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Palo Alto Weekly 10.15.2010 - Section 1
Section 1 of the October 15, 2010 edition of the Palo Alto Weekly
www.PaloAltoOnline.com Palo Alto Palo Alto dollars lean right in governor's race Page 3 The debate over Measure heats up Firefighters, officials square off page 17 Inside this A PUBL ICAT ION OF TH E AL MANA C AN D issue 20 10 PA LO A LTO WEEK LY Pulse 12 Transitions 13 Spectrum 14 Movies 28 Eating Out 32 Puzzles 57 2010 G Arts UN film festival takes on environment Sports Stanford football has a lot of Luck Home Rethinking a mature garden Page 24 Page 34 Page 45 Perinatal Diagnostic Center Obstetric Anesthesia Packard Children's Hospital Center for Fetal Health Stanford School of Medicine TOGETHER WHAT DREW US HERE AS DOCTORS, DRAWS US BACK AS PATIENTS. www.lpch.org Obstetricians Karen Shin and Mary Parman spend their days caring for pregnant patients and delivering babies. Now that each doctor is pregnant with her first child, the choice of where to deliver is clear: right here where they deliver their patients' babies, at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. "At Packard, every specialist you could ever need is available within minutes, around the clock. When you've seen how successfully the physicians, staff and nurses work, especially in unpredictable situations, you instinctively want that level of care for you and your baby." To learn more about the services we provide to expectant mothers and babies, visit lpch.org Page 2 Upfront by Gennady Sheyner alo Alto may be a Democratic bastion, but it's the Republican candidate for governor who is leading the race for local campaign cash, records show. Meg Whitman, the former eBay CEO who constantly portrays herself as an independent outsider, BEST LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE California Newspaper Publishers Association 1ST PLACE Local news, information and analysis Valley execs support Whitman's `independent' campaign Despite area's political leanings, Atherton Republican enjoys local fundraising edge over Democrat Jerry Brown P has raked in more contributions from Palo Alto donors than her Democratic opponent, Attorney General Jerry Brown, despite the city's heavy Democratic leanings. By Sept. 30, Whitman has received $526,111 compared to the $328,553 raised by Brown. In Menlo Park, another Silicon Valley city that normally favors Democrats, Whitman had raised $272,749 from local donors by the end of September, compared to $134,865 raised by Brown. Whitman's hometown advantage has exaggerated the fundraising difference in Atherton, where she enjoyed a nearly eightfold lead over Brown -- $738,131 versus $97,143. The topic of campaign finance reemerged at this week's gubernatorial debate at the Dominican College in San Rafael. Whitman, a billionaire who has invested about $140 million into her campaign, said her personal contributions allow her to be independent from special interests and accused Brown of being beholden to public-employee unions, who contributed heavily to his campaign. "The expenditure of my own money allows me to be independent, to go to Sacramento with no strings attached," Whitman said. Brown countered that in addition to Whitman's own contributions, she has received millions from "the kind of corporate executives who would benefit directly from her key economic plank." Whitman's proposals include eliminating the capital-gains tax and imposing a one-year moratorium on Assembly Bill 32, a 2006 law that restricts greenhouse-gas emissions. (continued on page 11) BUSINESS AT&T to open tech center in Palo Alto Multi-million-dollar center to generate new products by Sue Dremann T&T is setting up a multimillion-dollar technology-development center in Palo Alto in a race to snag the Bay Area's brainiest mobile-technology developers' ideas. The collaborative work center could launch a wave of financial support for local businesses and inventors, as entrepreneurs, equipment providers, businesses, employees and venture capitalists join to work on new mobile-communications products. AT&T is not alone in its efforts to capture innovative ideas locally. Sprint Nextel has planned a grand opening for its tech-development center in Burlingame on Oct. 25; Verizon expects to open a center in San Francisco in mid-2011, spokespersons for the companies said. AT&T's Palo Alto headquarters will focus on consumer products and mobile applications, such as for Apple's iPhone and Google's Android, according to Peter Hill, vice president of ecosystem and innovation. Using a "speed dating" model, software developers can pitch ideas in 8 to 12 minutes to company executives. Selected ideas will receive backing and assistance to get the products developed and to market quickly, spokesman John Britton said. The company hopes to review as many as 400 proposals per year. Local venture capitalists hailed AT&T's move. Silicon Valley venture-capital firms Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and Sequoia Capital will partner with AT&T to help identify po- A Michelle Le Holding a gift from students, the Dalai Lama chats with Costano Elementary School student Rudy Rivera, left, while Belle Haven student Adagio Lopeti looks on, at Costano in East Palo Alto on Wednesday. COMMUNITY Dalai Lama tells students to live `from their hearts' For East Palo Alto students, `new century' is on their shoulders, Tibetan leader says by Chris Kenrick T he Dalai Lama told 400 East Palo Alto students that responsibility for the 21st century rests on their shoulders -- and that they should manage it from their hearts. In a meandering, hour-plus discussion Wednesday afternoon in a school gym, the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader responded to questions on topics ranging from his childhood memories to methods he uses to cheer himself up after a "sad day." Eleven of the students, from East Palo Alto middle schools as well as Menlo-Atherton and Sequoia high schools, earned the chance to personally address the world-famous 75-year-old monk after submitting essays on what constitutes a "meaningful life." "You belong to the new century," the Dalai Lama told Tatyana Spears, a 13-year-old McNair Middle School eighth-grader who asked how young people can find peace in their lives. "You have nine decades to make it become peaceful, compassionate and friendly -- or more destructive. It's entirely up to you," the Dalai Lama said. "Education -- development of the brain -- is not sufficient. You must pay more attention to your own heart, to what we learn from our mothers at a very young age." Vanessa Tostado, an eighthgrader at Willow Oaks School, asked about racism. "We have different races, different faiths, nationalities, positions, rich families, poor families -- sometimes in the past and even today, we have too much emphasis on race, nationality, and we sacrifice fundamental human values," the Dalai Lama responded. "First we must realize nearly 7 billion human beings are the same. Everyone wants a happy life. Racism, discrimination based on faith or point of view is a total mistake -- very backward thinking." The Dalai Lama sat in an overstuffed chair on the gym stage and spoke in what he described as "broken English," frequently conferring with a translator sitting to his left. Students from the independent Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto -- who last year mounted a pageant about the Dalai Lama -- recited poems and sayings and helped in Tibetan cultural performances before the monk's arrival, teaching the audience to sing the (continued on page 9) (continued on page 6) Page 3 PUBLISHER William S. Johnson EDITORIAL Jay Thorwaldson, Editor Jocelyn Dong, Managing Editor Carol Blitzer, Associate Editor Keith Peters, Sports Editor Tyler Hanley, ExpressTM 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, Kevin Kirby, Jack McKinnon, Renata Polt, Jeanie Forte Smith, Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, Contributors Sally Schilling, Georgia Wells, Editorial Interns 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, Cathy Stringari, Susie Ochoa, 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 published every Friday by Embarcadero Media, 450 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306, (650) 3268210. Periodicals postage paid at Palo Alto, CA and additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circulation for Santa Clara County. The Palo Alto Weekly is delivered free to homes in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto, to faculty and staff households on the Stanford campus and to portions of Los Altos Hills. If you are not currently receiving the paper, you may request free delivery by calling 326-8210. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302. Copyright �2010 by Embarcadero Media. All rights reserved. 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Name: _________________________________ Address: _______________________________ SUBSCRIBE! www.bowmanschool.org Page 4 City/Zip: _______________________________ Mail to: Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610. Palo Alto CA 94302 `` FREE iPad with your Invisalign Treatment* Upfront 450 CAMBRIDGE AVE, PALO ALTO, CA 94306 (650) 326-8210 QUOTE OF THE WEEK `` This is putting a hole in the canoe while we're bailing water. --Karen Holman, Palo Alto City Councilwoman, on why she opposes Measure R, the firefighters' initiative. See story on page 17. Around Town FOR THE FRANCOPHILES ... James Franco, Palo Alto's favorite homegrown Renaissance man, recently took some time off from his films, his General Hospital shoots, and his Ivy League classes to release a collection of stories about the city of his youth. The collection, "Palo Alto Stories," hit the bookstores this week, and it's filled with references to the titular city. Franco, now a Yale University student, studied the writing craft at Brooklyn College and Columbia University and wrote these stories for his creative-writing classes, as he told NPR in a recent interview. Though the book alludes to a myriad of local landmarks -- Stanford Hospital, the old Printer's Inc. bookstore and Jordan Middle School to name a few -- the stories are less about the city than about the dark thoughts and frequent indiscretions of local youths (story titles include "Headless," "Killing Animals" and "I Could Kill Someone."). CHALLENGING THE AUTHORITY ... Palo Alto's leading highspeed-rail watchdogs will receive an award Friday night for their efforts to promote more accountability from the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The Committee for Green Foothills will present "Citizen Advocacy Awards" Friday to the four cofounders of Californians Advocating Responsible Rail Design (CARRD): Elizabeth Alexis, Sara Armstrong, Nadia Naik and Rita Wespi. The four Palo Altans have been promoting public awareness of the controversial rail project; tracking rail legislation and flagging problems with the rail authority's projections and plans. Gilroy resident Yvonne Sheets-Saucedo is also scheduled to pick up an award for participating in the planning of the Central Valley portion of the rail line. "Citizens' voices are a critical component in the discourse on urban planning, especially in today's discussions of providing High Speed Rail for our region and our state," the Committee announced in a statement. "CGF feels it important to recognize these local citizens for their willingness, tenacity, and fervor with which they have taken on this task." FILL `ER UP ... Palo Alto's Public Works staff has a new proposal for the city's landfill in the Baylands: Let's fill it up as fast as possible. Garbage has been trickling into the landfill at a slow rate of late following the City Council's January 2009 decision to ban commercial waste at the landfill. The ban was intended to keep a 9-acre portion of the landfill open so that the site could house a waste-to-energy plant in the future. But the policy went further than expected, dramatically shrinking garbage loads and making it harder for the city to close the landfill by 2012 or 2013, as was previously planned. A delay would force the city to run afoul of its state permit, which requires the city to stop accepting garbage by late 2011. And then Palo Alto would have to seek extensions to its closure plan. So now city staff want to fill the landfill by fall 2011. This would entail diverting garbage from the SMaRT Station in Sunnyvale (the current destination for local garbage) to the Palo Alto dump. A new report by Public Works Senior Engineer Matthew Raschke recommends that the city "quickly fill the remaining landfill capacity" and "convert the area to parkland as soon as possible." The council's Finance Committee is scheduled to discuss the proposal Tuesday night. WELCOME TO THE TREE HOUSE ... Palo Alto is well known for its astronomic property values, but when it comes to affordable housing, the city's supply is widely known to be grossly inadequate. Palo Alto officials hope the "Tree House" will improve the situation a little bit. The 35-unit housing complex will soon be developed at 488 West Charleston Road, at a leafy site between El Camino Real and Alma Street. The City Council is scheduled to consider on Oct. 18 whether to provide the Housing Corporation a $2.5 million loan for the new development (which would bring the council's total financial assistance for the Tree House to $5.3 million). If the council approves the loan, construction would commence later this fall. Upfront CITY HALL TRANSPORTATION Utilities tries to inform powerless customers City to revise policy so it spells out how much outage information is too much -- or too little by Gennady Sheyner Schwarzenegger vetoes rail-accountability measure Budget provisions would have required rail authority to respond to the critical reports before receiving funding by Gennady Sheyner H ours after Palo Alto's Utilities Department unveiled a new Web page to update residents about service disruptions Tuesday, a power outage hit downtown Palo Alto, leaving City Hall and about 180 customers in the dark. The outage, which utilities officials attributed to an equipment failure, began at about 8:34 p.m. and lasted about an hour. But if any of the 180 affected customers used their smartphones to get information from the city's new outage Web page, they found themselves in the dark. The information wasn't updated until Wednesday morning, much to the consternation of some utility customers, who quickly pointed out the system's failings on Palo Alto Online's community forum Town Square. The minor episode is emblematic of the Goldilocks dilemma facing the Utilities Department. Palo Alto officials want to inform utilities customers about outages in their areas without having to issue major citywide announcements for every little incident. They want the alert system to be just right. To that effect, the city's Utilities Department is now revising its notification policies to determine which types of incidents should trigger an automatic alert to customers and how many people should be notified, Joyce Kinnear, manager of the Utilities Marketing Service, told the Weekly Wednesday. Several residents expressed frustration with the city's notification system for power outages after a Sept. 24 outage in the Barron Park neighborhood. The outage affected about 1,700 customers and Gunn High School. Many of them tried in vain to find information about the outage online, while some tried to call dispatch but ran into busy signals. Kinnear said the department tries to update outage data as soon as it can, particularly for larger power failures. Palo Alto also uses a Community Alert and Notification System (CANS), which calls or texts residents during major emergencies. The system merged with Santa Clara County's AlertSCC system last month. But as East Palo Alto residents learned Tuesday, automaticcalling systems also have their disadvantages. At about 5 p.m., about 1,700 customers received an automated call warning them about a gas leak and urging them to evacuate. The call, which came from the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services, was a false alarm. The automatic message was supposed to inform residents about an Oct. 19 community meeting on the city's pending update of its "water master plan." Instead, it was an old -- and misdirected -- message about the Sept. 9 gas explosion in San Bruno. About three hours after the initial call, the office called back to revoke its evacuation order and apologize. In Palo Alto, CANS is only used for major emergencies, Kinnear said. Smaller incidents, such as Tuesday's brief power outage, require a lighter touch. Kinnear said utilities officials are trying to improve their notification procedures for outages by immediately informing customer-services representatives about any service disruptions, so that they can relay this information to customers. The Utilities Department also sends mass e-mails to customers who want to be alerted about power outages. The department's new Web page, at www.cityofpaloalto. org/outageinfo, is part of this effort, she said. The department also created two other pages -- www.cityofpaloalto.org/safeutility (for safety advisories) and www.cityofpaloalto.org/ depts/utl/service_disruptions (a front page for both planned and unplanned service disruptions). Though customers who lose their power might have a hard time turning on their personal computers, residents with smartphones can still view the outage page for a quick update. Tuesday's power failure showed one hiccup in the new system, however, in that it took place in the evening, after regular business hours. "In the off hours, the page doesn't always get updated immediately," Kinnear said. She said the department's revised policy on notification will address the subject of timeliness: that is, how long it should take utilities officials, once the outage begins, to post information about it on the new Web page. Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at firstname.lastname@example.com. W ith a stroke of his lineveto pen, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Monday killed a budget provision that would have forced the California HighSpeed Rail Authority to improve its business plan and strengthen its outreach efforts by Feb. 1 or have about a quarter of its annual budget withheld. Schwarzenegger's veto deals a blow to efforts by Sen. Joe Simitian, DPalo Alto, and other state legislators to hold the rail authority accountable after a sequence of audits revealed a myriad of flaws in the agency's revenue and ridership plans. "While the Administration supports these reporting requirements, making the (budget) appropriation contingent upon receipt and approval of this report by the Legislature could result in project delays, jeopardize the Authority's ability to meet already tight federal deadlines and result in increased state costs," Schwarzenegger wrote in his veto message. The penalty for missing the Feb. 1 deadline would have been $55.32 million in state funding. The provision, which was inserted into the budget by the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation, gave the authority until Feb. 1 to update its business plan and provide an analysis demonstrating that the rail project would not require a public subsidy for operations. The subcommittee, chaired by Simitian, also called for the authority to respond to a long list of management deficiencies uncovered by the Office of State Auditor. The auditor's office found that the authority's program manager, the firm Parsons Brinckerhoff, filed monthly reports filled with errors. The office reviewed 22 invoices and identified problems in 20. In May, after hearing a presentation on the report from State Auditor Elaine Howle, members of Simitian's subcommittee said they were deeply concerned about the authority's mismanagement. Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, said he found the litany of poor management practices identified by the auditor "astounding." The authority "doesn't have at this point a coherent program," he said. "Anybody who has read this audit report cannot help but be disheartened by the authority's mismanagement, or at least some folks' mismanagement of scarce public resources," Lowenthal said. The auditor's report is one of several recent studies exposing flaws in the rail project. The state Legislative Analyst's Office found major flaws in the authority's business plan. One analysis said the plan "superficially addresses many of the most signifi- cant risks of the project." The Institute for Transportation Studies at University of California, Berkeley, reviewed the authority's ridership projections and found them "unreliable." This week, three financial experts from the Peninsula released an analysis of the authority's financial data and concluded that the authority's "financial promises can't be kept." The report was reviewed and endorsed by 70 Silicon Valley economists and CEOs. Simitian, whose Midpeninsula constituency includes some of the most vocal critics of the voter-approved project, called Schwarzenegger's veto of the accountability measures "regrettable." On Oct. 2, Simitian hosted a Town Hall meeting in Palo Alto, where he lauded the budget provisions as an important step to holding the authority accountable. He alluded to the Feb. 1 deadline and said "the clock is ticking" on the authority to get its house in order. Simitian has persistently said he supports the rail project -- but only "if it's done right." The authority, he told the crowd at the Town Hall meeting, has yet to make a successful transition from a small advocacy group to the builder of a mega-project currently estimated at $42.6 billion. (continued on page 6) Vivian Wong A taste of Japan Volunteer Ariko Komoda teaches community members how to use chopsticks at the Japan Tsuchiura Festival at the Lucie Stern Community Center on Sunday, Oct. 10. Held in honor of Palo Alto's sister city Tsuchiura, Japan, the festival celebrated all things Japanese, including origami, anime, bonsai and sudoku. Page 5 Upfront EDUCATION COMMUNITY Anti-stress group holds annual conference this weekend Stanford's Denise Clark Pope advocates for pre-break final exams by Chris Kenrick H igh schools around the country that have shifted their first-semester exams to before the December break "will not go back," according to Denise Clark Pope, a Stanford University senior lecturer widely known for her advocacy of stress-reduction efforts in schools. As the Palo Alto school district debates whether to hold first-semester finals before winter break starting in 2011, Pope said anecdotal evidence from other schools that have done so is overwhelmingly positive. Yet little formal research exists on the subject, she said. "There hasn't been hard-core research where you have a control group, do follow-up and check stress levels. That hasn't happened," she said. Pope, who became interested in the subject of stress in high-achieving high schools through her 1999 Stanford doctoral dissertation and is now considered a national expert, was preparing this week for her seventh annual conference on youth well-being, which opens tonight (Friday). It runs through the weekend. Pope's Stanford-based organization, Challenge Success, seeks to broaden what it calls the "conventional, high-pressure and narrow path to success and (to) offer practical alternatives to pursue a broader definition." Students and teachers from Gunn High School will join their counterparts from more than 20 other schools from around the country in weekend workshops aimed at finding ways to reduce stress and increase engagement with learning, Pope said. Moving finals to before winter break is one of many strategies advocated by Pope's organization. The Palo Alto Board of Education is slated to vote Nov. 9 on the district's academic calendars for 2011California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Roelof van Ark released a statement this week affirming his commitment to "transparency and accountability" and pledging to update the Legislature and the public. "Such reporting is appropriate and necessary. Based on my experience in the private sector, regular and accurate reporting is routine, and I am committed to ensuring that the same principles apply for this project," he stated. Jeff Barker, deputy director for the rail authority, told the Weekly that meeting the deadlines would have been impossible given how long it took lawmakers to pass the state budget. Without a budget, the authority didn't have the resources On Wednesday, he said a pareddown version of the innovation center has been operating out of a temporary location since August. AT&T is in the process of signing a lease on a 10,000 square-foot undisclosed location in Palo Alto. The new center is scheduled to open by early 2011. In addition to Palo Alto, AT&T will open "innovation centers" in Plano, Texas, and Tel Aviv, Israel. The three sites together will provide AT&T with a nearly 24-hour workday for development, John Donovan, AT&T's chief technology officer, said. AT&T wants to tap into the strengths of each area: Palo Alto's focus will be on applications and consumer-products development; Plano will focus on industry-application prototypes from automotive to education services and Tel Aviv will work on back-office systems. "The innovation centers will help 2012 and 2012-2013. Superintendent Kevin Skelly has recommended shifting first-semester finals to before winter break and beginning the school year in the third week of August rather than the fourth. Skelly also proposes to end the school year earlier -- May 31 in 2012 and May 30 in 2013. The theme of the Challenge Success conference is "Walking the Talk: Aligning Actions and Values for Youth Well-Being." Speaking at tonight's kickoff in Stanford's 1,700-seat Memorial Auditorium will be Los Angeles writer Wendy Mogel, author of "The Blessing of a Skinned Knee" and the soon-to-be-published "The Blessing of a B Minus." Also speaking will be Marin clinical psychologist Madeline Levine, author of "The Price of Privilege." RSVPs are required and can be made at http://csplenary2010.eventbrite.com/. to comply with the legislators' mandate, he said in an e-mail. "We had already alerted the Legislature that because of the historically late budget and therefore our inability to hire any additional risk management, oversight, and financial staff as outlined in the budget, it would be impossible to meet the reporting deadlines that were originally outlined in the budget," Barker said. But Simitian said the governor's veto will make it even more difficult for the agency to restore its credibility with the public. "The High-Speed Rail Authority desperately needs to rebuild its credibility and public support," Simitian said. "A failure to require accountability measures only makes that task more difficult." us enhance collaboration and dramatically accelerate the velocity of innovation, taking ideas from concept to reality in mere months as opposed to years," Donovan said. Silicon Valley companies Cisco Systems of San Jose and Juniper Networks of Sunnyvale plan to provide infrastructure and will collaborate in the centers, according to Britton. Hill's background includes leading the development of three-screen applications (integration of television, personal computer and wireless devices) for AT&T and its Uverse TV. AT&T has also created a virtual innovation center, where developers can test their products on the AT&T network. The website offers open-source product-development technologies and a way to share ideas. Developers can build, test and certify applications without having to travel to an outside facility, Hill said. Veronica Weber Annette Glanckopf, a Citizen Corps Council member and organizer of an event to honor individuals who have made a difference in emergency preparedness, stands outside Palo Alto Fire Station No. 6. Emergency preparedness is a do-it-yourself challenge Volunteers will be crucial to survival and recovery from disaster, city leaders say High-speed rail (continued from page 5) He said the agency has been doing "just barely enough" to retain legislative support and pointed to a series of critical audits as indications that the authority "has come up short in terms of its work to date." The state Legislature as a whole approved the subcommittee's accountability provisions for highspeed rail before Schwarzenegger vetoed the section of the budget outlining these measures. Schwarzenegger said while he supports the reporting requirements he opposes tying them to funding because that could cause possible delays in the overall project. T Tech center (continued from page 3) tential developers and might invest in the firms. "This isn't something we've seen from AT&T in the past. ... It reflects a positive shift in thinking that will be a strategic advantage," Matt Murphy, partner at Menlo Parkbased Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, said. Jim Goetz, general partner at Sand Hill Road venture firm Sequoia Capital, agreed. "Through the innovation centers, AT&T is embracing the `valley' culture. They're positioning themselves where ideas are being generated," he said. In Palo Alto, initially more than a dozen full-time employees will work with developers on three to five projects. Fifteen to 20 temporary employees will be required for each project, Hill said. Page 6 by Sue Dremann he public face of disaster dinator of Homeland Security and preparation might be police, public outreach, underlined the nefire and city officials, but Palo cessity of trained volunteers. Alto officials have said many times "If we fail to engage with the they won't be able to handle a disas- community neighborhoods we will ter without residents' help. fail in everything we do," he said at It will be a family-by-family, one city policy meeting. block-by-block "do it yourself" efBlock-preparedness coordinators fort, officials warn. have spent thousands of dollars of Palo Alto's response has bal- their own money to buy equipment, looned in the past year, involving such as fluorescent vests, radios, scores of volunteers, neighborhood outreach and teaching materials. groups and city officials collaborat- They produced their own disastering on how to add a sense of urgency preparedness manual and held three to emergency preparation. citywide drills that involved radio On Thursday, Oct. 21 -- the 21st communications and search-andanniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta rescue drills by PANDAs. earthquake -- city leaders and the Block coordinators developed currecently resurrected Citizen Corps riculum (including radio communiCouncil will present achievement cations) and have taught a three-sesawards to individuals whose efforts sion class to hundreds of residents. have helped the city prepare for a The three-part classes have been major emergency. The council is a adapted to train organizations such group of city officials, businesses, as businesses in Stanford Research hospitals and residents' groups. Park, said Dueker, who is working The award recipients, who will to coordinate and train all sectors not be identified beforehand, will be within the city. honored at 7 p.m. in a ceremony at Awareness efforts have been diPalo Alto City Hall. The free public verse and creative. event will feature a public unveiling On Sept. 11, nearly 60 people took of the city's new mobile emergency- part in "Quakeville," an overnight operations center at 5 p.m. evacuation drill at Juana Briones Annette Glanckopf, Citizen Corps Park, where residents lived under Council member and awards orga- the stars and volunteers conducted nizer, said years of awareness-rais- an injured-missing-person search. ing seem to be paying off. Lydia Kou, the emergency-pre"We will be so much better pre- paredness coordinator for Barron pared. Our citizenry wouldn't go Park, organized the event. into some kind of psychic shock" Al Dorsky, co-chair of the blockbecause of several key programs, preparedness program, and highshe said. Those include the Palo Alto end radio volunteers had a real-life Neighborhoods Block Preparedness experience on Feb. 17, when Palo Coordinator program, Palo Alto Alto was left powerless after a small Neighborhoods Disaster Activities plane hit a utility tower in the Bay(PANDA) volunteers and Amateur lands. Radio Emergency Services/Radio So many people called the city's Amateur Civil Emergency Services public-information line the system (ARES/RACES) program. Kenneth Dueker, the city's coor(continued on page 11) Upfront CityView A round-up of Upcoming Events How to Make the Most of Yelp, Facebook and Other Social Media Websites for Your Local Business Palo Alto government action this week Enrollment: The board heard a report on district-wide 2010-11 enrollment, which stands at 12,024, up 3 percent over last year, with most of the growth coming in the elementary grades. Action: None Kindergarten readiness: The board heard a presentation on the first year of the three-year, foundation-funded pilot Springboard to Kindergarten program. Action: None High school academic achievement: The board heard that Gunn and Palo Alto high schools are among the top six schools statewide in average SAT scores. Action: None Board of Education (Oct. 12) EPIC (Young Professionals Mixer) ATHENA International Awards Luncheon Council Appointed Officer Committee (Oct. 12) Policy and Services Committee (Oct. 12) design by harrington design Interim city attorney: The committee recommended appointing Assistant City Attorney Don Larkin to serve as the city's interim city attorney after Gary Baum's retirement on Oct. 30. Yes: Klein, Schmid, Espinosa Absent: Scharff Project Safety Net: The committee heard a report on Project Safety Net, the community effort to promote youth well-being, and recommended that the council approve the proposed Suicide Prevention Policy. Yes: Unanimous Planning & Transportation Commission (Oct. 13) Green building: The commission discussed and approved zoning revisions proposed by staff to amend the city's Green Building regulations and to create a new pilot program to encourage sustainable neighborhood development. The commission recommended some revisions to ensure staff reports back to the commission about the results from the pilot program. Yes: Unanimous Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 122 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto (650) 324-3121 www.PaloAltoChamber.com Public Agenda A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week CITY COUNCIL ... The council plans to hold a joint meeting with the Utilities Advisory Commission; continue its discussion of the concept plans for East Meadow Circle/Fabian Way and California Avenue; hold a public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Citizen Participation Plan; and consider a contract for Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course maintenance. The joint meeting with the UAC will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). Regular meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. or as soon as possible thereafter in the Council Chambers at City Hall. FINANCE COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to discuss plans for the city's landfill operation and a new business plan by R. A. Wiedmann & Associates for the Palo Alto Airport. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ... The commission plans to discuss possible revisions to the Housing Element chapter of the city's Comprehensive Plan. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). HIGH-SPEED RAIL COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to discuss recent correspondence between the California High-Speed Rail Authority and Caltrain about the possibility of building highspeed rail in phases; hear an update on rail-related legislation and discuss the city's lobbying efforts. The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ... The board plans to discuss proposed upgrades to the Stanford University School of Medicine, which are part of Stanford Hospital's expansion and renovation project. The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION ... The commission plans to elect its officers; hear a presentation on temporary public art near the Palo Alto Art Center; hear an update about the recent relocation of the Filaree statue to Greer Park; and discuss replacing a fountain near the California Avenue Caltrain station. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). LET'S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk about the issues at Town Square at www.PaloAltoOnline.com Page 7 Upfront News Digest Cat burglars drive off with family car In the third burglary of an occupied home in Palo Alto in recent months, one or more persons entered a home in the 1100 block of Hamilton Avenue between Friday night, Oct. 8, and Saturday morning in the Crescent Park neighborhood. The burglar entered by a side window, stole a purse and wallet and drove off with a family vehicle while the two residents were asleep upstairs, police Agent Brian Philip reported this week. The car was found a short time later by Menlo Park police, abandoned along Woodland Avenue -- indicating the burglar or burglars either walked into Palo Alto or had been dropped off. An earlier home burglary occurred in the 1500 block of Hamilton, where burglars stole a large flat-panel television and drove off with the family minivan while the family slept upstairs. The minivan was later recovered in East Palo Alto, Philip said. Another occupied-home burglary occurred in the 100 block of Waverley Street in early September. One person was arrested in that case following an early morning manhunt. -- Palo Alto Weekly staff LET'S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk about the issues at Town Square at www.PaloAltoOnline.com comprise about 11 percent of high school enrollment. This year, 46 percent of African-American graduates and 50 percent of Hispanic graduates met the UC/CSU entrance requirements -- up from 43 percent and 34 percent in 2009. However, the 2009 numbers were worse than those for the class of 2008. Palo Alto lags behind several high-achieving California high schools on the college-readiness measure, including San Francisco's Lowell High School and San Marino High School, where more than 90 percent of 2008 graduates met UC/CSU requirements. SAT scores for the class of 2010 averaged 1,947 -- 1,942 at Gunn and 1,951 at Paly. District-wide, the average score was 635 in critical reading; 672 in math; and 640 in writing. Those compare with statewide averages of 501 in critical reading; 516 in math and 500 in writing, and slightly lower averages for the nation as a whole. This means that a student who ranked in the bottom quarter in Palo Alto would still rank in the top 25 percent of students when compared with their statewide or nationwide peers. -- Chris Kenrick July 2010, the Washington Post reported. Before assuming the role of treasury secretary, Geithner helmed the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He worked in three presidential administrations for five secretaries of the treasury. He served as under-secretary of the treasury for international affairs from 1999 to 2001 for secretaries Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers and was director of the Policy Development and Review Department at the International Monetary Fund from 2001 until 2003. Tickets for the event range from $10 for students to $50 for premium seating and are available by calling 800-847-7730 or visiting tickets.commonwealthclub.org. The Oshman Family Jewish Community Center is located at 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. -- Palo Alto Weekly staff Working group formed on high-speed rail A high-level federal "working group" that meets weekly to discuss California's high-speed rail project has been created in response to growing concerns about the viability of the California project, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo announced Monday, Oct. 11, in an interview with the Weekly. Eshoo said the working group was created by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood following a Sept. 30 meeting of six Congress members from California and several high-level federal officials. The 90-minute meeting covered growing concerns about the rail project, currently estimated to cost $43 billion, which will link San Francisco to Los Angeles in its initial phase. Eshoo said the congressmembers expressed concerns about the viability of the project and leadership of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, based on several authoritative studies that questioned basic cost, design, process and ridership studies of the authority. Eshoo said her own position is that some federal funds need to be freed up and applied directly to upgrading and electrifying the Caltrain commute service, struggling to fill a $2.3 million budget gap. Federal funding is from the Federal Railroad Administration under the Department of Transportation. She said the federal officials at the meeting include Roy Kienitz, undersecretary for policy at the Department of Transportation, who was raised in the Palo Alto/Mountain View/Sunnyvale area. Members of Congress at the meeting included Mike Honda, Jackie Speier, George Miller, John Garamendi, Mike Thompson and Eshoo. -- Jay Thorwaldson Treasury's Geithner to speak in Palo Alto Nearly two years after being tasked with bringing the U.S. economy out of the Great Recession, Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Timothy Geithner will talk about the nation's financial health at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto Monday (Oct. 18) at 1 p.m. Geithner will address the Obama administration's proposals to help get more Americans back to work and help reinforce long-term growth at home as well as efforts to build a more stable financial system and to strengthen the global economy, according to the Commonwealth Club of Silicon Valley, the event organizer. Geithner, 49, will be joined by moderator Michael Moritz, managing member of Sequoia Capital and former San Francisco bureau chief for Time magazine. When Geithner became the treasury secretary in January 2009, he was charged with deciding which banks and other financial companies to rescue and under what conditions the funding would be given, according to the Washington Post. Within his first month on the job, he played a key role in creating the administration's $787 billion economic-stimulus package. More recently, he helped shape the Dodd-Frank financial regulation overhaul package, which took effect in Gunn, Paly among top six in SAT scores Gunn and Palo Alto high schools rank in the top six California high schools in average SAT scores, according to data reviewed at the Palo Alto Board of Education meeting Oct. 12. But the schools fall short of their goals in boosting college-prep rates for minority students. The board reviewed charts and statistics on high school academic achievement prepared by William Garrison, the district's director of assessment and evaluation. Garrison measured statistical progress against two of the district's "strategic plan goals" -- making sure at least 85 percent of all graduates meet entrance requirements for California's public universities by 2012; and boosting the percentage of minority graduates who meet those requirements by at least 50 percent. The district has met the first goal. Garrison's data shows that 85 percent of the district's 2010 graduates met UC/CSU entrance requirements, compared with only 76 percent of 2009 graduates. Results are mixed on the second goal of upping college readiness for Hispanic and African-American students, who The Lecture Series 2010�2011 Presents Jean and Bill Lane Deborah Eisenberg Reading Monday, October 18, 2010, 8:00 p.m. Cubberley Auditorium Stanford Campus Operated by the City of Palo Alto for the East Palo Alto Sanitary District, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Palo Alto and Stanford. Palo Alto Wastewater Long Range Facilities Planning PUBLIC MEETINGS October 27, 2010 Locations: Lucie Stern Community Center Fireside Room, 2pm�4pm Palo Alto Art Center Meeting Room, 7pm�9pm For more information call (650) 329-2598 or visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/wastewaterplanning Colloquium Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 11:00 am Terrace Room Margaret Jacks Hall (Building 460) FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Information: 650.723.0011 http://creativewriting.stanford.edu Sponsored by Stanford University's Creative Writing Program Page 8 Upfront Dalai Lama (continued from page 3) traditional Dalai Lama welcoming song, "Thamchey Khenpa." Sitting in the rear of the gym were dignitaries, including U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, and donors to the Ravenswood Education Foundation, which raises funds for the Ravenswood City School District. With Ravenswood Superintendent Maria De La Vega hospitalized after emergency surgery, foundation executive director Charley Scandlyn took over welcoming duties. "The adults are here because they've been friends and supporters of your schools," Scandlyn told students, as they turned their heads to peer at the donor group. "They are politicians, doctors, lawyers, business people, school board members, volunteers, community leaders, church members. They believe every child in the Ravenswood School District deserves a first-class education. "You are worth that investment." Adagio Lopeti, 13, of Belle Haven School said he won the essay contest by writing that "sometimes you have to suffer to get peace. "Peace can be like an old married couple walking in a park," Adagio said he wrote. "They know how a relationship takes so long, they never break a promise, they stay married for a lot of years." Adagio asked the Buddhist leader -- who was plucked from a rural village and educated for future leadership from the age of 6 -- if he ever wished to live like an "ordinary person," with a family and children of his own. The monk recalled sitting with his tutor as a child and seeing local people returning their animals from pasture. "They were ordinary boys and girls, singing, and sometimes I wished I were one of them, so occasionally I had such feelings," he said. "But eventually I realized my own responsibility, and that was an opportunity to do something meaningful." Sequoia High School student Sofia Duenas wondered whether the Dalai Lama has any regrets. He answered that at times, during his teens, he had been a "lazy student," and urged students to take advantage of their school years. "You must play for physical health and growth, but to study is very, very important," he said. M-A student Leslie Cisneros asked the monk how he cheers himself up after a "sad day." "If you think negative, it brings sadness," he replied. "But if you look for a wider perspective, there are some positive things. "The same event -- even something very unbearable -- can be negative from one dimension, and from another dimension may be positive." Sequoia High School student Da- vid Montenegro asked whether world peace is "ever really achievable." The Dalai Lama launched into his view on the importance of maternal love early in a child's life. He said a combination of "human intellect and compassion" can bring about a more peaceful world. "So we have to work for that," he said. "I myself have dedicated my life to bringing a more peaceful world, more compassionate world. "In my case, just talk. In your case, action," the monk said, sparking laughter from the students, and breaking out into laughter himself. Staff Writer Chris Kenrick can be e-mailed at firstname.lastname@example.com. COMMUNITY Can higher consciousness be measured? Dalai Lama talks about connection between spirituality, science Tibetan leader urges compassion, brotherhood in Stanford talk by Nick Veronin T he crowd at Maples Pavilion, buzzing with the sound of 6,300 voices, hushed in an instant and rose in unison to greet the guest of honor Thursday morning. Tenzin Gyatso, better known as the 14th Dalai Lama and an internationally recognized religious scholar, took the stage at Stanford University, continuing a Bay Area visit that included a meeting with East Palo Alto students Wednesday. The audience, composed of university students, faculty and staff, as well as young and old people from beyond the Bay Area, filled the bleachers and chairs on the gymnasium floor to listen to the Dalai Lama speak on topics that revolved around the event's title -- "The Centrality of Compassion in Human Life and Society." Sipping out of white tea cups, the religious leader sat with Stanford neuroscientist Dr. James Doty and discussed the connections between a healthy body and a healthy mind and explored the ways in which spirituality and religion might inform science and vice versa. The effects of kindness, giving, nurturing, empathy and a host of other human traits that previously have been considered scientifically immeasurable are actually quantifiable and yield valuable data, according to research by Stanford's Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). CCARE, which hosted the event, was created after a 2005 visit from the Dalai Lama. His talks with Doty inspired the spiritual leader to make a donation of $150,000 -- revenues from his book sales -- to Doty. Doty, in turn, founded and now directs CCARE, which includes neuroscientists, physicians and religious leaders. The Dalai Lama spoke for about an hour, occasionally turning to his translator for help finding the right word. "We are the same human being; mentally, emotionally, physically we are the same," he told the crowd, calling on everyone to give up any "us versus them" mentality they might have. He said that humans are social animals who seek companionship, compassion, altruism and nurturing from each other. He told an anecdote from his childhood that showed that the seeds of compassion in him were planted by his mother. Though he was a spoiled child, when he was "naughty" his mother always showed him compassion. He encouraged parents in the audience to lead by example. He also called upon the youth in the room to make their generation one that favors dialogue over violence to resolve conflict. In the half-hour long discussion between Doty and the Dalai Lama, the two touched upon the science that shows a healthy mindset can lead to a healthier physical brain and body. "Inner peace must develop through the mental process," the Dalai Lama said. "I thought it was incredible," Luana Dias, a freshman at Stanford, said of the event. "I think I agreed with him on every level." Louis Marion, another university freshman, said he was especially enthralled with the Dalai Lama's ability to merge concepts of science and religion so fluidly and believes that the spiritual leader was right in his analysis of consciousness and its ability to impact physical health. Gayle Downs, who drove in from Cayucos, near Moro Bay, said she also believed that the mind is inextricably linked to the health of the body. Scott Wainner, from Walnut Creek, said that he enjoyed the Dalai Lama's ideas overall and his middle-of-the-road approach to science and religion. But he also found certain points that the monk made to be too idealistic. "I kind of felt like the world isn't a place where dialogue can solve every problem," Wainner said. Nick Veronin is a staff writer at the Mountain View Voice, the Weekly's sister paper, and can be e-mailed at nveronin@mv-voice. com. At ITP we are asking the important questions. Join us and earn your degree. Ps y.D. | Ph .D. | M. A . | Cer tif i cate Onl ine and On Ca mp us Learning Spi r itual ly-or i en t ed Cl i n ical Ps ychology Tr ansper sonal Psychology Counsel i n g ( M F T ) Wo m en 's Spi r itual it y Educat ion and R e se arch Coach i n g Spi r itual Gui dan ce Cr e at i ve E x pr e ssion Gr aduat e Educat ion at t h e Front i er of Psychology and Spi r itualit y Grand Opening! In Palo Alto D DYMA REA LECTI COL www.photographandframe.com 2086 El Camino Real, Palo Alto 650.857.0687 1/2 mile North of Page Mill Road next to Starbucks E AME N FR O $ - 49 10 $ x7 Sizes 5 up to 2 4x36 Page 9 Answers to this week's puzzles, which can be found on page 57 Upfront 6 7 8 9 3 1 4 5 2 3 5 1 2 4 8 9 7 6 2 4 9 7 6 5 1 3 8 5 8 7 6 2 4 3 1 9 4 9 6 3 1 7 2 8 5 1 3 2 8 5 9 6 4 7 9 6 5 4 7 3 8 2 1 7 2 4 1 8 6 5 9 3 8 1 3 5 9 2 7 6 4 These 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. Online This Week Oct. 14 at 9:30 a.m.) Fresh news delivered daily Sign up today www.PaloAltoOnline.com Remodels, Additions & New Homes We take care of all residential work, large or small, for your home. Call for your FREE estimate today. HammondHomes7.com Chamber celebrates its past -- and future The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 100-year history and took stock of its future at the headquarters of Tesla Motors Thursday, blending past innovations with a high-tech future. (Posted Fifth indecent exposure reported in Palo Alto Another case of indecent exposure -- the fifth since Sept. 21 -- has been reported in Palo Alto. A man walked up to four women Tuesday (Oct. 12) at 8:30 a.m. near Park Boulevard and Oxford Avenue and "exposed himself to them," Palo Alto police Lt. Sandra Brown stated in a press release. (Posted Oct. 13 at 4:26 p.m.) 408-255-9994 Lic. #703822 F. Marland Chancellor, III, MD Concierge Family Medicine Specialist FULL-TIME ACCESS, FULL-TIME CARING "The heart, the Art, of medical practice lies in the strength of the doctor-patient relationship. The time spent listening to my patients is the most important aspect of the care I provide. Having a physician who knows you well can help to guide your care in directions that might otherwise be overlooked in this era of depersonalized, `by-the-numbers' medicine." F. Marland Chancellor, III, M.D. DOCTOR CHANCELLOR IS BACK IN PALO ALTO! Humane Society honors Giants with orange cats The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is honoring the San Francisco Giants' National League Division Series victory with a special adoption promotion for cats with black or orange fur. (Posted Oct. 13 at 2:23 p.m.) Thirty teens dropped from Palo Alto school rolls Thirty students were dropped from Palo Alto public school rolls this fall when their parents were unable to verify their residency in the school district. In a crackdown on non-residents trying to sneak in, Palo Alto required all incoming ninth-graders to submit fresh documentation proving residency. (Posted Oct. 13 at 9:27 a.m.) Contact Dr. Chancellor by email or phone to schedule an Introductory Consultation Finding the `friendliest' family biking routes Ellen Fletcher, a former Palo Alto City Council member who has spent decades advocating bicycling, safe bike routes and bike lockers, was introduced by Mayor Pat Burt and Councilman Yahweh Yeh at a "bike friendly" event Sunday (Oct. 10) sponsored by the Barron Park and College Terrace Green Teams. About 300 people, mostly families, attended. (Posted Oct. 13 at 12:16 a.m.) F. Marland Chancellor, III, MD, 512 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Power outage darkens region of north Palo Alto NO WORRIES. Carefree living at The Forum Retirement Community. A power outage of unknown origin darkened a large area of north Palo Alto for about an hour Tuesday evening, the city Utilities Department reported. (Posted Oct. 12 at 10:35 p.m.) Oops! East Palo Alto `evacuation' alarm was false East Palo Alto residents received an alarming phone call at 4:59 p.m. Tuesday after the city's automated dial-up alert system told residents to evacuate. But it was a false alarm. (Posted Oct. 12 at 7:19 p.m.) Critics slam high-speed rail business plan Peninsula critics of California's proposed high-speed rail system released a new report Monday night challenging the economics behind the controversial, voter-approved project and accusing the agency charged with building the rail system of deceiving the public. (Posted Oct. 12 at 9:58 a.m.) Carjacking at Lytton Plaza lands suspect in jail A woman waiting for her husband to chat with band members at Lytton Plaza in downtown Palo Alto about 4 a.m. Sunday had her silver Toyota Prius carjacked by a man wielding a gun, Agent Brian Philip reported. A suspect was later arrested in San Mateo, walking away from the car. (Posted Oct. 10 at 10:45 p.m.) Ask about our high-level amenities and low monthly fees. Call today to schedule a personal tour. 650-944-0190. Now is the time to relax and enjoy life. As a resident-owned community, The Forum offers unique equity ownership and continuing care that allows you to plan for a secure future. You can retire in style with luxury living in a vibrant, carefree environment at The Forum. No worries. Page 10 Middle College engages restless teens' minds Middle College is a publicly funded alternative secondary school program that allows local students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and college credit in community college classes. The school has shrunk, due to funding cuts in recent years, but the teachers and students remain passionate. (Posted Oct. 10 at 10:09 p.m.) Palo Alto murder-arson trial set for November The trial for Bulos Zumot, the hookah-shop owner charged with killing his girlfriend and setting their rental cottage on fire, will begin Nov. 8, a Santa Clara County judge said Friday (Oct. 8). (Posted Oct. 8 at 4:42 p.m.) www.theforum-seniorliving.com RCFE# 435200344 COA# 174 A Smoke Free Community 23500 Cristo Rey Drive Cupertino, CA 95014 650-944-0100 Bicyclist hit by car on University Avenue A bicyclist was taken to the hospital Thursday afternoon (Oct. 7) after being hit by a car on University Avenue in Palo Alto, Palo Alto police Lt. Sandra Brown said. (Posted Oct. 8 at 12:06 p.m.) 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. Upfront Commitment To Excellence Governor (continued from page 3) Meg Whitman's top Palo Alto contributors (As of Sept. 30, 2010): Thomas Siebel, chairman, First Virtual Group ................................... $51,800 Stacey Siebel, homemaker ................................................................. $51,800 John Gunn, chairman and CEO, Dodge & Cox ................................. $51,800 Judith Koch, retired ............................................................................. $35,900 Stratton Sclavos, investment partner, Radar Partners ....................... $25,900 Donald Dixon, partner, Trident Capital ............................................... $25,900 James Breyer, venture capitalist, Accel Partners............................... $25,900 Laura Arrillaga, founder and chair, Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund...................................................... $25,900 Marc Andreessen, chairman, Ning..................................................... $25,900 Hewlett-Packard Company................................................................. $25,900 Original Ownership Since 1975 Discount C oupon (with purchase of new roof) $500 Campaign finance reports show that while Whitman's gubernatorial run is largely self-funded, she has also won the confidence and financial support of dozens of the area's leading venture capitalists and CEOs. Many of Whitman's Midpeninsula donors gave $25,900, the maximum allowed per contribution, to her campaign in the last reporting period. In Palo Alto, that list includes Donald Dixon, partner in Trident Capital; John Gunn, chairman of Dodge & Cox; James Breyer, a venture capitalist with Accel Partners; Marc Andreessen, chairman of Ning; Laura Arrillaga, founder of Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund; Thomas Siebel, chairman of First Virtual Group; and Stratton Sclavos, a partner at Radar Partners. In Menlo Park, Whitman's top donors include venture capitalists Geoff Yang of Redpoint Ventures; William Bowes, Jr., of U.S. Venture Capital; Ravi Mhatre of Lightspeed Venture Partners; David Marquardt of August Capital; and Brion Applegate of Spectrum Equity Investors. In Atherton, her donors include Doug Leone of Sequoia Capital; Nersi Nazari of Pacific General Ventures; and Jesse Rogers of Altamont Capital Partners. Whitman also received the endorsement earlier this month from the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, which lauded her local roots and managerial knowhow. "Of course, Meg comes from Silicon Valley and in her years at eBay displayed the kind of leadership we need in Sacramento," chamber President Pat Dando said in a statement. Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, Whitman outspent Brown $120.6 million to $10.7 million, campaign finance data shows. All Types of Roofing & Gutters Residential & Commercial S.C.L#785441 1901 Old Middlefield Way, Mtn.View 650-969-7663 Jerry Brown's top Palo Alto contributors (As of Sept. 30, 2010): George Marcus, chairman, Marcus & Millichap................................. $52,700 Hewlett Packard Company ................................................................. $51,800 Mary Jane Marcus, homemaker ......................................................... $30,500 Susan Orr, business executive, Telosa Software ............................... $25,900 Nancy Kukkola, real estate, Marcus & Millichap ................................ $15,000 William A. Millichap, real estate, Marcus & Millichap ......................... $14,500 John W. Danner, co-founder and CEO, Rocketship Education ......... $10,000 John McNellis, developer, McNellis Partners .................................... $10,000 Ed Bugnion, vice president, Cisco Systems ...................................... $10,000 Ann Doerr, homemaker....................................................................... $10,000 Source: Cal-Access, California Secretary of State Join us at our beautiful Albert & Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall for our second scintillating season! UPCOMING EVENTS At Tuesday's debate, Whitman accused Brown of being beholden to public labor unions and said Brown has been "joined in the hip" with unions for 40 years. If Brown is elected, Whitman said, he would convene a meeting with union bosses who would "collect IOUs for having funded Jerry Brown's entire campaign." Brown disputed Whitman's allegation that union bosses funded his entire campaign and alluded to the support he received from the business community and individual contributors. Campaign finance data shows that Brown actually received funds from more contributors in Palo Alto than Whitman, but these contributions tended to be smaller than the ones Whitman collected. Brown received $52,700 from developer George Marcus of the firm Marcus & Millichap Co., and $10,000 from Alma Plaza developer John McNellis. Ed Bugnion, a vice president at Cisco Systems, contributed $10,000 to Brown's campaign, while attorney Chris Kelly contributed $5,000 and developer Charles "Chop" Keenan gave $1,500. Brown also received smaller checks from Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss and former Palo Alto Mayor Peter Drekmeier. Brown ended the last reporting period with $22.6 million in his campaign chest, compared to Whitman's $9.2 million. Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com. Trio Jubilee Chamber Group 10/17, 3:00 PM Sit back and relax as this local trio brings the sounds of Haydn, Bloch and Dovrak to life with their unusual and exotic sound. Preparedness (continued from page 6) jammed. But Dorsky and amateur radio operators worked out of the city's Emergency Operations Center beneath City Hall to get blockpreparedness coordinators to check on the elderly and people with medical needs. In the past couple of years, the PANDAs have built up a strong command structure to assemble resources and dispatch people to the field, PANDA district coordinators Doug Kalish said. PANDA volunteer Annette Ross said the volunteer group provides "a predetermined and methodical way of avoiding chaos." Staff Writer Sue Dremann can be e-mailed at email@example.com. Tito Gonzalez y su Trio Part of the Singles Arts Caf� 11/4, 7:30 PM Enjoy a cornucopia of Cuban music with this authentic, high energy band. Rumba, guaracha, son montuno and more! Co-sponsored by Congregation Beth Am and the Haverim Connection for Jewish Singles Corrections In the article "Same price, different house" in today's Fall Real Estate special section, the middle school for 421 Hamilton Ave. is the K-8 Belle Haven Elementary School, not Hillview Middle. To request a correction, contact Managing Editor Jocelyn Dong at 650-223-6514, email@example.com or P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302. To purchase tickets, visit www.paloaltojcc.org/arts or call (650) 223-8699. Oshman Family JCC 3921 Fabian Way | Palo Alto, CA | (650) 223-8699 Page 11 Pulse A weekly compendium of vital statistics Palo Alto Oct. 5-Oct. 8 Violence related Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Terrorist threats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Checks forgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Embezzlement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle related Abandoned auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Auto recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Misc. traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Vehicle accident/major injury . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .4 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .2 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Alcohol or drug related Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Warrant/other agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Shoot at occupied dwelling . . . . . . . . . .1 Trespassing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Atherton Oct. 5-Oct. 11 Violence related Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Robbery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle related Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Parking/driving violation . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Suspicious vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle code violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Alcohol or drug related Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous Animal call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Attempt to contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Be on the lookout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Disturbance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Fire call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Hang up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Hazard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Juvenile problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Medical aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Meet citizen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Outside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Perimeter check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Special detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Suspicious circumstance . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Suspicious person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Town ordinance violation . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Tree down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Warrant arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Water main break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 HAPPY 4 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO EQUINOX PALO ALTO JOIN "AMERICA'S HEALTHIEST GYM" FOR ONLY $4 INITIATION* Menlo Park Oct. 5-Oct. 11 Violence related Armed robbery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Assault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft related Commercial burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Vehicle related Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Suspended license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . .1 Vehicle accident/property damage. . . . .6 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Alcohol or drug related Drunken driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Miscellaneous Disturbing phone calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Gang validation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Info. case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Located missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Lost property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Missing person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Noise ordinance violation . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Probation arrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Psychiatric hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Resisting arrest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19 PLEASE CALL 650.319.1700 FOR MORE INFORMATION, 440 PORTAGE AVE. 6:00pm-9:00pm 6:00PM 6:00PM-8:00PM 7:40PM-8:40PM VIOLENT CRIMES Palo Alto 400 block Emerson Street, 10/6, 10:30 a.m.; terrorist threats. 400 block Cesano Court, 10/6, 8:20 p.m.; domestic violence/battery. Amarillo Avenue, 10/7, 6:29 p.m.; simple battery. WINE, APPETIZERS, CHAIR MASSAGE, AND MORE PUSH/PULL UP A-THON TO BENEFIT LPCH KETTLEBELL AND VIPR DEMOS W/ EQUINOX TRAINERS U-JAM FITNESS CLASS WITH SUZY C. Menlo Park 1500 block San Antonio Street, 10/6, 5:17 p.m.; assault. 1900 block Menalto Avenue, 10/9, 10:42 p.m.; battery. 10 block El Camino Real, 10/10, 1:10 a.m.; domestic disturbance. 1100 block Carlton Avenue, 10/11, 11:30 p.m.; brandishing/attempt armed robbery. YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS CAN ENJOY COMPLIMENTARY ACCESS TO THE CLUB ALL DAY SAVE 20% AT THE SPA AND 25% AT THE SHOP* Atherton Unit block Stevenson Lane, 10/8, 2:34 p.m.; theft of purse. Unit block Nora Way, 10/10, 4:06 a.m.; sexual battery. * Health Magazine. Valid at Equinox palo alto on 10.19.10 only. Valid on select memberships. Certain restrictions apply. Shop discount not valid on Kiehl's products. Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School Please Join Us For Our Open Houses RSVP Aileen Mitchner Director of Admission 650.494.8200 x 104 firstname.lastname@example.com 450 San Antonio Road Palo Alto, CA 94306 www.hausner.com LANDSCAPE SERVICES & MAINTENANCE Is your home ready for winter? Drainage Problems? Repair before the rain comes. Call Today For Free Estimate � Residential & Commercial � � Full Landscape Services � � Design & Construction � FEF Middle School Sunday October 31st 1:00 - 3:30 pm Page 12 CAIS and WASC Accredited Confidential Scholarships Available Kindergarten Thursday November 18th 7:00 - 8:30 pm Lic. #835173 "Serving The Peninsula Since 1983" www.FEFLandscapeServices.com (650) 465-4629 Transitions Deaths Victor Calvo Former Assemblyman Victor Calvo, 68, a resident of Mountain View, died Sept. 26. He was born in Mountain View and graduated from Mountain View High School as valedictorian in 1942, the same year that he volunteered for the Army Air Corps. During World War II, he served as a combat pilot in the Army Air Force. He attended Stanford University and graduated with a degree in political science. His 32 years of public service to the state of California began in 1957 when he was first appointed to the Mountain View Planning Commission. He was twice elected to the Mountain View City Council and served three terms as mayor. He was a Santa Clara County Supervisor from 1968 to 1974. In 1974 he was elected to the State Assembly, representing the 21st District. He was appointed to the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Coastal Commission. He was a crusader for the preservation of California's forests, greenbelts, and wetlands and had the reputation of not giving in to lobbyists, loved ones said. He was instrumental in the funding and creation of Shoreline Park in Mountain View and while chairman of the Assembly C o m m it t e e on Resources, Land Use, and Energy he led the defense of environmental quality laws in California. He authored legislation on coastal conservation, nuclear safety, farmland preservation, solar energy, and clean water and air. He married Nellie Catherine Quintero in 1948 and they had five children: Suzanna, Victor, Peter, Theodore and Mary. He was a businessman and owned and ran the De Anza Lumber Company from 1959 to1985. He was an avid golfer and played weekly at his beloved Shoreline golf course. He was also an avid bird watcher and nature enthusiast. He is survived by his wife Nellie; their five children and spouses; and 12 grandchildren. He will be dearly missed, loved ones said. A memorial service will be held Mon., Oct.18, at 1 p.m. at Rengstorff House, Shoreline Park, 3070 North Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to a charity of choice. H ELLER I MMIGRATION L AW G ROUP Employment-based, Family/Marriage & Investor Visas A Full-Service Immigration Law Firm Serving the SF Bay Area & Silicon Valley for 25+ years PERM Labor Certification EB1/NIW Self-Petitions Green Cards, H1B and Work Permits Engineers, IT/Computer fields, Scientists/Researchers HR/Corporate, Business & Individual Clients Laurel Hiatt Laurel Ann Hiatt, 65, a longtime resident of Menlo Park and Atherton, died Sept. 18, Born in southern California and raised in Los Altos, she received her bachelor's degree from Principia College in Illinois. She went on to graduate from Stanford Business School in 1967 as one of only two women in the graduating class. That same year, she married James A. Hiatt, who became known as a local real estate developer. She worked for IBM, then dedicated her time to raising four daughters and being active in the local community. Twenty years later, she reestablished herself in the workforce as a financial planner. As a lifelong Christian Scientist, she served the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Menlo Park, in many capacities. She is survived by her four daughters, Emily Vesely of Menlo Park, Chelsea Hiatt Farley of Pacifica, Mindy Castle of Martinez, Jamie Hiatt of Donner Summit; three grandchildren; her father Edgar Fuller; and half-sister Tracy Fuller, of Palos Verdes. Donations in her honor may be contributed to The Christian Science Peninsula Visiting Nurse Service (CSPVNS), P. O. Box 7141, Menlo Park 94026; First Church of Christ, Scientist, 201 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, 94025; or Bear Valley Search & Rescue (or BVSAR), 477 Summit Blvd., PO Box 2083, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. Free Attorney Consult! 650.424.1900 greencard1.com firstname.lastname@example.com Ted was raised in Burlingame and resided in Saratoga and Lake Tahoe for more than fifty years. He had lived in Palo Alto at Classic Residence by Hyatt since 2008. Brother of John Jenkel of Sebastopol and father of Theodore III, John and Anne Jenkel; grandfather of Colin, Daniel, Amalie, Rosalie and Lillian. He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 50 years, Eileen. Ted was a member and supporter of the San Jose and Saratoga Rotary Clubs, past president of the California Jeweler's Association, and member of the Saratoga Men's club. He enjoyed a wide circle of family and friends who will miss him deeply. Private family services to be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society www.rollerhapgoodtinney.com PA I D O B I T UA RY Judge Stanley Ross Evans, who served more than 22 years on the Santa Clara County Superior Court, passed away September 29, 2010 at the age of 90 in Menlo Park from complications of Alzheimer's. Evans was born in Pittsfield, MA, the second son of Clarence and Louise Murchison Evans. He was raised in Evanston, IL, and studied violin and viola with the intention of joining the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where his father was principal violist for many years. During WWII, he joined the Marines, serving as First Lieutenant aboard the USS Kenton, an attack transport ship in the South Pacific that was attacked by Japanese Banzai planes in the battle at Okinawa. When the war ended, he decided to go to law school, and studied at Harvard Law School on the G.I. bill, earning his J.D. in 1948. Evans met his college sweetheart Betty Stober at Northwestern University, where they both attended. They were married in Quantico, VA, before his assignment overseas. After graduating from Harvard Law School the couple moved to Palo Alto, CA, and resided in Palo Alto ever since. He engaged in private law practice with the law firm Moerdyke, Anderson, Evans & Rhodes from 1950 through 1961. He served on the Palo Alto Planning Commission and City Council. Evans served as Superior Court Judge for 22 years, retiring in 1984. Following retirement, he was active as an arbitrator and mediator, and was appointed to serve as justice pro tem on the Sixth District Court of Appeal in San Jose. Throughout his life, Evans played violin and viola in local symphony orchestras, the Manzanita Quartet, and other chamber music groups. He served on the boards of The Fortnightly Club and the Music Guild at Stanford. Colleagues, friends, and family enjoyed his generous spirit and warm sense of humor that sparkled with wit. After retiring, Evans enjoyed playing golf and tennis, and he and Betty traveled to Europe and Elderhostels, among other destinations. Evans was a Charter member and officer of the University Club of Palo Alto, where his two daughters swam and played tennis. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty; by his daughters Elizabeth Evans Levy (Robert) of Soquel, and Nancy Evans Devine (Bill) of Palo Alto; and by his grandchildren David Ross Levy and Amanda Evans Devine. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. At his request, no services are planned. Donations may be made in his memory to the San Francisco Symphony and Save the Redwoods League. PA I D O B I T UA RY Jane Bavelas, a resident of Palo Alto for over half a century, died of heart failure at Stanford Hospital on October 8, 2010. Jane was born Catherine Jane Lawson in Michigan in 1917, attended Vassar College. She worked for a time at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee, then moved to New York and worked in the publishing business on the east coast where she did manuscript reading for Book of the Month Club, wrote copy for Publisher's Weekly, and did script reading for Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Studios, eventually becoming a fiction editor for Knopf. Jane began her career at Knopf as a telephone operator, rising to the role of fiction editor at a time when women did not generally hold those positions. One book Jane rejected was George Orwell's "Animal Farm." She was in good company; TS Eliot also rejected the novel. She redeemed herself in 1951, after she moved to Little, Brown and Co. where she edited "The Catcher in the Rye." While Jane championed this book, she never met its perennially reclusive author, J.D. Salinger. She did however, keep up a long-term friendship and correspondence with author Jessica Mitford. In 1955, she married Alex Bavelas, and they moved to Palo Alto where he took a position in the Stanford psychology department and she worked as an assistant for Dr. Paul Ehrlich in the population biology department. Jane remained at Stanford when she and Alex divorced in 1969 and continued to work in the biology department until her retirement in 1982. She assisted in the creation of the community health manual "Where There is No Doctor" for the Hesperian Foundation. After retirement, she was active in Avenidas, the non-profit senior assistance community, and she was an enthusiastic and talented supporter of Gallery House, the Palo Alto arts co-op. She managed the gallery and worked on their behalf for over thirty years, with a wonderful knack for engaging the public over the artwork with a gracious but direct manner. Jane is survived by a daughter of Sunnyvale, Cate Nelson and an older sister, Carol Booth of Birmingham, Michigan. A memorial service is planned for October 16 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto. Donations may be made in Jane's memory to Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto 94301. PA I D O B I T UA RY Page 13 Editorial Measure R deserves overwhelming defeat Amending the Palo Alto City Charter to build a budget wall around any department is wrong-headed and would hurt other city services and programs hen the Palo Alto firefighters union began circulating petitions to place a protectionist measure on the Nov. 2 election ballot last spring, we called it a terrible idea. It still is. The union leadership claims Measure R is a simple matter of assuring that a basic level of public safety is maintained in the face of tight city budgets, and says it "gives residents a voice" in such decisions. It would require a citywide vote on any proposal to reduce staffing or close a fire station. Opponents, which include every member of the City Council and a wide array of community leaders, frame it as a "power grab" by the union that would violate the principles of representative democracy and place one city department on a protectionist island, immune from budget-balancing by elected officials. While we have nothing but respect for the work of our firefighters, they have regrettably been led down a self-destructive path by their union leadership. And the campaign being waged by the union -- attempting to scare Palo Alto residents and make them believe that there is a secret plan to close fire stations and lay off firefighters -- is insulting and disingenuous. Firefighters are already protected through their labor contract with required minimum staffing, a mistake made by a past council when the city was flush (and which we hope will be eliminated in future contracts). Unlike with other unions, both in Palo Alto and other cities, the Palo Alto firefighters have chosen to fight against any budget, wage and benefit reductions. Their union is completely out of touch with today's economic environment and the dawning of a new age in compensation and benefits for government employees. But more importantly, the firefighters have the same rights as any other citizen to referend any council decision and place it on the ballot. If a future council, after input from citizens, decides to reduce the fire department budget, the union has demonstrated it can generate the signatures needed to place it on the ballot. Measure R inappropriately preempts that process by creating an automatic referendum, incurring both great expense and delay. No one is currently advocating that any Palo Alto fire station be closed or that the number of firefighters be reduced, but those options should be on the table for debate if studies now underway show that we can deploy our firefighters more efficiently. The firefighters union is looking for special treatment that puts the police, public works and other city departments with publicsafety responsibilities at greater risk of cuts. Measure R is bad policy and a cynical and self-serving attempt by the firefighters union to insulate and protect itself from economic realities. We urge a NO vote on Measure R. W Spectrum Editorials, letters and opinions Train vs. education Editor, Economist Robert Gordon of Northwestern University points out in the Oct. 10 issue of Business Week that between 2005 and 2027 the U.S. gross domestic product will grow at the slowest pace of any 20-year period in U.S. history, going back to George Washington's presidency. He attributes that to a stalling of productivity driven by stalled increase in education levels. It seems that California, already near the bottom in education nationwide, is destined to accelerate that trend as we balance our budget by further reducing our education expenditures -- while claiming to lead the nation by spending one tenth of $1 trillion to build a shiny, whizzy, high-speed train toy. Don Barnby Spruce Avenue Menlo Park `Waiting for Superman' Editor, We had an opportunity to see "Waiting for Superman" recently. This powerful documentary presents many of the problems in our education system, suggestions to fix it and some success stories. Unfortunately, the information presented about Woodside High School in Redwood City, left an impression that Woodside does not do a good job educating its students -- when in fact it is an outstanding high school where students receive a top notch education. The filmmakers were offered an opportunity to learn more about Woodside, but regretfully, they declined. Had they visited Woodside and talked with staff, students, administrators or parents, they likely would have avoided some of the mischaracterizations and misrepresentations in the film. The information presented in the film about graduation rates and college acceptances is very misleading. Those statistics came from a UCLA study that uses data that tracks students from 9th to 12th grades. The study does not take into account the number of incoming freshmen who are enrolled at Woodside and decide to attend a private or charter school, or move out of the area, without notifying the school before the school year begins. Nor does the study include the number of students who move out of the area during their high-school years. Even more inaccurate, the study only includes the seniors who go on to attend California colleges, and leaves out the 10 to 20 percent who choose to attend private universities, vocational schools and out-of-state public universities and community colleges. In fact, looking at Woodside's entering freshmen class of 2004 through the graduating class of 2008, 92.4 percent of those students graduated. The dropout rate was 4.9 percent (compared to the 38 percent dropout rate implied in the film). The other 3 percent of students either moved out of the area, changed schools or were reassigned to special programs. The film should have used just the graduation rate and drop-out data, but that would have inconveniently disproved its thesis. As for tracking, the film is flatout wrong. Woodside does not track. Students are given opportunities to advance in subjects if teachers and students think they will succeed. "Waiting for Superman" suggests that Woodside is "living in the past." This could not be more wrong. Woodside is not only keeping up with the world around it but is an innovative leader, offering many great programs that are essential in today's world. These include an extensive offering of advanced-placement courses, robotics and engineering classes, environmental (green) education classes, and a Mandarinlanguage program. In addition, Woodside is about to break ground on a state-of-theart digital- and media-arts building where students will learn about pho- tography, audio and video production, animation and Web design. The Woodside staff is very focused on qualifying students for admittance to college. The school hosts "College Day" in October with special events for each grade level. It holds several "March into College" workshops for parents and students to learn together about college choices, the application process and financial aid. It also has an AVID program that prepares firstgeneration college students, or those students in the academic middle, for college. "Waiting for Superman" paints an inaccurate picture and has regrettably tarnished the school's reputation. Again, had the filmmakers actually visited the school, this mischaracterization would never have happened. Unfortunately, there is no way for those of us who know the truth about Woodside to reach every person who sees the film. We appreciate this opportunity to shine a light on a wonderful school and set the record straight. Sarah Blatner, Donna Habeeb Woodside High parents (continued on page 16) YOUR TURN The Palo Alto Weekly encourages comments on our coverage or on issues of local interest. What do you think? Are you concerned about Palo Alto schools surpassing 12,000 total enrollment? Submit letters to the editor of up to 250 words to firstname.lastname@example.com. 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 accepted. 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 permission 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 Jay Thorwaldson or Online Editor Tyler Hanley at firstname.lastname@example.com or 650-326-8210. Yes on S for election savings M easure S would amend the Palo Alto City Charter to move City Council elections from the traditional odd-year time to even years, lining up with state and national elections. Former Councilwoman and Mayor Liz Kniss, now on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, raised the issue last summer as a cost-saving efficiency move, and the council majority subsequently endorsed the change and placed it on the Nov. 2 ballot. Kniss initially estimated the city could save up to $200,000 per election by consolidating the local vote with state or national elections. That figure may be high, depending on other local ballot measures that can't wait for the next general election. But even at half that it would be a big contribution to a cash-stretched community: $1 million over 10 years fills a lot of potholes or saves many city services. Supporters also cite statistics indicating that up to twice as many people vote in general elections. But there's a cost, opponents such as Councilman Greg Schmid contend. Keeping local votes in odd years, Schmid argues, is not only a century-old Palo Alto tradition but allows candidates, supporters, the media and voters to focus on local issues and candidates without the distractions of state or national campaigns. He believes the higher-turnout estimates are exaggerated. While we agree that the current odd-year schedule focuses more attention on the local races, we believe the higher turnout and cost-savings of switching more than offsets this benefit. Other communities, such as Menlo Park and Mountain View, are on an even-year schedule, and Palo Alto should join them. We recommend a YES vote on Measure S. Page 14 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 community 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! Editorial A mixed bag of state propositions Array of proposals confront voters with good choices and special-interest scams, some undoing important programs for California's future F ollowing is the Weekly's analysis of major state propositions, with recommendations. of legalization, including tax-revenue generation. Proposition 20: Yes Removes elected representatives from establishment of congressional districts and gives that authority to a bipartisan 14-member redistricting commission. Proposition 27: No Eliminates 14-member state redistricting commission and returns redistricting authority to elected representatives. Propositions 20 and 27 are about how state and federal legislative districts in California should be drawn up -- by a bipartisan independent panel or by incumbent politicians? Voting districts are redrawn after every 10year census. In 2008, California voters passed Proposition 11, which took the redistricting of the state Assembly, Senate and Board of Equalization out of the hands of the Legislature and gave it to a 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission to be established once every 10 years with five Democrats, five Republicans and four others to redraw the districts based on the latest census -- while keeping the integrity of geographic boundaries and respecting city, county and neighborhood limits. But Proposition 11 didn't affect the lines of congressional districts -- and Proposition 20 seeks to bring those under Proposition 19: Yes Legalizes marijuana under California but not federal law. Proposition 19 would legalize the possession and transport of an ounce of marijuana, as well as the cultivation of cannabis on up to 25 square feet per private residence. Local governments would have the option to regulate any related commercial sales and, as with any business, those activities would be subject to applicable sales and other taxes and fees. According to the FBI, 60 percent of drug cartel revenue comes from illegal marijuana sales in the United States. And in 2008, more than 61,000 Californians were arrested for possession of less than an ounce of pot. Combine the law-enforcement time-and-money savings with the Board of Equalization's estimated $1.4 billion in tax revenue for the state, and it's clear from a crimeand-money standpoint that Proposition 19 makes sense, economically and morally. Criticism that the measure is not well-crafted are valid, but it allows for amendment by the Legislature to address any issues that arise. And while recent passage of a law making marijuana possession a mere infraction (like a traffic ticket) in California accomplishes the decriminalization part of Proposition 19, it doesn't achieve the full effects the purview of the Citizens Redistricting Commission, as well. Proposition 27, meanwhile, is a proposal to throw out the Citizens Redistricting Commission altogether and stick with the old ways for both the state Legislature and U.S. congressional districting. It's no brilliant political insight to suggest that it's probably not the best idea to have legislators influencing their own district's boundaries -- or those of their fellow party members. Proposition 21: Yes Establishes $18 annual vehiclelicense fee to help fund state parks and wildlife programs. California's state parks are the frequent target of funding cuts -- and last year park-goers felt it in a big way: as 150 of our 246 state-operated parks suffered deep reductions in services and hours of operation. This $18 vehicle-registration "surcharge" would create about $500 million in revenue for the parks. Of that amount, 85 percent would go to park operations and most of the rest toward wildlife protection programs. In return, all registered vehicles would receive free daytime parking at all state parks. Proposition 22: Yes Prohibits the state from diverting funds intended for transportation, redevelopment or local government projects. In its farcical triage of annual budget balancing decisions, California often shifts funds away from their intended local targets to help pay for things the state deems more pressing. For instance, cities' transportation and redevelopmentproject funds have been unilaterally raided during fiscal crises to help meet other state budget needs. Proposition 22, among other things, would eliminate the state's ability to use fuel-tax revenue for non-transportation purposes, and prohibit the state from borrowing local propertytax funds to pay for schools. While we don't like the trend toward protecting an ever-growing list of services from cuts through ballot initiatives, we also object to the Legislature seizing local funds instead of legitimately balancing the state budget through tax increases or reduced expenses. Proposition 23: No, No, No! Suspends air-pollution-control law AB 32 until unemployment drops to 5.5 percent for a full year. What do the companies Valero Energy, Occidental Petroleum, Tesoro Corp., Tower Energy Group and World Oil Corporation all have in common? They're all big oil companies based in Texas. (continued on page 16) Streetwise What is the best decision you ever made? Asked on California Ave in Palo Alto. Interviews by Sally Schilling Photographs by Vivian Wong. Hollis Radin Massage Therapist College Terrace, Palo Alto "My decision to move to Palo Alto over 30 years ago." Tom Kehl Director of Analytics Midtown, Palo Alto "Going to business school at Carnegie Mellon." Gary Funck Software Industry Employee Midtown, Palo Alto "To marry my wife." Vicki Rather Accountant Crescent Park, Palo Alto "To have kids, I guess." Billy Collins Retiree California Avenue, Palo Alto "To not get married." Page 15 Editorial (continued from page 15) Peninsula School We believe education can be engaging and joyous. Open House -- Nursery, Kindergarten, First Grade Saturday, November 6, 10-11:30 a.m. Children welcome. School Tours Oct. 14, Nov. 4, Jan. 6 & 13 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Dec. 2 & 9 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Parents only please. registration not required 920 Peninsula Way, Menlo Park, CA | 650.325.1584 | www.peninsulaschool.org For an appointment, please call (650) 325-1584, ext. 5. 920 Peninsula Way, Menlo Park, CA | 650.325.1584 | www.peninsulaschool.org aquathon Abilities United $136,000 raised in 2010 thank you for your participation! 2010 community teams Abilities United teams Alpha Amber's Hope Aqua Sunshine Big Mike Castilleja Jack's Divers Logan YMCA Nine Stars Orca Porpoises with Purpose Priya's Rhymers Prouty Porpoises Ruhi's Crew St. Frances HIgh School Team Bevo/ Cole's Crew Team Claire Team Galvez The Graduates Tracey's Tigers & Penguins Turbow Turtles 2010 corporate teams Alza Alumni E Design C Genentech Intel Intuit Northrop Grumman NVIDIA Oracle San Mateo Masters Sue Nommi's Teams SRI International UCSC Tachyons Webcor And they've all donated more than $100,000 to put California's Proposition 23 on the ballot. The oil companies are calling it the "California jobs initiative," but Proposition 23 should more accurately be called the "Kill AB 32 initiative" -- suspension of that 2006 legislation until state unemployment drops to a very low 5.5 percent would likely keep the global-warming bill in limbo for years, if not decades, or forever. AB 32, the "California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006," was enacted four years ago and established the target of reducing the state's greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, through stiffer rules and regulations for the energy industry. California is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world, and AB 32 is estimated to reduce our GHG in the next decade by 30 percent. That Valero Energy, the initiative's biggest funder, has one of the worst environmental records in the state should come as no surprise. Cleaning up its act by 2020 will not be easy on the bottom line. Proponents of Proposition 23 argue that such regulations as those called for by AB 32 would drive industry out of the state -- resulting in lost jobs. Opponents counter that the evidence suggests the opposite: that not only is the job loss exaggerated but the gain in green jobs would more than make up the difference. To us, such a negligible shortterm move could have disastrous long-term consequences to California's environment and the health of its citizens -- as well as its economic future in green technology, a particular interest of Silicon Valley. Proposition 24: Yes Repeals recent legislation that would allow businesses to lower their tax liability. The Tax Fairness Act, as it's called by its supporters, is a response to a deal cut during the 2008-09 budget impasse in order to win enough Republican votes to pass a state budget. The deal did three things: It increased the flexibility with which companies can use net-operating losses to reduce taxes; it allowed for multi-state businesses to determine their California taxes based solely on sales in the state (previously, sales, payroll and property value were all factors); and it allowed unitary groups to transfer tax credits amongst the separate businesses within the group. Essentially, all three provisions result in lower taxes for large companies operating in the state -- all to the tune, according to the Legislative Analyst, of $1.3 billion a year when the new rules are fully implemented in 2012. Proposition 24 proponents argue that the deal should never have taken place to begin with and that by repealing the legislation $1.3 billion would go back into the state's general fund (and under Proposition 98 guidelines, a significant part of that would go toward education). Opponents of a repeal of the tax breaks say there would be significant job losses if multistate businesses went back to being taxed according to payroll (meaning there would be an incentive not to have a lot of employees in California). Proposition 24 will meaningfully affect, according to supporters, less than 2 percent of the wealthiest multistate corporations operating in California. It doesn't call for new or higher taxes on these companies; it calls for a repeal of so-called "loopholes" that haven't even fully gone into effect. Proposition 25: Yes Changes legislative vote requirement to pass budget and budget-related legislation from two-thirds to a simple majority. Only Arkansas, Rhode Island and California ask for a twothirds vote by state legislatures to pass budgets. All other 47 states require simple majorities. Currently a two-thirds vote is needed to pass the state budget, and to raise taxes. Proposition 25 would change the budgetapproval requirement to 50 percent plus one; it would not change the two-thirds needed to raise taxes. A two-thirds vote is an arbitrary number to weigh so heavily on the workings of any state. Why not 57 percent? Why not 61 percent? It tends to be high enough to make sure small minorities can keep practically anything from getting done. There's an argument that a simple majority gives too much power to the political party in the majority -- perhaps 55 percent is a better number that would require an inkling of bipartisan support. Maybe. What we do know is that anything lower than two-thirds would be an improvement at this point. Proposition 26: No Requires certain state and local regulatory fees be approved by two-thirds vote. Proposition 26 looks to further the two-thirds-approval concept by requiring 66.6 percent of the Legislature or local voters give a thumbs up before the certain regulatory fees can be exacted to make up for the social costs of their businesses. Currently, these types of fees are not considered revenue-generating taxes (and therefore are not subject to twothirds voter approval) because they're seen as an offset to the societal cost of a company -- think of hazardous-materials fees being levied on a power company, with that money being used by the state to clean up toxic-waste sites and promote pollution prevention. Chevron, Exxon Mobil and Phillip Morris are all big donors to Proposition 26. They and other heavy polluters would save a lot of money if it passes. The Legislative Analyst estimates that over years it would result in the loss of billions of dollars to California taxpayers who would then be footing the bill to clean up the polluters' messes. Proposition 27: No (See write-up above under Proposition 20.) Letters No on 23 (continued from page 14) Editor, A structural transformation of the local and California economy is well underway, fueled by our long history of clean-tech and clean-energy innovation. Meanwhile, Texas oil companies are spending millions in support of Proposition 23 to repeal California�s landmark clean-energy and clean-air laws that have fostered that job-creating innovation. Big oil companies want to kill competition and jobs from clean-energy businesses, thus increasing air pollution and threatening public health. Proposition 23 is deceptive. It claims to "suspend" clean-energy and clean-air laws, when, in fact, the conditions it requires to reinstate these laws have only occurred three times in the last 40 years. Instead of funding the clean up of the Gulf Oil Spill, Texas oil companies are opening their corporate coffers to kill clean energy and clean air standards in California so they can keep on polluting. A recent study at the University of California, Berkeley, on the economic impacts of California�s current climate laws, indicates California�s gross domestic product will go up slightly with our current laws in place, but will drop significantly if Proposition 23 passes due to rising expenses from fossil fuels, environmental and health costs. Proposition 23 would take us in the wrong direction. We can choose how we navigate this already overdue economic transition to maintain our leadership in a healthy, clean-energy, clean-tech world. Vote No on Proposition 23. And rally your friends and neighbors to do so, too. Go to Town Square at www.PaloAltoOnline.com/square for more details and related conversation. Lisa Van Dusen Greenwood Avenue Palo Alto Photo: Marc Silber Don't vote Editor, Since the outcomes of elections for state Senate, state Legislature and U.S Congress have already been decided by the primary elections due to gerrymandering of districts, there is no point in voting for these offices. I will not be casting a vote for these and I urge you to do likewise. Raymond R. White Whitney Drive Mountain View corporate sponsors: Intuit Webcor Builders EDesignC MarketRiders Milk Pail Market Montreux Equity Partners Mulcahy Family Dentistry SRI International media sponsors: Page 16 Cover Story Blowing smoke? Firefighters claim Measure R would protect residents; critics call measure a union `power grab' by Gennady Sheyner F riends and foes of Measure R have the same message for the voters of Palo Alto: If you vote for the other side, you are placing your family's life in danger. The city's firefighters union, which gathered more than 6,000 signatures to get the initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot, claims the measure would protect citizens from impulsive decisions by uninformed politicians to close fire stations and reduce staffing levels in the Fire Department. Opponents, led by a coalition called "Safe Palo Alto," counter that the measure will unfairly protect firefighters while forcing police officers, utility workers and other Palo Alto employees to face steeper cuts to their departments. The two sides have a few other things common. Each says it wants to protect democracy from special interests -- either the union or "politicians," depending on who is talking. Each also says it wishes Measure R had never made it onto the ballot, though the firefighters claim their hand was forced by a City Council intent on shrinking an already understaffed department. If voters approve Measure R, the City Charter would be revised to severely restrict the council's ability to close fire stations and eliminate Fire Department jobs. The measure would embed the current department staffing levels in the charter and require the council to hold two public hearings and a citywide election before it could cut even a single firefighter. Tony Spitaleri, president of the Palo Alto Professional Firefighters, 1319, says the measure is designed to protect residents from hasty and dangerous council decisions, which he claims are just around the corner. "The city manager and members of the City Council are looking for ways to reduce resources and possibly close fire stations on a rotational Jay Thorwaldson, Palo Alto Weekly editor and moderator of a debate Oct. 6 on Measure R, introduces the panel (from left), John Barton, Dena Mossar, Tony Spitaleri and Alan C. Davis. basis," Spitaleri told an audience at an Oct. 6 debate at the Palo Alto Art Center. "We believe the citizens should have a voice in any action that would place them and their loved ones in danger." The union's attorney, Alan Davis, stoked the rhetorical flames further when he asked the audience to imagine a fire station in their neighborhood facing a "brownout" -- as temporary station closures are often called. Would you be willing, Davis asked the audience, to wait longer for a fire engine or a paramedic to get to your house during an emergency? Opponents of Measure R say the proposal is a brazen "power grab" by the firefighters union. Members of Safe Palo Alto claim the initiative would give the union powers over other labor groups, most notably the police, and wrest control of city budget from the council. It's no coincidence that the campaign adopted "Too Risky for Palo Alto" as its official slogan. "They talk about public safety," former Mayor Dena Mossar told the Weekly. "They don't even acknowledge that anyone else in the city is a member of the public-safety team. "They don't even acknowledge that the police are present." Mossar's group includes former mayors Bern Beecham, Vic Ojakian, Lanie Wheeler, Judy Kleinberg and Liz Kniss and a wide assortment of civic activists, local commissioners and former council members. Vice Mayor Sid Espinosa and Councilman Larry Klein are both on the group's campaign committee -- a group that includes such unlikely bedfellows as developer Chop Keenan and land-use watchdog Bob Moss. Every member of the current council endorses the Safe Palo Alto campaign, which has raised $58,000 as of Sept. 30. The council has been sounding alarms since spring about the negative ramifications of Measure R. In April, the council approved a colleagues' memo calling the measure "bad government" and a "waste of money" at a time when the council (continued on next page) Page 17 Cover Story Measure R (continued from previous page) is wrestling with lagging revenues and consecutive budget deficits. The City Clerk had estimated that mounting the special election in November for Measure R would cost the city about $213,000. "This is putting a hole in the canoe while we're bailing water," said Councilwoman Karen Holman, one of the authors of the April memo. `We believe the citizens should have a voice in any action that would place them and their loved ones in danger.' -- Tony Spitaleri, president of the Palo Alto Professional Firefighters, 1319 Former councilman John Barton, a member of Mossar's coalition, said at the Art Center debate that the firefighters' proposal would make the council's budget duties even harder than they already are. The Measure R debate isn't about public safety, Barton said, but about proper governance. Palo Alto is "not a direct democracy," Barton reminded the audience. Staffing decisions should be left to the leaders whom the citizens elect to make decisions. Otherwise, he said, residents end up with a dysfunctional system in which the budget is chronically late -- sort of like California's. "If we want to switch to a direct democracy and have citizens vote on every aspect of the budget, let's have that conversation," Barton said. or all the talk of looming brownouts and democracy under assault, it is easy to see the battle over Measure R as something else -- the latest skirmish in the chronic power struggle between a cash-strapped city and its most obstinate union. Spitaleri, a retired fire captain who currently serves on the Sunnyvale City Council, is a seasoned veteran in this political struggle. He last squared off with Mossar and Barton in 2007, when both were on the City Council. In June of that year, the council passed a city budget that restricted staffing of the Foothills Park fire station to high-risk fire days. In late June, a fire near Junipero Serra Boulevard scorched about 170 acres, stoking a wave of protests from residents about the reduced hours at Station 8. A week later, another fire burned 20 acres of grasslands. On July 8, 2007, Spitaleri joined foothills residents in calling for the council to keep Station 8 open throughout the summer, as before. The station, staffed by firefighters working overtime, poses an annual conundrum for the council. At the time, former City Manager Frank Benest and the council were trying to find a cheaper way to staff the station but couldn't persuade the union to renegotiate the relevant staffing provisions in its contract. Spitaleri declined to discuss staffing and asked the council to "not blame the union on everything that's going on." "The issue here is public safety," Spitaleri told the council in July 2007. "All we do every year is bring to you our concerns of potential danger." The following week, after hearing from the foothills constituency, a reluctant council reversed course and voted to keep Station 8 open all summer. The station has been reopened every summer since. It continues to be funded through overtime. The touchy topic of Fire Department staffing simmered in the background until this spring, when the city kicked off its negotiations with F Dena Mossar, former Palo Alto mayor, along with John Barton, left, urges a "no" vote on Measure R, which would force the city to take any fire department staffing changes to a public vote. the 109-member union over a new contract (the previous contract expired on June 30). Keene and the council have indicated publicly they hope to use the current negotiation period as an opportunity to decrease firefighters' compensation as has been done in other departments. Earlier this year, when Palo Alto was facing a projected $6.3 million deficit in its general fund, city officials asked the city's labor groups to share the budget pain. Palo Alto's largest police union, the 83-member Palo Alto Police Officers Association, agreed to defer its negotiated raises for the second straight year. The Service Employees International Union, Local 521, which represents more than half of all city workers, grudgingly accepted reduced benefits, including a twotiered pension system with less generous pension benefits for new employees. Management workers followed suit. The fire union, for the second consecutive year, refused to cave in (in 2009, its reluctance to take cuts prompted former Vice Mayor Jack Morton to accuse the department of "giving the city the finger"). This year's budget, which the council approved in late June, raises the Fire Department budget by $1 million, largely because of previously negotiated increases in salaries and benefits. According to city data, an average firefighters union member receives a salary of $104,878, along with $16,001 in overtime. When benefits are factored in, the average annual compensation is $178,387. Firefighters counter that, unlike other workers, they bring in major revenues. In the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2011, the department is projected to contribute about $11 million in revenues (compared to $26.2 in expenditures). The subject of staffing levels is the most explosive topic in the current negotiations. Spitaleri told the Weekly the union has repeatedly offered concessions that would save the city more than $1 million while maintaining current staffing levels. The city refused to accept these terms, he said. slashing staffing. He pointed to a similar study the city was conducting earlier this year to measure the effectiveness of current staffing levels. In April, the council's Finance Committee was receiving a status report on that study, conducted by the firm Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI), when council members were startled to learn that the consultant managing the study had never recommended a staffing reduction. "I'm not sure we're getting the kind of study that we all thought we were," said Councilman Greg Scharff, capturing the council sentiment. The committee quickly ditched the study and commissioned a new one, which is now being jointly conducted by the International City/ County Management Association (ICMA) and the Virginia-based firm TriData. Assistant City Manager Pamela Antil said the study examines data from the fire-dispatch unit and considers ways to reduce the Fire Department's overtime hours. The report is scheduled to be completed in late November. Council members say the study is an important and overdue analysis of department operations and marvel at the firefighter union's opposition to the pending report. "It seems to me, if things are as they describe, they should welcome the report that would verify what they're saying," Klein said. Spitaleri, for his part, points to the aborted Emergency Services Consulting International report and to a recent study completed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which recommends four-person firefighter crews as the most effective response forces for low-hazard fire operations (in Palo Alto, three-person crews are the (continued on page 20) `They talk about public safety. ... They don't even acknowledge that the police are present.' -- Dena Mossar, former Palo Alto mayor The union contract includes a "minimum staffing" provision that requires the city to have at least 29 firefighters on duty at every shift. Keene has told the Weekly the requirement precludes the city from even discussing alternative ways to staff the department. The city wants to revisit the provision, while the union hopes to preserve status quo. Spitaleri said the "minimum staffing" provision is needed to protect citizens. he union has another reason to feel anxious about department staffing. Palo Alto is now completing a study aimed at evaluating the Fire Department's resources and recommending ways it can operate more efficiently. The study has been on the city's agenda since 2003, when the City Auditor's Office first recommended it, and is due to be completed later this fall. Spitaleri claims the council wants to use this study as a pretext for T Tony Spitaleri, president of the Palo Alto Professional Firefighters, 1319, supports Measure R, saying it is designed to protect residents from hasty and dangerous council decisions. Page 18 Cover Story Democratic forces clash over Measure S Palo Alto officials split over proposal to shift elections from odd to even years by Gennady Sheyner alo Alto officials received a welcome reminder last month that democracy is alive and well within city borders. The City Council was holding a special meeting Sept. 21 to select a recruiting firm that would help the city find a replacement for outgoing City Attorney Gary Baum. Council members were interviewing Bob Murray, whose firm Bob Murray & Associates recruited Baum and City Manager James Keene. Councilwoman Nancy Shepherd asked, "What did you find the most challenging aspect of hiring in Palo Alto, and how do you think this will play out with finding an attorney for us?" Without skipping a beat, Murray told the council over the speakerphone that Palo Alto's "unique dynamic" is that people in the city tend to participate in local government far more than elsewhere. "The whole issue of how people are engaged and involved in the community is the thing that distinguishes Palo Alto from almost all of our clients," said Murray, whose firm has worked with cities and counties throughout the state. Murray's pronouncement sounded like music to the ears of the council, which listed "civic engagement" as one of the city's top priorities in 2008 and 2009, routinely watches the Council Chamber fill up during its Monday night meetings, and relies on citizen task forces for assistance with the city's most contentious decisions. In August, the council took an even bolder step to bolster civic participation -- one that would kill a century-old tradition. At its Aug. 2 meeting, the council voted 5-4 (with Mayor Pat Burt, Vice Mayor Sid Espinosa and Councilmen Greg Schmid and Larry Klein dissenting) to place an initiative on the November ballot that would shift P local elections from odd to even years. If voters approve Measure S, each member of the current council would get a one-year term extension and local elections would take their place alongside county, state and national elections. Proponents of Measure S, led by former Palo Alto mayor and current Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz "Most of the county is already there. Out of 2 million people in the county, only 200,000 are left voting in oddyear elections." --Liz Kniss, Santa Clara County supervisor Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss, a former Palo Alto mayor, says even-year elections would reduce costs and boost voter turnout. Kniss, argue that the measure would bring two major benefits to the city. First, it would significantly bring down the costs of local elections by consolidating them with other elections. Kniss estimated the change would save Palo Alto about $1 million over 10 years. More importantly, the switch to even years would promote local democracy by significantly boosting voter turnout, Measure S backers claim. At a recent interview with the Weekly, Kniss and Councilman Greg Scharff both pointed to voterturnout statistics that showed participation soaring in even years and floundering in odd years. In 2008, for example, 89 percent of Palo Altans hit the polls, compared to only 40 percent in 2007. The average turnout in the past four even-year elections has been 71.25 percent, compared to 43.2 percent during odd years. As an example of the disparity, 31,566 Palo Altans voted on Measure N (Palo Alto library bond) in 2008, while only 14,308 voted on Measure A (the city's business-license tax) in 2009, proponents state in their official ballot argument. "We have always pushed voter participation," Scharff said. "If you look at 30,000 people voting versus 15,000 people voting -- that's really dramatic." Councilman Greg Schmid, the most vocal opponent of Measure S, isn't buying this argument. Just because more people hit the polls during even years doesn't mean they pay much attention to local issues or even bother filling out the local ballot, he said. And even if they do vote for local issues, it doesn't mean they have carefully considered them before casting their votes. It's also quite possible, opponents say, that the 2008 turnout had less to do with the election's even year and more to do with the fact that Bar- Palo Alto Councilman Greg Schmid opposes Measure S, arguing that odd-year elections allow residents to focus exclusively on local issues. "Here we are in the midst of Silicon Valley, in the midst on an engaged social-network world, and we're telling people we don't want them to vote every year." --Greg Schmid, city council member rack Obama was on the ballot. By having elections in odd years, the city allows residents to focus exclusively on local initiatives and City Council candidates, Schmid told the Weekly. A switch to even years would greatly favor incumbents by making it difficult for new candidates for local offices to catch the citizenry's attention, he said. As a result, there would be fewer candidates running for local offices, he said. "Here we are in the midst of Silicon Valley, in the midst on an engaged social-network world, and we're telling people we don't want them to vote every year," Schmid said. "It's the wrong direction to go, especially for a community that's so engaged and for a council that should be sensitive to those engagements." Councilman Larry Klein raised a similar issue during the Aug. 2 council meeting. Having local elections in an odd year enables citizens to "have a community discussion about where they want the city to go" and to choose their council candidates accordingly, Klein said. "The attention certainly would not be paid if the council (election) is one of 10 or 15 elections conducted in an even-number year," Klein said. Palo Alto isn't the only city grappling with the change, Kniss said. Half Moon Bay, which is in San Mateo County, is also now considering a change to even years, she said. Its proposal, like Palo Alto's, will be on the ballot as Measure S. Besides Palo Alto, Cupertino and Sunnyvale are the only cities in Santa Clara County that hold their elections in odd years. Gilroy and Los Altos had recently switched their elections to even years. "Most of the county is already there," Kniss told the Weekly. "Out of 2 million people in the county, only 200,000 are left voting in oddyear elections." (continued on page 21) Veronica Weber Weekly file photo Page 19 Cover Story Measure R (continued from page 18) C U S T O M S O L U T I O N S F O R E V E R Y S T Y L E A N D E V E R Y B U D G E T standard). These reports, Spitaleri said, are being tossed aside by the council because they don't say what the council wants to hear. "Our command staff is at a very low level, and it's a dangerous situation," Spitaleri said at the Oct. 6 debate, referring to the department's nine management positions. "Every report that says we have to boost it up is being ignored." He also took issue with the pending report, noting that Antil has a long history with ICMA, where she has served on various policy committees. Antil called the joint report from ICMA and TriData an "independent analysis" and said the group conducting the report includes former fire chiefs and other public-safety officials. Antil said the ICMA team will focus on dispatch data, while TriData will wrestle with the question for overtime. She said her membership in ICMA has "no bearing whatsoever" on the group's work. The new report, however, is just one reason why firefighters are bracing for cuts, Spitaleri said. Pleas from firefighters and residents to maintain adequate fire staffing have been falling on deaf ears for years, he said. Palo Alto residents need to have a say in these decisions, he says. That's why Measure R is necessary. Members of Safe Palo Alto laugh off the union's premise that Palo Alto residents currently don't have a voice in the council's decisions. Ironically, both they and the fire union point to the 2007 dispute over Station 8 as exemplifying their points -- either that the council makes reckless decisions about staffing or that the council listens to its constituency and reverses course accordingly. More recent examples suggest that Palo Altans may not be as tim- Tony Spitaleri, left, president of the Palo Alto Professional Firefighters, 1319, and Alan Davis, the union's attorney, take notes and listen carefully during the debate on Measure R. id or voiceless -- nor the council as unwilling to listen -- as the union alleges. Earlier this year, residents packed public hearings to urge the council to maintain funding for school-crossing guards; to dispute a 33 percent increase in garbage collection for residents who use 20gallon minicans; and to refrain from imposing housing-size limits in the foothills. The council sided with residents in all three cases. Safe Palo Alto's Barton, Mossar and Beecham point to a wide array of ways residents have to reach their public officials. In addition to the "public comment" period at council meetings, during which time any speaker can talk for three minutes, residents can write letters, send emails, make phone calls, post comments on online forums and use the city's Open City Hall website, which allows residents to weigh in on the hot agenda topics of the day. Given these forums, "the idea that the public is excluded or has no voice just doesn't make sense," Barton said at the Oct. 6 debate. Beecham agreed and said Measure R would needlessly take away from the council one of its most essential duties. "The public does elect the council to make decisions and to do labor negotiations," Beecham told the Weekly. "To do anything but that for one special group is simply wrong." Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com. WATCH IT ONLINE www.PaloAltoOnline.com Video excerpts from both sides of the Measure R debate are posted on Palo Alto Online. Videos of candidate forums online Videos of candidate forums, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, and other election discussions have been posted online by the Midpeninsula Community Media Center. Candidate forums for local races, local ballot measure debates and state proposition arguments are all featured in video clips available on the Midpeninsula Community Media Center website, www.communitymediacenter.net. The "Elections Page" has links to all the video clips as well as upcoming broadcast times on Channel 27. The candidate forums cover Midpeninsula races for Menlo Park and Atherton City Councils, San Mateo County supervisor (District 3), Sequoia Healthcare District, Las Lomitas and Menlo Park Elementary School Boards, and Santa Clara Valley Water District. Ballot measure video arguments cover races in Menlo Park and Palo Alto where a large-scale development proposal, city employee pension limits, firefighter staffing decisions, and election-year scheduling will be decided by voters. There are also two Santa Clara County measures and one in San Mateo County that have been recorded. "The videos enable voters to judge how the candidates conduct themselves in addition to the answers they give," Elliot Margolies, the Media Center's election-programming coordinator, said of the presentations. -- Palo Alto Weekly staff MUST ACT ------ OFF $500 00 PUR SOME CHASE RESTR . ICTION S APPLY . BEFOR E 11-1 5-10 MINIM UM $5 ,0 ------ O U R P E N I N S U L A S H O W R O O M S H A V E C O N S O L I D AT E D. V I S I T U S AT O U R N E W LY E X PA N D E D A N D R E N O V AT E D C A M P B E L L S H O W R O O M . T H E B AY A R E A ' S L A R G E S T ! CE RT IF IE D G R E E N CAMPBELL SHOWROOM 1 1 9 0 D E L L AV E N U E 408.370.1041 F O R M E R LY E U R O D E S I G N W W W. VA L E T C U S T O M . C O M H O M E W A L L O F F I C E S S E W I N G C E N T E R S B E D S C L O S E T S G A R A G E S We're all in it together. Page 20 Cover Story Measure S (continued from page 19) But Schmid argued that Palo Alto voters already turn out in greater numbers than their counterparts in other communities and claimed that a switch to even years would significantly reduce not just informed voting but active participation in local issues. To stress his point, Schmid cites 1987, the year he became involved in local politics. That's the year Palo Alto's school board, which included Kniss, voted to merge Gunn and Palo Alto high schools and to convert Gunn into a middle school. The proposal outraged local school activists, who launched a grassroots crusade against the merger and who helped elect two anti-merger newcomers, Diane Reklis and Henry Levin, to the fivemember school board (incumbent board member Joe Simitian, who voted for the merger, barely survived re-election after finishing third in the polls). Shortly after the election, the new school board voted to rescind its earlier vote, effectively killing the merger idea. After months of excruciating tension, the Gunn community breathed a sigh of relief. Schmid said he was impressed by the voters' ability to unite behind a complex issue involving housing, economics and demographics, and to effect change. At a recent interview with the Weekly, he won- dered aloud if the citywide debate of 1987 could have been possible during an even year, when gubernatorial, presidential and Congressional candidates (not to mention judges, sheriffs and other lowerprofile candidates) also vie for the voters' attention. "Would this have happened if this was a general election?" Schmid asked. "Could you have that kind of attention to local issues like economics and demographics?" Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner can be e-mailed at gsheyner@ paweekly.com. Cover design by Shannon Corey Manjul E. Dixit, MD Manjul S. Dixit, MD, FAAAAI has moved her practice from Menlo Medical Clinic to Atherton Square. Convenient hours 12 pm-8pm and ample parking. Please visit our website @ www.AthertonAllergists.com www.AthertonAllergists.com AT C H I L D R E N ' S H E A LT H C O U N C I L 650 Clark Way, Palo Alto, CA 94304 w w w. s a n d h i l l s c h o o l . o r g www.restorationstudio.com For young minds, one size doesn't fit all. At Sand Hill School, we find what fits best for your child. Partnering with parents, teachers create the path for each student's successful transition to a traditional classroom. Grades K-3 6:1 student/teacher ratio State-of-the-art technology A C C E P T I N G A P P L I C AT I O N S N OV E M B E R 1 Cardoza-Bungey Travel We Make Vacations Better! Tahiti & South Pacific Cruises this Fall OPEN HOUSE Thu, Oct 21, 5:00-6:00 PM Tue, Oct 26, 5:00-6:00 PM RSVP: 650.688.3605 or firstname.lastname@example.com 45% off & free air on select sailings Seniors: Help is just a phone call away! 650-325-5600 CST#1007564-10 www.cardoza.com & with purchase of $25 or more of natural & organic foods, body care, vitamins & more! Home safety checkup Emergency preparedness review Legal referrals Medical advocacy 24/7 support for every need Network of trusted vendors Transportation assistance Reassuring check-in calls Your Local Natural Foods Store After all other discounts & coupons. Cannot be combined with any other 'Free' or '$ OFF' Country Sun coupon. One coupon per household per day per purchase of $25 or more. For peace of mind, call (650) 289-5405 or visit us online at AvenidasVillage.org. Your life, your way, in your home Page 21 A community health education series from Stanford Hospital & Clinics Out of Options: Hand Surgery Saves Fingers and Function On the outside, Melissa Warde just glows. Confident, quick to smile, happy. One look at her hands and a different reality is obvious. Her left hand and fingers are purple, and swollen. Until this summer, her right hand had been the same way-worse, in fact, with unhealed ulcers on the tips of her index and ring fingers. For more than half her life now, Warde has doggedly kept moving against scleroderma, an autoimmune system disease that can harden the skin until it feels like stone. Its scientific name means hard skin. It's not a common disease, but it can affect every organ in the body, in addition to the skin. Warde said. She has developed a tremendous mental strength. "I get up every day, no matter how much pain I'm in. I always put myself together." Norbert von der Groeben "This procedure is becoming a very much desired procedure for scleroderma patients, but you need a vascular surgeon who has the experience." � Lorinda Chung, MD, Stanford Hospital rheumatologist Its cause is unknown; a cure not in sight. The best that can be done right now is to respond to its symptoms. "It's a very, very debilitating disease," For several years, Melissa Warde endured disabling pain in her fingers, caused by an autoimmune system disease. She found some relief in In part, the pain medication, but the disease progressed, constricting blood flow to her hands so badly that amputation became a strong possibility. The surgery comes from blood she had at Stanford Hospital changed all that. vessels whose flow is constricted by overabundant tissue deposited around "The stakes are high, and this is a their exterior surfaces. And, Warde technically difficult and challenging said, "I started to get these ulcers on procedure," said Chang. "But the effect my fingers that wouldn't heal." Bit by can be huge. We're setting back the In this procedure, microvascular bit, Warde had to give up playing the clock of the effects of scleroderma on surgeons like Stanford's James sports she loved, and, ultimately, was hand blood vessels by 10 to 12 years." Chang, MD, Division Chief, Plastic & unable to continue her job in a cancer Reconstructive Surgery, dissect open research center. the wrist and palm through small "I started to get these ulcers on my incisions to isolate the blood vessels fingers that wouldn't heal and I She tried various medications, but that feed the fingers. Guided by his nothing worked. Sometimes, the pain view through an operating microwas in danger of losing my fingers." would be so bad that the necessary scope, Chang carefully releases the � Melissa Warde, patient, dose made it impossible for her to do scar tissue that envelops and conStanford Hospital & Clinics anything. And Warde's fingers became stricts the arteries. Freed from the so damaged that amputation seemed scar tissue, the arteries plump open ahead. "I was in danger of losing my "It's becoming a very much desired again and enough blood reaches the fingers," she said. Finally, a scleroprocedure, but you need to have a mifingertips to nourish them. If the derma specialist at Stanford Hospital crovascular surgeon who has the expearteries are too damaged, then the & Clinics, Lorinda Chung, MD, menrience," said Chung, an autoimmune surgeon will make a bypass around tioned one last option-a surgery called system physician who has treated them from unaffected arteries elsea digital sympathectomy. Warde at Stanford. She and her colwhere in the hand. leagues are part of a multidisciplinary Delicate procedure, practiced hands Norbert von der Groeben Melissa Warde shows her Stanford plastic surgeon, James Chang, the changes in her hand since surgery. At left, she points out the healthy new finger nail and finger tip on her right index finger where once an ulcer had deadened and eroded the tissue. At center, the palm of her right hand is clearly a healthy pink color, in contrast to her left palm, where fibers still constrict blood flow. At right, the renewed blood flow has also improved her hand's function, including its sensitivity to touch. Page 22 special feature About Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Plastic and reconstructive surgery techniques have broad applications, not only to limbs and the face but also to the body's internal regions: Abdominal walls, for example, can be reconstructed, tendons transferred and even the smallest of blood vessels restored to function. Surgeons can also retain or restore function to the tongue, palate and esophagus as one aspect of a cancer surgery. Specialists in plastic and reconstructive surgery are often part of a team of physicians focused on a patient's care and their skills incorporated into a coordinated approach to treatment. For many millions of people who have suffered highly disfiguring injuries or health conditions, the specialty has offered the chance at a life lived without the stares of others. For others, it has meant a life returned to normal activity. The field had its earliest recorded beginnings in India, around 2000 BC. By 1794, the first published reports appeared in an English magazine. In 15th century Europe, the technique was used sometimes to replace a nose lost and devoured by dogs. In 1827, the first American plastic surgeon repaired a cleft palate. As soldiers returned from World War I, plastic and reconstructive surgeons gained, unfortunately, experience with reconstruction of explosive- and burn-injured faces. For more information about plastic surgery: Call 650.723.7001 or visit plasticsurgery.stanford.edu. For more information about hand surgery, call 650.723.5256 or visit stanfordhospital.org/chase. Join us at: stanfordhospital.org/socialmedia scleroderma center there and regularly consult with physicians, like Chang, who might offer another aspect of care to her patients. Warde said Chang explained to her that scar-like tissue had encircled her hand's blood vessels "like a piece of twine wrapping around a garden hose, and that you had to strip away the twine." Medication might be somewhat helpful, she thought, but she liked the idea of "starting with a clean slate." When Chang opened up Warde's hand, he was using microsurgical tools and technique. Microsurgery depends on optics, surgical tools and the skill of the surgeon. One early barrier now overcome: the eyes of the needles used to carry sutures to close up blood vessels were so large they tore holes in the fragile tissue. Now, the suture thread is fused to the needle, expanding what microsurgery can successfully accomplish. lip. Modern microsurgery enables the reconstruction of wounds and defects anywhere from scalp to toes. Chang and his colleagues can now, as a routine procedure, reattach a hand completely amputated across the palm or move all or just some of the big toe to make a new thumb. The latter capability is especially critical because the thumb is responsible for 40 percent of the function of the hand. The scale of the surgical territory in the hand is stunningly miniscule. The sutures Chang handles are no thicker than a human hair-and to secure connections he makes eight stitches around the circle of a one millimeter vessel's circumference. Just getting to where he needed to work in Warde's hand required a careful movement down through a tightly-packed group of tendons, nerves, veins and arteries, none much bigger than the ones obscured by the scleroderma. Even the most meager misstep can have major impact on how well her hand would work after surgery, or trigger chronic pain. Looking ahead New techniques are available to take this type of surgery to an even higher level. Recently, Stanford's surgeons pioneered new techniques in wrist arthroscopy, nerve reconstruction, and release of Dupuytren's contracture, a condition that twists the hand and fingers into a nearly non-functional shape. The next steps, Chang said, will likely include the movement of more precise combinations of a patient's skin, nerve, muscle, and tendons to individually tailor a reconstruction. Stanford's plastic surgery laboratories also are actively involved in the combination of synthetic scaffolding and human cells to repair tissue, bone and nerve. "It's an exciting time in plastic surgery, because our toolbox is expanding," Chang said. "The surgery has been the biggest lifesaver for me. I can fully function. I feel a lot more whole then I have in quite a few years because of this surgery." � Melissa Warde, patient, Stanford Hospital & Clinics More than skin deep Within Stanford Hospital's Robert A. Chase Hand & Upper Limb Center and its Complex Reconstruction Center, surgeons treat very challenging conditions. People like Warde may come to Stanford for help with the damage caused by a chronic disorder; they may come after a traumatic accident to have a limb reattached; or they may come to talk about what might be done during or after cancer surgery. Plastic and reconstructive surgery might mean reconstructing a face damaged in a car accident or replacing a breast removed for cancer by using abdominal skin or repairing a cleft Since her surgery, Warde has worked hard with a hand therapist to regain mobility lost to lack of use. But she could see the effect of the surgery immediately. Her right hand and fingers lost that deep purple color and became a healthy pink again. The ulcer began to heal. "There was a drastic, drastic difference," Warde said. "It wasn't an open wound any more." The surgery, Warde said, "has been the biggest lifesaver for me. I can fully function. I feel a lot more whole then I have in quite a few years because of this surgery." Norbert von der Groeben Stanford hand surgeon James Chang is one of a very small group of physicians with the technical expertise to successfully perform a surgery like Warde's. Called a digitial sympathectomy, the surgery includes stripping diseasecaused fibers away from blood vessels. On the screen behind Chang is an angiogram of Warde's hand; the dark lines in the hand is evidence that blood is now flowing much more normally to Warde's fingers. Stanford Hospital & Clinics is known worldwide for advanced treatment of complex disorders in areas such as cardiovascular care, cancer treatment, neurosciences, surgery, and organ transplants. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the U.S. News & World Report annual list of "America's Best Hospitals," Stanford Hospital & Clinics is internationally recognized for translating medical breakthroughs into the care of patients. It is part of the Stanford University Medical Center, along with the Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. For more information, visit stanfordmedicine.org. Page 23 Arts & Entertainment A weekly guide to music, theater, art, movies and more, edited by Rebecca Wallace In its 13th year, the United Nations Association Film Festival shows 60 documentaries from 60 countries Page 24 Elderly Latinos are shown trying to make a new life in the United States in "The Old Immigrants Dance," which will be screened Oct. 22. T by Rebecca Wallace he phrases "reduce your carbon footprint" and "live green" can seem so vague that it's hard to find them personally meaningful. Sometimes it takes a filmmaker to illustrate an issue's human impact. In this year's United Nations Association Film Festival, which opens Oct. 22 in Palo Alto, several movies do just that. One is "There Once Was An Island," in which the residents of Takuu are the faces of climate change. On this diminutive Pacific atoll in Papua, New Guinea, there have been many reports of the sea level rising. Directors Briar March and Lyn Collie show taro crops being harmed by salination from high tides -- and, in dramatic footage, a "king tide" causing huge waves and flooding. A classroom is ruined, with a strong image showing rows of textbooks lying out to dry. And the whole island society must decide whether to stay on Takuu or move. A reviewer for the online New Zealand arts journal The Lumiere Reader recently wrote of the film: "'An Island' derives its significant emotional impact primarily from the vulnerability and artlessness of the Takuu islanders. The director wisely ensures they are kept to the fore." The 80-minute film, set for a 4 p.m. showing at Stanford University on Oct. 25, is one of 60 documentary features and shorts from 60 countries at this year's film festival. The theme of the 13th annual socially conscious film festival is "Population, Migration and Globalization." Afternoon and evening screenings are in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and San Francisco and at Stanford University, through Oct. 31. Another of the films dealing with the human cost of environmental crises is "Climate Refugees," directed and written by Michael Nash. The 95-minute movie looks at "climatically induced environmental disasters" such as droughts, sea-level rise, fires and extreme weather. "All this is causing mass global migration and border conflicts," Nash writes on the film's website. Other themes in the festival, founded by Stanford lecturer Jasmina Bojic, include women's issues, children and the environment, immigration and homelessness. Here are several festival highlights: Opening night, Oct. 22, takes place at the Aquarius Theatre at 430 Emerson St. in Palo Alto. "Climate Refugees" will be screened at 7:25 p.m. with the filmmakers on hand, as a tribute to Stephen Schneider, a Stanford professor of environmental biology and global change who died recently. Schneider earned a collective Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore in 2007. Films shown opening night also include "The Old Immigrants Dance," an American movie about four elderly Latinos trying to make a new life in the United States. That screening is set for 9:45 p.m. Screenings continue at the Aquarius on Oct. 23 and 24, with titles including the American-Pakistani film "Bhutto," directed by Duane Baughman and Johnny O'Hara. The 115-minute film, a profile of the late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, will be shown at 5:30 p.m. Saturday with the filmmakers present. "Sing China" is one of the films set for an Oct. 24 screening, at 6:45 p.m. Directed and produced by Freida Lee Mock, the 72-minute Chinese-American film follows the Los Angeles Children's Choir on a tour of China. The festival moves to Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (in Encina Hall) on Oct. 25 and 26. "There Once Was An Island" will be screened at 4 p.m., followed by a panel discussion on "Climate-Change Impact on Population" at 5:20 p.m., and a reception with the filmmakers at 6:30 p.m. Screenings will also be held in East Palo Alto on Oct. 26, at the Eastside College Prep theater at 2101 Pulgas Ave. Films include "Home is Where You Find It," a 27-minute piece about a 16-year-old AIDS orphan in Mozambique. Directed by Alcides Soares, it will be shown at 5 p.m. Screenings will continue in various locations at Stanford University through closing day on Oct. 31. (Some films will also be shown in San Francisco on Oct. 27.) They include an Oct. 30 showing of "Gasland," an American film about domestic gas drilling and its possible hazards. Directed by Josh Fox, the 104-minute film will be shown in the Cantor Arts Center at 12:45 p.m., followed by a panel discussion called "Deregulation: Solution or Problem?" Also on Oct. 30 is a showing of "Queen of the Sun," which looks at the disappearance of bees in many countries, incorporating interviews with scientists, beekeepers and philosophers. The 83-minute film was directed by Taggart Siegel. What: The United Nations Association Film Festival screens 60 films from 60 countries. Where: Screenings are in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and San Francisco, and at Stanford University. When: Oct. 22-31, with afternoon and evening screenings Cost and info: Ticket prices vary. Some events, including the opening-night screenings and all panel discussions, are free. Other screenings can be paid for with a single ticket or a daily or festival pass. For ticket details and a full schedule, go to unaff.org or call 650-7245544. Opposite page: clockwise from top, The Los Angeles Children's Choir takes a tour of China in "Sing China," set for an Oct. 24 screening. In the film "There Once Was An Island," the people of a tiny Pacific atoll live with rising sea levels that may be caused by climate change. The film will be shown Oct. 25. "Queen of the Sun," showing on Oct. 30, looks at the disappearance of bees. The film "Bhutto," which profiles the late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, will be screened Oct. 23. Page 25 Arts & Entertainment Ecole internationale de la P�ninsule Officer Randy Osteen (Julia Brothers) and shopkeeper Arthur Przybyszewski (Howard Swain) catch up over coffee in "Superior Donuts." PRE-SCHOOL Outstanding fullday program. WHEN IT'S YOUR CHILD, EXPERIENCE MATTERS. Mark Kitaoka TEACHING MANDARIN CHINESE IMMERSION FOR 15 YEARS. A LEADER IN FRENCH IMMERSION IN PALO ALTO. ACCEPTING PRE-SCHOOL APPLICATIONS. REGISTER FOR A TOUR TODAY. TOURS & OPEN HOUSES UPCOMING TOURS October 8, 2010 October 15, 2010 November 5, 2010 November 19, 2010 OPEN HOUSES/INFO SESSIONS November 13, 2010 January 8, 2010 LANGUAGE Longest running bilingual immersion school in the area. Experienced native-speaking faculty. INFORMATION NIGHTS Learn more about the school's Mandarin Chinese Immersion and French Immersion programs. RSVP on our website. FRENCH INFO NIGHT October 12, 2010 CHINESE INFO NIGHT October 19, 2010 ACADEMICS Established English curriculum. Rigorous program in a nurturing environment. Low student-to-teacher ratio. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE PENINSULA A sweet treat `Superior Donuts' proves a welcome confection By Chad Jones I A friendly Neighborhood Church Progressive with Social Justice 470 Cambridge Avenue (close to campus and market) Wesley United Methodist FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC This Sunday: No Quit in Us Rev. Dr. Eileen Altman Preaching An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ A resource for special events and ongoing religious services. To inquire about or make space reservations for Inspirations, please contact Blanca Yoc at 223-6596 or email firstname.lastname@example.com INSPIRATIONS f Tracy Letts' "Superior Donuts" were actually a superior donut, it would be a chocolate-dipped old-fashioned -- sweet, hearty and satisfying. Best known as the Pulitzer Prizewinning author of "August: Osage County," an eviscerating look at the American family at its dysfunctional worst, Letts has a reputation for dragging his characters through darkness and horror in the name of drama. Look no further than the trailer-trash violence of "Killer Joe" or the psycho-terrors of "Bug" for evidence of that. With "Superior Donuts," Letts lets in a little light. The TheatreWorks production, now at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, gives ample proof that when Letts wants to be funny or even conventional, he can do it with gritty, grin-inspiring dialogue that cuts through most of the sloppy sentiment. Director Leslie Martinson is also TheatreWorks' casting director, so her advantage is the ability to hire some superior Bay Area actors and let them do their respective things under her guiding hand. Howard Swain (a Letts veteran from Marin Theatre Company's hit production of "Killer Joe") plays Arthur Przybyszewski, son of Polish immigrants and proprietor of the family's crumbling donut shop in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood (the realistic set is by Tom Langguth and beautifully lit by Steven B. Mannshardt). Alone in the world for various reasons, Arthur is a draft-dodging hippie now pushing 60. He's as decrepit as his shop, but behind the gray scruff and greasy ponytail is an incredibly bright, compassionate man who isn't quite done with the world, even as he tries to convince himself the world is done with him. Arthur is so disconnected it takes him a while to even notice that vandals have trashed his donut shop and that two of his donut-loving police buddies are there to investigate. If Arthur can't bother to see the vulgarity spray-painted on his wall, THEATER REVIEW there's absolutely no way he'll notice that the lady copy, Randy (Julia Brothers), harbors a giant crush on him. Letts is playing with a sitcom format here, one that has fueled many a sappy "opposites clash and then change each other for the better" script, be it on film, TV or the stage. The opposite in this case is Franco Wicks (Lance Gardner), a 21-yearold "self-starter," as he describes himself when he bursts into the donut shop to apply for a job. Before Arthur knows what's really going on, the kid has basically hired himself, and within a very short order, Franco is planning to spruce up the shop (and Arthur himself) for poetry readings. He might even make the donut relevant again. Franco is a spirited young African-American and Arthur is a dispirited old white guy. They dispense with the issue of race when Franco asks Arthur if he's a racist. After a rambling answer that ends with, "I hope not," Arthur adds, "I hired you, didn't I?" "Oh, scoot over, Mr. Lincoln," Franco retorts. "Make room on the penny." But race isn't really the issue here. It's much more about hope -- or the lack of it. Franco, who has written the Great American Novel, is full of it. Arthur is devoid of it. What Arthur sees as fantasies, Franco sees as possibilities. And because this is a conventional play -- well written, perfectly performed, immaculately produced but conventional all the same -- we will get to a happy ending. Bad things will happen -- the worst is an offstage act of violence that made the opening-night audience gasp. And there will be onstage violence in the form of a fight between two men -- Swain and Gabriel Marin as a money-grubbing goon -- who have no business fighting but give their all with an assist from fight director Jonathan Rider's believable choreography. Letts is not commenting on the conventionally well-made play or being ironic about it. He's simply making it work at a higher level than usual. If he set out to make a play that would make people feel good without making them feel guilty, he has succeeded mightily. Swain and Gardner execute their cross-generation friendship beautifully, and we come to care tremendously for both Arthur and Franco and cheer for them both to come through their difficulties without losing the hope they've come to share. The supporting cast is full of Bay Area greats including Joan Mankin as the crazy, drunk homeless lady who dispenses wisdom (did we mention this was conventional?). Brothers as the crushing cop is irresistibly sweet, especially when she's razzing her partner (Michael J. Asberry) for dressing up like a Klingon and going to "Star Trek" conventions. S�ren Oliver gets many of the evening's biggest laughs as Max, the Russian owner of a neighboring DVD store. Max has a big mouth and, it turns out, a similarly sized heart. The well-made drama that doesn't aim to change the world is in short supply. This kind of show used to be the stock in trade of American drama, but in recent years, we tend to get extremes along the lines of ultra-silly comedies and hyper-sad dramas. The middle ground is infrequently trod. Warren Leight's "Side Man" and David Auburn's "Proof" are two middle-grounders that come to mind. Letts' "Superior Donuts" is a welcome addition to this territory. The play, in its entertaining way, makes a modest but convincing case for the existence of hope in a cynical world. And there's certainly nothing wrong with that. What: "Superior Donuts," a Tracy Letts play presented by TheatreWorks Where: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. When: Previews Oct. 8 at 8 p.m., with opening night Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. Runs through Oct. 31, Tuesday through Sunday. Cost: Tickets are $19-$67. Info: Go to theatreworks.org or call 650-463-1960. Page 26 Deep Pore Acne Lazr Treatment Isolaz� is a new blue light ACNE treatment that combines a photo-pneumatic vacuum (it really sucks) with painless broadband light. www.facebook.com/suzanneslader Suzanne Slader, RN email@example.com 1515 El Camino Real Suite D 650.346.7696 @ Churchill Ave across from Paly www.isolaz.com Slader patient photos featured on the TODAY Show Stiffer joints make it painful to move, run or play. Try Cosequin�, the #1 Vet recommended joint supplement. Cosequin� plays an important role in maintaining optimal joint function. Healthy cartilage is crucial for proper joint mobility. Cosequin helps support cartilage production and protect existing cartilage from breakdown. Cosequin allows your pet to enjoy their everyday activities. - Cosequin� Available at - your next office ($21 Value - With This Ad) 1/2 OFF visit fee Expires 12/31/2010 Wellness Services include: Heartworm/Tick Disease Testing Flea Control Vaccinations Year-round Parasite Prevention Dentistry & Oral Surgery Surgical Services Spay & Neuter Fecal Parasite Exams Microchipping Geriatric Pet Care Health Certificates For Travel AlpineVetOnline.com (650) 969-8555 Dr. Rebecca McClellan D.V.M. Dr. Tyler Long D.V.M. Page 27 I N A M E R I C A Movies Helen Mirren and John Malkovich are heavily armed in the entertaining actioner "Red." P E T E R T R AV E R S CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES "ABSORBING, GRITTY AND TOTALLY ENGROSSING. DON'T MISS IT!" � Steve O'Brien, WCBS-FM Red (Century 16, Century 20) If you're looking at your local multiplex today for the "Red" that won Best Play at this year's Tony Awards, you're going to wind up very confused. The movie "Red" isn't an intense, complex meditation on the relationship between an artist and his art; rather, it's a lighthearted shoot-'em-up based on a comic book. But before you dismiss it, consider this: "Red" stars four Oscar-winning actors. It's not every day that you're able to use "Helen Mirren" and "heavy artillery" in the same sentence, but "Red" gives you the opportunity. Very loosely adapted from the graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, "Red" stars Bruce Willis as Frank Moses, KEIR GILCHRIST " EMMA ROBERTS and ZACH GALIFIANAKIS ZACH GALIFIANAKIS IS A COMIC FORCE OF NATURE!" "A smartly acted, suspense-filled " " SUPERBLY CRAFTED, THRILLER." � Susan Granger, SSG SYNDICATE � Stephen Whitty, THE STAR-LEDGER PETER TRAVERS IT'S KIND OF A POWERFUL and PROVOCATIVE from Robert DeNiro and Edward Norton." � Peter Debruge, VARIETY ." STORY " BETSY SHARKEY FUNNY DEAD-ON lead PERFORMANCES A PERFECT COMING-OF-AGE COMEDY." STRONG SEXUALITY AND VIOLENCE, AND PERVASIVE LANGUAGE EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT STARTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 Page 28 Mountain View (800) FANDANGO 910# CENTURY CINEMAS 16 CINEMARK NO PASSES ACCEPTED CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATRE LOCATIONS AND SHOWTIMES SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS NO PASSES OR DISCOUNT COUPONS ACCEPTED NOW PLAYING EVERYWHERE a retired CIA black ops agent with a fearsome reputation. Of course, news of Frank's skills haven't reached his suburban neighbors or Sarah Ross (Tony winner MaryLouise Parker), the Social Security office cubicle worker he's taken to chatting up over the phone. Frank's quiet life doesn't last long: His plan to travel to Kansas City to meet up with Sarah hits a snag when armed commandos attempt to kill him. For Sarah's safety, he'll have to abduct her and keep her in line while looking up old friends also classified as "RED": "Retired -- Extremely Dangerous." What we have here is a two-joke premise: "Danger man" hero takes innocent female on the ride of her life, and old folks do the darndest things. But when the comically romantic couple is Willis and Parker, and the retirees include Mirren, Morgan Freeman and John Malkovich, well, you've got yourself a movie, my friend. Robert Schwentke ("The Time Traveler's Wife") gives the picture stylish direction, with swirling camera moves and an ear for comic rhythms. The script has decent comic snap and, of course, stuff blows up real good. But the show here is in the casting, which calls up a deep bench of acting talent. As an active CIA agent on the hunt, Karl Urban ("Star Trek") makes a strong foil for Frank, but the real baddie turns out to be Richard Dreyfuss. Ernest Borgnine also turns up, as do Brian Cox, James Remar and Rebecca Pidgeon. It all equates to a couple of hours of crowd-pleasing nonsense. There's some "last chance" romance, a familiar critique of CIA corruption, sympathy for the spy (the first question when a guest arrives is "Are you here to kill me?") and a consideration of the ol' "we're not dead yet" retirement theme. Frank states the obvious: "With age comes a certain perspective." But let's be honest, "Red" is about seeing Mirren wielding a sniper rifle and Malkovich acting all kinds of nutty as a character who was given "daily doses of LSD for 11 years" (the other side of the joke being that he's always right: You're not paranoid if they're actually out to get you). I won't say you haven't lived until you see John Malkovich as a retired CIA agent, sadly dangling a stuffed pig from his hand, but I will say it brightened up my day. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence and brief strong language. One hour, 51 minutes. -- Peter Canavese Nowhere Boy (Century 16) `Tis the job of the biopic to psychoanalyze its famous subject and sketch connective lines between the past and the future, the personal and the public. In tackling the subject of John Lennon's formative years, "Nowhere Boy" is no exception. In turning life into drama, screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh ("Control") and first-time feature director Sam Taylor-Wood cannot resist a certain amount of myth-making, and if this is a "kitchen sink" drama, the sink comes across as rather wellscrubbed. But as a broad-strokes account of Lennon's complicated family dynamic, trouble-making youth and first tentative steps toward rock stardom, "Nowhere Boy" succeeds as both entertainment and a rumination on the roots of one man's nascent artistry. Spanning 1955 to 1960, the story kicks off with Lennon (Aaron Johnson of "Kick-Ass") losing his beloved Uncle George (David Threlfall) and facing life alone with his somewhat priggish Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas). The familial shift prompts the teenage Lennon to reconnect with his affectionate but erratic mother Julia (Anne Marie-Duff of "The Last Station"). Something of a war of wills ensues between Mimi and Julia, with the attentions and loyalty of John at stake. When all is said and done, John will have faced the ugly truth about the splintering of his family a decade earlier, and experienced the fresh hell of another family tragedy. It isn't all uncomfortable psychodrama for Lennon, who we see enthusiastically raising hell and even more enthusiastically embracing the cultural arrival of Elvis by adopting a new style and procuring a guitar. In addition to playing and singing, Johnson ably radiates Lennon's brash bravado at school and his scarcely concealed, raw need for love and approval from his mother figures. Taylor-Wood and her actors also show a sensitivity to the excited but wary friendship that develops, late in the picture, between Lennon and Paul McCartney (Thomas Brodie Sangster), Lennon's life-long rival for attention. For the sake of drama, Greenhalgh fudges facts when it comes to Lennon's relationships with Julia (who was a relatively constant presence in John's young life) and the protective Mimi (who, though skeptical of John's musical vocation, seems not to have been as severe and combative as her screen equivalent). And Beatlemaniacs will quibble over details like which song Lennon's first band the Quarrymen played in their debut. But the music adds an underlying excitement and possibility unique to a rock star's coming-of-age story. Here's John learning from his mother how to play the banjo, and laying down his first song, "Hello Little Girl." And here are the Quarrymen -- including future Beatles Lennon, McCartney and George Harrison (Sam Bell) -- recording "In Spite of All the Danger," with Lennon taking lead vocal. Though Lennon didn't write the song, the filmmakers encourage Johnson to give it an extra-soulful vocal informed by John's personal tragedy. After 90 minutes of familystyle angst, the Beatle-esque tune, and an authentic Lennon demo cut under the end credits, provides a (continued on next page) Fri & Sat Only 10/15-16: Waiting for Superman 1:45, 4:30, 7:15, 10:00 Waiting for Superman 3:00, 5:45, 8:30 Sun-Thurs 10/17-10/21: 1:45, 4:30, 7:15 Waiting for Superman Waiting for Superman 3:00, 5:45 "THE BEST CAST FOR AN ACTION COMEDY...EVER." � Roger Moore, ORLANDO SENTINEL "GO SEE THIS MOVIE. � Kelli Gillespie, XETV CW6 `RED' IS JUST FLAT-OUT FUN!" MOVIE TIMES A Prairie Home Companion with Century 16: Thu. at 8 p.m. Century 20: Thu. at 8 p.m. Garrison Keillor LIVE (PG-13) (Not Reviewed) Alpha and Omega (PG) (Not Reviewed) Case 39 (R) (Not Reviewed) Easy A (PG-13) (Not Reviewed) Enter the Void (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed) Hereafter (PG-13) (Not Reviewed) It's Kind of a Funny Story (PG-13) Jackass 3D (R) (Not Reviewed) Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (PG) (Not Reviewed) Life As We Know It (PG-13) (Not Reviewed) Mao's Last Dancer (PG) My Soul To Take (R) (Not Reviewed) Never Let Me Go (R) Nowhere Boy (R) Paranormal Activity 2 (R) (Not Reviewed) Red (PG-13) Secretariat (PG) 1/2 Century 20: 11:20 a.m.; 1:35, 3:50, 6, 8:15 & 10:30 p.m. Century 20: 11:50 a.m. & 5:15 p.m.; Fri.-Wed. also at 10:25 p.m. Century 16: 11 a.m. & 4:25 p.m.; Fri.-Wed. also at 10:20 p.m. Century 20: 12:25, 2:45, 5:10, 7:30 & 10 p.m. Aquarius Theatre: 3 & 8:45 p.m. Century 20: Thu. at 12:01 a.m. Century 16: 11:40 a.m.; 2:25, 4:55, 7:50 & 10:30 p.m. Century 20: 11:25 a.m.; 1:55, 4:35, 7:15 & 9:45 p.m. Century 16: In 3D at 11 a.m.; noon, 1:20, 2:20, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9:40 & 10:40 p.m. Century 20: In 3D at 11:55 a.m.; 12:55, 2:15, 3:20, 4:40, 5:45, 7:10, 8:10, 9:30 & 10:35 p.m. Century 16: In 3D at 11:05 a.m.; 1:30, 4:05, 6:40 & 9:05 p.m. Century 20: In 3D at 11:30 a.m.; 1:55, 4:20, 6:50 & 9:15 p.m. Century 16: 11 a.m.; 1:40, 4:20, 7:10 & 10:05 p.m. Century 20: 11:35 a.m.; 12:55, 2:15, 3:45, 4:55, 6:30, 7:35, 9:10 & 10:15 p.m. Aquarius Theatre: 12:15 & 6 p.m. Century 16: Fri.-Mon., Wed. & Thu. at 11:25 a.m.; 2, 4:50, 7:40 & 10:15 p.m.; Tue. at 11:25 a.m.; 2 & 10:35 p.m. Century 20: 12:20, 2:55 & 10:40 p.m.; Fri.-Mon., Wed. & Thu. also at 5:30 & 8:05 p.m. Aquarius Theatre: 2, 4:30, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Century 16: 11:35 a.m.; 2:10, 4:40, 7:35 & 10:15 p.m. Century 20: Thu. at 12:01 a.m. Century 16: 11:10 & 11:50 a.m.; 1:50, 2:30, 4:30, 5:10, 7:25, 8:05, 10:20 & 10:50 p.m. Century 20: 11:40 a.m.; 1, 2:20, 3:40, 5, 6:20, 7:50, 9 & 10:35 p.m. Century 16: 11:15 a.m.; 12:10, 2:05, 3:20, 5:05, 7, 8:10 & 9:55 p.m. Century 20: 11:15 a.m.; 12:40, 2, 3:35, 4:50, 6:25, 7:40, 9:20 & 10:30 p.m. Century 16: 11:30 a.m.; 1, 2:15, 3:50, 5:15, 7:05, 8:20 & 10 p.m. Century 20: 11:20 a.m.; 12:45, 2:10, 3:40, 5, 6:35, 7:55, 9:25 & 10:40 p.m. "ONE OF THE MOST ENTERTAINING EXPERIENCES Chris Tilly, IGN TO BE HAD IN A THEATER THIS YEAR." "ORIGINAL, � Dean Richards, WGN AMERICA � Dean Richards, WGN AMERICA STYLISH, EXCITING..." " YOU CAN'T MISS THIS MOVIE. � Maria Salas, TERRA TV � Maria Salas, TERRA TV LAUGH-OUTLOUD FUN." The Social Network (PG-13) 1/2 "`RED' DELIVERS!!" � Mos� Persico, CTV MONTREAL � Mos� Persico, CTV MONTREAL The Sound of Music Sing-Along Century 16: Tue. at 6:30 p.m. Century 20: Tue. at 6:30 p.m. Event (Not Rated) (Not Reviewed) Stone (R) The Town (R) 1/2 1/2 Century 16: 11:20 a.m.; 1:55, 4:35, 7:30 & 10:25 p.m. Century 16: 12:30, 3:40, 7:20 & 10:10 p.m. Century 20: 1:25, 4:15, 7:20 & 10:10 p.m. Century 20: 11:45 a.m.; 2:25, 5:05, 7:45 & 10:25 p.m. Palo Alto Square: 1:45, 3, 4:30, 5:45 & 7:15 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. also at 8:30 & 10 p.m. Century 16: 1:25 p.m.; Fri.-Wed. also at 7:15 p.m. Century 20: 12:50, 4, 7:05 & 10:05 p.m. Century 20: 2:35 p.m.; Fri.-Wed. at 7:55 p.m. Guild Theatre: 2, 4:30, 7 & 9:30 p.m. BASED ON THE GRAPHIC NOVEL BY Waiting for Superman (PG) (Not Reviewed) Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (PG-13) (Not Reviewed) You Again (PG) (Not Reviewed) You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (R) Skip it Some redeeming qualities A good bet Outstanding 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 Alto Online at http://www.PaloAltoOnline.com/ BY CHRISTOPHE BECK PRODUCED LORENZO di BONAVENTURA MARK VAHRADIAN BY BY WARREN ELLIS AND CULLY HAMNER SCREENPLAY JON HOEBER & ERICH HOEBER DIRECTED ROBERT SCHWENTKE MUSIC BY � 2010 SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS A di BONAVENTURA PICTURES PRODUCTION A ROBERT SCHWENTKE FILM "RED" KARL URBAN WITH RICHARD DREYFUSS Aquarius: 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto (266-9260) Century Cinema 16: 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View (800-326-3264) Century 20 Downtown: 825 Middlefield Road, Redwood City (800-326-3264) Cin�Arts at Palo Alto Square: 3000 El Camino Real, MOBILE USERS: For Showtimes, Text Message RED and Your ZIP CODE to 43KIX (43549) Cinemark CENTURY 12 DOWNTOWN San Mateo 800/FANDANGO 968# STARTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1 5 Cinemark CENTURY 20 DOWNTOWN Redwood City 800/FANDANGO 990# CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORY OR CALL FOR SOUND INFORMATION AND SHOWTIMES SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS NO PASSES OR DISCOUNT COUPONS ACCEPTED Cinemark CENTURY @ TANFORAN The Shops @ Tanforan 800/FANDANGO 998# Page 29 Movies (continued from previous page) welcome one-two punch of musical catharsis, as well as the somewhat cold comfort that Lennon will get what he wished for -- rock stardom -- and, along with it, adult travails. ALLIED ARTS GUILD 75 ARBOR RD Rated R for language and a scene of sexuality. One hour, 38 minutes. -- Peter Canavese � MENLO PARK OPEN HOUSE 2O1O OCTOBER 23RD, 2010 1:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. COMPLIMENTARY MIMOSAS, APPETIZERS AND LIVE MUSIC! COME SEE OUR BRAND NEW CONFERENCE ROOM, STROLL THE GARDENS AND VISIT THE NEW STUDIOS AND SHOPS. Stone 1/2 PLEASE COME JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF $ 99 In Midtown Palo Alto 2 The League of Women Voters of Palo Alto Concerned about our Nation's direction? Learn about important issues from prominent speakers. WHERE WE STAND State Ballot Measures: NO ON PROP 20 NO ON PROP 26 Redistricting of "Polluter Protection" Congressional Districts NO ON PROP 27 NO ON PROP 23 (Strongly Oppose) Suspends Clean Energy and Eliminates State Commission Air Pollution Standards on Redistricting YES ON PROP 24 Tax Fairness Act YES ON PROP 25 Simple Majority Vote for Budget YES ON MEASURE A Santa Clara County Children's Health Protection YES ON MEASURE E Foothill-DeAnza College District The League has no position on PROPOSITION 19 and is neutral on PROPOSITIONS 21 AND 22. The Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley Meets the first Tuesday of every month IFES Hall, 432 Stierlin Road, Mountain View, CA Doors open at 6:15 PM - Program begins at 7:00 PM First-Time Guests and Members - FREE Returning Guests - $10.00 The Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley www.theconservativeforum.com VOLVO Top Rating For Quality By Bay Area Consumer Check Book and off El Camino near Hwy 85 www.corporateautoworks.com Local Ballot Measures: NO ON MEASURE R City of Palo Alto � Fire Dept. Personnel NO ON MEASURE S City of Palo Alto � General Municipal Elections CORPORATE AUTO WORKS (Century 16) Gerald Creeson (Edward Norton), who prefers to be called "Stone," has done eight years of a long sentence for arson and being an accessory to murder (of his grandparents). Now Stone is attempting to convince his probation officer, Jack Mabry (Robert De Niro), that he's reformed, so that he can get early release and get back to his hottie wife, Lucetta (Milla Jovovich of "Resident Evil"). "Stone," directed by John Curran ("We Don't Live Here Anymore," "The Painted Veil"), centers on the conflict between the two men, both of whom see themselves as ultra-tough. Stone, heavily tattooed, wears his hair in cornrows and affects a prison swagger. Cynical Jack, days away from retirement, has seen it all. When Stone professes to have had a spiritual conversion, Jack isn't having any of it. Filled with rage, Stone demands to know why Jack gets to walk around free while he, Stone, is locked up. Good question: Jack, as we learn in the film's opening scene, has reasons for guilt equal to Stone's. So far, the film, tautly written by Angus MacLachlan ("Junebug"), grabs your attention. Norton gives a knockout performance, and the scenes, many shot in the huge Southern Michigan Correctional Facility, have the smell of authenticity. Jack's home life with his wife, Madylyn (Frances Conroy of "Six Feet Under"), provides a suitable counterpoint to the prison scenes: Though peaceful, their farmhouse is as isolated as the prison. Madylyn, lonely and neglected, finds solace in Christianity and booze, while the much less devout Jack inexplicably listens to a fundamentalist radio station. Enter Lucetta, and the movie begins to unravel. Insistently phoning Jack at home and devising personal encounters, Lucetta aims to persuade him to write a favorable review for Stone. But -- and, don't worry, there are no spoilers here -- the logic of the whole enterprise unravels. Neither Jack nor Lucetta behaves in a way consistent with his or her character and situation, and, sadly, the film falls apart. "Stone" is worth seeing for Norton's performance, as well as Jovovich's as a purring kitten with barely sheathed claws. The setting -- recession-era Michigan, never literally portrayed but hinted at in the gloomy settings -- rings true. The writing? Not so much. Rated R for strong sexuality and pervasive language. One hour, 45 minutes. -- Renata Polt The League is neutral on MEASURES B AND C Paid ad by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto Since 1981 650-691-9477 Distributor JT Design Products s r r Page 30 PIZZA Pizza Chicago 424-9400 4115 El Camino Real, Palo Alto 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 of the week POLYNESIAN Trader Vic's 849-9800 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 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, Palo Alto Weekly "Best Of" 8 years in a row! 4269 El Camino Real, Palo Alto 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 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 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 Catered Texas BBQ (800) 585-RIBS (7427) CHINESE Chef Chu's (650) 948-2696 1067 N. San Antonio Road on the corner of El Camino, Los Altos 2008 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 Get Serious, Get Willy's! 1031 N. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos ITALIAN Spalti Ristorante 327-9390 417 California Ave, Palo Alto THAI Thaiphoon Restaurant 323-7700 543 Emerson St., Palo Alto Full Bar, Outdoor Seating www.thaiphoonrestaurant.com Best Thai Restaurant in Palo Alto 3 Years in a Row, 2006-2007-2008 Siam Orchid 325-1994 496 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto Organic Thai Free Delivery to Palo Alto/Stanford 4-6p.m. 25% off menu price M-F 650.941.2922 www.spalti.com Pizzeria Venti 650-254-1120 1390 Pear Ave, Mountain View www.MvPizzeriaVenti.com Fresh, Chef Inspired Italian Food JAPANESE & SUSHI Fuki Sushi 494-9383 4119 El Camino Real, Palo Alto Open 7 days a Week STEAKHOUSE Sundance the Steakhouse 321-6798 1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto 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 MEXICAN Palo Alto Sol 328-8840 408 California Ave, Palo Alto Search a complete listing of local restaurant reviews by location or type of food on PaloAltoOnline.com Page 31 FREE DELIVERY (with min. order) "THE BEST PIZZA WEST OF NEW YORK" --Ralph Barbieri KNBR 680 Eating Out RESTAURANT REVIEW Michelle Le 880 Santa Cruz Ave Menlo Park (at University Drive) 226 Redwood Shores Pkwy Redwood Shores (Next to Pacific Athletic Club) (650) 329-8888 (650) 654-3333 Have a Part y pplewood N !A RY! VE Delivers! ow EE DEL I FR Shezan features Tandoori lamb chops on its dinner menu. Gluten-Free Pizza Now Available! Some restrictions apply. 1001 El Camino Real, Menlo Park (650) 324-3486 www.applewoodpizza.com Bhindi Masala (okra in garlic, tomato and onion sauce) is one of Shezan's home-style choices. Satisfying Shezan L Look inside k today's insert for savings! Shezan offers refined home-style Pakistani-North Indian fare by Sheila Himmel J PLUS Club Card Specials Always great amshed Syed has been a company controller and an accounting professor. He is a champion bowler in the Northern California Cricket Association. Since June he's been running a restaurant, and it may be the hardest thing he's done yet. But as the chef/owner of Shezan, a homestyle Pakistani-North Indian restaurant in Mountain View, Syed says, "This was the only thing left in my dream." Syed came to the United States to study, and found himself hungry for the foods of home. He kept calling his mother in Pakistan for help. While earning his master's degree in business administration, he says, "I learned quite a bit of cooking." Shezan is pronounced SHEEzan (not sheh-ZAN, and definitely not sheh-ZAM, a common error). It means "beautiful," and reminds Syed of a restaurant from his childhood in Pakistan. He and his wife, Samina, have reformatted the Castro Street spot that housed Sue's Indian Cuisine and then Godavari. They removed the booths and put in cheery white chandeliers and warm wooden floors. Acoustics have been troublesome in the past, but the owners have worked to address the issue. Jamshed offers some of his mother's recipes, and lots of his own. He refined his recipes when helping a friend open a restaurant and train the chef, and in catering he has done from home. Samina is in charge of the desserts, also all made in-house. "Our spices come in through the side," is how Jamshed Syed describes his Pakistani tradition. You should be able to close your eyes and know that you're eating cauliflower, okra or eggplant, rather than being overwhelmed by spices. He variously chops, crushes or juliennes fresh ginger to achieve the correct effect. The meats are halal, in keeping with Muslim practice. Beef shanks are stewed to tender stringiness in nehari ($9.50), a citrus-inflected broth dotted with cardamom pods and ginger. Also excellent, mutton do-piazza ($9) features caramelized goat meat, onions and tamarind. On the richer side, chicken tikka masala ($9) is bathed in a cream and tomato curry. Unlike most everything else on the menu, the appetizers lean heavily on frying. Crispy and hot, vegetable samosas ($5) are stuffed with potatoes, cilantro and peas and dappled in cumin seeds. Pakistan's staple grain is wheat, and it is a predominantly breadeating country. Shezan's clay oven produces a lovely plain naan ($1.50) as well as naan stuffed with ground beef ($3.50) and garnished with garlic ($2). Two other breads are fried. The pan-fried NC Page 32 Michelle Le aloo paratha ($3) adds potato and cilantro to the mix. In the plain basmati rice ($2), also good for sopping up sauces, each grain maintains its integrity. The signature rice dish is Jamshed's mother's bone-in chicken biryani ($9), mildly but plentifully flavored with 11 herbs and spices, wafting in saffron. Shezan's weekday lunch buffet ($9.99) is a very good deal, including chai tea, luscious rice pudding and gulab jamun, the addictive deep-fried dough balls drizzled in syrup. Even the mango ice cream is house-made. The yogurt drinks called lassi also get high marks. A customer reportedly liked Shezan's mango lassi so much that he downed six glasses at a sitting. 7-10 lbs Call for more details. Results can vary. LIGHTER In just 6 weeks Six week program includes wrap once a week and herbal supplements. Shezan 216 Castro St., Mountain View 650-969-1112 Hours: Lunch buffet 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. weekdays. (Regular menu also available.) Dinner 5:30-9:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 5:30-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sun. Reservations Credit cards Lot Parking Beer & Winel Takeout Highchairs Wheelchair access Banquet Catering Outdoor seating Noise level: High Bathroom Cleanliness: Very good Medical Disaster Preparedness Definition: A disaster is a man made or natural emergency/event that disrupts a community's normal function, and causes concern for the safety, property and lives of its citizens. A disaster is an event that exceeds the capabilities and resources of the community to respond. During this program, Daniel Huie, MD, will introduce practical principles of medical disaster preparedness and provide available resources for disaster preparation. You will learn how to be individually prepared for a disaster and what community and government resources are available to you. Bay Area Health Spa Los Altos 650.390.9727 bayareahealthspa.com Thursday, October 21 6:30pm � 7:30pm 321 Middlefield Rd., Suite 260 Menlo Park, CA 94025 Dr. Daniel Huie is a board certified in Family Medicine and has additional clinical interests in preventive, emergency and wilderness medicine. He is a reserve police officer and tactical officer for the Hillsborough Police Department and the Medical Director for the North Central San Mateo Regional SWAT medics. Dr. Huie completed his medical education at Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago and medical training at O'Connor Hospital in San Jose, CA. Prior to joining Menlo Medical Clinic, he was in private practice for over ten years. To register for this event, visit menloclinic.com/prepare or call 650.721.1411. Seating is limited. Support Local Business Today's news, sports & hot picks A new online guide to Palo Alto businesses ShopPaloAlto.com Looking for something to do? Check out the Weekly's Community Calendar for the Midpeninsula. Instantly find out what events are going on in your city! Go to www.PaloAltoOnline .com/calendar OPEN HOUSES: Page 33 BEST SPORTS COVERAGE California Newspaper Publishers Association 1ST PLACE STANFORD FOOTBALL Sports Shorts SOCCER NOTES . . . FC Gold Pride teammates and former Stanford standouts Nicole Barnhart and Rachel Buehler have been named to the U.S. Women's National Team soccer roster and will represent the United States in the upcoming Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) World Cup Qualifying tournament in Cancun, Mexico, Oct. 28-Nov. 8. For Buehler, the Pride captain and national team co-captain, and Barnhart, the Women's Professional Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year, the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying tournament will be their first. The United States will open its tournament on Oct. 28 against Haiti, face Guatemala on Oct. 30 and finish Group B play against Costa Rica on Nov. 1. LOCAL COLLEGIANS . . . Freshman Alexandra Groetsema from Palo Alto High fired an even-par 71 to lead the first day of play Saturday at the Williams Fall Classic on the 5,128-yard layout at Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown, Ma. That is the lowest round ever by a Williams College woman. She had an 11-shot lead in individual play and the Ephs led in team play by 13 shots over Amherst. Groetsema followed up her first round with a 78 on the second round to take medalist honors (149) by eight shots and lead Williams to the win. She tied the Williams record for lowest two-round total . . . Menlo-Atherton grad Vaughn Smith and Palo Alto High grad James McCollough both contributed to College of San Mateo's 45-0 victory over Los Medanos College on Saturday as the Bulldogs completed a 5-0 nonconference schedule. The Bulldogs ran for 349 yards with Smith carrying 10 times (for a season-low) 62 yards. CSM held the Mustangs to 152 yards of total offense. McCollough had four tackles, three unassisted. In another community college game, Palo Alto High grad Mike Scott caught touchdown passes of 37 and 15 yards to help Foothill College blast visiting West Valley College, 62-0, on Saturday. Scott finished with three catches for 61 yards. Lot of Luck certainly goes a long way Cardinal quarterback has team headed in right direction after win over USC by Rick Eymer M embers of the media who cover Stanford football on a regular basis had some time on their hands recently -- it is a bye week after all -- and talk turned to Andrew Luck. It was a few days after he had engineered the gamewinning drive last Saturday in Stanford's thrilling 3735 Pac-10 victory over USC, in which he drove the Cardinal 62 yards in seven plays in just over a minute to set up Nate Whitaker's 30-yard field goal as time expired. One reporter suggested that Luck could step in, right now, this season, and help several NFL teams. Another one thought he would need at least a week to digest the team's playbook. No one questioned his ability to do so in any way. So maybe the secret is out: even the most hardened of cynics have a healthy respect for Luck's ability as a quarterback. Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, who spent 15 years of his life as a quarterback in the NFL, calls Luck "the finest football player I've ever been around and he's one of the finest people I�ve ever been around." Added former Stanford quarterback Guy Benjamin: "He sure could be the best Stanford ever had. He seems to be very, very developed in his play. He seems to be at a junior or senior class level." That's high praise, considering that former Stanford quarterback Jim Plunkett (who was in attendance at the USC game) did win the Heisman Trophy. Luck, a redshirt sophomore, has been preparing for this most of his life without even realizing it. Yes, his father, Oliver Luck, was also a quarterback in the NFL so there is some heredity involved. Yes, he's a terrific student and devours information in much the same way Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young did with Bill Walsh's complicated system with the San Francisco 49ers. (continued on page 38) Jim Shorin/stanfordphoto.com Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck had plenty to celebrate after driving the Cardinal 62 yards in just over a minute to set up the game-winning field goal in a 37-35 win over USC last weekend. PREP WATER POLO PREP FOOTBALL Revenge is sweet as M-A girls move closer to PAL title by Keith Peters his could have been the season that someone other than Menlo-Atherton won the PAL Bay Division girls' water polo title. The Bears, after all, had lost seven standout seniors from last season's team that went 27-2 and finished second in the Central Coast Section Division I finals. Included in that group of graduates was two-time CCS Division I Player of the Year Becca Dorst. While Menlo-Atherton opened this season with a handful of talented holdovers from the past two seasons, including reigning CCS Division I Goalie of the Year Emily Dorst, the talent level just wasn't the same. That appeared evident on Sept. 11 when Castilleja handed Menlo-Atherton a 4-2 defeat in the third round of the St. Francis Autumn Invitational. "The last time we played them, they absolutely shut us down," M-A coach Chris Rubin said of that surprising loss to the Gators. In the past four weeks, the Bears refocused (continued on page 41) Bono has a chance to really contribute to Paly's season by Keith Peters alo Alto senior quarterback Christoph Bono will enjoy taking the field Friday night to face Los Gatos in a showdown for the SCVAL De Anza Division championship at 7:30 p.m. It sure beats what he was doing last season at this time. After guiding the Vikings to a 4-1 record in 2009, Bono suffered a broken clavicle in his (right) throwing shoulder. He missed the remainder of the season as Paly finished 3-1-2 without him, suffering a 34-7 blowout loss to Bellarmine in the first round of the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs. This season, Bono made it through the first five games with a 5-0 mark and, more importantly, without a season-ending injury. He'll lead the Vikings against the Wildcats (2-0, 3-1-1) in a showdown game that most likely will decide the division champion. Palo Alto captured last season's title with a 4-0-2 mark as Bono missed all but one league outing. "I guess it was hard to watch, instead of (continued on page 37) T P ON THE AIR Friday Women's volleyball: Washington at Stanford, 7 p.m.; KZSU (90.1 FM) Saturday Women's volleyball: Washington St. at Stanford, 7 p.m.; KZSU (90.1 FM) Keith Peters READ MORE ONLINE For expanded daily coverage of college and prep sports, please see our new site at www.PASportsOnline.com www.PASportsOnline.com Menlo-Atherton senior goalie Emily Dorst had 16 saves in a 6-3 win over Castilleja on Wednesday. Page 34 MENLO PARK 14 TH ANNUAL SIDEWALK ARTS & CRAFTS FALL FEST S A NTA C R U Z AV E N U E DOWNTOWN MENLO PARK -P MIDIGHENINSULA CHOOL H S OCTOBER 15 16 17 FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10 AM - 5 PM 90 PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS Presented by FALL OPEN HOUSE No RSVP is necessary Mendy Marks Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce Saturday, October 23, 2010 10:30-12pm A PACIFIC FINE ARTS FESTIVAL pacificfinearts.com HE EARNED HIS B.S. IN INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR RELATIONS FROM CORNELL UNIVERSITY, A J.D. CUM LAUDE FROM UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, AN M.A. IN POLITICAL SCIENCE FROM UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON, AND AN M.A. IN EDUCATION FROM UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. Drew loves helping students learn to interpret and analyze historical sources. He says, "...students can use the skills of critical analysis and synthesis to become careful contributors and consumers of information throughout life." He's an admitted "recovering lawyer" and welcomes any lawyer joke you may know. When he's not teaching, he can often be found playing soccer, trail running, or longboarding. Drew earned academic acclaim with several awards and fellowships including: University of Michigan School of Education Scholar Award, University of Michigan Regents Fellowship, the Rebmann & Calloway Cornell Tradition Scholar, and the Cornell Tradition Fellowship. He hopes his students become more informed and empathetic members of society through the study of different cultures in a historical context. His favorite quote is: "Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand." - Chinese Proverb Choose a small, caring, innovative high school 1340 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 321-1991 www.mid-pen.com DREW CIANCIA ONE OF THE MANY REASONS TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO: Woodside Prior y School Admissions Office 302 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028 www.PrioryCa.org October 30 at the Palo Alto Baylands Event Details: 10:20 am 10k Run 10:25 am 5k Walk/Run USATF Certified Course 100% of funds raised go to help local youth and teens be healthy. Adults: $35 Youth: $10 YMCA Members get a $5 discount Lucile Packard Children's Hospital OPEN HOUSE for Prospective Students and Families Palo Alto Family YMCA AT STANFORD Saturday, Nov. 13th, 2010 at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17th, 2010 at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4th, 2010 at 10 a.m. For information and to R.S.V.P. contact Admissions at 650. 851. 8223 Register Today! www.marshmadnessrun.org Page 35 Page 36 Sports Uniform Complaint Procedure Title IX Violations, Discrimination and Harassment. District programs and activities are free from discrimination and harassment, with respect to ethnicity, religion, gender, age, color, race, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, marital or parental status and physical or mental disability. The board desires to maintain an environment in which all students and adults are treated with dignity and respect. No student shall be subjected to sexual overtures or conduct either verbal, visual, or physical, which are intimidating, hostile, offensive, or unwelcome. Such conduct by adults or students is deemed unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the school district. (EC 48980) The board prohibits intimidation or harassment of any student by any employee, student or other person in the district. Students who harass other students shall be subject to appropriate counseling and discipline, up to and including expulsion. (BP 5145.3) The Board ensures equal opportunities for all students in admission and access to the educational program, guidance and counseling programs, athletic programs, testing procedures, and other activities. Eligibility for choral and cheerleading groups is determined solely on the basis of objective competencies. School staff and volunteers carefully guard against segregation, bias and stereotyping in instruction, guidance and supervision. However, separate provisions may be made for students according to sex with respect to such matters as protection of modesty, family life and sex education, grading standards in physical education, and choral groups. The district follows uniform complaint procedures when addressing complaints alleging unlawful discrimination based on ethnic group identification, religion, age, gender, color, or physical or mental disability. All complaints will be handled in a professional manner, and complainants are assured of non-retaliation and not-retribution. Any person who wishes to discuss or file a complaint based on discrimination or harassment should first seek remedy through the office of the school's principal. Depending on the nature of the complaint and/or if the complainant feels that the issue has not been satisfactorily resolved, a written statement may be filed with the principal and a copy sent to the Associate Superintendent for Educational Services. If the issue cannot be resolved at the level of the principal, a formal complaint should be filed with the District's Title IX compliance officer, the Associate Superintendent for Educational Services Brigitte Sarraf. After a complaint has been duly investigated and if the complainant is dissatisfied with the District's decision, the complainant may file a written appeal with the Board of Trustees or the California Department of Education within 15 days of receiving the District's decision. If the complainant is unable to put a complaint in writing due to conditions such as illiteracy, language barriers, or other handicap, district staff shall help him/her to file the complaint. Complainants may pursue other remedies, including actions before civil courts or other public agencies. Complainants may seek assistance from agencies such as legal assistance, local mediation centers or from private attorneys. Any individual, public agency of organization may file a written complaint of alleged noncompliance with state and federal law. The complaint must be initiated no later than six months from the date when the discrimination is alleged to have occurred or when the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged discrimination. Complaints regarding school procedures, practices and personnel. Complainants are encouraged to resolve complaints against school personnel through informal means by talking directly with the school person involved. If this is not successful, a written complaint may be directed to the employee's administrative supervisor or principal. Appeals from administrative determinations or decisions may be taken up with the Associate Superintendent of Personnel, who will make decisions on these matters. After consultation with the superintendent, any patron may address the Board of Trustees at a regular meeting. Page 37 Jim Anderson Injured a year ago at this time of the season, Palo Alto senior quarterback Christoph Bono is healthy and off to a 5-0 start. Paly football (continued from page 34) playing," said Bono, who actually didn't mind watching his team plaster Los Gatos, 34-12, on the Vikings' field. "We played really well and that wasn't as hard to watch," Bono said. "The Homestead game (a 20-20 tie) was the most frustrating and we should have won the Wilcox game (another tie, 14-14)." While Bono rehabbed his shoulder, he wasn't idle. "I watched and tried to keep myself involved in the games," he said. "I tried to look at things, helping the defense and offense; just tried to help the team." Bono is doing that once again, only this time on the field. He has completed 61 of 92 passes (.663 percent) for 841` yards and nine touchdowns. He has thrown only two interceptions while averaging 168.2 yards per game. Bono has plenty of talented targets this season in senior Davante Adams (23 catches for 330 yards), senior Maurice Williams (8 for 151), Michael Cullen (12 for 157) and T.J. Braff (7 for 85). "I think we have a pretty good game plan," Bono said for Los Gatos. "I'm not sure how they're going do on defense, whether they try to shut down our passing game. But, I think they'll have to respect our running game." Helping open up the Paly passing game has been the running of juniors Dre Hill (43 carries for 363 yards) and B.J. Boyd (20 fore 216). Both are finally learning better blocking techniques, as well, which takes some pressure off of Bono. "As long as we can establish both (running and passing), we'll be fine," Bono said. Palo Alto (2-0 in league) comes into its annual grudge game with Los Gatos averaging 28 points while allowing just 10 per game. The Wildcats are averaging 18 points while giving up an average of just over 10. Palo Alto coach Earl Hansen says his team is ready for the challenge. "It's a championship week, because no one else is going to beat them," he said. Los Gatos already has played Wilcox and Milpitas, the preseason contenders along with Palo Alto, and beaten them both. The Chargers fell 17-9 and the Trojans were toppled 23-6. Paly beat Wilcox 28-15 and will play at Milpitas on Oct. 22. After that, the Vikings have a home game against Homestead, a nonleague game at Mountain View and a league finale at home against Saratoga. While the Wildcats aren't as offensively talented as in previous years, running back Garret Zeiter did gain 260 yards on the ground against Milpitas (on 48 carries) and had 193 rushing yards against Wilcox. Los Gatos QB Hayden Hibberd, however, is no Trent Edwards. He threw for a combined 75 yards in those two victories. Palo Alto has gone 3-4 against Los Gatos in the past five years and 0-5 the five preceding seasons for an unspectacular 3-9 in the past decade. "That's still better than the previous 10 years," Hansen said. These past five years, however, have showed Palo Alto's consistency as an elite program. The Vikings have gone 47-12-2 and reached the postseason all five times, playing for a CCS title four times while winning twice (in 2006 and `07). Coming off a 49-14 victory over Gunn last week, Palo Alto is headed in that postseason direction once again. And this time, Christoph Bono is enjoying the action firsthand. Sports Stanford football (continued from page 34) Perhaps Luck's strength is how quick he can adapt and turn classroom knowledge into production on the gridiron. Young possesses a photographic memory and had a knack for processing information with the speed and accuracy of a computer chip. Luck, it has been suggested, is known for memorizing information as it's written on the chalkboard. There's a story circulating that as Harbaugh begins to explain his game plan for the week, Luck humors his coach by writing everything down. In reality, he's already churning the new information around in his head and seems to grasp Harbaugh's concepts before the coach has finished explaining them. Luck also has a tendency to accept too much blame for when things go wrong. That's probably because he thinks he gets too much credit for when things go right. The young man is a fierce competitor and a loyal teammate. He stood up for the running backs who had to endure comparisons to Stanford's record-breaking back Toby Gerhart early in the season. He's talked up his offensive line and wide receivers. He constantly points out how important every te- dious practice in summer and spring workouts have helped shaped Stanford's success to date. The regular season hit its midway point with the USC game and thirdplace Stanford (2-1, 5-1) seems poised to improve its record from last season. Under Harbaugh, the Cardinal has gone 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, and now 5-1 over its first six games. Stanford went 2-4, 2-4 and 4-2 over its last six games (not including last year's Sun Bowl, which Luck missed due to injury) in each of the previous three seasons. Luck threw 13 touchdown passes all of last year. He has 16 already this season. His completion percent- age is better and his passing yardage (1,538) is up. Luck ranks 10th nationally in passing efficiency (166.9), 16th nationally in total offense (296.7) and is 13-5 in 18 career starts. Stanford's rushing attack, with Stepfan Taylor and Luck at the forefront, has been solid too. The Cardinal averaged 218.2 yards on the ground last year. That figure has `fallen' all the way to 210.5 yards a game this season. As a team last season the Cardinal averaged 209.4 passing yards a game. This year: 260.5. Stanford also ranks No. 5 nationally with 43.3 points per game. What does it all mean for the rest of the season? There's no easy path but Stanford could be looking at a major bowl game come the postseason. After this weekend every team will have played at least three conference games and it's just as likely there will be a five-way tie for second place behind undefeated and second-ranked Oregon, which is in contention for a spot in the national championship game. Should the Ducks play in the national title game, a berth in the Rose Bowl becomes wide open, and Stanford hasn't qualified for over 10 years. But, the Cardinal does have Luck on its side. Don Feria/stanfordphoto.com Stanford defender Delano Howell helped upend USC receiver Jordan Cameron (84) and the Trojans last Saturday, 37-35. STANFORD ROUNDUP It's just another busy weekend for top Stanford teams at home E by Rick Eymer ven without a scheduled football game, the Stanford campus will be buzzing with activity this weekend. Anchored by two-day events in tennis and swimming, Cardinal athletic teams also face competition in men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball. Stanford also sends four of its nationally ranked, including No. 1 men's cross country, on the road with a lot at stake. Yet another top 10 battle is on tap for the second-ranked Stanford women's volleyball team, which hosts No. 7 Washington at 7 p.m. Friday. The men's soccer team kicks off at 7:30 p.m. against nationally ranked UCLA, while the top-ranked women open the soccer doubleheader at 5 p.m. The George Haines Invitational swimming and diving meet opens Friday with trials at noon and finals at 6 p.m. Sunday's schedule starts at 11 a.m. The meet continues the Western Athletic Conference Invitational that was held annually at San Jose State. The meet was renamed to honor the (continued on next page) Page 38 Sports Stanford roundup (continued from previous page) be Menlo School grad Jamin Ball, Daniel Ho, Fawasz Hourani, Ted Kelly and Walker Kehrer. Women's soccer Christen Press set Stanford's career goals mark last Friday, when she scored on a 20-yarder against USC at the Los Angeles Coliseum in a 2-1 victory. She also owns the all-time school scoring record. The top-ranked Cardinal (3-0, 11-0-2) hosts Washington State at 5 p.m. Friday and Washington at noon Sunday. Men's soccer After gaining its first win in Pac10 play, Stanford (1-2, 5-6) will try to improve its standing in the conference with a pair of home matches this weekend and it's not going to be easy. First up is unbeaten UCLA (3-0, 8-2) as the back end of a men's and women's soccer doubleheader. The Cardinal and 13th-ranked Bruins square off at approximately 7:30 p.m. San Diego State (1-2, 7-3) comes to Stanford for a 2:30 p.m. match Sunday, also following a women's match. Stanford earned an overtime win at Oregon State in its last appearance. Dominique Yahyavi scored the golden goal in the 107th minute. "Dom is an explosive player with the ability to break down defenses on ball," Stanford coach Bret Simon said. Galen Perkins made his first two career starts over the weekend, allowing two goals in 197 minutes for a goals-against average of 0.91. He recorded his first career shutout against Oregon State. "He has great hands and good mobility," Simon said. "He is brave and confident in the goal." Yahyavi leads the Cardinal in scoring with five goals and 11 points. Bobby Warshaw, who has led Stanford in points the previous three years, has three goals from his central defender position. Stanford and UCLA have an interesting history. The Cardinal owns a 3-2-4 mark against the Bruins in their past nine meetings. That comes on the heels of a nine-match losing streak to UCLA dating to a tie during the 2001 season. late former Stanford coach George Haines, who coached the Cardinal from 1981 to 1988, producing two Pac-10 titles and the 1983 NCAA title. In his seven years at The Farm, Haines' teams never finished lower than third at the NCAA meet. Stanford comes in after a runnerup national finish at last year's NCAA Championships. Under sixth year head coach Lea Maurer, a former Olympic medalist for the Cardinal, Stanford won its first conference title since 2005 and 17th overall. To go along with the No. 1 rated recruiting class in the nation, the Cardinal feature features: Kate Dwelley (freestyle), Betsy Webb (sprints), Sam Woodward (sprints) and Liz Smith (breast) among its top competitors. Haines, of course, has an extended influence on Bay Area swimming. The Hall of Famer founded the highly-successful Santa Clara Swim Club in 1950, eventually coaching 26 future Olympians. He also coached on seven U.S. Olympic teams. Stanford is the host site for the men's Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northwest Regional Championships, which runs through Sunday at the Taube Family Tennis Stadium. In addition to host Stanford, the event will showcase top players from California, Eastern Washington, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon, Pacific, Portland, Portland State, Sacramento State, Saint Mary's, San Francisco, San Jose State, Santa Clara, UC Davis, Washington and Washington State. The singles finalists and doubles champion from each of the 24 regionals earn a berth to the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships, scheduled to begin Nov. 4 in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Ten Cardinal players will compete in singles action this weekend. Ryan Thacher enters the weekend as the tournament's No. 2 seed while Alex Clayton (No. 3), Greg Hirshman (No. 9), Denis Lin (No. 9) and Matt Kandath (No. 17) are also seeded. Also in action for Stanford will Stanford's goalie Brian Pingree earned MPSF honors this week after sparking a 5-3 upset of No. 1 USC last weekend. Women's volleyball No. 2 Stanford's loss at UCLA on Saturday ended a 14-match seasonopening win streak and dropped the Cardinal to No. 2 in the AVCA rankings. Stanford (14-1, 5-1) is in a three-way tie for first in the loss column with Cal (15-1, 5-1) and Washington (15-1, 4-1). The Cardinal hosts No. 7 Washington on Friday at 7 p.m., Washington State at 7 p.m. Saturday and California next Friday at 7 p.m. The Cardinal leads the nation in kills per set (15.06), and is second in the country with a .324 hitting percentage and 14.10 assists per set. Senior Alix Klineman is among the national leaders in kills (5.63, 2nd), points (6.16, 3rd) and hitting percentage (.382, 30th). Stanford has out hit its opponents in all 15 matches this season. In fact, the Cardinal has hit .250 or better in all 14 of its wins. Senior libero Gabi Ailes leads the conference with 5.09 digs per set in conference only matches, while Klineman is the Pac-10 leader in conference matches in kills (6.68), hitting percentage (.396) and points (7.02). Klineman also ranks amongst the top-10 in dig per set in conference matches (3.14, 10th). Men's water polo Stanford (1-0, 7-4) moved into fourth in the CWPA Top 20 rankings Wednesday but there's more work ahead. The Cardinal, which beat topranked USC at home last Saturday, has a chance to make another move this weekend when it travels to No. 3 UCLA (1-1, 9-3) for a 7 p.m. contest Friday night in an important Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match. Stanford also plays at No. 6 UC Santa Barbara (9-4) at noon Sunday. The Gauchos handed Stanford one of its losses at the SoCal Invitational. UCLA has lost two of its last three, splitting a pair of MPSF contests last weekend. The Bruins fell, 11-8, to California and beat Pacific, 10-9. UCLA beat the Cardinal in the semifinals of the NorCal Invitational earlier in the season. The Bruins are led by Menlo School grad Ben Hohl, who has a team-high 22 goals. Cross country Stanford returns to action this weekend as both the men's and women's teams will compete at the NCAA Pre-National meet in Terre Haute, Ind., on Saturday. Most of the top teams in the nation will be in attendance as the course is also used for the NCAA championships in November. The men are ranked No. 1 and are the defending team champions of the event. The women are ranked No. 17 and are looking to raise its ranking. Field hockey Stanford has been in the national rankings for a school-record 16 consecutive weeks, dating to Sept. 18, 2009. The Cardinal (8-3) entered last week ranked No. 17 in the country and routed Harvard 6-0 in its only match. Instead of climbing in the polls, Stanford actually dropped three spots to No. 20. A win over 8th-ranked Syracuse (8-4) at 9 a.m. (PT) in Albany, N.Y. would certainly solidify Stanford's position in the rankings. The Orange has all three previous meetings with Stanford, though they last met five years ago. Stanford is at Rutgers Sunday and Northeastern on Monday. The Cardinal features a balanced offensive attack in which 15 different players have scored goals. It is led by junior forward Stephanie Byrne, who has 13 points, with five goals and three assists. Becky Dru has four goals and a team-high four assists. Junior goalkeeper Alessandra Moss has an 1.36 goals against average and 33 saves. PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL CIVIC CENTER, 250 HAMILTON AVENUE BROADCAST LIVE ON KZSU, FM 90.1 CABLECAST LIVE ON GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL 26 **************************************** THIS IS A SUMMARY OF COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. THE AGENDA WITH COMPLETE TITLES INCLUDING LEGAL DOCUMENTATION CAN BE VIEWED AT THE BELOW WEBPAGE: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/knowzone/agendas/council.asp (TENTATIVE) AGENDA-SPECIAL MEETING- COUNCIL CHAMBERS OCTOBER 18, 2010 - 5:15 PM CLOSED SESSION 1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT - Title: Acting City Auditor COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM 2. Joint Meeting With the Utilities Advisory Commission Regarding Utilities Issues COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM 3. Status Report on the East Meadow Circle/Fabian Way and California Avenue/Fry's Area Concept Plans (Continued from 10/04/10) 4. Adoption of a Resolution to Karen Smith for 34 Years of Service 5. Appointments for the Library Advisory Commission for Two Unexpired Terms 6. Appointments for the Public Art Commission for Two Unexpired Terms 7. Proclamation for the United Nations Association Film Festival 8. Update on City's Water System Cross Connection Control Program 9. 2nd READING Amendment to the Municipal Code to reflect those employees who are allowed to issue citations 10. Approval of Three Year Maintenance Contract With Accela, Inc. for Permit Tracking Application in the Amount of $339,158 11. Approval of $2.5 Million Loan from Residential Housing Fund for Affordable Rental Project at 488 W. Charleston Road 12. Cancellation of Monday, November 15 Regular Council Meeting and Setting of Monday, November 22 Special Council Meeting 13. Appointment of Interim City Attorney 14. Recommendation From UAC Ad-Hoc Committee Regarding Role of the Utilities Advisory Committee 15. Public Hearing: Community Development Block Grant Citizen Participation Plan 16. Recommendation of an award of contract for Golf Course maintenance responsibilities and the purchase of used golf course equipment STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 19, at 7:00 p.m. regarding: 1) Library Bond Oversight Committee Quarterly Report, 2) Report on Alternatives for Landfill and Composting Operations and Staff Recommendation for Operational Changes The High Speed Rail Committee Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 21, at 8:00 a.m. regarding: 1) Discussion of HSR Station Community Workshop, 2) Discussion of Letter to Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, 3) Contracts Update and 4) Legislative Update Richard C. Ersted/stanfordphoto.com Richard C. Ersted/stanfordphoto.com Stanford senior Christen Press (right) became the school's all-time leader for career goals in women's soccer last weekend. Page 39 Roller & Hapgood & Tinney Sports The Peninsula's Premier Funeral Service and Cremation Provider Serving all faiths since 1899 Offering Pre-need Arrangements 980 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, California 94301 PREP FOOTBALL THIS WEEKEND M-A (1-0, 2-3) at Aragon (0-2, 2-3), Friday, 3 p.m. The Bears are coming off a big 35-14 victory over King's Academy to open the PAL Bay Division and are averaging 34.5 points in their past two wins after an 0-3 start. The Bears' latest effort came in their Homecoming game, which had to be played at Sequoia High when a court injunction blocked the use of temporary lights at M-A. No matter, the Bears made the best of it with a huge win, battling back from a 14-0 deficit in the second quarter and scoring 35 unanswered points. M-A now has outscored the opposition by 69-20 in its past two games. The Menlo-Atherton offensive line had a lot to do with the comeback as the Bears rushed for a remarkable 320 yards on 39 carries. M-A head coach Sione Taufoou singled out Noah Stid, Taylor Karis, Ricky Vea, Ausia Mataele, Tiulipe Lolohea and Semisi Mataele for opening holes for running backs Cameron Moody (15 carries, 112 yards) and Junior Sakalia (nine carries, 83 yards), who accounted for four touchdowns. Moody scored on runs of 12, two and seven yards after Sakalia had run one in from 25 yards in the second quarter to make it a 14-7 game at halftime. The Bears' defense also was outstanding as it picked off two passes and recovered four fumbles, turning three of the recoveries into TDs. Palo Alto. The Titans simply were outmanned against the best public school football team in the Central Coast Section and one of the best football teams (period) in the section. The Titans actually led 7-0 after two nifty pass plays by Anthony Cannon to Matt Mertz that gained 50 and 15 yards with the second one going in for a touchdown to give Gunn a 7-0 lead with 9:50 to go in the first quarter. (650) 328-1360 www.rollerhapgoodtinney.com Se Habla Espa�ol Funeral Home FD132 Pinewood (2-0, 3-1) at Cornerstone Christian (0-5), Saturday, 1 p.m. The Panthers look to add another victory against a team that forfeited to Priory last weekend. Pinewood, meanwhile, is coming off a 48-12 victory over Alma Heights that saw Dante Fraioli score two touchdowns in the Coastal Athletic League game. John Bennett took over as the team's QB and also produced two touchdowns, one throwing and one rushing. PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT King's Academy (0-1, 3-2) at SHP (0-1, 4-1), Saturday, 2:30 p.m. The Gators find themselves in an unusual position this weekend, having to bounce back from a tough loss. SHP failed to score in the second half and lost a 13-9 decision to visiting Burlingame to open the PAL Bay Division Division. "We have to bounce back," said SHP's Colin Terndrup, who gained 80 yards rushing but was kept out of the end zone against Burlingame. "We just have to get better and come back stronger." The Gators seemed well on their way to the go-ahead score after taking over at midfield following a short punt. Their final drive began with 5:28 showing on the game clock. Quarterback John Geary and Tomas O'Donnell hooked up on a 15-yard pass play to jump start the drive and Pedro Robinson picked another 20 yards on three carries. Tyler McCool, who caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Geary with 18 seconds left in the first half, and Terndrup also made clutch runs. Terndrup got the Gators a firstand-goal at the six. Robinson went wide right and seemed to be headed into the end zone just as Burlingame's Deke Marquardt knocked him out of bounds inches short. Geary didn't go anywhere on a quarterback sneak, leaving the final inch or so to Terndrup, who was met at the line of scrimmage and driven back. Notice is hereby Given that proposals will be received by the Palo Alto Unified School District for bid package: Contract Name: Interactive White Board & Classroom Audio system Contract No. WBS-2 & WBS-3 DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK: The work includes, but is not limited to: The supply and installation of Interactive White Boards and Classroom Audio Systems at four elementary schools and one middle school. Work includes the removal and disposal of older existing Interactive White Board, the removal and replacement of standard white boards, Installation/ Modification of tack able wall surface. Patch and paint wall surfaces as may be necessary. Bidding documents contain the full description of the work. There will be a mandatory pre-bid conference and site visit at 1:00 p.m. on October 27, 2010 starting at the District Facilities Office located at 25 Churchill Building D. Palo Alto, California Bid Submission: Proposals must be received at the District Facilities Office building D, by 10:00 a.m. for WBS-2 and 10:30 a.m. for WBS-3 on November 15, 2010. Bonding required for this project is as follows: Bid Bond 10% of the total bid, Performance Bond to be 10%, Payment Bond is to be 10%. PREVAILING WAGE LAWS: The successful Bidder must comply with all prevailing wage laws applicable to the Project, and related requirements contained in the Contract Documents. Palo Alto Unified School District will maintain a Labor Compliance Program (LCP) for the duration of this project. In bidding this project, the contractor warrants he/she is aware and will follow the Public Works Chapter of the California Labor Code comprised of labor code sections 1720 � 1861. A copy of the Districts LCP is available for review at 25 Churchill Avenue, Building D, Palo Alto, CA 94306. 1. A pre-job conference shall be conducted with the contractor or subcontractors to discuss federal and state labor law requirements applicable to the contract. 2. Project contractors and subcontracts shall maintain and furnish to the District, at a designated time, a certified copy of each payroll with a statement of compliance signed under penalty of perjury. 3. The District shall review and, if appropriate, audit payroll records to verify compliance with the Public Works Chapter of the Labor Code. 4. The District shall withhold contract payments if payroll records are delinquent or inadequate. 5. The District shall withhold contract payments as described in the LCP, including applicable penalties when the District and Labor Commissioner establish that underpayment of other violations has occurred. Bidders may examine Bidding Documents at Facilities Office, Building "D". Bidders may view the Plans and Specifications at the Districts Facilities office. All questions can be addressed to: Palo Alto Unified School District 25 Churchill Avenue, Building D Palo Alto, CA 94306-1099 Attn: Alex Morrison Phone: (650) 329-3927 Fax: (650) 327-3588 San Mateo (0-1, 2-3) at Menlo (1-0, 4-1), Friday, 3:30 p.m. The Knights hope to have more than just Homecoming to celebrate in their home opener. Menlo comes in averaging 36.2 points a game while giving up just 14. Senior quarterback Robert Wickers, who threw for a career-high 325 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Knights to a 40-22 thumping of host Half Moon Bay in a PAL Ocean Division opener last Friday night, has completed 82 of 121 passes for 1,251 yards and 14 TDs. He's averaging 250.2 yards per game. Senior running back/linebacker Beau Nichols also had a big game against HMB, rushing for 106 rushing yards and scoring four TDs in addition to catching seven passes for 85 yards and another score. He also intercepted a pass while playing both ways. Tim Benton caught six passes for 111 yards. Saratoga (0-1, 2-2) at Gunn (0-1 (3-2), Friday, 7:30 p.m. The Titans will need to bounce back after dropping a 49-14 decision to host Palo Alto to open the SCVAL De Anza Division season last weekend. �That a great football team,� Gunn coach Bob Sykes said about Palo Alto. �They have no weaknesses.� Sykes had reason to be impressed as even after Gunn hit some milestones against Priory (2-2, 3-2) at Anchorpoint Christian (2-0, 5-0), Saturday, 7 p.m. The Panthers will be facing the league's most dominant team, which has outscored the opposition, 140-32, in the past two games. Priory, meanwhile, picked up a forfeit over Cornerstone Christian last weekend. -- compiled by Keith Peters Menlo girls improve to 174-0 in league tennis duals; Palo Alto volleyball 24-0 he Menlo School girls' tennis team has not lost a league match since the end of the 1993 season. If victories over Harker and Castilleja this week were any indication, the Knights' streak will remain intact for another season. Menlo improved to 6-0 this season in West Bay Athletic League (Foothill Division) play with a 7-0 triumph over Castilleja on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Menlo produced a 6-1 triumph over host Harker. The Knights (11-2 overall) now have won 174 straight league matches and have captured 16 consecutive league crowns since 1994. Harker appeared to be the only WBAL team with a chance to end that streak this season, but Menlo showed Tuesday that it's not ready to see its remarkable string of tri- T umphs end soon. Sophomore Giannina Ong rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the second set to pull out a 4-6, 7-5 (default) victory at No. 1 singles to pace Menlo. Her opponent had to default when she began to get leg cramps late in the second set. Freshman Kristy Jorgensen continued her excellent play with a 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 2 singles while freshman Christine Eliazo won at No. 3, 6-0, 7-5, and sophomore Laura Gradiska posted a 6-1, 6-3 triumph at No. 4 for the youthful Knights. Menlo had only three seniors in the lineup against Harker and only one, Lauren Robinson at No. 3 doubles, suffered a loss. Against Castilleja, the Knights lost only seven games while sweeping the singles. Menlo will be in Dana Point in Southern California this weekend for the annual National Invitational tournament. Castilleja dropped a 7-0 decision to host Sacred Heart Prep in another WBAL Foothill Division match on Tuesday. SHP (3-2, 10-5) swept the singles while losing only five games. In the PAL Bay Division, Menlo-Atherton (7-2, 8-4) took care of host Half Moon Bay, 6-1. The Bears swept the doubles and lost only at No. 2 singles where M-A's Julia Sommer fell in three sets, 1-6, 7-5, 10-4. M-A senior Paige Keating slugged it out for more than two outs with Simone Vandroff before securing (continued on page 42) Page 40 Sports NOTICE OF A SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING of the Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commission Please be advised the Planning and Transportation Commission (P&TC) shall conduct a special meeting at 6:00 PM, Wednesday, October 27, 2010 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.cityofpaloalto.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. AT 6:00 PM NEW BUSINESS. Study Session: 1. Update on the Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bicycle Overpass/Underpass Feasibility Study AT 7:00 PM 2. Preliminary discussion and direction to staff regarding the draft California Avenue Concept Area Plan Questions. 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 firstname.lastname@example.com. *** Curtis Williams, Director of Planning and Community Environment Keith Peters Despite tight defense by Castilleja senior Natasha von Kaeppler (2), Menlo-Atherton senior MJ O'Neill was able to score a pair of goals during the Bears' 6-3 win over the Gators in a PAL Bay Division showdown. Water polo (continued from page 34) their efforts on who the key opposing players are and how best to defend them. In addition, M-A continued to improve upon putting the ball in the net and playing better as a team. "Cohesiveness has been has been a great topic of discussion," Rubin said. "In my first year as varsity coach I learned something very important, that it's never the top players who wins games but your fifth, sixth and seventh players. Those players will make a difference. I think that happened today." Getting important contributions from throughout the starting lineup, the Bears avenged their previous loss to Castilleja by handing the visiting Gators a 6-3 loss in a showdown for first place in the PAL Bay Division on Wednesday. "We played great today," Rubin said. Barring a major misstep, the Bears (3-0, 9-4) will defend their league title. Menlo-Atherton still has two PAL matches remaining -- at Sequoia and Aragon -- but those should be routine affairs. Also, there are no league playoffs this season, just a single round of matches. Thus, Castilleja (2-1, 7-5) will have to wait yet another season in an attempt to wrest the title away from M-A. While the Bears did return the section's top goalie in Dorst plus dependable scorer M.J. O'Neill, this M-A team had only four seniors. Castilleja, on the other hand, came in with eight seniors and a coaching staff that featured 2008 U.S. Olympians Brenda Villa and Jessica Steffens. While it appeared the Bears might be ripe for an upset, it didn't happen because Menlo-Atherton's defense was superb this time -- sparked by Dorst's 16 saves. "Having Emily in the cage means we don't have to be one-dimensional on defense," Rubin said. "It's just a gift to have her there." Dorst's performance in the first half was crucial, because she faced the setting sun and could have been blinded on any number of shots. Yet, she came up with save after save while the Bears grabbed a 4-1 lead on two goals by O'Neill and junior Emily Gran, whose second goal made it 4-1 and came after Castilleja hole defender Grace Arnold picked up her third ejection -- putting her on the bench the remainder of the match. M-A senior Shelby Fero added a crucial goal with just 21 seconds left in the third quarter, thus taking any pressure off the Bears and putting it on the Gators. Castilleja did add fourth-quarter goals by senior Barbara Peterson (off a missed shot) and sophomore Sydney Molano from outside, sandwiched around a goal by M-A junior Brittany Krappe. "The league championship was riding on this game and the kids really responded," Rubin said. Junior Marie Popp added three assists and junior Danielle Flanagan was solid on defense for M-A while Gran and O'Neill helped blank Castilleja high scorer Natasha von Kaeppler. The Gators' top three scorers were limited to just two goals, by Peterson and senior Sayeh Bozorghadad. In another PAL Bay Division contest, Menlo School goalie Lindsay Montgomery came up with 12 saves and the Knights pulled away in the second half to register a 10-7 victory over visiting Sequoia. Menlo (1-2, 4-10) got three goals from Morgan Cundiff and two each from Hailey Smith and Ilana Crankshaw while outscoring the Cherokees, 7-4, in the second half. In the SCVAL De Anza Division, host Gunn maintained its hold on second place with a solid 15-6 swamping of Monta Vista. Junior Elizabeth Anderson tallied five goals for the Titans (6-1, 12-1) while senior Shelby Newman added four. Freshman Caroline Anderson and junior Casey Lincoln each had two. Gunn will host first-place Los Altos on Tuesday at 4:45 p.m., with the league's regular-season title at stake. On Tuesday, Sacred Heart Prep effectively wrapped up the West Catholic Athletic League regularseason title with a 10-4 triumph over visiting Presentation. Sarah Westcott scored four goals and goalie Catherine Donahoe had 10 saves, while Emily Parsons and Pippa Temple added two goals each for the Gators (5-0, 14-1), who have only one league match remaining -- against Mitty on Oct. 28. SHP next will compete in the Davis Fall Classic on Friday, where the Gators may have an opportunity to avenge their only loss of the season -- to Davis in the season-opening St. Francis Autumn Invitational on Sept. 11. Since that loss, the Gators have won 12 straight. Boys' water polo Sacred Heart Prep maintained its hold on second place in the West Catholic Athletic League with a big 10-7 triumph over host Bellarmine on Wednesday evening. Senior Philip Bamberg led the Gators (4-1, 9-5) with four goals while sophomore goalie Will Runkel had 12 saves. Senior Robert Dunlevie and freshman Harrison Enright each added three goals. In PAL Bay Division action, firstplace Menlo swamped host Sequoia, 23-6, in a lopsided contest as 12 Knights scored. Jack Lucas (four goals) and John Gilhuly (three) led Menlo, which had three goalies combine for 12 saves. In another match, host MenloAtherton (2-1, 10-7) dunked visiting Carlmont, 24-3, as every Bear scored at least once. Jake Bercow's four goals led the way in the match that saw Carlmont at a disadvantage all day with only 10 players suited up. The Scots got in foul trouble early and played most of the second half with no substitutes. M-A coach Marco Palazzo played his second team much of the time, but the Bears still were much fresher than Carlmont and it showed. Senior Nick Henze had three steals and two assists to go with a solo goal. Emery Welton also posted two assists and Alex Gow made six saves in the cage. In the SCVAL De Anza Division, sophomore Bret Pinsker scored three goals during a 17-6 loss to first-place Los Altos on Wednesday in the Vikings' pool. Paly fell to 5-3 in league (6-7 overall). At Gunn, Ben Hendricks scored four goals but the Titans (3-4 in league) dropped a 7-6 division match to Monta Vista. NOTICE OF A SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING of the Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commission Please be advised the Planning and Transportation Commission (P&TC) shall conduct a special meeting at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, October 20, 2010 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.cityofpaloalto.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. Study Session: 1. Housing Element � Review of Housing Goals, Policies and Programs for the Comprehensive Plan Housing Element Update. Questions. 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 ada@ cityofpaloalto.org. *** Curtis Williams, Director of Planning and Community Environment Page 41 Sports Prep roundup (continued from page 40) a 7-5, 7-6 (13-11) victory at No. 1 singles in the featured match. In the SCVAL De Anza Division, Palo Alto (3-5, 8-5) followed up its victory in its own tournament with a 4-3 triumph over host Lynbrook. The Vikings won the Palo Alto Invitational on Saturday, winning three matches in a reduced field after three teams pulled out due to SATs on Saturday morning. Paly junior Amy Ke was 9-for-9 during the tourney while playing at No. 1 doubles. At Gunn, the Titans (2-5, 7-9) dropped a tough 4-3 decision to Los Altos in another SCVAL De Anza Division match. The Eagles wound up clinching the victory by sweeping the singles after Gunn's Allana Booth and Alice Li had won their opening games at No. 1 and 3 singles, respectively. Girls' volleyball Palo Alto and Gunn continued to streak through their respective SCVAL divisions with quick victories. The Vikings (6-0, 24-0) held on to their one-game lead in the De Anza Division with a 25-19, 25-13, 25-20 triumph over visiting Saratoga while the Titans (6-0, 20-4) extended their lead in the El Camino Hunter Douglas Products FALL SALE Division with a 25-19, 25-12, 25-12 win over visiting Lynbrook. Junior Melanie Wade led Palo Alto with 10 kills on a hot night in a hot gym. Paly coach Dave Winn said his team came out flat and played uninspired against the 1-5 Falcons as the Vikings closed the first half of league play. Palo Alto will open the second half of division action on Thursday at Monta Vista as a tuneup for next week when the Vikings host Mountain View (Tuesday) and second-place Los Gatos (Thursday) in matches that should decide the division championship. At Gunn, the Titans (6-0, 20-4) also wrapped up first-half play as sophomore Lisa Yan provided seven kills for the host team. Gunn won its sixth straight and has captured 12 of its past 13 matches, the only loss during that time coming to Palo Alto. In the WBAL Foothill Division, the first of numerous showdowns took place as defending Central Coast Section Division IV champion Sacred Heart Prep overhauled 2009 CCS Division V runnerup Castilleja, 23-25, 26-28, 29-27, 25-18, 15-13 in a battle of the Gators. Sonia Abuel-Saud and Sarah Daschbach each had 23 kills for SHP with Abuel-Saud adding 24 digs and Dashbach 16. Amelia Alvarez (25 assists) and Hanna Elmore (23 assists) set up the kills while Olivia Bertolacci contributed 22 digs. Menlo (2-0, 15-6) remained in a tie for the division lead with an 18-25, 25-21, 24-26, 25-15, 15-9 marathon win over visiting Harker. It was the Knights' seventh straight victory. Menlo freshman Maddie Huber tied the career high she set in her last match, recording 17 kills, and added 21 digs. In the PAL Bay Division, MenloAtherton remained within reach of the division leaders with a 25-15, 25-11, 25-16 win over host Woodside. ATHLETES OF THE WEEK Elizabeth Anderson Gunn High The junior began a 4-0 week in water polo with two goals in a 9-6 win over Paly. Then, despite dealing with the flu, she added eight goals in three wins to help the Titans finish as the only unbeaten team at the Presentation Invitational. Emily Dorst Menlo-Atherton water polo Beau Nichols Menlo School The senior rushed 26 times for 106 yards and scored four touchdowns in addition to catching seven passes for 85 yards and another TD and had an interception on defense in a 40-22 PAL Ocean Division victory over Half Moon Bay. B.J. Boyd Palo Alto football Honorable mention Jesse Ebner Sacred Heart Prep volleyball Dre Hill* Palo Alto football Amy Ke Palo Alto tennis Cameron Moody Menlo-Atherton football Brenna Nelsen Castilleja golf Bret Pinsker Palo Alto water polo Erin Robinson Gunn cross country Robert Wickers Menlo football Pippa Temple Sacred Heart Prep water polo Keegan Williams Menlo water polo * previous winner To see video interviews of the Athletes of the Week, go to www.PASportsOnline.com SELECTED: Roman Shades 20% off Wallpaper 20% off Sale runs October 1-31 Additional Rebates $25-$200 www.californiapaint.com Page 42 360 California Ave. Palo Alto 326-9285 WRINKLES? 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