palo alto weekly 03.11.2011 - section 1

Inside: Palo Alto Adult School

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Spectrum 14 Title Pages 16 Movies 33 Eating Out 36 Class Guide 44 Camp Connection 48 Puzzles 68

1ST PLACEGENERAL

EXCELLENCECalifornia Newspaper Publishers Association

News District to add 40 classrooms Page 3

Arts Concert highlights sounds of the West Page 30

Sports Stanford women open title defense Page 38

The 2010 results reveal a changing population

page 18

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital 20th Anniversary

LECTU R E SE R I ES

4th Annual Autism Spectrum Disorders Update for:

Parents and Professionals: Bridging the Gap

April 2, 2011 at 7:45am – 4:30pm

This one day conference will

be led by a panel of experts

from our autism spectrum

disorders program and will

spotlight recent fi ndings and

innovative clinical approaches

to treating autism.

The symposium will be held in McCaw Hall in the Francis C. Arrillaga Alumni Center. 326 Galvez Street, Stanford, California 94035. Parking is free at Galvez Field (corner of Galvez Street and Campus Drive East).

Registration $100. Fee includes a continental breakfast and buffet lunch.

For further information, please call (650) 721- 6327 or e-mail [email protected].

Register online at http://childpsychiatry.stanford.edu

For additional 20th Anniversary Lecture Series offerings, visit anniversary.lpch.org

The people depicted in this brochure are models and are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Decisions may come by June on where to build up to 30 new el-ementary-school classrooms in

Palo Alto in the next five years, school officials agreed Tuesday (March 8).

An additional 10 new classrooms already are under construction or in

the pipeline at Ohlone, Fairmeadow and Duveneck schools.

With an unexpected bump in ele-mentary-age enrollment in the past two years that many believe could continue, officials are scrambling to get classrooms ready.

The need for new elementary space — particularly in the southern part of town — means that all available real estate will be scrutinized, including the city-owned former Ventura School site, the Greendell School campus now used for pre-school programs and the Hoover and Ohlone campuses, which currently house district-wide “choice programs.”

Superintendent Kevin Skelly said the district must prepare itself to handle as many as 568 additional K-5

students in the next five years — the size of a large elementary school.

In a four-hour study session on en-rollment and facilities planning Tues-day, school-board members struggled to discern a trend in recent data, say-ing they hope to match location of the new classrooms to neighborhoods where the growth is occurring.

In the decade before 2009, enroll-ment growth was fairly even around the city, but the past two years has seen a strong bump in the southern

part of town, leading to some children being “overflowed” from their neigh-borhood schools and sent to others.

“Could it be as simple as driving down Stanford Avenue and seeing all the new houses, or driving down West Bayshore and seeing all the new developments by the JCC?” board member Camille Townsend asked.

Board member Barb Mitchell ar-gued that new housing developments

UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis

Veronica Weber

With unexpected enrollment bump in past two years, officials scramble to add space

by Chris Kenrick

Dan Logan warmly welcomed four flower- and treat-bearing visitors from the Make My

Day team Tuesday (March 8). It was the third delivery for the newly formed crew of developmentally dis-abled Abilities United participants, who aim to spread joy by preparing and delivering a free pick-me-up or thank you to those who have helped others or are in need of some good cheer.

“Wow, that’s a handful,” Logan

said as participants handed him a ribbon-bound selection of carna-tions, peach and yellow-toned roses, star lilies and irises. “Thank you, ev-eryone, this is wonderful!”

The Make My Day team mem-bers hone their organizational skills by preparing bouquets every other Tuesday before delivering them to honorees suggested by community members.

Gently guided by community-training instructor Josh Pniower,

they pick up a selection of donated flowers at Michaela’s Flower Shop in downtown Palo Alto, choose and arrange their favorites and decorate a card.

“I enjoy doing this with you, Josh,” a participant named Michael said. An enthusiastic helper, he sorted through donated flowers and pointed out un-safe rose thorns.

Delivering their gifts personally offers participants a lesson in em-pathy and allows them to celebrate “unsung heroes,” Andrea Thrond-son, Abilities United Community Connections developer, said.

“Even disabled people can know how good it feels to give back,” she added.

Tuesday’s Make My Day par-ticipants flashed shy but infectious smiles as they handed Logan the bouquet along with homemade cookies-on-a-stick and a large, hand-decorated get-well card.

The former executive director of

the YMCA on Ross Road in Palo Alto, Logan was selected as one of the first to receive the goodies as thanks for his community ser-vice as well as to boost his spirits after some recent medical proce-dures. His wife works for Abilities United.

“Have we succeeded in making your day?” Throndson asked.

“Yes, you have!” Logan told the team.

Anyone can suggest someone to be honored with the Make My Day delivery of flowers, homemade treats and a card, according to Throndson.

“It recognizes people who don’t ordinarily get recognized. It brings awareness to ordinary extraordinari-ness,” Throndson said.

More information is available by contacting Andrea Throndson at [email protected].

Editorial Intern Sarah Trau-ben can be e-mailed at [email protected].

‘Make My Day’ program spreads cheer to locals

Abilities United participants arrange, deliver pick-me-ups in new service

by Sarah Trauben

AT&T plan gets stormy reception

Proposal to affix antenna to phone poles meets with opposition from residents

by Sarah Trauben

Briana (second from left), Andrea Throndson, community connections developer for the nonprofit Abilities United (center), Joaquin (right) and Michael (far right) present Dan Logan, former executive director of the YMCA in Palo Alto, with a bouquet of flowers, get-well card and cookie bouquet as part of the center’s new “Make My Day” program.

TECHNOLOGY

COMMUNITY

District to add 40 elementary classrooms

(continued on page 9)


1ST PLACEBEST LOCAL NEWS COVERAGECalifornia Newspaper Publishers Association

A n AT&T presentation intended to inform Palo Alto residents about plans to shore up spotty

phone reception by installing distrib-uted-antenna systems on existing Old Palo Alto telephone poles met with a stormy reception Tuesday night.

Resident Bill Moore told AT&T officials that unless the company were to use existing residential and business Wi-Fi systems to augment coverage, he personally “will fight this ugly, ridiculous-looking tower like crazy.”

His statement was met with ap-plause by many of 50 to 60 attendees at the open house held at the Cubber-ley Community Center Theatre.

AT&T plans to improve its coverage in areas where there are topographi-cal and structural impediments by re-placing nine traditional “macrocell” structures with shorter and smaller distributed-antenna systems fed by fiber cable from its existing central office in Mountain View.

The telecommunications company currently has similar installations in Chicago and the Noe Valley and Pre-sidio areas of San Francisco; other proposals are in motion across the Bay Area.

“These technologies are being used to experiment with us,” Moore said. In addition to possible health effects, he cited concerns about aesthetics, dropping real-estate values, and the potentially noisy hum of cooling fans in the proposed installations.

Several residents cited a National Institutes of Health study, published Feb. 22 in the Journal of the Ameri-can Medical Association, showing that cell phone usage changes glucose levels in the brain.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Around Town

‘‘‘‘

ENERGIZED ... When Palo Alto residents voted last fall to change the city’s elections from odd to even years, the shift created a new hurdle for propo-nents of a local waste-to-energy plant. The Palo Alto Energy and Compost Initiative, led by noted environmentalists Peter Drek-meier, Bob Wenzlau and Walt Hays, is spearheading a petition to “undedicate” a 10-acre por-tion of Byxbee Park — land that is currently slated to become parkland. The group hopes this land could be used to house a facility capable of processing lo-cal food scraps, yard trimmings and sewage sludge and generat-ing energy. The group planned to place the petition on the ballot during a regularly scheduled City Council election this fall, but with the passage of Measure S, which shifts the next council election to 2012, the group now has to hold a “special election” this year to get the proposed undedication on the ballot. That means group members now have to gather twice as many signatures as before. Not to worry, says Carolyn Curtis, member of the group’s steering committee. Curtis said the initia-tive already picked up 5,287 by early this week, almost 1,000 more than what is required, though some of the signatures are duplicates (signature gather-ing will continue this weekend). The group also inquired with the county registrar as to the pos-sibility of having a “mail-only” election, Curtis told the Weekly during a recent meeting. (Drek-meier, picking up on the “mail/male” homonym, joked: “Women should be able to vote, too.”) But the registrar indicated the all-mail balloting would be too costly. Drekmeier predicted an overwhelming victory for the pro-ponents of the new facility. The council is scheduled to discuss the preliminary results of a study for the new facility on March 21.

HISTORIC HOMES ... When Al-len Akin and Michelle Arden approached the city about demolishing and replacing their two-story home at 405 Lincoln Ave. in June 2007, they didn’t know that their project would become synonymous with ev-

erything that’s wrong about Palo Alto’s development process. It took them more than three years and more than $500,000 in en-vironmental studies and permit fees to get the city’s permission to replace the inconspicuous house in the historic Profes-sorville neighborhood. Even the City Council was shocked at the applicant’s three-year ordeal, with Sid Espinosa call-ing it “embarrassing” for the city. In October, the council voted unanimously to approve the project over the objections of the Historic Resources Board. Next week, the council will at-tempt to make sure that future applicants won’t face the same tortuous permit path. The coun-cil is scheduled on Monday to revise the city’s procedures for demolishing buildings in the Professorville District. Staff is recommending that in the future, residents who wish to demolish in this district perform an “initial study” to determine the signifi-cance of the demolished struc-ture (rather than the full environ-mental review that Akin had to perform). Staff is also suggesting that the historic board review the projects earlier in the process to avoid last-minute surprises.

TREE CITY, USA ... Trees are sacred in Palo Alto, and never more so than during Arbor Week, which the City Council kicked off Monday night. The council heard a presentation from Canopy, a local nonprofit dedicated to expanding the city’s urban forest, and passed a proclamation acknowledg-ing the many roles trees play in our lives (“whether by providing oxygen, offering shaded places to rest, or contributing to the splendor and viability of our City...”). The council also ac-knowledged Palo Alto’s desig-nation as “Tree City, U.S.A.” by the National Arbor Day Founda-tion for the 26th year in a row. “We are totally interdependent with the nature that surrounds us and that is built in the wild environment that we live in,” the city’s Planning Arborist Dave Dockter told the council Mon-day, as he accepted the plaque honoring the city’s arboreal ac-complishments.

We don’t want to overbuild and then have lots of empty space.

— Kevin Skelly, superintendent of the Palo Alto Unified School District, on anticipating major growth in elementary-school enrollment. See story on page 3.

PUBLISHER William S. Johnson

EDITORIAL Jocelyn Dong, Editor Carol Blitzer, Associate Editor Keith Peters, Sports Editor Tyler Hanley, Express™ and Online Editor Rebecca Wallace, Arts & Entertainment Editor Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor Chris Kenrick, Gennady Sheyner, Staff Writers Sue Dremann, Staff Writer, Special Sections Editor Karla Kane, Editorial Assistant Veronica Weber, Staff Photographer Dale Bentson, Colin Becht, Peter Canavese, Kit Davey, Iris Harrell, Sheila Himmel, Chad Jones, Kevin Kirby, Jack McKinnon, Jeanie K. Smith, Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, Contributors Sarah Trauben, Zohra Ashpari Editorial Interns Joann So, Arts & Entertainment Intern

DESIGN Shannon Corey, Design Director Raul Perez, Assistant Design Director Linda Atilano, Diane Haas, Scott Peterson, Paul Llewellyn, Senior Designers Gary Vennarucci, Designer

PRODUCTION Jennifer Lindberg, Production Manager Dorothy Hassett, Samantha Mejia, Blanca Yoc, Sales & Production Coordinators

ADVERTISING Walter Kupiec, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Judie Block, Esmeralda Flores, Janice Hoogner, Gary Whitman, Display Advertising Sales Neil Fine, Rosemary Lewkowitz, Real Estate Advertising Sales David Cirner, Irene Schwartz, Inside Advertising Sales Cathy Norfleet, Display Advertising Sales Asst. Diane Martin, Real Estate Advertising Assistants Alicia Santillan, Classified Administrative Asst.

EXPRESS, ONLINE AND VIDEO SERVICES Rachel Palmer, Online Operations Coordinator Rachel Hatch, Multimedia Product Manager

BUSINESS Penelope Ng, Payroll & Benefits Manager Elena Dineva, Mary McDonald, Susie Ochoa, Cathy Stringari, Doris Taylor, Business Associates

ADMINISTRATION Amy Renalds, Assistant to the Publisher & Promotions Director Janice Covolo, Receptionist Ruben Espinoza, Courier

EMBARCADERO MEDIA William S. Johnson, President Michael I. Naar, Vice President & CFO Walter Kupiec, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Frank A. Bravo, Director, Information Technology & Webmaster Connie Jo Cotton, Major Accounts Sales Manager Bob Lampkin, Director, Circulation & Mailing Services Alicia Santillan, Circulation Assistants Chris Planessi, Chip Poedjosoedarmo, Computer System Associates

The Palo Alto Weekly (ISSN 0199-1159) is pub-lished every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 450 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, (650) 326-8210. Periodicals postage paid at Palo Alto, CA and additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a news-paper of general circulation for Santa Clara County. The Palo Alto Weekly is delivered free to homes in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto, to faculty and staff households on the Stanford campus and to portions of Los Altos Hills. If you are not currently receiving the paper, you may request free delivery by calling 326-8210. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302. Copyright ©2011 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Printed by SFOP, Redwood City. The Palo Alto Weekly is available on the Internet via Palo Alto Online at: www.PaloAltoOnline.comOur e-mail addresses are: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] delivery or start/stop your paper? Call 650 326-8210, or e-mail [email protected]. You may also subscribe online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Subscriptions are $60/yr.

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VISIT www.cityof paloalto.org/greenlight for details

CALL FOR ENTRIES

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Faced with a graying population and a shortage of housing for se-niors, the Palo Alto City Council

swiftly and happily approved a plan Monday night (March 7) to expand the Palo Alto Commons development on El Camino Way. Calling it a desperately needed project, the council unanimously green-lighted a proposal by Palo Alto Commons to build a three-story addi-tion to its existing 121-unit facility on

El Camino Way, between El Camino Real and West Meadow Drive. The new 44-unit building will feature eight studio apartments, 17 one-bed-room apartments and 19 two-bed-room apartments, as well as a lounge, a fitness room, an indoor pool and a dining room. The new building will also include an underground parking garage with 38 parking spots. Another three park-ing spots would be available outside.

To make the project possible, the council approved a proposal by ap-plicant Steven Reller to extend the “planned community” (PC) zone at the site of the existing Palo Alto Com-mons to incorporate the proposed 0.8-acre addition. The zoning designation allows developers to build at a greater density than the city normally allows in exchange for “public benefits.” Though PC-zoned projects typi-cally entail lengthy negotiations over

public benefits and, at times, commu-nity opposition (Alma Plaza and the College Terrace Centre are two recent examples), the senior-housing propos-al sailed through the city’s approval process at a comparatively brisk pace. Both the city’s Architectural Review Board and the Planning and Transpor-tation Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the project, and the city’s planning staff also ad-vised the council to approve it. While PC-zoned projects typically include such benefits as new public plazas, landscape improvements and public art, in the case of Palo Alto Commons, the main public benefit is the project itself. Palo Alto’s shortage of senior housing factored prominent-ly in staff and the planning commis-sion’s decision to support the project. “It is so dog-gone difficult to get rental housing, let alone senior rental housing, and there’s clearly a strong demand for it,” Planning and Trans-portation Commission Chair Samir Tuma told the council. Councilwoman Gail Price said the project helps the city achieve its goal of providing diversity in housing. Councilman Greg Schmid called it a “terrific project,” while Councilman Greg Scharff said the city is lucky to get a project like this. “Senior rental housing is something that’s very difficult to build,” Scharff said. “I don’t think people realize how difficult it is to get a project like this.” While the senior units constitute the primary public benefit, the pro-posal includes a scattering of second-ary benefits, including pedestrian

improvements along El Camino Way, upgrades to the bus stop on El Cami-no Real, landscape improvements and new walkways and a crosswalk in front of the addition. Palo Alto Com-mons will also contribute $100,000 to the Palo Alto nonprofit Avenidas to fund an age-at-home program for low-income seniors. Though land-use watchdog Bob Moss urged the council to require the new building to include low-income housing, every other speaker who addressed the council on the subject favored the proposal. One of these speakers was Bill Hahn, who moved into Palo Alto Commons in 2007 with his wife. Hahn said his wife suffered from de-mentia and from arterial fibrillation. After she died in 2009, Hahn fell in love with another Commons resident, Colleen Coleman. The two got mar-ried last year. “The Palo Alto Commons has taken care of us in a very good way during this time together,” Hahn told the council Monday. Both Hahns called the proposed addition an answer to the shortage of senior housing in Palo Alto. The council agreed and voted 8-0, with Karen Holman recusing herself, to support the proposed expansion. “This is an important project for this community, and I’m glad to see it will move forward this evening,” Mayor Sid Espinosa said just before the vote.

Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at [email protected].

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Upfront

South Palo Alto to gain more senior housingCity Council OKs Palo Alto Commons’ addition of 44

rental units to its existing 121-unit facilityby Gennady Sheyner

HOUSING

This rendering shows how Palo Alto Commons would look after building a three-story addition to its existing 121-unit facility on El Camino Way, between El Camino Real and West Meadow Drive.

Rendering by Steinberg Architects

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SEE WHAT'S COOKING at the OFJCC

A Conversation With Author Tina Wasserman Entrée to Judaism: A Culinary Exploration of the Jewish Diaspora

This program is made possible by the Koret-Taube Initiative on Jewish Peoplehood. The OFJCC ishonored to partner with the Koret Foundation and Taube Philanthropies to explore forms of Jewishexpression through cultural arts and dialogues.

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DON’T MISS OUR OTHER EVENTSSimple Senior SuppersWine Tasting: Artisan Wines

Upfront

‘What’syour story?’

The Palo Al to

Story Project

Stories about Palo Alto, as told

by local residents as part of the

Palo Alto Story Project, are

now posted on the Internet.

Watch them at

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Go to www.PaloAltoOnline

.com/calendar

Have plans for the weekend.

Black population decreases in East Palo AltoDefying a Bay Area trend, East Palo Alto saw its population decrease

by 4.6 percent over the past decade — a drop precipitated by a shrinking number of black residents, U.S. Census data shows.

The data, which the U.S. Census Bureau released Tuesday (March 8), showed the number of people of one race who identify themselves as black or African-American falling by 30 percent between 2000 and 2010. The city had 6,796 black residents in 2000, but the number dropped to 4,704 in the new census.

Black residents, who made up 23 percent of East Palo Alto’s popula-tion in 2000, now make up only 16.7 percent of the city, according to the census.

The dramatic drop in the number of black residents drove the city’s overall population down despite modest growth within other racial groups and ethnicities. Hispanic and Latino residents saw their number rise from 17,356 to 18,147 over the past decade (a 4.6 percent increase) and they now make up nearly two thirds of the city’s population — 64.5 percent in the new census compared to 58.8 percent 10 years ago.

Statewide, the Hispanic/Latino population surged by 27.8 percent over the past decade, census data shows.

The new census also shows that East Palo Alto’s white population re-mained relatively flat, going up slightly from 7,962 in 2000 to 8,104 resi-dents in the new census. The data suggests that many of these residents were also classified as Hispanic or Latino (which is an ethnicity, not a race). Of those residents listed as not Hispanic or Latino, 6.2 percent are white.

East Palo Alto’s population decline came at a time when most Bay Area cities experienced growth, according to the census. San Jose and San Francisco saw their respective populations go up by 5.7 percent and 3.7 percent over the past decade, while Palo Alto’s population rose by 9.9 percent.

For related census news, see cover story beginning on page 18. — Gennady Sheyner

Elementary math task force gets the go-ahead Selection will begin later this month for members of a parent-teacher

task force to explore “exemplary practices” in elementary school math-ematics.

The Palo Alto school board Tuesday night (March 8) unanimously ap-proved formation of the task force, which will be charged with identifying materials — including technology — to challenge children who perform above grade level.

More than 70 percent of Palo Alto elementary students perform at the “advanced” math level on the California Star Test. And in a survey last year, more than 40 percent of Palo Alto elementary school parents said their children are not sufficiently challenged in math.

The task force idea stems from a Jan. 25 school-board discussion in which board members noted some campuses have developed “flexible groupings” and other approaches to challenge children, and urged that those ideas be shared with other schools.

Superintendent Kevin Skelly cautioned that any approach suggesting “laning” is not appropriate at the elementary level, but that using “flexible groupings” to challenge students would be acceptable.

The task force will be composed of one parent and one teacher represen-tative from each of Palo Alto’s 12 elementary schools, one middle school math teacher and one or two principals.

Parent representatives will be selected by the site council at each school. Those interested are asked to submit letters explaining their reasons and qualifications to the school site council.

Teacher representatives will be chosen by principals at each school, and participating teachers will be compensated for their time.

The math task force will meet monthly starting in April or May, run through March 2012 and ultimately be asked to “make achievable recom-mendations to the superintendent that will direct the allocation of district funding toward achievement of this mission.”

— Chris Kenrick

Cars burglarized in Palo Alto restaurant parking lotsFour cars were burglarized in restaurant parking lots along El Camino

Real in Palo Alto Wednesday night (March 9), Palo Alto police Sgt. Sal Madrigal said Thursday morning.

All of the burglaries occurred within about one hour and laptop comput-ers were the primary targets, Madrigal said.

“The vehicles had their windows smashed and laptop cases were taken,” Madrigal said.

The first two thefts occurred in the parking lot of So Gong Dong Tofu House, 4127 El Camino Real, at approximately 7:22 p.m., he said. Two other burglaries were reported 56 minutes later in the parking lot of Sun-dance The Steakhouse at 1921 El Camino. Madrigal said police are inves-tigating the thefts but have not yet identified any suspects.

— Tyler Hanley

News Digest

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

A five-story building featuring of-fices, retail and residential units would go up on the site of a for-

mer Shell gas station in downtown Palo Alto under a proposal recently submitted to the city. The 64-foot-tall building is pro-posed for 355 Alma St., at Lytton Avenue. The site was occupied by the Commuter Shell Service for 42 years

before the gas station closed in June 2010. The new building would include four stories of office space, along with retail on the ground floor and five residential units on the fifth floor, according to city planning di-rector Curtis Williams. The develop-ment would include both underground and at-grade parking and public open

space on Lytton. The developer, Lytton Gateway LLC, is requesting a zone change to a create planned-community (PC) zone on the site. The zoning designa-tion allows developers to build at a greater intensity than the city’s regu-lations typically allow. In exchange, developers must offer the city “public benefits.”

In recent years, projects seek-ing a PC-zone designation have received an increasing amount of scrutiny from planning commis-sioners and local land-use watch-dogs. Several recent high-profile projects with this zoning designa-tion — a list that includes Alma Plaza and the College Terrace Cen-tre — received approval only after heated community meetings, mul-tiple revisions and criticism from residents who argued that the pub-lic benefits being offered are too paltry to compensate the city for the increased density. Lytton Gateway, LLC, is propos-ing to both exceed the city’s density regulations and its 50-foot height limit

for buildings. Williams said in an e-mail that the applicant requested the increased intensity and height because of the building’s close proximity to the downtown Caltrain station. The Planning and Transportation Commission is scheduled to review the application and consider the zone change on March 16.


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Upfront

New five-story building proposed for downtown

Proposed height-limit-busting development would feature office space, retail and residences on former Shell station site

by Gennady Sheyner

LAND USE

BUSINESS

Do you think this is a good use of the planned community zoning? Share your opinions on Town Square on Palo Alto Online.

TALK ABOUT ITwww.PaloAltoOnline.com

Economy, fitness fads throw gym a curveCurves franchise in Palo Alto illustrates trends in exercise, business

by Zohra Ashpari

T he Curves gym on Emerson Street was the first of its fran-chise to open in Palo Alto.

Now it is the last one standing. Curves International Inc. spe-

cializes in 30-minute resistance-training workouts for women. But in the past four years, a loss of nearly half of its U.S. franchise sites since 2007 illustrates the dif-ficulty of maintaining a business amid changing demographics and fitness trends.

Curves’ corporate communica-tions confirmed that 4,400 branch-es remain, compared to 7,748 in the onset of 2007, according to a franchise-disclosure document filed with state regulators in March 2010.

Two sites closed nearby: the branch on El Camino Real in Palo Alto in April 2010 and the branch on University Avenue in East Palo Alto in 2007-08, a corporate em-ployee said.

“Franchise trends come and go, and many of them have throughout the years. Franchises depend on demographics, consumer behaviors and economic trends,” said Todd Lipton, president of Fitness Acqui-sition Inc. in Scottsdale, Ariz., a specialist in the sale of health clubs and fitness centers.

The success of Curves was un-usual in the fact that it was simple and carried low start-up costs, Lip-ton said. An owner could open up a club using credit cards alone.

Curves gave working and non-working women the chance to become entrepreneurs when they otherwise couldn’t, Lipton added, noting that the demographic of women buying Curves usually con-sisted of those not opting for the typical co-ed club.

“The allure of the Curves fran-chise for me was that they stood for empowering women: a no-make-up-or-hair-do-required kind of place providing a comfortable and safe environment for women to get fit,” said Susan Empey, owner of the Emerson Curves.

One of the reasons for the Curves closures, Lipton said, is that the proliferation of franchises quickly saturated the market. Then there’s the recession.

“We are seeing consumers lose purchasing power. Because they have less spendable income, they are being more frugal, willing to go with fewer services, amenities, and the market is responding,” Lip-

ton said.“There has been a dynamic shift

in the market. The up-and-coming franchises and licensing compa-nies that we see now are priced (for membership) on the lower end of the spectrum, as low as $10-19 a month,” he said, adding that the mid-market clubs charging around

Linda Jensen uses a resistance machine during her 30-minute-circuit Curves workout. Jensen, who’s been a member since 2003, typically works out three times a week.

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$40 to $65 are currently hurting the most. Curves currently charges about $44 a month, a few dollars more or fewer depending on ser-vices.

Butterfly Fitness Inc., a mid-market Curves competitor offering workouts for women, will be clos-ing its Middlefield Road branch in Palo Alto on April 15.

“Butterf ly’s Fashion Island branch closed a few years ago. I’m sad to see ours go now. The economic situation is leading to membership declines,” said But-terfly Assistant Manager Candy Losacano. The club required a few hundred members to sustain itself as a viable business, she said.

Exercise trends themselves come and go, contributing to the growth or demise of businesses. Natalia Jaster, assistant editor of “American Fit-ness” magazine, cites Zumba, a car-dio workout involving salsa and Latin dancing, as the most current trend.

“It’s easy and fun, and people like to dance in a group,” Jaster said. Also gaining popularity, she added, are hybrid fitness, which features combination exercises such as koga (yoga and kickboxing); Aqua Zum-ba; and the elliptigo (a running and cycling device).

The Curves gym on Emerson is adjusting to rising trends by includ-ing Zumba in its work-out program for a small fee. Even so, financial hardship is still being felt.

“Owning this business has had its ups and downs. People are los-

ing their jobs, and exercise to some may have become a non-essential expense,” Empey said.

Curves club member Anna Rich-ert of Menlo Park said that some may have walked away because they were paying but not going to the gym.

“We are really hoping to save this wonderful place. It’s convenient — only a half-hour workout, plus you get the bonus of a community of lovely older ladies wanting to stay active,” she said.

“I drive all the way from San Francisco to come here three times a week. Exercise is as important to me as medication,” club member Debby Fife said.

Editorial Intern Zohra Ashpari can be e-mailed at [email protected].

Curves(continued from page 7)

Upfront

DATE: Thursday, March 24, 2011

TIME: 6:30-8:30 PM

PLACE: Terman Middle School - Multipurpose

Cafetorium

655 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto

The City of Palo Alto and Alta Planning + Design are currently in the process of updating the existing Bicycle Transportation Plan, which will include a new Pedestrian Element. All interested parties are invited to participate in this first community-wide forum, where staff will present a summary of existing conditions and a preliminary assessment of what projects, programs, and areas are most important for improving walking and biking conditions in Palo Alto.

For further information, contact: Rafael Rius, Transportation Project [email protected]

Public Meeting Notice2011 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan

Public Open House and Call for Ideas

City Council (March 7)Palo Alto Commons: The council approved a request to add 0.8 acres to an existing planned-community (PC) zone to enable the construction of a 44-unit addition to Palo Alto Commons, a senior-housing complex at 4041 El Camino Way. Yes: Unanimous Utilities: The council approved long-term strategic plans proposed by the Utilities Department for electricity and gas acquisition. Yes: Unanimous

Board of Education (March 8)Math Task Force: The board approved formation of a parent-teacher task force to explore and recommend to the superintendent “exemplary practices” in el-ementary school mathematics. Yes: Baten Caswell, Mitchell, Tom, TownsendAbsent: Klausner

Longer-day kindergarten: The board approved the trial of an optional longer-day kindergarten at Barron Park School starting this November, in which kinder-gartners will stay at school until 2:40 p.m. Yes: Baten Caswell, Mitchell, Tom, TownsendAbsent: Klausner

City Council Policy and Services Commit-tee (March 8)Economic development: The committee discussed the city’s strategy for eco-nomic development, including a proposal to create partnerships with clean-tech companies to test emerging technology. Action: NoneProcedures: The committee discussed the City Council’s policy and procedures, including its process for study sessions. The committee asked to return with vari-ous revisions. Yes: Burt, Price, Yeh Absent: Klein

Planning and Transportation Commission (March 9)Stanford Hospital: The commission discussed the Final Environmental Impact Report for Stanford University Medical Center’s proposed expansion of its hos-pital facilities. The commission continued its discussion until March 23. Yes: Unanimous

CityViewA round-up of Palo Alto government action this week

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

LET’S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk about

the issues at Town Square at PaloAltoOnline.com

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represent only part of the growth potential. Substantial enrollment in-creases could come from the north once the real-estate market picks up and older homeowners begin selling to young families, she said.

Anecdotal evidence from new reg-istrations for 2011-12 so far suggests “a lot of new home purchases, and also a lot of older people giving homes to their children,” the school district’s Central Attendance Director, Margie Mitchell, said.

At least for the immediate future, Skelly said — and board members seemed to agree — the greatest growth pressure is in the southern part of town.

Of the $98 million allocated for ele-mentary construction in the $378 mil-lion facilities bond passed by voters in 2008, $65 million remains available to build new space or upgrade existing

classrooms, officials said.“We don’t want to add portables to

our campuses and we don’t want to make mistakes here,” Skelly said.

“These are millions of dollars. Al-most any capacity we build now will be used, but it’s also true that we don’t want to overbuild and then have lots of empty space.”

With current enrollment, some campuses already are using 100 per-cent of their capacity while others are lower, with a district-wide average of 94.6 percent utilization, officials said. Skelly said he hopes to keep about 5 percent excess capacity for growth once the new classrooms are built.

Many said growth pressures in Palo Alto are likely to continue and even increase as other school districts boost

class size and slash their budgets in response to state cuts.

“Palo Alto is becoming a more at-tractive place for young families to bring their children,” Skelly said.

“The premium for good education is up, and surrounding high-quality districts have seen it as well. We need to assume high enrollment projections when we look at facilities.”

Skelly said he will return to the board in May or June with more specific recommendations on where to add space, including the possible reclaiming of the Garland School site at 870 N. California Ave., now under a lease that requires three years’ notice.

Staff Writer Chris Kenrick can be e-mailed at [email protected].

Enrollment(continued from page 3)

“This is a game-changer,” Moore said.

But the antennas themselves emit radiation at least 100 times below Federal Communications Commis-sion safety limits, according to Wil-liam Hammett, a consulting engineer for AT&T. In most places, emissions are more than 1,000 times below the limits that were last updated in 2006 in response to medical research.

One supporter of the plan, who identified himself as a “frustrated AT&T customer,” said the proposed antennas would reduce customers’ exposure to power radiated from individual cell phones, which run at higher power when coverage is less accessible.

While health risks were a popu-lar concern at Tuesday’s meeting, in keeping with federal legislation, the City of Palo Alto cannot deny a com-pany’s application based on concerns about the effects of radio-frequency exposure on human health.

Among other concerns voiced by the audience were the possible implementation of city plans to put utilities underground (currently on hold) and the rationale behind mov-ing forward with the controversial 8-foot antenna tower planned to be installed above St. Albert the Great Church in Palo Alto.

The installations might theoreti-cally obviate the need for the tower, but AT&T continues to seek separate and simultaneous permit application for each proposal, AT&T officials responded.

“Wireless coverage isn’t magic: It’s infrastructure,” AT&T Strategic Af-fairs Adviser Lane Kasselman told reporters following the meeting.

Permit applications for nine of around 80 sites were filed Feb. 7 with the city. Residents have 15 days, af-ter being notified via mail of the city staff’s decision, to request a hearing before the Planning and Transporta-tion Commission before a final deci-sion is made by the City Council.

Editorial Intern Sarah Trau-ben can be e-mailed at [email protected].

AT&T(continued from page 9)

CITY COUNCIL ... The council plans to discuss the city’s long-term financial forecast, the Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Commission and the city’s review process for development projects in the Professorville neighborhood. The financial-forecast discussion will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, March 14, in the Council Conference Room. The study session with the infrastructure commission will follow at 7 p.m. The rest of the meeting will begin at 8 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

FINANCE COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to hear a report on the mid-year budget and consider the city’s development agreement with the Stanford University Medical Center over Stanford’s proposed hospi-tal expansion. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD ... The board plans to discuss 356 Lincoln Ave., a proposal to add a second dwelling unit and detached garage at a single-family residence in the city’s Professorville neighbor-hood. The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ... The commis-sion plans to consider a proposal for a five-story building, including four stories of office space, ground-floor retail and five residential units on the fifth floor, at 355 Alma St. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednes-day, March 16, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION ... The board plans to discuss the Human Services Resources Allocation Process (HSRAP) and the Com-munity Development Block Grant program. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

RAIL COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to discuss Caltrain’s pro-posal to close the San Antonio station in Mountain View and hear a report on Larry Klein’s recent t rip to Washington, D.C. The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, March 17, in Lucie Stern Community Room (1305 Middlefield Road).

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ... The board plans to discuss a proposed addition to Main Library at 1213 Newell Road, a proposal by the city’s Utilities Department to replace a pump station and build a water-storage tank at El Camino Park and a proposal by Stanford Uni-versity to build a 35,000 square foot addition to existing Hewlett Packard headquarters at 3000 Hanover St. at Stanford Research Park. The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 17, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

RAIL CORRIDOR STUDY TASK FORCE ... The task force will continue to discuss the city’s vision for the Caltrain corridor. The meeting is sched-uled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17, in Lucie Stern Community Room (1305 Middlefield Road).

PUBLIC ART COMMISSION ... The commission plans to discuss the dedication of the “Bliss in the Moment” sculpture, the upcoming installa-tion by Mildred Howard, the Youth Art Awards and the status of art to be relocated during the construction of the Palo Alto Art Center. The meet-ing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17, in the Council Cham-bers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

CITY-SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE ... The committee will discuss teen mental health, school facilities planning and the City of Palo Alto budget. The meeting will begin at 8:15 a.m. Friday, March 18, in Confer-ence Room A of school district headquarters (25 Churchill Ave.).

Public AgendaA preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week

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Parent criticizes school efforts on emotional healthPalo Alto school programs aimed at bolstering student social and emo-

tional health have ignored the connection between academic stress and student depression, a Gunn High School parent told the Board of Educa-tion this week. (Posted March 10 at 9:51 a.m.)

Bay Area gas prices continue to climbAs California’s average gas prices become the nation’s highest, Bay

Area motorists will be paying an average of 48 cents more per gallon of gasoline now compared to last month, a AAA spokesman said. (Posted

March 10 at 8:54 a.m.)

Man arrested for Redwood City assault, robberyPolice arrested a man Tuesday (March 8) on suspicion of robbing and

assaulting another man near downtown Redwood City in December. (Post-

ed March 9 at 2:46 p.m.)

Three men wanted in midday Palo Alto robberyPalo Alto police are seeking a black Mitsubishi with two red racing

stripes down the middle — the getaway car for three Hispanic men who held up a Palo Alto man in a broad-daylight robbery Monday (March 7) in downtown Palo Alto. (Posted March 8 at 8:06 p.m.)

Palo Alto City Auditor Lynda Brouchoud resignsPalo Alto’s City Auditor Lynda Brouchoud will step down from her

position next month, leaving the city with another gaping hole in its leader-ship team. (Posted March 8 at 3:34 p.m.)

Peninsula school districts, programs get $1.1MFifteen school districts and educational programs in Santa Clara and San

Mateo counties will receive $1.1 million in grants from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the foundation announced Monday (March 7). (Posted March 8 at 2 p.m.)

Mountain lion sighted in Woodside hillsA mountain lion was spotted Tuesday morning (March 8) in the hills

above Interstate Highway 280 in San Mateo County, emergency officials said. (Posted March 8 at 8:53 a.m.)

Thieves pilfer electronics from Menlo Park churchA burglary and associated loss of about $12,900 has left the Menlo Park

Presbyterian Church at 950 Santa Cruz Ave. without its electronic device that controlled the church lights, according to a March 5 police report. (Posted March 7 at 4:15 p.m.)

Man still critical after assault at Caltrain stationA man who was severely beaten at the Redwood City Caltrain station

Friday night (March 4) has made slight improvements but remains in criti-cal condition, a Caltrain spokeswoman said Monday morning (March 7). (Posted March 7 at 12:02 p.m.)

Marche restaurant in Menlo Park is closingMarche restaurant in Menlo Park, which had been named one of the top

25 restaurants in the Bay Area by Michelin Guide, will close March 26. (Posted March 7 at 9:04 a.m.)

Caltrain seeks public’s aid in assault investigationCaltrain Transit Police are asking for the public’s help in an investigation

into a strong-arm robbery that left a 47-year-old man in critical condition at the Redwood City Caltrain station Friday (March 4). (Posted March 5 at

2:02 p.m.)

Jobless rates on the rise across Bay AreaUnemployment has increased in several counties across the San Fran-

cisco Bay Area, according to a state report released Friday (March 4). (Posted March 5 at 1:56 p.m.)

Nursery school director Gayle Nathe diesGayle Nathe, who touched the lives of countless families as a teacher

and director of the First Congregational Church Nursery School of Palo Alto, died Wednesday night (March 2) at her Palo Alto home. She was 64. (Posted March 4 at 1:51 p.m.)

Online This WeekThese and other news stories were posted on Palo Alto Online throughout the week. For longer versions, go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com/news or click on “News” in the left, green column.

Want to get news briefs e-mailed to you every weekday? Sign up for Express, our new daily e-edition. Go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com to sign up.

James (Jim) Thomas Byrnes

Resident of Los Altos (formerly of Woodside)

February 8, 1945 – March 2, 2011

A life lived with passion, purpose and performance.

Following 66 years of bringing love and laughter to all those around him, our beloved Jim entered into rest on March 2, 2011. The eldest of three children, Jim was born in San Francisco, CA to John and Claire Byrnes. He was raised in nearby Millbrae, and he later earned a B.A. in psychology and an M.B.A. in marketing from San Francisco State University. Jim would go on to teach marketing courses at SFSU before finding success in sales during the next two decades.

Most recently, Jim discovered his true passion as a realtor with Keller Williams in Palo Alto, and his mission was to help clients make the right lifestyle choices to achieve greater success and enjoyment. He was recognized by The Wall Street Journal for being in the Top 1% of agents nationwide. In January of 2011, the National Real Estate Forum Association recognized Jim’s extensive philanthropic efforts by awarding him the “Get by Giving” award. Yet despite his numerous professional accolades, Jim considered his roles as a family man and friend his greatest accomplishments.

Jim is survived by daughter Shea Byrnes of San Francisco; son Eric (Tarah) Byrnes of Half Moon Bay; brother Michael (Catherine) Byrnes of Fresno; sister Claudia Byrnes of Campbell; Uncle Wayne (Nancy) Alexander of San Mateo; and niece and nephew, Valerie and Sean Byrnes, of San Francisco. Jim was the proud “Great Pa” of Chloe, Cali and a third grandchild due to arrive this fall. He is also survived by former wife of 28 years, Judy Byrnes—mother of Shea and Eric.

In 2007, Jim met his dearly loved companion Kathy Bridgman, a fellow Bay Area realtor. Their connection was instantaneous; the duo danced, dined, traveled, golfed, hugged and laughed their way through the next four years. With open arms, Jim embraced Kathy’s three children and extended family, becoming an honorary “Great Pa” to her five grandchildren along the way.

Although Jim left us far too soon, we take solace in knowing he lived each day to the fullest. He never missed an opportunity to tell people how much he cared for them. A true optimist, he believed that all experiences—good or bad—were opportunities for personal growth. In his own words, “Life is not a linear journey up or down. Life is full of cycles and wondrous opportunities if we just take the time and perspective to recognize them.”

Jim’s zest for life was contagious—a lover of baseball, live music, traveling, a good Pinot Noir, the great outdoors, and above all else, family. We will miss his sky-blue eyes, his easy smile and his vigorous hugs. His dedication to spiritual growth and making others happy put him in a league of his own. As a skin cancer survivor, Jim gave his time and energy to the Melanoma Research Foundation. He met weekly with the Men’s Covenant Group, a gathering of dear friends based out of Menlo Park’s Presbyterian Church.

Jim had a 5th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate, and he was an avid skier, tennis player and golfer. He often livened up family events with an impromptu saxophone or piano performance, or by getting out the karaoke machine. He was incredibly generous in opening the doors of his vacation homes in Lake Tahoe and Maui for friends to enjoy, as these were two of his most cherished spots on the planet.

Dad, Great Pa, Brother Jim, our sweet Jimbo, although we miss you beyond description, we trust that you have traveled on to a place where every view is “magical” and your soul will dance for all eternity.

Thank you for gracing us with your heart of gold and changing our lives forever. We have no doubt that you have moved on towards even greater success and enjoyment.

A memorial service and celebration of Jim’s life is planned for Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 1:00 pm at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (950 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park). A reception will follow at Sharon Heights Country Club (2900 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park). In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Melanoma Research Foundation: www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/jim byrnes/Melanoma-Research-Foundation. Donations by check should be mailed to the Melanoma Research Foundation, 1411 K Street NW, Suite 500, Washington D.C. 20005. Please include “In Memory of Jim Byrnes” in memo section of check.

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TransitionsDennis Chipp

D e n n i s B r o w n i n g Chipp, 65, a former resi-dent of Palo Alto, died in Chiang-Mai, Thailand, Feb. 19, 2011. He suffered a fall, after a year of struggling with health problems. He will be cremated and his ashes scattered over Asian waters.

He was born Nov. 23, 1945, in San Diego to the late Dr. Herschel Chipp, a U.C. Berkeley professor of art history, and Virginia O’Hagan Herbert, a former teacher in the Se-quoia Union High School District. His early childhood was spent in San Pablo Canyon. The family moved to Palo Alto, where he attended school and was chosen “most improved student” during his time at Garland Elementary School.

He received a bachelor’s degree from U.C. Berkeley, then joined the Merchant Marine Academy, becom-ing an AB Seaman. He worked and enjoyed adventures on several ships under different flags. Once, after his ship endured a severe typhoon, a shipmate handed him a novel by

Joseph Conrad. “Typhoon” was so terrifyingly real that he became an instant Conradian, his mother said.

Later when he was a graduate student at the National University of Singapore, the university paid his fare to the Third International Conference on Conrad in Lub-lin, Poland, to present his original research; he was then invited to continue his paper in Vancouver at the Fourth Conrad Conference but emergency surgery made that honor impossible, a great disappointment.

He had moved to Chiang-Mai to teach English at Chiang-Mai Uni-versity.

Besides his mother, he is survived by his sister, Maureen O’Hagan Steed of Ukiah; his aunt, Anne But-ler, of Menlo Park; and cousins Lynn Butler Chichi of San Juan Capistra-no and Penn Butler of Atherton.

A memorial gathering will be held Tuesday, March 29, at First Baptist Church, 305 N. California Ave., Palo Alto, at 12:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Sierra Club, Loma Pri-eta branch at 3921 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303.

Beatrice KavinokyBeatrice Kavinoky, 90, a resident

of Palo Alto, died Feb. 17, 2011, at home with her family at her side.

Bee, as she was known to family and friends, was born in San Ber-nardino and grew up in Pasadena, Calif. She was a graduate of Whit-tier College and taught elementary school during WWII. She met her future husband, Bob Kavinoky, at a Halloween dance. They were mar-ried April 2, 1942. In September she celebrated her 90th birthday party with more than 100 people in atten-dance.

She lived in College Terrace in Palo Alto from 1950 onward. She was active with scouts, AAUW, Friendly Visiting and the Wesley Pantry. She led church camps and was a lay leader with the Method-ist Church. She loved swimming, gardening, walking, and being with her family.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bob Kavinoky, and her three children and their spouses: Larry and Sue Kavinoky of Palo Alto, Rick and Sue Kavinoky of Santa Rosa, and Karen and Chris de Vos of Lake Tahoe. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 19, at Wesley Meth-odist Church, 470 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto. In lieu of flowers, a dona-tion can be made in her memory to VITAS Hospice Organization.

Lasting MemoriesAn online directory of obituaries and remembrances.

Search obituaries, submit a memorial, share a photo.

Visit: www.PaloAltoOnline.com/obituaries

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P A I D O B I T U A R Y

Al Bernal, longtime popular Palo Alto teacher, died peacefully at home Friday, February 25, after a short illness with his family at his bedside.

Born in San Francisco, the oldest of six children, Al attended school there, graduating from Mission High School in 1946. After serving in the army, he returned home to attend City College and to graduate from San Francisco State with a teaching credential.

He loved teaching, and after moving his family to the Peninsula, he began his career at Elizabeth Van Auken School in Palo Alto in 1962. He spent many years teaching Spanish, reading, drama, and leadership at both JLS and Jordan Middle Schools as well as teaching Spanish at Adult School for many years. Al retired into a career as a substitute teacher in 1993, and he continued teaching until he was nearly 80. A friend observed recently that he was “magic” with kids.

In retirement he also tutored for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, volunteered for Theatreworks, and worked with ESL students at Palo Alto Adult School at Paly.

He is survived by a loving family including his wife Liz, by his daughters Jennifer Hall, Rebecca Drumm and Rachel Simpson, his stepdaughters Karen Rodgers and Kendra Haddock, sons-in-law Steve Hall, Fra Drumm, and Chris Haddock, twelve grandchildren, three siblings, and extended family and friends.

In addition to his love for his family and teaching, Al loved his two dogs, Max and Luke, his many old friends, reading, theater, his 1967 red Mustang convertible, Stanford women’s basketball and the 49er’s!

A celebration of Al’s life will be held at the Palo Alto Woman’s Club on Sunday, March 20 at 1 p.m. Friends are encouraged to come and share memories; we look forward to much laughter. A short service, followed by burial, will occur on Monday, March 21 at Alta Mesa Chapel and Cemetery in Palo Alto beginning at 11 a.m.

The family thanks the staff at Stanford Hospital, Lytton Gardens and Pathways Hospice for their wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, friends may wish to contribute to the California Retired Teachers Scholarship Fund for aspiring teachers, to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, or a charity of choice.

Alfred R. (Al) BernalMay 31, 1928-February 25, 2011

PulseA weekly compendium of vital statistics

Palo AltoMarch 2-7Violence relatedArson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Assault with a deadly weapon . . . . . . . .1Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Child abuse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Theft relatedCommercial burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Identity theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Shoplifting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Vehicle relatedAbandoned auto. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Bicycle theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Driving w/suspended license . . . . . . . . .5Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Misc. traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Parking/driving violation . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .4Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .8Vehicle impound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Alcohol or drug relatedDrunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Possession of paraphernalia. . . . . . . . . .1MiscellaneousCoroner case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Disturbing/annoying phone calls. . . . . . .1Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Other/misc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Psych subject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .7Terrorist threats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Warrant/other agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Menlo ParkMarch 1-7Violence relatedAssault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Spousal abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Theft relatedCommercial burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1ID theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Residential burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Vehicle relatedAuto recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Driving w/suspended license . . . . . . . . .4Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .4Vehicle code violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Alcohol or drug relatedDrunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Under the influence of drugs . . . . . . . . .1MiscellaneousCPS cross report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Disturbance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Gang validation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Juvenile problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Located missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Mental evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Property for destruction . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Search warrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

AthertonMarch 1-7Violence relatedArson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Theft relatedFraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Vehicle relatedAbandoned auto. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Parking/driving problem . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Road/traffic/vehicle hazard. . . . . . . . . . .6Suspicious vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Traffic detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .1Vehicle accident/no damage . . . . . . . . .1Vehicle code violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2MiscellaneousAnimal call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Building/area/perimeter check . . . . . . . .5Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Disturbance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Fire call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Foot patrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Juvenile problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Medical aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Meet citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Misc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Possession of stolen property . . . . . . . .1Pedestrian check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Public works call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Special detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .1Suspicious person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Town ordinance violation . . . . . . . . . . . .4Tree down. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

VIOLENT CRIMESPalo AltoE Bayshore Road, 3/2, 10:39 a.m.; domestic violence/battery.Hawthorne Ave., 3/2 10:29 p.m.; domestic violence/battery.Middlefield Road, 3/3, 10 a.m.; child abuse/emotional.University Avenue, 3/6, 2:43 a.m.; arson.Middlefield Road, 3/7, 9:02 a.m.; arson.Hillview Avenue, 3/7, 10:10 a.m.; assault with a deadly weapon.

Menlo ParkHollyburne Avenue, 3/1, 12:05 p.m.; assault.Almanor Avenue, 3/4, 12:48 p.m.; domestic violence.Madera Avenue, 3/6, 10:23 p.m.; spousal abuse.

AthertonEl Camino Real, 3/2, 10:09 p.m.; arson.

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John E. Gaiser passed away after a long battle with cancer on March 3, 2011. He was born in Bloomington, Indiana and moved to the Bay Area in 1965. He received bachelor’s degrees in physics and psychology, and a PhD in physics from Stanford University.

John was a true rocket scientist. Beginning in high school he was building liquid fuel rockets and receiving awards for his scientific achievements. He devoted his career to the aerospace industry in Silicon Valley. His final position was director of systems engineering at Space Systems/Loral.

John was loved and respected by his many friends and colleagues. His smile radiated love and joy to all who knew him.

John was preceded in death by his father, Gary Gaiser. He is survived by his loving and devoted

wife, Astrid, his mother, Hazel, his beautiful daughters, Jessica, Kelley, Jeannie, Emily, Anona, and Anna Maria, their husbands, and his seven grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Kathy Gaiser, and two nephews, Benjamin and Jonathan, their wives, and a grandniece.

A memorial service with a reception to follow will take place on Saturday, March 12, at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 505 East Charleston Road, Palo Alto. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in John’s name to the American Cancer Society.

John E. GaiserDecember 31, 1945-March 3, 2011

P A I D O B I T U A R Y

Alvin A. Rathbun, 88, a long-time resident of Portola Valley passed away February 23, 2011, six months after suffering a stroke. He died peacefully surrounded by his family.

Born in West Hartford, Connecticut, Alvin graduated from Mount Hermon Prep School in Massachusetts and earned bachelor degrees from Middlebury College and Stanford University. He served in the Army in Italy during World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart.

While stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Alvin met his future wife, Ella Virginia “Gini” Madison of North Carolina, and they were married in 1949. They moved to California and had two daughters, Victoria and Susan. Alvin earned an MBA from Stanford and co-founded a soils engineering firm, Testing and Controls, which later became Earth Systems, where he served as Secretary-Treasurer. He loved his work and didn’t retire until well into his seventies.

Alvin was instrumental in the incorporation of the Town of Portola Valley and served on the town’s Planning Commission for several years. He was president of the Palo Alto Kiwanis Club from 1980 to 1981, a group he continued to enjoy and support. Alvin was a charter member of the Alpine Hills Tennis and Swim Club and helped guide it in its early years. For nearly forty years he could be

found most Saturday mornings on a tennis court enjoying a lively game. He was also a charter and continuing member of the Alpine Hills Investment Club. Al played the cello for many years often accompanied by his wife, an accomplished pianist, and his family and friends on other instruments.

In 1995 Alvin lost Gini, his wife of forty-six years, to cancer. Two years later he married Sally Elizabeth Lemoin, who had also lost her first husband, Donald Lemoin. Al and Sally did quite a bit of travelling and enjoyed time with friends and family. Al continued to ride his bicycle until age 87.

Alvin is survived by his wife, Sally Lemoin Rathbun, daughter Susan Martin, step-daughter, Lisa Lemoin, grandsons John Gregory, Matthew Gregory and Mark Gregory, sister Eloise Lewis and many nephews and nieces.

A service to celebrate Alvin’s life will be held March 19, 2011 at 2pm at the Woodside Village Church in Woodside, CA. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Middlebury College in Vermont, Boys Town in Nebraska, or the Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto.

Alvin A. Rathbun

Public salariesEditor,

People assume salaries and ben-efits only go one direction — up. As economy changes, so must this as-sumption. Every government level is racking up huge deficits based on the generosity of our represen-tatives. Union leadership did what they were supposed to do, go for the most they could provide their mem-bership. And elected officials acted to ensure re-election and shared our treasury with those who supported their candidacy.

It’s time for us to clarify our ex-pectations. It is our money. The expectations for public salaries and benefits are completely out of sync with the business world. Council and unions, address these inequi-ties.

Determine why overtime is so high and remedy it.

Terminate payout for accrued sick leave. It is for illness, not carryover income. Private businesses delete it at retirement. Chief Nick Marinaro saved up 2,071 hours of it because, “when I got sick I came to work.” Well, you shouldn’t have. His point in coming in sick was to bloat his retirement figure.

Vacation pay should be limited to a two-year accrual, then be taken or cashed out, or even “use it or lose it.”

Pensions are history in the private sector. Employees can participate in self-funded 401K accounts. A mini-mal match is all that corporate em-ployees get nowadays, not the aver-age CPA $11,259 contribution/year compared to the $1,374 employee contribution/year. These figures are absurdly backwards.

CPA employees get more paid holidays per year than businesses do, 12 vs. 10 days.

Council members were overly generous with our unionized em-ployees plus with the perks we were told we must pay to hire the best in administrative positions. What goes up can and must go down.

Carol GilbertByron Street

Palo Alto

PAUSD not fully to blameEditor,

The thought-provoking op-ed by Ken and Michelle Dauber showed commendable passion to protect our kids. Ken and Michelle focused on academic pressure as the primary cause of student stress but, to me, I’d start with other primary fac-tors: compassion and community. I’m not comfortable with labeling PAUSD as fully responsible for the stress our kids feel.

As parents, we all undertake the complex task of nurturing our children to become happy, self-confident, productive citizens. The Project Safety Net study referenced in the op-ed highlights 41 Develop-

mental Assets critical in a commu-nity that truly values the well-being of its young people. One of these is a connection to an adult who is not related to the young person. This is an element of the connectedness that has been the school board’s fo-cus since 2010 when it adopted the approach.

As a parent, before I look to potential failings or strengths of PAUSD leadership, I personally would emphasize “connection to an unrelated adult.” Have I volunteered my own time to be an adult resource for a student in the community — a student who is not my child and who is unrelated to me? Have I donated my time to help build a community asset over a sustained number of years, not just an hour or two now and then?

I also believe it is worth consider-ing what we talk to our kids about. I try not to be hyper-competitive. I hope I successfully avoid defining people by their job, their net worth, their ethnicity, or their influence. I try to praise the work of those who volunteer their time to community-based organizations that positively influence even one person’s life.

Sure, maybe sometimes blame is

deserved. But I want to consider the underlying message we send to our children, and it’s a better message if we can be the change we seek.

Janis HomPitman Avenue

Palo Alto

Gas production at Byxbee not an option

Editor,Not being a Palo Alto resident,

I’ll not comment on what should be done, but being on the steering committee for the concept, and a long-time Sierra Club member, I’ll just make some factual remarks.

The opposition (to the anaerobic-digestion facility) has raised some odd concepts, such as using the current site’s dump gas for electri-cal generation, thus income, to off-set some negatives of not building the anaerobic-digestion project at all. This is not feasible. In most all cases, dumps (like Palo Alto’s or the Marsh Road site in Menlo Park) do not produce useful gas reliably and continually.

In those cases where commercial power has been developed, the op-

SpectrumEditorials, letters and opinions

Our growing school enrollment challenge

Decisive action needed to address growth in elementary school enrollment

T he excellence of Palo Alto schools is known far and wide, and now school officials have to be wondering if the district’s great reputation is driving an enrollment burst that has topped 12,000

this school year and shows no sign of letting up.Just 18 months ago, the school board reversed itself and voted against

moving forward with the renovation and re-opening of the leased Gar-land school site, located adjacent to Jordan Middle School.

That decision, after architectural plans were developed and neighbor-hood meetings held, has been clearly shown to have been a mistake.

At the time, trustees were scared off by enrollment data showing less growth in students than had been projected, and by the financial uncer-tainties brought about by the economy and the state budget mess.

But as the district has pursued a strategy of adding classrooms to ex-isting elementary schools rather than re-opening additional schools, we are now faced with little flexibility as enrollment trends point sharply up.

We’re disappointed the board didn’t move decisively this week to give the required three-year notice to the Stratford School to vacate the Garland site. But no real harm will come from the board’s delaying this and other decisions on school configuration options to June.

The most important outcome is the commitment to create up to 30 new elementary school classrooms in the next five years. It was a clear indication that the board and administration acknowledge that enroll-ment is driven less by new housing development than it is by turnover in homes and in rental housing stock.

In speaking about the district’s growth last fall, Superintendent Kevin Skelly said, “We keep riding this (enrollment) roller coaster and it’s going up. We’re chugging up this hill and the hill seems to be getting steeper, not less steep.”

At this week’s meeting, Skelly said the district must be prepared for as many as 568 new K-5 students in the next five years, a number equal to the enrollment of a good-sized elementary school with 20 or more classrooms.

In 2008, voters passed a $378 million bond issue for new school construction, which included $98 million for elementary schools. The board plans to use the $65 million remaining to refurbish or build new classrooms, which could relieve some pressure. A portion of the funds are being used now to prepare 10 more classrooms that are either under construction or in the pipeline at Ohlone, Fairmeadow and Duveneck schools.

Much has been made of whether the expected enrollment growth will come from the north or south, and how to create new school capacity where the growth is likely to occur.

Right now, the best guess is that more classrooms are needed in south Palo Alto. But we’re not convinced that trying to predict geographic growth patterns when city-wide projections have been so problematic makes too much sense.

Although significant numbers of housing units have been built be-tween Oregon and San Antonio Road, plenty of new students are also moving into older north Palo Alto neighborhoods as longtime residents sell their homes to families with young children. Others will likely come from the new homes just completed along Stanford Avenue.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Superintendent Kevin Skelly and school board members acknowledged that there is no certainty where population growth will occur. Prior to 2009, enrollment growth was fairly evenly distributed around the district, but recent data shows south Palo Alto has seen the biggest increases.

Fortunately, the district has options. In addition to the leased site at Garland that can be re-claimed and opened, the district could reopen elementary schools at the former Ventura or Greendell sites, or consider moving one of the “choice” schools (Ohlone and Hoover) to another site to balance the number of classrooms with where the greatest growth is occurring.

Back in the 1980s the district was reeling from the opposite of today’s problem — declining enrollment. As former board member Carolyn Tucher, who served from 1981 to 1989, said recently, estimates of future growth made then “have already been proved very wrong.”

When enrollment dropped drastically, she pointed out that decisions to close schools and sell land were made by the board based on demo-graphic projections that were backed by “engaged parents,” consultants and scholars at the University of California at Berkeley. In the short term, the estimates of falling enrollment through the 1980s were cor-rect, but long-term projections were way off, Tucher said.

“Nobody foresaw the Silicon Valley phenomenon that totally changed our (school) population growth,” Tucher said. “While projections are useful, the imponderables are so great.”

That is why the board’s upcoming decision — to decide when, where and how much new classroom space is needed — is so important.

We hope the board will set the district on a clear path to not only address the elementary school needs, but to plan for how this growing enrollment will be handled at the middle and high schools as well.

Editorial

The Palo Alto Weekly encourages comments on our coverage or on issues of local interest.

What do you think? How should Palo Alto deal with projected en-rollment growth in elementary schools?

YOUR TURN

Submit letters to the editor of up to 250 words to [email protected]. Include your name, address and daytime phone number so we can reach you. We reserve the right to edit contributions for length, objectionable content, libel and factual errors known to us. Anonymous letters will generally not be ac-cepted. You can also participate in our popular interactive online forum, Town Square, at our community website at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Read blogs, discuss issues, ask questions or express opinions with you neighbors any time, day or night. Submitting a letter to the editor or guest opinion constitutes a granting of per-mission to the Palo Alto Weekly and Embarcadero Publishing Co. to also publish it online, including in our online archives and as a post on Town Square.

For more information contact Editor Jocelyn Dong or Online Editor Tyler Hanley

at [email protected] or 650-326-8210.

(continued on next page)

What is your favorite natural space in Palo Alto? Asked on S. California Avenue, Palo Alto. Interviews and photographs by Zohra Ashpari.

Jose CamposConstruction WorkerAnnapolis Street, East Palo Alto“I like Rinconada Park because there are swings for the kids and they can play in the park.”

Katherine RuxSalespersonCollege Avenue, Palo Alto “I love the park right by the Caltrain station because it’s a good place to relax and is always green.”

Stacey NorthLawyer Roble Ridge, Palo Alto“Bol Park because it’s nearby with lots of dog-walkers and friendly people.”

Cathy and Hyman PlutchokTeacher and Engineer (retired)Marshall Drive, Palo Alto“We love the Baylands — the birds, open expanse and fresh air. We are dog watchers and say ‘hello’ and ‘good-bye” to them as they walk past.”

Bruce SwensonTrustee, Foothill CollegeWaverley Street, Palo Alto“I like Foothills Park because the open space and the view of the lake is beau-tiful. I also enjoy picnicking and hiking up there.”

by Rev. Matthew McDermott

Eighteen months ago, Advocates for Youth emerged as

an interfaith group fo-cused on youth social and emotional well-be-ing in our community. Alongside Peninsula Interfaith Action and including 11 congrega-tions representing over 16,000 people, Advo-cates for Youth formed partly in response to Palo Alto’s tragic teen suicides but mostly in response to a perceived need in our community for more community-building and connected-ness.

Our first decisive action as a group involved successfully urging the Palo Alto Unified School District board to adopt “connectedness” as a priority focused goal for the 2010-2011 school year. The board’s commitment in the arena of students’ social and emotional health through this goal of “connectedness” holds great promise for continuing, positive progress. We seek to highlight this connectedness goal, our ongoing work with the school district, and our mission to engage the good community support for our youth as seen in our May 2010 and February 2011 public meetings.

What is connectedness, anyway, and why did we seek to codify it as part of school gover-nance? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the following defini-tion: “School connectedness was defined as the belief by students that adults in the school care about their learning as well as about them as individuals.” The goal is to make sure that every child is recognized and has someone to

turn to in times of need. The CDC cites adult support, belonging to a positive peer group, students’ commitment to their own education, and positive physical and psychosocial envi-ronments at school as being key elements of connectedness.

Of course, school is not the only place where connectedness happens: our families, faith groups, sports, clubs and other entities share key roles in supporting kids’ connectedness, too. Our focus is directed on schools because that’s where children spend most of their days. Promoting connectedness helps to create a car-ing community in which both our children’s academic achievement and psychosocial health may thrive. Such progress is true success.

Fortunately, there are many ways in which our school district facilitates connectedness. One example is JLS middle school’s “Panther Camp,” an orientation program in which every incoming sixth grader participates and makes connections with other children and adults for a few days before their year of academic work begins. We highlight “Panther Camp” among many programs with positive elements enhanc-ing the psychosocial environments of some of our schools, yet we note that such programs are not uniformly offered throughout the dis-trict. In our public meetings, we offer the op-portunity for information on great programs like these to be shared so that awareness about what exists and about what may be needed and helpful comes to light.

To that end, in our February 13 public meet-ing, Kevin Skelly, the district superintendent and Amy Drollette, director of student servic-es, offered insights into our district’s ongoing work in support of “connectedness.” Over 150 people, including school board represen-tatives and numerous other public officials

such as Mayor Sid Espinosa, city council members, Police Chief Dennis Burns as well as a host of district parents, attended this meeting for the shared purpose of spending time in community with each other to learn about our district’s focus on students’ social and emotional health. We feel blessed to be part of a community that shows up for our kids at meetings like this one. We learned a lot at this meeting, both through data shared by the school district and through frustrations aired by several students and parents.

Most importantly, we learned that our work is not done.

Going forward, we will continue to engage with the district over “connectedness” as we strive to reach all students, aiming now for measurement of the effectiveness of different programs and approaches to connectedness. The yield of programs, as Dr. Skelly shared at our meeting, may be difficult to measure, but weighing effectiveness and expanding suc-cessful programs to all of our schools, and hence all of our students, is necessary, worth-while, and needs to be pursued.

We call for our school leadership to con-tinue its good work of implementing systemic programs, processes and measurements that will yield the optimal outcome of every child feeling connected at school. We are thank-ful for the devotion of our district, our ad-ministrators and our teachers to the cause of connectedness, and we pledge to continue to support their good efforts as they undertake this challenging, critical work.■

Rev. McDermott is the pastor of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto and wrote this article on behalf of Advocates for Youth, a program launched by Peninsula Interfaith Action (PIA).

‘Connectedness’ as a community and school goalGuest Opinion

Check out Town Square!Hundreds of local topics are being discussed by local residents on

Town Square, a reader forum sponsored by the Weekly on our com-munity website at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Post your own comments, ask questions, read the Editor’s blog or just stay up on what people are talking about around town!

Streetwise

erator engages in environmentally damaging actions, such as “spiking” the dump with water injection to speed microbial digestion. This inevitably causes leakage, especially of methane, which is far worse than CO2, as we all should know. It also increases N2O and NOx emissions, the first being 100 times greater the greenhouse gas CO2 is, and the second being the new source of acid rain and ozone depletion. So, the recommendation from scientific studies (and Sierra Club ener-gy groups) is that dump gas simply be burned at the site, without disturbance. In Palo Alto’s case, the city already burns whatever they can get from the dump in the sewage-treatment plant, to assist sludge incineration. Of course, that overall practices is not a long-term solu-tion in any case, which is why digestion of sewage is the preferred plan.

Alex CannaraMenlo Park

Letters (continued from previous page)

This week on Town Square

Posted March 8 at 8:33 p.m. by Chinese Born in America, a member of the Palo Alto High School community:

This may be an eye opener to the whites, but many of us Asians are apprehensive of the growth. We would have moved to Cu-pertino if we wanted to live amongst all Asians. However, many of the Asians who can afford to move to Palo Alto are more intellectual, sociable and interested in as-similating than those in other cities, at least in my area of Palo Alto.

High in the priorities for Asian culture is education. Secondly, public education, which is why Palo Alto draws them here and to the UC system.

Title PagesA monthly section on local books and authors, edited by Carol Blitzer

Book TalkLOCAL AUTHORS ... Coming to Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, this month is Palo Alto author Meg Waite Clayton, “The Four Ms. Bradwells” (March 22, 7 p.m.); Gunn High School grad Jenny Blake, “Life After College: The Complete Guide to Getting What You Want” (March 24, 7 p.m.); and Guy Kawasaki, “Enchantment: The Art of Chang-ing Hearts, Minds, and Actions” (March 31, 7 p.m.). Many of you might have heard Kawasaki, an early Apple employee, co-founder of Alltop.com and a founding partner at Garage Technology Ventures, who’s been an inspiring Paly High Baccalaureate speaker for years.

AUTHOR EVENTS ... Cathleen Schine, author of “The Three Weissmanns of Wesport,” will appear at the Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, (March 17, 7 p.m.). The event is co-sponsored by the Harvard Club of Silicon Valley, Congrega-tion Beth Am and Sequoia-Ha-dassah, Palo Alto and Bay Area chapters. Tickets are $25 at the door; discounts for members and students. Information: [email protected]. Mark Salzman, author of “Iron and Silk,” will highlight the Seton Spring Social at St. Elizabeth Seton School, 1095 Channing Ave., Palo Alto (March 30, 6:30 p.m.). Informa-tion: 650-126-1258 or e-mail [email protected]. Elizabeth F. Gamble Gar-den and the Palo Alto Art Center present Elizabeth Murray, author of “Monet’s Passion,” (March 30, 7:30 p.m., French pastries and beverages served and books for sale; 8 p.m., virtual tour of Giverny, book signings following the program), in the Palo Alto Art Center auditorium, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto. Cost is $40 for nonmembers, $35 for members. Information: www.gamblegarden.org. Hometown Peninsula pres-ents Gary Vaynerchuk, author of “The Thank You Economy,” at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church social hall, 700B Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park (April 4, 5:30 p.m.). Information: www.keplers.com

KUDOS ... “Untitled,” a collec-tion of unplanned and unposed photographs by Jack Simon, winner of the Palo Alto Weekly’s photo contest in 2008 and 2009, was selected for inclusion at the Format International Photogra-phy Festival in England in March (formatfestival.com/artists/jack-simon). Simon, a Los Altos-based psychiatrist, developed a strong interest in photography about six years ago. The book can be viewed (or ordered for $48.64) online at www.blurb.com/books/196437.

MORE KUDOS ... to Stanford professor Jack Rakove, author of “Revolutionaries: A New His-tory of the Invention of America”

Veronica Weber

by Carol Blitzer“Half in Love {surviving the legacy of sui-

cide}: a memoir,” by Linda Gray Sexton; Counterpoint, Berkeley; 336 pp.; $25

E very 17 minutes, someone in the United States attempts suicide. Happily, they don’t all succeed.

Linda Gray Sexton, daughter of Pulitzer-Prize-winning poet Anne Sexton, is intimately aware of the fallout on family and friends from both the attempts and the success: Her mother committed suicide in 1974 when Linda was 21 and a senior at Harvard University.

Sexton, who was her mother’s literary execu-tor, spent the next few years editing books of her mother’s poetry as well as “Anne Sexton: A Self-

Portrait in Letters.”She also followed her own literary muse, pro-

ducing four novels in 10 years, including “Points of Light,” which became a CBS television Hall-mark Hall of Fame Special.

In 1994, she published her first memoir, “Searching for Mercy Street: My Journey Back to My Mother, Anne Sexton.” That book was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and was even optioned for a film.

But everything came crashing down in the late-1990s. On the surface, Sexton led a near-perfect life: She married her college sweetheart, was an involved mother to her two sons, had a lovely home in Atherton, was an active member of her synagogue leading a Meals on Wheels program.

Linda Sexton offers a wrenching story of overcoming a deadly legacy


And she adored her two Dalmations.But, Sexton writes, she inherited far more than

her mother’s way with words.Looking back, she acknowledges that her de-

pression far preceded her suicide attempts — per-haps going back as far as her childhood when she was shuffled back and forth between relatives while her mother dealt with her own yo-yo emo-tions. She was both her mother’s best friend and muse and the child who was rejected and ignored. Early on she learned to clamp down on her emo-tions, to ignore the suppressed violence in her home.

Reading “Half in Love” is a bit like plowing through a murder mystery. From the beginning, we know the heroine survives because she wrote the book. But the journey to survival is compel-ling, mysterious, puzzling, confusing — until sud-denly, there’s an aha! moment.

Sexton achieves something similar to Kay Red-field Jamison, who wrote “An Unquiet Mind,” a

Linda Gray Sexton, author of “Half in Love {surviving the legacy of suicide}, sits in the writing cottage at her Redwood City home, as reflections of clouds shine through the windows.

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(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010), whose book was named one of three finalists for the $50,000 George Washington Book prize. The prize goes to the top book on early American history. The win-ner will be announced in May.

BOOK SALES ... Friends of the Palo Alto Library will hold its monthly book sale on Saturday, March 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, March 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. In Menlo Park, books may be purchased online, with a percentage going towards the Menlo Park Library. Information: www.amazon.com/shops/men-loparkfriends.

AUTHOR AUTHOR ... More up-coming authors at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, include Daniel Seddiqui, “50 Jobs in 50 States: One Man’s Journey of Discovery Across America” (March 20, 2 p.m.); An-thony Horowitz, “Scorpia Rising” (March 25, 7 p.m.); Joshua Foer, “Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything” (March 28, 7 p.m.); Daniel A. Olivas, “The Book of Want: A Novel” (March 30, 7 p.m.); Kate Atkinson, “Started Early, Took My Dog” (April 1, 7 p.m.); Charles Baxter, “Gryphon: New and Selected Stories” (April 4, 7 p.m.); Joyce Carol Oates, “A Widow’s Story” (April 6, 7 p.m.); and Billy Collins, “Horoscopes for the Dead: Poems” (April 7, 7 p.m.). Information: www.keplers.com.

MORE TALKS ... Upcoming authors at Books Inc. at Town & Country Village in Palo Alto in-clude Ted Atlas and Mark Purdy, “Candlestick Park,” chronicling the home of the Giants in pic-tures (March 24, 7 p.m.); and at 301 Castro St., Mountain View: Cara Black, “Murder in Passy: An Aimee Leduc Investigation Set in Paris” and Libby Hellman, “Set the Night on Fire” (March 15, 7 p.m.). Information: www.booksinc.net. And, at Stanford Bookstore, 519 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, is Elena Mauli Shapiro, “13, Rue Therese” (March 10, 6 p.m.). Infor-mation: stanfordbookstore.com.

Items for Book Talk may be sent to Associate Editor Carol Blitzer, Palo Alto Weekly, P.O Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 93202 or e-mailed to [email protected] by the last Friday of the month.

memoir of a bipolar psychologist. “Half in Love” is Sexton’s personal journal to hell and back.

In her own words, Sexton writes:Depression is a country with no

borders. In my mid-thirties, just af-ter my children were born, I found myself to be a citizen there.

But well beyond the post-partum depression was major mental illness. At age 45, the same age her mother was when she killed herself, she found herself “drawn into my own vortex of depression, desperate for relief from the intense interior pain that obliterated nearly every waking moment. I tried, once, twice, three times, to kill myself — even though I was a daughter, a sister, a wife and, most importantly, a mother.”

She was ultimately diagnosed with a form of bipolar disorder with rapid mood swings, from prolonged depres-sion to painful agitation. This led her to attempt suicide multiple times and to take up cutting (self-mutilation) as a way to suppress the constant pain:

Was this simply a desire to escape pain, or a biological imperative, or a role model I could not resist, or sim-ply the voice in my head goading me on? Perhaps every one of them.

I picked up the knife.I did not ask why.I wondered only at what angle to

draw the blade.Interspersed with descriptions of

her stays in psychiatric wards, Sexton shares intimate details of her mar-riage and its disintegration, as well as her relationship with her sons, her father and her sister.

The greatest loss for her through-out these periods of deep depression

were these core relationships.Toward the end of the book, she

writes of years of seeking the right combination of therapy and drugs to stabilize her moods, lessen her anxi-ety — and still allow her to function as a writer. For years, she barely crawled out of bed, or remembered to eat. Even her body betrayed her, with the weight gain associated with psychoactive drugs.

When she finally recovered enough to return to life — which meant writ-ing, mothering, meeting and marry-ing a new love — she attempted to repair old relationships.

The most important to her are with her children, who she fears will never trust her again.

She also approached her sister Joy, who grew up in the same dysfunc-tional family but was never prone to depression. During the years of depression, especially following the suicide attempts, Joy had completely withdrawn from contact.

When Linda attempted a rap-prochement, she could not get a com-mitment of support from Joy.

“She couldn’t separate my drop into mental illness from our mother’s: the way that our mother had held the whole family dancing on marionette wires. My breakdown did not seem to her to be involuntary or ignited by severe emotional pain.

“If I succumbed to a disease like breast cancer, one that was ‘life threatening,’ then she would be out to help me ‘in a heartbeat.’ Silently, I wondered why she didn’t perceive suicide as a life-threatening dis-ease.”

Linda Sexton wrote this memoir

Book Talk(continued from previous page)

partly as a way to complete her heal-ing. While still in the hospital, she wrote a letter to the police who had helped save her from a suicide at-tempt, trying to explain the “tunnel of depression and the drive toward suicide at the end of the tunnel.”

The police chief wrote back, say-ing she had helped him “see that terrible aspect of the act. He would never again look upon it as he had before.”

Sexton isn’t excusing herself for her desperate acts. Rather, she is educat-ing her readers about the depths that depression can take a person — and offering hope that like herself, others can recover and live again.

Associate Editor Carol Blitzer can be e-mailed at [email protected].

Cover Story

2010

How Palo Alto’s racial diversity has changedComparing Census data from 2000 and 2010

2000 2010

Total population 58,598 64,403

RACE

One race 56,698 61,706

White 75.8% 64.2%

Black or African American 2.0% 1.9%

American Indian and Alaska Native

0.2% 0.2%

Asian 17.2% 27.1%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacifi c Islander

0.1% 0.2%

Some other race 1.4% 2.2%

Two or more races 1,900 2,697

HISPANIC OR LATINO (Hispanic or Latino is considered an ethnicity)

Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 2,722 (4.6%) 3,974 (6.2%)

Not Hispanic or Latino 55,876 (95.4%) 60,429 (93.8%)

I n January 2009, about 100 south Palo Alto residents met inside Palo Verde Elementary School to discuss, and pos-

sibly shape, the future of their neighbor-hood.

The meeting focused on an effort by Palo Alto officials to revamp the zoning laws in this portion of the city to accommodate a recent crop of large residential devel-opments. Planning staff and consultants solicited suggestions from residents, who happily obliged. A few lobbied for a new footbridge to span U.S. Highway 101; one proposed a sandwich shop; several lobbied for a bike path and park space.

Participants did agree on one thing: The last thing the neighborhood needs is new housing. One resident, Ben Lerner, won nods of approval from other attendees when he complained about changes in Palo Alto always entailing the city becoming “bigger, taller, more crowded, more dense and with more stories.”

The demographic data that the U.S. Census Bureau released Tuesday is likely to confirm and quantify the observations of residents in Palo Verde and other south Palo Alto neighborhoods. Over the past de-cade, Palo Alto has become more populous,

BY GENNADY SHEYNER

ASURGEOF DIVERSITYCensus 2010 shows Palo Alto’s strong growth in the southern neighborhoods and citywide spike in Asian population

File photo/Veronica Weber

Third- and fourth-graders study Mandarin after school at the private Stratford School in Palo Alto in October 2009. The 2010 census showed the number of residents of Asian descent in Palo Alto grew nearly 10 percent points since 2000 as a proportion of the city’s overall population.

Cover Story

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adding nearly 6,000 residents city-wide but particularly impacting the south. It also became more diverse, with the city’s Asian population go-ing up by 73 percent, or about 7,000 people. An analysis of census tracts indicates that Palo Verde and the neighborhoods next to it are at the forefront of these changes.

The census showed the city’s pop-ulation growing by 9.9 percent be-tween 2000 and 2010, from 58,598 to 64,403. The city’s Asian popula-tion, meanwhile, grew from 10,090 to 17,461 residents. While the city’s Asians made up 17.2 percent of the city in 2000, they comprised 27.1 percent in 2010. The city’s white population, meanwhile, dropped by more than 3,000 over the past de-cade. White residents made up more than three quarters of the city’s pop-ulation in 2000. Now, they make up less than two thirds.

City officials, much like residents, view the new census results as not so much a revelation as a pretext for a larger conversation with the com-munity. They praise the increased diversity with open arms, while

acknowledging the need for “smart growth” and transit-friendly devel-opments to accommodate the over-all population increase.

“I think this region in general ex-pected this type of growth,” Mayor Sid Espinosa told the Weekly. “We knew that the city has seen growth, and the numbers aren’t shocking.

“The good news is that Palo Alto has done a good job in planning for this type of growth and working to do it in a smart way.”

Espinosa said the city is already addressing the recent population

spurt by using zoning regulations to encourage housing and mixed-use developments near transit corridors — encouragements that they hope will promote vibrant neighborhoods near train stations and mitigate some of the traffic impacts.

At the same time, Espinosa said the city still has plenty of work to do to address the city’s most dramatic demographical shift — the sharp in-crease in its Asian population. The trend has already been documented in school data, which shows an in-flux of students of Asian descent.

One of every three high-school stu-dents in Palo Alto is Asian, and in eight schools in the city, Asian stu-dents make up more than 40 percent of the student body.

At Hoover Elementary School, which is located on East Charles-ton Road in south Palo Alto, Asian students comprise 78 percent of the student body.

Some members of the Asian popu-lation have recently become involved in civic life. Yoriko Kishimoto be-came the first Asian mayor in Palo Alto’s history in 2007. Vice Mayor

Yiaway Yeh is slated to become the second next year.

But most members of Palo Alto’s growing Asian community have been far less visible in civic affairs. Espinosa said he hopes that trend will change.

“While we’ve seen that increase in the school-district data, we haven’t necessarily seen a broader integra-tion of the Asian community across the different traditional groups and agencies,” Espinosa said. “We’re


Palo Alto’s census tracts are largely contained within city borders, but some to the east

and south also cover other cities. This past Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau released redistricting data, which are used to redraw federal, state and local legislative districts

according to population shifts. Housing data for each Palo

Alto tract is shown on page 20. Demographic information about

each tract has been posted on www.PaloAltoOnline.com.

Cover Story

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A man walks past Echelon, a residential complex on East Meadow Drive in Palo Alto, in December 2009. The number of households in Palo Alto grew from 25,216 in 2000 to 28,216 in 2010 — an increase of 3,000. Many units, such as Echelon, were constructed in south Palo Alto.

talking about active involvement in neighborhood associations, serving on the board of nonprofit organiza-tions, taking on business leadership in the Chamber of Commerce and having a greater representation on boards and commissions.

“I think it behooves us as a city to really have an open dialogue about the changing demographics of our community and how we can make sure that everyone is made welcome in our community.”

Both trends have been particu-larly visible in south Palo Alto, where several large housing devel-opments opened their doors over the past decade. In the census tract that includes Palo Verde and the area around East Meadow Circle, the overall population went up by 17.5 percent (787 people) over the past decade. That area accommo-dated four new developments: Al-taire, BRIDGE Housing, Vantage and Echelon. At the same time, the proportion of white residents in this tract fell from two-thirds in 2000 to half in 2010 while the Asian popu-lation nearly doubled, going from 1,069 to 2,045.

A nearby tract that includes Ventura and Charleston Meadows neighborhoods experienced a simi-lar shift. The long and narrow tract, which is bounded by El Camino Real and Alma Street and which stretches from Oregon Expressway to Adobe Creek, saw its Asian popu-lation spike by 92 percent, from 928 to 1,785, while the overall popula-tion grew by 13.5 percent.

The area, much like the neigh-borhood around East Meadow, has been a magnet for new housing and

the new anxieties that accompany this housing. Recent projects in-clude 181-home Arbor Real devel-opment, which went up on the site of the former Hyatt Rickey’s hotel, unleashing a wave of criticism from area residents and land-use watch-dogs about emerging parking and traffic woes.

The demographic changes in south Palo Alto could, in some ways, be epitomized by an October 2008 public hearing on a then-pro-posed (now approved) development for low-income residents on West Charleston Road. At that hearing, Arbor Real resident Jenny Zhang brought in a petition signed by 75 neighbors who expressed concern about the new project’s potential traffic impacts.

“We really have to consider our children’s safety,” Zhang said at the public hearing — the same concern other area residents shared several years prior, when Arbor Real was receiving its own approval.

Census(continued from previous page)

Palo Alto’s housing shifts

since 2000

Census tract

Homes in 2000

Homes in 2010

5093.02* 1,093 1,250

5094.01 1,622 1,704

5106 2,405 2,467

5107 1,832 2,098

5108.01 1,706 2,223

5108.02** 888 726

5108.03 1,070 1,063

5109 2,087 2,101

5110 2,418 2,489

5111 1,964 1,962

5112 1,869 1,866

5113*** 4,380 4,434

5114 1,483 1,456

5115 3,107 3,179

5117.01**** 1,443 1,522

* includes portions of Mountain View

** boundary appears to have been redrawn in 2 010*** combined numbers from 2010, when the tract was split in two

**** includes portions of Los Altos


Over the past decade, Palo Alto has become more populous, adding nearly 6,000 residents citywide but particularly impacting the south.

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COMING SOON

SOLD

SOLD

a p r . c o m






March 11, 2011

Palo Alto — Wonderful 4bd/2ba home with separate family room is located on 9000+sf lot with plenty of room to expand and build an in-law unit! Call for Price

Wendy Kandasamy

[email protected]

Redwood City — Brand new 4 bed, 3 bath contemporary Green home with amazing bay views. Open floor plan with hardwood floors, formal dining, & epicurean kitchen. Represented Buyer. $1,330,000

Denise Simons 650.269.0210

[email protected]

Los Altos — Beautifully remodeled 3bd/2.5ba home with 2136+/- sf of living space. New kitchen with stainless steel appliances. 11,148+/-sf lot. $1,298,000

Delia Fei650.269.3422

[email protected]

Palo Alto — Gorgeous single level, end unit condo in quiet downtown location. Elegantly updated 2 bedrooms, 2 baths plus den. 1656 +/- sf of living space. $1,099,000

Saratoga — Fantastic location in Saratoga’s Golden Triangle. Beautiful 30,700 sqft. lot. Ideal location near Saratoga Ave. yet peaceful and quiet. Represented Buyer. $1,495,000

Anna [email protected]

Sunnyvale — Spacious Bright 5 Bdrm, 3 Bath home with 3 car garage. Central air, alarm system. Convenient location. Cupertino schools. Close to Ortega Park. $1,298,000

Leika Kejriwal650.866.5345

[email protected]

Palo Alto — 1920’s charm. 3 beds, 2 updated baths, remodeled kitchen. Garage converted to office/bonus room. Close to town location, near community center. $1,125,000

San Carlos — Beautifully remodeled single level 4bd/2ba home in quiet cul-de-sac. Gorgeous kitchen & baths, family room, backyard and excellent schools! Call for price

Greg [email protected]

Nancy Mott650.255.2325

[email protected]

Jennifer Buenrostro605.224.9539

[email protected]

Suzie Provo650.465.3800

[email protected]

Nick Granoski650.269.8556

[email protected]

SOLD

SOLD

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

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Page

Palo Alto — 4br/2ba contemporary home with vaulted ceilings and an open, airy feeling. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac near Midtown shopping area. $1,088,000

Lynne Mercer650.543.1000

[email protected]

Palo Alto — Ideally located, this upscale 2bd/2ba condo is characterized by sophistication, contemporary styling and highest quality building standards. $1,071,000

Sharon and George Gerbing650.543.1083

[email protected]

Redwood City — Spectacular remodel! 4bd/3 new baths, new kitchen, custom cabinets, granite countertops, family room, hardwood floors, new Milgard windows. $989,000

Lizbeth Rhodes

[email protected]

Menlo Park — Stylishly remodeled contemporary retreat in a tranquil setting. Gourmet kitchen, Mediterranean terrace, spacious master suite. 3 bedrooms + office with access to expansive, landscaped back yard. $899,000

Michael Johnston

[email protected]

Palo Alto — Updated 3 bed, 2 bath Eichler in great neighborhood. Features include, sep. family room, bamboo floors, granite counters and landscaped yard. Sold with 7 offers in 1 week above the list price. $1,088,000

Portola Valley — Contemporary country retreat featuring two bedrooms with two updated bathrooms. Floor to ceiling windows with wrap around deck located on over 1/2 acre lot. Excellent Portola Valley Schools. $989,000

Desiree Docktor

[email protected]

Palo Alto — Recently remodeled 3bd/1ba home has granite kitchen with breakfast bar, dual paned windows, new wiring and plumbing. $899,000

Wendy Kandasamy

[email protected]

Sunnyvale — Expanded, well maintained TJ Martin home with 3 large bedrooms, 2 baths, sep dining room, office or family room and new kitchen. Approx. 11,700 sq. ft lot on quiet cul-de-sac. Excellent schools. $879,000

Karen [email protected]

SOLD

Ali Rad650.544.5551

[email protected]

Denise Simons 650.269.0210

[email protected]

SOLD

a p r . c o m






March 11, 2011

Stanford — Available for Eligible Faculty or Staff only, 4 bd/3 ba, dramatic, updated Peter Coutts townhouse, new kitchen and baths, private patio and deck. Call for price

Shari Ornstein650.814.6682

[email protected]

Redwood City — Exquisitely remodeled 2 bd/1 ba Mt. Carmel home located on 6300’ lot. Chef’s kitchen, hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling, close to Stafford Park. $749,000

Terry [email protected]

Burlingame — Beautiful townhome built in 2009. Kitchen has maple cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Full size washer and dryer in unit. $629,000

Palo Alto — Sunlight one- bedroom end unit at the Redwoods. Recently remodeled kitchen w/ new appliances. Quiet and secluded location but close to everything. Gunn High. $449,000

Charlene Chang

[email protected]

Palo Alto — Darling Cape-Cod style home in Old Palo Alto. Remodeled kitchen with Carrara mable & Butcher-Block counters. Fenced yard with grass & flowers. $818,000

Redwood City — 3 bed, 1 bath turn-key home with new appliances, private enclosed yard, excellent schools. Close to 101, Caltrain station and local shopping. $599,000

Ted Paulin65.766.6325

[email protected]

Sunnyvale — Beautiful 1,610 sq ft townhouse in newest section of Danbury place. Only 3 years old interior unit, very private. Luxurious kitchen and master suite! $625,000

Emely Weissman

[email protected]

Mountain View — Fantastic value! Beautiful 1 bed, 1 bath home located in the heart of it all. Ready to move in to. Laundry inside, air conditioning, secure parking. $325,000

Nadr Essabhoy650.543.1124

[email protected]

Lori Buecheler650.387.2716

[email protected]

John Forsyth James650.218.4337

[email protected]

John Forsyth James650.218.4337

[email protected]

COMING SOON SOLD

COMING SOON

Cover Story

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A tract-by-tract analysis of cen-sus data showed more mea-sured growth in Palo Alto’s

northern neighborhoods. The tract that includes Downtown North (north of University Avenue) and University South (south of down-town) grew by 5.8 percent overall, with its Asian population increasing by 89 percent. Just east of Middle-field Road, in the affluent Crescent Park neighborhood, the overall growth was 3.9 percent. Its Asian population went up by 74 percent.

At the opposite end of the scale is Old Palo Alto, which did its name justice by remaining virtually frozen in time. The population remained flat over the past decade (increasing by 34 people), and white residents continue to make up more than 80 percent of the affluent neighbor-hood between University South and Midtown. By comparison, white residents constitute 64 percent of Palo Alto’s overall population.

The Midtown neighborhood, meanwhile, stood out as a demo-graphic microcosm of the city as a whole. The new census showed that white residents made up 61.8 percent of Midtown, while Asian residents made up 28.8 percent. The neighborhood grew by 7.2 percent over the past decade, according to the census.

Matthew Snipp, a Stanford Uni-versity sociology professor who fo-cuses on demographic changes and who lives in Palo Alto’s Barron Park neighborhood, said the new census was consistent with the trends he has personally observed around the city. Though he noted that California’s overall population growth fell to its lowest level in the last decade than in any other decade since World War II, growth was stronger in Bay Area.

In many cases, people come for jobs, Snipp said. Not surprisingly, cities like Palo Alto, which have a wealth of high-tech jobs, tend to at-

tract more people, he said. It also helps that Bay Area has tradition-ally been a popular destination for Asian immigrants, particularly since American immigration laws were relaxed in 1976, he said.

“If you look at the new housing that has become available and the number of new businesses and in-dustries and the fact that Asians are a fast-growing segment of the American society, it appears that many of the people are coming here for jobs,” Snipp said.

The influx of Asian residents isn’t unique to Palo Alto. Statewide, the Asian population grew by 31.5 per-cent, and its share of California’s to-tal population went from 10.9 percent to 13 percent. California’s Hispanic population also went up by 27.8 per-cent over the past decade, from 10.9 million to 14 million. That trend has been a bit less dramatic (though no less true) in Palo Alto, where His-panic residents now make up 6.2 percent of the population, compared to 4.6 percent in 2000.

Snipp said these California trends could ultimately extend to other parts of the nation.

“The state is become ever more diverse and, in some ways, I think California is leading the nation in terms of the turnover in the demo-graphic composition of the country,” Snipp said. “The rest of the country will most likely catch up to where we’re at.”


Jocelyn Dong, Sue Dremann, Chris Kenrick, Carol Blitzer, Sarah Trauben, Joann So, Zohra Ashpari and Karla Kane contributed to this cover story package.

Quick factsMORE KIDS ... Palo Alto’s population of kids is inching upward. Last year, 23.4 percent of Palo Alto residents were under 18 years old; in 2000, the percentage was 21.2. The racial make-up of that growing population is also skewing. Within the Asian population, 26.8 percent are under 18 — up from 24 percent a decade earlier — compared with only 19.3 percent of the white population.

MOST DIVERSE ... Census tract 5107 can claim the title of being Palo Alto’s most diverse area. The tract, a thin rectangle, stretches from Oregon Expressway past Charleston Road and is bounded by Alma Street and El Camino Real. The 0.56-square-mile tract in-cludes both the Ventura and Charleston Meadows neighborhoods, the latter of which contains the new Arbor Real and Redwood Gate developments. The tract’s population is 50.3 percent white; 37.4 percent Asian; 3.7 percent black; 0.4 percent Hawaiian/Pacif-ic Islander; 0.2 percent American Indian/Alaskan; and 5.2 percent “other.” About 10 percent also identified themselves as ethnically Hispanic or Latino.

MOST REPRESENTATIVE ... To find the census tract with a popu-lation most similar to Palo Alto’s overall racial profile, look no fur-ther than the middle of the city. In Midtown, tract 5109 — bounded by Oregon Expressway, Middlefield Road, Alma Street and Barron Creek — is 61.8 percent white; 28.8 percent Asian; 1.7 percent black; 0.3 percent American Indian/Alaskan; 0.2 percent Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; and 2.2 percent “other.” About 7 percent identified themselves as ethnically Hispanic or Latino.

Census (continued from page 20)

Tract by tract census data has been posted on Palo Alto Online.

READ MORE ONLINEwww.PaloAltoOnline.com

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

W ritings from far and wide have one thing in common at the Bay Choral Guild this month. They’ve all been

given a West Coast interpretation, set to cho-ral music by California, Oregon and Wash-ington composers.

Words by St. Francis of Assisi will be in the company of writings by Pablo Neruda, Bret Harte and Michelangelo, to name a few. The program, “Pacific Passions,” will be performed locally on March 20 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto.

“It’s going to be an interesting concert. The pieces are modern but quite accessible,” said Menlo Park resident L Peter Deutsch, one of the composers on the program. His new piece is based on an e.e. cummings poem, “love is

more thicker than forget.”Also local is Mountain View composer

Frank Ferko, who thought of the late Cali-fornia poet Kenneth Rexroth when he heard the concert’s theme. He chose three Rexroth poems about spring, and set them to music as a multi-part work.

The program features three world pre-mieres: the pieces by Deutsch and Ferko, and Trevor Doherty’s work based on Harte’s “The Two Ships.” Other composers include Eric Whitacre, who drew his text from Federico Garcia Lorca’s “With a Lily in Your Hand”; and Kirke Mechem, whose cycle features po-ems by Sara Teasdale.

Sanford Dole, artistic director of the cho-ral group, also contributed a piece. Its text is

“Prayer of Saint Francis.”For Deutsch, the program provides an un-

usual opportunity. Not only will he be pre-miering a new work as a composer, he’ll also be performing. He has sung bass with the Palo Alto-based choral group for many years.

Deutsch has a Ph.D. in computer science and a background as a software engineer, but music has been a longtime interest. In 2003, he began focusing more seriously on com-position. He studied music at Stanford Uni-versity and then earned a master’s degree in composition from California State University, East Bay, at the urging of his Stanford men-tor, Giancarlo Aquilanti.

“School was what I needed, to go from be-ing a dabbler in composition to someone who

could make some claim to knowing what I was doing,” Deutsch said earlier this week in his living room, surrounded by records, a piano and an affable orange cat that occasion-ally interrupted the interview by jumping on the couch.

Deutsch’s e.e. cummings-inspired work is titled “The Dimensions of Love.” It, along with the poem, explores metaphors about the qualities of love.

Deutsch said he liked the poem’s messag-es, as well as its playfulness, and he says his piece reflects that spirit. For instance, with the lines “love is more thicker than forget / more thinner than recall,” Deutsch played with texture, moving from five voice parts to the high three parts.

CHORAL CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS CALIFORNIA, OREGON, WASHINGTON COMPOSERS

by Rebecca Wallace

THATWEST COASTSOUND

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Above: Artistic director Sanford Dole, his back to the camera, leads the Bay Choral Guild in a recent rehearsal in Palo Alto. Above right: Mountain View composer Frank Ferko. Below right: Menlo Park composer and Bay Choral Guild singer L Peter Deutsch.

The piece also takes the uncom-mon step of having all parts, men’s and women’s, begin on the same note in the same octave, the D above middle C. The voices then expand into different keys, conclud-ing in D major.

While some composers have a favorite time, place or technique for writing, Deutsch said he doesn’t have a set method (although he is fond of writing the beginning and the end first, and finishing in the middle). One thing he is set on is his love of the text in vocal pieces.

“I’m very word-oriented. I always approach vocal pieces as setting music to words,” he said.

As for Ferko, he had very few words to work with in the three Rexroth poems he chose for his choral piece “The Spring of Life.” But that wasn’t a problem for him.

“A lot of his poems are very short, concise, almost like haiku, and I really like that miniature kind

of quality,” Ferko said in a phone interview.

Ferko said he enjoyed using the vivid imagery in the trio of poems, and the thematic and emotional dif-ferences among them.

In the first poem, “Spring,” Ferko found the full-moon scene mysteri-ous, and thus employed “dramatic musical movement” in his piece, he said. The second, “This Spring,” seemed somber to Ferko, who tried to convey a feeling of “open, end-less space.” He decided that the third, “Spring Is Early,” felt care-free, so he began with a four-voice fugue sung to the word “la.”

To connect the poems together,

Ferko used his style of harmonies across them. He calls the style tonal and conventional.

“My thinking as a composer has always gravitated toward the harmonies we hear in French mu-sic from about 100 years ago, like Debussy and Ravel,” he said. “I use that as my point of departure and then embellish in my own way.”

When composing, Ferko also was thinking of the Bay Choral Guild, which he has seen perform several times.

“Every group has a little bit dif-ferent quality in their sound. I like to try to capture what I consider to be strong points or certain fea-tures,” he said. The choral guild, he

said, has a “very nicely well-blend-ed sound” that worked well with his colorful harmonies.

As a longtime composer and or-ganist who has also been a choral director, Ferko has written for many vocal, instrumental, theater and dance groups, as well as individual singers. His choral piece “Stabat Mater,” written in 1997-98 for the Chicago ensemble His Majesties Clerkes, has received particular ac-claim.

Ferko, who is also a library cata-loguer and archivist, moved here from Chicago about five years ago to work at Stanford University’s Archive of Recorded Sound. The Bay Choral Guild has performed

pieces of his in the past, but this is the first work of his that they’ve commissioned.

Like Deutsch, Ferko often finds inspiration for his music in words, even in novels. Sometimes, he said: “Something in the text hits me and

I think: ‘Oh my gosh, this is a very musical kind of text. I’ve got to do something with this.’”

But, he added, “The music comes at just about any time.” An idea can come while he’s walking, or be sparked by a color or sound.

“I’m very, very sensitive to colors and lighting,” Ferko said, adding, “Rainstorms and thunderstorms in the Midwest are fantastic for writ-ing music.” He laughed. “I have experienced earthquakes here, but earthquakes don’t seem to do any-thing for my musical mind.”

What: The Bay Choral Guild presents a program of music by West Coast composers.Where: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave., Palo AltoWhen: Sunday, March 20, at 4:30 p.m. A pre-concert lecture will take lace at 4 p.m.Cost: Tickets are $25 general, $20 for seniors, and $6 for students.Info: The program will also be pre-sented on March 18 in Campbell and on March 19 in San Francisco. For details, go to baychoralguild.org.

NOTICE OF A SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETINGof the City of Palo Alto

Architectural Review Board (ARB)

8:30 A.M., Thursday, March 24, 2011 Palo Alto Council Chambers, 1st Floor, Civic Center, 250 Hamilton Avenue. Go to the Development Center at 285 Hamilton Avenue to review filed documents; contact Alicia Spotwood for information regarding business hours at 650-617-3168.

Stanford University School of Medicine [10PLN-00397]:

Request by Stanford University School of Medicine on behalf of The Board of Trustees for the Leland Stanford Junior University for Architectural Review of Foundations in Medicine Building 1, containing approximately 185,000 square feet of research, office, and administrative support uses. This project is a component of the Stanford University Medical Center Facilities Renewal and Replacement Project. Existing Zone District: PF (Public Facility).

300 Pasteur Drive [10PLN-00399] Request by Stanford Hospital and Clinics on behalf of The Board of Trustees for the Leland Stanford Junior University for Architectural Review of improvements to Welch Road, including widening of Welch Road at specific locations, creation of a new public street (Durand Way), roadway restriping, and other streetscape improvements. This project is a component of the Stanford University Medical Center Facilities Renewal and Replacement Project. Existing Zone District: MOR (Medical Office and Research).

795 Welch Road [10PLN-00396] Request by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital on behalf of The Board of Trustees for the Leland Stanford Junior University for Architectural Review of a 521,300 gross square foot expansion to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, including an additional 104 patient beds, underground parking and on-site landscaping. This project a component of the Stanford University Medical Center Facilities Renewal and Replacement Project. Existing Zone District: MOR (Medical Office and Research).

Stanford University Medical Center Facilities Renewal and

Replacement Project- Design Guidelines: Review of Stanford University Medical Center Facilities Renewal and Replacement Project Design Guidelines

*****

Amy French

Manager of Current Planning

Please be advised the Planning and Transportation Commission (P&TC) shall conduct a special meeting at 6:00 PM, Wednesday, March 23, 2011 in the Civic Center, Council Chambers, 1st Floor, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, California. Any interested persons may appear and be heard on these items.

Staff reports for agendized items are available via the City’s main website at www.cityofpaloaoto.org. and also at the Planning Division Front Desk, 5th Floor, City Hall, after 2:00 PM on the Friday preceding the meeting date. Copies will be made available at the Development Center should City Hall be closed on the 9/80 Friday.

NEW BUSINESS.Public Hearing:

1. 525 San Antonio Rezoning and Comp. Plan Amendment: Request initiated by SummerHill Homes on behalf of A&D Protocol Transportations Inc. for a Zone Change from R-1 (8000) to RM-15 (Low Density Multiple-Family/Village Residential) and a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to assign the Village Residential Land Use Designation to a 2.65-acre site currently designated Single-Family Residential and in use as a preschool/daycare center. Applicant’s plans following rezoning include submittal of applications for Architectural Review and a Tentative Map to replace the existing buildings with up to 26 single-family detached homes on individual parcels. Environmental Assessment: A Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared.

Questions. For any questions regarding the above applications, please contact the Planning Department at (650) 329-2440. The files relating to these items are available for inspection weekdays between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This public meeting is televised live on Government Access Channel 26.

ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations to access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn more about the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), please contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 650.329.2550 (voice) or by e-mailing [email protected].

***

Curtis Williams,

Director of Planning and Community Environment

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETINGof the Palo Alto

Planning & Transportation Commission

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From left, Olivia Ebrahimi, Rani Fischer and Carol Bucholz sing during Bay Choral Guild rehearsal in Palo Alto.

From left, Sandy Green, Jim Seidel, Stephen Boisvert and Lighty Goldenberg at rehearsal.

I’M VERY

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-Composer L Peter Deutsch

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Worth a LookArts & Entertainment

History‘Music of the Antarctic Exploration’

While the Peninsula trio Left Bank/Rive Gauche usually performs French cafe music, on March 12 the musicians will delve into history with a presentation on the history of Antarctic exploration. They’ll pres-ent period music and vintage photos in a virtual trip to the South Pole, looking at the role that music played in the explorers’ lives.

The presentation is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Museum of Ameri-can Heritage at 351 Homer Ave. in Palo Alto. Admission is $5 general and free for museum members. Go to moah.org or call 650-321-1004.

MusicGloria Cheng and the Calder Quartet

Stanford University graduate Gloria Cheng has definitely done something with her degree in eco-nomics — but perhaps not what you’d expect. She’s now a Grammy Award-winning pianist and on the music faculty at the University of California, Los Angeles.

On March 30, Cheng returns to her alma mater with the Calder Quartet for a Stanford Lively Arts concert. They’ll premiere the new String Quartet No. 3, commissioned by the quartet from composer Chris-topher Rouse. The program also fea-tures music by Alfred Schnittke and Dmitry Shostakovich. The Calder Quartet is quartet-in-

residence at the Colburn Conserva-tory of Music in Los Angeles, and has also collaborated with indie-rock bands and performed on late-night TV.

The concert is at 8 p.m. in Din-kelspiel Auditorium. Tickets are $44/$50 general and $10 for Stan-ford students, with other discounts available for youths, groups and other students. Go to livelyarts.stan-ford.edu or call 650-725-ARTS.

Art‘A Rediscovered Masterpiece’

Eighteenth-century drawings of New Testa-ment scenes by Venetian artist Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo are now on dis-play at Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center. According to a press release, two of the 12 drawings have never been on public view.

The works “belong to the most important New Testament cycle to be rediscovered in mod-ern times,” Adelheid M. Gealt, director of the Indiana University Art Museum, said. The draw-ings are on loan from the museum.

Tiepolo’s New Testa-ment series, which con-tains a total of more than 300 drawings, was his most ambitious project but was disassembled after his death in 1804, according to the release. The fragmented collec-tion came together again after 10 years of research by Gealt and George Knox from the University of British Columbia. Ma-jor events and important saints in early Christian-ity are the basis of the drawings. Tiepolo retells tales through subjects in-cluding Christ, his grand-

parents Anna and Joaquim, and Pe-ter and Paul.

Tiepolo assisted and studied un-der his father Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, who was also an artist. For this series, he used black chalk, pen and ink, and an earthy brown wash. Tiepolo expresses an array of de-tailed emotions in his figures by the slightest stroke.

The free exhibition runs through May 29 at the Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday until 8

p.m. Go to museum.stanford.org or call 650-723-4177.

‘Shades of Red’February 14th has passed, but

Valentine’s Day is still working as a theme to connect local artwork in the “Shades of Red” show at Gallery House in Palo Alto.

Most of the works have an ele-ment of red, but the shades vary as do the subjects that the artists chose to represent. Subjects range from a sculpture of a ewe to a monoprint of flowers. An example is Joahnna Ri-vera’s photograph on canvas “Lay-ered Red Rock.” The orange-red layers in the photograph give view-ers an intensely detailed profile of the earth’s surface while details get blurred in the distance.

The broad theme using shades of red garnered a wide variety of works in a small yet neatly orga-nized space: paintings, photographs, sculptures, jewelry and pottery.

The exhibition runs through March 26 at 320 California Ave., open Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free and the gallery is accessible through the Printers Inc. Cafe. Go to galleryhouse2.com or call 650-326-1668.

PALO ALTO CITY COUNCILCIVIC CENTER, 250 HAMILTON AVENUE

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(TENTATIVE) AGENDA-SPECIAL MEETING- COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM

March 14, 2011 - 6:00 PM

ACTION

1. Acceptance of Long Range Financial Forecast

STUDY SESSION – 7:00 PM

2. Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Commission

SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY – 8:00 PM - Chambers

3. Presentation of Proclamation for the Student Exchange Group of Tsuchiura and Introduction of Tim Wong who will be representing Palo Alto in a marathon in Tsuchiura

CONSENT

4. The Parks and Recreation Commission and Staff recommend that Council approve the revised Park and Open Space Rules and Regulations

ACTION ITEMS

5. Recommendations and Direction for Modifying Historic Review of Contributing Structures Proposed for Demolition in the Professorville Historic District

6. Update Regarding Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) and Regional Housing Needs Allocation

STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGSThe Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 15, at 7:00 p.m. regarding 1) Stanford Development Agreement, 2) Finance Committee Recommendation Regarding Adoption of: (1) Budget Amendment Ordinance Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2011 to Adjust Budgeted Revenues and Expenditures in Accordance with the Recommendations in the Midyear Report and (2) Resolution Amending the FY 2010-2011 Compensation Plan for Classified Personnel (SEIU) Adopted by Resolution No. 9088 to Correct the Compensation for One Existing SEIU Classification and Change the Titles of Two Classifications

The City Council Rail Committee Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 17, at 8:00 a.m. regarding 1) Approval of minutes, 2) Discussion of Caltrain proposal to close San Antonio Station, 3) Report out from recent Washington, D.C. trip, 4) Reconsideration of previously approved HSR letters, 5) Committee meeting schedule, 6) Status reports: a) Caltrain, b)High Speed Rail (HSR), 7) Contracts update - Capitol Advocates contract, 8) Legislative update, 9) Meeting updates, 10) Future meetings and agendas

THIS IS A SUMMARY OF COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. THE AGENDA WITH COMPLETE TITLES INCLUDING LEGAL

DOCUMENTATION CAN BE VIEWED AT THE BELOW WEBPAGE:

http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/knowzone/agendas/council.asp

“Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: The Second Prayer,” circa 1786-90, is one of the drawings by Domenico Tiepolo now on exhibit at the Cantor Arts Center, on loan from the Indiana University Art Museum.

Grammy Award-winning pianist Gloria Cheng performs at Stanford University on March 30.

Left

eris

phot

o

MoviesOf Gods and Men

1/2(Guild) Xavier Beauvois’ much-feted drama “Of

Gods And Men” is a film of quiet contemplation about men of quiet contemplation, Trappist monks inhabiting a provincial Algerian monastery.

Based on a true incident in 1996 involving a clash with Islamic fundamentalists, the film invites a con-sideration of the social roles of religion and how the unseen and unheard (namely God) provide unlikely justification for radically diverse social action.

The story is, on its face, very simple. The encroach-ment of Islamic radicals on the peaceful countryside presses a thorny question to the monks: With direct conflict inevitable, should they stay true to their commitment to serve the local needy, or abandon the monastery and return to the safety of France?

Most of the film is preoccupied with answering this question. Though the outcome is never much in doubt (Beauvois all but announces the film’s ending from the opening frames), classical tragedies concern themselves less with one’s fate and more with how one meets it. These are men of responsibility, service and spiritual devotion, emblematized by the weight of leadership seen in Christian (Lambert Wilson), the medical care tirelessly offered by Luc (Michael Lonsdale), and the monks’ daily practices of prayer and chanting. (Side note: It’s particularly heartening to see the adept Lonsdale escape his niche as a hard-bitten toughie to play a gentle, loving soul.)

Since Beauvois takes pains to detail the activi-ties and rhythms of monastic life, there’s an element of anthropological interest here (or disinterest, for those who find the slow pace unbearably ponder-ous). Themes emerge: the character of brotherhood (occasionally strained but ultimately loving), strong ties to the community (the monks’ trusted counsel is sought even on such matters as secular love), and the struggle to maintain faith even in the face of a world gone mad.

The monks agree they shouldn’t be seeking mar-tyrdom. But they are, in a sense, prisoners of con-science, a point that Beauvois and co-writer Etienne Comar only obliquely address. True to life, this com-munity of faith is a conspicuously aging one, and it’s the youngest of the group (Olivier Rabourdin) who expresses the greatest reservations about staying in the line of fire: “Dying here, here and now ... does it serve a purpose?”

Christian rather unconvincingly offers, “Help will come from the Lord,” but his stronger argument goes to the heart of their sworn vocation to live like Christ: “The Good Shepherd doesn’t abandon his flock to the wolves.”

The specter of Islamic fundamentalism — careful-ly contrasted with the good-hearted men, women and children of the community — points up the damaging potential of faith. For some viewers, the possibility of the monks remaining to face certain harm will prove the same point.

But Beauvois wears his heart on his sleeve: If he allows the monks their humanity, he’s yet more in-terested in their extraordinary nobility of sacrifice. The film loses some power by letting the central de-bate fizzle out (Beauvois fumbles the dramatization of the men’s arrival at final decisions), but rallies in the end with an eloquent post-climactic testament by Christian, an attempt to respond rationally to the ir-rational.

Rated PG-13 for a momentary scene of startling wartime violence, some disturbing images and brief language. Two hours, two minutes.

— Peter Canavese

Red Riding Hood 1/2(Century 16, Century 20) It seems not even fairy

tales are safe from the “Twilight” infection — mashing fantasy/horror elements with soap-opera romance in hopes of startling and stimulating teen-age viewers.

But “Red Riding Hood” falls beneath even the low cinematic standards set by “Twilight.” The un-fortunate combination of a hackneyed script and inexperienced acting makes the film feel like the big-budget version of a bad high-school play. Al-though wide-eyed ingenue Amanda Seyfried and the always impressive Gary Oldman do their thespi-an best, the film quickly spirals from silly to absurd to “I can’t believe I just wasted 10 bucks.”

In the story, a vicious werewolf has tormented the residents of a medieval village for the better part of two decades. The terrified villagers regularly offer up sacrificial livestock to appease the mysterious beast, but when it kills a human girl the residents are spurred to action. Village holy man Father Auguste (Lukas Haas) enlists the aid of werewolf hunter Brother Solomon (Oldman), who plans to end the wolf’s violent reign.

Stuck in the middle is Valerie (Seyfried), the gor-geous daughter of a local lumberjack (Billy Burke as Cesaire) and secretive housewife (Virginia Mad-sen as Suzette). Valerie is desperately in love with the dark and brooding Peter (Shiloh Fernandez), a lifelong friend, but Suzette is pushing her to marry noble blacksmith Henry (Max Irons). Valerie also has an unusual connection with the werewolf, who Solomon claims could be anyone in the village. Fa-ther Auguste, Peter, Cesaire, Henry — even Val-erie’s creepy grandmother (Julie Christie) — are all suspects in Solomon’s aggressive wolf hunt.

Director Catherine Hardwicke, whose career launched so promisingly with the intelligent, edgy pictures “Thirteen” (2003) and “Lords of Dog-town” (2005), stumbles badly with “Hood.” Almost immediately the viewer is pulled out of the story as Hardwicke favors visual aesthetics over realism. It snows throughout the film, yet most of the charac-ters don clothing that wouldn’t keep one warm on an overcast day in San Francisco. Peter’s purposely tousled hair is obviously gelled, making us wonder if there’s a Paul Mitchell salon hidden somewhere in the archaic village.

Fernandez scowls his way through the film like an arrogant jock who just played a prank on some unsuspecting geek. His acting skills obviously need polishing, and as the male lead he forces viewers to look elsewhere for compelling material. The film’s score is actually very good and the set design de-serves some credit, but the highlights end there. Intrigue about the wolf’s identity proves somewhat interesting until the lackluster denouement inspires more chuckles than shock and applause.

Teenagers may find some enjoyment in this “Twilight”-meets-”The Village” offspring, but av-erage moviegoers can pull down their hoods and take a nap.

Rated PG-13 for violence and creature terror, and some sensuality. 1 hour, 49 minutes.

— Tyler Hanley

Battle: Los Angeles 1/2(Century 16, Century 20) If what you’re looking

for is two hours of things-go-boom jingoistic clap-trap, “Battle: Los Angeles” is for you. On the other hand, if you’re at all concerned that you may have seen it all before, trust that instinct.

OPENINGS

COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH RELATIVITY MEDIA AN ORIGINAL FILM PRODUCTION“BATTLE: LOS ANGELES” AARON ECKHART MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ RAMON RODRIGUEZ BRIDGET MOYNAHAN

AND MICHAEL PEÑANE-YO MUSICBY BRIAN TYLER EXECUTIVE

PRODUCERS JEFFREY CHERNOV DAVID GREENBLATTWRITTEN

BY CHRIS BERTOLINI PRODUCEDBY NEAL H. MORITZ ORI MARMUR DIRECTED

BY JONATHAN LIEBESMAN

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES STARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 11(continued on next page)

Movies

The Adjustment Bureau Century 16: 11:20 a.m.; 12:20, 1:55, 2:55, 4:30, 5:30, 7:30, 8:30 & 10:20 p.m. Century 20: (PG-13) 1/2 11:40 a.m.; 2:15, 4:50, 7:30 & 10:10 p.m.

Battle: Los Angeles (PG-13) Century 16: 11 a.m.; 12:30, 1:50, 3:40, 4:50, 7, 7:55, 10:05 & 10:40 p.m. Century 20: 11:25 1/2 a.m.; 12:50, 2:10, 3:40, 4:55, 6:30, 7:45, 9:20 & 10:35 p.m.

Beastly (PG-13) Century 16: Noon, 2:40, 4:55, 7:40 & 10:15 p.m. Century 20: 11:20 a.m.; 1:40, 3:50, 6:10, 8:25 (Not Reviewed) & 10:40 p.m.

The Big Shakedown (1934) Stanford Theatre: Fri. at 6:15 & 9:25 p.m.

Black Swan (R) Century 16: 7:15 p.m.; Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. also at 1:45 p.m. Century 20: Noon, 2:40, 5:25, 8 & 10:30 p.m.

Carmen 3D (Not Rated) Century 20: Tue. & Wed. at 11:15 a.m. (Not Reviewed)

Cedar Rapids (R) Century 20: 11:55 a.m.; 2:30, 5, 7:20 & 9:35 p.m. Palo Alto Square: 1:45 p.m.; Fri.-Tue & Thu. also at 4:45 & 7:20 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. also at 9:35 p.m.

Cleopatra (1934) (Not Rated) Stanford Theatre: Sat.-Mon. at 7:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. also at 4 p.m.

Even the Rain (Not Rated) Aquarius Theatre: 1:30, 4, 7 & 9:30 p.m.

The Fighter (R) 1/2 Century 16: 12:10, 3:20, 6:40 & 9:40 p.m. Century 20: 11:15 a.m.; 4:20 & 9:25 p.m.

Gnomeo & Juliet (G) Century 16: Fri.-Wed. at 11:05 a.m.; 3:35 & 8:20 p.m.; In 3D at 1:20 & 6:05 p.m. Century 20: 11:45 a.m.; 4:10 & 8:35 p.m.; In 3D at 1:55, 6:25 & 10:45 p.m.

Hall Pass (R) Century 16: 11:25 a.m.; 4:45 & 10:35 p.m. Century 20: 11:30 a.m.; 2, 4:35, 7:10 & 10 p.m.

I Am Number Four (PG-13) Century 16: Fri.-Wed. at 10:30 p.m. Century 20: 12:15 & 10:45 p.m.; Fri.-Tue. & Thu. also at 5:35 p.m.

The Illusionist (2011) Aquarius Theatre: 12:30 & 4:30 p.m. (PG)

It’s Love I’m After (1937) Stanford Theatre: Thu. at 7:30 p.m.

Just Go With It (PG-13) 1/2 Century 20: 11:35 a.m.; 2:20, 5:05, 7:50 & 10:35 p.m.

Justin Bieber: Never Say Century 20: Fri.-Tue. & Thu. in 3D at 2:55 & 8:10 p.m. Never (G) (Not Reviewed)

Kid Galahad (1937) Stanford Theatre: Fri. at 7:30 p.m.

The King’s Speech (R) 1/2 Century 20: 11:25 a.m.; 2:10, 4:55, 7:40 & 10:25 p.m. Palo Alto Square: 1:30, 4:20 & 7:15 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. also at 10 p.m.

LA Phil: Dudamel Conducts Century 16: Sun. at 2 p.m. Century 20: Sun. at 2 p.m. Tchaikovsky (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed)

The Last Lions (PG) Century 16: 11:55 a.m.; 2:30, 5, 7:35 & 10 p.m. (Not Reviewed)

Lord of the Dance 3D Century 16: Thu. at 11:05 a.m.; 1:35, 4, 7 & 9:40 p.m. Century 20: Thu. at noon, 2:25, 4:50, (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed) 7:15 & 9:40 p.m.

Mars Needs Moms (PG) Century 16: 11:10 a.m.; 1:30, 3:50, 6:10 & 8:40 p.m.; In 3D at 11:50 a.m.; 2:10, 4:40, 7:10 & (Not Reviewed) 9:30 p.m. Century 20: 12:25, 2:45, 5:10, 7:25 & 9:45 p.m. (Sun. also at 11:30 a.m.); In 3D at

11:20 a.m.; 1:35, 3:55, 6:15, 8:30 & 10:50 p.m.

The Metropolitan Opera: Century 20: Wed. at 6:30 p.m. Palo Alto Square: Wed. at 6:30 p.m. Iphigénie en Tauride (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed)

Of Gods and Men (PG-13) Guild Theatre: 1, 4, 7 & 9:45 p.m. 1/2

Oscar-Nominated Animated Aquarius Theatre: 2:30 & 6:30 p.m. Shorts (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed)

Oscar-Nominated Live-Action Aquarius Theatre: 8:30 p.m. Shorts (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed)

Rango (PG) Century 16: 11 & 11:40 a.m.; 1:40, 2:20, 4:20, 5:10, 7:05, 7:50, 9:55 & 10:25 p.m. Century 20: 11:10 a.m.; 12:10, 1:45, 2:50, 4:25, 5:25, 7:10, 8:05, 9:50 & 10:40 p.m.

Red Riding Hood (PG-13) Century 16: 11:30 a.m.; 2, 4:35, 7:20 & 10 p.m. Century 20: 11:35 a.m.; 12:35, 2, 3:05, 4:30, 1/2 5:30, 7, 8, 9:30 & 10:30 p.m.

Shanghai Express (1932) Stanford Theatre: Sat.-Mon. at 5:55 & 9:25 p.m.

Take Me Home Tonight (R) Century 16: 11:15 a.m. & 9:50 p.m.; Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Thu. also at 4:25 p.m. Century 20: Fri.-(Not Reviewed) Wed. at 7:55 & 10:20 p.m.; Fri., Sat. & Mon.-Wed. also at 2:35 & 5:15 p.m.; Fri., Sat. & Mon. also at 12:05 p.m.

That Certain Woman (1937) Stanford Theatre: Thu. at 5:45 & 9:10 p.m.

True Grit (PG-13) Century 16: 12:40, 3:30, 6:30 & 9:10 p.m. Century 20: 1:50 & 6:55 p.m.

Unknown (PG-13) 1/2 Century 16: 2:05 & 7:45 p.m. Century 20: 12:30, 3:35, 6:20 & 9:05 p.m.

MOVIE TIMES

Skip it Some redeeming qualities A good bet Outstanding

Aquarius: 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto (266-9260)

Century Cinema 16: 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View (800-326-3264)

Century 20 Downtown: 825 Middlefield Road, Red-wood City(800-326-3264)

CinéArts at Palo Alto Square: 3000 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (493-3456)

Guild: 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park (266-9260)

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

Internet address: For show times, plot synopses, trailers and more information about films playing, go to Palo AltoOnline.com.

“MAKES YOU LAUGH – OFTEN AND OUT LOUD.”

“COMIC GOLD POWERED BY A DREAM CAST.”

TOP CRITICS AGREE‘CEDAR RAPIDS’ IS THE PLACE TO BE!

“A TENDER AND RAUNCHY COMEDY OF SELF-DISCOVERY.”

“ED HELMS SHINES.”

CAMERA CINEMAS CAMERA 7 PRUNEYARDCampbell (408) 559-6900

CINEMARK CENTURY 20 DOWNTOWNRedwood City (800) FANDANGO 990#

CINEMARKCINÉARTS AT SANTANA ROWSan Jose (800) FANDANGO 983#

CINEMARKCINÉARTS AT PALO ALTO SQUAREPalo Alto (800) FANDANGO 914#

EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENTS NOW PLAYING

The Kings Speech 1:30, 4:20, 7:15, 10:00 Cedar Rapids 1:45, 4:45, 9:35 The Kings Speech 1:30, 4:20, 7:15 Cedar Rapids 1:45, 4:45, 7:20 The Kings Speech 1:30, 4:20, 7:15 Cedar Rapids 1:45 The Kings Speech 1:30, 4:20, 7:15 Cedar Rapids 1:45, 4:45, 7:20

Thurs 3/17

Weds ONLY 3/16

Sun-Tues 3/13-3/15

Fri & Sat 3/11-3/12

The science-fiction actioner opens with a cacophony of media voices, cheesily punctuated with the commentary “One thing is clear: The world is at war.” I’d call that line “’Battle: Los Angeles’ for Dummies,” but it’d be just as clear

to call the movie itself “’Battle: Los Angeles’ for Dummies.”

Here’s what happens: A meteor shower off the coast of Tokyo turns out to be the first salvo in an alien invasion. With San Francisco and San Diego conquered, Los Ange-les is the last bastion of the West Coast. Only the U.S. Marine Corps can save us now!

The details are entirely pre-dictable, from the broad swath of macho theatrics right down to the insectoid rattling of the aliens. It’s mostly “Hoo-rah!” and “We’re at ‘Threatcon Delta.’ That’s right!,” with regular urban shootouts oc-casionally interrupted for pep talks and weary feints at character dra-ma. (Most laughably, screenwriter Christopher Bertolini pauses for 30 seconds to provide a token discus-sion between Marines about how

the aliens are probably just like us, then returns to blowing them to bits.)

Aaron Eckhart plays Marine Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz, who — get this! — just turned in his retirement papers (go ahead, roll your eyes — I’ll wait). For good measure, Nantz carries survivor’s guilt from recently losing his pla-toon overseas, including the brother of one of his newly assigned charg-es. (Awk-ward!) The rest of Nantz’s new unit is full of characters with Conspicuous Reasons They Can’t Die, including unclaimed virginity and an imminent wedding.

A few familiar faces crop up:

Michelle Rodriguez (“Avatar”), Bridget Moynahan (“I, Robot”), Michael Peña (“Crash”), and pop star Ne-Yo. But the affordable cast isn’t the draw. Rather, “Battle: Los Angeles” follows the play-book of “Independence Day” and “Godzilla,” as filtered through the more manageable budget of “Clo-verfield.” Monsters come to your town and take heavy artillery, as Soldiers and Relatable Innocent Civilians duck for cover.

Directed with reasonable but never surprising efficiency by Jonathan Liebesman (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Begin-ning”), “Battle: Los Angeles”

feels like a shoot-’em up video game crossed with “24,” since the gun-toting prowling occurs mostly in real time, under the countdown threat of a bomb set to raze Santa Monica. Though the film may or may not bomb with audiences, it is neuron-rotting brain candy: an empty action exercise made up of empty calories. That’d be fine, if only it were sweet.

Rated PG-13 for sustained and intense sequences of war violence and destruction, and for language. One hour, 54 minutes.

— Peter Canavese

(continued from previous page)

Search a complete listing of local

restaurantreviews by location or type of food onPaloAltoOnline.com

AMERICAN

Armadillo Willy’s 941-2922

1031 N. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos

Range: $5.00-13.00

Hobee’s 856-6124

4224 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

Also at Town & Country Village,

Palo Alto 327-4111

Burmese

Green Elephant Gourmet

(650) 494-7391

Burmese & Chinese Cuisine

3950 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto

(Charleston Shopping Center)

Dine-In, Take-Out, Local Delivery-Catering

CHINESE

Chef Chu’s (650) 948-2696

1067 N. San Antonio Road

on the corner of El Camino, Los Altos

2010 Best Chinese

MV Voice & PA Weekly

Jing Jing 328-6885

443 Emerson St., Palo Alto

Authentic Szechwan, Hunan

Food To Go, Delivery

www.jingjinggourmet.com

Ming’s 856-7700

1700 Embarcadero East, Palo Alto

www.mings.com

New Tung Kee Noodle House

520 Showers Dr., MV in San Antonio Ctr.

Voted MV Voice Best ‘01, ‘02, ‘03 & ‘04

Prices start at $4.75

947-8888

CHINESE

Peking Duck 321-9388

151 S. California Avenue, Palo Alto

We also deliver.

Su Hong – Menlo Park

Dining Phone: 323–6852

To Go: 322–4631

Winner, Menlo Almanac “Best Of”

8 years in a row!

INDIAN

Darbar Indian Cuisine 321-6688

129 Lytton, Downtown Palo Alto

Lunch Buffet M-F; Open 7 days

Janta Indian Restaurant 462-5903

369 Lytton Ave., Downtown Palo Alto

Lunch Buffet M-F; Organic Veggies

ITALIAN

Spalti Ristorante 327-9390

417 California Ave, Palo Alto

www.spalti.com

JAPANESE & SUSHI

Fuki Sushi 494-9383


Open 7 days a Week

MEXICAN

Palo Alto Sol 328-8840

408 California Ave, Palo Alto

PIZZA

Pizza Chicago 424-9400


This IS the best pizza in town

Spot A Pizza 324-3131

115 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto

Voted Best Pizza in Palo Alto

www.spotpizza.com

POLYNESIAN

Trader Vic’s 849-9800


Dinner Mon-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm;

Sun 4:30 - 9:30pm

Available for private luncheons

Lounge open nightly

Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-6 pm

SEAFOOD

Cook’s Seafood 325-0604

751 El Camino Real, Menlo Park

Seafood Dinners from

$6.95 to $10.95

Scott’s Seafood 323-1555

#1 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto

Open 7 days a week serving breakfast,

lunch and dinner

Happy Hour 7 days a week 4-7 pm

Full Bar, Banquets, Outdoor Seating

www.scottsseafoodpa.com

THAI

Thaiphoon Restaurant 323-7700

543 Emerson St., Palo Alto

Full Bar, Outdoor Seating

www.thaiphoonrestaurant.com

Best Thai Restaurant in Palo Alto

5 Years in a Row, 2006-2010

Siam Orchid 325-1994

496 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto

Organic Thai

Free Delivery to Palo Alto/Stanford/Menlo Park

Order online at www.siamorchidpa.com

STEAKHOUSE

Sundance the Steakhouse 321-6798


Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2:00pm

Dinner: Mon-Thu 5:00-10:00pm

Fri-Sat 5:00-10:30pm, Sun 5:00-9:00pm

www.sundancethesteakhouse.com

of the week

Rated the BEST Chicago Style,

Deep Dish Gourmet Pizza


424-9400

Order online at www.pizzachicago.com

Since 1991, we have had

the honor of serving the

Bay Area & we thank you

for your continued support.

Eating Out

M editerranean cuisine has long been a local restau-rant favorite. Downtown

Palo Alto has its fair share: oak-fired rotisserie and grilled lamb chops; pasta and pizza places; wraps, kebabs, falafels and gyros. It all runs the gamut from quick eats to sit-down extravaganzas. The newest entry is Baklava, an upscale sit-down Turkish restau-rant on Emerson Street.

Ilker “Iliano” Yuksel was vaca-tioning in the Bay Area with his mother in 1999 and thought the region presented more opportuni-ties than in his native Turkey. He stayed. Working his way through local Turk-owned Italian restau-rants, he was quickly up to speed on the nuances of Bay Area res-tauranteering. He had a head start, having grown up in the restaurant business in northern Turkey.

Noting the dearth of Turkish eateries in the area, in 2005 Yuk-sel opened Cafe Baklava Medi-terranean Grill on Castro Street in Mountain View. Using mom’s recipes, he specialized in eastern Mediterranean plates. In June, he leveraged his success and opened in Palo Alto in a space that has housed a variety of Tex-Mex and

Asian restaurants over the years, most recently Bistro d’Asie.

Decor at the Palo Alto Baklava has the feel of a contemporary Is-tanbul restaurant minus the views of the Bosporus. The wood-raf-tered ceiling mimics the hardwood floors, while a stone-topped bar lines one wall under teardrop pen-dant lights. The opposite wall has a long banquette beneath a hand-painted mural. There are booths and linen-lined tables as well. In pleasant weather, articulated doors open to al fresco curbside dining. It’s a cozy, inviting interior.

Turkish cuisine is a synthesis of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Balkan and Mediterranean ethnic-ities. Like most cuisines, Turkish was forged by history and geogra-phy, and passionate and inventive chefs.

Baklava’s menu varies somewhat from lunch to dinner. At midday, there are burgers and wraps; at dinner, more grilled meats and en-trees. Both menus offer a variety of salads and mezes: small-dish appetizers. I’ll focus on the dinner menu for this report.

First off, the complimentary warm pita bread with sun-dried tomato sauce could be seriously

addicting. It was challenging not to fill up before any courses were served.

For starters, I found the baba ghanoush ($7) fresh, tangy and appetizing. The eggplant had been charcoal-grilled, then mashed and mixed with tahini oil, yogurt, gar-lic and extra-virgin olive oil.

Sigara boregi ($8) were four deep-fried cylinders of phyllo dough stuffed with feta cheese, potatoes and parsley. The “cigars” were crisp and fryer-hot, dense and flavorful.

Saksuka ($7) is a classic Turkish meze made with fried eggplant and potatoes, grilled peppers, tomato and onions. Baklava’s noteworthy version was served with an amped-up garlic cacik (yogurt cucumber) sauce.

Composed of skewered and flame-broiled spicy ground beef mixed with green bell peppers, the Adana kebab ($13) was a long thin brochette of meat. Although there were more subtle spices in the tasty mix, it was cumin and coriander that lingered on the tongue.

My favorite dish was the Beyti kebab ($17). Flame-broiled, sea-soned ground beef was wrapped in thin lavash bread then topped with both a marinara sauce and a light garlic-yogurt sauce. The dish was similar to a meat-filled lasagna but a tad chewier because of the lavash, and tangier because of the yogurt. The portion was generous and the flavors multi-layered.

The ground lamb moussaka ($17) with grilled eggplant, fresh tomato

and green bell pepper, topped with béchamel sauce was piping hot, ro-bust and irresistible.

Tavuk shish kebab ($13) were marinated chunks of chicken breast, skewered with peppers and onions and flame-broiled. The chicken was moist and melt-in-the-mouth tender. The word “skewered” ap-pears often on the Baklava menu but foods are taken off the skewers before being served. Diners need not worry about coaxing reluctant utensils.

The combo kebab ($17) consist-ed of adana kebab (beef), kuzu ke-bab (lamb) and tavuk shish kebab (chicken). Lots of tender meat on this dish: a good way to try all the meat options at once.

Long-grained basmati rice pilaf accompanied most entrées, and vegetables were fresh but redun-dant — the same bell pepper, broc-coli and various squashes graced nearly every plate. I realize that the cooking process of skewering lim-its the possibilities. Nonetheless, there was a tedium to the presen-tation, especially with the grilled meats.

Desserts? Baklava ($7), of course. The phyllo-dough pastry filled with nuts was sweet, but not overly. Four big pieces per order, plenty for two. I suppose there is such a thing as bad baklava, but my uneducated Turkish palate prob-ably can’t tell much difference be-tween superb and just pretty good baklava. This tasted good to me.

But then, I knew the kunefe ($7) was a sensational dessert as soon as the waiter brought it to the table. Two layers of shredded, then baked phyllo dough were filled with a thin layer of cheese, and served in a puddle of house-made syrup and sprinkled with pistachio nuts. The quasi-cake was aromatic and artis-

tic, crisp and flavor-packed, sweet but not cloying.

The wine list leans heavily on California but there is representa-tion from around the world. One evening, we ordered a Turkish red wine, Kavikidere Kalecik Boregi ($55 regularly-$27.50 special) from the central Anatolia region. The ruby-colored wine was light, well-balanced and fruity with a wisp of cocoa-vanilla on the nose. It paired perfectly with the food.

Baklava is also running a great special on wines into 2011: half-price on every full bottle on the menu Sunday through Thursday.

With so many ethnic food choic-es in downtown Palo Alto, I hope Baklava doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. The food is well-prepared, fresh, healthy and nicely presented. The decor is contemporary and the ambiance lively, and that great wine deal makes a visit worthwhile.

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Baklava owner Ilker “Iliano” Yuksel holds Turkish bread and olive oil.

Beyti kebab features seasoned ground beef wrapped in lavash bread.

Worth a visitBaklava’s new downtown Palo Alto location features

fine Turkish cuisine and chic decorby Dale F. Bentson

Baklava445 Emerson St., Palo Alto650-323-6543www.baklavapaloalto.comHours:Weekdays: Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; dinner 4-11 p.m. Sat.: Lunch: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; dinner 4-11 p.m. Sun.: Lunch: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; din-ner 4-10 p.m.

Reservations

Credit cards

Lot Parking

Full Bar

Takeout

Highchairs

Wheelchair access

Banquet

Catering

Outdoor seating

Noise level: Low

Bathroom Cleanliness: Good

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Art Galleries‘Architecture of Memory: Mildred How-ard’ A Mildred Howard exhibit will be open through March 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto. Call 650-329-2366. cit-yofpaloalto.org/artcenter‘Coffee, Art & Chocolate’ A group gath-ers every second Friday in the Main Gal-lery to discuss art and enjoy coffee and chocolate. March 11, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Pacific Art League, 668 Ramona St., Palo Alto. www.pacificartleague.org‘In a New York Minute’ This exhibition includes 55 photographs by Helen Levitt from the collection of the Capital Group Foundation, selected by the artist as some of the most important images of her career. Through May 1, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lo-mita Drive, Stanford.‘Paths through the Global City’ Pho-tographer and writer Leo Rubinfien has developed four projects over many

years. This exhibition presents between six and 12 photographs from each proj-ect. Through May 1, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford.

‘Peacemakers’ Exhibition An exhibit of works by Peninsula high school stu-dents. Show runs through April 1. Free. Anna Seipp Gallery, Castilleja School, 1310 Bryant St., Palo Alto. www.cas-tilleja.org/page.cfm?p=271

‘Shades of Red’ “Shades of Red” cel-ebrates Valentine’s Day with a show of paintings, photography, sculptures, jewelry and pottery. The artists of Gal-lery House have put together works re-flecting their take on the Valentine’s Day theme. Exhibit through March 26, see website for gallery hours. Gallery House, 320 California Ave., Palo Alto. Call 650-814-0057. www.galleryhouse2.com/

Pei-Jen Hau Retrospective A retro-spective of the work of Chinese painter Pei-Jen Hau. Through March 24, 10

a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Pacific Art League, 668 Ramona St., Palo Alto. www.paci-ficartleague.orgThe New Contemporary Gallery Euro-pean and American art in diverse me-dia from recent decades is on display in the contemporary collection. Exhibits ongoing. Free. Cantor Arts Center, 328 Lomita Drive, Stanford.

Classes/Workshops‘Advice for Overcoming Conflict’ “Ev-eryday Dharma at Home, at Work, in the World: The Buddha’s Advice for Over-coming Conflict.” This day-long pro-gram includes silent sitting and walking meditation, raja yoga and a talk in the afternoon. March 12, No registration and no previous experience required. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Insight Medita-tion South Bay St. Timothy’s Episco-pal Church Edwards Hall, 2094 Grant Road, Mountain View. www.imsb.org/programs/flyers/20110312_BuddhasA-dvice.pdfBlog Learn how to build a simple blog (web log), create and edit postings, de-sign a page, add gadgets, incorporate hyperlinks, photos, videos and audios onto the blog, and save blog content. March 16, 6 p.m. Free. East Palo Alto Library, 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto.

Community Events‘A Cubic Mile of Oil’ One cubic mile of oil (CMO) corresponds to the world’s current annual use of crude oil. By 2050 the world will need between 6-9 CMO of energy per year. March 13, 10 a.m. to noon. $5 donation/free. Kehillah Jew-ish High School, 3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Call 650-494-6400. keddem.org/Calendar.htmlFree Tax Preparation Employed per-sons who earn less than $55,000 per year or whose household earns less than $70,000 per year can receive free tax-preparation assistance Feb. 15 through April 15. Free. Stanford Federal Credit Union, 694 Pampas Lane, Stanford. Call 918-691-2674.

Concerts‘Just Plain Folks’ Schola Cantorum per-forms folk songs of the British Isles and North America, including works by John Rutter, Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst and others. March 13, 4-5:30 p.m. $24 adult; $20 seniors; $12 students. First Congregational Church, 1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto. Call 650-254-1700. www.scholacantorum.org‘The Poet Prays’ Congregational Ora-torio Society and Orchestra, conducted by Gregory Wait, with Joe Guthrie on the organ, will present “Missa Sacra” by Robert Schumann; Concerto in C for Or-gan and Orchestra, by F. J. Haydn; and Kyrie in d minor, by W. A. Mozart. March 20, 4-6 p.m. $15 general/$10 student and senior. First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, 1985 Louis Road (at Embar-cadero), Palo Alto. Call 650-856-6662. www.fccpa.org/FCCPA_Site/Concerts.htmlEarly Music Singers William Mahrt di-rects the Early Music Singers. March 11, 8 p.m. Free. Memorial Church, Duena Street, Stanford. Call 650-725-2787. mu-sic.stanford.edu/Events/calendar.htmlEric Tran Pianist Eric Tran performs March 18, 8 p.m. Free. Campbell Recital Hall, Lasuen Mall, Stanford. Call 650-725-2787. music.stanford.edu/Events/calendar.htmlFlute and Fantasia Orchestra Con-cert Maestro Michael Paul Gibson leads the Silicon Valley Symphony in Mozart’s “Symphony No. 41, the ‘Ju-piter;’” Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on Greensleeves.” Brian Bensing plays the “Concerto for Flute and Orchestra” by Lowell Lieberman. March 18, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $15 senior/student; $20 general; children 12 and younger free with adult. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 330 Ra-

venswood Ave., Menlo Park. Call 415-287-6002. www.siliconvalleysymphony.net/Concerts/Flute/flute.htmlMaster Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra Concert Marcolivia, violin duo, returns to Master Sinfonia for Martinu’s Concerto for Two Violins. MSCO also performs Mendelssohn’s “Ruy Blas Overture” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” March 13, 2:30 p.m. Tickets $5-$20. Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdale-na Ave., Los Altos. www.mastersinfonia.orgPalo Alto Philharmonic Chamber Con-cert Members of the Palo Alto Phil-harmonic will perform chamber-music pieces. March 12, 8 p.m. $18/$15/$8. Palo Alto Art Center, 41313 Newell Road, Palo Alto. www.paphil.org

Environment‘Everything Under The Sun: Learn About Solar Energy for Your Home’ A panel of experts and industry lead-ers discuss solar energy for the home. Learn about the benefits of solar panels and explore financial options. March 17, 7-10 p.m. Free. Oshman Family JCC, Conference Room F401 (4th floor above the theater), 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. www.paloaltojcc.orgAfrican Wildlife Doug Cheeseman of Cheeseman Ecology Safaris presents on the behavior of African birds and mam-mals using images from recent safaris in Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia. March 16, 8 p.m. Free. 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Call 408-252-3740. www.sc-vas.org/index.php?page=text&id=calJohn Muir Laws John Muir Laws, natu-ralist and author, discusses a series of relationships between plants and animals in the Sierra. March 16, 8 p.m. Free. Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Call 408-252-3740. www.scvas.org/index.php?page=text&id=cal

Live Music‘Made in America’ Ragazzi Boys Chorus presents a variety of songs representing the roots of American music, from Afri-can-American work songs and spirituals and the Civil War ballad “Shenandoah” to choral arrangements of classic hits. March 26, 5 p.m. $10-$25. First Con-gregational Church, 1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto.Doris Williams Performs Celtic Doris Williams and Peter Daldry share the stage, performing Celtic music for St. Paddy’s Day. Williams will perform Re-naissance music, Irish, Welsh, Scottish and a few American tunes, accompany-ing herself on lute with a few instrumen-talists and dancers. March 17, 8-10:30 p.m. $10 in advance, $14 at the door Angelica’s Bell Theatre and Bistro, 863 Main St., Redwood City. Call 650-365-3226. angelicasbistro.comJamnesty Open Mic An open-mic fund-raiser for Los Altos High School. March 12, 7-9 p.m. Red Rock Coffee, 201 Cas-tro St., Mountain View.The Jack Conway Trio Ms. Juanita Har-ris and The Jack Conway Trio perform classic jazz. March 19, 8-10 p.m. Free. Dana Street Roasting Company, 744 W.

Dana St., Mountain View. Call 650-823-9387. www.jackconwaytrio.com

Women of Song Benefit Concert The women of Be a Dear and Donate a Brassiere, an organization dedicated to collecting undergarments for disadvan-taged women, will be celebrating Inter-national Women’s Month with a benefit concert featuring The Women of Song, a group of four Bay Area singer/song-writers. March 18, 8 p.m. $10/$15. Red Rock Coffee, 201 Castro St., Mountain View.

On Stage“The Story of the Great Peacemaker ...” Living Wisdom School presents “The Story of the Great Peacemaker, De-ganawidah; and his follower, Hiawatha,” about a Native American leader. March 17-19, 10 a.m. Ananda Church, 2171 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Call 650- 462-8150. www.livingwisdomschool.org

‘Annie Get Your Gun’ Peninsula Youth Theatre presents the classic musical “Annie Get Your Gun” March 5-13, 2 p.m. $7-$20. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. Call 650-903-6000. www.pytnet.org

‘BASHERT! Meant-to-Be’ “Bashert!” means “destined” in Yiddish. A new play featuring 16 true how-we-met sto-ries from WWII to present gathered by local playwright Caryn Huberman Ya-cowitz. Thirteen actors, age 15 to 80, bring these stories to life in this benefit show followed by gala reception. March 20, 5-7 p.m. $25 prior/$35 at the door. Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastra-dero Road, Los Altos Hills. Call 408-374-8331.

‘Kiss Me, Kate!’ Gunn High School pres-ents “Kiss Me, Kate!” A musical comedy about a theater company putting on a production of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.” Wed.-Sat., March 18-26, 8-10 p.m. $8-12. Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Call 650-354-8258. www.gunntheatre.org

‘My Fair Lady’ Palo Alto High School presents the musical “My Fair Lady,” March 11-19 at 7:30 p.m. March 20 and 21 at 2 p.m. $12 adults, $10 students and seniors. Haymarket Theatre, 50 Em-barcadero Road, Palo Alto.

‘Seussical Jr.’ Los Altos Youth Theatre presents “Seussical Jr.” March 11-26, March 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. March 13 ,19, 20 and 26 at 2 p.m. $10 - $15 Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. Call 650-941-0551. lo-saltosrecreation.org

M-A High School Spring Musical M-A presents the Tony-award winning Broad-way musical comedy, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” with live accompaniment from M-A’s band. Six young spellers compete for the title while they clumsily navigate the world of pre-adolescence. March 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 7:30 p.m. (March 19, 2 p.m.) $12 adults, $8 students/seniors. M-A Performing Arts Center, 555 Middlefield Road, Men-lo Park. Call 650-322-5311ext. 8500. www.thecenteratma.org

Goings OnThe best of what’s happening on the Midpeninsula

OF NOTE

Anne Barry

CALENDAR LISTINGS

For News submissions for possible use elsewhere in the paper, e-mail [email protected] or call (650) 326-8210

For complete Calendar listings or to submit a Calendar listing, go to

www.PaloAltoOnline.com and click on “Master Community Calendar”


The way you wear your hatJoseph Comey plays Henry Higgins and Stephanie Spector is Eliza Doolittle in Palo Alto High School’s production of “My Fair Lady,” the classic musical about the linguistics professor and the Cockney flower girl. (Zachary Freier-Harrison and Arielle Fishman also play the pair in the production’s other cast.) “My Fair Lady” will be per-formed March 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and March 20 at 2 p.m. at 50 Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto. Tickets are $12 general and $10 for students and seniors; go to palytheatre.com. Meanwhile, Gunn High School presents the Cole Porter musical “Kiss Me, Kate” on March 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. and March 23 at 3:30 p.m. at 780 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. Tickets are $8-$20; go to gunntheatre.org.

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Stanford senior guard Jeanette Pohlen (23), named this week as the Pac-10 Player of the Year, will lead the nationally No. 2-ranked Cardinal into the Pac-10 Conference Tournament on Friday in Los Angeles.

Stanford senior Kayla Pedersen (14) will rally the troops again this weekend as the Cardinal women’s basketball team puts its 21-game (overall) winning streak and 55-game streak against conference opponents on the line.

John Todd/stanfordphoto.comZach Sanderson/stanfordphoto.com

Pac-10tourneya start

Stanford begins title defense as tuneup for

NCAA tournamentby Rick Eymer

C ompetitors can only watch so much basketball before their nerve endings start to tingle

and they start fidgeting for some action and grow antsy to get on the court and do a little playing them-selves.

The top-seeded and second-ranked Stanford women’s basketball could only watch the first two days of the Pac-10 tournament at the Ga-len Center on the campus of USC. They earned a double bye, with second-seed and seventh-ranked UCLA, because of their success over the course of the regular sea-son.

The Cardinal (27-2) won’t be playing at Galen, though. The semi-finals and finals move over to the Staples Center and join the fun with the men’s tournament.

It will have been eight days be-fore Stanford plays a game again, and it didn’t know the opponent un-til about 8 p.m. Thursday. That left about 16 hours to prepare.

Stanford plays the noon game Fri-day and it’s almost guaranteed that the opponent will have clinched a 20-win season and will be motivated to add a ‘good win’ to its resume for the NCAA committee to consider.

The Cardinal likely will face ei-ther Arizona (19-10) or USC (18-11) while the Bruins (26-3) with meet either Arizona State (19-9) or Cali-fornia (15-14).

The winners will meet Saturday (11:30 a.m.) for the championship.

“I don’t see any downside,” Stan-ford coach Tara VanDerveer said of the extra rest. “We’re one of the few conferences who play a double round-robin and, as it is, playing back-to-back games is new for us. You will never play on consecu-tive games in the (NCAA) tourna-ment.”

Whichever team survives the first two days at the Galen Center will have to pack up and move to the Sta-ples Center for the showdown with the Cardinal. No team will have the advantage of having been on the court before.

“We’re moving into a new arena


Stanford men shoot themselves out of the Pac-10 tournamentby Rick Eymer

T he good news for the Stanford men’s basketball team that ev-eryone returns for the 2011-12

season. The bad news, however, is that the Cardinal has only that to look forward to at this point in the season.

With a 15-16 record following a 69-67 loss to Oregon State in the opening round of the Pac-10 Con-

ference Tournament at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Wednes-day night, the Cardinal effectively is done for the season.

There will be no NCAA Tourna-ment bid. No invite to the National Invitation Tournament. And, don’t even expect College Basketball In-vitational to come calling.

That’s the reality of a second straight losing season since the

1970s, a third consecutive losing campaign in the Pac-10, and losing six of your final eight games.

Stanford had its chances, despite a woeful start, thanks to junior Jer-emy Green. He scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half, but he wasn’t able to get one more shot that might have made the difference as Oregon State double-teamed him in the final seconds and prevented him

from getting off a potential game-winning shot.

“I thought my guys gave an amaz-ing effort in the second half, espe-cially after the way they started,” said Stanford coach Johnny Dawk-ins. “It’s difficult to win any game when you shoot 4-for-34 from the field in the first half.”


ON THE ROAD . . . Former Stan-ford runner Chris Mocko of Palo Alto celebrated his 25th birthday by winning the 33rd annual Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Mara-thon on Sunday. With his father, Paul, watching at the finish line, Mocko raced home in 2 hours, 27 minutes and 2 seconds. Menlo Park’s Kota Reichart was second in 2:30:29. Racing through the scenic Napa Valley wine-growing region, Mocko used a strategy of hanging behind the early leaders and then jumping at opportunity to score a victory and a personal record in only his third marathon. The former steeplechase and cross-country runner at Stanford did not attempt to accompany the leaders, who were attempting to earn the 2012 Olympic Trials Marathon qualifying time of sub-2:19:00. At 15 miles, however, the last leader exited and left the race to Mocko and Reichert.

ON THE FIELD . . .. Former Stanford baseball player Cord Phelps leaned over the railing near the Cleveland Indians’ dug-out, signed a few autographs and chatted with a couple of people. He played an inning at second base and was the last player to make the walk across the field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick to the visiting clubhouse underneath the center field wall. Phelps was wearing number ‘73’ and he was playing with a major-league baseball team. Phelps is with the Indians this spring with a chance to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. The infielder was a third round draft pick of the Indians in 2008 and has steadily risen within the organization. He batted a combined .308 between Double-A and Triple-A last year, with eight home runs and 54 RBI. “It’s been a lot of fun getting some at bats and getting a few reps at second and third,” Phelps said after the Indians lost to the Colorado Rockies, 3-1, in an exhi-bition game Sunday. “I’m learning from the older guys.” He started his professional career in Rookie League. A year later he was play-ing at the high Single-A level. “I feel like, at every level, I’ve learned something,” Phelps said.

Sports

The Palo Alto boys’ tennis team won the Division III title at the California High School Boys Tennis Classic last weekend in Fresno by going 5-0 during the two-day event that featured 16-team brackets.

NORCAL BASKETBALL

PREP ROUNDUP

Courtesy Palo Alto tennis

Tennis teamsnet someearly titles

Menlo, Paly and Gunn boys all claim honors in big Fresno tourney

by Keith Peters

T he high school tennis season is fully under way and, while only one boys’ team will be

left standing at season’s end, four local squads had plenty to be happy about last weekend.

All four reached a title match at the California High School Boys Tennis Classic in Fresno, with three teams bringing home titles.

Menlo School won the 16-team Open Division title with a 4-0 record while Gunn took the division’s con-solation crown while finishing 3-1. In Division III, Palo Alto compiled a 5-0 mark while winning that title while Menlo-Atherton reached the finals in Division II before losing to Los Altos and finishing at 3-1.

“It was a good start,” said Menlo coach Bill Shine, who guided his squad to a 27-0 record last year that included victories over Saratoga in the Central Coast Section and Nor-Cal finals.

Menlo pretty much picked off where it left off as the Knights downed the Falcons in the champi-onship match on Saturday, 5-2. Men-lo took a pair of singles matches be-hind triumphs from senior Andrew Carlisle and freshman JT Nishimura before sweeping the doubles despite the presence of only one senior — Kyle Sum at No. 2 doubles.

Menlo beat Saratoga with two se-niors, one junior, five sophomores and two freshmen.

“We’re very young, but very tal-ented and very experienced,” Shine said. “And, they’re so much better than last year.”

The Knights lost only three matches during the two days. Men-lo opened with a 7-0 victory over Oak Ridge and followed that with a

Menlo’s Richard Pham helped the Knights claim the Open Division title in Fresno with a 4-0 record, topped by a win over Saratoga.

Keith Peters

7-0 win over a good Santa Barbara team. In the semifinals, the Knights prevailed over Piedmont, 6-1.

“I’m really lucky to have a group of kids like this,” Shine said.

Sophomore Andrew Ball, who dropped his No. 1 singles match in the finale, was coming off a victory in the 18-under division at the Junior Excellence tournament two weeks ago in Fresno. He’s only 15.

While Menlo improved to 6-0 fol-lowing a 7-0 sweep of visiting Sa-cred Heart Prep on Tuesday, Shine says it’s way too early to be making comparisons to last year’s squad that won every major title available.

“It’s harder to repeat,” said Shine, “and they’re going to find out. Every team will be coming at us.”

While Menlo won the Open Divi-sion title, Gunn took the consolation crown in that division after losing its opener to a good Monte Vista (Dan-ville) team. The Titans then defeated Dana Hills, 4-3, and toppled Mitty, 5-2, before edging Viewpoint, 4-3, for consolation honors.

Gunn (4-3 overall) dropped a 4-3 match to Los Altos on Tuesday in SCVAL De Anza Division action.

Palo Alto, meanwhile, overcame its relative inexperience to win Di-vision III.

“It was not an easy task,” said Paly coach Andy Harader, “but we’ll take it. We lost eight out of 10 starters from last year so, to make our sea-son more palatable, we played Divi-sion III.”

While the Vikings (6-2) may struggle during a rebuilding season in the SCVAL De Anza Division, Harader was happy to see his players rewarded on Saturday following a 4-2 win over Liberty (Brentwood).

“My top two players are fresh-men,” Harader said of Austin Leung and Blake Smith. “Neither highly ranked (in NorCal). Our doubles have been our strength, so far. Out of eight matches, we have only lost three individual doubles, and that was to Saratoga.”

Paly opened with a 4-2 win over Buchanan before handing Valley Christian a 5-1 loss. East Bakers-field fell to the Vikings in the third round, 4-2, before Paly topped Tur-lock in the semifinals, 5-1.


Pinewood teams hopingfor another doubleheader

The girls are certainly looking to continue the defense of their CIF Division V NorCal and state championships

by Keith Peters

C ome Saturday night, Doc Scheppler is hoping the Pin-ewood gym will be rocking

and rolling. That will mean only one thing — the Panthers’ boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are play-ing in the CIF NorCal semifinals.

“They (the boys) have a tougher matchup than we do,” said Schep-pler, “but, I expect a great atmo-sphere.”

Pinewood hosted a Nor-Cal Division V double-header on Thursday night, with the No. 1 girls (24-5) play-ing No. 8 Rincon Valley Christian (26-6) with the No. 2 boys (22-5) following against No. 7 Bradshaw Christian.

Both Pinewood teams needed a victory in order to host another doubleheader on Sat-urday. The girls likely would face No. 5 Bradshaw Christian at 6 p.m., with the boys most likely taking on No. 3 University (San Francisco) at 7:30 p.m.

If either of the two Pinewood teams is favored, it would be Schep-pler’s girls. They are the defending Division V state champions and are currently ranked No. 1 in the state by MaxPreps.

Nonetheless, nothing is a given at this point in the season.

“Every game is a focus point for us,” said Scheppler, who figured Bradshaw Christian would be a like-ly opponent. In the other half of the bracket, Scheppler sees No. 2 East-side Prep hosting No. 3 St. Joseph-Notre Dame in the other semifinal (at 7 p.m.).

“Then, who knows?” Scheppler said of the brackets. “We’re happy to have them (Bradshaw Christian) in our gym. This will be there third game this week, and they traveled to (No. 4) Hamilton City on Thursday, not a comfy trip, and they get one day to prepare for us, not an easy thing to accomplish.”

While Pinewood won its 13th Central Coast Section title in 14 years last Saturday and is favored to reach the NorCal finals on March 19 at Folsom High near Sacramento, the Panthers will have to be more than just senior Hailie Eackles the rest of the way.

Eackles poured in 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 45-44 vic-tory over Eastside Prep in the sec-tion title game, but the rest of the team combined for only 19 points and 16 boards.

“Yes, they are struggling with their mentality and some with me-chanics as shooters,” said Scheppler, “but we’ve ironed them out and are ready. She (Eackles) has carried us for 10-12 games. We need to get some scoring from others and we will. They are too good not to.”

Of the five local prep basketball teams that took the floor on Thurs-day night, only one was stepping into unknown territory — the Palo Alto girls.

Prior to last weekend, the Vikings (22-4) had never played in a CCS title game. Now, they have their first section championship tucked away and were looking for their first-ever victory in NorCals against No. 5 Lincoln of Stockton.

The Paly-Lincoln winner will be rewarded with a

semifinal game Satur-day at No. 1 Berke-ley.

Paly coach said just playing this deep into the sea-son for the first time ever will pro-

vide his returning players with invalu-

able experience for next season.

“If you’re a Mitty or Pinewood, you get an extra month of practice (each season),” Peters pointed out. “That’s how you improve.”

Peters will lose only two senior starters — Sydney Davis and Ka-terina Peterson — off this team, along with senior reserves Mariah Philips and Mary Albertolle. Every-one else will return with more expe-rience and confidence after putting the Vikings on the basketball map.

Teamwork made all the difference this season for Palo Alto, plus the arrival Davis and 6-foot-2 sopho-more Josie Butler. Suddenly, Peters had the talent and depth to substitute often and play all-out aggressive de-fense.

“Last year we tried to play like this, but I realized we didn’t have the players that could do it,” Peters said. “We didn’t have 10 players to do this kind of pressing.”

This season, Peters planned to play zone defense and apply full-court pressure. When Paly defeated visiting Gunn in the teams’ first meeting, however, the Vikings were able to effectively press man-to-man for the first time.

“When we pressured them, it gave the girls confidence that we they could do it,” Peters said. “When they beat Gunn, it gave them the psychological belief that we could play that way and be successful.

“I knew we had the talent, and that I couldn’t mess it up. We just had to play hard and be a team. We struggled with that a little last year. This year, they became a team . . . We don’t have captains on the team because we want everyone to be a leader.”

Prior to the CCS playoffs, Peters said: “I think the girls have done a great job this year of preparing to play each opponent and not taking teams for granted. We always say before every game: ‘This is the


Sports

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Draft Mitigated Negative Declara-tion (MND) has been prepared by the Palo Alto Department of Plan-ning and Community Environment for the project listed below. This document will be available for review and comment during a 20-day inspection period beginning March 16, 2011 through April 4, 2011 during the business hours Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM; Wednesdays 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Development Center, 285 Hamilton Avenue and at the Depart-ment of Planning and Community Environment, 250 Hamilton Av-enue. All locations are within the City of Palo Alto. PROJECT SUMMARY:

3400 W. Bayshore Road [11PLN-00089]: Request by Stoecker and Northway Architects on behalf of Girl’s Middle School for a Con-ditional Use Permit and Architectural Review for a new educational facility for 192 students and 35 staff within an existing vacant office building. Zone: ROLM. PUBLIC REVIEW AND SUBMITTAL OF WRITTEN COMMENTS:If you wish to comment on the MND, please submit your written com-ments by April 4, 2011 to Clare Campbell, Department of Planning and Community Environment, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, or via email [email protected].

***Curtis Williams,

Director of Planning and Community Environment

City of Palo AltoNOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A DRAFT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION

This space donated as a community service by the Palo Alto Weekly.

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Takara BurseEastside Prep basketball

Caitlin CiardellaPinewood basketball

Shamelia ClayPalo Alto basketball

Laura CuiPalo Alto swimming

Sydney DavisPalo Alto basketball

Emilee Osagiede*Palo Alto basketball

Jake BrumlMenlo baseball

Lydell CardwellMid-Peninsula basketball

Andrew CarlisleMenlo tennis

Dante FraioliPinewood basketball

Will McConnell*Sacred Heart Prep basketball

Colin Terndrup*Sacred Heart Prep basketball

Honorable mention

Hailie EacklesPinewood School

The senior had 26 points and six rebounds in a CCS basketball semifinal win before adding 26 points with 11 rebounds as the No. 1 Panthers held off No. 2 Eastside Prep, 45-44, in the CCS Division V champion-ship game.

Solomone WolfgrammPinewood School

The junior produced 16 points and 14 rebounds in a CCS basketball semifinals before scoring 21 points and grabbing 21 rebounds to spark the No. 1 Panthers to a 71-66 victory in the CCS Division V champion-ship game.

* previous winner

To see video interviews of the Athletes of the Week, go to www.PASportsOnline.com

In Division II, Menlo-Atherton opened with a 6-0 win over the No. 2 squad from Monte Vista (Danville). The Bears then downed Tamalpais, 4-2, and defeated Granite Bay, 4-2, before dropping a 4-2 decision in the title match to Los Altos.

WrestlingStefan Weidemann of Gunn, An-

dre Delagnes of Menlo-Atherton and Kalen Gans of Palo Alto all came away from the CIF State Championships without the medal they were seeking following this past weekend’s meet at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.

Weidemann, a senior, saw his prep career end two matches short of gaining a medal. He wrestled five times, going 3-2 and finishing 13th in the state. He finished 28-3 overall with 17 falls and one technical fall.

“It’s a shame,” said Gunn coach Chris Horpel. “His two losses were winnable matches that he just came up short in. Great season . . . frus-trating end.”

Weidemann was ranked No. 8 in

the state at 152 pounds prior to the meet, but lost his opening match to unseeded Alfredo Nava-Arroyo of Santiago, 8-7. That dropped Weide-mann into the consolation bracket where he defeated Sam Hopkins of St. Francis, 9-1.

Weidemann then decisioned Tan-ner Sherrow of Bret Harte, 7-1 and pinned Kevin Burrage of Del Oro in 4:13. In his fifth match, Weidemann dropped a 3-0 decision to Gianier Yanez of Servite.

In the 119-pound division, M-A’s Delagnes (a junior) won his opener with a pin in 4:44 against Ronnie Stevens of Oakdale. In Round 2, Delagnes again came up with a pin, this time in 1:32 over Wayland Zhao of Oakland.

Delagnes, however, met his match in the third round and dropped a 14-0 decision to Gilbert Nakatani of Northview. Delagnes saw his state meet end in his next match, a 10-2 loss to Dean O’Bourke of Fountain Valley.

Palo Alto’s Gans, also a junior, didn’t make it past the first day. He dropped a 2-1 decision to Eric Davi-la of Firebaugh and then was elimi-nated in a 3-0 decision to Adam Busch of Castro Valley.

most important game of the year.’ The girls have bought into this and this has helped our focus throughout the year.”

The Gunn girls and Mid-Peninsu-la boys saw their respective seasons end on Tuesday night. The No. 7 Titans (19-7) dropped a 50-49 Di-vision I opener to No. 10 Armijo of Fairfield (25-6) and No. 8 Mid-Peninsula (21-4) is gone in Division V following a 54-46 loss to No. 9 Ripon Christian (25-6).

The Gunn girls were hoping to advance in the NorCal playoffs for only the second time in school his-tory — the first was in 2009 — and appeared in good shape to do so after getting out to a 17-6 lead in the first quarter. The Titans, however, trailed by 46-36 with five minutes remain-ing in the game before rallying.

Gunn went on a 13-2 run to retake the lead when sophomore Claire Klausner made a layup with 1:10 left in the game. The Titans, how-ever, couldn’t hold on and ended up losing when Armijo’s Marshanique Hall made two free throws with 21 seconds left to put the Indians up 50-49 for the final score.

“It’s always tough for the season to end,” said Gunn coach Sarah Stapp. “But we have a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to. With everybody coming back, and peo-ple coming back from injuries, we should be deeper and stronger and have another great year.”

Mid-Peninsula coach Curtis Hag-gins had similar feelings, but he won’t have everyone returning like Stapp. In fact, the Dragons lose all but two players.

“I never know what’s going to happen the next year,” Haggins said. “I’ll figure something out.”

In the meantime, Haggins and as-sistant Bruce Powell will enjoy what their team accomplished this season — reaching a Central Coast Section championship game and advanc-ing to NorCals for the first time in school history.

While the Dragons were listed as the home team, the game was played at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco. Nonetheless, a large group of Mid-Peninsula fans made the trip.

“We probably had 100 people there and we only have something like 138 in the school,” Haggins said. “We had a Dragon mascot there . . . this was bigger than bas-ketball.”

While Mid-Peninsula came in with an explosive offense that fea-tured senior Lydell Cardwell, who was averaging 24.7 points a game, nothing worked for the Dragons.

“We had a game that we couldn’t afford to have at this time of year,” Haggins said. “The effort wasn’t there. I’m disappointed, but I’m not upset.”

Cardwell, who scored 66 points in his final two CCS games, had only two points in the first half as Mid-Peninsula fell behind by 27-18. The Dragons did get to within 35-34 in the second half before Ripon Chris-tian pulled away.

NorCal playoffs(continued from page 39)

For results of Thursday night’s NorCal quarterfinals, go to www.pasportsonline.com

Prep roundup(continued from page 39)

Sports

The top-seeded Pinewood girls’ basketball team celebrated their 13th section championship in 14 years by holding off No. 2 Eastside Prep, 45-44, to successfully defend.

The top-seeded Pinewood boys captured their first CCS championship in 15 years as Solomone Wolfgramm scored 21 points and had 21 rebounds to help beat No. 3 Mid-Peninsula on Saturday.

The top-seeded Palo Alto girls had a chance to celebrate some history after they captured the Central Coast Section Division I title with a 54-44 victory over Gunn, the Vikings’ first-ever section title in the sport.

Arun Sundaresan (34) of No. 1 Pinewood celebrates a 71-66 victory over Mid-Peninsula with teammate Cameron Helvey.

Palo Alto’s Sydney Davis (left) and Emilee Osagiede helped beat Gunn for a third this season to claim the CCS crown.

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The top-seeded Sacred Heart Prep boys successfully defended their Central Coast Section Division IV championship with a 61-51 victory over Santa Cruz and advanced to the NorCal playoffs.

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Sports

and it’s a great situation for us,” said VanDerveer, who was voted Pac-10 Coach of the Year earlier in the week, the 11th time she’s been so honored.

Stanford enters the weekend as the tournament favorite and Oregon State coach Scott Rueck sees no rea-son to argue with that.

“As good as the teams are in this conference, they are an elite team,” Rueck said. “They don’t have a weakness and they are so relentless. They are gearing up for a long run this month. It is March Madness and you do have to play the game. But, I think they are that much better.”

Staples Center becomes the fourth venue to host the women’s basketball championships, following Oregon’s MacArthur Court, the HP Pavilion in San Jose and the Galen Center.

The week-long break (it’s also dead week on the Stanford campus) can only help a player like junior Nnemkadi Ogwumike, who re-turned to the lineup in the regular season finale after missing a couple of games with a sprained ankle.

“Nneka is ready for a breakout tournament,” said VanDerveer. Those are not exactly the words opposing coaches want to hear. Ogwumike was the Pac-10 Player of the Year last season, though she joined Freshman of the Year Chin-ey Ogwumike, and seniors Jeanette Pohlen and Kayla Pedersen on the 15-player all-Pac-10 team.

Pohlen was voted the conference Player of the Year this time around.

“First and foremost Jeanette has really improved,” VanDerveer said. “She’s still working on a lot but she has come a long way with her lead-ership and her ability to run the of-fense.”

Pohlen, who was turned into a point guard last year after injuries depleted the position, rose to the occasion this season. She helped freshmen like the younger Ogwu-mike and Toni Kokenis blend into the system and got them involved.

“Chiney and Toni are two fresh-men who have stepped up,” VanDer-veer said. “Melanie Murphy and Lindy La Rocque have also im-

Pac-10 women(continued from page 38)

STANFORD ROUNDUP

Stanford’s first team All-Pac-10 performers included (L-R) Chiney Ogwumike, Neka Ogwumike and Kayla Pedersen.

Zach Sanderson/stanfordphoto.com

proved and we’re getting contribu-tions from Sarah Boothe and Josyln Tinkle.”

With the possibility of up to five teams with at least 20 wins, the

semifinals could be a little more competitive than a quick glance would indicate. As for any Pac-10 team other than Stanford and UCLA reaching the NCAA party, VanDer-veer said Arizona State, Arizona and USC are all worthy.

“It depends on who wins the tour-nament,” VanDerveer said. “UCLA and ourselves are a lock, Arizona State has some good wins, Arizona is coming on strong and USC is cer-tainly deserving. I don’t know what others say but the Pac-10 has done a great job of preparing us for the NCAA tournament. We have good teams in our conference.”

California has a legitimate chance to reach the WNIT tournament, though the Bears likely would need to win at least one game in Los An-geles this week.

After securing its 11th consecu-tive Pac-10 regular-season title and its second straight undefeated con-ference season with a 74-51 victory over California, VanDerveer gave her team three days off before refo-cusing on the road ahead.

“We’re rested, excited and work-ing hard,” VanDerveer said. “We’re looking forward to the tourna-ment.”

Stanford’s Jeanette Pohlen (23) was named Pac-10 Player of the Year while Tara VanDerveer was named Coach of the Year.

Cardinal men make another historic splash at Pac-10sDepth and talent win out once again in record-breaking

30th consecutive conference meet swimming championshipby Rick Eymer

N umber 30 was just as sweet as number one for the Stan-ford men’s swimming team

last weekend as the Cardinal suc-cessfully defended its Pac-10 Con-ference meet title for the 29th con-secutive time.

With Chad La Tourette success-fully defending his title in the 1,650 free and the Cardinal having 13 swimmers score in the finals, Stan-ford won its 30th straight conference title, a streak unmatched by any NCAA team in any NCAA sport.

Austin Staab, Curtis Love-lace, Matthew Swanston and Matt Thompson all finished in the top three in their respective events as the Cardinal accumulated 911 points to Cal’s 86 points in Long Beach.

La Tourette won the 1,650 free with a time of 14:38.13, leading three other Cardinal swimmers among the top eight. Michael Zol-dos finished third in 14:58.38.

Swanston and Thompson finished second and third, respectively, in the 200 back. Bollier was the runnerup in the 200 fly in the final individual event, swimming 1:41.60 in the fi-nals. Staab was third in the 100 free, recording a time of 42.46.

Lovelace was third in the 200 breast with a time of 1:54.71. Love-lace joined John Criste in the cham-pionship finals.

Staab, who left school for per-sonal reasons last season, was cru-cial to Stanford’s success during the weekend. He scored in seven events, winning the 100 fly on Fri-day in 44.66 and taking the 200 IM on Thursday with a school record of 1:42.01, breaking the previous school record of 1:43.82 set by Nate Cass in 2009.

In winning the 100 fly, Staab joined John Ferris (1969-71), Pablo Morales (1984-86) and Jay Mortens-en (1987-89) as Stanford’s three-time winners in the event.

Staab’s efforts also were critical on four relays that placed second. He helped finish off Stanford’s his-toric title by anchoring the 400 free relay team to a sizzling school re-cord of 2:48.51. Ironically, the only relay that Staab did not swim on — the 800 free — won.

As was the case in all the previous conference meet championships for head coach Skip Kenney and asso-ciate head coach Ted Knapp, Stan-ford won with talent and depth. The Cardinal won only five races, with Thompson winning his first Pac-10 title in the 400 IM (3:45.01) to add to the victories by Staab, La Tourette and the 800 free relay.

Stanford finished second in seven events, including Swanston in the 200 back (1:41.47), Bobby Bollier in the 200 fly (1:41.60) and Jake Al-len in the 200 free (1:34.28.).

Should the Stanford women or men’s swimming teams fare very well at their respective NCAA Championships in the coming

weeks, a handful of Cardinal div-ers may have a say in just how high those finishes will be.

Stanford began competition Thursday at the three-day Zone Re-gional Championships.

The Cardinal women are looking to secure at least one of the six spots for the NCAA Championships that start on March 17 in Austin, Texas, while the men are looking for one of eight spots for the championships in Minneapolis starting on March 24. There are 10 men’s teams compet-ing and 20 women’s squad equating to 27 men and 53 women diving over the three-day competition.

Stanford head coach Dr. Rick Schavone has placed a diver in the top 16 at the national meet in 26 of the past 28 years.

SoftballStanford sophomore pitcher Tea-

gan Gerhart was selected as the Pacific-10 Conference Pitcher of the Week.

Gerhart went 3-0 last weekend and boasted a 1.33 ERA. She racked up 33 strikeouts, averaging 11 per contest. In three complete games, Gerhart allowed just four earned runs and issued just four walks.

Offensively, Gerhart also recorded four hits on the weekend, including a double and a home run.

Women’s soccerFreshman goalkeeper Emily Oli-

ver returned from La Manga, Spain, where she split time in the United States Under-20 national team line-up at the Ten Nations Tournament.

The U.S. finished with a 2-0 vic-tory over Norway on Tuesday, dur-ing which Oliver played the second half.

Synchronized swimmingStanford hosts an exhibition swim

Saturday at 11 a.m., a final tuneup before competing in the U.S. Col-legiate Nationals, which begins next Friday in Buffalo.

Stanford is coming off a win at the West Regional over the Univer-sity of Arizona and Arizona State in Tempe last week. The Cardinal placed first in all four competitions, including a season-high score in the team swim.

WrestlingThe NCAA championship pair-

ings were announced Wednesday in advance of the March 17-19 meet at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Arena.

Here are the Stanford’s first-round matchups:

At 125, Ryan Mango will wrestle in a play-in round against Purdue’s Camden Eppert.

At 133, Justin Paulsen wrestles Boston University’s Fred Santaite.

At 174, Nick Amuchastegui re-ceived the seventh seed and wrestles Wisconsin’s Benjamin Jordan.

At 197, Pac-10 champion Zack Giesen received the No. 12 seed.

Rob Ericson/stanfordphoto.com

Sports

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While this year’s hopes of a post-season tournament were dashed, there’s plenty of hope for next sea-son and beyond.

Stanford heads into next season with a full head of steam. Every current player is eligible to return, including Andy Brown, who sat out his third year with a torn ACL.

Only Chasson Randle, currently a senior point guard at Rock Island (Ill.) High who signed a letter-of-in-tent with Stanford, will need to play catch-up with Dawkins’ system. The rest of the group will be taking the advanced course.

Green will remain the feature attraction and his supporting cast should be stronger just from the ex-perience of getting through a rough season together.

Green watched and learned from Landry Fields’ brilliant senior sea-son a year ago and there’s every chance Green will put that to good use.

The combination of Jarrett Mann and Aaron Bright gives Stanford some depth at point guard, the most important position on the court. Mann improved his free-throw per-centage over the course of the sea-son, even though he missed two cru-cial charity tosses that could have tied Wednesday’s game at 67, and could be the Pac-10’s top defensive guard. Bright is a terrific shooter and learned through success and adversity.

Josh Owens was going to be a good player until a medical condi-tion forced him to miss the 2009-10 season. He’ll return next year with the experience of a senior and gives the Cardinal a solid presence in the middle.

Bright is one of many freshmen who were thrown into the fray a bit prematurely and all of them will be a force next year.

Freshman Anthony Brown add-ed 11 points and nine rebounds in the loss to the Beavers. Freshman Dwight Powell had 11 points and seven rebounds. Two more fresh-men, John Gage and Josh Huestis, also figure to be part of the grand scheme of things next year.

The Cardinal, meanwhile, had its season come to an end in the Play-In game of the Pac-10 tournament. It was a game that was ripe for the picking. Stanford was effective with its defense, but early shooting woes were difficult to overcome.

Green, 1-of-8 in the first half, was 7-of-10 in the second half, and fin-ished 7-of-15 from 3-point range. Stanford shot 12 percent in the first half and 33 percent for the game. The Cardinal was 16-of-27 from the field over the final 20 minutes.

Stanford connected on six of its first seven shots of the second half to draw even with Oregon State less than five minutes in. Green hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 34-all with 15:43 remaining to play.

Stanford never tied or grabbed the lead the rest of the way, although Green made it interesting. He hit a 3-pointer to bring the Cardinal within a point with 12 seconds left and then hit a pair of free throws to bring it within 68-67 with seven sec-onds left.

Pac-10 men(continued from page 38)

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Jazzercise at Little House Activity Center800 Middle AveMenlo Park650-703-1263www.jazzercise.commeredithstapp@hotmail.comJazzercise blends aerobics, yoga, Pilates, and kickboxing movements into fun dance routines set to fresh new music. All fitness levels welcome. Classes are on-going, go directly to class to register.

Palo Alto Adult School50 Embarcadero RoadPalo Alto 650-329-3752650-329-8515www.paadultschool.orgHike for Fitness or empower yourself with Tai-Chi. Join Jeanette Cosgrove’s Pilates class. Bring balance back to your life with Yoga.

Red Star Soccer Academy248 Walker Drive #8Mountain View650-380-0099www.redstarsoccer.comRed Star Soccer Academy is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to youth player development. It offers train-ing for eager young athletes who aspire to reach their full potential in soccer. Red Star is affiliated with the US Soc-cer Federation and US Club Soccer. Red Star teams compete in Nor Cal Premier League and US Club Soccer sanctioned tournaments. Check the Red Star website at www.redstarsoccer.com for specific tryout times and to pre-register online.

Studio Kicks796A San Antonio RoadPalo Alto650-855-9868www.studiokickspaloalto.cominfo@studiokickspaloalto.comStudio Kicks is a family fitness center offering high-energy cardio kickboxing classes and fun martial-arts training for kids 2 and up. Taught by owner/instructor Richard Branden, six-time world champi-on and original stunt cast member for the “Power Rangers.” Get the whole family healthy and fit. Stop by for a free class.

Taijiquan Tutelage of Palo Alto4000 Middlefield RoadPalo Alto650-327-9350www.ttopa.comTaijiquan Tutelage of Palo Alto. Estab-lished in 1973. Learn the classical Yang Chengfu style of Taijiquan (T’ai chi ch’uan). Beginning classes start monthly.

Make the most of spring by tak-ing a class in something you’ve always wanted to learn. It’s never too late to pick up a paintbrush or learn to say “hello” in a foreign language. Try yoga or put on some tap shoes. All the classes listed be-low are local, so go for it!

German International School of Silicon Valley

310 Easy Street, Mountain View, CA 94043 email [email protected] web www.gissv.org

The Best of two Worlds - Learning in German and English

GISSV

Now Enrolling

Pre-K and

Grades K-12

Gr aduat e Educat i on at t h e Fron t i er of Ps ych ol o gy an d Spi r i t ual i t y

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Tr ansper s onal Ps ych ol o gy Counsel i n g ( M F T )

Wo m en ’s Spi r i t ual i t y Educat i on an d R e se arch

Coach i n g Spi r i t ual Gui dan ce Cr e at i ve E x pr e ssion

At ITP we are asking the important questions. Join us and earn your degree.

10 Bay Area locations. Visit a classroom today.

Because You Know the Value of Education

Inspiring children to achieve since

© 2011, Barbara B. Baker

Classes are held at the Cubberley Com-munity Center.

Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA650-396-9244www.california.usa.taoist.orgpaloalto.ca@taoist.orgThe Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA offers classes designed to improve bal-ance, strength and flexibility while promoting relaxation and good health. Beginner classes in Taoist Tai Chi inter-nal art of Tai Chi Chuan are offered for all ages and fitness levels in Palo Alto. First class is free. Call or visit website for class schedule and more information. A nonprofit organization with nationally accredited instructors.

Yoga at All Saints’ Episcopal Church555 Waverley St.Palo Alto650-322-4528www.asaints.orgKundalini-style yoga, combining asana (physical poses), breathing exercises and meditation. Practice is best done on an empty stomach. Please bring a mat and blanket and wear comfortable, easy-to-move-in clothes. If floor work is dif-ficult, exercises can be modified to be done in a chair. All ages. No registration necessary. Every Saturday, 8-9 a.m., in the Parish Hall. $5/person.

LANGUAGEInternational School of the Peninsula (ISTP)151 Laura LanePalo [email protected] offers extensive adult language classes and children’s after-school lan-guage classes. For preschool students, ISTP offers classes in Arabic, French, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. For elementary and middle-school stu-dents, ISTP offers classes in Arabic, Farsi French and Mandarin Chinese. For adults, ISTP offers separate classes for varying proficiency levels for each language: Arabic, English ESL, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japa-nese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish.

Mountain View-Los Altos Adult School333 Moffett Blvd.Mountain View650-940-1333www.mvlaae.netCurrent language-course offerings in-clude English, French, Finnish, German, Japanese and Spanish. Prices vary.

German Language Class50 Embarcadero RoadPalo Alto650-329-3752650-329-8515www.paadultschool.orgadultschool@pausd.orgWillkommen! (Welcome!) Learn to speak, read, and write German, with an emphasis on conversation. Basic grammar and Germanic culture are also covered. The instructor, a college-credentialed teacher, lived and studied in Germany through Stanford, from where she later received a master’s degree.

MISCELLANEOUSBair Island Aquatic Center1450 Maple St.Redwood City650-241-8213www.gobair.org/learntorowLearn to Row classes for adults at BIAC, a local nonprofit boathouse. No previous experience or fitness level required. Six sessions in spring and summer, consist-ing of two weekends of classes (9-12 Saturday and Sunday), followed by four weeks of instruction in our novice crew. Cost: $250 (includes 3 month member-ship at BIAC). See www.gobair.org/

learntorow for details and registration information.

County of San Mateo RecycleWorks555 County Center, 5th FloorRedwood City650-599-1498650-361-8220RecycleWorks.orgBecome a certified master composter. Learn to compost and garden without the use of toxic chemicals. Classes are free to San Mateo County residents.

The Talking Playhouse595 Price Ave., Suite ARedwood City650-678-9769www.talkingplayhouse.cominfo@talkingplayhouse.comSocial-learning and social-skills classes and activities for all age groups, includ-ing theater games and writing groups. See website for timetable and more in-formation.

Lip reading/managing hearing loss450 Bryant StPalo Alto650-9497-999foothill.edu [email protected] Lip reading/managing hearing loss. Classes start quarterly and meet weekly but you can join anytime. Learn ways to cope with hearing loss and improve lip-reading skills. Pay per quarter, register in class. Beginning class meets on Mondays 1:45-2:50 p.m.

Little House Senior Activities Center800 Middle Ave.Menlo Park650-326-2025www.peninsulavolunteers.orgtpuckett@peninsulavolunteers.orgComputer workshops, health lectures, investments, travel, self-improvement, movies, opera previews, ballroom danc-ing and weekend trips for people over 50. Costs range from free to $40. Register in person or by phone.

Studio Kicks796A San Antonio RoadPalo Alto650-855-9868www.studiokickspaloalto.cominfo@studiokickspaloalto.comStudio Kicks is a family fitness center offering high-energy cardio kickboxing classes and fun martial-arts training for kids 2 and up. Taught by owner/instruc-tor Richard Branden, six-time world champion and original stunt cast member for the “Power Rangers.” Get the whole family healthy and fit. Stop by for a free class.

MUSIC & ARTArt For Well Beings2800 West Bayshore RoadPalo [email protected] for Well Beings (AFWB) offers art classes especially welcoming people with special needs. AFWB is open to the public. Drop-in or 6-8 week sessions are available. All materials provided. Please call to register or visit website for more information.

Art with Emily402 El Verano Ave.Palo [email protected] Young teaches mixed-media, multi-cultural art lessons for children at her fully equipped studio in Palo Alto. Individual lessons or small group classes available.


Class Guide

Higher Education and College Admission Consultants

ANDREA VAN NIEKERKFormer Associate Director of Admission

at Brown University

Andrea is now located in Palo Alto and consulting with clients regarding all aspects of the college search

and application process.

For more information, contact us [email protected] or

visit our website at www.collegegoals.com

College Goals, PO Box 18777, Stanford, CA 94309

Tel (401)247-2629 or (401)454-4585

COLLEGE GOALS

www.heliosns.org Phone: 650 223-86903921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303

Project-based, constructivist education for the gifted child.

Accepting applications

K thru 4Check our website for dates to attend tours and information nights.

Learn about our innovative, child-centered program, including Chinese, French, music, art & social-emotional learning.

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After-School Programs

Give Your Child the Gift of a Lifetime

Aileen MitchnerDirector of Admission650.494.8200 ext. [email protected]

Parent Workshops Distinguishing Two Types

of Reading Difficulty : What Parents Need to Know

Does your child read well but you suspect does not understand enough

of what he or she reads? Our workshop helps parents identify warning signs

related to comprehension. We also give you some activities to do with your child

to bolster comprehension skills.Building Your Child‘s Vocabulary:

Let‘s Talk A child‘s speaking skill lags when

it comes to range and quality of vocabulary – and holds back growth in reading comprehension. This workshop shows you language-based activities to bolstering your child’s vocabulary and

speaking skills.Your Child‘s Writing :

The Link with ComprehensionSome children appear to have strong writing basics. Yet, their written work may pose significant difficulty from a reader’s perspective. Parents learn

activities to help your child write in a way that a reader can visualize and

understand your child’s writing.Multisensory Math:

Capitalizing on Your Child’s Strengths“I hate math!” Have you heard that before? Identify your child’s issues with math and discover his or her

hidden strengths and motivations. This workshop gives you some tools to help

your child enjoy math.

The Reading Clinic 800.790.5302www.TheReadingClinic.com

Children’s Music WorkshopsP.O. Box 60756Palo Alto650-306-0332www.Alisonsmusiclessons.comKids music classes and private lessons for guitar, piano and voice. Locations in Palo Alto and Mountain View. Music for special-needs children too.

Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center230 San Antonio CircleMountain [email protected] Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) offers classes year-round in music, visual and digital arts for ages 18 months to adult. Vacation and summer camps, one- and two-day arts workshops offered throughout the year. Private mu-sic lessons offered, taught by internation-al faculty. Financial assistance available. Private lessons also offered.

International School of the Pen-insula (ISTP)151 Laura LanePalo [email protected] ISTP for after-school programs for preschool, elementary and middle-school students. Classes include French cooking, Asian cooking, chess, science, robotics, Chinese dance, art and craft, gymnastics, soccer and multi-sports. For a complete list of classes, visit the Web site.

Kindermusik with WendyMountain View650-968-4733

[email protected] music classes for children ages birth to 7 and their caregivers. All classes include singing, instrument play, move-ment, musical games, and home materi-als, and aim to develop the whole child through music. Five levels of classes as well as a multi-age class. Cost per class session ranges from $100 to $225 de-pending on class and session length (8-15 weeks per session).

Manzana Music SchoolBarron Park Neighborhood, private homePalo [email protected] and group lessons for kids over 6 and adults on guitar, violin, banjo, man-dolin, fiddle, vocal, arranging, and music theory.

Midpeninsula Community Media Center900 San Antonio RoadPalo Alto650-494-8686www.communitymediacenter.netThe Media Center offers classes every month in a wide range of media arts, including publishing media on the Web, pod casting, digital editing, field produc-tion, TV studio production, Photoshop for photographers, citizen journalism, and autobiographical digital stories. One-on-one tutoring is also available. Biweekly free orientation sessions and tours. Web site has specific dates, fees, and scholar-ship information.

Music Within Us2483 Old Middlefield Way, Suite 150Mountain View650-325-2194www.themusicwithinus.cominfo@themusicwithinus.com

Dr. Lisa Chu offers classes, workshops, and individual sessions using techniques drawn from the fields of life coaching, mindfulness-based meditation, yoga, deliberate practice, group facilitation, sound healing and music improvisation.

New Mozart School of Music305 N. California Ave.Palo [email protected] New Mozart provides private lessons on all instruments for all ages and early-childhood music classes for children 2-7 years of age.

Opus1 Music Studio2800 W Bayshore RoadPalo [email protected] Music Studio is offering private and group music lessons for all kinds of instruments to aged 1.5 and up. Begin-ners to advanced level.

Pacific Art League688 Ramona St.Palo Alto650-321-3891www.pacificartleague.org [email protected] Art classes and workshops by qualified, experienced instructors for students from beginners to advanced and even non-artists. Classes in collage, oil painting, portraits and sketching, life drawing, acrylic or watercolor and brush painting. Sculpture. Registration is ongoing.

Palo Alto Art Center1313 Newell RoadPalo Alto650-329-2366www.cityofpaloalto.org/[email protected] and workshops for children and adults in ceramics, painting, drawing, jewelry, book arts, printmaking, collage and more. Register online or stop by the Art Center for a class brochure.

Violin and Music Studio of Mid-town Palo Alto2862 Bryant St.Palo Alto650-456-7648linglingviolin.blogspot.comlinglingy@gmail.comGroup music classes for children aged from 6 onward. Year-round enrollment. Taught by professionally trained music teacher. Director: Lingling Yang.

SCHOOLSAction Day/Primary Plus333 Eunice Ave.Mountain View650-967-3780www.actiondayprimaryplus.comProviding quality infant, toddler and pre-school programs for more than 33 years. On-site dance and computer classes of-fered. Fully accredited staff and Facili-ties.

Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center230 San Antonio CircleMountain [email protected] Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) offers classes year-round in music, visual and digital arts for ages 18 months to adult. Vacation and summer camps, one- and two-day arts workshops offered throughout the year. Private music lessons offered, taught by international faculty. Financial assistance available.

Children’s Pre-School Center (CPSC)4000 Middlefield Road

(continued from previous page)

Class Guide

The German-American International School275 Elliott Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025(650) 324-8617 | www.gais.org



proudly announces a new program in English, designed for 21st-Century learners:

Call for a Tour: 650-324-8617

Mid-Peninsula High School

1340 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025(650) 321-1991 www.mid-pen.com

Choose a small, caring, innovative high school

No RSVP is necessary

spring open houseSaturday, April 23, 2011

10:30-12pm

HELP YOUR STUDENT GET INTO COLLEGE.

improve your score, while our small group classes provide students with a positive, dynamic and collaborative learning environment

Higher SAT/ACT scores in less time.

Personalized approach with proven results.

Over 10 years of rapid growth thanks to the enthusiastic word of mouth from thousands of clients from Paly, Gunn, Menlo, Menlo Atherton, Sacred Heart, Castilleja, Woodside Priory, St. Francis, Mountain View and Los Altos. Charismatic, professional and

CALL AJ TUTORING TODAY!

650.331.3251 ajtutoring.com

Palo [email protected] will experience the joy of fin-ger painting, the thrill of dancing, the pleasure of building towers, and the sat-isfaction of mastering pre-literacy and pre-math skills with the support and guidance of a dedicated, loving, multi-cultural teaching staff.

Circle of Friends Preschool3214 Alameda de las PulgasMenlo [email protected] of Friends Preschool offers a well-rounded curriculum in a warm personal environment. Its goal is to promote the development of the whole child: physi-cal, emotional, social, language and in-tellectual. Detailed assessment of each child helps build partnerships with fami-lies to support emerging competencies. All this in a play-based program where children have opportunities to create, explore, problem solve, learn concepts, and integrate knowledge in a hands-on environment.

German-American International School275 Elliott DriveMenlo [email protected] is an international school serving approximately 300 students in preschool through 8th grade. GAIS offers a German bilingual program through 5th grade, and welcomes English-speaking students in a new English language Middle School program that offers German, Spanish and French as additional language op-tions. GAIS follows the academically rigorous, inquiry-based programs devel-oped by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Helios New School3921 Fabian WayPalo Alto650-223-8690www.heliosnewschool.wordpress.comConstructivist K-4 secular program for gifted children on the Taube Koret Cam-pus for Jewish Life. Curriculum includes French, Chinese, music, social-emotional learning - plus access to JCC afterschool programming/recreational facilities. Ac-cepting applications. Email [email protected] or check website www.heliosnewschool.org for dates/times of tours/information nights.

International School of the Pen-insula151 Laura LanePalo [email protected] offers extensive after-school lan-guage classes at its two Palo Alto loca-tions. Classes offered in French, Manda-rin and Spanish to preschool students (3 to 5 years old). Additional classes taught in Arabic, Farsi, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese and Russian for elementary and middle school students.

Kirk House Preschool1148 Johnson St.Menlo [email protected] House Preschool is a half-day pre-school with both morning and afternoon classes for children 3-, 4-, and 5-year olds (Young Fives class). Kirk House Pre-school is a Christian, play-based school which offers a development-oriented cur-riculum in a park-like setting.

Phillips Brooks School2245 Avy Ave.

Menlo Park854-4545www.phillipsbrooks.orgThe Phillips Brooks School, an indepen-dent co-educational day school for stu-dents in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, prepares each student to live a creative, humane and compassionate life, and to be a contributing member of soci-ety. The curriculum emphasizes the basic academic disciplines and their integra-tion into everyday life, while developing the foundation for individual scholastic excellence and inspiring an enthusiasm for life-long learning. The overall school experience weaves the intellectual, spiri-tual, social and physical areas of growth into the fabric that is the Phillips Brooks School community.

Sand Hill School650 Clark WayPalo [email protected] young minds, one size doesn’t fit all. At Sand Hill School, find what fits best for each child. At Children’s Health Council. Grades K-3. 6:1 student/teacher ratio.

School for Independent Learners909 North San Antonio RoadLos Altos650-941-4350www.sileducation.comPrivate WASC-accredited high-school. One-to-one and small-group instruction. FT and PT enrollment. UC-approved col-lege prep, honors, and AP coursework. Individualized curriculum. Self-paced, and mastery-based: failure is not an op-tion. Also: tutoring, test prep, and college counseling. Open every day, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Start anytime.

St. Joseph Catholic School1120 Miramonte Ave.Mountain View650-967-1839www.sjmv.orgSt. Joseph Catholic School offers a com-prehensive curriculum with an emphasis on religion, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. In addition to the core curriculum, St. Joseph’s also offers a fine arts program, computer in-struction and physical education.

Trinity School2650 Sand Hill RoadMenlo [email protected] childhood through grade 5. Trin-ity School encourages preschool to grade 5 children from all backgrounds to love learning. Trinity fosters rigorous academ-ics grounded in child-centered content. The legacy of a Trinity education is a cu-rious mind and a discerning heart.

Woodland School360 La Cuesta DrivePortola Valley650-854-9065www.woodland-school.orgPreschool-8th grade. Woodland School’s focus is a challenging academic program with a strong enrichment program of art, music, drama, computers, gymnastics and physical education. Science, math and technology are an integral part of the 5th-8th grade experience. Extended Care is offered 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call for a brochure or to set up a tour.

Yew Chung International School (YCIS)310 Easy St.Mountain View650-903-0986www.ycef.com/svYCIS provides multi-cultural and bilin-gual, English and Mandarin Chinese, edu-cation to children from preschool to 5th grade. Yew Chung education aims to lib-erate the joy of learning within each child. No prior Chinese experience is required.

Class GuideThe Class Guide is published quarterly in the Palo Alto Weekly. Descriptions of classes offered in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Stanford, Atherton, Los Altos Hills, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto and beyond are provided. Listings are free and subject to editing. Due to space constraints, classes held in the above cities are given priority.To inquire about placing a listing in the Class Guide, e-mail Editorial Assistant Karla Kane at [email protected], call 650-326-8210 or visit www.PaloAl-toOnline.com.To place a paid advertisement in the Class Guide, call our display advertising department at 650-326-8210.

G U I D E T O 2 0 1 1 S U M M E R C A M P S F O R K I D S

Athletics

Athletic Fitness – “Train with the Best” Menlo ParkRiekes Summer Camps — A world of opportunity and fun-fi lled learning. Ages 9-18. Strength & conditioning, speed & agility, sport specifi c 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 WoodsideAt 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

Camp Jones Gulch La HondaJoin the fun this summer! Camp Jones Gulch off ers friendship and growth to kids ages 6-16. Enjoy our Traditional Camp or Mini, Horse, Surfi ng, Leadership and Travel Camps. One- and two-week sessions. Limited fi nancial assistance available.www.campjonesgulch.org 415-848-1200

Champion Tennis Camps AthertonCTC provides an enjoyable way for your Junior to begin learning the game of tennis or to continue developing existing skills. The 4-6 year olds have fun learning eye-hand coordination and building self-esteem!www.alanmargot-tennis.net 650-400-0464

Jefunira Camp Palo AltoCelebrating 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 off ered. www.jefuniracamp.com 650-291-2888

Kim Grant Tennis Academy Palo Alto/Menlo Park/Summer Camps Redwood CityFun 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, fi tness, 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 Woodside/Basketball Camp Redwood CityMLLS off ers 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

Spring Down Camp Equestrian Center Portola ValleySpring 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

Summer at Saint Francis Mountain ViewSports & Activity Camp (ages 6-12): This all sports camp provides group instruction in a variety of fi eld, 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

Summer at Saint Francis Mountain ViewAdvanced Sports Camps (5th-9th grades): We off er a wide selection of advanced sports camps designed to provide players with the opportunity to improve both their skill and knowledge of a specifi c sport. Each camp is run by a Head Varsity Coach at Saint Francis, and is staff ed by members of the coaching staff .www.sfhs.com/summer 650-968-1213 ext. 446

Team Esface Elite Woodside/Basketball Skills Clinics Redwood CitySpring Training (April-May). High-energy, high-level basketball training for ages 6-16. Use your off season as a time to develop your basketball skills and IQ with the unparalleled coaching staff of Team Esface. Learn the fundamentals of the game, off ensive 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

YMCA of Silicon Valley PeninsulaSay 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 fi eldtrips, swimming and outdoor adventures. Accredited by the American Camp Association. Financial assistance available.www.ymcasv.org/summercamp 408-351-6400

Academics

Delphi Academy Santa ClaraHave 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

Harker Summer Programs San JoseK-12 off erings 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 off ered. www.summer.harker.org 408-553-0537

iD Tech Camps - Summer Tech Fun! StanfordAges 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)

iD Teen Academies StanfordTeens 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/fi lmmaking 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)

ISTP Language Immersion Palo AltoInternational School of the Peninsula camps off ered in French, Chinese, Spanish or ESL for students in Nursery through Middle School. Three 2-week sessions, each with diff erent theme. Students are grouped according to both grade level and language profi ciency.www.istp.org 650-251-8519

Mid-Peninsula High School Summer Program Menlo ParkMid-Peninsula High School off ers 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 fi eld trips.www.mid-pen.com 650-321-1991 ext. 110

Summer at Saint Francis Mountain ViewSummer 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/BerkeleySuperCamp 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 confi dence, motivation and character direction to fl ourish. 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

TechKnowHow Computer Palo Alto/& LEGO Camps Menlo Park/SunnyvaleFun 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 ValleyFor kindergarten through 8th grade. Off ers academics, sports, fi eld trips and onsite activities. June 27 - July 29www.woodland-school.org 650-854-9065

Write Now! Summer Writing Camps Palo Alto/PleasantonEmerson School of Palo Alto and Hacienda School of Pleasanton open their doors and off er 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

Arts, Culture, Nature and Other Camps

Camp Jano India Mountain View/Santa ClaraCelebrate 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, excit-ing, creative, interactive, and structured style. June 13-August 5. Age 5 to 14.www.janoinda.com 650-493-1566

Camp F.U.N. (Friends with Unique Needs) Palo AltoA 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

Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) Mountain View50+ creative camps for Gr. K-8! Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Musical Theater, American Idol Workshop, more! Two-week sessions; full and half-day enrollment. Extended care available. Financial aid off ered. www.arts4all.org 650-917-6800 ext. 0

Creative Arts – “Express Yourself” Menlo ParkRiekes Summer Camps — A world of opportunity and fun-fi lled learning. Ages 9-18. Rock camps, Hip Hop, recording, fi lmmaking, 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” Menlo ParkRiekes Summer Camps — A world of opportunity and fun-fi lled 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 fi tness, arts & nature. Sessions run from June through August.www.riekes.org 650-364-2509

To advertise in a weekly directory,

contact 650-326-8210

For more info see our online camp directory at PaloAltoOnline.com/biz/summercampsCamp Connection

palo alto weekly 03.11.2011 - section 1

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