Sec 1 - The Almanac

ClassGuide
Summer
Class Guide
page 30
T H E H O M E TOW N N E W S PA P E R F O R M E N L O PA R K , AT H E RTO N , P O RTO L A VA L L E Y A N D WO O D S I D E
M AY 4 , 2 0 1 1
| VO L . 4 6 N O. 3 6
W W W. T H E A L M A N AC O N L I N E . C O M
FINDING
HOME
Where a young girl
found safety, family,
hope | Page 3
a p r. c o m
ALAIN PINEL R EALTORS
is Dedicated to Excellence, and it is in that spirit that we welcome these outstanding real estate professionals
to our Menlo Park Office
ELYSE BARCA
650.743.0734
[email protected]
Elyse has been recognized as a top producing Realtor since her first year in real estate when she was
named "Rookie of the Year." A long time Atherton resident, she has been a full time Realtor since 1987,
specializing in the San Francisco Mid-Peninsula region, encompassing Burlingame and Hillsborough
to the north and south to Los Altos. Elyse belongs to a select network of top agents from Northern
California and an international referral group of highly successful real estate agents in their respective
areas.
WILLA FALK
650.207.1093
[email protected]
Backed by 20+ years of executive success, Willa Falk offers the leadership and sophistication to excel
in high-end real estate. She specializes in the communities of Menlo Park, Woodside, Portola Valley,
Atherton, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Since 1997, results reflect strength in negotiation, an earnest
connection to her clients' needs, and the superior service associated with top professionals.
Mastering the skills of marketing and product development throughout her business career, Willa
provides a perspective on buying and selling that few other agents can reach.
DAVE HOBSON
650.464.3279
[email protected]
Raised on the Peninsula, Dave knows his hometowns of Menlo Park, Atherton and Palo Alto. Learning
the business at an early age in his family’s real estate company, sales and marketing of fine properties
has been a lifelong career for Dave. After a successful career in sales, Dave moved into management
giving him an extraordinary level of knowledge that few in this industry can match. With over 30
years in the industry, Dave’s credentials are a tremendous asset in providing an outstanding level of
professionalism to every transaction.
M E N L O PA R K | 1 5 5 0 E l C a m i n o R e a l , S u i t e 1 0 0
2 N The Almanac NMay 4, 2011
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Redwood City - San Mateo - San Jose
Photo by Michelle Le/The Almanac
Antonisha Fuller, left works on her Youth of the Year speech with mentor Ruby Fong.
Finding safety, family, hope
www.matchedcaregivers.com
Antonisha Fuller named Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs
By Sandy Brundage
Almanac Staff Writer
“I lived in a world that at any
moment could erupt into fire. It
was the sort of knowledge that
kept you on your toes.” — Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle
I
t’s impossible to believe
this girl was ever shy. With
a smile that can light up the
darkest corners of a memory,
18-year-old Antonisha Fuller
talked about the hard road
that brought her to the Boys
& Girls Club of the Peninsula,
and now, nine years later, led to
her selection as its Menlo Park
Youth of the Year.
“What child wants to come
into this world asking to have a
mother as a high school dropout
and a father as a drug abuser?
Imagine the experience of instability, living in 18 different
homes before the age of 17,” she
said, speaking before the City
Council on April 5. “Unfortunately this is my reality.”
She shared images from childhood: Standing in the rain,
barefooted, a 9-year-old girl in
thin clothes waiting for a father
who’d forgotten to come get her.
A mother who said she wished
Antonisha and her five siblings
had never been born. Finding
escape in books, especially “The
Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
and “Three Little Words” by
Ashley Rhodes-Courter, works
which inspired her to start writing her own story and dream of
a better life.
“I tell you tonight, the cycle
stops with me, Antonisha Fuller,” she finished.
She is one of six children, the
only one to earn a diploma when
she graduates from MenloAtherton High School this year.
Along the way, the young
girl found family at the Boys
& Girls Club.
Ruby
Ruby Fong, teen director at
the club, radiates a warmth that
explains the close bond she has
with the kids.
“She’s like a mother to me. I
never told her that,” Antonisha
said.
Of all the kids at the club, Ms.
Fong observed, Antonisha is the
one she relies upon to get things
done, and done well.
She remembered a time when
staff was struggling with a
group of 9- and 10-year old
girls. Antonisha said without
prompting, you know what, I
think we need to do something
about that.’
“I said, what? She said, ‘Yeah,
we need to start a dance class.’
So she did, and those girls still
look at her as a mentor, even
now that they’re in middle
school,” Ms. Fong said.
Plenty of room to play
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See YOUTH, page 6
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4 ■ The Almanac ■ May 4, 2011
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Real estate dealings: Police see rise in property crimes
where thieves entered through
In a commercial burglary,
When should council
an unlocked sliding glass door thieves entered the Esquire
and took a laptop computer, Barber Shop at 830 Newbridge
olice are noticing a rise in jewelry and a digital camera for St. on April 26 and stole $800
discussions go public?
property crimes — burglaries a total estimated loss of $7,325, in cash and clippers, blades and
By Dave Boyce
Almanac Staff Writer
By Dave Boyce
Almanac Staff Writer
A
N PORTOLA VAL L EY
s lawyers know, words and information about the nursery had
arrangements of words can come to the council’s attention
say more and less than they since publication of the regular
seem to say. When they appear in a agenda, Mayor Ted Driscoll said.
statute, their precise meaning may There was a need for immediate
be a matter of legal dispute.
action, he said.
This state of affairs appears to be
The council’s official summary
central to the question of whether of that closed session’s action:
the state’s open-meeting law, the “None to report,” as was reported
Ralph M. Brown Act, allows the for each of the previous seven
Portola Valley Town Council to closed sessions, the minutes say.
discuss in closed session matters
“In every meeting, we disbeyond prices and terms with cussed prices and terms,” Ms.
respect to a potential real estate Sloan said.
transaction.
Town Attorney Sandy Sloan, in Prices and terms
Before going into closed session,
interviews, defends the council’s
right to privately talk about mat- the Brown Act states, a town council “shall hold an
ters such as the
open and public
upsides and
session” to identidownsides of a
deal. Jim Ewert, After each of eight closed fy the negotiators
and the property’s
legal counsel
sessions, the Portola
address. The Porfor the California Newspa- Valley council said it had tola Valley council
does this as a matper Publishers
nothing to report.
ter of routine.
Association,
The Brown Act also says that a
told the Almanac that the Brown Act
requires such topics to be discussed “legislative body of a local agency
may hold a closed session with its
in open session.
The most recent closed session negotiator ... to grant authority to
concerned the fate of the former its negotiator regarding the price
Al’s Nursery at 900 Portola Road. and terms of payment for the purWindmill School, a preschool, chase, sale, exchange, or lease” of
had been negotiating to buy the the property.
Mr. Ewert says the above
nursery site for some 18 months,
but the deal had fallen apart at the language limits a closed session
last minute, nursery owner John discussion to price and terms.
Background questions such as
Wu told the Almanac in March.
The town had shown periodic why the property is of interest,
interest in the property, report- why of interest now, how the
edly as a potential site for below- town learned of its availability,
market-rate housing. Portola Val- and the upsides and downsides of
ley has very high property values the purchase should be discussed
and faces a state mandate to offer in open session, he said.
“Where does it say in the statute
a certain amount of housing for
people with “moderate” incomes or case law that the city can go into
of around $119,000. (The town’s a closed session under this section
property values put housing out of to discuss any of those questions,”
he asked. “(The Brown Act) limits
reach for low-income residents.)
Between July 2009 and October the scope of the closed session to
2010, the council met seven times a discussion with the city’s own
in closed session to discuss 900 negotiator on purchase, sale, lease
Portola Road, according to the or exchange of real property.”
What if the council had talked
minutes archive. During that period, Al’s Nursery never appeared openly about its interest in 900
as a discussion item in an open- Portola Road, perhaps as open
space or below-market-rate houssession agenda.
On March 23, the council voted ing? “I don’t think you’d want to
to go into an “urgent” closed ses- talk about that in open session,”
sion, a designation allowing it to Ms. Sloan said. “It does relate to
meet in private without advance
Continued on next page
public notice. It did so because new
P
and thefts — in Menlo Park.
In a seven-day period from
April 22 to 28, property crimes
resulted in losses of about $21,000,
according to Menlo Park police.
“We have definitely noticed
it,” Sgt. Matthew Ortega told the
Almanac when asked about the
string of crimes. Redwood City
and Palo Alto have been “hit just
as hard,” he said.
The department has deployed
burglary suppression teams of
detectives and officers, including undercover officers and
bicycle patrols, to make contact
with suspicious people and
people with property-crime histories, Sgt. Ortega said.
A major loss in Menlo Park
occurred at a home in the 220
block of Tioga Drive in the
Sharon Heights neighborhood,
according to an April 25 report.
In two burglaries in the 1200
and 1300 block of Carlton
Avenue, also through unlocked
entries, thieves hauled out goods
valued at $5,800, including jewelry and laptops plus electronic
entertainment equipment, two
watches, a cell phone, and four
baseball caps, police reported
April 24.
Thieves forced open the front
door of a residence in the 300
block of Ivy Drive and stole
stuff valued at $3,000, including
jewelry, a TV, credit cards and
$200 in cash, an incident also
reported on April 24.
On the following day, thieves
stole a stove and a refrigerator
valued at $1,420 from an unoccupied apartment in the 1100 block
of Willow Road, police said.
shears valued at $250.
A resident of a Willow Road
apartment told police on April
25 of a forced entry into a storage room but was not forthcoming as to whether anything had
been stolen, police said.
Thieves entered the property
of a paving contractor in the
3600 block of Haven Avenue on
April 20 and stole a metal tank
used for sealing asphalt and
valued at $1,926, police said.
Finally, an auto burglary in
the 100 block of Durham Street
resulted in the break-in and taking
of a $400 GPS unit from a vehicle,
Thieves stole two vehicles over
the week, a white 2011 Nissan
Versa from the 2700 block of
Sand Hill Road, and a white
1992 Lexus ES300 from the 1100
block of Bieber Avenue.
A
Photo by John Woodell
This 2006 silver Ford Fusion that struck a school bus in Menlo Park is towed from the accident scene.
Car collides with school bus in Menlo Park
■ Elementary school students are uninjured.
By Dave Boyce
Almanac Staff Writer
A
n alleged drunken driver traveling south on
Middlefield Road near
Survey Lane in Menlo Park
collided with the left front
side of a northbound Sequoia
Union High School District
bus carrying 32 students at
about 7:30 a.m. Thursday,
April 28, authorities reported.
The only injury was to the
bus driver, who complained
of pain in her neck and wrist,
California Highway Patrol
Officer Art Montiel said.
The driver was shaken up
and taken to a clinic, Sequoia
district Superintendent Jim
Lianides said in a phone
interview.
The collision dealt the bus
a blow to the front left side,
and then the car sideswiped it,
Mr. Lianides said. It had to be
towed, as did the car, a 2006
silver Ford Fusion.
Police arrested Alberto
Continued on next page
May 4, 2011 N The Almanac N5
N E W S
A TOWN MARKET PLACE
Menlo Park: Two armed
robberies on Sunday
WOODSIDEÊUÊÎä£xÊ7œœ`È`iÊ,œ>`ÊUÊÈxä‡nx£‡£x££Ê
PORTOLA VALLEYÊUÊ{{Óäʏ«ˆ˜iÊ,œ>`ÊUÊÈxä‡nx£‡£Ç££
"«i˜ÊÈ\ÎäʇÊn*
Sale Dates: May 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
By Dave Boyce
www.robertsmarket.com
Almanac Staff Writer
Fresh Produce
99
A
man armed with a large silver revolver got away with
an undetermined amount
of cash in an armed robbery of
the new BevMo liquor store in the
mini-mall at 700 El Camino Real
in Menlo Park at around 6:50 p.m.
Sunday, May 1, police report.
A few minutes later, at 6:40
p.m., in the 1300 block of Willow Road in Menlo Park, a man
carrying what appeared to a knife
accosted a 15-year-old pedestrian,
told him to empty his pockets, and
got away with a cell phone, said
Nicole Acker of the Menlo Park
Police Department.
There were no injuries in either
incident, police said.
In the liquor store robbery, the
suspect, a black man in his late 20s
to mid 30s, ordered an employee out
from behind a cash register to find
the store manager, police said.
At the manager’s booth, the
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The mohawk
99
Ms. Fong was often overcome
with emotion while speaking
about Antonisha, amusement
mingling with love and respect.
“What girl does that?” Ms.
Young said, laughing, as she
remembered Antonisha getting
a mohawk right before facing a
panel of judges interviewing the
award candidates. “I was mortified when she did that! Then
I was like, alright, Antonisha,
we’ll just make it work. She’s not
afraid to be true to herself.”
Antonisha described her favorite activities as dancing, singing,
laughing, and, yes, accessorizing.
Ten years from now, she said she
wants to be a psychologist. Ms.
Fong said whatever path her protege takes, she’ll be an advocate
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6 N The Almanac NMay 4, 2011
of some kind, putting herself in a
position to help others.
“Things usually work out in
the end.” “What if they don’t?”
“That just means you haven’t
come to the end yet.” — Jeannette
Walls, The Glass Castle
She hopes to be accepted into
AmeriCorps in the fall, and sent
to volunteer in New York, a city
she’s never seen. The dream carries anxiety as well as promise.
“I’m scared that if I needed some
help, or I didn’t have anywhere to
go or if something happened, I
wouldn’t have anyone to go to,”
Antonisha said, voice growing
quiet as she stopped twisting the
desk chair she sat in, and looked
into the distance.
Then the smile returned to her
face. “But if you get yourself lost, you
just find your way back home.”
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suspect ordered the manager to
remove the contents of the store’s
safe, which he did, and then to
empty each of the store’s four
cash registers, police said. The
suspect took money from one
of the registers, police said. The
others could not be opened.
A customer in the store at the
time did not know it was being
robbed, police said.
The suspect, who fled on foot,
was wearing a black beanie, a
black mask over his nose and
mouth, a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and white shoes,
police said.
The suspect in the Willow
Road robbery is thought to be an
Hispanic man between 18 and 20
years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and
of slender build. He was wearing
a black hat with a white logo and
blue jeans, police said.
He was a passenger in a tan
Chrysler four-door sedan driven
by another Hispanic man, police
said.
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www.Almanacnews.com
N E W S
R EAL E STATE Q&A
Reactions to death of Osama bin Laden
“That he’s dead is part of the
healing process,” said Harold
Schapelhouman, chief at the
Menlo Park Fire Protection
District upon hearing the news
Sunday that Al Qaeda leader
Osama bin Laden was killed in
a U.S. military-led firefight in
Pakistan.
Chief Schapelhouman participated in recovery efforts at
the World Trade Center in New
York after the Sept. 11, 2001,
attacks.
“But it really won’t change
what was done,” he added.
“This doesn’t turn back the
clock.”
Each year, the district has
observed the anniversary of
the attack by placing 343
American f lags in front of fire
stations, one for each firefighter killed in the rescue effort.
Andy Garcia
Andy Garcia of Portola Val-
ley lost his life in the United
Airlines Flight 93 crash on
Sept. 11, 2001, in Pennsylvania.
Each year, his family commemorate his birthday (Aug.
28) with a memorial 5K runwalk-bike event on Labor Day
in Portola Valley.
“The news of the death of
Osama Bin Laden is a somber
victory,” said Dorothy Garcia
Bachler, who was the wife
of Andy Garcia. “While the
author of the September 11th
attacks is gone, we still have
terrorism in the world. It is
nice to see that the United
States showed its supremacy
once again and I am proud to
be an American.
“My heartfelt thanks go out
to the brave men who risked
their lives to complete the
mission given to them. This is
another chapter closed in my
life of a day that will continue
to have historical significance.
I hope that the bravery of all
aboard United Flight 93 will
never be forgotten.”
Other comment
“This is an emotional and
historic day for our country
and the world,” State Sen.
Leland Yee, whose district
includes Portola Valley and
Woodside, said in a statement.
“I am proud of our men and
women in uniform and the
action of our President.
“I am hopeful that this
achievement helps brings relief
and closure to those who have
lost loved ones at the hands of
al Qaeda. As President Barack
Obama so eloquently said, the
demise of Osama bin Laden
should be welcomed by all who
believe in peace and human
dignity.”
by Gloria Darke
Condo Ownership
12 months of minutes), the CCR's,
articles of Incorporation, Rules and
all seller disclosures. Its common
practice that your real estate agent
obtain all the referenced documentation and understand what they
contain. You also should have been
advised to read these documents. If
the seller failed to disclose information about the existence of a dispute,
that is a problem. If the dispute is
so new and it was not included in
the minutes then it was a timing
issue. In any event, it is critical that
you treat all documentation from
the home owner association as you
would an inspection report or seller
disclosures as they contain valuable
and relevant information that may
affect the value and desirability of
the property.
Dear Gloria,
I recently purchased a condo in
the area and while I love the complex and unit I am surprised to
learn of a dispute between one of
the homeowners and the condo
association. After I moved in my
new neighbor told me about the
dispute. I was surprised I wasn't
told because it has a monetary
impact on the association and I
was not informed. Where would I
have found this information prior
to purchasing the condo?
Jean R.
Dear Jean,
When purchasing a condominium
a buyer must thoroughly read all the
home owner association documents.
These include minutes from recent
meetings, (I suggest you read the past
For answers to any questions you may have on real estate, you may e-mail me at gdarke@apr.
com or call 462-1111, Alain Pinel Realtors. I also offer a free market analysis of your property.
— Bay City News Service
contributed to this report.
Environmental report: Road to spiffed-up
downtown would be far more clogged
By Renee Batti
Almanac News Editor
T
here’s no getting around
it — no mitigating measures to call upon: A
developed downtown area as
envisioned in Menlo Park’s
downtown specific plan would
adversely affect local roadways
and already congested intersections significantly, resulting
in substantially more clogged
streets and dirtier air.
These and other effects of
development outlined in the
specific plan are listed as “significant and unavoidable environmental impacts” in the draft
environmental impact report
released Friday, April 29.
The plan — developed with
the help of city residents, staff
and consultants over a many
months-long process and
unveiled last year 0x2014> calls
for a revamped downtown area
that would encourage mixeduse commercial and residential
development along El Camino
Real, increasing the allowable
height of buildings by 8 feet.
It also includes redesigned parking plazas and two new parking
structures off the Santa Cruz
Avenue area west of El Camino,
and amenities including widened
sidewalks and more trees.
In addition to unavoidably
worsened air quality and traffic
congestion, the draft EIR identifies as “significant and unavoidable” impacts the increased
generation of greenhouse gas
LANDSCAPE - DESIGN - BUILD
Ken Coverdell
(650) 726-5990
Award Winning Since 1985
www.blueskydesignsinc.com
N MENLO PAR K
emissions and noise levels.
The EIR also lists mitigation
measures that will be required
to turn other identified effects
of development into “less than
significant” impacts. The bulk
of these mitigations are found
in the section dealing with
transportation, circulation and
parking. Those issues are likely
to be among the most controversial as the review process of
the specific plan moves through
the Planning Commission and
the City Council.
Transportation Commissioner Raymond Mueller said a key
concern for him is the traffic
study showing a total of 13,385
more car trips per day into the
downtown area under the development scenario outlined in
the specific plan. That increase
includes 899 more car trips during the morning commute, and
1,319 more car trips during the
evening commute.
“These numbers alone are significant,” Mr. Mueller wrote in
an email to the Almanac. “Our
city streets are already quite
congested” during commute
time, he said.
He is “uncertain and concerned as to whether the draft
EIR has lso taken into consideration the cumulative traffic
impact from the (planned)
Stanford Hospital expansion,
and other developments taking
place around the city, in its total
traffic projections,” he said.
Associate Planner Thomas Rogers, who is overseeing the specific plan process, said the traffic
studies did take into account
planned projects within the city
— including the 1300 and 389 El
Camino Real projects — as well
as projects, such as the hospital
expansion, outside Menlo Park.
Growth outside the city, he
said, is accounted for with a
1 percent annual growth factor — a figure based on “what
we’ve observed in growth” over
the last few decades. That period
includes the massive residential
and commercial development by
Stanford along a widened Sand
Hill Road, he noted.
N INFORMAT ION
Visit tinyurl.com/plan-42911 to
see the draft EIR online. The public
review period for the draft EIR runs
from May 5 to June 20. Submit
comments to Thomas Rogers at
[email protected] or to the
Community Development Department, 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park,
CA 94025, or fax to 327-1653. The
report goes before the Planning
Commission on June 6.
Support Local Business
Masonry-Plantings-Woodwork-Irrigation-Water Features-Drainage-Pools/Spas-Lighting
You’re invited.
THE PREMIERE OF
ENERGY UPGRADE
PORTOLA VALLEY
Tuesday, May 10th
6:30 - 9:00 pm
Portola Valley Town Center
(Community Hall)
LET’S TALK ENERGY.
Find out how a home energy assessment can identify
health, comfort, and energy-saving opportunities in your
home. Bring your PG&E account information and we’ll
help you set up a tracking system for your home’s
energy health. Refreshments will be served.
Join us in this exciting FREE event for Portola Valley.
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EMPOWER YOUR HOME.
EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY.
Find out more at
empowerportolavalley .com
May 4, 2011 N The Almanac N7
N E W S
When should town’s
real estate discussions
be done in public?
Continued from previous page
terms of payment. That might
affect the price and undermine our
ability to obtain the property.
“Somebody in the audience can
walk out and say ‘Aha! I’m going
to get on the phone right now and
make an offer.’ You do have to
use some judgment about what’s
appropriate,” she said.
Asked about Ms. Sloan’s take on
the Brown Act, Woodside Town
Attorney Jean Savaree said that she
tends to agree with her. A public
tion between a stadium’s community impacts and its terms of
payment, Mr. Ewert said.
Such assertions are speculative
and were “emphatically rejected”
by the court in the Shapiro case,
Mr. Ewert said.
The San Diego council, Ms.
Sloan said, strayed from closedsession restrictions. “I’m very
aware of that and I don’t let the
council go far afield,” she said.
“There just is no comparison
between what San Diego was
doing and what Portola Valley
‘Where does it say in the statute or
case law that the city can go into a
closed session under this section to
discuss any of those questions.’
JIM EWERT, LEGAL COUNSEL, CALIFORNIA
NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION
This school bus was struck and sideswiped by a car in Menlo Park, but the students aboard were not injured.
Menlo Park: Car collides with school bus
Continued from previous page
Cuellar, 20, of Fremont on the
scene and booked him into San
Mateo County jail on charges of misdemeanor drunken
driving, the CHP said.
The students are participants
in the Tinsley Transfer program,
a desegregation program begun
in the late 1980s in which students from the Ravenswood City
School District attend school in
one of seven nearby elementary
school districts, including Las
Lomitas, Woodside, Portola Valley and Menlo Park districts.
The district sent a spare
bus to deliver the students to
their destinations, Mr. Lianides said.
Normally a drunken driving incident that results in
injuries leads to a felony
charge, but a complaint of
pain does not meet the injury
Woodside burglary: Sister, brother arrested
was trying to do with this one
piece of property.”
By Dave Boyce
The Portola Valley council, Almanac Staff Writer
she said, negotiates real estate in
private and determines its uses
uthorities have arrested a
in public, citing purchase of the
sister and brother in consix-acre Spring Down property. It
nection with a burglary
was negotiated in closed session, with losses in excess of $100,000.
but its eventual use was debated The burglary is believed to have
openly and deliberatively by a taken place sometime between
San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office
21-person ad hoc committee of November 2010 and April 2011 Cassandra Jane Chislett-Leitter,
citizen volunteers.
from a locked residential garage 19, and her brother Colin Chislett
As to what the Brown Act means in the 1800 block of Portola Barnes, 23, were arrested in
by limiting closed-session discus- Road in Woodside.
connection with the burglary.
sions to “prices and terms of payDetectives from the San Mateo
ment,” opinions differ, Ms. Sloan County Sheriff’s Office arrested
said. She acknowledged that her Cassandra Jane Chislett-Leitter, outfit at the Horse Park along
interpretation is “broad.”
19, and her brother Colin Chis- Sand Hill Road, Lt. Lunny said.
Mr. Ewert sees no wiggle lett Barnes, 23, at their Newark
A third suspect, Nathan
room. “The legal standard that home on charges of grand theft, Keith, was booked on the same
she, as the city attorney, is possession of stolen property charges but he is already in
bound by law to apply is found and burglary, said Lt. Ray Lunny custody in the Alameda Counin the state constitution and of the Sheriff’s Office.
ty Jail on unrelated charges, Lt.
Shapiro, and both limit how the
Both suspects work for a family- Lunny said.
language can be interpreted,” run business, the Chislett EquesThe scene of the crime was a
Mr. Ewert said in an email.
trian Centre, a rider training locked detached residential garage
“(San Diego) tried to lump all of
(the) peripheral issues into the
definition of price and terms of
payment. The court said NO! The
constitution says the city SHALL ■ Woodside residents advised to remain indoors.
narrowly construe the term ‘price
By Kristen Peters
and terms of payment’ when it Bay City News Service
Deputies arrived and saw the
limits the people’s right of access
mountain lion lounging on
(as a closed session does).”
the hillside near the home,
mountain lion was spot- they said.
The San Mateo County Office
ted lying on the front
Grant Walter is
lawn of a home in Wood- of Emergency Services alerted
side on Tuesday night, April 26, nearby residents and advised
Eagle Scout
according to the San Mateo them to stay indoors.
Marilyn Walter of Portola Valley
Deputies then contacted the
County Sheriff ’s Office.
wanted folks to know that her
At approximately 9:45 p.m., state Department of Fish and
grandson, Grant Harding Walter
the Sheriff ’s Office received Game for assistance.
of Carmel Valley, has received the
A warden from the departa call from a resident in the
Eagle Scout Badge, the highest
ment
arrived, observed that the
100
block
of
Otis
Avenue
who
honor is scouting. Grant is the son
mountain
lion was not being
reported
that
a
150to
200of former Portola Valley residents
pound cougar was lying on his threatening, and recommended
Jeffrey and Suzan Walter.
that it not be tranquilized,
front lawn, police said.
agency negotiating over real estate
should keep its upsides and downsides to itself to “help set terms and
price. You’re really trying to get the
very best for the taxpayer,” she said.
If the assertion about undermining the town’s ability to
buy the land held water, Mr.
Ewert said, the courts would
have erred in a 2002 ruling in
Southern California.
In “Shapiro v. San Diego City
Council,” the council met in
closed session to discuss price and
terms of a new sports stadium,
but the council did not specify an
address in open session. In closed
session, it discussed matters such
as a stadium’s design, parking,
environmental impacts and effects
on the city’s homeless population,
according to a California Appeals
Court summary of the case.
In defense, the city argued that discussion of “matters of importance
for the agreement being negotiated
must be allowed, even if that topic
is not specifically set forth in the
agenda for the closed session.”
The Portola Valley council’s
assertion that a public discussion
of the purpose of purchasing 900
Portola Road would affect terms
of payment is “just like” the San
Diego council asserting a connec-
A
used to store antique rugs, carousel horses, a rocking horse and a
saddle, Lt. Lunny said. Someone
appears to have cut the lock on the
roll-up garage door, he said.
When asked for a list of stolen
goods, Lt. Lunny redirected
the inquiry to the contents of
the garage and declined to give
specifics so as not to inform suspects not yet apprehended about
what detectives know. Some of
the items have been recovered.
“Sorry, I can’t give you any
more. This thing is popping,” he
said. “We’re keeping it low for
right now while the investigation
is going on.”
Authorities are asking witnesses or anyone with information on the case to call
Detective Ken Clayton at 7807116, or the anonymous witness line at 800-547-2700.
A
Mountain lion spotted lying on front lawn
A
A
Photo by Robert Conat
8 ■ The Almanac ■ May 4, 2011
standard, the CHP said. If
injuries do turn up, the misdemeanor charge could be
elevated to a felony.
Mr. Montiel said he had no
information as to how fast the
vehicles were going.
Asked if the bus had seat
belts, Mr. Lianides said it did
not and added that concerns
about bus evacuation mediate
against having them.
county officials said.
The cat had left the area by 1
a.m., according to the Sheriff ’s
Office.
This was one of four mountain
lion sightings in Woodside from
April 22 to 27.
People are advised not to
approach mountain lions, and
avoid hiking or jogging at dawn,
dusk and night, when the animals are most active.
In the event of a mountain lion
encounter, try to appear large
and make noise.
Visit keepmewild.org for
more information about
mountain lions.
A
N E W S
Facebook’s big plans in Menlo Park
By Sandy Brundage
Almanac Staff Writer
F
acebook is bursting at the
seams even before it moves
to Menlo Park, or at least, it
thinks it will be.
The social networking giant
has asked the city to permit
more employees than were previously allowed on the former
Sun/Oracle campus at 10 Network Circle — 3,000 more, and
another 2,800 on the 22-acres
the company bought across
the street, for a total of 9,400
employees by 2017, according to
documents filed with the city.
The request initiated an environmental impact review of the
project. The public may submit
comments to city staff until 5
p.m. Thursday, May 26.
Also of potential interest, architects will formally present the
results of the design charrette to
the City Council during its meeting on Tuesday, May 3. In March,
174 architects, students, designers,
■ MENLO BRIEFS
and dreamers spent 12 hours proposing ideas for development of
the Belle Haven and Willow business area after Facebook moves
in. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
in council chambers at the Civic
Center at 701 Laurel St.
Appealing to
the council
After viewing the Facebook
design charrette results, the
City Council then plans to tend
more business, namely, tax
bonds, “envisioning scenarios,”
and hearing a local physician’s appeal of a transportation
impact fee.
In a letter to the council, Dr.
Darren Phelan called the $9,663
fee “egregious,” and said he was
still in shock at how discriminated against he feels on behalf
of his medical practice, located
at 401 Burgess Dr.
The squabble arose after the
city decided that the doctor’s
new concierge medical practice
counted as a “change of use”
from the office’s previous use for
speech therapy, which triggered
the fee. Told by the Planning
Commission that he’d have to
pay the fee before getting a use
permit revision, Dr. Phelan did
so back in February. He also
added a bike rack and displayed
information about public transportation.
In his letter, Dr. Phelan argued
that the change of use was inappropriate, since speech therapy
is also a form of medical treatment. He would now like his
money back.
The council may either uphold
or modify the fee, according to
the staff report, which warns,
“Should Council decide to overturn this determination, a new
precedent would be set possibly
inviting more such appeals.”
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in
council chambers at the Civic
Center at 701 Laurel St.
A
Selby Lane teacher takes medical leave after tirade
By Renee Batti
Almanac News Editor
A
Selby Lane School math
teacher whose angry tirade
and aggressive actions
prompted a student to leave the
classroom and call Atherton police
for help has been granted medical
leave to get counseling, and has
apologized to parents.
In an April 26 letter to parents,
teacher John Haynes said his
frustration over the lack of student progress led him to shout,
berate students, use profanity,
knock over a desk, and threaten
to throw things in his eighthgrade classroom on March 1.
He apologized to parents,
saying that with his actions that
day, he had failed to “provide
proper guidance and to promote
respect and fairness.”
He also apologized to his students, writing: “I truly care about
your future success, and do not
want my actions to hinder your
growth. I apologize that these
actions worried some of you and
caused you to feel unsafe.”
Mr. Haynes wrote that he had
requested, and been granted, a
medical leave for the rest of the
school year “so that I can work
with a trained professional to
learn more appropriate ways of
channeling my frustration when
students are not meeting the
high standards I set for them.”
District officials have agreed
to reassign Mr. Haynes to a different school in the next school
year, “where I can have a fresh
start,” he wrote.
Police responded to the school
at about 2:30 p.m. on the day of
the incident after a 13-year-old girl
called 911 from a bathroom, reporting that her teacher “was going
crazy and throwing tables,” according to police Lt. Joe Wade. When
officers arrived in the classroom,
they found class in session and a
calm environment, Lt. Wade said.
Mr. Haynes was put on administrative leave while district staff
investigated the incident.
A
Keri Nicholas among top Coldwell Banker agents
With
$88
million in real
estate sales in
2010, Menlo
Park agent Keri
Nicholas ranked
sixth in U.S.
last year among
Keri Nicholas
Coldwell Banker sales associates, the company said.
Her sales surpassed those of
more than 100,000 agents, the
company said. For the second
year, she was Coldwell Banker’s No. 1 agent in San Mateo
County.
Ms. Nicholas has sold nearly $1
billion in real estate in the past 20
years, Coldwell Banker said.
Born and raised in Atherton,
she was recently named by the
Wall Street Journal as one of the
top 50 agents in the nation for
the third straight year.
paraiso; Scott Dancer and Erika
Demma, Woodside; and Ginny
Kavanaugh, Portola Valley.
More top agents
at Coldwell Banker
Penelope Huang opens
RE/MAX office
Ms. Nicholas and Tom
LeMieux of the Menlo ParkSanta Cruz office are among
19 Coldwell Banker’s agents
ranking in the top 1 percent of
the company’s Northern California agents, based on 2010
sales, said company spokesman Stephen Maita.
Other local agents among the
19 are: Hugh Cornish, Elaine
White, Lynn Jason Cobb and
Hanna Shacham of the Menlo
Park-El Camino office; Kristin Cashin, Menlo Park Val-
Penelope Huang has opened
a RE/MAX Distinctive Properties office at 648
Santa Cruz Ave.
in Menlo Park.
She previously was brokerowner of Taylor & Huang
Properties for
18 years.
Visit Distinc- Penelope
Huang
tiveAgents.com
or call 328-8881
for more information.
Stanford University School of Education
Cubberley Lecture Series presents
Does Teacher Education
Have a Future?
Dean Deborah Stipek in conversation with
Deborah Loewenberg Ball William H. Payne Collegiate Chair;
Arthur F. Thurnau Professor; Dean, University of Michigan, School
of Education
Steven Farr Chief Knowledge Officer, Teach For America
Pam Grossman Nomellini Olivier, Professor
of Education, Stanford University, School of Education
Thursday, May 12, 2011
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Free and
open to
the public.
Cubberley Auditorium, School of Education
485 Lasuen Mall – Reception to follow
http://ed.stanford.edu (650) 723-0630
GOOD GRIEF
MENLO PARK FUNERALS
Mankind’s natural ability to deal with profound loss
is through grief. It’s a lonely journey that is not meant to
be taken alone. There are psychologists, grief therapist,
and clergy who are there when help is needed. Most
mourners turn to friends and family for solace.
In my 50 years helping families through this process the question most asked of me by friends is “What
should I say?” Just for a moment think of the advantage
you have over the professionals.
You already have the trust and understanding of
those suffering the loss. That’s something that counselors spend hours trying to gain. You have always been
there for your friend. Just being there now is enough.
Say little, listen, hold a hand. You are not going to lead
them through, you’re going to accompany them on their
journey. You’re not taking away the pain, you’re sharing
it. This is not the time for answers and logic. Let disorder, confusion and anger play it’s self out. It will. They
will be surrounded by friends in the first weeks. But it’s
later when they are alone that they will need you. Call,
take a walk, do lunch, go to an art museum, find a poem.
Just be there. Some day someone will be there for you.
––John O’Connor
John O’Connor’s
FDR 502
MenloParkFunerals.com
1182A Chestnut Street
Menlo Park, CA
FD 2060
May 4, 2011 ■ The Almanac ■ 9
N E W S
Ravenswood district faces
critical parcel tax decision
By Chris Kenrick
(
Embarcadero Media
V
oters in eastern Menlo
Park and East Palo Alto
who are in the Ravenswood City School District have
an important parcel tax measure
on the May 3 ballot.
Measure B asks voters to
renew an existing tax of $98 a
year per parcel and to add $98,
bringing the total annual tax to
$196 per parcel. If passed, the
measure would generate about
$1.2 million for the district.
This is a mail-only election.
For ballots to be counted, they
must arrive by 8 p.m. Tuesday,
May 3, at the San Mateo County
Elections Office.
Passage of the tax, which
requires approval by two-thirds
of the voters, would help dig the
school district out of a disastrous
budget hole, supporters said.
The specter of class sizes rising
from 20 to as high as 30 — or five
to 10 “furlough days” in which
schools would close — haunts
the district if some of the possible
budget scenarios come true.
Currently, the district is planning for a $3.2 million — or 17
percent — cut to its $18 million
unrestricted operating budget
for the 2011-12 fiscal year, district Business Manager Megan
Curtis said.
In addition, the district
receives about $22 million in
highly targeted federal and state
“categorical funds” to address
specific conditions, including
poverty and English language
)
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0 1
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10 N The Almanac NMay 4, 2011
ELECTION INFORMATION
To be counted, ballots in the
all-mail May 3 election must be
received at the San Mateo County
Elections Office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 3. Voters can also vote
in person at a county elections
office: 40 Tower Road in San
Mateo, or 555 County Government
Center in Redwood City. Mail-in
ballots may be dropped off at any
city hall in the county during regular business hours.
All voters in the county can vote
ELECT O N
( 11
(2 0
learning.
The budget-cut assumptions
are based on the $330-perstudent reduction in state funds
envisioned by Gov. Jerry Brown
in January, Ms. Curtis said.
She will have more information when Gov. Brown unveils
the next iteration of a state budget, known as the May revise.
She has heard rumors that
per-student cuts could be as high
as $500 to $1,000, requiring far
more drastic local adjustments,
she said.
About 80 percent of Ravenswood students are considered
low-income. Sixty-one percent
are English language learners,
and about 30 percent of students
each year are new enrollees,
according to the Ravenswood
Education Foundation.
Community members have
been working through phone
banks and local churches to
boost support for Measure B,
said Aaron Williamson, who is
a math teacher, a district-wide
math teaching coach, and president of the Ravenswood Teachers Association.
“In the interests of students,
we don’t want to cut any of the
school year away,” Mr. Williamson said. “Also, increasing class
size is especially difficult in a
district like ours because we have
full inclusion for special education students. There is no special
day (separate) class.”
A
to fill the District 1 seat on the county Board of Supervisors, vacated
when Mark Church was elected
chief elections officer, assessor
and recorder. The candidate who
receives the most votes will be
elected to fill the remainder of his
term, which ends in January 2013.
For more information, go to
these websites:
■ shapethefuture.org (the
county Elections Office site).
■ smartvoter.org (the League of
Women Voters site).
Online.
Anyplace.
Anytime.
www.AlmanacNews.com
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YOUR VALUES, YOUR NEEDS AND THE IMPACT
YOU SEEK TO HAVE IN THE WORLD
IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES, CONSIDER THE BENEFITS OF
A STANFORD MEDICINE GIFT ANNUITY:
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Carol J. Kersten, JD
(650) 725-5524
[email protected]
http://pgmed.stanford.edu
May 4, 2011 N The Almanac N11
N E W S
Menlo Park to search nationwide
to replace Rojas as city manager
By Sandy Brundage
Almanac Staff Writer
P
icking their way around
legal questions surrounding when a pension reform measure must take
effect, the Menlo Park City
Council voted 3-2 to conduct a
nationwide search for the next
city manager.
“I would feel most comfortable with a comprehensive
nationwide search to really
assure ourselves that we are
reaching out to the very best,
because Menlo Park deserves
the best,” Councilwoman Kelly
Fergusson said during the April
26 meeting.
Council members Kirsten
Keith and Andy Cohen voted
against a nationwide search,
arguing for keeping the search
in-house to save money and
reward current city employees.
Mr. Cohen announced his support of Starla Jerome-Robinson,
now assistant city manager, as a
candidate for promotion.
Mayor Rich Cline said that
he thought putting all candidates through the extensive
interview process would give
current Menlo Park employees
a chance to shine and demonstrate why their experience and
insider knowledge made them
the best choice.
Mr. Cohen commented: “I
don’t want to wait until we’ve
spent $50,000 wining and dining a bunch of people from
Michigan and New York to
decide that this
city should not
provide a residence to someone when the
best candidate
is someone
who already
Glen Rojas
lives here.”
Councilman is asked to
Peter Ohtaki serve up to six
and Mr. Cohen months after
will serve on retirement.
the hiring subcommittee.
Voters passed Measure L, a
pension reform initiative, in
November, but the changes
won’t take effect for at least
another six months, until the
contract with the American
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
(AFSCME) expires in October.
If the city hires a new manager from outside Menlo Park
before the measure takes effect,
that hire would fall under the
current pension policy with
higher benefits.
“There’s legal uncertainty as
to whether (Measure) L takes
effect when the AFSCME contract expires, or after concluding negotiations,” Mr. McClure
told the council.
Glen Rojas
The current manager, Glen
Rojas, plans to retire in July. The
council also voted 4-0-1, with
Mr. Cohen abstaining, to have
him serve up to six months post-
retirement until his replacement
is selected.
As for the $1.2 million loan he
received from the city to buy a
home in Menlo Park upon being
hired in 2007, Mr. Rojas said he
has two years to pay off the balance — approximately $41,500
— and may either refinance or
sell the house.
While serving as a contractor, Mr. Rojas would earn the
same $18,369 monthly salary he
makes now, but save the city an
estimated $4,700 per month in
benefit costs, according to the
staff report. He would also earn
no vacation or sick leave hours.
Personnel director Glen
Kramer confirmed that Mr.
Rojas would receive both his
pension and a monthly salary
— as does Mr. Kramer, who
retired Dec. 29 before returning as a contractor on Jan. 3
and who makes $68.40 per
hour on top of his $10,877
monthly pension. Retired
employees are limited to working 960 hours per year by
CalPERS regulations.
A
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Photos by Judy Irving, Pelican Media
American avocet at the salt ponds near the Dumbarton Bridge.
Avocets, snowy plovers
nest at former salt ponds
Submitted by Susan DeVico, a
spokesperson for the South Bay
Salt Pond Restoration Project.
American avocets and threatened Western snowy plovers
are nesting on the newly created islands on a former industrial salt pond just south of the
Dumbarton Bridge, according
to the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.
“As of last week we spotted 44
American avocet nests and three
plover nests,” said Cheryl Strong,
a wildlife biologist with the U.S
Fish and Wildlife Service. “Restoration of this habitat is proving
to be beneficial to these species.”
The Fish and Wildlife Service
manages a major part of the
restoration project as part of the
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay
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12 N The Almanac NMay 4, 2011
National Wildlife Refuge.
The newly restored habitats at
Pond SF2 were designed to create nesting and resting areas for
species that have come to rely
on the low-salinity ponds created by years of salt harvesting
operations along the edge of the
Bay. Creating habitat for pondloving species like avocets and
black-necked stilts enables project managers to restore other
salt ponds to tidal marsh.
Currently, half of the avocet
nests are located on just one of
the 30 nesting islands created by
the restoration project. But this is
only the beginning of the nesting
season for avocets and plovers.
The birds will continue to arrive
for a couple more months.
The nesting season usually lasts
until late June or early July. With
binoculars, the public can see the
birds sitting on the nests from the
first of two newly constructed
viewing platforms along the trail
that leads from a parking lot at the
western end of the bridge.
Both avocets and snowy plovers will sit on their nests for
about 30 days. Their chicks will
leave the nest to begin foraging
for food as soon as they hatch.
Managers have put up a fence
to prevent young chicks from
wandering toward the freeway
edge of the restoration site.
The restoration at Pond SF2 is
the most visible component of the
15,100-acre South Bay Salt Pond
Restoration Project — the largest
tidal wetland restoration project
on the West Coast. In 2009 the
project adopted a long-term plan
to restore wetland habitat, provide
public access and recreation, and
improve flood management in
the South Bay.
To date, the project has
restored 2,280 acres of wetland
habitats and 240 acres of managed pond habitat, and created
2.9 miles of new trail and other
public improvements.
YOU BRING COMFORT
YOU GIVE SUPPORT
YOU RESTORE VITALITY
t/0550.&/5*0/"--5)"5:06%0'030631"5*&/54t
To the nurses of Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard
Children’s Hospital, thank you. Your commitment, professionalism
and expertise reach beyond the compassionate care that you
consistently provide to our patients. We appreciate your dedication,
teamwork and vital contribution to our community and the
patients you tirelessly serve each day.
May 4, 2011 N The Almanac N13
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Community Health Education Programs
Mountain View, 650-934-7373
Palo Alto, 650-853-2960
May 2011
For a complete list of classes and class fees, lectures
and health education resources, visit: pamf.org/register.
Lectures and Workshops
Food, Inc
PAMF Healthy Screenings Film Series
Panel discussion after film led by Ed Yu, M.D.,
PAMF Family Medicine
701 E. El Camino Real, Mountain View
Friday, May 27, 7 to 9 p.m., 650-934-7373
Devising a sustainable food system – one that is healthy, accessible, and
affordable.
Is Your Blood Pressure Controlling You?
A Conversation with...Lecture Series
Presented by Nancy Jacobson, R.D., PAMF Nutrition Services
Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale
Wednesday, May 4, 7 to 8:30 p.m., 650-934-7373
This presentation is back by popular demand. Presented at the Sunnyvale
Public Library in 2010, we have had so many requests that we decided to
repeat this summer.
Robots, Lasers, & Plasma Energy:
The Latest in Prostate Health
Presented by Keith Lee, M.D.,
PAMF Urology, Surgical Oncology
San Carlos Library, 610 Elm Street, San Carlos
Monday, May 23, 7 to 8:30 p.m.,
650-591-0341 x237
Skin Cancer Update
For Your Health Lecture Series
Presented by Tin Tin Tun, M.D., PAMF Dermatology
701 E. El Camino Real, Mountain View
Wednesday, May 18, 7 to 8 p.m., 650-934-7373
Cancer Care
– Eating Tips During
Cancer Care Treatment
– Exercise for Energy –
men and women’s group
– Expressions
– Healing Imagery
– Healthy Eating
After Cancer Treatment
– Look Good, Feel Better
– Qigong
– When Eating is a Problem,
During Cancer Treatment
Childbirth and Parent Education Classes
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Baby Safety Basics
Breastfeeding
Childbirth Preparation
Feeding Your Young Child
Infant and Child CPR
Infant Care
Infant Emergencies and CPR
Introduction to Solids
New Parent ABC’s –
All About Baby Care
–
–
–
–
–
OB Orientation
PAMF Partners in Pregnancy
Prenatal Yoga
Preparing for Birth/Fast Track
Preparing for a Second Birth
with Yoga: A Refresher
– Sibling Preparation
– What to Expect
with Your Newborn
Living Well Classes
– Mind/Body Stress Management
– Mindfulness-Based
Stress Reduction
Nutrition and Diabetes Classes
Mountain View, 650-934-7177 s Palo Alto, 650-853-2961
– Diabetes Management
– Healthy Eating
with Type 2 Diabetes
– Heart Smart
(cholesterol management)
– Living Well with Prediabetes
– Sweet Success Program
(gestational diabetes)
Skin Cancers and Common Look-A-Likes
Weight Management Programs
Presented by Amy Adams, M.D.,
PAMF Dermatology
795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Tuesday, May 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m., 650-853-4873
– Bariatric Surgery Orientation
– Healthy eating. Active lifestyles.
(pediatric programs, ages 2-6)
– HMR Weight
Management Program
Join us for a lecture and slide show of common and uncommon skin cancers, and other skin conditions that may mimic these disorders. There will
also be a brief discussion of treatment options.
SleepBasics
Dr. Marvin Small Memorial
Parent Workshop Series
Presented by Elizabeth Copeland, M.D.,
PAMF Pediatrics
701 E. El Camino Real, Mountain View
Tuesday, May 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m., 650-934-7373
Let’s connect!
facebook.com/paloaltomedicalfoundation
twitter.com/paloaltomedical
14 N The Almanac NMay 4, 2011
– Lifesteps®
– New Weigh of Life
– Take Charge of Your Body
Support Groups
–
–
–
–
–
AWAKE
Bariatric Surgery
Breastfeeding
Cancer
Chronic Fatigue
–
–
–
–
–
CPAP
Diabetes
Drug and Alcohol
Kidney
Multiple Sclerosis
N E W S
Mandarin language class
comes to La Entrada in fall
By Renee Batti
N SCHOOLS
Almanac News Editor
M
iddle-school students
at La Entrada School
have a new option for
language studies next school
year: Mandarin, whose popularity in American schools is on
the rise because of the increasing importance of China in the
realm of world powers.
La Entrada Principal Larry
Thomas said he is moving at a
brisk pace to develop the pilot
program and hire a teacher for the
new course, approved by the Las
Lomitas School District board in
March to begin in the fall.
“There are plenty of kids signed
up,” he told the Almanac, noting
that about 22 incoming sixthgraders are ready to learn the
language, with fewer seventh- and
eighth-graders signed up.
Mr. Thomas presented a proposal to the board in January,
stating that parent interest in
offering Mandarin at the school
has grown in recent years. A
staff report cited “China’s rapid
emergence in the world’s economic, cultural, and diplomatic
arenas” as factors making Mandarin a desirable language for
children to learn.
The new program is being
structured to prepare students to
enroll in a second-level class in
high school. Mandarin is now on
offer at Woodside and Carlmont
high schools in the Sequoia Union
High School District.
Superintendent Eric Hartwig
told the Almanac that adding Mandarin to the language
offerings wouldn’t entail “a
big financial investment,” given that student enrollment is
growing significantly and more
teachers are being hired for
the next school year anyway to
accommodate that growth.
La Entrada, the district’s 4-8
school, located in Menlo Park,
already offers Spanish, French
and Latin in its world language
program.
The Mandarin class will be a oneyear pilot program for the 2011-12
school year. If it is successful, the
principal plans to ask the board to
approve a fully developed threeyear course and curriculum,
according to a staff report.
LITE FOR LIFE-MENLO PARK
713 Oak Grove Ave,
Menlo Park, CA
[email protected]
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A Moving Tale
On June 1st We’re Moving on up to Santa Cruz Ave.
A
Menlo Park man arrested for impersonating officer
By Sandy Brundage
N BRIEFS
Almanac Staff Writer
A
23-year-old Menlo Park
man was arrested for
allegedly impersonating a
police officer by using a cellphone
application that flashes red and
blue light, and then pretending to
be a witness, police said.
The victim called police around
11 p.m. while sitting in her boyfriend’s car on Campbell Lane
when David Endliss reportedly
flashed the lights on April 25.
Police discovered that Mr.
Endliss, instead of witnessing the
incident, allegedly instigated it.
Mr. Endliss was booked into
San Mateo County jail. District
Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said
his office is reviewing the case
before deciding whether to
charge the suspect with a felony
or misdemeanor.
Woman pleads no contest
to ripping off relative
After a judge declined to let her
fire a court-appointed defense
attorney, a Menlo Park woman
pleaded no contest to using an
81-year-old relative’s credit card
to rack up $13,000 in bills, which
she then allegedly intercepted to
cover up the theft, on April 25.
Mary Patricia Stuart, 52,
remains out of custody on
$15,000 bond, according to
the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office. She was
ordered to surrender on June
11 to serve 30 days in jail, with
credit for 13 days already served.
In addition, she was sentenced to
two years of probation.
While out on bail, Ms. Stuart
was arrested along with brother
Eric in Palo Alto on Aug. 29 for
allegedly assaulting and robbing an
employee at Hotel California. The
siblings reportedly forced their way
past a door secured with a safety
chain, then swiped a cellphone and
keys from a man they knew.
A
You’re invited!
spring outdoor event
Avenidas
Our New Address:
3ANTA#RUZ!VEs-ENLO0ARK
s(RS-ON3ATAMPM
BROWN JORDAN
Lifetimes of
Achievement
2011
Sunday, May , 
: - : pm
Join us for a garden party honoring the
significant professional and community
contributions of seven seniors.
Jim Burch
Betsy Collard
Jan Fenwick
Dick Henning
Bill and Carolyn Reller
Veronica Tincher
Call (650) 289-5445 or visit
www.avenidas.org for tickets.
Exceptional savings
on the entire line of
Brown Jordan furniture.
Menlo Park
870 Santa Cruz Ave.
M–Sat:10–6
650-326-9661
San Rafael
1654 2nd Street
T–Sat:10–6
415-454-0502
May 4, 2011 N The Almanac N15
N E W S
Neighbors fight to protect Flood Park
By Sandy Brundage
Almanac Staff Writer
W
! hat is a neighborhood park worth? San
Mateo County estimates $205,000. To those living
near Flood Park, its more along
the lines of priceless.
About 100 people crowded into
Jill Olson’s living room on April
28 to brainstorm ways to keep
Flood Park open without straining either the county’s or the
city’s budget. The group included
representatives from the county.
Faced with needing to trim
10 percent from its operating budget, the county Board
of Supervisors recommended
permanently shutting down
the 21-acre park, located at 215
Bay Road, which is closed until
Sept. 30 anyway while the San
Francisco Public Utilities Commission installs a water pipeline. The supervisors also asked
Menlo Park to consider taking
over park operations.
Kristin Cox, the meeting
facilitator and president of the
Suburban Park Homeowner
Association, said the meeting
wasn’t about debating the viability of ideas. “We’re not park
rangers. We’re moms and dads
and community members who
N MEN L O PA RK
love the park,” she said.
Ms. Cox said one idea is keeping the playground and picnic
area open while fencing off the
remainder of the park. Another
is starting a nonprofit modeled
after Friends of Bedwell-Bayfront Park.
Amy McGaraghan, who man-
About 100 people
crowd into living room to
brainstorm how to save
local park.
ages the Save Flood Park website, said that since the park is
closed, it’s been hard to reach
out to everyone who uses it.
“I was saddened that it sounds
like the county parks commission
isn’t going to change its recommendation (to close the park),
that was certainly disappointing,
but I was glad they were willing
to come talk to us and do some
outreach,” she said.
Other proposals include
charging walk-in park visitors;
staging a concert series or other
fundraisers at the park; enlist-
Nonprofit group forms to support
Project Read in Menlo Park
By Renee Batti
Almanac News Editor
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16 N The Almanac NMay 4, 2011
A
new nonprofit has been
formed to support adult
literacy in the Menlo Park
area — a timely development,
given the state funding cutbacks
that are certain to be felt by
libraries and literacy programs
across California.
Literacy Partners will focus
on fundraising for Project ReadMenlo Park, which has helped
more than 2,000 adults learn
English language skills such as
reading and writing since its
1985 founding.
Project Read is administered
and funded, in part, by the city
of Menlo Park — a funding
source that may diminish as
the city is forced to make ever
deeper cuts in its services to
balance its budget. But it also
receives funding from the state
through its California Library
Literacy Services division, which
is bracing for major cuts in the
next fiscal year.
The new local organization
received its nonprofit status late
last year. In the group’s “infancy
stage,” Literacy Partners organizers
have been working to refine policies and guidelines, and establish
connections with key people, such
as the Menlo Park Library director,
and other library support groups
such as Friends of the Menlo Park
Library, according to Kristi Breisch,
the group’s chairperson.
Over the last six years, volun-
Over the last six years,
volunteer supporters of
Project Read-Menlo Park
have poured considerable
energy into bolstering
the program’s efforts to
advance literacy.
teer supporters of Project ReadMenlo Park, which offers free
one-on-one literacy instruction
for adults with the help of volunteer tutors, have poured considerable energy into bolstering the
program’s efforts to advance literacy, and, in the face of increasingly shaky funding sources,
its fundraising capabilities. A
major step was the formation
in 2005 of an advisory board,
which gradually realized that a
nonprofit group was needed to
support Project Read.
ing citizen rangers; and using
volunteer general contractors to
make improvements to develop
more sports fields at the park,
according to Ms. McGaraghan.
“We used the park every day.
We have young kids; that’s their
backyard,” she said. “We’re going
to continue doing everything we
can to tell the county and city we
want the park open.”
Can a city have too many
parks? Mayor Rich Cline suggested that Menlo Park may be
approaching the time to focus
on strategic resource management instead of acquisition,
now that the city has a new gym,
recreational center, performing
arts center, and expanded pool
service at Burgess and Belle
Haven.
With Flood Park, the city would
also have Hillview, Kelly, Burgess
parks with full soccer or lacrosse
fields, and two adult baseball fields,
according to the mayor’s tally.
“If we miss this opportunity
we will look back in disappointment. But, at the same time, we
have to be aware that we have to
determine the balance of recreational space and resource and
passive use parks,” he said.
Go to savefloodpark.org to
track the group’s efforts.
A
Before Literacy Partners
received its legal nonprofit status, Project Read sponsored
several fundraisers, most notably the annual “Taste Desserts”
event in September, under the
umbrella sponsorship of the
nonprofit Friends of the Menlo
Park Library. But the Advisory
Board determined that by creating a nonprofit focused exclusively on Project Read’s literacy
programs, volunteer supporters
of the program would have more
control over funds raised for
Project Read.
Ms. Breisch noted that Literacy
Partners will work to raise funds
not only from within the community, but through grants from
foundations and other sources.
In addition to boosting funding to maintain Project Read
services, which includes a popular
“Families for Literacy” program,
Literacy Partners organizers hope
to raise enough money to augment Project Read support staff.
Currently, Project Read’s paid
staff hours total fewer than 80
hours a week — to run a program
that trains and supports about
100 volunteer tutors for about
110 students, among a number of
other duties.
In the near future, Literacy
Partners will have information
online about its goals, its work,
and how to get involved, Ms.
Breisch said.
A
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Go to www.rescue.org/altweeklies
A fundraising effort by the Association of
Alternative Newsweeklies and The Almanac
Encinal
Elementary
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Help us rescue lives in Japan.
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Park, Woodside and Portola
Valley, and to the coast and
back.
Early registration is encouraged, but riders may sign up
on ride day. The fee is $100 to
register, and each participant
must also agree to raise at least
$400 in donations.
Organizers are looking for
local companies to sponsor
teams.
Depending on the donation
level, riders will receive gifts
such as a custom Cervelo race
bike and time with celebrity
riders.
Members of Team GarminCervelo will have just competed in the Amgen Tour of
California and plan to ride
in the Canary Century. Masters national champion John
Novitsky of Woodside and
Stanford Provost John Etchemendy are riding, too.
Go to CanaryCentury.com
for more information and to
register.
"!-)(
!&( +
!()
Organizers for the first
annual Canary Century charity bike ride on the Peninsula,
set for Saturday, May 28, are
offering incentives to increase
participation.
Anyone who raises $1,000
or gets five other to register in
April will receive the bright yellow Canary Century jersey and
shorts designed for the ride .
The ride is sponsored by the
Canary Foundation, a Palo
Alto nonprofit that focuses
on early detection of cancer.
Half the funds will go to the
Canary Center at Stanford and
the other half to the Stanford
Cancer Center, said Emily
May, a spokesperson for the
foundation.
All rides start between 6
and 9 a.m. and finish by 5
p.m. with a barbecue at the
VA Palo Alto HealthCare System at 3801 Miranda Ave.
The planned routes are 100-,
62- and 31-miles long, winding through Palo Alto, Menlo
,.,,!1
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St. Raymond’s
Catholic Church
and School
Bike ride benefits cancer research
Holbrook Palmer Park
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See PHYLLIS JOHNSON, page 19
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Menlo Park, California is scheduled to
review the following item:
El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
The overall intent of the El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan is to enhance community life, character and vitality
through mixed-use infill projects sensitive to the small-town character of Menlo Park, and to improve connections
across El Camino Real over the next 30 years. The Specific Plan is based upon the El Camino Real/Downtown
Vision Plan, which was unanimously accepted by the Menlo Park City Council on July 15, 2008, and which includes
specific objectives in the form of the following twelve goals:
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community.
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following five guiding principles:
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Menlo Park City Limit
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Plan Area Boundary
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El Camino Real
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Railway
Primary Streets in Plan
Ê
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Area
Sustainability.
Caltrain Station
The goals and guiding principles
Downtown Core
together establish the project
Schools and Religious
Institutions
objectives. The Specific Plan
Open Space
area is located along the length
El Camino Real
Civic Space
of El Camino Real within the City
Feature Buildings
limits. It extends east to the Caltrain
right-of-way and around the Caltrain
i˜œÊ *>ÀŽÊ -Ì>̈œ˜Ê ÌœÊ “>Ê -ÌÀiiÌ]Ê
and it extends west along Oak
ÀœÛiÊ Ûi˜Õi]Ê ->˜Ì>Ê ÀÕâÊ Ûi˜ÕiÊ
>˜`Êi˜œÊÛi˜ÕiÊ̜Ê>««ÀœÝˆ“>ÌiÞÊ
University Drive.
The Draft Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) prepared for the Draft
Specific Plan identifies potentially
significant environmental effects
Fremont Park
Station Area
Draeger’s
that can be mitigated to a less than
Trader Joe’s
significant level in the following
V>Ìi}œÀˆiÃ\Ê ˆÀÊ +Õ>ˆÌÞ]Ê ˆœœ}ˆV>Ê
Downtown
Resources, Cultural Resources,
>â>À`œÕÃÊ >ÌiÀˆ>ÃÊ >˜`Ê >â>À`Ã]Ê
and Noise. The Draft EIR identifies
potentially significant environmental
effects that are significant and
unavoidable in the following
V>Ìi}œÀˆiÃ\ʈÀÊ+Õ>ˆÌÞ]ÊÀii˜…œÕÃiÊ
El Camino Real
Gases and Climate Change, Noise,
and Transportation, Circulation
and
Parking.
The
California
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ÀiµÕˆÀiÃÊ Ì…ˆÃÊ ˜œÌˆViÊ ÌœÊ `ˆÃVœÃiÊ
whether any listed toxic sites are
present in the project area. The
plan area includes the following
toxic or potentially toxic sites
although specific developments
0 300
600
1200
are not proposed for them as part
Feet
of the plan: 1452, 1458 and 1460 El
>“ˆ˜œÊ,i>ÆÊ£{ÎÈʏÊ
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>“ˆ˜œÊ,i>°Ê
Electronic versions of the Draft EIR will be on the project page (http://www.menlopark.org/specificplan) and hard
Vœ«ˆiÃʜvÊ̅iÊÀ>vÌÊ,Ê܈ÊLiʜ˜ÊwiÊvœÀÊÀiۈiÜÊ>ÌÊ̅iÊ
ˆÌÞʈLÀ>ÀÞÊ>˜`Ê>Û>ˆ>LiÊvœÀÊ`ˆÃÌÀˆLṎœ˜Ê>ÌÊ̅iÊ
œ““Õ˜ˆÌÞÊ
iÛiœ«“i˜ÌÊi«>À̓i˜Ì]Ê
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ʙ{äÓx]Ê>ÃʜvÊÀˆ`>Þ]Ê«ÀˆÊә]ÊÓ䣣°Ê
The review period for the Draft EIR has been set from Thursday, May 5, 2011 through Monday, June 20, 2011.
Written comments must be submitted to the Community Development Department no later than 5:30 p.m., Monday,
June 20, 2011. Comments may be submitted by email ([email protected]), letter (Community Development
i«>À̓i˜Ì]ÊÇä£Ê>ÕÀiÊ-ÌÀiiÌ]Êi˜œÊ*>ÀŽÊ
ʙ{äÓx®]ʜÀÊv>ÝÊ­Èxä‡ÎÓLJ£Èxή°Ê
"/
Ê-Ê,9Ê1,/,Ê6 Ê̅>ÌÊ̅iÊ*>˜˜ˆ˜}Ê
œ““ˆÃȜ˜Ê܈Ê…œ`Ê>Ê«ÕLˆVʅi>Àˆ˜}Ê̜ÊÀiViˆÛiÊVœ““i˜ÌÃÊ
œ˜Ê̅iÊÀ>vÌÊ,ʈ˜Ê̅iÊ
œÕ˜VˆÊ
…>“LiÀÃʜvÊ̅iÊ
ˆÌÞʜvÊi˜œÊ*>ÀŽ]ʏœV>Ìi`Ê>ÌÊÇä£Ê>ÕÀiÊ-ÌÀiiÌ]Êi˜œÊ*>ÀŽ]ʜ˜Ê
Monday, June 6, 2011, 7:00 p.m. or as near as possible thereafter, at which time and place interested persons
may appear and be heard thereon. If you challenge this item in court, you may be limited to raising only those
issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence
delivered to the City of Menlo Park during the public review period for the Draft EIR or at the public hearing.
The review period for the Draft EIR will be followed by meetings of the Planning Commission and City Council to
review and provide direction on the El Camino Real/Downtown Draft Specific Plan itself. More information about
these meetings will be distributed through the project email list and other sources.
œVՓi˜ÌÃÊÀi>Ìi`Ê̜Ê̅iÃiʈÌi“Ãʓ>ÞÊLiʈ˜Ã«iVÌi`ÊLÞÊ̅iÊ«ÕLˆVʜ˜ÊÜiiŽ`>ÞÃÊLiÌÜii˜Ê̅iʅœÕÀÃʜvÊÇ\ÎäÊ>°“°Ê
>˜`Êx\ÎäÊ«°“°Êœ˜`>ÞÊ̅ÀœÕ}…Ê/…ÕÀÃ`>ÞÊ>˜`Ên\ääÊ>°“°Ê̜Êx\ääÊ«°“°Êœ˜ÊÀˆ`>Þ]Ê܈̅Ê>ÌiÀ˜>ÌiÊÀˆ`>ÞÃÊVœÃi`]Ê>ÌÊ̅iÊ
œ““Õ˜ˆÌÞÊiÛiœ«“i˜ÌÊi«>À̓i˜Ì]ÊÇä£Ê>ÕÀiÊ-ÌÀiiÌ]Êi˜œÊ*>ÀŽ°Ê
*i>ÃiÊV>Ê/…œ“>ÃÊ,œ}iÀÃ]ÊÃÜVˆ>ÌiÊ*>˜˜iÀ]ʈvÊ̅iÀiÊ>ÀiÊ>˜ÞʵÕiÃ̈œ˜ÃʜÀÊVœ““i˜ÌÃʜ˜Ê̅ˆÃʈÌi“°Êiʓ>ÞÊLiÊ
Ài>V…i`Ê>ÌÊÈxä‡ÎÎä‡ÈÇÓÓʜÀÊLÞÊi“>ˆÊ>ÌÊ[email protected]. Up-to-date information on the project can be
found on the project page: http://www.menlopark.org/specificplan
Si usted necesita más información sobre este proyecto, por favor llame al 650-330-6702, y pregunte por un
asistente que hable español.
Ê
/\Ê
«ÀˆÊÓn]ÊÓ䣣ÊÊ
i>˜˜>Ê
…œÜ]Ê-i˜ˆœÀÊ*>˜˜iÀ
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i˜œÊ*>ÀŽÊ*>˜˜ˆ˜}Ê
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vÊ̅iÀiÊ>ÀiÊ>˜ÞʵÕiÃ̈œ˜Ã]Ê«i>ÃiÊV>Ê̅iÊ*>˜˜ˆ˜}ʈۈȜ˜Ê>ÌÊ­Èxä®ÊÎÎä‡ÈÇäÓ°
-. )+
taught at Addison School in Palo
Alto. Mr. Johnson served as city
manager of Menlo Park and then
as executive administrator of the
Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
While raising her two children, Ms. Johnson was an energetic volunteer, committed to
social justice, say family members. She served on the board of
the Children’s Health Council,
the League of Women Voters,
and other organizations.
“Mom never could say no
when someone needed something
done,” her son Steven recalled.
“She always had some project laid
out on the dining room table, but
every Friday she’d clear it off in
time for whatever party she was
having that weekend.”
In 1969, when busing students
from East Palo Alto to MenloAtherton High School provoked
racial tensions, Ms. Johnson led
efforts to reach out to parents in
both communities, say family
members.
A gifted photographer who loved
hiking and traveling, Ms. Johnson
went back to San Jose State at age 50
to earn a master’s degree in instruc-
!!
N OBITUARY
+)+
A memorial service will be held
Saturday, June 4, for Phyllis Hackman Johnson, who died April 16
at The Sequoias retirement community in Portola Valley after a
short illness. She was 86.
The service
will start at
2:30 p.m. at The
Sequoias, 501
Portola Road in
Portola Valley.
Ms. Johnson
was born in San
Jose, the oldest daughter of Phyllis Johnson
Albert and Eva
Hackman. As a
student at San Jose High School,
she was active in the First United
Methodist Church. It was there
that she met her future husband,
John R. Johnson, son of the newly
arrived minister.
During World War II, the U.S.
Navy sent Mr. Johnson to Asbury
Park, New Jersey, for training and
20-year-old Ms. Hackman took the
train across the country alone to
marry her sweetheart. The Johnsons were married for 66 years.
After the war, Ms. Johnson
earned a bachelor’s degree in
elementary education from San
Jose State University. The couple
settled in Menlo Park and she
.(%/!+,%-2
Phyllis Johnson, children’s advocate
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT and
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CITY OF MENLO PARK PLANNING COMMISSION
&)$(,)(
C O M M U N I T Y
SAN
JOSE
El Camino Park
May 4, 2011 N The Almanac N17
GUIDE TO 2011 SUMMER C AMPS FOR KIDS
Camp Connection
Summer at Saint Francis
Athletics
Athletic Fitness – “Train with the Best”
Menlo Park
Riekes Summer Camps — A world of opportunity and fun-filled learning. Ages 9-18. Strength & conditioning, speed & agility, sport specific training, skills development, professional coaches, pre & post evals, leading edge methods, latest equipment. Sessions run from June through August.
www.riekes.org
650-364-2509
Bay Area Equestrian Center
Woodside
At Wunderlich County Park Stables. Kids 8-15 have outdoor fun joining BAEC for horse camps. Camps focus
on caring for and riding horses so come ready to ride and have fun learning good horse care.
www.bayareaequestrian.net
650-446-1414
California Riding Academy’s Camp Jumps For Joy!
Menlo Park
Join us this summer for fantastic and fun filled week with our beautiful horses and ponies! Each day Campers have riding instruction, learn horse care, create fun crafts and play with our kids’ jump course. During
the week we learn beginning vaulting, visit our Full Surgical Vet Clinic, and meet our miniature horses.
Voted the best horse camp by discerning young campers. Choose English, Western or Cowboy/Cowgirl.
Register and pay online at:
www.californiaridingacademy.com
650-740-2261
Camp Jones Gulch
Atherton
CTC programs provide an enjoyable way for your child to begin learning the game of tennis or to continue
developing existing skills. Our approach is to create lots of fun with positive feedback and reinforcement
in a nurturing tennis environment. Building self-esteem and confidence through enjoyment on the tennis court is a wonderful gift a child can keep forever! Super Juniors Program, ages 4 - 6. Juniors Program,
ages 7 - 14.
www.alanmargot-tennis.net
650-400-0464
Creighton School of Wrestling Summer Camp
Palo Alto
Learn to wrestle and train with champions including our national champion guest clinicians. We offer sessions appropriate for athletes of all skill levels from beginner to Elite (Ages 6 to 18). Camp runs for 3 sessions
from June 20 to July 9. *** NEW Option for youths — “All-Day Camp” — Includes morning wrestling and
afternoon activities **
www.CreightonSchoolofWrestling.com
650-219-6383
Don Shaw’s Volleyball Training Academy
Sunnyvale
Join former Stanford University Men’s and Women’s head coach, Hall of Famer and 4-time NCAA Champion
Don Shaw this summer at our camp for HS GIRL’s July 13th, 14th & 15th and for HS BOY’s July 18th, 19th
& 20th. This camp gives players, who have the desire, the chance to improve their skills and learn proven
techniques that will help them become more consistent and enhance their chances to play at a higher
level.
www.mvvclub.com
408-329-0488
Earl Hansen Football Camp
Palo Alto
Mountain View
Advanced Sports Camps (5th-9th grades): We offer a wide selection of advanced sports camps designed
to provide players with the opportunity to improve both their skill and knowledge of a specific sport. Each
camp is run by a Head Varsity Coach at Saint Francis, and is staffed by members of the coaching staff.
www.sfhs.com/summer
650-968-1213 ext. 446
Team Esface Elite Basketball Skills Clinics
YMCA of Silicon Valley
Peninsula
Say hello to summer fun at the YMCA! Choose from enriching day or overnight camps in 35 locations: arts,
sports, science, travel, and more. For youth K-10th grade. Includes weekly fieldtrips, swimming and outdoor adventures. Accredited by the American Camp Association. Financial assistance available.
www.ymcasv.org/summercamp
408-351-6400
Academics
Delphi Academy
Harker Summer Programs
iD Tech Camps - Summer Tech Fun!
iD Teen Academies
Fun and Specialized junior camps for Mini (3-5), Beginner, Intermediate 1 & 2, Advanced and Elite Players.
Weekly programs designed by Kim Grant to improve players technique, fitness, agility, mental toughness
and all around tennis game. Camps in Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Redwood City. Come make new friends
and have tons of FUN!!
www.KimGrantTennis.com
650-752-8061
Matt Lottich Life Skills Basketball Camp
Woodside/ Redwood City
MLLS offers high-level, high-energy basketball instruction for ages 6-16. This summer we celebrate the 8th
year!! With two to three “leagues” in each session, young beginners to advanced elite players get to learn
fundamental skills, advanced footwork and valuable life lessons from an unparalleled staff of Pro and Collegiate level players. Camps at Woodside Elementary and Sequoia High School. Early bird, multi-session,
and group discounts available.
www.mllscamp.com
1-888-537-3223
Nike Tennis Camps at Stanford University
Stanford
Come join the fun this summer and get better! Dick Gould’s 42nd Annual Stanford Tennis School offers day
camps for both junior and adults, June 11-16. Weekly junior overnight and extended day camps offered June
19-Aug 12 for boys & girls ages 9-18 and run by Head Men’s Coach John Whitlinger and Head Women’s Coach
Lele Forood. There is a camp option for everyone!
www.USSportsCamps.com/tennis
1-800-NIKE CAMP (645-3226)
Spring Down Camp Equestrian Center
Portola Valley
Spring Down camp teaches basic to advanced horsemanship skills. All ages welcome! Daily informative
lecture, riding lesson, supervised hands-on skill practice, safety around horses, tacking/untacking of own
camp horse, and arts/crafts.
www.springdown.com
650-851-1114
Stanford Water Polo Camps
Stanford
Ages 7 and up. New to the sport or have experience, we have a camp for you. Half day or full day option for
boys and girls. All the camps offer fundamental skill work, position work, scrimmages and games.
https://stanfordwaterpolocamps.com
650-725-9016
Summer at Saint Francis
Mountain View
Sports & Activity Camp (ages 6-12): This all sports camp provides group instruction in a variety of field,
water and court games. Saint Francis faculty and students staff the camp, and the focus is always on fun.
The program is dedicated to teaching teamwork, sportsmanship and positive self-esteem.
www.sfhs.com/summer
650-968-1213 ext. 446
18 N The Almanac NMay 4, 2011
Stanford
Teens spend two weeks immersed in the dynamic world of video game creation at iD Gaming Academy,
computer science/application development at iD Programming Academy or photography/filmmaking at
iD Visual Arts Academy. Overnight programs held at Stanford, Harvard, MIT and others. Week-long programs for ages 7-17 also available. Free year-round learning! Save w/code CAU22T.
www.iDTeenAcademies.com
1-888-709-TECH (8324)
Mid-Peninsula High School Summer Program
Palo Alto/Menlo Park/
Redwood City
Stanford
Ages 7-17 create video games, iPhone apps, C++/Java programs, websites and more. Weeklong, day and
overnight programs held at Stanford, UC Berkeley, Santa Clara, UCLA and others. Also special Teen programs held at Stanford in gaming, programming and visual arts. Free year-round learning! Save with code
CAU22L.
www.internalDrive.com
1-888-709-TECH (8324)
Jefunira Camp
Kim Grant Tennis Academy Summer Camps
San Jose
K-12 offerings taught by exceptional, experienced faculty and staff. K-6 morning academics - focusing on
math, language arts and science - and full spectrum of afternoon recreation. Grades 6-12 for-credit courses
and non-credit enrichment opportunities. Swim, Tennis and Soccer also offered.
www.summer.harker.org
408-553-0537
ISTP Language Immersion
Palo Alto
Santa Clara
Have your best summer ever at Delphi Academy’s summer camp! Ages 5-13. Full Day Camp. Morning academics with experienced teachers, afternoon activities, day trips, camping trips, swimming, sports, crafts,
activities, and a lot of fun!
www.bestsummerever.org
408-260-2300
Learn the fundamentals of football with Earl Hansen, Palo Alto High School and State Champion coach.
This is a non-contact camp where kids develop fundamental skills with proven drills and techniques. Full
practices in the mornings with 7 on 7 games in the afternoon. July 11 to 15 @ Palo Alto High School. Ages
10 to14. Lunch provided daily.
www.earlhansenfootballcamp.com
650-269-7793
Celebrating our 20th year of Jefunira Camp summer fun in 2011! Come join us for some good old fashion
summer fun! Our combination of an exceptional college aged staff and innovative, inclusive programming
will create a memorable summer experience for your child. Programming for children ages 4-13. Pre and
post camp care offered.
www.jefuniracamp.com
650-291-2888
Woodside/ Redwood City
Spring Training (April-May). High-energy, high-level basketball training for ages 6-16. Use your
offseason as a time to develop your basketball skills and IQ with the unparalleled coaching staff of
Team Esface. Learn the fundamentals of the game, offensive attack moves and advanced footwork
through dynamic drills and competitions led by young, positive coaches including former Division 1
athletes. April and May. Two days per week. Sibling and group discounts available. More information and
sign up at: www.teamesface.com
1-888-537-3223
La Honda
Join the fun this summer! Camp Jones Gulch offers friendship and growth to kids ages 6-16. Enjoy our Traditional Camp or Mini, Horse, Surfing, Leadership and Travel Camps. One- and two-week sessions. Limited
financial assistance available.
www.campjonesgulch.org
415-848-1200
Champion Tennis Camps
For more info see our online camp directory at
PaloAltoOnline.com/biz/summercamps
Please call us at 650.326.8210
for other camp advertising opportunities
Palo Alto
International School of the Peninsula camps offered in French, Chinese, Spanish or ESL for students in Nursery
through Middle School. Three 2-week sessions, each with different theme. Students are grouped according to
both grade level and language proficiency.
www.istp.org
650-251-8519
Menlo Park
Mid-Peninsula High School offers a series of classes and electives designed to keep students engaged in learning. Classes Monday-Thursday and limited to 15 students. Every Thursday there’s a BBQ lunch. The Science and
Art classes will have weekly field trips.
www.mid-pen.com
650-321-1991 ext. 110
Summer at Saint Francis
Mountain View
Summer at Saint Francis provides a broad range of academic and athletic programs for elementary through
high school students. It is the goal of every program to make summer vacation enriching and enjoyable!
www.sfhs.com/summer
650-968-1213 ext. 446
SuperCamp
Stanford/San Jose/Berkeley
SuperCamp is the summer enrichment program that parents and kids love! Now in our 30th year and with
over 56,000 graduates worldwide, we’ll give your son or daughter the skills, added confidence, motivation and character direction to flourish. Junior Forum, incoming 6th-8th graders; Senior Forum, incoming
9th-12th graders. Located at Stanford, San Jose State, UC Berkeley and 6 other prestigious schools nationwide.
www.supercamp.com
800-285-3276
Synapse School & Wizbots
Menlo Park
Cutting-edge, imaginative, accelerated, integrated, and hands-on academic summer enrichment courses
with independent in-depth and project-based morning and afternoon weeklong programs for children
ages 4-12: Young Explorers, Thinking Math, Leonardo da Vinci’s Inventions, Nature Connections, Girls’ &
Soccer Robotics, and more!
www.summerinnovation.com
650-866-5824
TechKnowHow Computer & LEGO Camps Palo Alto/Menlo Park/Sunnyvale
Fun and enriching technology classes for students, ages 5-14! Courses include LEGO and K’NEX Projects
with Motors, NXT Robotics, 3D Modeling, and Game Design. Many locations, including Palo Alto, Menlo
Park, and Sunnyvale. Half and all day options. Early-bird and multi-session discounts available.
www.techknowhowkids.com
650-474-0400
Woodland School Summer Adventures
Portola Valley
For kindergarten through 8th grade. Offers academics, sports, field trips and onsite activities. June 27
- July 29
www.woodland-school.org
650-854-9065
Write Now! Summer Writing Camps
Palo Alto/Pleasanton
Emerson School of Palo Alto and Hacienda School of Pleasanton open their doors and offer their innovative programs: Expository Writing, Creative Writing, Presentation Techniques, and (new!) Media Production. Call or visit our website for details.
www.headsup.org
650-424-1267, 925-485-5750
(continued on next page)
C O M M U N I T Y
Evan North, 28, formerly of Woodside
Evan Armstrong North, a graduate student at Georgetown University who lived his early years
in Woodside, died April 4 while
working out on a treadmill on
campus. He was 28. There was no
prior known health condition, and
the cause of death has not yet been
determined, the family said.
Mr. North was in his fourth
year at Georgetown, based in
Washington, D.C., having in
2009 obtained a master’s degree
in global, international, and comparative studies, and in 2010
passed his doctoral qualifying
examination. His special interest
was modern economic history.
Hew was born at Stanford Hospital in 1982, and graduated with
honors in history from Harvard
University in 2005.
His interest in
the history of
science led him
to construct a
website, keplersdiscovery.com,
portraying the
thinking leadEvan North
ing to Johannes
Kepler’s insight
that earth and other planets
revolve around the sun.
Evan North is survived by his
mother, Diane Tarantino North
of Flat Rock, North Carolina;
his father, D. Warner North of
N OBIT UARY
Belmont, California; his grandmother, Margaret Peters North
of San Francisco; and numerous
aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A memorial service was held at
the Dahlgren Chapel in Georgetown University on April 16 and
at the Fernwood Cemetery in Mill
Valley on April 30.
Memorial contributions may
be made to the Evan Armstrong
North Memorial Fund, Georgetown University Advancement
Office, P.O. Box 571253, Washington, DC 20057-1253.
Register for
our
exciting new
program!
PHYLLIS JOHNSON
continued from page 17
tional technology.
Ms. Johnson was a gracious
hostess, who put people at ease,
say family members. “Mom
always looked put together and
elegant, even in her last years,” her
daughter Kris recalled.
In 1998, the Johnsons moved
to The Sequoias, where she led
an art therapy program for the
memory impaired.
Survivors include her husband,
John Johnson; son Steven Johnson of Petaluma; daughter Kristina Johnson of Truckee; and two
granddaughters.
Contributions may be made to
the Children’s Health Council,
650 Clark Way, Palo Alto, CA
94304; or the Palo Alto Medical
Foundation, 795 El Camino Real,
Palo Alto, CA 94301.
4HREEDIFFERENTTWOWEEKSESSIONSWITHFUNTHEMESDESIGNEDTO
give campers more exposure to language immersion activities!
June 20 - July 1 Food Extravaganza!
July 5* - July 15 Passport to Travel the World
July 18 - July 29 Zootopia * Camp closed on July 4
G U I D E TO 2011 S U M M E R C A M P S F O R K I D S
Palo Alto
Mountain View/Santa Clara
Palo Alto
A nurturing environment for kids with challenges to experience the fun of summer camp. Led by therapists at Children’s Health
Council. Ages 5-12, full days, Mon-Fri, three sessions. Small groups. Financial aid available.
www.chconline.org
650-688-3625
Mountain View
50+ creative camps for Gr. K-8! Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Musical Theater, American Idol Workshop, more! Twoweek sessions; full and half-day enrollment. Extended care available. Financial aid offered.
www.arts4all.org
650-917-6800 ext. 0
Menlo Park
Riekes Summer Camps — A world of opportunity and fun-filled learning. Ages 9-18. Rock camps, Hip Hop, recording, filmmaking,
animation, B&W and digital Photography, graphic arts, comic book creation, Photoshop, magazine publishing. Sessions run from
June through August. www.riekes.org
650-364-2509
Nature Awareness –“Explore Our Natural World”
Celebrate Indian culture, languages, arts, festivals, literature, cuisine, and leaders. Weekly themes are brought to life through
related arts, dance, games, projects, stories and theatre in a very unique, exciting, creative, interactive, and structured style. June
13-August 5. Age 5 to 14. www.janoindia.com
650-493-1566
Creative Arts – “Express Yourself”
Continued from previous page
Two fun and comprehensive programs offered in 1, 2 or 3 weeks for ages 4 and up touching every aspect of Music,Theater and
Dance: Improvisation, Musical Theatre, Play Production and Stage Performance. July 5-July 22 and July 25-August 12 (Full day
and Half Day) 9-3pm M-F, Performance each week! 824 San Antonio Rd., Palo Alto
www.baperformingarts.com
650-561-4146
Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA)
&RQQHFWZLWK<0&$RI6LOLFRQ9DOOH\RQ
Arts, Culture, Nature and Other Camps
Camp F.U.N. (Friends with Unique Needs)
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language immersion
Camp Connection
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Menlo Park
Riekes Summer Camps — A world of opportunity and fun-filled learning. Ages 6-18 and families. Learn awareness & survival
skills, explore Monterey Bay, deep redwoods & coastal marsh. Surf camp. Family Festival. AFCANA Combo Camps combining
fitness, arts & nature. Sessions run from June through August.
www.riekes.org
650-364-2509
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May 4, 2011 N The Almanac N19
C O M M U N I T Y
Paul Fearer named to Health Benefit Exchange
Online.
Anyplace.
Anytime.
www.Almanacnews.com
Menlo Park resident Paul
Fearer has been appointed
to the board of California’s
Health Benefit Exchange, a
marketplace for private health
insurance, established as part
of the 2010 federal health care
reform legislation.
Mr. Fearer, senior executive vice president and director
of human resources at Union
Bank, was appointed by Assembly Speaker John A. Perez, D-Los
Angeles, who authored legisla-
tion creating the exchange.
Mr. Fearer joins a five-member board that will oversee
the exchange, designed to be a
“consumer friendly” marketplace where individuals and
small businesses can learn
their insurance choices and
costs, and where they can claim
federal premium subsidies and
tax credits to buy affordable
insurance, said a spokesperson
for Rep. Perez.
Mr. Fearer is a former chair
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT
AN URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
AND HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING
TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSED PLAN
—Miranda Simon
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
AND
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CITY OF MENLO PARK
PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING OF MAY 16, 2011
CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE COMPANY’S
BEAR GULCH DISTRICT
California Water Code, Part 2.6 Chapters 1 through 4 (Sections 10610 through 10656), are known and may be cited as the “Urban Water Management Planning Act.”
These California Water Code sections require all urban water suppliers that provide water for municipal purposes either directly or indirectly to
more than 3,000 customers or supply more than 3,000 acre-feet of water annually to prepare an Urban Water Management Plan as outlined and
identified in those sections. This requirement applies to public and privately owned water utilities.
of PacAdvantage, a voluntary,
small group exchange that previously operated in California.
He is board chair of the Pacific Business Group on Health, a
coalition of 50 large health-care
purchasers.
“Paul Fearer knows the nuts
and bolts of health benefits and
what it takes to get an exchange
up and running,” Rep. Perez
said in a statement.
The plan must describe and evaluate sources of supply, reasonable and practical efficient uses, reclamation, and demand management activities. The
components of the plan may vary according to an individual community or area’s characteristics and its capabilities to efficiently use and conserve
water. The plan must address measures for residential, commercial, governmental, and industrial water demand management.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of
the City of Menlo Park, California, is scheduled to review the
following items:
The act requires urban water suppliers to update their Urban Water Management Plans at least once every five years, and to file updated plans with
the Department of Water Resources, the California State Library, and any city or county served by the supplier no later than 30 days after adoption.
PUBLIC MEETING ITEMS
California Water Service Company (Cal Water) is an investor-owned public utility providing water service throughout California. In addition, Cal
Water is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
One of Cal Water’s service areas is the Bear Gulch District, which is located in San Mateo County. The Bear Gulch District serves the Cities of
Atherton, Portola Valley, Woodside, portions of Menlo Park, and adjacent unincorporated portions of San Mateo County including; West Menlo
Park, Ladera, North Fair Oaks, and Menlo Oaks.
As a defined urban water supplier, Cal Water is preparing an update to its Urban Water Management Plan that will address the water service conditions in the Bear Gulch District. It is Cal Water’s intent to adopt that plan and file that plan as required with the Department of Water Resources, the
California State Library, and any city or county within which Cal Water provides service.
A key focus of this UWMP update is the conservation requirement set forth in Senate Bill 7 (SBx7-7) as passed in November 2009. SBx7-7 mandates a statewide 20% reduction in per capita urban water use by 2020. In order to quantify the objectives and identify the means of achieving this
mandated demand reduction, Cal Water has prepared a Conservation Master Plan.
Cal Water is in the process of expanding current conservation programs and developing new programs for its 24 districts. Over the next five years,
Cal Water conservation program expenditures are likely to increase due in large measure to recently adopted state policies requiring future reductions in per capita urban water use. These state policies include SBx7-7, as well as recent decisions by the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) directing Class A and B water utilities to adopt conservation programs and rate structures designed to achieve reductions in per capita water
use, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Urban Water Conservation in California (MOU), of which Cal Water has been a
signatory since 1991.
The Conservation Master Plan for the Bear Gulch District will be presented to the Cities, Counties and public served by Cal Water’s Bear Gulch
District in conjunction with the UWMP.
Schedule of upcoming actions:
On April 1, 2011, a copy of the Proposed Urban Water Management Plan was made available for review during normal business hours at the Bear
Gulch District’s Customer Service Center, 3351 El Camino Real Ste.190 Atherton, CA 94027.
It is preferred that prior arrangements be made with the district’s management for viewing the Proposed Urban Water Management Plan and/or the
Conservation Master Plan. These arrangements can be made by calling (650) 367-6800.
As an alternative to reviewing the Proposed Urban Water Management Plan in Cal Water’s Bear Gulch District Customer Service Center, Cal
Water has placed an electronic copy of the Proposed Urban Water Management Plan available on FTP site, where the plan may be reviewed and or
downloaded.
The site can be accessed at http://calwater.ftptoday.com ;
The user name is cwsftp12 and the password is tra@nf3r.
The UWMP will be available at this FTP site from April 1, 2011 through June 15, 2011.
If there are issues with accessing the electronic copy you may contact Michael Bolzowski at the company’s headquarters at 1720 North First Street,
San Jose, California 95112-4598, by calling (408) 367-8200, or by email at [email protected].
A Public Meeting to receive comments on the Proposed Urban Water Management Plan and the Conservation Master Plan will be held on May 19,
2011, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the Bear Gulch Operations Center, which is located at 120 Reservoir Road, Atherton CA 94027.
If you are unable to attend the scheduled public meeting but want to provide comments regarding the proposed UWMP, you may send
your comments in writing via mail or email to:
Thomas A. Salzano, Water Resource Planning Supervisor
California Water Service Company
1720 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112-4598
[email protected]
Cal Water will receive comments on the proposed UWMP and the Conservation Master Plan from April 1, 2011 through June 15, 2011.
Comments regarding the Conservation Master Plan for Bear Gulch should be sent to:
Kenneth G. Jenkins, Conservation Manager
California Water Service Company
2632 West 237th Street
Torrance, CA 90505
[email protected]
20 N The Almanac NMay 4, 2011
Architectural Control/Monte Rosa Land Company, LLC/2770 Sand
Hill Road: Request for architectural control for modifications to the
front entrance, including excavation for a new first floor entrance
with a courtyard and accessibility improvements, to an existing
building located in the C-1-C (Administrative, Professional and
Research District, Restrictive). Interior remodeling would also be
part of the scope of work and include a new elevator, balcony
bridge on the second floor, and an additional internal staircase.
The internal second floor bridge would add 291 square feet
of gross floor area, but all the proposed modifications would
be within the existing footprint of the building. As part of the
proposal, three heritage redwood trees would be removed.
NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that said Planning
Commission will hold a public hearing on public hearing items
in the Council Chambers of the City of Menlo Park, located at
701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, on Monday, May 16, 2011, 7:00
p.m. or as near as possible thereafter, at which time and place
interested persons may appear and be heard thereon. If you
challenge this item in court, you may be limited to raising only
those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing
described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered
to the City of Menlo Park at, or prior to, the public hearing.
The project file may be viewed by the public on weekdays
between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through
Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, with alternate
Fridays closed, at the Department of Community Development,
701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park. Please call the Planning Division if
there are any questions and/or for complete agenda information
(650) 330-6702.
Si usted necesita más información sobre este proyecto, por
favor llame al 650-330-6702, y pregunte por un asistente que
hable español.
DATED:
April 28, 2011
PUBLISHED: May 4, 2011
Deanna Chow, Senior Planner
Menlo Park Planning Commission
Visit our Web site for Planning Commission public hearing,
agenda, and staff report information: www.menlopark.org
C O M M U N I T Y
Menlo Pilates & Yoga moves to El Camino
By Sheryl Nonnenberg
Special to the Almanac
A
walk down Santa Cruz
Avenue in Menlo Park
confirms that the economic recovery appears to be
happening slowly, and that small
businesses were among the hardest hit by the downturn. Empty
storefronts are visible proof
that some businesses could not
attract the dollars needed to succeed. There is an exception, however, at 1011 El Camino Real.
Once the home of the Menlo
Park Academy of Dance, then a
hot yoga studio, then Devi Yoga,
the space has been reinvented as
Menlo Pilates & Yoga.
The new owner, Fran Phillip, used to run a small Pilates
studio on Oak Grove Avenue,
where she had a thriving business but needed a larger space.
While attending a yoga class
at Devi Yoga in December, she
heard the news that the studio
would be closing.
She sprang into action, signing
the new lease in early January. She
says she was attracted to the openness of the space and the possibilities of offering classes that would
“touch more people’s lives.”
Ms. Phillip, originally from
Australia, has always been an
avid sportswoman. She has been
On the championship Heat team are: (front row, kneeling, from left)
Sam Forese, Joe Posthauer, Matthew Huo, and Nick Tripaldi; (second row,
standing) Coach Fred Voss, Colin Choi, Griffin Voss, Heath Hooper, Shane
Suxho, Ryan Fatemi, James Bowman, and Head Coach Jeff Tripaldi.
Photo by Carrie Jaffe-Pickett
Fran Philip is owner of Menlo Pilates & Yoga in downtown Menlo Park.
N BUSINESS
involved in health fitness for
almost 15 years and is a certified
personal trainer.
She began using the Pilates
Mat seven years ago and is fully
qualified in both Pilates Mat
and equipment. She teaches
several classes a day, as well as
offering private instruction.
On the yoga side, she is slowly
building a schedule of classes
in a variety of styles, including
N PO LI C E C A L L S
This information is from the Atherton
and Menlo Park police departments
and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s
Office. Under the law, people charged
with offenses are considered innocent
until convicted.
ATHERTON
Auto burglary report: Window
smashed on parked green van, Tuscaloosa Ave., April 23.
Child protection services report:
100 block of El Camino Real, April 27.
MENLO PARK
Fraud reports:
■ Loss of $153 in unauthorized use of
credit card, 1200 block of Mills Court,
April 26.
■ Unauthorized use of Social Security
card to obtain employment, 600 block
of Fremont St., April 27.
WOODSIDE
Auto burglary report: Losses estimated at $5,373 in break-in and theft
of briefcase, purse and duffle bag with
contents that included computers,
credit cards and clothing, Park N Ride
at Woodside Road and Interstate 280,
April 21.
Vinyasa and Yin. She also has
included the popular dance
exercise method, Zumba, in the
weekly schedule.
She says moving to the former
Devi site has been a dream come
true, although it is challenging to
get old participants back to the
space. There is a misconception
that Menlo Pilates and Yoga is
tied to the former ownership.
Once students enter the studio
it becomes apparent that there is
a new look, new energy and new
possibilities for improving health
and fitness — all in a location
that is familiar and accessible.
Heat wins basketball title
The Heat has been crowned
champion of the 94 teams in
the third/fourth-grade division
of the Silicon Valley National
Junior Basketball league.
After beating a team from
Los Gatos in the championship game of the playoffs,
the Heat recorded a perfect
season at 16-0, including wins
at a preseason tourney, league
games, and playoff games.
The Silicon Valley NJB has
14 chapters and the Heat is
from the Redwood Chapter,
which has players from Menlo
Park, Atherton, Portola Valley,
and Woodside.
The players are Sam Forese,
Joe Posthauer, Matthew Huo,
Nick Tripaldi, Colin Choi,
Griffin Voss, Heath Hooper,
Shane Suxho, Ryan Fatemi
and James Bowman. The
coaches are Jeff Tripaldi andFred Voss.
Support Local Business
Go to menlopilates.com for more
information. Sheryl Nonnenberg,
a Menlo Park resident, teaches Yin/Vinyasa Yoga at Menlo
Pilates and Yoga.
Sexual harassment report: Disturbing message sent by adult male to
11-year-old via Skype, 200 block of
Whiskey Hill Road, April 23.
John O’Connor’s
FDR 502
MenloParkFunerals.com
1182A Chestnut Street
Menlo Park, CA
FD 2060
Isabel Marant
Rachel Comey
Vanessa Bruno
Help us rescue lives in Japan.
Go to www.rescue.org/altweeklies
A fundraising effort by the Association of
Alternative Newsweeklies and The Almanac
883 Santa Cruz Ave.
Menlo Park
(650) 353-7550
Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm
www.josefboutique.com
May 4, 2011 N The Almanac N21
Serving Menlo Park,
Atherton, Portola Valley,
and Woodside for 44 years.
Editor & Publisher
Tom Gibboney
Editorial
Managing Editor Richard Hine
News Editor Renee Batti
Lifestyles Editor Jane Knoerle
Senior Correspondents
Marion Softky, Marjorie Mader
Staff Writers
Dave Boyce, Sandy Brundage
Contributors Barbara Wood,
Kate Daly, Katie Blankenberg
Special Sections Editors
Carol Blitzer, Sue Dremann
Photographer Michelle Le
News Intern Miranda Simon
Design & Production
Design Director Raul Perez
Designers Linda Atilano,
Gary Vennarucci
Advertising
Vice President Sales &
Marketing
Walter Kupiec
Display Advertising Sales
Heather Hanye
Real Estate Manager Neal Fine
Real Estate and Advertising
Coordinator Diane Martin
Published every Wednesday at
3525 Alameda De Las Pulgas,
Menlo Park, Ca 94025
Newsroom: (650) 223-6525
Newsroom Fax: (650) 223-7525
Advertising: (650) 854-2626
Advertising Fax: (650) 854-3650
e-mail news and photos with
captions to:
[email protected]
e-mail letters to:
[email protected]
The Almanac, established in September,
1965, is delivered each week to residents
of Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and
Woodside and adjacent unincorporated areas
of southern San Mateo County. The Almanac
is qualified by decree of the Superior Court of
San Mateo County to publish public notices of
a governmental and legal nature, as stated in
Decree No. 147530, issued November 9, 1969.
Subscriptions are $60 for one year and
$100 for two years.
N
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW?
All views must include a home address
and contact phone number. Published
letters will also appear on the web site,
www.TheAlmanacOnline.com, and
occasionally on the Town Square forum.
TOWN SQUARE FORUM
POST your views on the
Town Square forum at
www.TheAlmanacOnline.com
EMAIL your views to:
[email protected]
and note this it is a letter to
the editor in the subject line.
MAIL or deliver to:
Editor at the Almanac,
3525 Alameda de las Pulgas,
Menlo Park, CA 94025.
CALL the Viewpoint desk at
223-6507.
Ideas, thoughts and opinions about
local issues from people in our community. Edited by Tom Gibboney.
Time to unlock secret 911 tapes
T
he city of Menlo Park has long taken the position that 911
tapes are not public records and never will be, based on a narrow reading of the law that was established to make more such
records available to the public.
In the latest case, Vickie Smothers simply asked to review the 911
call she made on April 9 after a racially tinged road-rage encounter
on Ravenswood Avenue. Her request was denied, as was a public
records request filed by the Almanac, which published a story about
the incident last week.
In denying both requests, City Attorney Bill McClure said Menlo
Park treats 911calls as investigatory records, saying their release is
exempt under a portion of Government Code section 6254(f),
ED ITORI AL
and adding that the tapes do not
The opinion of The Almanac
have to be released even after an
investigation is closed.
The only times 911 tapes are released, Mr. McClure said, are in certain traffic cases, or when the recording is requested by subpoena or a
discovery request as part of a lawsuit.
However, the Almanac found an exception. In 2002, the city
released a 911 call as a courtesy to the couple who made it, after a dispatcher mislabeled the incident as domestic violence. The couple said
they later gave the tape to a lawyer representing a client suing the city
for police brutality.
Menlo Park’s policy stands out for all the wrong reasons, compared
with Palo Alto’s and Mountain View’s, as well as San Mateo County’s.
Those agencies do release 911 tapes on a case-by-case basis. Also, San
Bruno released related 911 calls after a PG&E gas pipeline exploded last
year when ABC News filed a public records request.
When the state Legislature approved the California Public
Records Act, the intent was clear: “In enacting this chapter, the
Legislature, mindful of the right of individuals to privacy, finds and
declares that access to information concerning the conduct of the
people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state.”
The act lists a few exceptions, but the overriding thrust is to
release all records to the public, including law enforcement records,
which are summarized in Section 6254(f) of the act. The exemption
cited by Menlo Park says “... unless the disclosure would endanger
the safety of a witness or other person involved in the investigation,
or unless disclosure would endanger the successful completion of
the investigation or a related investigation.”
It is unfortunate that Menlo Park has declared the exception to be
the rule, establishing a policy that no 911 recordings will be released.
This blanket refusal, even to the person who made the 911 call, is
wrong, and should be changed.
For example, in the case of Ms. Smothers, a respected addiction counselor in East Palo Alto who was named to the San Mateo
County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2003, the city denied her request
to hear the 911 tape, saying it was inappropriate in light of the city’s
non-disclosure policy.
But Peter Scheer, staff attorney for the First Amendment Coalition, a
watchdog group that advocates for open meetings and records, said the
city needed to cite a specific reason for denying Ms. Smothers’ request.
“They must point to an exemption or other legal authority for
withholding records. It can be conclusory. They don’t have to
explain or elaborate. But saying ‘it’s not our policy’ doesn’t cut it,”
Mr. Scheer said.
If an open investigation could be harmed by releasing a 911 tape,
it makes sense for the police to withhold it. But how can that be the
case here? Ms. Smothers’ request came after a frightening road-rage
incident in the city on April 9, when she said she was tailgated by a
man driving a black SUV beginning on Ringwood Avenue and continuing to Ravenswood Avenue.
At the Laurel Street intersection, the man yelled racial epithets at
Ms. Smothers, who is black, and ultimately used his car to block her
from moving forward. At this point, she says, the white man got out
of his car holding a stick or club in his hand, threatening to kill her,
and kept shouting obscenities before eventually leaving the scene.
After finding her cell-phone battery dead, she took refuge at a restaurant and called 911.
Back in 2002, the city did release a recording of a 911 call. We see
no reason why Menlo Park should not release 911 records on a caseby-case basis, similar to Palo Alto, Mountain View, and San Mateo
County. We doubt that there is a legitimate reason in most cases to
withhold the calls.
Instead of hurting the investigation, in the current case, it’s possible
that releasing the recording could jog the memory of someone who
witnessed the road-rage incident and could give police more information to find the offender.
L ET TERS
Our readers write
What about BART link
to SF from San Jose?
Editor:
I suggest you give Portola Valley planning consultant George
Mader a chance to discuss his idea
of terminating the high-speed rail
trains in San Jose and using BART
as the access to San Francisco.
His proposal makes a lot of
sense as the BART right-of-way
is already established between
Fremont and San Jose. Also the
BART link to San Francisco from
Fremont already exists as rapid
transit.
Here is my two cents. Upgrading Caltrain by electrification can
be done with battery powered
trains. The Peninsula train tracks
could be left alone. This would
not require any right-of-way costs
but would require purchase of
new railroad cars and a battery
22 N The Almanac NMay 4, 2011
See LETTERS, next page
Our Regional Heritage
In 1998, the 130-year-old Commodore James T.
Watkins house was moved from 25 Isabella Ave.
to 96 Alejandra Ave. in Atherton by new owners
David and Rhoda Herron. The house was cut into
two pieces and placed on long steel beams for the
trip to its new address. The home is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places and is shown
at its current location on Alejandra Avenue.
Atherton Heritage Association
V I E W P O I N T
L E T T ER S
Continued from previous page
charging system in San Jose and
San Francisco.
Jerry Secrest
Willowbrook Drive,
Portola Valley
Right move to forget
Willows traffic-calming
Editor:
Menlo Park’s transportation
commission made the right decision to reject the deeply flawed
traffic calming that some wanted
to foist onto the Willows.
Given that 80 percent of the
respondents to a city survey had “no
concerns” about Willows traffic, the
commission followed the wishes of
the residents of the neighborhood,
myself included.
The April 20 Almanac story that
reported this decision noted that
“the survey had only a 27 percent
response rate.” However, a 27
percent expression of opinion by
Willows residents is a much greater
percentage of people than the hard
core of traffic calming activists who
dominate the endless charettes,
roundtables, and other exercises.
I would suggest that the results of
the survey are more reflective of the
opinions of the people of the Willows than any number of trafficplanning get-togethers.
Now, Menlo Park, after 20 years,
can stop wasting money on a Willows “traffic plan” and just leave the
neighborhood streets alone — just
like we want it.
Brian Schar
Laurel Avenue, Menlo Park
Time for Cargill to get
specific on Saltworks
Editor:
In their best-selling book,
“Freakonomics,” authors Steven
D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
discuss residential real estate agents’
selling techniques.
It turns out that when real
estate ads use vague adjectives and
descriptions, the homes sell for less.
When real estate ads are specific,
the homes sell for more because
they have more intrinsic value.
Where have I recently been hearing vague adjectives and lack of
specificity regarding real estate?
On the Cargill/DMB proposed
Saltworks project in the Bay. They
have no pictures of actual housing
units, no specifics on square footage
or price. And DMB representatives
even concede that no one really
knows yet how the project will look
so it is premature to comment. Is
Cargill/DMB’s vagueness cause for
concern? Should Peninsula residents trust these tactics?
Kaia Eakin
Redwood City
Wide opposition to Cargill’s ‘Saltworks’ project
By Nancy Arbuckle and Alice Kaufman
which they call “Saltworks,” is deep and wide,
argill’s effort to persuade Redwood City, and it has been for years. If they had persuasive
the Peninsula and the region of the sup- facts on their side, wouldn’t we be hearing them,
posed benefits of their city in a salt pond instead of these attacks?
The developer is only making oppois not working.
How can you tell? One sign is the fact GUEST nents stronger. There is a coalition of
that Cargill’s developer, Arizona-based OPINION over 200 organizations and prominent
individuals formally opposed to the
DMB Associates, and their supporters
are suddenly launching attacks on Save the project, and 10,000 Bay Area residents, includBay. As Redwood City residents and members ing hundreds of Redwood City residents, who
of community and environmental groups, we have signed Save the Bay’s petition at DontPavestand along with Save the Bay in strong opposi- MyBay.org.
Our organizations stand with Friends of
tion to Cargill’s plans.
In the recent debate between Save the Bay Redwood City, Acterra, Clean Water Action,
and Cargill’s architect, Peter Calthorpe, we saw and other key environmental and community
the kind of civil discussion and debate that this organizations. Labor and industry groups repimportant issue deserves. Cargill’s proposal to resenting workers and business at the threatbuild a new city in a sea level salt pond behind ened Port of Redwood City are opposed to this
a massive new levee must float, or sink, on its development. Sport and commercial fishermen
merits. Cargill/DMB’s intimidation has no are opposed. California water rights organizations are opposed. Virtually all of Redwood
place in our democratic process.
Despite DMB’s large full-time staff and many City’s neighboring cities are opposed. The Planhigh-paid PR and legal consultants in San Fran- ning and Conservation League is opposed.
Other groups that have raised concerns
cisco, Sacramento and Washington, D.C., the
opposition to Cargill’s salt pond development, about the project range from the U.S. Fish
C
and Wildlife Service, which identified these
salt ponds as having “important conservation value,” to the California Highway Patrol,
which projects that a dozen additional officers
would be needed to handle the tens of thousands of new car trips on U.S. 101.
In addition, 160 elected officials representing
millions of people from all nine Bay Area counties have made their opposition clear, stating:
“Salt ponds are not land to be paved — they
are part of San Francisco Bay to be restored to
tidal marsh for wildlife habitat, natural flood
protection for our communities, cleaner water,
and recreation areas for everyone to enjoy.”
And the San Francisco Chronicle and San
Jose Mercury News are opposed. “Salt ponds
are the wrong place for 12,000 homes,” the Merc
stated last year. “This is an unacceptable site for
housing,” the Chronicle wrote in 2007. “Housing doesn’t belong on a tidal plain.”
Why isn’t the developer attacking all of us?
Presumably, trying to attack the entire Bay Area
is beyond even their deep pockets.
It is not going to work.
Nancy Arbuckle and Alice Kaufman are Redwood City residents and are members of the
Sequoia Audubon Society and the Committee
for Green Foothills, respectively.
STANFORD STROKE CENTER
Committed to the highest standards of stroke care
Providing multidisciplinary stroke care for 19 years, the Stanford Stroke Center has led the way in establishing
community standards of care. Stanford is consistently recognized as a leader in stroke treatment and research,
with a comprehensive center pioneering medical, surgical and interventional therapies for treating and
preventing stroke.
MAY IS NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS MONTH
COME MEET THE EXPERTS AT
THE STANFORD SHOPPING CENTER
(between Macy’s women and Louis Vuitton)
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
10:00am – 3:00pm
Stanford Hospital & Clinics’ staff will be providing free
patient education, risk factor assesments, and blood
pressure checks. We’ll see you there!
WARNING SIGNS OF A STROKE
t Sudden numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg
(usually on one side)
t Sudden trouble speaking or understanding others
t Sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
t Sudden, severe headache with no apparent cause
t Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance or
coordination (especially if associated with any of the
above symptoms)
For any sign of stroke CALL 911
stanfordhospital.org/strokemonth
650.723.4448
May 4, 2011 N The Almanac N23
represented by Scott Dancer
G
W
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Woodside
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Portola Valley
OFFERED AT $2,375,000
OFFERED AT $12,900,000
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Portola Valley Masterpiece
Woodside
Woodside Schools
OFFERED AT $6,395,000
OFFERED AT $2,950,000
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Woodside, 17.6-acre lot
Woodside
Atherton
OFFERED AT $1,395,000
OFFERED AT $975,000
OFFERED AT $4,250,000
Information and all acreage deemed
reliable, but not guaranteed.
2969 Woodside Road
Woodside, CA 94062
Scott Dancer
650.529.2454
scottdancer.com
DRE# 008683262
24 N The Almanac NMay 4, 2011