over the skies and that the best it can do is advocate for its citizens. Q Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.
Home is where the heart is!
Developer sues College Terrace Market owners Lawsuit alleges $460K owed in rent and mechanic’s liens by Sue Dremann
E
ven as it was opening its doors last June, the nowdefunct College Terrace Market was apparently facing steep financial challenges, a lawsuit filed in January against the store’s owners indicates. The lawsuit claims the market’s owners, The Grocery Men 1 LLC, defaulted on their lease by failing to pay $145,000 in rent and fees and also failed to reimburse the property owner, Palo Alto Property Owner LLC, for about $314,000 in mechanic’s liens that were placed against the College Terrace Centre, which is located at 2100 El Camino Real in Palo Alto. The lawsuit asks for damages, plus interest and attorney’s fees.
The market opened to much fanfare last June, a promised “public benefit” in the newly constructed center. But court records show that on July 12, one contractor, Commercial Refrigeration Specialists, filed a mechanic’s lien against the property for debt totaling $26,590. On Sept. 12, San Leandro-based contractor Eric Anderson Inc. also filed a mechanic’s lien for $570,000 for electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, fixtures, concrete, rough carpentry and drywall materials and labor, according to the court files. Palo Alto Property Owner LLC, which owns the block-long office and retail center, paid the liens, and Anderson released its hold on Dec. 27; Commercial
Refrigeration released its lien on Dec. 21, court records show. According to the lease agreement, Chris Iversen and Addison Wright, who were doing business as The Grocery Men 1 LLC, are guarantors for the lease and are responsible for keeping the premises “free and clear” of liens. They didn’t obtain any releases for the liens, the lawsuit alleges. According to the lease agreement, tenants Grocery Men 1 received financial incentives for opening the market. The $22,500 monthly base rent was completely waived for the first three months of operation. For fourth through sixth months, Grocery Men 1 (continued on page 13)
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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 7
Upfront EDUCATION
County seeks rescue plan for preschool services Ravenswood district has no funds to continue operating Child Development Center
T
he fate of the Ravenswood City School District’s statefunded preschool program hangs in the balance as the district, facing an ongoing budget shortfall, negotiates with the county and state to assume operations of the Child Development Center (CDC) in East Palo Alto. The district plans to lay off the majority of the staff there — the school board approved last week cutting 28 out of 31 positions as part of more than $5 million in reductions for next year — but school officials have said they do not plan to close the center. Ravenswood is currently in talks with the San Mateo County Office of Education and the California Department of Education to explore different options for the center, which is currently fully enrolled at 165 students, according to the district. The county could potentially take over the center’s state-funded preschool slots, county Superintendent of Schools Anne Campbell said in an interview, and
Weekly’s press deadline. At the Feb. 8 board meeting, Hernandez-Goff told a full room of staff, parents and community members, many wearing name tags to indicate their affiliation with the CDC, that the district has no money to continue operating the center. The Child Development Center serves students 3 to 5 years old. Admission is based on family size and income, according to the district website. In order to qualify for admission, parents must either be working, in school at an accredited institution or seeking employment. District staff have described the center as under-enrolled (despite being fully enrolled this year) but costly and subsidized by the general fund. The district is now facing a multiyear budget shortfall due to years of declining enrollment and a corresponding loss in state revenue, compounded by several years of deficit spending. At last week’s board meeting, some parents also suggested that Ravenswood collaborate with the
Veronica Weber
by Elena Kadvany Ravenswood families would still have access to them, just under a different provider. Other nearby preschool programs, such as the Creative Montessori Learning Center in East Palo Alto and the federally funded Head Start program (which has local locations in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Redwood City), could also expand to the facility to address a “huge shortage” of child care facilities in the county, Campbell said. But, she noted, other preschool programs also operate on very slim budgets. The county Office of Education could also reassign the preschool slots, and funding, to facilities throughout the rest of San Mateo County, but the agency is aiming to keep them in East Palo Alto and east Menlo Park, Campbell said. The district did not make Chief Budget Official Steve Eichman nor Superintendent Gloria Hernandez-Goff available to answer questions about the CDC by the
Preschoolers, from left, Bella Mendoza, Cristal Garcia and Madeline Contreras play as instructional aide Xiomara Barillas looks on at Ravenswood Child Development Center. City of East Palo Alto to operate the Child Development Center. They described the CDC as an invaluable program that had made a significant difference in the academic and social-emotional lives of their young children. Campbell said the local, county and state agencies are under a tight deadline to find a resolution: Ravenswood will forego responsibility for the CDC when the fiscal year ends on June 30, but the facility is open year-round. 4C’s of San Mateo County, which provides referrals and resources related to child care and preschool services, could potentially help place children elsewhere this summer, Campbell said.
Campbell said her office has asked the state Department of Education to send a representative to do a site walk of the Child Development Center to evaluate potential options. The county then aims to bring together any agencies or preschool programs who might be interested in expanding to the CDC. The school board will hold a retreat this Saturday, Feb. 17, in part to discuss the budget and seek public input on cuts. The meeting will be held at 2120 Euclid Ave., East Palo Alto. The board’s open session is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Q Staff Writer Elena Kadvany can be emailed at ekadvany@ paweekly.com.
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Upfront CRIME
Former Palo Alto teacher convicted of child sex abuse Michael Airo found guilty of four felony charges
A
fter deliberating for about two days, a jury found former Palo Alto elementary school teacher Michael Airo guilty on Wednesday of sexually abusing a young girl more than 10 years ago. The jury unanimously found Airo, who taught at Ohlone Elementary School, guilty of four felony charges: continuous sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 14 and three counts of lewd or lascivious acts with the use of force, violence, duress, menace or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person. After the court clerk read each verdict aloud, defense attorney Michael Armstrong asked that
Airo be permitted to stay out on bail due to, he argued, a lack of concern for public safety, his lack of criminal record and the low probability that Airo would fail to appear for a sentencing hearing. Judge Allison Marston Danner ruled that Airo be immediately remanded without bail “in light of the nature of the convictions, the protection of the public and the fact that there is no right to bail after a felony conviction.” The jury found Airo guilty of sexually abusing his ex-girlfriend’s young daughter while they lived together in a house in Palo Alto in the early 2000s. She testified that from fifth grade through eighth grade, Airo
entered the bathroom while she was showering “many times” and would kiss her on each breast, then each side of her stomach and then each of her buttocks. She did not report his actions at the time but eventually told a therapist in 2014, which sparked a criminal case that led to Airo’s trial. Airo denied all of the allegations during his testimony. The jury foreperson declined to comment. The 12 jurors, one of whom had been replaced by an alternate, left the courthouse quickly after the verdicts were announced. The case will now be sent to the probation department. A sentencing hearing has been set in Palo Alto for April 19.
COMMUNITY
Avenidas Lifetimes of Achievement honorees announced May garden party will honor notable seniors, fund support programs by Palo Alto Weekly staff
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rom creating new gardens for nonprofit organizations, to implementing an angermanagement program for at-risk youth, to delivering dozens of concerts a year to health centers and senior communities, the people honored with this year’s Avenidas Lifetimes of Achievement Award have engaged in meaningful and creative efforts to create change in their local communities and beyond. The recipients of the annual award are John and Kristine Erving, Jim Gibbons, Christy Holloway, Ellie and Dick Mansfield and Nancy Mueller. The honorers were announced at an evening reception on Thursday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Palo Alto. Their efforts also will be celebrated at an afternoon garden party in May; the event is the main annual fundraiser for Avenidas, a Palo Alto-based nonprofit organization that offers tools for positive aging to people and their families on the Midpeninsula. “When you think of powerhouses in the local community, these new Avenidas Lifetimes of Achievement honorees are the ones who first come to mind,” Avenidas President and CEO Amy Andonian stated in a press release. Kristine Erving has been both a teacher and volunteer for many organizations in the local community. While acting as a community relations coordinator for Stanford Hospital, she became one of the
founders of the Stanford Health Library and later worked as its director, bringing much-needed medical information for patients. She also is serving as chairwoman of “Bring Me a Book,” a preschool educational organization, and has served on the Avenidas board for seven years. John Erving used his experience as a real estate developer while serving as board and chairman for Habitat for Humanity for 15 years. He then educated himself in landscape design and has redesigned or created new gardens for schools, public projects and nonprofit organizations. While the Ervings have each spearheaded their separate projects, they have constantly assisted each other — Kristine was responsible for major Habitat for Humanity drives while John was a key contributor to her Heritage Park Playground project, according to Avenidas. Gibbons, former dean of the School of Engineering at Stanford University, has served on more than 13 boards in Silicon Valley, including Cisco and the nonprofit Children’s Health Council. He used his expertise for educational purposes, vastly expanding and improving the Stanford Instructional Television Network, which provided television education to thousands of engineers at local companies. His engagement with the Santa Clara Juvenile Hall led him to form SERA Learning, a company
that created a program to teach at-risk youth how to manage their anger. SERA’s “Skills for Managing Anger” course has since been used in 400 schools and juvenile justice applications across the country, including Columbine High School and New York City after 9/11. Holloway has been an advocate for land preservation and environmental education for decades. She has been president of The Junior League of Palo Alto, was first board chair of newly formed Environmental Volunteers organization and served as the first co-director of the new nonprofit Trust for Hidden Villa. She has provided leadership, raised funds and helped build the community support network for Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and Yosemite National Park over 28 years. After Stanford Law School, Ellie Mansfield served on the board of the County Bank of Santa Cruz and continued on the board until it became the California branch of Comerica Bank, becoming the branch’s first female board member. Ellie also sang in the Stanford Chorus, a group of female singers who still give 24 concerts a year at health centers and senior communities. Ellie also has been PTA president, Girl Scouts leader and Avenidas board member for three years. She is also known throughout the community for her work with the Sempervirens Fund, which protects the redwood
Veronica Weber
by Elena Kadvany
Michael Airo exits the Palo Alto courthouse on Feb. 1 during his criminal trial. Airo, a former Ohlone Elementary School teacher, was convicted on Feb. 14 of child sexual abuse. Airo faces six, 12 or 16 years in state prison for the first charge and lifelong registration as a sex offender; and five, eight or 10 years for each of the latter three charges. Q
Additional coverage of the trial can be found at PaloAltoOnline.com. Staff Writer Elena Kadvany can be emailed at ekadvany@ paweekly.com.
forests between Silicon Valley and the Pacific Ocean. Dick Mansfield, who spent his early career as a lawyer in private practice and then served for 19 years on the judicial staff of the California Court of Appeals, has been president of the Palo Alto Bar Association and a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association. He was chair of the Administration of Justice for the State Bar of California. Dick was also a scoutmaster for Boy Scouts Troop 57. The Mansfields together work as docents at the Manzanar National Historic Site, one of the 10 “relocation centers” that incarcerated a large number of Japanese-Americans during World
War II. Mueller previously ran Nancy’s Specialty Foods, which over 22 years became the largest processor and marketer of frozen quiche products in the world. Since 1966, she has offered her business acumen and support to many local nonprofits, including serving six years on the Avenidas Board of Directors. In her free time, she also she volunteered with Bay Window Restaurant, where volunteer servers donated their tips to the nonprofit Family Service Association. Tickets for the May 20 Garden Party are $75 and available online at avenidas.org or by calling 650-289-5400. Q
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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 9
Upfront
News Digest Family sues school district for potato-gun injuries The parents of a Palo Alto Unified School District student who faces long-term eye damage from an injury sustained during a potato-gun experiment at JLS Middle School have filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the district and two employees. In a claim filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court on Feb. 7, the parents allege that the district and teachers breached their duty to conduct the experiment “with reasonable care” and to protect the student from “foreseeable dangers.” The claim alleges that the student, then 13 years old, was participating in a school experiment with homemade potato guns on May 12, conducting mathematical calculations based on the distance the potato traveled. To shoot the gun, a valve between the top and bottom of the gun would be released, allowing the pressurized air to launch the potato, according to the claim. When it was the student’s turn to operate the gun, he turned the valve to release the pressure and “nothing happened,” the claim states. “After several seconds the gun suddenly discharged striking (the student) in his face and causing significant permanent injuries.” Paul Van Der Walde, the family’s attorney, has not requested a specific amount in damages but said a focus group he hired to evaluate the case estimated $4 million, which is “probably in line with what our thoughts were.” Van Der Walde said the school district rejected the family’s claim before they filed the lawsuit. A case management conference is scheduled for May 29, at which point they will discuss possible mediation or how to proceed, Van Der Walde said.Q —Elena Kadvany
Stanford pediatricians, now in your neighborhood at Peninsula Pediatric Medical Group
City takes stand against Wiener’s housing bill Access to Excellence.
genpeds.stanfordchildrens.org
SPECIAL CHINESE NEW YEAR FENG SHUI HOME TOUR by Feng Shui Master Linda Lenore
2786 Ohio Avenue, Redwood City Saturday Feb. 17th, 10am-noon | Sunday Feb. 18th, Noon-2:30pm
A state bill that would increase zoning densities, relax parking requirements and curb cities’ abilities to limit building heights in transitrich areas is proving to be a tough sell in Palo Alto, where city officials on Tuesday took a firm stance against the proposed legislation. Authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, Senate Bill 827 would provide zoning concessions and exemptions from local regulations for “transit-rich housing projects,” which are defined in the bill as residential developments within a half-mile radius of a major transit stop or within a quarter-mile radius of a high-quality transit corridor. Qualifying projects would not be subject to limits on the maximum number of units, minimum parking requirements or maximum height limitations. But despite the Palo Alto’s recent push on housing, officials are raising concerns that the Wiener bill would actually hinder the city’s efforts. On Tuesday, the city signaled its official opposition to the bill in a letter to Wiener’s office. Signed by Mayor Liz Kniss, the letter alludes to the city’s effort to amend its zoning regulations to encourage residential projects with higher densities near transit areas. The letter also alludes to the package of 15 housing bills that the Legislature passed last year (including Wiener’s Senate Bill 35, which created a streamlined approval process for qualifying housing developments). The council’s opposition is not, however, unanimous. Councilman Adrian Fine, author of the memo spurred the creation of the Housing Work Plan, said that he disagrees with the dissent. Q —Gennady Sheyner
Baylands trails reopened
In celebration of this year’s Chinese New Year on Feb 16th, which is heralding in The Year of the Earth Dog, Feng Shui Master/designer Linda Lenore is offering a free guided tour of “The Good Life Home”. Combining practical Feng Shui principles with Green/ Sustainable building practices, Linda has reconfigured and extensively remodeled her own home in the highly sought-after Woodside Plaza Neighborhood of Redwood City resulting in a gracious, peaceful, beautiful and functional environment for enjoying “The Good Life”. The grounds have been officially designated a wildlife sanctuary and they offer a feast for the senses, with three impressive water features, thirteen varieties of fruit trees,
vegetable beds and ornamental statuary, there are plenty of different nooks and spaces to enjoy. This is truly an enchanting and peaceful place to retreat to in the heart of our vibrant and bustling Mid-Peninsula! With over 30 years of Feng Shui experience and 50 years in interior design, Lenore is offering to share some of her Feng Shui Tips with you and will give a free copy of the book “Power to Change” to the first 20 visitors! Come experience for yourself how an ordinary house can be updated and transformed into a home designed with purpose to promote health, wealth, loving relationships and fabulous careers - energetically fit for an Emperor!
This special home is available for sale. For more information, contact Siobhan O’Sullivan, License #01298824, at Alain Pinel Realtors on 650-776-5445. Page 10 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Sections of the Bay Trail closed due to construction were reopen Monday, according to the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority. Another trail, the Faber-Laumeister, which was torn up during native planting to provide habitat for endangered species, will be smoothed out as well. The trail sections, which lead to and from the Friendship Bridge that borders East Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Golf Course, were closed due to construction that is part of the flood protection work on the lower part of the San Francisquito Creek east of U.S. Highway 101. Users had expected to re-enter the trails on Feb. 3, when construction was to end temporarily during the nesting season for the Ridgway’s rail, an endangered bird species that lives in the marshes. But days before the opening, the JPA announced the trail would remain closed through Dec. 28, angering many bicycle commuters who use the trail to get to and from work. Concern was compounded after the Faber-Laumeister trail, a dirt track that traverses the top of a berm over the marshes at the intersection of the Bay Trail and Runnymede Street, became inaccessible after it was dug up to accommodate the native plants, But on Monday, hard work to negotiate a solution resulted in approving the trails’ reopening, said Gary Kremen, board chair of the JPA and Santa Clara Valley Water District. Palo Alto City Councilman Greg Scharff noted on Town Square that the trails would close again sometime after May 1 when the contractors return to complete their job. The trails would reopen permanently around Jan. 1. Q —Sue Dremann
Upfront
Buena Vista (continued from page 5)
As part of the park’s $40 million purchase from the previous owners, the Jisser family, the Santa Clara County Housing Authority contributed $26 million through federal funding from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which also will pay for improvements to the park’s aged utilities infrastructure. Repairs to bring the aged mobile homes up to HUD standards are a requirement of the agency. The park renovations thus far have included removing brokendown cars and trash and debris that could cause fire hazards, eliminating vermin and trimming vegetation. Each unit has been inspected by HUD staff for what repairs the agency requires to bring the units up to code. Now contractors are making repairs noted in the HUD inspectors’ reports. Each unit will have a smoke detector at the very least. Residents said they are excited and pleased about the changes. In some cases, new floors, plumbing fixes and lighting are making their homes feel brighter and safer, residents said. Maria Reyna, who bought her unit 17 years ago, said the contractors will fix her electricity and water that is leaking, and they have changed a light switch. But
progress has also meant some personal sacrifices. She used to have two parking spots, which allowed for her daughter-in-law to park next to her unit. Now she is only allotted one, so her daughter-inlaw, who works until late at night, must park on the darkened street along Los Robles Avenue. “There is no parking now. The street is full,” she said. Reyna’s home is also adjacent to the public bathrooms and laundry, which also are being repaired. While convenient, new dumpsters have made her life more unpleasant. By the weekend the garbage piles up. But she is glad the park is being cleaned up. There used to be much more garbage and many more stored cars, she said. On Tuesday, Buena Vista Community Manager Cassy Husted, whose office is on site, was helping residents coordinate their repair dates, working from spreadsheets to track the progress. She referred comment to Caritas about the changes and what the future will bring, but Caritas did not respond before the Weekly’s press deadline. Deborah Farrington Padilla, a teacher who runs the new Buena Vista Homework Club, which now has a mobile unit at the park, said she has seen major improvements to the residents’ quality of life, not only in terms of safety and sanitation but also services. The park now has a security guard who patrols the grounds, and park rules regarding
noise and trash are being enforced. According to the newsletter, new speed bumps will be added to slow traffic. For security and safety, one of the doors to the laundry room has been closed off to reduce points of access, and the bathrooms will be similarly altered. A mobile food truck that will provide healthful and nutritious produce, bread and canned food will be available to needy residents through the Community Services Agency of Mountain View and West Valley Community Services, according to the newsletter. Padilla pointed to the Homework Club as an example of Caritas’ commitment to improving the park holistically. The club, which began in September with an outside table, now has a mobile unit purchased by Caritas. Students receive mentoring and tutoring assistance from Stanford University student volunteers. The brainchild of Padilla, a teacher at Sacred Heart Preparatory School in Atherton, the “clubhouse” offers a badly needed gathering place for students twice weekly, she said. On Tuesday Padilla hauled a juicer out of her car and mounded a pile of oranges on a card table. The children, who are in elementary school, excitedly took turns pressing halved oranges onto the device. On this day they will have access to fresh juice and see where it originated, she said. Brightly colored student
Public Agenda A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week CITY COUNCIL ... The council has no meetings scheduled this week. COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to consider adoption of a hydroelectric rate-adjustment mechanism and consider an update to the city’s bill-adjustment process for water leaks and metering errors. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. COUNCIL RAIL COMMITTEE ... The committee will discuss the trenchingtunneling white paper and its workplace for 2018 at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD ... The board plans to discuss proposed modifications to the roof material for the new Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo and continue its discussion of Draft Eichler Neighborhood Guidelines. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave. LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMISSION ... The commission plans to consider adopting the Library Strategic Plan, revising the Library Collection Development Policy and consider ways to use the library impact fees. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave.
drawings grace the unit’s door. Soon, Caritas will add internet service at the clubhouse, and Padilla and the Stanford students plan to coordinate with Palo Alto Unified School District and individual school officials on potential computer programs and other services. Padilla noted the changes she has seen in some of the students. They have found a sense of community. “One girl in the beginning just
grunted. Now she comes in and gets her coloring pencils and she is drawing pictures,” she said. The girl has opened up to her mentor to talk about her personal life. “In four months, she is completely different from when she came in September,” Padilla added. Q Staff Writer Sue Dremann can be emailed at sdremann@ paweekly.com.
Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Physicians Founded upon a commitment to serve our community, Castilleja continues to meet its mission through on-going partnerships with local organizations. As a core part of our curriculum, students actively engage with local groups such as Ada’s Café, Palo Alto Veterans Administration Hospital, Life Moves, and Downtown Street Teams. Many of our students continue this tradition of service well beyond graduation, including Castilleja alumna Dr. Shira Lipton, a board-certified dermatologist, who provides medical services to the Palo Alto community.
“From a very early age, Castilleja encouraged us to think about service, and that’s where my commitment to our community began.” DR. SHIRA LIPTON, CASTILLEJA ALUMNA DERMATOLOGIST
SUPPORT CASTILLEJA AND READ SHIRA’S FULL STORY
CastillejaReimagined.org
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 11
Upfront HOUSING
Commissioners spar over proposed affordable-housing zoning Planning commission debates ordinance, defers vote by Gennady Sheyner
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proposal to create a new zoning district to promote construction of affordablehousing developments in Palo Alto hit a snag Wednesday night, when a deeply divided Planning and Transportation Commission voted to defer its decision for at least a month. By a 4-3 vote, with Vice Chair Susan Monk and Commissioners Michael Alcheck and William Riggs dissenting, the commission directed staff to perform more analysis on a range of issues — including parking demand, height restrictions and areas in which the new district could be applied. All three dissenting commissioners advocated for expediency in approving the new district and allowing the council to hash out some of its more troubling aspects. The commission’s decision will delay — though likely not derail — the adoption of the new “affordable housing combined district,” which would apply to commercially zoned parcels. The overlay would work in tandem with the site’s underlying zoning and would relax some of the development standards for entirely belowmarket-rate housing developments. It would only apply to sites within a half-mile of major transit stops or “high-quality transit corridors.” In a tense discussion that stretched for more than three hours, commissioners agreed that they would like to see a strong ordinance that promotes affordable housing.
That, however, is where the consensus ended. Chair Ed Lauing and Commissioners Asher Waldfogel, Doria Summa and Przemek Gardias all said they would like more time to evaluate the development standards in the new proposals and conduct outreach to developers and
typically lower than the citywide 50-foot threshold. She also suggested that the proposed parking requirements — a half space per unit — may be too low and requested more analysis. “I don’t think we can go forward with an overlay zone that puts such
‘This is a tug of war of sorts but one in which one team isn’t even grabbing their end of the rope.’ —Michael Alcheck, member, planning commission the broader community. Waldfogel suggested that the city identify the range of income levels that the new ordinance should focus on. He argued that it’s important for the city to craft an ordinance that would “actually produce units.” “Last thing I want to do is proceed with something that doesn’t accomplish the goals,” he said. Summa had a list of specific problems with the ordinance, even as she lauded its broad goal of encouraging affordable housing. The new zone, she said, should ensure that the new affordablehousing developments have heights that are compatible with adjacent low-density residential districts. This would apply to various sections of El Camino Real that are located near single-family neighborhoods and which, for that reason, have height limits that are
Online This Week
These and other news stories were posted on Palo Alto Online throughout the week. For longer versions, go to www.PaloAlto Online.com/news.
Two injured in road collision Embarcadero Road was shut down for more than an hour after two men were injured in a collision at the height of the evening commute on Tuesday, police said. (Posted Feb. 13, 5:30 p.m.)
Caltrain hits unoccupied car A driver whose navigation system led to the Charleston Road crossing escaped the vehicle before it was struck by a southbound Caltrain and caught on fire Monday night, interrupting service on the commuter rail line. (Posted Feb. 12, 8:06 p.m.)
Police warn of thefts at Stanford Stanford University’s Department of Public Safety issued an alert Wednesday regarding several reports of items stolen from academic buildings located on the west side of campus. Property taken in the thefts that occurred Monday and Tuesday included laptops, smartphones and other electronic devices, as well as a Ford F-350 pickup truck. (Posted Feb. 10, 8:52 a.m.)
Convicted murderer gets another 50 years A Stockton resident convicted of killing an East Palo Alto man in 2015 received a 50-years-to-life sentence for the second time on Feb. 8. (Posted Feb. 8, 4:33 p.m.) Q Want to get news briefs emailed to you every weekday? Sign up for Express, our daily e-edition. Go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com to sign up.
Page 12 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
a negative impact burden on its neighbors,” Summa said. The commissioners who saw their bid to approve the ordinance fall by a 3-4 vote sharply rebuked those asking for more study of the issues. Monk said she is “extremely disappointed” in her colleagues’ decision to defer a decision and “embarrassed” about how far the city is behind in providing housing. “By us not passing it today, we will just delay what is so important to our community and stunt our own goals that we set forth,” Monk said. Alcheck went even further. He accused his colleagues of using “delay tactics” and argued that the real issue in the debate is the “complete NIMBYism” of those who oppose housing proposals. He described a typical participant in the planning process as a “well-to-do homeowner, strongly
Housing (continued from page 5)
both preclude any opportunities to provide housing for needy populations and also continue to foster a car culture. “Do we want a great city to raise a car or a great city to raise a family?” Fine asked, moments before the council voted 6-3 to remove the policy (Wolbach and Mayor Liz Kniss joined him in dissent). Another topic of contention was inclusionary zoning. The city currently requires market-rate developments to provide 15 percent of their units at below-market-rate levels. The work plan calls for increasing the percentage to 20 percent and to apply this rule to rental units (this is known as the “Palmer fix”). Some council members said the city should consider an even higher percentage. Councilwomen Karen Holman and Lydia Kou both lobbied for 25 percent — a proposal that ultimately passed by a 6-3 vote, with Fine, Filseth and Scharf dissenting. Those who opposed it argued that raising the requirement for subsidized housing may discourage development altogether.
averse to changes in their surroundings, time-rich, opinionated and articulate.” By contrast, the commission rarely hears from low-income renters, young adults who can’t afford to move out of their parents’ homes and people “lingering on an affordable-housing waiting list.” “This is a tug of war of sorts but one in which one team isn’t even grabbing their end of the rope,” Alcheck said. Riggs characterized overlay districts as a standard tool for city planners and called the proposed ordinance a “pragmatic policy.” For the commissioners, the Wednesday discussion was the second in two weeks in which they were asked to weigh the benefits of increasing housing against the potentially unpredictable consequences of granting zoning concessions. On Jan. 31, the commission decided that the former justifies the latter when it agreed create a new zoning district to allow “workforce housing” targeting people making between 120 and 150 percent of the area median income. The commission also decided that the workforce district should specifically apply to a site at 2755 El Camino Real, where the developer Windy Hill Property Ventures proposed a 60-unit apartment building with an aggressive transportation-demand-program aimed at reducing tenants’ need for cars. While the workforce district aims to help the city’s “missing middle” (those people who earn too much to qualify for belowmarket-rate units but not enough to pay Palo Alto rents), the affordable-housing district would target individuals with income levels ranging between “extreme low” and “moderate” incomes, as measured by area median income. To qualify for a studio in the “extremely low” category, a person would have to make no more than
$25,100; the “moderate” category would apply to incomes of up to $95,150. The affordable-housing district was similarly inspired by a specific proposal. The nonprofit Palo Alto Housing is making a bid to build 61 units at 3709 El Camino Real, near Wilton Court. If the new “affordable housing” district is applied to the site, it would give Palo Alto Housing the parking and density concessions that the nonprofit has requested to make the project financially viable, according to the nonprofit, which has not yet filed its development application. Not everyone was sold on the new zoning district. Becky Sanders, moderator of the Ventura Neighborhood Association, argued that, from the residents’ perspective, the proposal “came out of nowhere.” She suggested that relaxing parking rules will “inevitably lead to cars parked up and down the streets” and create bad feelings between neighbors. Others argued that the ordinance doesn’t go far enough. Elaine Uang, co-founder of the citizens group Palo Alto Forward, suggested that the city expand the overlay to Stanford Research Park and the city’s “general manufacturing” zones. “This affordable-housing overlay can help us meet our housing needs for the next 10, 15, 20+ years, and we should offer greater flexibility for future affordable housing projects at the most transit-accessible, service-rich locations,” Uang wrote. The ordinance is one component of a broad Housing Work Plan that aims to roughly triple Palo Alto’s housing production. City planners hope to adopt a new zoning ordinance by the end of the year and make further prohousing revisions in 2019. Q
Kou also argued that the Housing Work Plan should be complemented by a plan for measuring and enforcing “transportation-demand management” (TDM) plans that all major developments must now include. The plans typically include transit passes, bike service and other incentives for getting people to stop driving cars. She made a motion directing staff to identify clear guidelines and enforcement mechanisms for TDM plans. The motion passed on a 5-4 vote, with Kniss, Fine, Greg Tanaka and Wolbach dissenting. Another narrow vote came over Councilman Tom DuBois’ proposal to better define “affordable housing” and to set a quantifiable goal for producing below-marketrate units. That proposal fell by a 4-5 vote, with Filseth, Holman and Kou joining him. The most contentious part of the discussion, however, involved a topic that wasn’t in the work plan at all: recreational vehicles in which people are living long term. Kou proposed exploring the use of a city-owned site for RV parking and recommended the Los Altos Treatment Plant site east of U.S.
Highway 101 as a potential candidate. Wolbach blasted her proposal as an “out-of-sight, out-ofmind” approach. “Instead of creating a ghetto for these people, we should provide additional services for them,” Wolbach said, a characterization that DuBois said he found offensive. Holman was ultimately the only council member who joined DuBois and Kou in proposing new policies for RV dwellers. These disagreements notwithstanding, the council ultimately voted 9-0 to adopt the new plan, which also calls for the city to explore allowing residences at Stanford Research Park, Stanford University Medical Center and Stanford Shopping Center; to eliminate limits on housing densities; and to create a new “coordinated area plan” in the Ventura neighborhood. Many of the zoning changes proposed in the plan will now be crafted by staff and vetted by the Planning and Transportation Commission before returning to the council for possible adoption later this year. Q Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.
Upfront UTILITIES
Palo Alto Utilities tries to keep pace with technological change New strategic plan calls for more community collaboration, exploration of smart meters
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hen Palo Alto’s founding fathers decided more than a century ago to launch a municipal utility, they could hardly have imagined that their venture would eventually evolve into a 250-employee enterprise that deals with electric vehicles, solar panels and smart meters. Today, these issues are part of a growing workload for City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU), which is now in the process of adopting a new strategic plan that will guide its actions for the next five to 10 years. A product of months of brainstorming and refining by utilities staff, the new plan received the official endorsement of the Utilities Advisory Commission earlier this month and is set to be approved by the City Council later this month. Once in place, it will serve as a blueprint for a department that now finds itself wrestling with a series of challenges, both internal and external. On the former front, the utility is having difficulty recruiting and retaining workers — a product of the city’s high housing costs and fierce competition from the private market. On the latter, the organization is
by Gennady Sheyner contending with a rapidly changing technological landscape and growing customer demands. The Utilities Strategic Plan tries to address these challenges by identifying four priority areas on which to focus and including measurements tracking the department’s progress. The four areas are: workforce, collaboration, technology, and financial efficiency and resource optimization. By adopting “workforce” as a priority, utilities officials are signaling the need to create new programs that encourage professionals to join — and stay in — the organization. One strategy is the creation of annual “individual development plans” tailored to each employee. CPAU General Manager Ed Shikada said the program recognizes that for some employees, advancement in the profession isn’t always about getting promoted. The department also plans to expand its training and certificate programs to promote employee development. One of the goals of the strategic plan is to reduce turnover rates in the department to less than 10 percent by 2020, down from the current level of about 13 to 15
percent. Another measurement in the plan calls for filling all “critically identified positions” within 90 days. The “collaboration” priority refers to both internal teams and external stakeholders, which includes customers who produce, store and sell energy. The plan calls for proactively communicating with the community about capital projects, involving stakeholders on “strategic projects” and supporting customers’ needs for “distributed energy resources” — that is, small-scale power sources that could add energy and resilience to the power grid. One strategy calls for the city to make it easier for the community to understand and implement distributed-energy resources such as electric vehicles, solar, storage, energy efficiency and building electrification. “The ability for us to invite and facilitate partnerships — from at the community level to interdepartmental level to within the department — are not necessarily automatic or top of the mind,” Shikada said. “We are institutionalizing the opening of doors, the opportunities to seek
plan for reducing the city’s carbon footprint and meeting its watermanagement goals, engage the community in creating “resiliency work plans” with targets for recovery times after major disasters. Then there is the more fundamental goal that has been in place since the utilities early days and that is particularly near and dear to the organization’s customer base: safe and reliable service at a reasonable cost. One performance metric calls for the department to keep residential and commercial utility bills within the average of, or below, those of surrounding utilities and communities. “Facing an evolving utility business environment, aging infrastructure needs and sustainability objectives, CPAU must maintain a competitive position in the market,” the plan states in its introduction. “Remaining financially sustainable and competitive in the market while optimizing our resources is key to maintaining and enhancing our value to customers.” Q Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be emailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com.
CityView A round-up
of Palo Alto government action this week
City Council (Feb. 12)
Housing: The council approved a Housing Work Plan and made some modifications. These included voting 6-3, with Filseth, Fine and Scharff opposing, to evaluate increasing the city’s “inclusionary zoning” laws to require at least 25 percent of units in market-rate developments to be dedicated to affordable housing; and voting, with Kniss, Wolbach and Fine dissenting, to remove a policy calling for evaluation of building housing and parking facilities on existing city-owned parking lots. Yes: Unanimous
Council Policy and Services Committee (Feb. 13)
Market (continued from page 7)
Airplane noise: The committee discussed strategies for addressing airplane noise and agreed to work with neighboring jurisdictions, advocate for FAA to make changes to some flight paths and be prepared to file a lawsuit, if necessary. Yes: Unanimous
Board of Education (Feb. 13)
Veronica Weber
would only need to pay half of the base rent. But Iversen and Wright did not pay rent through January, the lawsuit states. The lease runs for 20 years. Getting a grocer for the building was fraught with complexities. The city ordinance guiding the College Terrace Centre development required that a grocer be secured for the site and approved by the city before demolition of the existing buildings and construction could begin. In 2014, James Smailey, the son of center developer Adventera Inc.’s Patrick Smailey, proposed operating the market. Smailey had no grocery store experience, but he said he would bring in a manager who did. That idea was shot down by the city. Later that year, Adventera Inc. proposed bringing in a member of a local family of grocers, but the Palo Alto City Council believed the man to have limited experience. Then New York-based developer Greystone took over as the center’s owner. Grocer Miki Werness, who had run a market at Alma Village in Palo Alto for six months in 2012 and 2013, was brought in as the manager and operator, with funding from Iversen, a businessman,
collaboration on an ongoing basis.” These distributed-energy resources are expected to play an increasingly central role as the city prepares for a transition to “advanced metering infrastructure,” also known as “smart meters.” In the “technology” priority, one idea calls for the city to finalize a business case, including cost and benefit analysis, for smart meters by June and to identify “functional and system” requirements for implementing the technology by June 2019. If things go as planned, the city would launch a “proof of concept” phase with 2,000 to 5,000 smart meters by September 2021, with the ultimate goal of deploying 73,000 electric, gas and water meters by September 2022. The fourth priority — financial efficiency and resource optimization — calls for the organization to clearly and consistently communicate infrastructure needs, enhance maintenance programs and achieve a “sustainable and resilient energy and water supply.” It calls for Utilities to work with other departments to implement a
The College Terrace Market opened last June and by December announced its closure. and Wright, a Hollywood producer. Neither funder had ever invested in a grocery store. Werness and Wright had known each other for 30 years prior to the formation of The Grocery Men 1 LLC, according to Iversen. He said last year the trio had been looking in multiple states for a grocerystore investment prior to deciding on College Terrace Market. But Werness did not last long: By Aug. 22, he was no longer working for the business. Then the store announced on Dec. 31 its imminent closure. Reached by email this week, Iversen said, “The Grocery Men vigorously disputes all allegations, and intends to file a counter claim to recover damages it believes it’s
owed. Further, we are extremely positive about the outcome for us and for small businesses.” The lawsuit doesn’t spell out the disposition of the remaining 20year lease and monthly payments. The Grocery Men can assign a new tenant replacement, but the landlord can withhold consent if the proposed tenant isn’t likely to be approved by the city of Palo Alto. The city’s clock is ticking on finding a new tenant. Under the zoning ordinance, the developer is required to pay a $2,000-a-day penalty fee for every day of vacancy starting six months after a market closes. Q Staff Writer Sue Dremann can be emailed at sdremann@ paweekly.com.
Union MOU: The board discussed a tentative memorandum of understanding with the teachers union to reallocate a 2 percent bonus to per-student funding at the schools. Action: None Superintendent search: The board approved a list of criteria for selection of the district’s next superintendent, with some edits and additions. Yes: Unanimous Term limits: The board directed staff to take steps to place a measure on the November 2018 ballot proposing two-term limits for board members. Yes: Collins, Dauber, DiBrienza, Godfrey No: Baten Caswell Bus purchases: The board waived its two-meeting rule and authorized staff to purchase four new school buses. Yes: Unanimous Facilities/bond: The board heard an update on a new facilities master plan and potentially placing a bond measure on the November 2018 ballot. Action: None
Planning and Transportation Commission (Feb. 14)
Office cap: The commission recommended making permanent the city’s 50,000-square-foot cap on office development in downtown, around California Avenue and along El Camino Real. The ordinance would eliminate the “beauty contest” provision and allow developers to roll over “unused” square footage from one year to another. Yes: Gardias, Lauing, Summa, Waldfogel No: Alcheck, Monk, Riggs Affordable housing: The commission recommended returning in 30 days for another hearing on a proposed affordable-housing combining district and directed staff to do further analysis of parking requirements, height restrictions and other issues. Yes: Gardias, Lauing, Summa, Waldfogel No: Alcheck, Monk, Riggs
Board Policy Review Committee (Feb. 15)
Class size: The committee revised and decided to move forward to the full board a new policy on class size. Yes: Unanimous Employee complaints: The committee discussed proposed changes to a policy on complaints about district employees. Action: None
Architectural Review Board (Feb. 15)
375 Hamilton Ave.: The board discussed the new garage proposed for 375 Hamilton Ave. and voted to continue its discussion to a later date. Yes: Unanimous
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 13
Upfront
Margaret Ann Niven
Andrew Floyd Kent
August 29, 1934 – January 28, 2018
September 24, 1957 – January 31, 2018
It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret Ann Niven announces her passing on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto CA. She went peacefully in her sleep after 83 years of a full and happy life. Margaret Ann will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Annette (Tony) and Linda (Jay), her children, Ed Jr. (Nellie), Karen, Janine (Dan) and Cindy (Cynthia), and by her 6 grandchildren, Monica (Mallar), Bo, Rachel (Paul), Stephen, Justin, Kayla and her great granddaughter Morgan. Mother lived a life dedicated to the education and well being of children and adults. She graduated from San Jose State University and became the first director of a childcare program employing licensed family day care women. In her retirement, she provided leadership and support to many non-profit organizations including KARA, Peninsula Quilters Guild, Avenitas Village, Peninsula Family Service and AAUW. We all knew her as an award winning quilter but she had so many other interests. She was an accomplished photographer and gardener. She loved traveling whether it was to her favorite destination in Hawaii or the many quilting work shops throughout the country. She had good friends that traveled with her and that brought her so much joy. She will be missed by many. A Celebration of Margaret Ann’s life will be held at 1:30pm on Sunday March 18,2018 at Michaels on Shoreline, 2960 Shoreline Boulevard Mountain View, CA 94043. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Margaret Ann can be made to Peninsula Family Service, 24 Second Avenue, San Mateo California, 94401 or on line at www.peninsulafamilyservice.org.
Andrew Floyd Kent died at home in Mountain View, California on 31 January 2018. He was 60 years old. Born at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maryland, he was the son of Robert B. Kent and Rosemary Kent (nee Barclay). Andy lived in Arlington, VA; Foster City, HI; Coronado, CA; and Lawrence, KS, before his family settled in Palo Alto in 1965. He graduated from Cubberley High School in 1976. He lived in Palo Alto and Mountain View the remainder of his life, with the exception of few years spent in Modesto and Indio. Andy worked construction. In the early years of his career he roofed many buildings. Later he worked laying drywall and as a finish carpenter for a number of companies in the Mid-Peninsula area. He also did side jobs on an independent basis as “Andy’s Maintenance and Repair.” A skilled tradesman, he prided himself in doing meaningful high quality construction. He had strong opinions and he often enjoyed sharing them, whether the focus was on proper carpentry techniques or presidential politics. Besides working, he had other interests. He enjoyed gardening and kept a large garden at his mother’s yard in Palo Alto for many years. He collected guns, and used them to shot skeet and do target practice. He ventured to Mexico on a few occasions for sport fishing, and also liked to camp and fish in the Sierra foothills. He also enjoyed cooking, and especially barbequing. Andy leaves a loving family and caring friends. Immediate survivors include a brother, Robert B. Kent II (Los Angeles, CA), a sister, Deirdre Ann Kent (Modesto, CA), as well as a sister-inlaw, Marialena T. Kent (Los Angeles, CA), and nephew and niece, Robert F. Kent and Anika N. Kent (both of Akron, OH). A celebration of Andy’s life will be held in Palo Alto, CA at 1 pm on Saturday, 3 March 2018. Please join us. Contact Rob Kent at robbkent2005@yahoo.com or 330-524-5687 for location details.
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Patricia Ann Smith November 22, 1930 - January 7, 2018 Patricia Ann Smith, at rest at the age of 87. Pat was born in 1930 to Beulah Carstens Garvin and Hubert Sylvestor Garvin in Seattle, Washington. Always an independent spirit, Pat left home after college, working in New York and then in San Francisco, where she met the love of her life, Richard Dunham Smith. They were married in1962 and enjoyed a wonderful 56year adventure. Pat dedicated her life to her family and to the community. Her talents were numerous: she was an avid golfer, outstanding gourmet cook and accomplished gardener. She was a stylish and effortless hostess, able to entertain a large party at a moment’s notice, typically in support of Dick’s entrepreneurial business ventures. Pat was also an active volunteer for many years at the Allied Arts Auxiliary and Gamble Garden. People were drawn to Pat’s graciousness, welcoming spirit and big heart. She was an outstanding listener and helped numerous friends and acquaintances through life’s trials and tribulations. To her family, Pat was a treasured wife, adored mother and cherished grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Dick Smith of Palo Alto; daughter, Jeannine Caruso of Greenwich, CT; son-in-law, Victor Caruso of Greenwich, CT; four grandchildren: Joseph Caruso, Alessandra Caruso, Nicholas Caruso and Meredith Knowles, and four great grandchildren. Pat died peacefully in Palo Alto following a long illness. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, February 24th at 10:00am at Saint Thomas Aquinas church in Palo Alto. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to the Pathways Hospice Foundation, 585 North Mary Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. PAID
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Page 14 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
CIVIC CENTER, 250 HAMILTON AVENUE BROADCAST LIVE ON KZSU, FM 90.1 CABLECAST LIVE ON GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL 26 **************************************************** THIS IS A SUMMARY OF COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. THE AGENDA WITH COMPLETE TITLES INCLUDING LEGAL DOCUMENTATION CAN BE VIEWED AT THE BELOW WEBPAGE: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/agendas/default.asp AGENDA– STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS WEEK OF FEBRUARY 19, 2018 The Sp. Finance Committee Meeting will be held in the Community Meeting Room on February 20, 2018 at 6:00 PM to discuss: 1) Utilities Advisory Commission Recommendation That the City Council Adopt a Resolution Adopting a Hydroelectric Rate Adjustment Mechanism (Electric Rate Schedule E-HRA) and Amend the Electric Utility Reserves Management Practices, as Part of a Comprehensive Hydroelectric Generation Variability Management Strategy; and 2) Adoption of a Resolution Amending Utility Rule and Regulation 11 (Billing, Adjustments and Payment of Bills) to Update the City's Bill Adjustment Process for Water Leaks and Metering Errors. The Sp. City Council Rail Committee Meeting will be held in the Community Meeting Room on February 21, 2018 at 8:00 AM to discuss: 1) Presentation on Trenching and Tunneling White Paper; and 2) Receive 9HPS 7YVNYHT )YPLÄUN 7HWLY" HUK 9HPS *VTTP[[LL Workplan for 2018.
Bonus (continued from page 5)
teachers.” The district has also reached a tentative agreement with its classified-employees union but its membership has yet to ratify it, Brown said. Meb Steiner, president of the Palo Alto chapter of the California School Employees Association (CSEA), declined to state whether the classified union is pursuing the same agreement as the teachers union given it is still in negotiations. Staff had asked the board to waive its two-meeting rule to approve the agreement with the Palo Alto Educators Association, but a majority of board members declined to do so in order to provide more time for public comment. The agreement will come back for approval on Feb. 27. The teachers union negotiated over the bonus at the district’s request, following an error by district administrators last year that resulted in the district spending $4.4 million in unbudgeted raises for unionized teachers and nonteaching employees. District administrators failed to formally notified the teachers and classified unions by a contractual deadline in spring 2017 that the district intended to reopen negotiations so as to negotiate cancellation of a 3 percent raise this year. The contracts also provided for a 1 percent off-schedule bonus that would double if actual property tax revenue received is greater than the amount used in the board-adopted budget by 1.5 percent or more, hence the bonus of 2 percent. In other business Tuesday, the board unanimously approved a list of criteria for the district’s next superintendent. The list was compiled by a consulting firm, which gathered feedback on desired characteristics in the next superintendent and the overall state of the district through focus groups and an online survey of administrators, teachers, staff, parents, students and community members. The board made several edits and additions to the list, but it largely remained the same as presented. Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates consultant Carolyn McKennan said the firm is now “recruiting in earnest” for the job and has at least 40 candidates interested. The consultants will return to the board on March 27 to identify a slate of semifinalists, plan initial interviews and develop questions for the candidates. The board also approved Tuesday a proposal from Board member Todd Collins to place a measure on the November ballot proposing two-term limits for board members. The board voted 4-1, with board member Melissa Baten Caswell — who is currently serving her third term — dissenting. The estimated cost of the ballot measure is $70,000 and up to $12,000 in legal services. Q Staff Writer Elena Kadvany can be emailed at ekadvany@ paweekly.com.
Pulse A weekly compendium of vital statistics
POLICE CALLS Palo Alto
Feb. 7-Feb. 13 Violence related Assault w/deadly weapon. . . . . . . . . . . 1 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Child abuse, sexual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Suspicious circumstances/sex crime . . 1 Theft related Commercial burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Counterfeiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Shoplifting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Vehicle related Auto Burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Auto recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Bicycle theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Driving with suspended license . . . . . 10 Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Misc. traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Vehicle accident, minor injury . . . . . . . . 9 Vehicle accident, property damage . . 10 Vehicle impound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Reckless driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Alcohol or drug related Drinking in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Driving under the influence . . . . . . . . . . 4 Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Possession of paraphernalia . . . . . . . . 3 Miscellaneous Animal Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Criminal threats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Disobey court order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Miscellaneous penal code violation . . . 2
Missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Possession of stolen property . . . . . . . 1 Psychiatric subject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Public incident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Sick and cared for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Solicit without permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . 4 Trespassing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Warrant/other agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Menlo Park
Feb. 7-Feb. 13 Theft related Burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Commercial burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Vehicle related Auto burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Driving with suspended license . . . . . . 7 Driving without a license. . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Lost/stolen plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Vehicle accident, minor injury . . . . . . . . 1 Vehicle accident, no injury . . . . . . . . . . 1 Alcohol or drug related Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Possession of paraphernalia . . . . . . . . 1 Miscellaneous Child protective services. . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Info case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Located missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Prohibited weapons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Property for destruction . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Resist arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . 2 Threat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
VIOLENT CRIMES Palo Alto
Varian Way, 2/6, 1:11 p.m.; domestic violence. Margarita Avenue, 1/16, 5:45 p.m.; suspicious circumstances/sex crime. 600 Block Embarcadero Road, 1/22, 9:04 p.m.; battery. California Avenue, 2/6, 11:48 p.m.; battery. Seale Avenue, 2/8, 8:51 p.m.; assault with a deadly weapon. S. California Avenue, 1/21, noon.; child abuse, sexual.
Jerold F. Ridley It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Jerold (Jerry) F. Ridley on February 1, 2018 surrounded by family and friends from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Jerry was born in Michigan on May 15, 1933. He was raised from age 5 until his death in 2018 in Northern CA. He attended Burlingame High, San Jose State and served in the 11th Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He then took over his family business at age 32 as the president of the F.B. Ridley Power Tool Inc. and managed it for over 50 years. His passion was sports and he excelled in nearly all of them with perhaps, the illusive game of golf. He is survived by Susan, his wife of 40 years, Marilyn Ridley, Mother of this children, Donna Ridley Baker, Kevin J. Ridley, Marc S. Ridley and Robynn Ridley Myers, 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, brother Greg Ridley and his beloved dog Gracie. God saw that you were getting tired and a cure was not meant to be, so He put his arms around you and said “Come to me,� A celebration of his life will be announced at a future date. PAID
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PLEASE CALL (650) 721-7151 for More Information :[HUMVYK +LYTH[VSVN` 6\[WH[PLU[ *SPUPJ â—† )YVHK^H` 4* â—† 9LK^VVK *P[` *( (For general information regarding questions, concerns, or complaints about research related injury, or the rights of research participants, please call (650) 723-5244 or toll-free 1-866-680-2906, or write to the Stanford IRB, Stanford University, 3000 El Camino Real, Five Palo Alto Square, 4th Floor, Palo Alto, CA 94306.)
CITY OF PALO ALTO ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD REGULAR MEETING 250 Hamilton Avenue, Council Chambers March 1, 2018 at 8:30am
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Editorial Missing a housing opportunity Council prematurely nixes what may be the best way to create real affordable housing
W
ith all the talk among Palo Alto elected officials and civic leaders about the need for more housing for lower-income individuals, families and seniors, we were stunned by the City Council’s misguided decision Monday night to not even consider the possibility of building such housing above city parking lots. It was the only one of dozens of strategies identified in a housing plan prepared by the city staff that the council opted not to pursue, and the decision was made as if it was an insignificant minor tweak to the plan. Instead, it jettisoned what may be the best hope of building the type of rental housing most needed in Palo Alto. The motion to remove a study of this idea from the plan was made by Vice Mayor Eric Filseth, seconded by Councilman Greg Scharff and ultimately agreed to on a 6-3 vote (with Greg Tanaka, Lydia Kou, Karen Holman and Tom DuBois joining them). Mayor Liz Kniss and Councilmen Adrian Fine and Cory Wolbach voted to keep the study in the plan. The decision was as irrational as the unusual alignment of votes. Filseth initially stated his strong preference, shared by most of his colleagues, that the city’s housing efforts focus more on lowincome affordable housing rather than market-rate housing. We totally agree, as do, in our opinion, most Palo Altans. But without a clear explanation, Filseth then casually proposed eliminating from consideration any use of the air space above city-owned parking lots, the one housing strategy that has a land cost of zero. “I don’t think we should give away public land,” Filseth said, even though the concept being proposed wouldn’t eliminate parking, wouldn’t give away any public land and would merely consider the potential for developing housing above one or more city parking lots. Scharff, who has previously expressed interest in such an idea, seemed equally disconnected from the unique opportunity presented by publicly owned parking lots and argued Monday night that he would rather turn parking lots into parks than housing if the lots were no longer needed for parking at some time in the future. Did the council not just agree that housing creation is the city’s top priority? It was as if these six council members had either failed to understand the staff proposal or suddenly lost sight of the enormous financial challenges of creating housing that is affordable for lowerincome service workers and others. Or perhaps they are less committed to such housing than they say. Where is the innovation and creative thinking that we like to associate with Palo Alto? The single greatest obstacle to creating additional housing in Palo Alto for anyone other than highly paid professionals is the high cost of land, and any opportunity to leverage land already owned by the city to develop housing means that public, nonprofit or private housing developers can build housing at a substantially reduced cost, resulting in the most number of affordable units. Recognizing this, the city staff proposed only that it “explore the opportunity to put housing over parking.” As Wolbach said, “I can’t think of a better use of a parking lot than to build housing above it.” Kniss was equally incredulous at the council’s vote to nix the study. Developing housing above parking lots is not a radical or nutty idea. In 1984, Palo Alto was an early pioneer in the concept when it granted air rights above a small city parking lot on High Street between Lytton and University to developer Chuck Kinney so a 44-unit condominium development called Abitare could be built above the public parking. That project had 40 market-rate condominium units and four below-market-rate units, and therefore isn’t a good example of how to maximize the public land subsidy to create affordable rental units. But it showed the potential for retaining public parking while building housing above. Imagine an apartment building with small units being developed by a nonprofit housing organization like Palo Alto Housing for rentals, using available housing funds, to serve low-income service workers or seniors. Without any land cost, housing dollars can be stretched much further and rents can be substantially lower. If we are to be successful in developing significant amounts of more affordable housing, we can’t depend on requirements or incentives so that private developers will include a few more units of subsidized housing as they build market-rate housing. Because of high land costs, the number of truly affordable units will continue to be small through that approach. No one dreamed that the council might remove the study of housing above city-owned parking lots from the plan, and we hope housing advocates push back strongly on the decision and ask that it be reconsidered. There is no good rationale for taking the option that is potentially the most capable of providing low-income housing units off the table. Q
Page 16 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Spectrum Editorials, letters and opinions
Create centralized, affordable parking Editor, This is in response to Gennady Sheyner’s Feb. 9 report (“New zoning district proposed for affordable housing”) that the Palo Alto City Council proposes to establish a new zoning classification for multi-family low-income housing with a lower parkingspace requirement. I hesitate to call this a P.S.D. (Planned Slum Development), and perhaps a new classification isn’t a bad idea but reducing the parking space requirement definitely is. If anything, Palo Alto should increase the required ratio of parking spaces to apartments, not decrease it. As an example of what’s likely to happen, consider my neighborhood in East Palo Alto, west of Bayshore Road, where apartments are mostly one-bedroom units occupied by three to four people, and almost every adult occupant has a car. The excess vehicles are, of course, parked on the streets. The cars are necessary for people to get to their jobs since public transportation on the Peninsula is almost as messed up as housing, and the City Council’s idea that most lowincome Palo Alto residents would commute to low-paying jobs in Palo Alto without a car is a pipe dream. Rich Palo Alto residents don’t do that, so why would one expect poor people to behave differently? The cars are here to stay, so City Council should think more creatively about where to put them. So far, they’ve been thinking mainly about on-site parking, but what about off-site (yet nearby) shared parking structures, either public or private, where residents could rent parking for a sensible price? The city of Palo Alto has tried for years to sell high-priced downtown parking permits to day workers, but perhaps a better solution might be centralized parking for residents farther away from downtown at a more affordable price. Scott Marovich O’Keefe Street, East Palo Alto
Southgate workers need parking permits Editor, The Southgate businesses are not unhappy with the overall effect of the Southgate Residential Preferential Parking (RPP) Program, as we also had problems parking. Those of us lucky enough to have parking permits now have plenty of space. But since we were left out of initial planning meetings, only 10 of us have employee hangtags. There are 20 more employees without permits at 1515 El Camino Real and nine at 1681 El Camino. Our concern is fairness. Under the current language of the RPP,
residents are entitled to one permit and may purchase up to five more. It seems that during the development of the RPP, it was assumed that only two businesses existed in Southgate. Ten permits were allotted for all businesses, which is grossly inadequate for our actual needs. The Southgate businesses are not requesting preferential treatment. We pay our taxes and have long standing in our neighborhood, just like our resident neighbors. We requested 20 more permits for the 1515 complex (which has five suites) and nine for 1681. This would make the permit distribution more fair and equitable. Per city staff’s own assessments, these additional permits would not strain the neighborhood significantly and would still reflect a far smaller percentage of business permits compared to other RPPs in the city. I am concerned that Palo Alto is becoming inhospitable to small businesses, or worse, the city is hostile to minority entrepreneurs and businesses that serve primarily women. This is not reflective of the generous spirit of the Peninsula and Bay Area, but I am afraid that City Council’s lack of concern at the Jan. 29 meeting gives a very negative impression of Palo Alto provincialism. Angeline Lim El Camino Real, Palo Alto
‘Yes’ to rentals Editor, Forty-five percent of Palo Alto residents are renters. I listen regularly to my neighbors, who live a nearly grave existence trying to compete for housing in a high-stakes, high-tech wage-earning marketplace. While my husband and I both work, we still cannot afford market-rate rents. Born and raised just north of San Francisco, I understand firsthand what it’s like being homeless in an affluent Bay Area community: I was 9 years old when my family sought refuge in a state park campground using a borrowed tent. That was only one of several times while growing up that we were without a permanent address. My family’s unstable living situation led me to drop out of school and go to work. But I eventually earned a degree, secured employment and resettled here in Palo Alto for jobs and to be near my children’s grandparents while they age in place.
As someone who receives Section 8 housing assistance, I am honored to serve as a commissioner on the Santa Clara County Housing Authority’s board. This agency administers the federal Section 8 voucher programs for our county’s low-income residents and develops affordable housing rental properties. In contrast to my experience growing up, my family has stable housing, and as a result we are able to fully participate in Palo Alto’s community and thrive. As parents, we’re grateful our children attend our excellent schools and that our family is actively part of this amazingly generous and philanthropic community’s fabric. Mayor Liz Kniss and the City Council have renewed energy and determination to tackle our city’s housing deficit problem. The city’s new Housing Work Plan is very encouraging. I urge members of our community to open their minds and hearts to families like mine by saying “yes” to affordable communities like the one we live in. Elizabeth Gardner El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Invest in Ravenswood Editor, Each and every time I read about the difficulties facing the Ravenswood City School District, I am disheartened. With such an abundance of billion- and millionaires, you would think that someone or somebody of someones would “adopt” the district and end forever its economic troubles. It seems that there are those who eagerly can come up with many millions for a Menlo Park Library expansion that is not needed, and there are those who choose to adopt sections of our highway system, raise vast amounts of money to protect animals, the wilderness, promote space travel to Mars — the list goes on and on — but seem unwilling to invest in the educational development of the neediest young people in our Bay Area “community.” Maybe the belief is that all of us will eventually be replaced by artificial intelligence and that spending money on real people would be, well, unprofitable and wasteful. Tragic. Jeff Colflesh Placitas Avenue, Palo Alto
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Guest Opinion
We need new thinking about parking by Barry Katz
I
love our California Avenue merchants. There is no place in town I’d rather go for a pizza, a paintbrush or (if I thought it would help) a pedicure. For that very reason, I am dismayed to read of the rapturous support for the proposed mega-parking structure between California Avenue and Sherman Avenue. The City Council has — with the exception of Council member Adrian Fine (thank you, Adrian) — thrown its support behind maximizing the storage of cars and minimizing the servicing of people. They are throwing 20th-century thinking (and $40 million) at a 21st-century problem. Everybody loves to quote (and then ignore) Albert Einstein’s famous dictum that “We cannot solve our problems with the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” It’s actually even worse than that: The City Council is displaying the kind of thinking that got us into this mess in the first place. The 20th-century solution to traffic jams was more freeways. The 20th century solution to high gasoline prices was more drilling. The 20th-century solution to crime was more jails. The
20th-century solution to a changing business environment was more parking lots. Somebody needs to tell the City Council that we are living in the 21st. Ask pretty much anyone in the auto industry, which has reached a historic inflection point: Car ownership, which Henry Ford saw as (no pun intended) the vehicle of personal emancipation, is rapidly becoming the opposite — an expensive nuisance that wastes our time, depletes our resources, contaminates our environment and is approaching the end of its useful life. It’s no accident that Jim Hackett, CEO of Ford, delivered his keynote address at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas this year, not at the Detroit Auto Show. Already it is commonplace for people to summon uber, Lyft and Chariot from their phones, and soon enough these vehicles will be driverless. Kids do not even want driver’s licenses any more, much less cars (or parking spaces); they want to get where they’re going, and there is mounting evidence that even grownups are getting the message. In spite of this, the business community has lobbied aggressively — and with an appalling lack of foresight — for a parking structure that would be, as reported by Palo Alto Online, “not just big, but as big as possible.” In the words of one California Avenue landlord and real estate broker, “Whether the council chooses to build up
or down, the goal should be more spaces.” May I respectfully remind the merchants of California Avenue that not one car has ever shopped in your stores, dined at your restaurants or engaged your professional services? Not one. Ever. To the best of my knowledge, your customers are people, not two-ton, four-wheeled, internal combustion (or even electric) vehicles. In one particularly retrograde statement, the same landlord testified to the City Council, “It’s the capacity of parking spaces that we’re looking for — not retail and not nice arcades.” Sorry, this is backwards. Actually, we should be looking for “retail and nice arcades.” Also parks, benches, café tables, trees, fountains, information kiosks, bicycle lanes, murals, flower beds, street musicians and engaging public art. The solution to small businesses being priced out of the California Avenue real estate market is not more parking spaces. It is humane, healthful, walkable, peoplefriendly habitats. It is spaces that people can get to easily and that they want to occupy. As my very wise (and very fit) friend Jonah explains, throwing more “capacity” at the problem is like treating obesity by loosening your belt. Are you serious? This is what is most discouraging to me: By virtue of its affluence, its talent, its technology, its stability and its location, Palo Alto is positioned to be perhaps the most
progressive city on the planet in the ways it addresses our collective civic future. We could be sponsoring alternate forms of urban mobility; investing in multimodal transit hubs; pioneering ways to transport the very young and the very old in safety and comfort; designing hardware-software interfaces to enable smart streets; creating facilities and amenities for people, not their SUVs. El Palo Alto (“The Tall Tree,” not “The Tall Parking Garage”) could be the smartest of the smart cities that are blossoming around the world. Instead, we are building massive parking structures (“not just big, but as big as possible”), locking us into an unending cycle that only makes things worse. Unbelievable. Back to Einstein: No one knows if he really said “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” but he might have, and in any case it’s good advice. Building another four- or six- or 10-story parking structure, with or without a basement, is not just a bad idea. It is insanity. Q Barry Katz, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, is consulting professor in the Engineering School at Stanford, professor of industrial and interaction design at California College of the Arts and fellow at IDEO, Inc., the Palo Alto-based design and innovation consultancy. He can be emailed at bkatz@stanford.edu.
Streetwise
What is your favorite Olympic sport to watch? Asked on California Avenue in Palo Alto. Question, interviews and photographs by Sarah Klearman.
Madana Navi
Joe Thieman
Stephanie Holley-Kline
Alex Aschwanden
Rick McAllister
Business Owner Oregon Avenue, Palo Alto
Attorney Fife Avenue, Palo Alto
Store Manager Barron Avenue, Palo Alto
Bike Builder Alma Street, Palo Alto
Software Support El Camino Real, San Mateo
“My favorite sport to watch is slalom. It’s a type of skiing.”
“I like watching downhill skiing, but I also like curling, oddly enough.”
“Figure skating.”
“I watch them all because I don’t actually have a favorite; I’m not normally really into sports.”
“My favorite sport is probably freestyle skiing. Watching those jumps is so cool.”
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 17
Arts & Entertainment A weekly guide to music, theater, art, culture, books and more, edited by Karla Kane
Marley Arechiga
The Palo Alto Baylands are a haven for migratory and year-round birds. Photo by Michelle Le
Focuhse flyway on t
Migratory-bird exhibit lands in Los Altos by Marley Arechiga
T
he Bay Area is a hotbed of traffic, migration and movement, and not just of the human variety. Sure, the freeways are crowded, but wander less than a mile northwest of U.S. Highway 101 and you’ll find that the baylands serve as a major migratory stopover for a variety of bird species. A new exhibition and program at the Los Altos History Museum takes a multidisciplinary approach to exploring the beauty and wonder of the Pacific Flyway — a north-south route for migratory birds stretching from Alaska to South America — including some programs that take participants beyond the walls of the museum. Installations as delicate and ethereal as the birds they aim to represent fill the sunny space in the ground floor of the museum, which is currently presenting “Instinct Extinct: The Great Pacific Flyway.” The environmental art exhibition surrounds viewers with multimedia works that also expose the plight of California’s feathered wanderers, and challenges viewers to examine the Pacific Flyway from historical, environmental and artistic angles. The centerpiece of “Instinct Extinct” is a silk map decorated with paperweights that encase images of 39 of the most vulnerable bird
species in the Pacific Flyway, such as the endangered Ridgway’s rail (formerly known as the California clapper rail), which can be spotted at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve. In another installation, scientists, farmers, bird enthusiasts, hunters and environmental educators offer oral histories of their relationship with the flyway. The Los Altos History Museum has also added programs that go beyond the exhibit itself. In partnership with various local organizations and artists, including the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, the museum coordinated bird sketch art classes, a baylands bird walk and two lectures — one about birding on the San Francisco Bay Trail and the other about South Bay salt pond restoration. “I’m an advocate of ‘museums without walls’ and believe that talking about subjects within a museum can best be appreciated if you take it outside of walls and really see it in context,” said Elisabeth Ward, executive director of Los Altos History Museum. At the opening reception on Jan. 27, the museum also partnered with the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo to showcase educational animals Olive, a western screech owl, and Sequoia, a bald eagle, at the event. Volunteers from the
Page 18 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
zoo were able to educate attendees about the birds. During the baylands bird walk on Feb. 13, led by Kelsey Frey and Ralph Schardt of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, participants had the opportunity to learn about birds that frequent the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve. “It’s refreshing to appreciate nature and to become aware of the different varieties of birds. It’s hard to believe there’s bumper-tobumper traffic just less than a mile away,” Linda Blanding, a bird walk participant from Los Altos, said. Many common migratory birds at the baylands have already departed due to unseasonably warm weather, but typically at this time of year bird watchers can catch a glimpse of golden-crowned and white-crowned sparrows, sandpipers and curlews, to name a few. According to Frey, littering, development and pollution of street drains pose the biggest threats to migratory birds at the baylands, noting that a baylands docent recently freed a bird from tangled fishing wire. Part of the society’s mission is to promote the understanding and protection of birds by engaging people through classes, volunteerism and other programming. “Education is one of the most important things,” Frey said. “I think a lot of people just don’t realize how important these areas are.” While the contributors to “Instinct Extinct” cross a wide range of disciplines to tell the story of migratory birds in the Pacific Flyway, they all share a common goal: to raise awareness of the threats to the flyway and to foster an appreciation for it and its avian inhabitants. Text on one of the exhibit’s walls informs attendees that “since the
Delicate prints made with feathers form part of the artistic side of the “Instinct Extint” exhibition. 1780s, California has lost more than 90 percent of its wetland ecosystem, so critical to the survival of migratory birds.” “If (exhibition attendees) pay attention, they’ll see that the wetlands have shrunk. Habitat is diminishing and is a real concern,” Peter LaTourrette, a local bird photographer said. LaTourrette has been photographing birds in the Bay Area for 30 years. The exhibit was initiated by Exhibit Envoy, an organization that aims to “build new perspectives among Californians, create innovative exhibitions and solutions and advance institutions in service to their communities,” according to its website. The collection of art resulted from a collaboration between organizations, agencies, scientists and scholars led by visual artists Valerie Constantino, Glenda Drew and Ann Savageau. “Instinct Extinct” first appeared at the Fullerton Arboretum in 2015. The Los Altos History Museum is the fifth museum to host this artwork. A distinct feature of this exhibit is that local art and programs accompany the permanent art pieces. In Los Altos, viewers can see handcarved birds, taxidermied specimens, bird and wetlands photography and a mural available only at the museum. “I think it’s cool that venues bring flavor that’s local to the project. I think that’s very important,” Drew said. She said she wants people consider how climate change is affecting migratory birds, but as an artist she also wants to draw attention to
birds’ ancient qualities — referring to their evolutionary connection to dinosaurs — and their beauty. One of her works is a stroboscope that projects moving images of birds onto the walls of the exhibit. The intended effect of the stroboscope, which projects as people pass by it, is to make the images feel magical and larger than life in the museum space. “There’s a real sense of peace and beauty of the flyway. That’s the feeling that we’re trying to bring to the exhibition,” Ward said. “But it’s also fragile. It’s important to appreciate the resources we have, and we want people to think and reflect on our natural history.” Q Editorial Intern Marley Arechiga can be emailed at marechiga@paweekly.com. About the cover: Gerri Roe scopes out birds during a Palo Alto Baylands bird walk led by the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society in partnership with the Los Altos History Museum. Photo by Michelle Le What: “Instinct Extinct: The Great Pacific Flyway.” Where: Los Altos History Museum, 51 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. When: Through April 1, ThursdaysSundays, noon-4 p.m. Bird sketch art classes offered by John Muir Laws on March 8 and April 5 at 10 a.m.; “Birding Around the San Francisco Bay Trail” talk on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.; “The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration” lecture on March 6 at 7 p.m. Cost: Free. Info: Go to losaltoshistory.org/ exhibits/instinct-extinct/.
Arts & Entertainment Sewn stories
Courtesy of Los Altos History Museum
Also new at the Los Altos History Museum is “Traveling Stitches: Quilts Made at the Day Worker Center of Mountain View,” on display in the museum’s J. Gilbert Smith House through April 29. The project began in September 2010 and has since involved 140 men and women from the Day Worker Center, who created quilt blocks as part of their English languagelearning program. An opening reception will be held at the Smith House on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2-4 p.m. A discussion panel on immigration in California will be held on March 22 at 7 p.m. at the Los Altos Youth Center.
A meeting of the minds Dragon Theatre kicks off 2018 season with ‘Insignificance’ by Karla Kane
THEATER REVIEW ferret out communists, visits The Professor’s hotel room to try and pressure him into testifying in front of congress and proving his loyalty to America and its developing nuclear program. The Actress also turns up at the Professor’s hotel room, after completing filming a certain famous movie scene in which her white dress is blown by a gust of air. Though famous for her dumb-blonde roles and sexpot reputation, she’s desperate to talk scientific ideas with The Professor and to prove she’s far smarter and more scholarly than people expect (OK, she also wants to seduce him). She gives an exhilarating demonstration of his specific theory of relativity that’s a joy to behold, and the aging genius is won over by her charms. Before long, however, her husband The Ballplayer is threatening to break the door down in a jealous rage and he joins the conversation, too. Throughout the course of the two-act play, the characters flit in and out of the room in various combinations and as the show progresses, it moves from mostly comedy to a darker, sadder climax. All the beauty, brains, money and influence in the world can’t seem to bring much joy to any of the restless celebrities. Together, they provide examples of several different routes to fame and power: through physical strength and talent, through sex and art, through politics and through intelligence. All used to being at the tops of their respective fields, when thrown together they vie for dominance, for cultural capital and, to invoke the title, for significance. (continued on page 20)
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ccording to scientist Albert Einstein, “imagination is more important than knowledge.” In his play “Insignificance,” British playwright Terry Johnson’s imagination mixes together four very different icons of 20th century America — Einstein included — and ponders the what-ifs of their imagined meeting in a New York hotel room one fateful night in the early 1950s. As presented by Dragon Productions Theatre Company and directed by Laura Jane Bailey, “Insignificance” is an intriguing, playful thought experiment on celebrity, sex, power and science. In the play, the characters are never named and credited only as The Professor (Jim Johnson), The Actress (Jessica Lea Risco), The Senator (Gary Mosher) and The Ballplayer (Nick Mandracchia), but there is no doubt about whom they’re representing: Einstein, actress Marilyn Monroe, Senator Joe McCarthy and Monroe’s estranged husband, baseball great Joe DiMaggio. And though Einstein, with his socialist and pacifist inclinations, was a target of inquiry for McCarthyism, Monroe was rumored to have had an interest in Einstein and she and DiMaggio really did have a doomed romance, the events and entanglements of “Insignificance” are quite fictional. Throughout the show, Johnson’s script challenges audience expectations for these archetypal figures, toying with what the audience knows (or thinks it knows) about them and using them as a springboard for pondering the nature of fame, and even the nature of the universe itself. Plot-wise, the show is mostly talk and little action. The Senator, at the peak of his zealous quest to
“ Engaging. Fresh. Irresistible!” – New York Times
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 19
Arts & Entertainment
“Insignificance” The members of this unlikely foursome also provide framework for Johnson’s script to explore significant scientific notions of space-time, solipsism and more in an easy-to-grasp, entertaining way, set against Eric Johnson’s simple but effective hotel-room set (the atomic wall decor is an excellent midcentury-modern touch). Sometimes the overly loud New York street-noise effects, on the other hand, make it difficult to hear the dialogue and go on for too long for seemingly no reason. Though none of the actors physically resemble their real-life counterparts, Risco’s white dress, blonde curls and breathy voice make her immediately recognizable as Monroe. She succeeds in portraying The Actress as vivacious, charming and seductive
Lance Huntley
(continued from page 19)
The Professor (Jim Johnson) discusses fame with The Ballplayer (Nick Mandracchia) in Dragon Theatre’s production of “Insignificance.” but also mentally unstable, fragile and incredibly wounded. Johnson sports Einstein’s Princeton University sweatshirt (but not,
WorthaLook
Photography
‘Perfect Imperfections: Contemporary Ambrotypes and Tintypes’
Ian Ruhter’s modern-meets-oldfashioned photography (using his own take on the 19th century technique of wet plate collodion to create ambrotype and tintype photos) is created with a customized camera and darkroom. Examples of
surprisingly, his strong German accent nor his fluffy hairstyle). His Professor is gentle, witty and intellectually brilliant, but
his one-of-a-kind, silvery-toned work are on display at Art Ventures Gallery at 888 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, through March 14. The gallery is open Tuesday and Wednesday, noon to 6 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. His film, “Obscura,” will be screened March 1 and 8 at 7 and 8 p.m. Go to artventuresgallery.com for more information.
haunted by the role his own research inadvertently played in the creation of the atomic bomb and fears of the even more cataclysmic future events it could lead to. The Senator is loathsome and palpably menacing, but Mosher, chewing up the scenery, gives him a keen, crackling intelligence and slimy charm that demonstrates how he’s risen to prominence in politics (note: The real Joe McCarthy was not a southerner, whereas this Senator has an overthe-top drawl and calls himself a Louisiana boy). At first, The Ballplayer is a willfully dumb jock and boorishly macho figure but he eventually reveals hidden depths and intelligence, as well as warmth. Mandracchia’s performance (even if his presence was more John C. Reilly than DiMaggio) is ultimately quite endearing. He and Risco are touching in their melodramatic interactions with one another, both wanting
Concert Palo Alto Philharmonic The Palo Alto Philharmonic’s winter concert will feature Claude Debussy’s “Petite Suite,” the group’s own conductor-in-residence Lee Actor’s “Saxophone Concerto” and Bela Bartok’s “Concerto for Orchestra,” and will be one of three final performances led by current
desperately to connect but never truly understanding what makes the other tick. The Dragon has titled their 2018 season the “Season of Everything” and “Insignificance,” with its references to Einstein’s attempts at finding a unified theory of the universe, seems a fitting choice of a season kickoff for the always-thoughtful theater company. Q Arts & Entertainment Editor Karla Kane can be emailed at kkane@paweekly.com.
What: “Insignificance.” Where: Dragon Theatre, 2120 Broadway St., Redwood City When: Through Feb. 18, Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Cost: $27 student/senior, $35 general. Info: Go to dragonproductions.net.
Music Director Thomas Shoebotham, who plans on leaving the longtime local music group later this year. The Philharmonic is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018 and is currently searching for its next leader. The winter concert will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m. at Cubberley Theatre, 4120 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Tickets are $10 student; $18 senior; and $22 general. Go to paphil.org.
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Wahlburgers’ “Our Burger” comes with a one-third pound beef patty, American cheese, proprietary “Wahl” sauce, pickles, onions, lettuce and tomato. By Dale F. Bentson Photos by Veronica Weber
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urgers, burgers, everywhere, quality burgers. Sliderbar, Umami Burger, Local Union 271 and now Wahlburgers — and I’m just talking about University Avenue in Palo Alto. There are a dozen more options throughout the city, and the East Coast’s high-profile Shake Shack will be opening in Stanford Shopping Center this fall. The better burger wars are heating up in Palo Alto. To survive, it takes more than just a tasty burger with quality beef, a delicious bun, a ton of condiments and smiling employees. It takes a strategy, a way of differentiating your burgers from all the rest. Wahlburgers, which opened on University Avenue in November,
has several unique approaches. The burger emporium is owned by Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg and his brothers Donnie and Paul, who is the chef and driving force behind the operation. Wahlburgers has a eponymous reality television show on the A&E network offering a behind-the-scenes look at running a burger chain. Apparently, fame has its advantages. Recently, Boston-based Wahlburgers, with fewer than two dozen outlets nationwide, signed an agreement with five franchise groups that will increase the number of locations to nearly 120 over the next five years. Locally, the Palo Alto Wahlburgers is a franchise. Gregg Harp, director of operations for the franchise group, said they will be building eight Wahlburgers around
northern California in the near future. The next one will open this fall at Pier 39 in San Francisco. The most apparent operational strategy is having a liquor license. The restaurant itself is divided into three distinct sections: a sit-down dining area, counter service/take out and the full-service bar area for more leisurely imbibing and eating. The menu is packed full of sandwich choices, mostly burgers, but other options include hot dogs, a banh mi sandwich, salads, macaroni and cheese and chili. The food was across-the-board good. The burgers were fat and juicy, fried foods crackling and not greasy, and salads were fresh and crisp. My only complaint was the overuse of paper products. In the sit-down dining section, orders were served on paper-lined
Wahlburgers, a national burger chain owned by the Wahlberg family, opened in Palo Alto in November.
plastic baskets and beverages in paper cups. Ten feet away in the bar area, beverages were served in glass. I expected something a little more refined. Service, though, was excellent. The “Melt” ($10.50), a one-thirdpound burger, was served between thick-cut bread and grilled with American cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, homemade pickles and mustard sauce. The bread was toasted crunchy on the outside and did not fall apart mid meal — the markers of a great patty melt. The “Our Burger” ($9.25) was another one-third pound beef patty, with lettuce, tomato, American cheese, homemade pickles and a special (proprietary) Wahl house sauce. For a basic burger, it was fundamentally good. An unusual and tasty offering was the Thanksgiving Day sandwich ($9.50) a fresh-ground turkey burger with stuffing, mayo, cranberry-orange sauce and roasted butternut squash. I was doubtful, but it worked. Jenn’s chicken sandwich ($9.50) came with seared chicken breast, both caramelized and crisped onions, lettuce and honey-garlic mayo. It was the least exciting offering. The sandwich would have been tastier had the chicken been fried. The crispy haddock sandwich ($9.50), breaded with seasoned panko breadcrumbs, lettuce, tomato and a balsamic tartar sauce, was one of the best fish sandwiches around. Sides, all $4, included Yukon Gold fries, sweet potato tots, tater tots and crispy onion rings. The thin onion rings were piled high and not greasy. The crispy tater tots were the best of the fried potatoes, and because they were denser than the fries, they stayed warmer longer.
Not made in-house was the plantbased Impossible Burger ($12.95), a 4-ounce patty with smoked cheddar, lettuce, caramelized onions, chili, spicy tomatoes and special house sauce. Much has been written about the Impossible Burger, which is made from coconut oil, extracts of soy roots, wheat and potato proteins, soy proteins and yeasts. The resultant burger looks, feels, and tastes like a real burger. In fact, a vegan friend of mine doesn’t like the Impossible Burger because, she said, it tastes like beef. For beverages, Wahlburgers offers everything from frappes (New England’s take on the milkshake) and floats to wine, beer and specialty cocktails from the full bar. Yes, there is a children’s menu. Despite the Hollywood pizzazz that accompanies the Wahlburgers and its owners, the food was highquality and well-prepared. While the better burger wars heat up, Wahlburgers seems well positioned to meet the challengers. Q Freelancer writer Dale Bentson can be emailed at dfbentson@ gmail.com. Wahlburgers, 185 University Ave., Palo Alto, 650-382-1389, wahlburgersrestaurant.com/ paloalto Hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Fri. to Sat.: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Sun.: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations
Credit cards Happy Hour
Takeout Children Outdoor dining
Alcohol: Full bar Parking: City lot Noise level: moderate Bathroom Cleanliness: very good
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 21
City of Palo Alto Director’s Hearing 250 Hamilton Avenue, Community Meeting Room March 1, 2018 at 3:00PM
Wakanda rising
Action Items 7<)30* /,(905. 8<(:0 1<+0*0(3 4PKKSLÄLSK Road [17PLN-00344]: Request for Director’s Review for a Preliminary Parcel Map for Condominium Purposes to Create Two Residential Condominium Units in Conjunction With the Construction of Two New Single-Family Residences. Environmental Assessment: Exempt From the Provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in Accordance With Guideline Section 15315 (Minor Land Divisions). Zoning District: RM-30 (Medium Density Multiple-Family Residence District). For More Information Contact the Project Planner Phillip Brennan at phillip. brennan@cityofpaloalto.orgZoning District: RM-30. For additional information contact Alicia Spotwood at alicia. spotwood@cityofpaloalto.org or at 650.617.3168.
An African hero continues his rise in ‘Black Panther’ 0001/2 (Century 16 & 20) center stage adheres to Ten years ago, MarOPENINGS the Captain America vel Studios launched its cinematic universe with “Iron model: the titular hero of “Black Man” and struck gold with Robert Panther” — picking up where Downey, Jr.’s bratty bad-boy take his auspicious debut in “Captain on the high-flying superhero. Oth- America: Civil War” left off — er quippy fratboy-with-a-heart-of- continues to be an earnest moral gold types would follow, including paragon challenged by political Star-Lord, Ant-Man and Thor. But and personal entanglements. Like Asgardian royal Thor, the latest Marvel superhero to take
MOVIES NOW SHOWING Century 16: Fri. - Sun.
The 15:17 to Paris (PG-13)
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
2018 Oscar Nominated Shorts-Animation and Live Action (Not Rated) Guild Theatre: Fri. - Sun. Century 16: Fri. - Sun.
Black Panther (PG-13) +++1/2 Call Me by Your Name (R) ++++ Coco (PG) +++1/2
Century 20: Fri. - Sun. Century 16: Fri. - Sun.
Darkest Hour (PG-13)
Century 16: Fri. - Sun.
Every Night at Eight (1935) (Not Rated)
Century 20: Fri. - Sun. Stanford Theatre: Friday
Century 16: Fri. - Sun.
Fifty Shades Freed (R)
The Greatest Showman (PG) I, Tonya (R)
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
Stanford Theatre: Friday
Death Takes a Holiday (1934) (Not Rated) Early Man (PG)
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
Palo Alto Square: Fri. - Sun.
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
Century 16: Fri. - Sun.
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13) Century 16: Fri. - Sun. Century 20: Fri. - Sun. La Boda de Valentina (R)
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
Aquarius Theatre: Fri. - Sun.
Lady Bird (R) +++1/2
Stanford Theatre: Sat. & Sun.
The Old Fashioned Way (1934) (Not Rated)
Bring in the Lunar New Year of the Dog at La Comida
Padman (PG-13)
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure (PG-13) Century 16: Fri. - Sun.
Peter Rabbit (PG) ++1/2
Century 16: Fri. - Sun.
Phantom Thread (R) +++1/2 The Post (PG-13) ++1/2 The Shape of Water (R)
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
Aquarius Theatre: Fri. - Sun.
Century 16: Fri. - Sun. Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
Six of a Kind (1934) (Not Rated)
Century 20: Fri. - Sun. Palo Alto Square: Fri. - Sun.
Stanford Theatre: Sat. & Sun.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (R) +++1/2 Aquarius Theatre: Fri. - Sun. Century 20: Fri. - Sun. Winchester (PG-13)
Tuesday, February 20, 11:15am - 12:15pm 1. Singers from the Lytton Gardens performing group will delight us with lively music from around the world 2. Delicious lunch, lucky envelopes, and much more. 3. Join us for the festive celebration! The cross-town shuttle bus stops at Stevenson House Suggested $3 contribution at event sign-in
Century 16: Fri. - Sun.
Century 20: Fri. - Sun.
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 Find trailers, star ratings and reviews on the web at PaloAltoOnline.com/movies + Skip it ++ Some redeeming qualities +++ A good bet ++++ Outstanding
4
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS ®
BEST ACTOR BEST PICTURE TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET INCLUDING
THE BEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR LOS ANGELES FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION
GOTHAM AWARDS
La Comida at Stevenson House
La Comida
455 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto 650-322-3742 www.LaComida.org manager@lacomida.org
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Page 22 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is a warrior king from a wondrous and remote pocket kingdom, namely the fictional African nation of Wakanda. A secret metropolis cloaked from the world, the technologically advanced but tradition-honoring Wakanda relies on its king — who also assumes the masked mantle of the catsuitclad hero Black Panther — to protect its sovereignty and its vibranium, a precious natural resource ripe for exploitation. Wakanda’s king and T’Challa’s beloved father T’Chaka (John Kani) has recently passed, but T’Challa must earn the throne through ritual combat and, having done so, forge his rule under fire. A parallel plot establishes the film’s “villain,” in fact a ruthless but strongly motivated antagonist named Erik Stevens, a.k.a. “Killmonger” (Michael B. Jordan). If Boseman is the center that holds, the ever-charismatic Jordan is the one who fascinates in limning Erik’s pained drive. Director Ryan Coogler and his co-screenwriter Joe Robert Cole ably give the story of these competing children of trauma, cultural pride, and insistent moral righteousness a mythic resonance and a vital modernity, partly by placing the tale’s original sin in Coogler’s own birthplace of Oakland. They also know well enough to hold up Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira (“The Walking Dead”), and especially Letitia Wright (playing T’Challa’s teenage sister and full-time gadget-dispensing “Q”) as a terrific trio of women wielding brains, brawn, and heart to aid king and country. Much of the talk around “Black Panther” revolves around the superhero movie’s primarily black cast, a breakthrough of sorts at this budgetary scale. There’s no denying the cultural significance of these optics and Coogler’s topnotch execution. Although the “Blade” franchise, also adapted from Marvel Comics, was a stepping stone, the powerful Marvel Studios affords this black superhero a $200 million budget and a cast with two Oscar-winning actors (Nyong’o and Forest Whitaker) and two Oscar nominees (Angela Bassett and Daniel Kaluuya, currently up for “Get Out”). Coogler takes the opportunity seriously, with thematic verve but also a sense of play. The main thrust of the plot wrestles with the political conundrum of fearful isolationism versus sweeping altruism, while a spy sequence that begins in a South Korea casino and spills onto the streets as a car chase knowingly plays like a demo reel for the long-mooted “black James Bond.” In most respects, “Black Panther” is boilerplate Marvel, with a sleek, colorful look, cheeky humor, and familiar action beats (marred somewhat by rubbery digital doubles). But Coogler brings enough to the table for a fresh vision, broadly appealing as well as inspirational in its representation for black audiences and women. Rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action violence, and a brief rude gesture. Two hours, 14 minutes. — Peter Canavese
Book Talk GOING VIRAL... World-renowned physicist and futurist Michio Kaku will explore what lies ahead for humankind during an appearance at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center sponsored by Kepler’s Literary Foundation on March 5. Kaku, the cofounder of string field theory, a science advisor to “CBS This Morning” and the author of several widely acclaimed science books, says nanoships, Martian colonies and outer-space civilizations are just the beginning of a wide breadth of opportunities that await us in the next century. For more information, go to keplers.org. LIBRARY UPDATES CATALOG... The Palo Alto City Library has officially rolled out its new online library catalog after a several-years process to tailor a system that would d enhance the library experience for local patrons. The new catalog, purchased from BiblioCommons, gives users access to a social network that includes library users from throughout the Bay Area and the world. Users can rate, review and comment on items in the catalog; share reviews or reading lists; save custom searches; and follow the recommendations of librarians and other customers. Programs, events and digital media are also available from within the catalog. To open an account on the new system, go to library.cityofpaloalto.org. SURVIVING GENOCIDE...Bay Area author Channy Chhi Laux will share her memoir “Short Hair Detention: Memoir of a Thirteen-Year-Old Girl Surviving the Cambodian Genocide” at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, March 7, at Book’s Inc. in Palo Alto. In her book, Laux recounts how she survived the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia. Laux said she was a happy 13 year old excited to start the new school year in 1975, but as news reports announced that the Khmer Rouge was getting closer to taking control of Cambodia, she and her family were forced to relocate to Poipet, a border town to Thailand. From that point forward, she lived a life dictated by fear. From 1975 to 1979, Laux endured starvation, horrendous working conditions, sickness and repeated separations from her family. In June 1979, she arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska as a refugee. After four years of no school and not knowing a word of English, she attended Lincoln High School, went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in computer science and Mathematics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master’s degree in applied mathematics from Santa Clara University. After spending 30 years working as an engineer, Laux launched Apsara Foods. She spends much of her time working with schools and other organizations to promote awareness of what happened in Cambodia and to help local refugees and immigrants adapt to their new surroundings. Books Inc. is located at 74 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto.
Title Pages A monthly section on local books and authors
by Karla Kane rom text messages sealed with a heart emoji to valentine cards and candies to “hearting” something as a verb, we’re all familiar with the omnipresent heart symbol and the associations of love that go with it. But how did that iconic shape come to represent the blood-pumping organ in our chest in the first place, and what’s love got to do with it, anyway? Palo Alto author and Stanford University scholar Marilyn Yalom explores the cultural history behind the heart in her new book, “The Amorous Heart: An Unconventional History of Love,” published by Basic Books. The Weekly sat down with Yalom (who arrived carrying an “I y Paris” bag) for an interview to get to the heart (sorry, pun intended) of the matter. “Language has held on to the heart as the home of love long after we have learned that it’s really the brain that is the center of emotions,” she said, offering examples of ubiquitous phrases such as “brokenhearted” and “wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve.” “There’s something that goes very deep about the connection between the heart and love. The heart is associated with life and death and then becomes related to the things we hold most dear. It’s not surprising that the heart is seen as the home of love and the home of the soul.” Yalom was specifically inspired to investigate the heart as a visual icon during a visit to an exhibition of medieval artifacts at the British Museum, where a brooch in the classic scalloped heart shape caught her eye. “I noticed the heart’s two lobes at the top and its V-shaped point on the bottom as if I were seeing them for the first time. ... All the hearts I had grown up with — on valentine cards and candy boxes, posters
F
and perfumes ... — flashed into my mind. It quickly dawned on me that the perfectly bi-lobed symmetrical ‘heart’ is a far cry from the ungainly lumpish organ we carry inside us. How had the human heart become transformed into such a whimsical icon?” she wonders in the book’s introduction. “The Amorous Heart” traces the symbol from its earliest days as an abstract motif to its rise to prominence in the Middle Ages — the era of chivalry, troubadours and the modern concept of “romance” — up through the modern era’s developments of the “I y NY” logo of the 1970s and the heart emoji (the world’s most popular, she said) in the 1980s, among many other examples of the heart throughout the centuries. The bi-lobed, symmetrical icon that we now think of as the “heart” first turned up in the ancient Mediterranean world as what was mostly likely a purely ornamental shape, probably inspired by the natural world (seed pods, leaves and flowers.) “As I was writing this book, I came to the realization that these were decorative shapes in search of a meaning, and they didn’t find that meaning until the 13th century,” Yalom said. “Once that shape was taken over by artists and artisans it became a Western symbol of the heart.” Though the heart is largely associated with romantic, secular love, Yalom said she was surprised by the degree to which it also appears in the religious realm. Protestant leader Martin Luther, she said, who used a heart in his seal, is responsible to a large degree for the preservation of the heart image despite the Protestant movement’s rejection of iconography. And while Catholic artists and theologians tended to use a more realistic-looking heart, Luther’s was of the now-classic
symmetrical style. “That was pure enough for Protestants,” she said with a laugh. Aside from some research into Arabic poetry, Yalom’s book stays mostly in the European and Western world, although she was delighted to discover that the Japanese character (originally Chinese) for love also contains the character for heart. “If I had universal grasp I would be able to come up with other examples, I’m sure, but I did not attempt to go very far beyond Western culture,” she said. “Maybe someone else will pick up the subject.” Yalom, who’s lived in Palo Alto since 1962, said she’s had three different, albeit related, careers: one as a professor of French language and literature; one as a feminist scholar and director of what is now Stanford’s Clayman Institute for Gender Research (where she is still affiliated); and one as an author, both for academic and popular presses. Her previous books include “A History of the Breast,” “Birth of the Chess Queen” and, most recently, “How the French Invented Love,” the research for which eventually led her to writing “The Amorous Heart.” “I do have a tendency to write about very ordinary subjects — the chess queen, the female breast, in this case the symbol of the heart — and what happens to me is that at some point that very familiar item becomes unfamiliar because there are things I don’t know. Sometimes it really feels like a lightbulb going on,” she said. In today’s tech-focused world, she said, it’s more of a struggle to attract readers to the humanities. “When you’re writing for a more general audience you have to assume that you have all kinds of people you want to reach,” she said, comparing her books for the popular press to those she’s written for academia. “There’s always an educative
Palo Alto resident Marilyn Yalom is author of “The Amorous Heart,” which traces the origin of the heart shape.
Photo by Veronica Weber.
process going on in which you try to have a more accessible style. You have to somehow hook the reader right from the start.” Yalom said she hopes readers, most of whom are well aware that the heart shape does not closely resemble an actual human heart and that furthermore the “impossible to define” feelings of love do not literally come from the heart, will consider the enduring appeal of the icon. “Stepping back from what we know scientifically, the heart has all sorts of associations, both amorous and religious. There’s something about that symbol that’s still powerful for us today. We have to ask ourselves why,” she said. Happily married to noted psychiatrist and author Irvin Yalom, she dedicated her book to her “bighearted” husband. “If it is the symbol of love, maybe there is something in the belief that only love can save us,” she pondered. “I’d like to believe what Virgil wrote: ‘Love conquers all.’ It would certainly be a motto to be brought back in our present moment.” Q For more information, go to myalom.com. Arts & Entertainment Editor Karla Kane can be emailed at kkane@paweekly.com.
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 23
REAL ESTATE SEMINAR FOR HOME OWNERS
STEPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR REAL ESTATE SALES PRICE Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club 3000 Alexis Drive, Palo Alto, CA Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM FEBRUARY SEMINARS: Arrillaga Rec Center *Elm Room 601 Laurel Street Menlo Park, CA
Los Altos Youth Center 1 N. San Antonio Rd Los Altos, CA
Sat, February 24th, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tues, February 27th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
RSVP: 650.543.8500 RSVP@DELEONREALTY.COM Seminars are for prospective clients only. No outside real estate professionals permitted.
®
6 5 0 . 9 0 0 . 7 0 0 0 | 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 24 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 25
Home&Real Estate
OPEN HOME GUIDE 42 Also online at PaloAltoOnline.com
A weekly guide to home, garden and real estate news, edited by Elizabeth Lorenz
Home Front THE DIRT ON ROSES ... The Peninsula Rose Society will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20 with a talk on “Fertilizers and Soils for Your Roses” by Barbara Gordon. Are you unsure about how to fertilize your roses or what soil to use? Gordon is an American Rose Society horticultural rose judge, consulting rosarian, and rose arrangement judge. Her talk will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building at 1455 Madison in Redwood City. LOVE THOSE RHODIES? ... If you know what “rhodies” are (rhododendrons) you may love them enough to join the De Anza Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from September to May at the Los Altos Community Center, Room 12, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. For more information, email chapter President Bee Brown at beebrown01@gmail.com, or visit deanza-ars.com. GARDEN FRESH LUNCHEON ... Gamble Garden will hold its first garden luncheon of 2018 on March 14. March’s menu includes many items with fresh garden vegetables, including leek and spinach soup. Reservations are required. Cost is $25 for members; $30 for nonmembers. Other upcoming luncheon dates are: April 11, May 9, June 13, Sept.12, and Oct. 10. To make a reservation, call 650329-1356. For more information, go to gamblegarden.org. Gamble Garden is located at1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto. INSPECTING GADGET ... If you want to feel like you and your contractor have more control over your building schedule, download the city of Palo Alto’s “Palo Alto Inspection Request” app. The app allows you to review all of your current permits, look at your history, and schedule inspections online as your project goes on. Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play to download.
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.
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There are more real estate features online. Go to PaloAltoOnline.com/ real_estate.
C reating private
space in a crowded place
Gamble class teaches how to use plants to your advantage Story & photos by Marley Arechiga
Horticulturist Kevin Raftery says he is offering a class about planting for privacy because people are feeling crowded. The camellia hedge above and the holly one on the right, both in front of the Gamble House on Waverley Street, will be used as examples.
L
iving in an urban neighborhood that’s walkable to downtown and other amenities can mean buying a smaller lot closer to neighbors or living in a multifamily complex with lots of shared spaces. This, however, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up your privacy. Horticulturist Kevin Raftery said plants are a simple way to shield your outdoor space from prying eyes and unwanted views. Raftery, whose company provides consulting and specialty pruning in the Bay Area, is leading a class at Gamble Garden in Palo Alto on March 3 designed to teach participants how to successfully create private outdoor living spaces with plants. The class will cover how to select species that will be successful in different kinds of growing conditions and how to avoid common problems. Planting for privacy is an inexpensive and aesthetically pleasing way of addressing overexposure to more homes and people, but residents often start on the wrong foot, he said. “The reason I want to do a class about planting for privacy is because people are feeling the crowdedness,” Raftery said. “They’re feeling the population pressure and the overbearing
Page 26 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
buildings that are being put up everywhere. You may have a peaceful place and then someone rips out trees and suddenly you’re facing a giant Mediterranean villa or French chateau.” A common planting pitfall, according to Raftery, is choosing plants that are not best suited for the space in question. Often people don’t account for the physical space their plants need to grow or how much sunlight they’ll receive, ultimately making their selected plants costlier and higher maintenance than they need to be. When growing a privacy screen, it is essential to find plants that tolerate shade well and are resistant to oak-root fungus, a common cause of death for oak trees with lots of plantings under them, Raftery said. One such hearty plant is the podocarpus gracilior. Versatile in size, the East African coniferous plant can be used as a six-foot hedge — or a 60-foot tree — depending on what you want to achieve in your garden. There are few differences between hedges and trees other than how they are pruned and spaced, Raftery said. Another challenge people encounter is planting in narrow spaces. For this, Raftery suggests vines. In general, there are three types: vines that grow up
and hang down, woody vines that hold themselves up and vines that attach to other plants. One vine that works well in narrow spaces is the Jasmine Star, a flowering vine that tolerates shade well and can be grown on trellises and doorways. Raftery cautions that you should study your own space well before planting. As tricky as it may be to identify the right plant for a given space, the benefits can outweigh the costs. When sown properly, plants can be far less expensive than building structures, which can reach thousands of dollars, he said. Another benefit of using live plants rather than structures for privacy is that plants can grow much taller than fences and are not subject to height restrictions (except for being a good neighbor to not let your vines entwine your neighbors’ plants). “Kevin is a wealth of knowledge,” said Ginny Babbitt, a student of Raftery’s for 10 years. “What Kevin will teach is the long-term value of taking care to prune ... to achieve a goal.” An advantage of taking a course right at Gamble Garden, Babbitt said, is that examples of plants and how to shape and care for them can be found in the garden
itself, including a bright pink camellia hedge surrounding a space in the rear of the Gamble House, and a holly tree, which takes the place of a fence in front of the home along the Churchill Avenue and Waverley Street sidewalks. Following the class, participants will take a 30-minute walk through the surrounding neighborhood to see successful instances of planting for privacy. “The walk makes it all seem more tangible. We’ll look at specific situations, what works and what doesn’t,” Raftery said. He emphasized that the goal of planting for privacy “isn’t just to shut people out,” it is about improving the habitability and aesthetic of one’s surroundings. “A lot of people subconsciously know how much trees and green space around them affects their well-being,” he said. “I’m interested in the quality of environment that people live in. Plants make for a richer community and a more enjoyable place to live.”Q For more information or to register for the class, go to gamblegarden.org/events/. Marley Arechiga is an intern at the Palo Alto Weekly. She can be emailed at marechiga@ paweekly.com.
NEW ON THE MARKET! 4250 EL CAMINO REAL D135 OFFERED AT $798,000
2 bedroom, 1 bath, 960 sf. ft. Extended Open House Hours with Snacks FRIDAY (2/16) 9:30 am - 6:00 pm SATURDAY (2/17) 1 pm - 5 pm SUNDAY (2/18) 1 pm - 5 pm
KEVIN CHIAO Realtor / Attorney
KIM HENG Realtor / MBA
“WE SELL FOR MORE BECAUSE WE DO MORE” kevin@kcreteam.com • kimheng724@gmail.com
www.kcreteam.com
408.246.8888 CalBRE #01912393
KellerWilliams, Realty
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 27
THE ADDRESS IS THE PENINSU THE EXPERIENCE IS A IN PINEL
ATHERTON $23,880,000
WOODSIDE $12,995,000
ATHERTON $11,500,000
PALO ALTO $9,188,000
213 Park Lane | 5bd/7.5ba Mary & Brent Gullixson | 650.888.0860 License # 00373961 | 01329216 BY APPOINTMENT
310 Kings Mountain Road | 4bd/4.5ba Diane Rothe | 650.787.9894 License #00974243 BY APPOINTMENT
54 Serrano Drive | 5bd/5ba Valerie Soltau | 650.464.3896 License # 01223247 BY APPOINTMENT
3120 Alexis Drive | 7bd/9ba Grace C. Wu | 650.772.0200 License # 00886757 BY APPOINTMENT
LOS ALTOS HILLS $5,995,750
PALO ALTO $5,398,000
MENLO PARK $5,198,000
LOS ALTOS $3,850,000
13531 Burke Road | 5bd/5.5ba J. James/D. van Hulsen | 650.218.4337 License #01138400 | 01749772 BY APPOINTMENT
660 Coleridge Avenue | Land Carol Li | 650.281.9368 License # 01227755 OPEN SAT & SUN 2:00-4:00
500 Berkeley Avenue | 5bd/3.5ba Judy Citron | 650.543.1206 License # 01825569 OPEN SAT & SUN 2:00-4:00
428 Hawthorne Lane | 5bd/4.5ba Denise Welsh | 650.209.1566 License # 00939903 OPEN SAT & SUN 12:00-5:00
MENLO PARK $3,700,000
LOS ALTOS $3,568,000
LOS ALTOS $3,200,000
MENLO PARK $2,800,000
175 Gloria Circle | 5bd/3ba C. Carnevale/N. Aron | 650.543.1195 License # 00946687 | 00952657 BY APPOINTMENT
245 Live Oak Lane | 4bd/3ba Y. Zhang/C. Miller | 650.868.1078 License # 01997435 | 01275848 OPEN SAT & SUN 1:30-4:30
961 Lundy Lane | 2bd/1ba Bogard-Tanigami Team | 650.924.8365 License # 01060012 BY APPOINTMENT
21 Bishop Lane | 3bd/3.5ba Joseph Bentley | 650.867.0199 License # 01082626 OPEN SUNDAY 1:30-4:30
MENLO PARK $2,498,000
STANFORD $2,150,000
SUNNYVALE $1,788,000
CAPITO $620,000
1315 American Way | 3bd/2ba Keri Nicholas | 650.533.7373 License # 01198898 BY APPOINTMENT
936 Lathrop Place | 4bd/2ba Shari Ornstein | 650.814.6682 License # 01028693 BY APPOINTMENT
1289 Susan Way | 4bd/2ba Tom Correia | 650.823.5441 License # 01352555 OPEN SAT & SUN 1:30-4:30
4800 Opal Cliff Drive | 1bd/1ba Stephanie Nash | 650.995.3820 License # 01104524 OPEN SAT 10:00-5:00 & SUN 2:00-4:00
APR.COM
Over 30 Real Estate Offices Serving The Bay Area Including Palo Alto 650.323.1111
Los Altos 650.941.1111
Menlo Park 650.462.1111
Menlo Park-Downtown 650.304.3100
Woodside 650.529.1111
Square footage, acreage, and other information herein, has been received from one or more of a variety of different sources.
Page 28 â&#x20AC;˘ February 16, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Palo Alto Weekly â&#x20AC;˘ www.PaloAltoOnline.com Such information has not been veriďŹ ed by Alain Pinel RealtorsÂŽ. If important to buyers, buyers should conduct their own investigation.
THE CITY IS ATHERTON THE LEADER IS
ALAIN PINEL
$400M
$300M $250M $200M $150M $100M $50M $0M
ALAIN PINEL REALTORS
$350M
APR
Coldwell Banker
APR.COM
|
MENLO PARK
Deleon Realty
Intero
650.462.1111
www.PaloAltoOnline.com Palo Altobased Weekly February 16, volume. 2018 • Page 29 Volume shown in millions of dollars. Source: TrendGraphix, January 1 through December 30, 2017. Displaying the top 5 brokerages in •Atherton on• closed sales
morgan lashley distinctive properties
www.155Washington.com 155 Washington Ave. Palo Alto Open Sat/Sun 1:30pm to 4:30pm Come by for Lattes by Caffe Carrello! Beautifully remodeled and located in prime Old Palo Alto, this residence offers the ultimate in California living. The property provides approximately 992 square feet of living space and a large 2-car garage, all set on a manicured 5850 square foot lot. The home has 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath, gourmet kitchen with eat-in bar, adjoining dining room that opens to the back deck, formal living room, designer colors, unique artisan finishes, hardwood floors, a beautiful patio, and a recreation area. Conveniently located, the home is a short distance from California Avenue shopping, top-rated Palo Alto Schools, Caltrain, and commute routes.
$2,599,000
morgan lashley distinctive properties
Page 30 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Morgan Lashley Broker, MBA 650.387.5224 morgan@morganlashley.com www.morganlashley.com
Palo Alto Office 228 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301 BRE# 01340271
P R I M E O C E A N V I E W S A N TA C R U Z C O U N T Y P R O P E RT I E S A R E S T I L L A F F O R D A B L E !
2003 Eureka Canyon, Coralitos Beautiful ocean view property on a south facing ridge, gated entry, paved driveway, well, septic, small cabin permitted as agricultural building, developed garden area with fruit trees, deer fencing and acres of unspoiled natural beauty and quiet. Neighbors include vineyards, and a Bhuddist retreat center. A perfect weekend getaway! 1 hour from Stanford University.
150 acres: $899,000 | Adjacent 40 acres: $99,000
80 Center Street, Davenport Quality new construction with fantastic ocean views in lovely Davenport, population 400! 2 bedroom, 2 baths, open great room 2705 sf , 7275 sf lot, with separate new cottage, 1 block from beach. Enjoy great beach living on one of the most scenic stretches of coast in California, yet close to home- 61 minutes from Stanford.
Not on MLS - Coming Soon - $1,699,000
ROGER KNAPP (831) 426-1199
roger@serenogroup.com www.realroger.com CalBRE # 00836856 Making good things happen !
This information was supplied by third party sources. Sales Associate believes this information is correct but has QRW YHULÜHG WKLV LQIRUPDWLRQ DQG DVVXPHV QR OHJDO UHVSRQVLELOLW\ IRU LWV DFFXUDF\ %X\HU VKRXOG YHULI\ DFFXUDF\ DQG LQYHVWLJDWH WR %X\HUoV RZQ VDWLVIDFWLRQ
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 31
883 Robb Rd Palo Alto
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Newly completed in summer 2017, this remarkable estate is one of WKH Č´QHVW LQ 3DOR $OWR Č&#x201A; D SUHPLHU ORFDWLRQ RQ WKH 6DQ )UDQFLVFR Peninsula in the heart of Silicon Valley. Everything needed for the SLQQDFOH RI &DOLIRUQLD OLYLQJ FDQ EH \RXUV Č&#x201A;VZHHSLQJ YLHZV RI WKH 6DQ
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Julie Tsai Law Broker Associate MBA, CRS, SRES, ABR License# 01339682
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www.julietsailaw.com
lifestyle, wonderful for entertaining. Close to Los Altos and Palo Alto shopping, dining, Stanford, Google, Facebook, Tesla, Esther Clark Park. Top-rate Palo Alto schools. Lot Size: +/- 1 acre Approximately 9,750 sq.ft of living space Main Residence: 5 bedroom suites, 2 half baths &DEDQD VXLWH IXOO EDWKV DQG D ODUJH RÉ?FH Listed at $14,500,000
www.883Robb.com Page 32 â&#x20AC;˘ February 16, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Palo Alto Weekly â&#x20AC;˘ www.PaloAltoOnline.com
ubvŕŚ&#x17E;m $v-b Realtor License# 01294153 Cell: 408-605-8000 kristin@julietsailaw.com www.julietsailaw.com
460 Washington Avenue, Palo Alto RARE OLD PALO ALTO OPPORTUNITY
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1:40-4:30PM Located on one of the most desirable streets in the coveted Old Palo Alto, this charming single story residence features 3 bedrooms plus a family room situated on a spacious lot of 12,060 sq ft. An entry foyer welcomes the visitor to this lovely traditional home with divided light wood windows and oak hardwood floors throughout the living room, dining room and family room. The rear of the home is highlighted by a gorgeous remodeled master suite with a walk in closet. A brick patio off the living room and vast private rear yard complete this special home on a unique quiet street. • • • • •
3 Bedrooms & 3.5 Bathrooms Gracious Living Room with fireplace and built-in cabinetry Formal Dining Room with built-in china cabinet Open Kitchen / Family Room Detached 2 car garage with Storage Room
• • •
Living Space: 2,620 sq ft per county records Lot Size: 12,060 sq ft per county records - Many expansion opportunities Excellent Palo Alto Schools: Walter Hays Elementary, Jordan Middle, Palo Alto High (buyer to verify enrollment)
OFFERED AT $7,498,000 WWW.460WASHINGTON.COM
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ZZZ /HDQQDKDQG/DXUHO FRP www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 33
1725 Newell Road, Palo Alto m
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A seamless blend of Mediterranean and contemporary style with modern amenities. This custom built 9-year new home with 4 bedrooms & an office, offers the finest in comfort, convenience & class. When you step into this exquisite home, you’ll be amazed by its classic beauty, contemporary sophistication, and top-of-the-line amenities that satisfy your every need. Top-quality materials & gorgeous design throughout make this home truly unforgettable. • Walking/biking distance to Rinconada Library, Rinconada Park & children’s wading pool, and excellent Palo Alto Schools with Walter Hays ES, Jordan MS, and PA HS. • 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, plus an office. • According to architect plans, approx. 3,000 sq.ft. including a detached 1-car garage, plus ~600 sq.ft. sheltered portico/porch on approx. 7,300 sq.ft. lot. • 100% new construction completed in 2009. • Grand, stylish front door, foyer with two-story-high ceiling & elegant chandelier, crown moldings, recessed lighting, boxed beamed ceilings, beautiful solid hardwood floors.
• Spectacular gourmet kitchen with large central island, bay window with window seats, garden window, and beautiful granite countertops. • Top-of-the-line appliances, Dacor vent hood and cooktop, GE profile refrigerator, Dacor drawer warmer and ample custom-built cabinetry. • Large balcony off upstairs bedroom overlooking private backyard. • Private backyard with large sheltered patio & lush greenery. Wonderful indoor/outdoor flow with plentiful space for recreation & relaxation. • Three furnaces and A/C units.
Offered at $4,850,000 For more photos, please visit www.1725newell.com
JUDY SHEN Coldwell Banker
650-380-8888 650-380-2000 CalBRE # 01272874
Page 34 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Jshen@cbnorcal.com | www.JudyShen.com
307 Olive Hill Lane, Woodside Private Woodside Estate â&#x20AC;˘ Exceptional views of the western hills tucked away in complete privacy at the end of a private lane â&#x20AC;˘ 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms arranged over two levels â&#x20AC;˘ Approximately 8,680 total square feet (buyer to conďŹ rm) â&#x20AC;˘ Hand-plastered walls and ďŹ&#x201A;oors in German Solnhofen limestone or white oak â&#x20AC;˘ Exceptional gourmet kitchen ďŹ nished in rare pear wood cabinetry â&#x20AC;˘ Paneled library/ofďŹ ce plus ďŹ&#x201A;oor-to-ceiling bookshelves surrounding the staircase to the lower level
OPE N SUNDAY, FE BRUARY 18 , 1: 0 0 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4: 0 0 PM
â&#x20AC;˘ Lower level with cinema screen, projection system, refreshment center, and customized wine cellar â&#x20AC;˘ Expansive stone terrace, oval pool, spa, and formal gardens â&#x20AC;˘ Approximately 3.08 acres zoned for equestrian use â&#x20AC;˘ Acclaimed Woodside Elementary School (K-8)
Offered at $10,750,000 For video, floor plans, additional photos and information, visit www.307OliveHill.com
For a private showing of this extraordinary estate, please contact:
Hugh Cornish 650.566.5353 hcornish@cbnorcal.com CalRE#00912143
Erika Demma 650.740.2970 edemma@cbnorcal.com CalRE#01230766
SPECIAL HOME IN RED HOT WOODSIDE PLAZA 2786 OHIO AVE, REDWOOD CITY Spacious, single-level, sunny home available in the popular Woodside Plaza neighborhood of Redwood City. Re-built and enjoyed by long-time owner of 28 years, Feng Shui master, Linda Lenore. Feng Shui principles incorporated throughout promote optimal energy ďŹ&#x201A;ow for good health, happiness and prosperity- â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Good Lifeâ&#x20AC;? House!
List Price $2,388,000 www.2786ohio.com
OPEN HOUSE Sat & Sun, 2/17th & 2/18th 1:30pm-4:30pm 4 bedrooms â&#x20AC;˘ 2.5 bathrooms â&#x20AC;˘ Âą2240 sq ft living space â&#x20AC;˘ Âą10,671 sq ft lot
SIOBHAN Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;SULLIVAN Square footage, acreage, and other information herein, has been received from one or more of a variety of different sources. 6XFK LQIRUPDWLRQ KDV QRW EHHQ YHULĹľHG E\ $ODLQ 3LQHO 5HDOWRUV ,I LPSRUWDQW WR EX\HUV EX\HUV VKRXOG FRQGXFW WKHLU RZQ LQYHVWLJDWLRQ
License #01298824
http://osullivanteam.com sos@osullivanteam.com 650.776.5445 www.PaloAltoOnline.com â&#x20AC;˘ Palo Alto Weekly â&#x20AC;˘ February 16, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 35
JUST LISTED, AMAZING VIEWS PROPERTY! 100 BEACH VILLA LANE APTOS, CA •
Impeccable ocean views property just minutes from the beach
•
Fabulous 4630+\-sf home with 4BR plus executive office and library
•
1500+/-sf in-law or au-pair unit with separate entrance
•
Over 1/2 acre well planned lot with expansive flat lawn and perfectly placed hot tub maximizing the view
OFFERED AT: $4,498,000
WWW.100BEACHVILLA.COM Carol Casas, REALTOR® 650.823.1434
Jennifer Cosgrove, REALTOR® 408.930.8425
cjcasas@interorealestate.com CasasRealEstate.com Lic.#01123855
JCosgrove@InteroRealEstate.com www.CapitolaDepotHillHomes.com Lic.#01334273
Page 36 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
2018 Intero Real Estate Services, 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.
363 HAWTHORNE AVENUE, PALO ALTO EXCLUSIVE OFF-MARKET - SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT
OPEN HOUSE
JOIN US FOR BROKER TOUR - Friday, February 16, 9:30am to 1:00pm
DESIREE DOCKTOR Realtor ®
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650.291.8487 ddocktor@apr.com DesireeDocktor.com
PROPERTY OVERVIEW
2
2.5
1 Attached
1,285 SF* Built in 2011
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3,750 SF* Top-rated Palo Alto Schools*: Addison Elementary Jordan Middle & Palo Alto High
OFFERED AT $2,498,000
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 37
2 F A B U L O U S H O M E S – O P EN H O U S ES GORGEOUS 743 WEST CALIFORNIA WAY WOODSIDE OPEN SATURDAY & SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17 & 18, 1:00 – 4:00 PM • Beautiful sun--filled split-level home • Almost one-quarter acre with incredible views
$2,245,000 | 743WestCalifornia.com
EXTRAORDINARY 3970 WOODSIDE ROAD WOODSIDE OPEN SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 1:00 – 4:00 PM • Exceptional home perfect for entertaining • Approximately 2 acres with vineyard, outdoor kitchen, dining terrace
$7,995,000 | 3970WoodsideRoad.com
Top 1% Nationwide Over $1 Billion Sold Top US Realtor, The Wall Street Journal #1 Agent, Coldwell Banker–Woodside Page 38 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
650.740.2970 edemma@cbnorcal.com erikademma.com
CalRE#01230766
567 ALGER DRIVE, PALO ALTO
Open House Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, 1:00pm to 5:00pm
4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2060± sqft home, 6500± sqft lot Excellent Midtown Location. Lovingly maintained 4 bedroom 3 bath home with bright living room, informal dining room, great family room kitchen, and a cozy study. Relaxed landscaping all around. Walking distance to Mitchell Park, Cubberley Community Center, YMCA, Fairmeadow Elementary and JLS Middle Schools. Easy commute to Stanford, Facebook, Google, etc.
Oï¬&#x20AC;ered at $2,588,000 www.567Alger.com
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Your home is where our heart is
THE
TROYER GROUP
550 Pena Court PALO ALTO
INVITING SPANISH HOME IN BARRON PARK NOT ON MLS 5 BEDS
3 BATHS
REFINISHED HARDWOOD FLOORS
PRIVATE REAR YARD WITH PATIOS
CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OPEN-CONCEPT KITCHEN
CUL-DE-SAC LOCATION
550PENA.COM
DAVID TROYER
FAMILY ROOM WITH CATHEDRAL CEILING
CLOSE TO STANFORD
TOP-RATED PALO ALTO SCHOOLS
$3,498,000
License# 01234450
650.440.5076 | DAVID@DAVIDTROYER.COM | DAVIDTROYER.COM
Page 40 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate
REAL ESTATE ADVISORS & BROKERS
PANACHE, QUALITY, AND LOCATION 3687 BRYANT STREET, PALO ALTO
NUMBERS Offered at: $3,950,000 4 Bedrooms 3.5 Bathrooms House: 2,625 Lot: 6,564 OVERVIEW New Construction Open Floor Plan Soaring 14 ft Ceilings Precise Fit and Finish The Ultimate in Finishes, Appliances, and Systems AMENITIES Walkable: Schools JLS Middle (API 943) Herbert Hoover Elementary (API 987) Fairmeadow Elementary (API 954) Community Amenities Mitchell Park, Library, and Cubberley Community Center Shopping Alma Village (groceries and more), Charleston Shopping Center (Piazzas Fine Foods, Ricks Ice Cream, and more)
3687BRYANTSTREET.COM
STEVE PIERCE 650 533 7006 pierce@zanemac.com CalBRE # 00871571
ZANEMAC.COM
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 41
PALO ALTO WEEKLY OPEN HOMES EXPLORE OUR MAPS, HOMES FOR SALE, OPEN HOMES, VIRTUAL TOURS, PHOTOS, PRIOR SALE INFO, NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDES ON www.PaloAltoOnline.com/real_estate
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL TIMES ARE 1:30-4:30 PM
ATHERTON
2 Bedrooms
5 Bedrooms 40 Selby Ln Sat/Sun
$4,900,000 Coldwell Banker
157 Watkins Ave Sat/Sun 1-4
490 Loma Verde Av Sat/Sun 1-5 Deleon Realty
PALO ALTO 324-4456 $5,500,000
Coldwell Banker
324-4456
CAPITOLA
155 Washington Av $2,599,000 Sat/Sun Morgan Lashley Distinctive Properties 326-5700
883 Robb Rd $14,500,000 Sun Alain Pinel Realtors 462-1111
2 Bedrooms - Condominium
151 Kellogg Ave $5,999,000 Sat/Sun 2-4 Golden Gate Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty 644-3474
555 Byron St # 207 Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors
$1,650,000 323-1111
3 Bedrooms
1 Bedroom 4800 Opal Cliff Dr
$620,000
Sat 10-5/Sun 2-4 Alain Pinel Realtors
529-1111
4126 Wisteria Av $1,900,000 Sat/Sun eXp Realty of CA, Inc 269-7557 2972 Otterson Ct Sat/Sun 1-4 Intero Real Estate
$2,498,000 931-8492
MENLO PARK
4 Bedrooms
3 Bedrooms
1725 Newell Rd Sat/Sun Coldwell Banker
$4,850,000 325-6161
2333 South Court Sat/Sun Coldwell Banker
$4,995,000 323-1111
2417 Sharon Oaks Dr Sat/Sun 1-4
$1,800,000
Coldwell Banker
851-1961
4 Bedrooms 763 Cambridge Av Sat 1-5
$3,600,000
Milad
325-1200
5 Bedrooms 625 Hobart St Sun 2-4
$5,800,000
Coldwell Banker
324-4456
$4,758,000 543-8500
567 Alger Dr $2,588,000 Sat 1-5:30/Sun 1-5 Alain Pinel Realtors 323-1111 3687 Bryant St Sat/Sun Zane McGreggor
$3,950,000 324--9900
5 Bedrooms 1117 Hamilton Ave $8,950,000 Sun Keller Williams Palo Alto 454-8500
SAN CARLOS 3 Bedrooms 3170 La Mesa Dr Sat/Sun 1-5
$2,295,000
Coldwell Banker
851-2666
7 Bedrooms
REDWOOD CITY
SAN FRANCISCO 1 Bedroom - Townhouse 550 Davis St #39
$1,196,000
Sun 2-4 Intero Real Estate Services 543-7740
WOODSIDE
4 Bedrooms 731 Lakemead Wy Sat/Sun 1-4 Intero Real Estate
$2,348,000 543-7740
727 Paradise Wy Sat/Sun 1-5 Coldwell Banker
$2,295,000 324-4456
2786 Ohio Av Sat/Sun Alain Pinel Realtors
$2,388,000 323-1111
3 Bedrooms 743 West California Wy Sat/Sun 1-4
718 Canyon Rd Sat/Sun 1-5 Coldwell Banker
$3,195,000 851-2666
2673 Ohio Ave Sat/Sun 1-4 Coldwell Banker
$1,999,800 851-2666
851-1961
4 Bedrooms 580 Old La Honda Rd Sun 1-4
$2,850,000
Coldwell Banker
3970 Woodside Rd
5 Bedrooms
$2,245,000
Coldwell Banker
Sun 1-4
851-1961 $7,995,000
Coldwell Banker
851-2666
6 Bedrooms 307 Olive Hill Ln Sun 1-4
$10,750,000
Coldwell Banker
851-2666
18 20
2017 -
ÂŽ
चŕŤ&#x2C6; Ó&#x160; /$# Broker Associate 15 Years of Excellence
m: 650.687.7388 sophie@apr.com SophieTsang.com
The DeLeon DifferenceÂŽ 650.543.8500 www.deleonrealty.com
LICENSE# 01399145
650.543.8500 | www.deleonrealty.com | DeLeon Realty CalBRE #01903224
Buying or selling a home? Try out Palo Alto Onlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real estate site, the most comprehensive place for local real estate listings. >L VÉ&#x2C6;LY [OL VUL VUSPUL KLZ[PUH[PVU [OH[ SL[Z `V\ M\SS` L_WSVYL! ŕ Ž 0U[LYHJ[P]L THWZ ŕ Ž /VTLZ MVY ZHSL ŕ Ž 6WLU OV\ZL KH[LZ HUK [PTLZ ŕ Ž =PY[\HS [V\YZ HUK WOV[VZ
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Explore area real estate through your favorite local website: PaloAltoOnline.com TheAlmanacOnline.com MountainViewOnline.com And click on â&#x20AC;&#x153;real estateâ&#x20AC;? in the navigation bar.
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Š2018 Embarcadero Publishing Company
Page 42 â&#x20AC;˘ February 16, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ Palo Alto Weekly â&#x20AC;˘ www.PaloAltoOnline.com
ANNOUNCING
THE 32ND ANNUAL PALO ALTO WEEKLY
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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 43
Marketplace PLACE AN AD ONLINE fogster.com
E-MAIL ads@fogster.com
HONE P650.326.8216 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.
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THE PENINSULA’S FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEB SITE Combining the reach of the Web with print ads reaching over 150,000 readers!
fogster.com is a unique web site offering FREE postings from communities throughout the Bay Area and an opportunity for your ad to appear in the Palo Alto Weekly, The Almanac and the Mountain View Voice. 240 Furnishings/ Household items
Bulletin Board
For Sale
115 Announcements
202 Vehicles Wanted
AUCTION of RARE US GOVERNMENT Copper Map Engraving Plates for 82 areas in California. Produced from 1880. Each is a unique museum quality one of a kind unique work of art. Areas include Malibu, Newport Beach & Sacramento. View auction online at: benbensoncollection.com or email for more info: benbensoncollection@yahoo. com (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)
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)
Got an older car, boat or RV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1- 800-7431482 (Cal-SCAN)
235 Wanted to Buy WANTED! Old Porsche 356/911/912 for restoration by hobbyist 1948-1973 Only. Any condition, top $ paid! PLEASE LEAVE MESSAGE 1-707965-9546 (Cal-SCAN)
Fisher Price Swing and Seat - $15 Home Theatre Decor - $12.99
245 Miscellaneous SAWMILLS from only $4397.00 MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-5670404 Ext.300N (Cal-SCAN)
Mind & Body 420 Healing/Bodywork
2018 Free Events Calendar - $00.
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
Home Theatre Decor - $12.99
425 Health Services
Vintage Mountain View Shop
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 1-855-467-6487. (Cal-SCAN)
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Lowest Prices on Health & Dental Insurance. We have the best rates from top companies! Call Now! 888-989-4807. (Cal-SCAN)
“En Vacation”—they all come up short. Matt Jones
This week’s SUDOKU
Answers on page 45.
Answers on page 45.
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) 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 1-800-7994811 for $750 Off. (Cal-SCAN)
ARE YOU CONNECTED? The Palo Alto Weekly Marketplace is online at: www.fogster.com
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) 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 7 IN 10 Americans or 158 million U.S. Adults read content from newspaper media each week? Discover the Power of Newspaper Advertising. For a free brochure call 916-288-6011 or email cecelia@cnpa.com (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 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) 11TH ANNUAL AUTISM SPECTRUM FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY AFTER SALE Home Theatre Decor HUGE BOOK SALE FEB 10 & 11 Take Your Best Shot
133 Music Lessons Christina Conti Piano Private piano lessons. In your home or mine. Bachelor of Music, 20+ years exp. 650-493-6950 Hope Street Music Studios Now on Old Middefield Way, MV. Most instruments, voice. All ages and levels 650-961-2192 www. HopeStreetMusicStudios.com
145 Non-Profits Needs DONATE BOOKS/SUPPORT PA LIBRARY WISHLIST FRIENDS PA LIBRARY
150 Volunteers FRIENDS OF THE PALO ALTO LIBRARY JOIN OUR ONLINE STOREFRONT TEAM
Across 1 1/1760th of a mile 5 Baseball Hall of Famer Ripken 8 Came down softly? 14 Margarine, colloquially 15 Brewhouse brew 16 Party appetizer 17 Poet/dramatist Hughes 19 Quirky French title role of 2001 20 Furniture to display cheesy stuff? 22 ___ Soundsystem 23 Baled stuff 24 Symptom that might require eye drops 26 Attach, as a button 29 Pre-flight org. 31 Stewart who sang “Maggie May” 32 Till the soil 33 Hot off the presses 34 Changes gradually, graphically 37 Kiwi’s much larger cousin 38 Go faster 40 Sturdy tree
41 Dress shirt component 43 Connectivity issue 44 U.S. : counter(clockwise) :: U.K. : ___(clockwise) 45 “Captain Underpants” creator Pilkey 46 Two-___ toilet paper 47 Incas’ mountains 48 Goof 51 Teensy carpenter 52 European peak 53 Tiny mythical creatures on patrol? 59 2004 Jude Law drama 61 “Music for Airports” composer 62 “Come ___, we’re expecting you ...” (“The Love Boat” theme lyrics) 63 Confident finish? 64 Armitage who plays “Young Sheldon” 65 Frosty maker 66 ___ ThÈrËse, Quebec 67 Gambler’s numbers
Down 1 Part that’s egg-centric? 2 Jai ___ (fast-moving sport) 3 Landlord’s check 4 Competition for toys? 5 Comic strip character known for saying “Ack!” 6 Tons 7 “Girls” creator Dunham 8 Balancing device 9 Mention a connection, perhaps 10 “First of all...” 11 Body of water that’s surrounded? 12 Humongous movies 13 “Dirty ___ Done Dirt Cheap” (AC/DC song) 18 Read a QR code 21 Underwire’s locale, maybe 25 Neither companion 26 Built to ___ 27 “Sesame Street” character voiced by Ryan Dillon since 2013 28 Is totally up for nestling in bed?
www.sudoku.name
29 Golf prop 30 Get bigger 33 “Science Friday” airer 34 Cocoa container 35 Really dislike 36 Equipment used at the Winter Olympics 38 Viciousness 39 Sunup to sundown 42 Back muscle, for short 44 Actor Banderas 46 Shepherd’s pie bit 47 “Black Beauty” novelist Sewell 48 Colorful parrot 49 “___ right back!” 50 Many residents of Erbil in Iraq 51 Limber 54 Some baseball stats 55 “Gosh darn it!” 56 Name in spiral notebooks 57 Noddy creator Blyton 58 Mumford & ___ 60 Melancholy ©2018 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@ jonesincrosswords.com)
go to fogster.com to respond to ads without phone numbers Page 44 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
THE PENINSULA’S FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEBSITE TO RESPOND TO ADS WITHOUT PHONE NUMBERS GO TO WWW.FOGSTER.COM 619 Consultants
Jobs 500 Help Wanted IT Computer & Information Research Scientist for nextLAP, Inc., Mountain View, CA. Analyze Automotive OEM’s production & logistics problems to develop highly distributed backend solutions interfacing to IoT hardware & software. Position reqs BS or equiv., in EE, Comp. Sci. or related & 3 yrs exp. Exp to incl: hardware & software development; exp w/ PL/SQL; Linux kernel programming; & technological skills incl IoT platforms & MQTT based messaging; PostgreSQL data base system; Linux kernel programming; Python software development; Web development (RESTful APIs); NoSQL databases e.g Redis, Architecting & implementing High Availability (HA) systems; File versioning software: Git; & Cryptography: certificates, signing/ encrypting/ decrypting low level application messages. Willing & able to work flexible hrs & OT as needed. Travel 5% of time to customer sites. Resume to Andre Ziemke, CEO/ President, nextLAP Inc., 800 W El Camino Real #180, Mountain View, CA 94040.
Business Services 610 Tutoring Tours, Vacation Packages and Travel Packages since 1952. Visit Caravan.com for details or call 1-800-CARAVAN for catalog. (CalSCAN)
Unable to work due to injury or illness? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc., Social Security Disability Attorneys! FREE Evaluation. 1-800-966-1904! Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL., Mbr. TX/NM Bar. Local Attorneys Nationwide. (Cal-SCAN)
624 Financial Are you in BIG trouble with the IRS? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 855970-2032. (Cal-SCAN) RETIRED COUPLE $$$$ for business purpose Real Estate loans. Credit unimportant. V.I.P. Trust Deed Company www.viploan.com Call 818- 248-0000 Broker-principal BRE 01041073. (Cal-SCAN)
Home Services 707 Cable/Satellite Cut the Cable! CALL DIRECTV. Bundle & Save! Over 145 Channels PLUS Genie HD-DVR. $50/month for 2 Years (with AT&T Wireless.) Call for Other Great Offers! 1-866-249-0619 (Cal-SCAN) DISH Network 190+ Channels. FREE Install. FREE Hopper HD-DVR. $49.99/month (24 mos).Add High Speed Internet - $14.95 (where avail.) CALL Today & SAVE 25%! 1-844-536-5233. (Cal-SCAN)
715 Cleaning Services 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
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751 General Contracting
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890 Real Estate Wanted
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.
757 Handyman/ Repairs 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)
771 Painting/ Wallpaper Glen Hodges Painting Call me first! Senior discount. 45 yrs. #351738. 650-322-8325, phone calls ONLY.
Real Estate 805 Homes for Rent La Honda, 1 BR/2 BA $3800.00 No Pets 650 619-9054 Menlo Park, 3 BR/2 BA Remodeled West Menlo Park 3 Bed,2Bath, Los Lomitas Schools, No Smoking or Pets, $7,000.00 Mo. 650-851 4464
809 Shared Housing/ Rooms Redwood City, 4 BR/2 BA - $1200/mont
KC BUYS HOUSES FAST - CASH - Any Condition. Family owned & Operated . Same day offer! (951) 805-8661 WWW.KCBUYSHOUSES. COM (Cal-SCAN)
Legal Notices 995 Fictitious Name Statement MONICA FOSTER FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: FBN637747 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Monica Foster, located at 2699 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Corporation. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): MF SALON INC. 345 Sheridan Ave. Ste., #405 Palo Alto, CA 94306 Registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 01/01/2018. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on January 12, 2018. (PAW Jan. 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 2018) J & J DESIGN FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: FBN638076 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: J & J Design, located at 1072 Tanland Dr. Apt. 212, 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): JINGJING SHI 1072 Tanland Dr. Apt. 212 Palo Alto, CA 94303 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
January 24, 2018. (PAW Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2018) TITUS CAULKING AND WATERPROOFING FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: FBN638370 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Titus Caulking and Waterproofing, located at 7510 Eigleberry St. #100, Gilroy, CA 95020, Santa Clara County. This business is owned by: A Limited Liability Company. The name and residence address of the registrant(s) is(are): R TITUS WATERPROOFING, LLC 7510 Eigleberry St. #100 Gilroy, CA 95020 Registrant began transacting business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 02/01/18. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of Santa Clara County on February 1, 2018. (PAW Feb. 9, 16, 23; Mar. 2, 2018)
997 All Other Legals NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: SUSAN L.S. DONDERSHINE Case No.: 18PR182679 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of SUSAN L.S. DONDERSHINE, SUSAN LOIS STEIGER, SUSAN L. DONDERSHINE. A Petition for Probate has been filed by: STEPHEN D. DONDERSHINE in the Superior Court of California, County of SANTA CLARA. The Petition for Probate requests that: STEPHEN D. DONDERSHINE 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 April 2, 2018 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: Peter S. Stern, Esq. 350 Cambridge Avenue, Suite 330 Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 326-2282 (PAW Feb. 2, 9, 16, 2018)
Answers to this week’s puzzles, which can be found on page 44.
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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 45
Sports Shorts
AROUND THE CORNER . . . Nationally ranked Nathan Butler and Keaton Subjeck lead the Stanford wrestling team into its regular season finale on Friday, hosting No. 13 Nebraska at 7 p.m. in Maples Pavilion. The match will be televised on Pac-12 Networks. Stanford (7-4, 2-1 Pac-12) is coming off a 21-15 win over Oregon State last Saturday. Butler (eighth at 285 pounds) and Subjeck (ninth at 174 pounds) are ranked among the InterMat top 10. Subjeck leads the team with 23 wins, while Butler is sitting at 22.
ON THE AIR Friday Winter Olympics: at PyeongChang, 1:35 a.m., NBC, 2 a.m., NBCSN, 4 a.m. USA, 2 p.m. CNBC College baseball: Cal State Fullerton at Stanford, 6 p.m., Stanford Live Stream College wrestling: Nebraska at Stanford, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Bob Drebin/Stanford Athletics
ALUMNI REPORT . . . Stanford grad and Olympic gold medalist Katerina Stefanidi won the pole vault at the Meeting Lievin in France on Tuesday, her 18th consecutive victory. DyeStat’s Erik Boal reported that Stefanidi, also the reigning World champion, cleared a season-best 15-10 on her second attempt. It was her third title in seven days in France. She also won in Paris and Rouen. Stefanidi, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Games competing for Greece, remains in striking distance of the record winning streak of 23, held by Russia’s Yelena Isinbayeva. The former NCAA champion is expected to compete at the Muller Indoor Grand Prix in Scotland on Feb. 25 before competing in the World Indoor Championships in England on March 3 . . . After qualifying for the ACC Championships in the 400 at the Tiger Paw Invitational at Clemson last Friday, Menlo School grad Maddy Price added to her great weekend by breaking the school record in the 200. She became the first Duke runner to finish in under 24 seconds, clocking a time of 23.73. Price has the third fastest time in the ACC this season.
Stanford shortstop Nico Hoerner, who hit .307 last year, was named to several preseason All-American watch lists.
From player to coach, Esquer follows ‘9’ Beck rejoins pitching staff to give Stanford a solid foundation for success by Rick Eymer avid Esquer has seen a lot of changes over the years at Stanford’s Sunken Diamond, where he roamed the infield while playing for the Cardinal’s first College World Series championship in 1987. This season, Esquer represents the biggest change at Stanford since Mark Marquess stepped unto the Stanford campus in 1965 as a football-baseball player. For the first time since before Jimmy Carter was the United States President, the Cardinal has a new head baseball coach. The new era begins with Friday’s 6:05 p.m. contest with
D
visiting Cal State Fullerton, the opener of a three-game series with the Titans. Stanford plays 11 of its first 12 games at home with Rice coming in for four games next weekend and Michigan arriving the first weekend in march, also for four games. After a four-game trip to Texas, the Cardinal (42-16, 21-9 last year) returns home for another eightgame homestand. “When I look around in the Bay Area, the Bay Area is in good hands with the coaches who are out there,” Esquer said. “I look at it as six degrees of separation of Mark Marquess. Everyone has a little tie to Mark Marquess. So
he’s not forgotten at all in Bay Area baseball.” And like Marquess, Esquer emphasized that pitching and defense is the cornerstone of a successful program. In that case, Esquer inherits a talented front end of the rotation. Mitty High grad Kris Bubic, last year’s top starter, returns along with Tristan Beck, Stanford’s top starter two years ago. Beck missed all of last season with an injury and is back “throwing well.” Bubic (7-6, 2.79 last year) led the staff with 96 strikeouts in 90 innings. He had a .236 opponents batting average and had a strikeout to walk ratio of 3.2-1.
(continued on page 47)
PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
Knights clinch WBAL hoops title
Saturday Winter Olympics: at PyeongChang, 2 a.m., USA, 2 a.m. NBCSN, 3:35 a.m. NBC, 2 p.m. CNBC College men’s swimming and diving: California Stanford, noon, Stanford Live Stream College baseball: Cal State Fullerton at Stanford, 1 p.m. Stanford Live Stream College women’s basketball: Stanford at California, 2:30 p.m., Pac12 Networks College women’s gymnastics: California at Stanford, 7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Saams-Hoy scores 32 in Eastside Prep victory by Glenn Reeves he Menlo boys basketball team overcame a slow start on Senior Night to beat visiting The King’s Academy 67-41 in a West Bay Athletic League contest Tuesday, its 16th consecutive victory. The game was tied 13-13 after one quarter and TKA took an 1814 lead early in the second quarter. Menlo (22-1, 13-0) went on an 8-0 run to take the lead. Thomas Brown started the run with a backward flip under the basket. Cole Kastner scored on the fastbreak, Joe Foley tipped in his own miss and then Kastner scored off a pass from Foley. After a TKA 3-pointer, Menlo
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Sunday Pam McKenney/Menlo Athletics
Winter Olympics: at PyeongChang, 2 a.m., NBC, 2 a.m. NBCSN, 4 a.m. USA, 1 p.m. CNBC College baseball: Cal State Fullerton at Stanford, 1 p.m. Stanford Live Stream
READ MORE ONLINE
www.PASportsOnline.com For expanded daily coverage of college and prep sports, visit www.PASportsOnline.com
Beck (6-5, 2.48 in 2016) pitched six scoreless innings in his collegiate debut and never saw his ERA rise above 2.89 and saw it sink to as low as 1.50. Beck allowed more than three earned runs in a start once among his 14 starts. His strikeout to walk ratio was 2.9-1. Add Erik Miller to the rotation and it becomes one of the more experienced rotation in a long time. Miller (5-2, 3.65) gives the Cardinal a deep starting rotation despite losing 30 of last year’s 58 starts. Esquer also said Jack Little (00, 23.14) will fill a fourth starter
Menlo senior Joe Foley drives for two of his 12 points in the win over TKA.
Page 46 • February 16, 2018 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
went on a 9-2 run to close out the half with a 31-23 lead as both Brown and Foley hit 3-pointers. Brown scored a team-high 23 for the Knights, who clinched sole possession of the league championship. Foley, who is headed to Lehigh in the fall, scored 12 and had three assists and Riley Woodson had 11 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Cole Kastner had five assists. The Knights close the regular season Thursday at Priory. In other games, Menlo-Atherton walloped host Burlingame 7743 in a regular-season Peninsula (continued on page 47)
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
PREP GIRLS SOCCER
M-A repeats as PAL Bay Division champion Palo Alto, Gunn, Menlo all finish second in respective leagues by Rick Eymer
M
(continued from page 46)
Athletic League South Division finale. The Bears (16-8, 9-3) finished third after spending the previous two seasons as PAL South champs. M-A, which outscored the Panthers 29-3 in the first quarter, can carry some momentum into the PAL playoffs, which begin Thursday at various campus sites. The
Josephine Cotto helped M-A defend its PAL title A lot worse. Palo Alto never stopped playing and finally got on the scoreboard when Leela Srinivasan booted a shot that just evaded the reach of Abby Hahn. Courtney Cox set up Srinivasan with a nicely-played lead pass. That was Paly’s second shot on goal of the game and they only got two. The Vikings play at Saratoga at 7 p.m. Friday in their season finale. Palo Alto remains a likely candidate for the Open Division again this year, where Mountain View and Mitty will be the top two seeds. In the SCVAL El Camino Division, Gunn beat host Wilcox, 3-0, to clinch second place behind Fremont. The Titans (10-6-3, 9-3) played teams with winning records in four of its five nonleague matches, going a combined 1-1-2 in those games. Gunn also played two league champions in Mountain View and Christopher, all of which could help the Titans at the CCS seeding meeting. Q
David Hickey
Prep basketball
visiting Priory, 4-0, to clinch the league title. The Panthers (10-7, 6-4) finished third in their first year in the Foothill Division. Menlo (7-10-2, 6-3-1) still finished second and Sacred Heart Prep (6-12-1, 5-4-1) was fourth. The teams will find out their postseason destiny following the CCS seeding meeting Saturday. Mountain View pushed back and clinched the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League’s De Anza Division girls soccer title Wednesday, beating host Palo Alto 5-1. The defending Central Coast Section Open Division champion Spartans have accumulated a 37-2-3 overall record since the beginning of the 2016-17 season. Their only two losses were to the Vikings. Palo Alto (12-4-1, 8-2-1) played well, spending considerable time in the Spartans zone through the first half. And while there were a couple of defensive breakdowns, it was more about Mountain View’s ability to get the ball to the net. The Spartans (18-1, 11-1) took complete control of the match in the second half, scoring twice in the first seven minutes for a comfortable 4-0 advantage and that carried over to the defensive end. The Vikings spent more than 90 percent of the second half on their heels as Mountain View mounted attack after attack. If not for the play of Lindsay North, Isabella Bonomi, Ally Scheve, Emily Tomz and Clara Luehrs among others, it could have been worse.
File photo
enlo-Atherton had so much fun winning a Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division girls soccer title last year, the Bears decided to do it again this season. M-A had gone nearly 20 years without a title before going unbeaten in PAL play last season. The Bears, who beat host Carlmont 3-0 Tuesday to clinch the crown with one game remaining in the regular season, didn’t quite match last year’s record, though no one seems to be be complaining. Menlo-Atherton has done a little bit of everything, from outscoring its league foes by a 22-9 margin, to recording nine shutouts on the season, including the past three and four of five. Breanna Sandoval, who played the majority of time last year, has stepped up her game this time around. It helps when you have a solid group of defenders in front of you. That helps when Sandoval is called upon to make the big save. It also helps to have returning players like Diana Morales and Yara Gomez Zavala poking around in the opposition’s zone for much of the match. Morales, who had a goal and assist in the win over the Scots, has an dozen goals. Not so coincidentally, Gomez Zavala has a team high 12 assists. Elise Kratzer, who started the season on the junior varsity, has been a spark plug since joining the varsity. She returned coach Jason Luce’s confidence in her by scoring twice against Carlmont. The Bears travel to Woodside for the PAL finale on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. The Wildcats (5-47, 5-4-5) beat Burlingame, 1-0, Tuesday. In the West Bay Athletic League, Sacred Heart Prep’s Megan Tinsley seems to have decided she’s no longer a freshman. She’s been terrific the past couple of weeks and, Tuesday, helped the Gators beat rival Menlo, 3-2, spoiling the Knights’ plan of grabbing a share of the league title. Tinsley had a pair of goals and recorded an assist on Juliana Rosen’s goal, the first of the game. Notre Dame-Belmont topped
Palo Alto senior Emily Tomz looks to make a play. semifinals and finals, Friday and Saturday, are at Half Moon Bay. The Bears handed PAL South champion Sequoia its only league loss of the season. The two teams will meet again in Friday’s semifinals if both win their opening-round games. In another WBAL game Eastside Prep surprised second-place Sacred Heart Prep 71-57. Isaiah Saams-Hoy was blazing hot from the field, scoring 32 points, including 8-for-8 from the foul line, to pace the Panthers
(16-7, 6-7), who host Crystal Springs Uplands at 7 p.m. Friday. Josh Walker-Ford added 16 points for Eastside, which can still finish third depending on other results Friday. Eric DeBrine scored 19 points to lead Sacred Heart Prep (12-11, 10-3), which plays at Harker on Friday. Yianni Gardner added 12 points. Priory (14-9, 7-6) beat Crystal Springs Uplands 70-49 as Lucas Harris scored 16 points and Adrian LaValle added 11. Q
Julia Wang
Spencer Rojahn
MENLO SOCCER
PALO ALTO BASKETBALL
The senior scored two goals and recorded an assist in Menlo’s victory over Crystal Springs and then came back to score another goal against The King’s Academy to help the Knights clinch second place in the WBAL.
The senior scored 26 points in the Vikings’ victory over Los Gatos, which clinched the SCVAL De Anza title and then recorded a doubledouble with 17 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Homestead.
Honorable mention Karla Astrom* Pinewood basketball
Talia Grossman Menlo soccer
Amanda Khu Castilleja soccer
Clara Luehrs Palo Alto soccer
Moorea Mitchell Castilleja soccer
Diana Morales* Menlo-Atherton soccer
Eric DeBrine Sacred Heart Prep basketball
Max Dorward* Palo Alto basketball
Calvin Grewal* Palo Alto wrestling
Dash Lee Gunn wrestling
Bradley Stillman Menlo-Atherton basketball
Andrew Wang Palo Alto wrestling *Previous winner
Watch video interviews of the Athletes of the Week, go to PASportsOnline.com
Baseball (continued from page 46)
role and at the back end of the bullpen. “He’ll definitely pitch in a prominent role,” he said. Will Matthiessen (3-0, 2.33, 3 saves) steps into the closer’s role, taking over for the record-setting Colton Hock. Zach Grech (0-0, 9.00) also figures in late-inning relief. Esquer, who spent the past 18 years at California, which included a year (2011) of turbulence in which the program was in danger of being slashed out of existence and eventually qualified for the College World Series. He was named National Coach of the Year. Esquer also has strong ties to Stanford, from where he graduated in 1987. He spent six seasons as an assistant to Marquess before establishing himself as a top coach. That made the transition a little easier. “There aren’t really any challenges,” Esquer said. “Coach Marquess left things in good shape in the sense that the kids know how to work hard, they’re used to discipline and they’ve already played at a high level. It’s about getting comfortable with the personnel and really trying to add value.” Defensively and offensively, it
all starts with shortstop Nico Hoerner who hit .307 last year and had a fielding percentage of .970. Duke Kinamon returns to play second base, where he made a mere four errors in 305 chances. He also hit .284 and led the team with 15 stolen bases, in 17 attempts. “They make up among the best, if not the best, middle infield in the country,” Esquer said. Sacred Heart Prep grad Andrew Daschbach figures to start at first base and Jesse Kuet will handle third base. “Duke is the best second baseman I’ve ever played with,” Hoerner said. “He’s a special player.” Maverick Hundley returns to catching duties. Brandon Wulff will anchor the outfield, with several possibilities in center and left field. Alec Wilson, Tim Tawa and Daniel Bakst are candidates for those spots. The designated hitter spot will likely be rotated, with Matt Decker and Bryce Carter at the top of the list. Stanford lost to Cal State Fullerton in last year’s regional and expects to compete for berth in the College World Series. “We had the personnel and just came up short last year,” Hoerner said. “We think about the College World Series and Omaha all the time. But we have to do the daily work that gets us into position.”Q
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • February 16, 2018 • Page 47
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