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The Almanac 07.14.2010 - Section 1
Section 1 of the July 14.2010 edition of the Almanac
Your guide to Marketplace inside this issue Connoisseurs' T H E H O M E TOW N N E W S PA P E R F O R M E N L O PA R K , AT H E RTO N , P O RTO L A VA L L E Y A N D WO O D S I D E J U LY 1 4 , 2 0 1 0 | VO L . 4 5 N O. 4 6 W W W. T H E A L M A N AC O N L I N E . C O M Beyond Yosemite Amazing vistas await those who explore the High Sierras on foot [See Destinations - Section 2] TIME & PLACE PlEASE NOTE NEW WALK TIME: 5K walk 7:00pm, 10K run 8:15pm, 5K run 8:45pm. Race-night registration 6:15 to 8:00pm at City of Palo Alto Baylands Athletic Center, Embarcadero & Geng Roads (just east of the Embarcadero Exit off Highway 101). Parking -- go to PaloAltoOnline.com to check for specific parking locations. COURSE 5K and 10K loop courses over Palo Alto Baylands levee, through the marshlands by the light of the Harvest Moon! Course is flat, USAT&F certified (10k run only) on levee and paved roads. Water at all stops. Course map available at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. long-sleeve t-shirt. Late/race-night registration is $30 and includes a shirt only while supplies last. A scantron card must be filled out at race-night registration. FAMILY PACKAGE: Children 12 and under run free with a registered parent. A completed entry form for each child must be submitted with adult registration. Please indicate on form and include $15 for an adult small t-shirt. No confirmation of mail-in registration available. Registration also available online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com. Refunds will not be issued for no-show registrations and t-shirts will not be held. REGISTRATIONS & ENTRY FEE Pre-registration fee is $25 per entrant (postmarked by September 17, 2010) and includes a SPORTS TEAM/CLUBS: Pre-registration opportunity for organizations of 10 or more runners; contact Amy at (650) 223-6508 or firstname.lastname@example.com. MINORS: If not pre-registered Minors under 18 MUST bring signed parental/waiver form (below) on race night to participate. In addition scantron card must be completely filled out at race-night registration. DIVISIONS Age divisions: 9 & under; 10-12; 13-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69, and 70 & over with separate divisions for male and female runners in each age group. Race timing provided for 5K and 10K runs only; not 5K walk. COMPUTERIZED RESULTS by A Change of Pace Race results will be posted on the Internet at www.PaloAltoOnline. com 10am on 9/27. Registration forms must be filled out completely and correctly for results to be accurate. Race organizers are not responsible for incorrect results caused by incomplete or incorrect registration forms. AWARDS/PRIZES/ENTERTAINMENT Top three finishers in each division. Prize giveaways and refreshments. DJ Alan Waltz. Prerace warmups by Noxcuses Fitness, Palo Alto PALO ALTO GRAND PRIX Road Race Series -- Moonlight Run, 9/24; Marsh Madness, 10/23; Home Run 11/14, for more information go to www.paloaltogp.org. BENEFICIARY Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund. A holiday-giving fund to benefit Palo Alto area non-profits and charitable organizations. In April 2010, 43 organizations received a total of $240,000 (from the 2009-2010 Holiday Fund.) Stanford MORE INFORMATION Call (650) 463-4920, (650) 326-8210, email email@example.com or go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com. FLASHLIGHTS/HEAD LIGHTS RECOMMENDED For safety reasons, no dogs allowed on course for the 5K and 10K runs. They are welcome on the 5K walk only. No retractable leashes! Please bring your own clean-up bag. Jogging strollers welcome in the 5K walk or at the back of either run. First aid service and chiropractic evaluations provided by K. Skinner, R.N., D.C. Sports and Spinal Injury Specialist Register online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com GOT OLD SHOES? Give them to Meb! We'll be collecting gently worn athletic shoes to go to those in need in war-zones and postconflict areas. Bring your shoes to the Project Active booth on the baseball diamond and support your sport by giving back. Go to www.GiveMebYourShoes.com for more information about the cause. 2 The Almanac July 14, 2010 UPF RONT Why Pay More? Hay Feed Tack Grooming HAY Starting as low as $8.95/bale (31+) SHAVINGS Starting as low as FEED EQUINE SENIOR $5.25/bale (31+) $16.95 (50# bag) WE DELIVER to the Bay Area, including: Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Woodside, Portola Valley, La Honda Menlo Park & Salinas (408) 289-8626 GANADOFEED.com Photo by Eric Lawson A warning sign on southbound El Camino Real indicates the presence of red-light cameras at the upcoming intersection with Valparaiso Avenue in Menlo Park. The sign sits in front of a large outcropping of tree branches quite a distance from the intersection. The San Mateo County grand jury criticized the city for placing warning signs so far away from the cameras. Red light cameras court controversy By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer 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 rivers tagged by Menlo Park's four red light cameras during the past year may want to keep an eye on the latest court rulings. Menlo Park's contract with Arizona-based Redflex Traffic Systems contains a "cost neutrality" clause that has been ruled illegal in other jurisdictions. The appellate division of Orange County Superior Court overturned a conviction in 2008; last year the same happened in San Mateo County. The presiding appellate judge of San Mateo County Superior Court agreed. In a terse, oneword ruling, Judge Mark Forcum stamped, "Reversed," overturning a driver's 2009 conviction for turning right on red without first coming to a stop. That kicked off a winning trend for attorney Frank Iwama, who represented the driver. The former state deputy attorney general said he's won 18 of 18 redlight ticket cases -- several originating in Menlo Park -- with two initial losses overturned on appeal. He challenged the idea that the cameras primarily stop D red-light runners. "Truth be told, 90 percent of these red-light camera tickets are not straight through running the light; they're right turns," Mr. Iwama said. "Usually in California you're entitled to make a right turn on red. But slow down to next to nothing, and cross that white line -- I'm not condoning it, but you get hit by a $500 fine, it goes on your DMV record, and your insurance." A San Mateo County grand jury report released in June estimated Menlo Park's average monthly income as $94,500 from red-light camera citations, although a city staff report indicates the number of citations has been on the decline since June 2009. "It's fairly clear it's for money," Mr. Iwama said. "It's a nice revenue flow for the city. But if that's the case, why don't they just say that up front? Five hundred dollars, for some families that's one month of food." California's vehicle code specifically states that compensation to a company like Redflex can't be based on the number of citations issued. A "cost neutrality" clause like Menlo Park's saves the city from paying Redflex's $5,000 to $6,000 monthly fee per camera if the revenue from the number of citations issued doesn't cover the cost. In other words, Redflex loses money if the number of citations falls below a certain number. "For whatever reason Menlo Park has the attitude that they don't have to change the contract," said Mr. Iwama. San Mateo and San Carlos deleted that clause from their Redflex contracts. Menlo Park City Attorney Bill McClure said there's no need for Menlo Park to follow suit. "Our contract language is different, and we believe ours is legally correct." Mr. McClure explained that in Menlo Park, payments to Redflex are only deferred if revenue does not cover the fees. "It's not about `not paying,' it's about when the money will be paid," he said. Red light cameras have created other controversies in court. Another Orange County case was overturned in May when the appellate court ruled that the camera's photos and videos were inadmissible hearsay evidence. This poses a question: Why do red-light camera photos fall into a different legal category than surveillance camera photos, such as those taken at See RED LIGHT, page 16 WITH T HIS SOME OFF LI ST 25% RESTR EXPIR ICTIONS AP ES 7-3 P 1-2010 LY COUPO N PRICE CALLING ON THE ALMANAC The Almanac newsroom is at 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Classified ads: Newsroom: Newsroom fax: Advertising: Advertising fax: 854-0858 854-2690 854-0677 854-2626 854-3650 E-mail news, information, obituaries and photos (with captions) to: email@example.com E-mail letters to the editor to: firstname.lastname@example.com THE ALMANAC (ISSN 1097-3095 and USPS 459370) is published every Wednesday by Embarcadero Media, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 940256558. Periodicals Postage Paid at Menlo Park, CA and at additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circulation for San Mateo County, The Almanac is delivered free to homes in Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside. Subscriptions for $60 per year or $100 per 2 years are welcome. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Almanac, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558. Copyright �2010 by Embarcadero Media, All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. 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 ! 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 To request free delivery, or stop delivery, of The Almanac in zip code 94025, 94027, 94028 and the Woodside portion of 94062, call 854-2626. H O M E O F F I C E S M E D I A W A L L B E D S C L O S E T S C E N T E R S G A R A G E S July 14, 2010 The Almanac 3 good fun stuff that just happens to be green Kids' toys made from recycled plastic Folding portable speakers Now Open TM $ Off with purchase of $25 or more. Expires 7/31/10 158 University Ave (at High St.), Palo Alto www.livegreene.com - email@example.com (650) 331-0700 5 "There`s no place like home." Redwood City - San Mateo - San Jose www.matchedcaregivers.com Sale Dates: July 14, 15, 16, 17 On Sale Grocery 8oz. � Also Raspberry � Gingerly 3015 Woodside Road Woodside,650-851-1511 4420 Alpine Road Portola Valley, 650-851-1711 Open 6:30AM - 8PM $ ANNIE'S NATURAL BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE 10oz. � Also Veggie 249 59 Fresh Produce California Deli Department YELLOW NECTARINES 6oz. RASPBERRIES Tender BLUE LAKE BEANS 3 2 $500 99� $ 49 No time to cook? lb Pick up one of our Hot and Fresh Roasted Chickens Lemon or BBQ Flavor for $ 99 lb ALSO Try our Cucumber Salad! Light and Refreshing 4 Our REAL Mashed Potatoes Made Fresh Daily lb $ 99 lb Vodka Blowout Meat and Seafood 5 $ 99 lb 5 2 NEWMAN'S OWN 49 CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 2 OSCAR MEYER SHAVED 99 OVEN ROASTED TURKEY 2 CLOROX LIQUID 99 1 LEMON FRESH BLEACH THE ORIGINAL GARDENBURGER 10oz. Bag $ $ 9oz. $ 96oz. � Also Regular $ Wine and Spirits PORK LOIN CHOPS FILET MIGNON 4 3 $ 98 19 $ 98 BBQ Red lb Ketel One Holland Vodka Sale $ lb 750ml Reg$24.99 Include Regular, Citron, and Orange 1999 2005 Plantagenet "Omrah" Shiraz, Australia Sale $ 99 Reg$17.99 A rich, dry, peppery flavored Shiraz that is perfect with most anything off the grill. A steal at this price! 9 The Almanac July 14, 2010 M E N L O P A R K | A T H E R T O N | W O O D S I D E | P O R T O L A V A L L E Y Commission rejects cell phone tower proposal Case could go to federal court. By Dave Boyce Almanac Staff Writer here may be problems ahead for T-Mobile West Corp. in its bid to erect a 50-footto-60-foot cell phone tower at the corner of Golden Oak Drive and Peak Lane in Portola Valley. While the Federal Communications Commission grants cell phone companies broad and seemingly unassailable discretion in arranging a site and deciding on equipment, the town's Planning Commission has found what it thinks is a chink or two in T-Mobile's armor. In a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Chip McIntosh in opposition, the commission decided at a standing-room-only meeting on July 7 that T-Mobile's application for a conditional use permit failed T on aesthetic grounds, reasoning that the courts have yet to address a cell phone company's discretion in a small, semi-rural town like Portola Valley. The commissioners also questioned the validity of competing maps from the company and from an independent technical firm hired by the town to cross check T-Mobile's claim of gaps in phone coverage. Proving that there is a "significant gap" in coverage is critical to T-Mobile's case. In forming a motion for the commission to vote on, Commissioner Nate McKitterick said the company has not demonstrated a significant gap and that the tower would impose "an undue visual impact contrary to the spirit and natural beauty of Portola Valley." The audience applauded the vote. In opposition, Mr. McIntosh noted that the streets are already studded with poles, that other cell PORTOL A VAL L EY phone companies may apply for antenna space, and that the site, owned by California Water Service, is "a good place to do it." By federal law, the town's fourmonth window for making a decision closes July 22. Missing the deadline would open the door for T-Mobile to sue the town, Planning Manager Leslie Lambert told The Almanac. The town's chances in court were a weighty question for the commissioners, but should not be discussed in open session, acting Town Attorney Don Siegel said. He did add that a case based on concerns like Portola Valley's has no precedent in the region's federal appeals court. The commissioners, who agree that there is a gap, question whether it is significant for Portola Valley's building and population density and the proximity of an arterial roadway where cell phone coverage is presumed. T-Mobile has 30 days to appeal the Planning Commission's decision to the Town Council. Limited rights In his remarks, T-Mobile's attorney Paul Albritton of the San Francisco firm Mackenzie & Albritton, told the commission that T-Mobile purchased its cell phone frequencies and must use them or lose them. "T-Mobile is not in the business of coming in and harassing communities," he added. "I hope you can look at cell phone service as a public service to communities." Mr. Albritton reminded the commission that complaints about lower property values have no legal standing, nor do complaints about electromagnetic emissions from the antenna. (The emissions will be 100 times below federal emission standards, said an engineer representing T-Mobile.) The town explored alternatives other than a tower, but the outside technical review found alternatives inappropriate. In any case, Mr. Albritton said, a court in New York recently ruled that authority on which technology to use rests with the FCC, not the community. No neighbors support this tower proposal and the town's Architecture & Site Control Commission rejected a permit on a unanimous vote, commissioners said. Aesthetic matters In making T-Mobile's case, Mr. Albritton mentioned more than once a San Francisco judgment that had gone in favor of a cell phone company. See CELL PHONE, page 8 Woodside woman dies in crash Woodside resident Patricia Woodrow, 59, died July 4 from injuries suffered in a head-on collision on U.S. 101 in Mendocino County, according to a report from the California Highway Patrol. She died in a helicopter air ambulance on the way to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the CHP said. Ms. Woodrow, alone in a 2003 Honda CRV, was headed south on 101 at a speed of 50 to 55 mph. At around 5:30 p.m. near Old Sherwood Road she apparently crossed the double yellow lines into the northbound lane and collided with a 1997 Toyota T100 pickup truck occupied by Berkeley residents Paul Webb, 58, and Monica Winu, age unknown, the CHP said. Both Mr. Webb, who was driving, and Ms. Winu suffered major injuries, the CHP said. Mr. Webb was taken by ground to Howard Hospital in the city of Willits and Ms. Winu was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial. Investigators are looking into the cause of the accident. Medics found the two vehicles blocking both lanes and had to extricate Ms. Woodrow from her car, the CHP said. Photo by Eric Lawson Brimming bookshelves and crowded floor space greet visitors to the Atherton Library at the Town Center. Atherton Library's future may be in the park By Renee Batti Almanac News Editor he quaint little building at 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane has done the town of Atherton yeoman service since its construction in 1929. Early on, it was the residence of longtime police chief LeRoy Hubbard, and T when he retired in 1968, it was renovated and taken over by the town's library. But all things run their course, and a needs-assessment task force has determined that the former residence-turnedlibrary is much too cramped and noisy a place to house Atherton's public space for books, communal computers, and children's events. The solution? Use the nearly $5 million available in the town's Library Donor Revenue fund to build a new library in HolbrookPalmer Park, the task force says. Building a library in the park would not only lead to a more spacious and custom-designed facility for book and materials collections, reading and study space, children's activities, and computer stations, but it could allow the community to create a cultural gathering spot that would include activities of the Arts Committee and the HeriSee LIBRARY, page 8 July 14, 2010 The Almanac 5 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 6 The Almanac July 14, 2010 N E W S SENIORS HEALTH SPECIALIST Are you a senior, or do you have an elder parent and are concerned about their health? Contact a Certified Fitness Trainer experienced in working with seniors. Training that focuses on: 1. Strength: increase bone density and keep weight and blood sugar in check 2. Balance: help prevent falls 3. Stretching: freedom of movement 4. Endurance: aid breathing and heart functions fu Boyle won't seek a second term on Menlo council By Renee Batti Almanac News Editor J ohn Boyle: No. Heyward Robinson: Yes. Rich Cline: Maybe. So the Nov. 2 race for three seats on the Menlo Park City Council begins. With the candidate filing period opening July 12, Councilman Boyle announced this week that he won't run for a second term. In a written statement, Mr. Boyle said he's been offered "an exciting new, full-time opportunity to help my alma mater (Purdue University) establish a major presence here in California. Combined with a number of other factors, I have made the difficult decision to not seek reelection. ..." Noting that he is often in the minority on the five-person council when the votes are tallied, Mr. Boyle said his "ability to effect real change has typically been limited." But, he added, he believes he has contributed "in a positive way to many important projects and improvements" to the city, and cited his roles in helping to move the Bohannon/Menlo Gateway project through the approval process, and in the downtown/El Camino Real planning process, among other achievements. He expresses some disappointments as well. When he ran for office in 2006, he campaigned on the need to balance the budget, build more sports fields, and get rid of the blight on El Camino Real. Although progress has been made in these areas, "the process has been slow, costly, and quite frankly, often not in the direction that I believe can and should be taken," he said. "I do not believe that, collectively, the current council is functioning in a manner and direction that will fully address these and the many issues facing our city," he wrote. "I think a change is needed, and as the `odd man out' in the current council, perhaps my departure will enable changes for the better." Councilman Robinson told The Almanac this week that he intends to run for a second term. "This council has made a lot of progress (but) I think there's more to do," he said. An important lesson he's learned during his first term, he said, is that "everything takes longer than you think. Four years sounds like a long time but it goes by in a flash." Mayor Cline told The Almanac that, with all the work he wants to see completed, he is "leaning toward running again, but I need to weigh all the factors and make sure that my family is on board." Staff writer Dave Boyce contributed to this report. Personal Fitness Training by Brian Doyle Call 650-235-6494 www d Atherton will revisit road-impact fee refund By Renee Batti Almanac News Editor he refund of about $1.65 million worth of fees paid by builders to the town of Atherton to repair roads torn up by heavy construction vehicles was approved by a divided City Council in February, stirring up a chorus of criticism among some residents. Now, with the town struggling to balance its budget and facing a long-term structural deficit, two councilmen who voted for the refunds have placed the matter on the July 21 council agenda for reconsideration. Councilmen Jerry Carlson and Charles Marsala said they want the council to consider a compromise plan that would significantly lower the amount of money the town would refund. As it was approved in February, the refund would go to anyone who paid the fee from July 2006 to mid-September 2009, when the fee was rescinded. T Under the compromise plan, proposed earlier by Mr. Marsala but not accepted by the council majority, the refund would be limited to the additional money paid by builders as a result of the fee hike imposed in August 2007 -- a 40 percent boost. That means builders who paid fees from July 2006 to Aug. 17, 2007, would get no refund, and those who paid the increased fee from mid-August 2007 on would get only 40 percent of the fee back. "It's all about finding a compromise that's going to work," Mr. Marsala said. Mr. Carlson said he's been talking with a number of residents about the plan, and getting positive feedback, but both he and Mr. Marsala acknowledge the compromise plan leaves the door open to possible litigation. The refunds were approved in the face of uncertainty about whether the fees were legal. The town was receiving complaints and threats of lawsuits over the fee, and Wynne Furth, the town's attorney, cited a 2005 Southern California court case that touched indirectly on the issue and concluded that the California vehicle code pre-empts any local impact fees for damage to roads. The council vote approving the refunds in February was 3-1, with Mayor Kathy McKeithen opposed and Councilman Jim Dobbie absent. Mr. Dobbie has publicly expressed opposition to the refund. In a letter to their council colleagues, Councilmen Carlson and Marsala wrote of the compromise plan: "While we may run a higher risk of potential litigation by refunding less (of the fee than previously approved), there had been a tacit acceptance to pay the fee before it was increased by 40 percent." They requested that, for the July 21 meeting, staff provide a calculation of the amount of money the compromise plan would entail in refunds. A 2020 W. El Camino Real, Mtn. View (650) 938-2020 Specializing in the Cuisine of Puebla. Open daily for lunch and dinner. 2801 Middlefield Road, Redwood City (650) 369-5250 9am-5:30pm Mon. - Sat. Coffee roasting & fine teas, espresso bar, retail & wholesale. Portola Valley to weigh in on Stanford hospital project By Dave Boyce Almanac Staff Writer KNOWS THE MARKET To view the June Market STEVE GRAY... Condition Reports, W hether there should be a traffic light at Alpine Road at the Interstate 280 northbound off-amp is one of several matters related to the planned expansion of the Stanford University Medical Center that the Portola Valley Town Council will consider on July 14. The traffic and visual impacts along Sand Hill and Alpine roads are the focus of a report by former town planner George Mader in anticipation of a letter to Stanford from the town commenting on the hospital's draft environmental impact report (DEIR). The council meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Historic Schoolhouse at 765 Portola Road. Visit is.gd/dm9eL (case sensitive) and go to Page 161 for the complete report by Mr. Mader. Among the report's conclusions: Stanford notes impacts to the intersection at Santa Cruz Avenue and Sand Hill Road but that it cannot be improved because "the intersection is `built out' and `improvements would be difficult to implement,'" Mr. Mader said. "It appears there will be considerable pressure to install a traffic signal" at I-280 and Alpine, Mr. Mader said. A signal "would significantly affect the visual pleasure of those headed to Portola Valley," but could help ease congestion in both directions along Alpine, he added. The new buildings will "dwarf" nearby buildings, he said. "The driver on Sand Hill Road will have a much more urban scale experience that is foreign to the locality" and similar to San Francisco, Mr. Mader said, adding: "We are told by Stanford, however, that the trend is for hospitals to be built vertically for efficiency purposes." A for Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley & Woodside visit www.PeninsulaSpecialist.com Get the good news, bad news, and a glimpse at what is ahead. Have real estate questions? Call Steve. Steve Gray DRE# 01498634 REALTOR 650-743-7702 email@example.com www.PeninsulaSpecialist.com July 14, 2010 The Almanac 7 N E W S Atherton appoints new police lieutenant By Renee Batti Almanac News Editor oe Wade has begun a new phase of his 11-year career with the Atherton Police Department: On July 11, the four-year sergeant assumed the position of lieutenant -- one of only two at-will management positions in the department. Lt. Wade, who has served in department roles ranging from school resource officer to field training officer, will take the position vacated by now-Chief Mike Guerra, who was appointed to the top job in the department in November 2009. As at-will employees, both Lt. Wade and Chief Guerra can be fired without cause, and are not represented by a union. Lt. Wade was appointed sergeant in 2006, according to Chief Guerra, and in that position was assigned to both patrol supervision and investigations. His duties extended to regional work: He was a member of the multi-agency Redwood City Police Department SWAT team, and a supervisor with the regional Gang Task Force, according to an announcement issued by the Atherton Police Department. CELL PHONE continued from page 5 J Lt. Wade was among numerous applicants for the job, 16 of whom were deemed "qualified." He topped the list of the three finalists, who participated in interviews with Chief Guerra, according to the announcement. Chief Guerra said that although the department's management team has dwindled in number over the last few years due to budget concerns -- there were up to four management positions at one time -- the need to have a manager in the lieutenant's position was critical. One reason is the handling of internal investigations: When an officer is under review for suspected misconduct, it is the lieutenant who oversees the investigation, Chief Guerra said. "For most investigations, the chief is the one who determines disciplinary action (if called for)," he said, likening the role to that of a judge. He added that it would be inappropriate for the chief to also act as investigator and prosecutor. Lt. Wade, who is the current president of the Atherton Police Activities League, has a bachelor's degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; and a master's degree in management from St. Mary's College. A Photos by Dave Boyce/The Almanac Paying attention Above: Their attention is on the simulated incident log being created on a white board in Portola Valley's emergency operations center in Town Hall. From left, are Councilman John Richards, Town Manager Angie Howard, Councilwoman Ann Wengert, and Emergency Preparedness Committee member John Boice. They participated in a June 30 drill simulating the town's response to an 8.0 earthquake. Left: Portola Valley Councilman Ted Driscoll, right, and Bud Trapp of The Sequoias retirement community tape butcher paper to the doors of the emergency operations center at Town Hall to keep prying eyes out during the drill. Commissioner Lea Zaffaroni, who commended T-Mobile for its good-faith efforts, said that Portola Valley has a different value system. "We would rather have these (towers) subordinate to the natural surroundings." Town Planner Tom Vlasic has recommended that the tower, if there is one, be hidden inside a somewhat taller faux pine tree called a monopine. Commissioner Alexandra Von Feldt questioned Cal Water's promise to shield the monopine with new trees in place of the currently dying stand of trees. With the rocky soil, it will be "extremely hard, if not impossible, to grow new trees to screen this," she said. With the current stand of trees under duress, Commission Chair Denise Gibson said, "There's going to be a time when you have this 50-to-60-foot (fake) tree sitting there with nothing around it." This argument might help the town's case in court, she added. A LIBRARY continued from page 5 Online. Anyplace. Anytime. www.Almanacnews.com 8 tage Association, supporters say. The task force recommendations were discussed at the June 16 City Council meeting, and the council approved a resolution that allows the planning process to go forward. Although all council members appeared to support moving the library to the park, they were split on whether to officially endorse that recommendation before community meetings are held allowing residents to address the question. Mayor Kathy McKeithen and Councilman Jim Dobbie wanted to include endorsement of a move to the park in the resolution, but the council majority removed that specific item before the resolution was approved. The town is now seeking applications from residents who want to sit on a newly formed Library Building Steering Committee, which will hold monthly meetings and help oversee the planning and design process for the new library. The list of applicants is expected to be con- sidered by the council at its July 21 meeting, and if the council makes the appointments then, the first meeting of the committee would take place in August, according to library manager Carine Risley. Residents interested in applying for committee membership are asked to contact Ms. Risley at email@example.com or at the library at 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane. Why a new library? The task force that studied the library's current and future needs also considered the option of renovating the existing library, but that option was deemed to be far less attractive. For one thing, even if adding more space to the existing building is possible, the library would still be right next to the train tracks -- a problem for patrons trying to concentrate, talk to a librarian, or attend special programs. The needs-assessment analysis of current and future library use led to the recommendation to increase the size of the facility from 4,790 square feet to about 11,000 square feet. That would allow the library to meet other recommendations based on the needs-assessment report, including: increasing the adult collections by about 12,500 items; the teens' collections by about 300 items; and the children's collections by about 6,000 items. The report listed pros and cons of moving the library to the park, with the pros greatly outnumbering the negative impacts. At least one item under the "cons" column might be a point of contention for some residents: It notes that the move would require tearing down the existing Main House. Joan Sanders, longtime president of the Friends of the Library and a member of the needs-assessment task force, said a library in the park "would be a natural fit," creating a cultural hub for the community and possibly allowing special events, such as the well-attended children's programs, to take place in the park's Pavilion. "It's a very exciting plan ... and will create a whole new set of park supporters," she said. A The Almanac July 14, 2010 N E W S Nurses plan protest at Whitman's home By Dave Boyce Almanac Staff Writer M embers of the California Nurses Association say they will be coming to the Atherton home of Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman on Thursday, July 15, at around noon to protest Ms. Whitman's proposal to cut 40,000 state jobs if she is elected. A campaign flier paid for by the nurses association alleges that Ms. Whitman has "declared war" on California nurses by writing an "imperious" letter "demanding" contact information for the association's membership, then buying the list and "bombarding" the nurses with direct mail, and conducting a "fake telephone poll." Neither campaign responded to requests for interviews by press time. The rally will gather at 11 a.m. at Canada College, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd. in Woodside. according to the flier. A visit to the Ms. Whitman's campaign website confirmed that the campaign asked for a membership list and did conduct a phone poll. The polling company was Hill Research Associates, a Texas-based company with clients nationwide, according to its website. An excerpt from a letter from the Whitman campaign to the nurses association dated June 18 states: "Our campaign would like to mail each member of your union a letter from Meg explaining her positions on critical issues facing California, including the vital issues surrounding health care. ... We hope that you will decide to let us make an unfiltered case to your hardworking membership ... and do not fear giving your rank-and-file members access to both parties' ideas. Only good can come out of such a free and unfettered dialogue." Go to is.gd/dpvrE (case sensitive) to see the letter. A The Peninsula's Premier Funeral Service Provider Serving families since 1899 980 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, California 94301 (650) 328-1360 www.rollerhapgoodtinney.com Funeral Home FD132 Councilman can vote on rail matters, attorney says By Renee Batti Almanac News Editor A THERTON A n analysis by Atherton's town attorney gives City Councilman Jerry Carlson the green light to continue participating in decisions regarding the high-speed rail project, although his home is near the railroad right-of-way that the massive project will impact. Attorney Wynne Furth issued a report on July 9 to address the concern by a number of residents that Mr. Carlson was violating the state's conflict of interest laws by not recusing himself from council actions regarding the rail project because of his home's proximity to the tracks. He is a member of the Peninsula Cities Consortium, representing Atherton on high-speed rail issues, and he voted with his council colleagues to join in a lawsuit with other cities challenging the adequacy of the project's environmental impact report. To help with Ms. Furth's analysis, town staff studied Mr. Carlson's property, taking measurements and determining that he lives nearly 710 feet from the right-of-way. The threshold for establishing that a council member has a conflict of interest is 300 feet of the right-of-way if other conditions are present, according to Ms. Furth's report. Other factors that must be considered are size of property and the number of other properties under separate ownership that are located within a 500-foot radius of the right-of-way, the report said. Mr. Carlson's house met those requirements as well, she determined. In neighboring Menlo Park, Councilman Andy Cohen has recused himself from voting on high-speed rail matters since the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) advised him that he should do so. The difference between the two determinations may be linked to the size of the two towns. Ms. Furth cited FPPC law that applies to "small jurisdictions" -- less than 30,000 in population and less than 10 square miles of land, she wrote. The rules governing a larger jurisdiction differ. Menlo Park is considerably larger than Atherton, and has more than 30,000 residents. A Caregiver Conference Saturday, August 21 8:30 am - 2:30 pm Avenidas presents the 7th Annual Learn how to: Deal with family dynamics Cope with a loved one's dementia Create order out of clutter Care for yourself to avoid burnout Discover forgiveness Register at Avenidas.org or (650) 289-5445. Where age is just a number Carlson says he will run for another term on council As the candidate filing period for the Nov. 2 election opens, at least one incumbent, Jerry Carlson, has stated his intention to seek another term on the Atherton City Council. Councilman Charles Marsala announced several weeks ago he will not run for another term on the five-member council. Councilman Jim Dobbie could not be reached by The Almanac's press time. Several names are circulating in the community as possible contenders in the race for the three open seats. Among them is longtime Planning Commissioner Phil Lively, who told The Almanac that he's considering a run for council but has yet to make up his mind. Another resident often mentioned as a potential candidate is Mike McPherson, a member of the town's Rail Committee. Mr. McPherson could not be reached before The Almanac's press time. Jeff Wise, a member of the town's Finance Committee, has been mentioned as a possible candidate, but said this week he won't be throwing his hat into the ring. Both Peter Carpenter and Jon Buckheit, who have been encouraged by a vocal group of residents to run for council, have said they don't intend to run. --By Renee Batti BRIEFS Recycling service Recology of San Mateo County has launched an outreach for its new recycling service for Menlo Park businesses. Interested companies can combine plastic, paper, glass, and other recyclables into a single bin donated by Recology, which is replacing Allied Wastes as a service provider. For more information, call 650-595-3900. Compost giveaway Menlo Park residents can stock up on free compost on the first Saturday of the month, from August through October. Show up with a shovel, buckets and i.d. at Bayfront Park between 9 a.m. to sunset on Aug. 7, Sept. 4, and Oct. 2. The heap of compost is near the park entrance at the intersection of Bayfront Expressway and Marsh Road. July 14, 2010 The Almanac 9 A community health education series from Stanford Hospital & Clinics When Our Memory Fails: Recognizing Real Loss Adeline Riley's family wasn't sure at first what was going on. "You'd tell her something over and over and she wouldn't remember," said her daughter Ann. "I'd have a whole conversation on the phone with her and she'd have no memory of it." She was in her 70s, a time when memory does seem to slip a bit-forgetting a movie seen two weeks before or not remembering where you put your glasses are familiar symptoms of brains that are slowing down, along with the rest of the body. For Adeline Riley, however, that forgetfulness grew and began to erode her ability to be her normal, active self. "Before," said her husband, Joe, "she'd always have to be doing something." A family doctor sent the Rileys to see a neurologist at Stanford Center for Memory Disorders, where a team of diagnostic specialists tested Adeline Riley's memory and looked also at her blood and brain and medications for all possible explanations for her problem. The diagnosis was dementia, a broad term that covers a group of conditions that sometimes involve memory, sometimes other parts of thinking, feeling and moving. Dementia can't yet be seen in a blood test, or an MRI, but what's happening in the brain is "more than just forgetting something every once in a while," said Geoffrey A. Kerchner, MD, PhD, Director of the Stanford Center for Memory Disorders. "It means a person's thinking has declined to the point that they've had a functional change-to where they need help with daily life." "Our life is a constantly running film which most of us rewind and fast-forward at will. When it stops running smoothly, we lose track of where we are and, ultimately, who we are." � Geoffrey A. Kerchner, MD, Director, Stanford Hospital & Clinics Center for Memory Disorders Dementia is progressive. For many patients, the earliest symptom is that loss of memory; other problems may appear later. "I often tell my patients, `Most of your brain is working really well,'" Kerchner said, "but some parts are not." How Memory Works Researchers know that memory is not just "one big thing," said Frank Longo, MD, PhD, Chair of the Stanford Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences. "The hippocampus, the amygdala, and the cortex are the main gears, but they need other gears to move. They don't operate individually. Memory and its product, learning, depend on networks of neurons that connect one memory-function part of the brain with others, enabling the storage and transfer of information that is the core of human thought and emotion." Memory begins with sensory input-sight, sound, smell, taste, touch. These fleeting snapshots of the world can only linger in a short term memory basket for only a few seconds before they Adeline Riley's vibrant personality shines out clearly, but dementia has diminished disappear to make her brain's memory mechanisms. Her family first noticed that when they'd tell her room for new exsomething multiple times and she wouldn't remember. periences. When an experience is important-when we exercise conif you don't have any recollection of sciousness of it-it's transfered into a what happened 120 seconds ago," said long term memory basket. Awareness Kerchner. "Our life is a constantly is required for that step. "If we want running film, which most of us reto hold on to information, we have to wind and fast-forward at will. When pay attention and rehearse it, until it it stops running smoothly, we lose consolidates," Longo said. track of where we are and, ultimately, who we are." Long term memory is the reservoir of "There are times when I'm not what makes us who we are. When we ponder and plan, we call up informaremembering anything and other tion from those long term memory times when I remember real good. stores and hold it temporarily in short It's very frustrating. I just try to term memory. That's what we do if remember more." asked to spell a word backwards. The interaction between short and long term memory is dazzling in its intricacies -- and when normal communication between the two stops, the effect is devastating and pervasive. Adeline Riley's fading ability to move information to long term memory explains her short attention span. "It's hard to watch a movie or read a book Norbert von der Groeben � Adeline Riley, patient, Stanford Hospital & Clinics Center for Memory Disorders It is not safe for Adeline Riley to drive or to cook. Her husband won't let her do the laundry anymore, because she started putting quarters in the washing machine, and forgetting that the clothes needed to be dried. When she reads, Joe Riley said, "she can read maybe a chapter and she puts the book down. `I'm bored now,' she'll say. I'll say, `Is the story becoming a little thin?' `No, I'm just tired of reading.' I keep after her constantly." She likes to watch television, he said, "but I limit her. I try to keep her occupied with little odds and ends." Norbert von der Groeben Changing Knowledge Even talking about what's happening is difficult. The word dementia in popular culture conjures images of complete insensibility, Kerchner said, making conversation about it difficult. "Adeline hates the word dementia," Adeline and Joe Riley have been married for more than 50 years, with many shared memories. It's easy for Adeline to recall their first years together. With dementia eroding her short-term memory, it's much harder for her to recall recent events. 10 The Almanac July 14, 2010 special feature Understanding dementia Dementia is a broad term, like arthritis, that describes a spectrum of disorders that physically alter the brain and its workings. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. In all its forms, dementia produces a decline in memory or an impact on speech, movement and behavior that has a profound impact on daily life-like not being able to find your way home. Diagnosis of dementia has been largely limited to a broad evaluation of changes in memory, behavior, motor skills, language use and visual processing. Dementia can begin in different areas of the brain, so early symptoms may vary. Stanford researchers are developing new technologies to spot microscopic changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer's. Also in development are tests to identify certain blood proteins that might serve as another early alert to dementia. Dementia's causes are varied, although still not thoroughly defined. In Alzheimer's, two proteins in the brain accumulate and interfere with normal function. Dementia can appear after a stroke. Other, treatable causes of dementia include Vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, alcoholism, substance abuse and infections. Age is the most significant risk factor for dementia. Other risk factors include prior head trauma, coronary artery disease, genetics and family history. Occasionally forgetting something is normal, like the name of a movie you saw two weeks ago. If that memory problem expands or worsens over time, consult your doctor. Preventing dementia is a developing field. A healthy diet and regular activity, including aerobic exercise, may help prevent or slow dementia. So do new intellectual or social experiences-whether reading, solving puzzles or going out with friends. "The important goal is to get out of the armchair," Kerchner said. For more information about dementia, support groups, classes and other resources: stanfordhospital.org/memoryclinic (Phone: 650.723.6469) and stanfordhospital.org/agingadultservices (Phone: 650.498.3333) Join us at: stanfordhospital.org/socialmedia said her husband, "so we just use the phrase, loss of memory." More than 100 years since Alois Alzheimer described the pathological findings in the disease that bears his name, "our thinking has evolved," Kerchner said. "Dr. Alzheimer's patient was a 51-year-old woman, and for many decades, the disease was thought to be a very rare disorder of young people. The term senile dementia was used to describe thinking problems in old age." Physicians and scientists now recognize that Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of age-related cognitive decline. It now affects about 5 million Americans, a number that will rise with the growing percentage of individuals over the age of 65. Treatments have been slow to emerge, and currently target only the symptoms of the disease. However, diseasemodifying therapies, discovered in Stanford's Alzheimer's Translational Research Program, are in various stages of early testing. "The one thing that I hate to see is families in denial. `Mom's getting old. She'll be fine.'" � Geoffrey A. Kerchner, MD, Director, Stanford Hospital & Clinics Center for Memory Disorders For now, the most important therapy is an active lifestyle. "There is strong evidence that regular aerobic exercise and mental stimulation can prolong functional independence," Kerchner said. Support groups for caregivers and other resources are equally important. Stanford Hospital's Aging Adult Services works closely with the Center for Memory Disorders to make sure that patients and their families get the comprehensive care they need. Adeline Riley will soon be leaving the Bay Area with her family, but will still be close to the light of her life, her four-yearold granddaughter. "She comes to have breakfast with us and spends a couple of hours with us in the afternoon," said Joe Riley. "They have a special game they play called wiggleworm." "There are times when I'm not remembering anything and other times when I remember real good," Adeline Riley said. "It's very frustrating. I just try to remember more." Despite knowing what's happening to his wife, Joe Riley has not given up trying to help her. "She'll sit down and try to tell me something and she can't get it out. She just gets so frustrated. You can see it on her face, that she's trying extra hard," he said. "I'll say, `Wait a minute, let's just simmer down and talk about it, and we'll get it." Norbert von der Groeben Planning a Future Getting accurate information, Kerchner said, can be very helpful psychologically and practically. "The one thing that I hate to see is families in denial. `Mom's getting old. She'll be fine.' Although these conversations seem unpleasant to initiate, it is far better to discuss plans for long term care and housing with a loved one before something bad happens." As time passes, Joe Riley keeps closer and closer watch on his wife-and encourages her in every way he can to keep active, whether it's walking or reading or doing puzzles. "I've told her certain things will happen," said Joe Riley. "She says, `I can't remember anything now, so what's the difference?' How do you reason with that? It's difficult sometimes to keep from feeling a little bit sorry for yourself. But I intend to take care of her just as long as I am able. Our marriage vows said, `through thick or thin, in sickness and in health.'" Alzheimer's disease affects the brain in ways visible to new, high-power MRI technology. The hippocampus, critical to memory making, is radically reduced in size as the disease progresses. On the top, outlined in yellow, is a healthy hippocampus. Below it, one shrunken by Alzheimer's. "It is sad to diagnose dementia, and to witness a patient's deterioration," said Kerchner as he reflected on his practice, "but I find reward in helping patients and families to discover what is happening, to get accurate information, and to use this knowledge to find a path forward." 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. July 14, 2010 The Almanac 11 BOUTIQUE & VINTAGE FURNITURE SALE FRIDAY, JULY 23 9:00 a.m. � 4:00 p.m. SATURDAY, JULY 24 9:00 a.m.� 12:00 p.m. N E W S Assessed property values may drop For the first time in recent memory, the county Assessor's Office is projecting a decline in assessed property values in San Mateo County over the budget year that began July 1. Assessed property values as a whole are expected to drop by about 1.4 percent. It would be the first such decline in more than 10 years. Overall assessed values in the county have risen in each of the previous 13 years, according to data from the Assessor's Office website. That trend is expected to continue, just barely, in Menlo Park and Portola Valley, but not so in Atherton or Woodside, where values are expected to drop very slightly, according to the latest projections. Assessed property value projections Projected total assessed value for 2010-11 (in billions) Projected change in value from 2009-10 (in millions) Percent change from 2009-10 Town Atherton Menlo Park Portola Valley Woodside San Mateo County $6.2 $10.1 $2.3 $4.1 $141.0 (4) 122 25 (21) (1,992) - 0.1 1.2 1.1 - 0.5 - 1.4 Woodside Village Church 3154 Woodside Road Woodside, CA Data from website of San Mateo County Assessor's Office TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON ESTABLISHING AN UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT ON ALPINE ROAD NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Town Council of the Town of Portola Valley will hold a public hearing on the Proposed Establishment of an Underground Utility District on Alpine Road between Nathhorst Avenue and the Town Limit at Ladera, Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 7:30 p.m., in the Historic Schoolhouse, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley, California. Comments may be submitted in writing prior to the Town Council meeting or presented at the meeting. All interested persons are invited to appear before the Town Council at the time and place herein above mentioned. A map of the proposed area to be converted to underground is available for viewing on the Town website at www. portolavalley.net as well as copies are available between 8:30 a.m. � 1:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. � 5:00 p.m. at Portola Valley Town Hall, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley, California and, via mail by contacting Sharon Hanlon, Town Clerk at 650-851-1700 ext. 210. Dated: July 8, 2010 The round number for all four communities is 1 percent -- in projected decreases for Atherton and Woodside, and increases for Menlo Park and Portola Valley. Over the previous 13 years, data at the Assessor's Office website shows Atherton, Woodside, Menlo Park and Portola Valley averaged annual increases of 11, 8, 9 and 9 percent, respectively. The county's average increase was 7 percent over that time. A Want to run for office? Here's how In November, there will be local elections for the city councils of Atherton and Menlo Park, and the boards of directors for the Las Lomitas and Menlo Park elementary school districts, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, and the Sequoia Healthcare District. The four-week candidate filing period began July 12. For potential candidates and their staff, a free 90-minute seminar will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at the San Mateo County Elections Office at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo. To reserve a seat, contact Filing Officer Megan Asmus at 312-5293 or at masmus@smcare. org with your name, the office you're seeking, and the number of people who will accompany you. Everyone who attends receives a 75-page candidate's guide, a useful document since laws, forms and reporting requirements may differ from election to election, said Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum. Go to is.gd/dhW9p (case sensitive) for an online copy of the guide. DA reaches plea bargain with son of former Giants slugger Nikolai Bonds, son of former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, has reached a plea bargain with the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, prosecutors said. Mr. Bonds, 20, was detained following an alleged altercation with his mother at her Menlo Park home on Dec. 5, 2009. He was charged with battery, false imprisonment, vandalism, threatening an officer, and resisting arrest, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. Mr. Bonds pleaded no contest to one count of vandalism and one count of assault, which San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Joseph Gruber accepted. Following his final sentencing on June 23, Mr. Bonds received 18 months probation, three days in county jail, fines totaling $2,130, and 32 hours of anger management counseling, Mr. Wagstaffe said. The district attorney bargained with Mr. Bonds because the defendant's mother, Sun Bonds, had moved to the East Coast and was not responsive to the investigation, Mr. Wagstaffe added. Barry Bonds, Nikolai Bonds' father, played for the San Francisco Giants from 1993 through 2007. Barry Bonds and Sun Bonds divorced in 1994. The Bowman program builds confidence, creativity and academic excellence. Lower School - Grades K - 5 Middle School - Grades 6 - 8 Individualized, self-directed program Rich international and cultural studies Proven, Montessori approach State-of-the-art facility Low student-teacher ratio RJ's and Kathy's Draperies See Our Selection of www.rjsupholstery.com 650-591-0220 San Carlos Upholstery Slipcovers A Better Choice Since 1960 Roman Shades 1064 Cherry Street San Carlos 654 Laurel Street bracha TM www.bowmanschool.org 4000 Terman Drive Palo Alto, CA Tel: 650-813-9131 12 The Almanac July 14, 2010 stylish clothes for today's woman Mon-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 1pm-5pm 650-620-9900 www.victoriabracha.com 20% to 70% Off on selected items www.restorationstudio.com N E W S Retail development lawsuit nears end? By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer Is Your Teen Ready To Drive? FREE CLASSROOM TRAINING Try our Online Driver's Course for ONLY $29.99 (Must present ad for this offer. Expires July 30, 2010) T he legal tangle surrounding an office/retail development project at 1300 El Camino Real may clear up when the Menlo Park City Council considers a proposed settlement on July 20. "Concerned Citizens of Menlo Park" filed the lawsuit on Nov. 19, naming the city of Menlo Park and the City Council as defendants. The group of anonymous plaintiffs took action against the city's approval of the environmental impact review for the project. Neither the San Franciscobased law firm representing the group, Lippe Gaffney Wagner, nor Menlo Park City Attorney Bill McClure would name the single plaintiff who signed the proposed settlement on behalf of the group. All the other details of the proposal remain equally mysterious, although the city should issue a staff report prior to the July 20 meeting, according to Mr. McClure. At least part of the report is likely to discuss reim- bursement of the plaintiff(s) and the law firm. The lawsuit was filed using the private attorney general statute, which allows private citizens acting as representatives of the public interest to bring suits against government entities. Plaintiffs are entitled to recover attorney fees if they win. If a settlement is reached instead, they may be awarded a percentage of the fees. A source close to the case said the proposed settlement awards much less than the plaintiffs sought. A June and July In-Class Schedule Day 1 6/14/10 6/21/10 7/12/10 7/26/10 Day 2 6/15/10 6/22/10 7/13/10 7/27/10 Day 3 6/16/10 6/23/10 7/14/10 7/28/10 Day 4 6/17/10 6/24/10 7/15/10 7/29/10 Stanford Driving School ( To register online, please visit our website at: www.StanfordDrivingSchool.com Foust conflict-of-interest investigation opens By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer WEST BAY SANITARY DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS GIVEN pursuant to Sections 5473, et. seq. of the California Health and Safety Code that the District Board of West Bay Sanitary District has, by general regulation, elected to collect its charges for sewer services for FY 2010-1011 on the tax roll in the same manner as general taxes and will cause to be filed with its Secretary a written report containing a description of each parcel of real property receiving sanitary sewer service from the District and the amount of the charge for each parcel. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that on Wednesday evening, July 28, 2010 at the hour of 7:30 p.m. at the meeting room located at the District's offices, the District Board will conduct a Public Hearing to hear and consider all protests and objections, if any, to the report. Anyone wishing to address the District Bord concerning these matters may do so in writing at or before the date of the Public Hearing or may be heard at the time of the Board's meeting. Dated: June 30, 2010 /s/ Phil Scott District Manager state ethics commission will investigate a complaint filed in June against Redwood City council member Rosanne Foust over her refusal to recuse herself from council discussions regarding the Cargill Saltworks project while also working as chief executive officer for a business association that endorsed the project. The controversy centers on Ms. Foust's employment as chief executive of the San Mateo County A Economic Development Association. However, she does not sit on the SAMCEDA board, which she has said was solely responsible for the endorsement. Ms. Foust sounded confident that the Fair Political Practices Commission would rule in her favor, saying she did not believe she had violated the rules after consulting with the Redwood City attorney's office. Menlo Park council member Andy Cohen filed the sworn complaint in June. A letter dated July 1 from Fair Political Practices Commission Executive Director Roman Porter stated the commission will investigate the allegations, but has not yet determined that the allegations are valid or that Ms. Foust is culpable. "Even the appearance of a conflict is what I was taught should warrant recusal," said Mr. Cohen. "Here Ms. Foust has acknowledged SAMCEDA's advocacy for the project, so her attempted disclaimer based on not having participated in SAMCEDA's deliberations would appear to me to move any involvement as a council member beyond mere appearance of conflict." A Menlo-Atherton 11-12-year-old all-stars go down fighting By Rick Chandler Palo Alto Weekly enlo-Atherton's mercurial all-star campaign came to an end on Friday, July 9, just as shortstop Arnaud Laprais was starting to get warmed up. "We had a good run; it was fun and I'm proud that we were able to get this far," said Laprais, who blasted a pair of home runs and had four RBI in the losers' bracket final of the District 52 11-12 yearold tournament at Ortega School in Pacifica. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to prevent M-A from losing to M Hillsborough, 10-7. For awhile it looked like M-A might earn its first-ever berth in the title game, as Laprais' threerun homer gave his team a 4-1 lead in the second inning. And Jack Gray's solo shot in the fourth, combined with Reid Fratt's runscoring double, gave M-A a 6-3 lead in the fourth. But they couldn't hold on, as Hillsborough, the defending champion, scored two in the fourth and five in the fifth to wrestle it away. Laprais' other homer was a solo blast in the sixth; his third homer of the tourney. M-A's Andrew Daschbach was 4-for-4 and made a diving catch of a line drive at second base in the first inning. "It was an amazing journey, what can you say?" said Daschbach, who was 6-for-7 with a double over his team's final two games. "We went down fighting." M-A center fielder Mason Randall also made an impressive catch in the first. Kyle Bryan had a double in the third, and Holden Kardos singled and scored a run in the second. A CITY OF MENLO PARK ORDINANCE 969 SUMMARY NOTICE OF ADOPTION The City Council of Menlo Park adopted Ordinance No. 969 at its regular City Council meeting of June 22, 2010. The Ordinance was introduced on June 15, 2010, and adopted on June 22, 2010, by a 4-1 vote. The ordinance is effective thirty days from its adoption, and is summarized as: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MENLO PARK, AMENDING TITLE 16 OF THE MENLO PARK MUNICIPAL CODE, ADDING CHAPTER 16.47 M-3 COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PARK, AND AMENDING CHAPTER 16.08 DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED-GENERAL REGULATIONS AND CHAPTER 16.72 OFF-STREET PARKING The full text of the ordinance and all exhibits are available at the Office of the City Clerk and/or may be viewed on the City of Menlo Park website at www.menlopark.org Margaret S. Roberts, MMC Deputy City Clerk Dated: June 23, 2010 July 14, 2010 Menlo Park dance troupe wins national competition For the fourth straight year, the Menlo Park Academy of Dance won top honors at a national dance competition, "Encore Performing Arts," held recently in Las Vegas. Forty-six students from the group attended with director Sarah-Jane Measor and teachers Leyla Boissonnade and Lee Pazmino. The over-all grand champion prize was won by Laura Anderson, who attends Menlo School, and Madeline Bagby, a student at Castilleja, for a lyrical duo dance, "Never Knew His Name." Members of the dance academy won several other awards, including the Division II overall prize for "Coriolan Overture," a ballet/Pointe dance choreographed by Ms. Measor, and the Division I overall prize for "Hit Me With a Hot Note," a jazz dance choreographed by Ms. Boissonnade. Jasmine Jimison won the Division I "Dancer of the Year" award. Laura Anderson, Maddie Wanger and Evelyn Vaughan were invited to join the Encore Performing Arts Elite Dance Team and will perform with other students from around the country at next year's national competition. Menlo Park Academy of Dance has been open since 1947 and is directed by Ms. Measor and Sylvia Duncan. Its studio is at 1143 El Camino Real in Menlo Park. Visit mpaod.com for more information. This information was provided by Colleen Duncan of the Menlo Park Academy of Dance. The Almanac 13 FREE DELIVERY (with min. order) N E W S Bookkeeper charged with embezzlement Police Friday arrested Roger Reynolds Nursery business manager and bookkeeper Evette Christine Weiler on charges of grand theft and embezzlement in connection with losses at the Menlo Park nursery estimated at more than $100,000, said Sgt. William Dixon of the Menlo Park Police Department. Roger Reynolds Nursery is at 133 Encinal Ave. in Menlo Park. Ms. Weiler, 31, is a resident of Fremont and has been employed at the nursery since October 2008, police said. She was booked into the San Mateo County jail. The case unfolded after a routine audit of the nursery's books in January showed steady declines in account balances, police said. Auditors then discovered "dozens of checks" written to Ms. Weiler and a Fremont accounting business called "When Every Penny Counts," police said. Menlo Park Police Office Jeff Keegan conducted an extensive investigation before seeking a $250,000 warrant for Ms. Weiler's arrest, Sgt. Dixon said. Police are asking anyone with information on the case to call Office Keegan at 330-6300 or the anonymous tip line at 3306395. "THE BEST PIZZA WEST OF NEW YORK" --Ralph Barbieri KNBR 680 880 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 Fire in fireplace may have ignited shake roof A "little roof fire" reported at 12:35 p.m. Monday, July 12, at a one-story home on Lawler Ranch Road in Woodside took firefighters about 20 minutes to contain, Woodside Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Don Romero told The Almanac. Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire, but the current suspect is a spark from the brick chimney that landed on and ignited the shake roof, Mr. Romero said. A fire had been going in the fireplace, he added. No one was injured and the fire did not represent a threat to the dry and wooded area traversed by Lawler Ranch Road, Mr. Romero said. "The way we had it contained, there was never any danger," he said, noting that the home had a good buffer zone -- a perimeter intentionally cleared of flammable material. About 20 firefighters came to the scene and the equipment included a water supply truck since the area has no hydrants, the battalion chief said. A caretaker reported the fire, which did about $50,000 damage to the roof and interior, the battalion chief said. CITY OF MENLO PARK ORDINANCE 970 SUMMARY NOTICE OF ADOPTION The City Council of Menlo Park adopted Ordinance No. 970 at its regular City Council meeting of June 22, 2010. The Ordinance was introduced on June 15, 2010, and adopted on June 22, 2010, by a 4-1 vote. The ordinance is effective thirty days from its adoption, and is summarized as: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MENLO PARK REZONING PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 100-190 INDEPENDENCE DRIVE AND 101-155 CONSTITUTION DRIVE The full text of the ordinance and all exhibits are available at the Office of the City Clerk and/or may be viewed on the City of Menlo Park website at www.menlopark.org Margaret S. Roberts, MMC Deputy City Clerk Dated: June 23, 2010 Vice President Joe Biden visits Atherton for Boxer fundraiser Vice President Joe Biden was the guest of honor Thursday afternoon, July 8, at a fundraiser in Atherton for California Sen. Barbara Boxer. The vice president arrived in a motorcade that made its way up from Moffett Field. The event was to be held at the home of Jill and John Freidenrich, with congresswomen Anna Eshoo, Jackie Speier and Zoe Lofgren hosting. Sen. Boxer, a Democrat, is in a tight race with the Republican candidate Carly Fiorina, a Peninsula resident and former Hewlett-Packard CEO. Willows moms give camp gear for children, teens at shelter Fourteen Willows mothers, led by Dana Shields, have organized a drive that will bring summer camp gear to 23 children and teens at the Clara Mateo Alliance Shelter in Menlo Park. The mesh bags include towels, swimsuits, goggles, and sunscreen. The recipients range from kindergarteners to 18-year-olds, Ms. Shields said. OBITUA RI ES The summer camp bags were delivered to Kristin Chandler, community outreach coordinator for InnVision Clara-Mateo, on June 18 at Cafe Zoe in Menlo Park. Joseph Dixon Longtime Portola Valley resident Evelyn Hobart Longtime Portola Valley resident CITY OF MENLO PARK ORDINANCE 971 SUMMARY NOTICE OF ADOPTION The City Council of Menlo Park adopted Ordinance No. 971 at its regular City Council meeting of June 22, 2010. The Ordinance was introduced on June 15, 2010, and adopted on June 22, 2010, by a 4-1 vote. The ordinance is effective thirty days from its adoption, and is summarized as: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MENLO PARK APPROVING THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH BOHANNON DEVELOPMENT COMPANY The full text of the ordinance and all exhibits are available at the Office of the City Clerk and/or may be viewed on the City of Menlo Park website at www.menlopark.org Margaret S. Roberts, MMC Deputy City Clerk Dated: June 23, 2010 The Almanac A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at the Pescadero Community Church for Joseph Bernard "Joe" Dixon. The longtime Portola Valley resident died peacefully of agerelated illness at his home on May 13. He was 91. Mr. Dixon was born in San Francisco. He served in the Merchant Marine division of the U.S. Coast Guard in the Pacific in World War II. His hobby of ham radio led him to the position of radio operations officer. In 1938, he married Pearl Whiting. After the war, the couple purchased property alongside Mr. Dixon's family in Portola Valley. They spent many weekends building their own home before moving from San Francisco in 1947. Mr. Dixon commuted to his job at Columbia Electric in San Francisco until he went to work for Dymec, which would eventually become part of HewlettPackard. He worked for several divisions of HP in both Palo Alto and Cupertino, retiring after 27 years. Mr. Dixon's teenage hobby of ham radio and interest in electronics served as a basis for both his military and professional careers. He maintained his ham radio operator's license throughout his life. He enjoyed working with his hands, say family members, building his home and converting two vans into campers. He loved his garden, especially the tropical plants, they say. He taught himself guitar and joined local musicians to play on weekends at Portola Valley venues, when building the Dixon home. In his 70s he took up the banjo and joined the Happy Times Banjo Band. When arthritis limited his dexterity, he taught himself bass guitar. Survivors include his three children, Joanne Day-Judah of Capitan, New Mexico, John Dixon of Pescadero, and Don Dixon of Albany, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl, in 2000. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at Ladera Community Church in Portola Valley for Evelyn Hobart, who died June 18 in Grass Valley. She was 91. Before moving to Grass Valley, Ms. Hobart was a resident of Portola Valley for more than 40 years. Born in San Diego, she graduated from San Diego State University. She was married to Hughes M. Hobart in 1947. Ms. Hobart taught in the Los Altos School District for 38 years. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Friends of Filoli, the Federated Women's Club, and Redwood City Women's Club. She is survived by her son, Terry Hobart, and two grandsons. Her husband, Hughes Hobart, and daughter, Tina Hobart-Benz, preceded her in death. Memorials in Ms. Hobart's name may be made to Ladera Community Church PreSchool. 14 July 14, 2010 Photography by Frank Gaglione; Physician: George A. Fisher, Jr., MD, PhD; Patient: Gary Grandmaison STAND FOR STANFORD MEDICINE ARRANGING YOUR RETIREMENT TO REFLECT YOUR VALUES, YOUR NEEDS AND THE IMPACT YOU SEEK TO HAVE IN THE WORLD IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES, CONSIDER THE BENEFITS OF A STANFORD MEDICINE GIFT ANNUITY: With a gift annuity of $20,000 or more, Stanford makes fixed annual payments to you or a loved one for life Receive a tax deduction and possible future tax savings It's easy to set up Support Stanford University School of Medicine's world-class medical research and education STANFORD GIFT ANNUITIES Current Single-Life Rates Age 65 75 85 Rate (%) 5.5 6.4 8.1 TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE CONTACT US. Stanford University School of Medicine Office of Planned Giving Carol J. Kersten, JD 650.725.5524 firstname.lastname@example.com http://pgmed.stanford.edu July 14, 2010 The Almanac 15 N E W S 20 P E R F O R M I N G A RT S S E A S O N 10 20 11 Fire burns through roof on Menlo Park home By Dave Boyce Almanac Staff Writer A Kronos is joined by Cantabile Youth Singers in Awakening: A Meditation on 9/11. SLSQ performs works by Schumann, Elgar, and Haydn, joined by pianist Stephen Prutsman. One of Bali's premier ensembles in a dazzling performance of music and dance. fire that burned through the roof of a two-story home on Seminary Drive in Menlo Park at around 9:50 p.m. Saturday, July 10, caused $50,000 to $75,000 in damages to the roof, Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District told The Almanac. Firefighters arrived on the scene three minutes after the 911 call came in and had the onealarm fire under control about 13 minutes later, the chief said. Some 14 firefighters fought the fire. There were no injuries, the chief said, adding that fire investigators put the damage to contents at about $20,000. The fire's cause is likely to be a recessed light fixture in the attic that either malfunctioned, was installed improperly, or was too close to insulation material, the chief said. Recessed lights "generate a lot of heat," Chief Schapelhouman said. "They're up in the attic, they're always suspect. If they're not installed correctly, it can be a problem." The homeowners were away but someone taking care of the house heard a smoke alarm, or alarms, go off, the chief said. Both the attic and the second floor had alarms, he said. The timing of the fire was fortunate in that it occurred before bedtime when someone was awake to hear the alarm and didn't get a chance to build, the chief said. Had there been a sprinkler system in the second floor ceiling, it would not have extinguished this fire. Asked about that, Chief Schapelhouman said that the fire district recommends that the attic also be equipped, particularly because homeowners today are trying to save livable space by putting A `Flowers in the Home' event at Filoli Legendary Japanese Butoh company performs its latest work, the enigmatic Tobari. "An effortlessly charismatic bassist" (NY Times), McBride returns with an acoustic quintet. Violin virtuosa Midori in an intimate evening of Bach, Mozart, and more. Filoli Center will host its annual "Flowers in the Home ... Bringing the Garden Indoors" program, with three days of family activities, from Friday through Sunday, July 16-18. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Filoli staff and volunteers will show how the garden can be enjoyed indoors with demon- strations, talks, garden walks, docent-led native plant exploration hikes, crafts for children, and the 12th annual botanical art exhibit. Guided tours of Filoli's historic greenhouses are scheduled for Friday, July 16. On Saturday, July 17, docents will lead garden walks for families with children. There will be demonstrations on topiaries, summer flower arrangements, the art of bonsai, and terrariums. Program activities for "Flowers in the Home" are free with paid admission to Filoli. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $5 for students. Advance reservations are highly recommended. Visit filoli.org for times and activities, and reservation information. For more information, call 364-8300, ext. 508, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Solo recital: The legendary pianist performs late works of Schubert. The Israeli rock legend unites East and West, classical and contemporary, sacred and secular. The iconic jazz composer Charles Mingus lives on in his incendiary namesake ensemble. RED LIGHT continued from page 3 Get local news updates FREE in your e-mail inbox daily. Sign up today at TheAlmanacOnline.com ATMs or convenience stores? Mr. Iwama suggested the answer lies within the automated nature of the red-light cameras. "Usually there's a live person who can testify, `Yes, this is the equipment, I had it installed, it's in good shape.' They may not see the actual breakin, but they can vouch for the equipment and lay a foundation for the evidence," he said. "But with red-light cameras, nobody saw the violation other than the equipment. The people who can John O'Connor FDR502 MENLO PARK FUNERALS FD2060 NEW # 650-329-8022 menloparkfunerals.com 16 1182A-Chestnut St. Menlo Park vouch for the equipment aren't here, they're in Arizona." Redflex's contract with Menlo Park specifies the company is responsible for all maintenance and troubleshooting. The company monitors all of its cameras remotely, relying on the system to indicate knockdowns, power outages, or communications issues, according to Shoba Vaitheeswaran, director of communications at Redflex. Mr. McClure, Menlo Park's city attorney, weighed in on the recent court rulings, after his office participated in a conclave with Redflex on June 29. "One could say that bad facts make bad law," he said. Mr. McClure believes the Orange County court is "just wrong in its decision." The difference between the Orange County case and local cases, he said, boils down to whether the officer testifying in court is qualified to answer questions about the citation and how the camera system works. "The problem with the officer testimony that was present in the Orange County case is not present in Menlo Park's cases," he said, explaining that Menlo Park officers who testify have personally reviewed the evidence and know how the technology works. However, Mr. Iwama took issue with that statement, having just gotten a red-light ticket dismissed in part because the Menlo Park police officer read from a script while testifying, and was unprepared to answer questions without it. Menlo Park and Santa Ana, where the Orange County hearsay case originated, both contract with Redflex, he said, and follow the same procedures. Mr. McClure cited other cases where photographs and videos are not hearsay, as with surveillance photos, and only need to be authenticated by a police officer to count as evidence. Redflex, along with several cities, have asked the Orange County Superior Court to de-publish the case, which would mean attorneys could no longer cite the case as precedent. "It is worth noting that the [Orange County] defendant did not assert innocence or claim that he did not run a red light," Mr. McClure said. "The purpose of the cameras is and continues to be to ticket people running red lights in an effort to change behavior to make intersections more safe for other drivers obeying traffic signals." The Menlo Park Police Department is currently compiling data to evaluate how the redlight cameras are affecting safety at those intersections. A The Almanac July 14, 2010 N E W S POLICE CALLS This information is from the Atherton and Menlo Park police departments and the San Mateo County Sheriff�s Office. Under the law, people charged with offenses are considered innocent until convicted. MENLO PARK Fraud reports: Company not compensated for work performed for estimated $15,000 loss, oDesk Corp., 4200 Bohannon Drive, July 8. Unauthorized use of credit card for estimated $2,500 loss, 300 block of Trenton Way, July 2. Grand theft reports: Embezzlement for estimated $3,500 loss, Advanced Chiropractic Center at 630 Oak Grove Ave., July 7. Handgun valued at $499 stolen, 700 block of Fremont St., July 6. Auto burglary reports: Digital camera, two-way radio, GPS device, jacket and glasses stolen for an estimated $1,140 loss, 1600 block of Marsh Road, July 3. GPS device stolen for an estimated $250 loss, 1100 block of Del Norte Ave., July 8. CD player valued at $120 stolen, 1100 block of Willow Road, July 2. Cloth handbag, jeans and shorts stolen for an estimated $98 loss, first block of Scott Drive, July 7. Child Protective Services reports: 700 block of Ivy Drive, July 7. Creek Drive and El Camino Real, July 6. Commercial burglary reports: Two bottle of vodka stolen and recovered, Safeway supermarket at 525 El Camino Real, July 2. Printer stolen for $150 estimated loss, Belle Haven School at 400 Ivy Drive, July 6. Residential burglary report: Vacant house broken into but nothing taken, 200 block of Ivy Drive, July 3. Stolen vehicle report: Silver Honda Accord, 200 block of Hamilton Ave., July 3. WOODSIDE Fraud report: Losses of about $80,000 through misrepresentation by individuals posing as customers, Paymate Corp. at 2105 Woodside Road, July 2. A great bike ride! TOUR de MENLO 2O1O METRIC CENTURY Saturday, August 21 65, 46 & 35 mile rides with a few hills Ride Day Registration 8 to 10 a.m. Menlo-Atherton High School 555 Middlefield Road Atherton, CA, 94027 Support Local Kids CO L L E G E G R ADS Danielle Kielty, a graduate of Menlo-Atherton High School and a resident of Menlo Park, received a bachelor of architecture degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, on May 29. She received the Matthew W. Del Gaudio Award, given to the member of the graduating class in the School of Architecture with the highest record of work in building construction and in structural theory and design. Catherine Rose Hagman, daughter of Roger and Libby Hagman of Menlo Park, received a bachelor of arts degree in geography and international development studies from UCLA. She graduated summa cum laude, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and received the Blackman Award for academic excellence. In August, she will join the Vincentian Service Corps in Los Angeles. Register online at www.tourdemenlo.com July 14, 2010 The Almanac 17 Serving Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, and Woodside for 44 years. Ideas, thoughts and opinions about local issues from people in our community. Edited by Tom Gibboney. Editor & Publisher Tom Gibboney Editorial Managing Editor Richard Hine News Editor Renee Batti Lifestyles Editor Jane Knoerle Senior Correspondents Marion Softky, Marjorie Mader Staff Writers David Boyce, Sandy Brundage Contributors Barbara Wood, Kate Daly, Katie Blankenberg Special Sections Editors Carol Blitzer, Sue Dremann Photographer Michelle Le High-speed rail off track W Design & Production Design Director Raul Perez Designers Linda Atilano, Gary Vennarucci Advertising Vice President Sales & Marketing Walter Kupiec Real Estate Manager Neal Fine Real Estate and Advertising Coordinator Diane Martin Published every Wednesday at 3525 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Menlo Park, Ca 94025 Newsroom: (650) 854-2690 Newsroom Fax: (650) 854-0677 Advertising: (650) 854-2626 Advertising Fax: (650) 854-3650 e-mail news and photos with captions to: email@example.com e-mail letters to: email@example.com The Almanac, established in September, 1965, is delivered each week to residents of Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside and adjacent unincorporated areas of southern San Mateo County. The Almanac is qualified by decree of the Superior Court of San Mateo County to publish public notices of a governmental and legal nature, as stated in Decree No. 147530, issued November 9, 1969. Subscriptions are $60 for one year and $100 for two years. ith state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, adding his voice to the growing criticism of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, local challenges to the huge project are gaining credibility. Though critics are often referred to as NIMBY (not in my backyard) opponents because the planned route would impact many Peninsula residents who live along the rail corridor, recent glitches in the authorED ITORI AL ity's ridership claims and overThe opinion of The Almanac sight ability has now caught Mr. Simitian's attention. He told the Palo Alto Weekly that these and other problems reflect "an unfortunate trend that needs to be turned around." He and his colleagues have decided to give the authority until Feb. 1 to present a list of ways to remedy the identified problems or risk losing some state funding for the estimated $43 billion rail link between San Francisco and Los Angeles, he said. Earlier last week the Peninsula Cities Consortium (Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Burlingame and Belmont) issued a statement that said the authority has "an enormous credibility problem" after an independent review uncovered problems in the ridership projections. The statement from the consortium's chair, Menlo Park Mayor Rich Cline, is highly critical of the authority, citing mistakes found by the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, a professional group commissioned by the state Legislature. Only with a high number of riders can the authority justify the huge construction costs of the project. And that wasn't all from Mr. Cline, who also noted recent criti- cal reports from the Office of the State Auditor and the Legislative Analyst's Office, and he challenged the authority's assertion that when built, the system would be financially self-sustaining. The consortium also is concerned that the "key problems may not be resolved because of the intense pressure being exerted by the authority's desire to qualify for federal stimulus funding." Construction must begin by September 2012 on the San Francisco to San Jose segment to qualify California for a $2.25 billion grant. Overall, the authority hopes to get about $17 billion in federal grants, although only $2.25 billion has been committed so far. "Common sense is absent from the high-speed rail discussion," Mr. Cline said. "Right now the authority plans to select final alignment and release its draft environmental impact report by December of this year under an extremely rushed project schedule that is dictated solely by the desire for federal funds." "The project is suffering from an enormous credibility problem, due to its widely criticized business plan, faulty ridership numbers and the absence of funding to carry out the project statewide -- let alone offer realistic alternatives for the section planned on the Peninsula," Mr. Cline said. Looking ahead, Mr. Cline and the consortium are concerned that "there is no stated plan for paying to operate high-speed rail once it is built, and we fear local taxpayers may be left holding the bag." Given the High-Speed Rail Authority's lackluster performance so far, the entire state should be worried about the ability of the authority to manage and build this multi-billion-dollar project on time and on budget. Peninsula residents whose homes back up to the rail corridor may have raised the initial red flags about this project, but now their concerns are proving to be far more than just NIMBY criticisms. L ETT E RS Our readers write Character of downtown Menlo fine the way it is Editor: I oppose the city's "visioning" plan for downtown Menlo Park. I am a 24-year resident who enjoys the character of our downtown and do not want to see it changed. The merchants are struggling with the downturn of the economy and this plan appears to be a good idea for someplace other than Menlo Park. We have Stanford Shopping Center down the block. The impact on the businesses that are here will be devastating. Success is based on timing and good planning. The timing is totally wrong and the plan doesn't fit this community. Bobbie Fakkema O'Conner Street, Menlo Park WHAT'S YOUR VIEW? All views must include a home address and contact phone number. Published letters will also appear on the web site, www.TheAlmanacOnline.com, and occasionally on the Town Square forum. Atherton Heritage Association Our Regional Heritage The Atherton Town Council and staff posed for this photograph in 1952. From left, are: City Clerk Howard Boren, council members George Linsley, Edward E. Eyre, (Mayor) James Howell, Charles Merrill, Harry Mitchell, Henry Keuchler and City Attorney Winston Black. Historians say development in the town accelerated in the early 1950s following the end of World War II. TOWN SQUARE FORUM POST your views on the Town Square forum at www.TheAlmanacOnline.com EMAIL your views to: firstname.lastname@example.com and note this it is a letter to the editor in the subject line. MAIL or deliver to: Editor at the Almanac, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Menlo merchants need a stimulus Editor: Whether the Menlo Park City Council chooses to admit it or not, the downtown merchants need some stimulus. CALL the Viewpoint desk at 854-2690, ext. 222. Instead of wasting $1.2 million on questionable consultants, why didn't the mayor and the rest of the council sit down with the Planning Commission and the staff of the Planning Department and tell them: "We want commerce in this town. We want our businesses to grow and prosper. Stop doing everything you can to hinder the process." The council could take city monies and sponsor a Sunday "wash and wax" for downtown. They could offer some advertising support to merchants and landlords who participated. After we cleaned, painted and generally spruced up the downtown, how about a week-long promotion and sale with all of the merchants? Involve the Chamber of Commerce and maybe the service groups like the Kiwanis and oth- ers. Generally, we should make some noise about what a great little city Menlo Park is, in spite of the long-standing, anti-business environment put forth by a number of city councils. A promotion like this cannot be a one-time affair, but an ongoing process. We need a city-friendly council and Planning CommisSee LETTERS, next page 18 The Almanac July 14, 2010 V I E W P O I N T Case affirmed Union Pacific's rights By Michael J. Brady PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Fees Due for Garbage, Recycling Material and, Plant Material Collection for the Service Period July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Menlo Park, California, will hold a Public Hearing to consider the report of the City Manager to place unpaid fees due for garbage, recycling material, and plant material collection services for the service period July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, on the San Mateo County property tax rolls, pursuant to Sections 7.06.040 and 7.06.050 of the Menlo Park Municipal Code. NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that said City Council will hold the aforementioned Public Hearing to consider this report in the Council Chambers of the City of Menlo Park, Civic Center - 701 Laurel Street, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the 20th day of July, 2010, or as near as possible thereafter, at which time and place interested persons may appear and be heard thereon. NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that "If you challenge this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the Public Hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Menlo Park at, or prior to, the Hearing". T his is a response to last week's guest opinion by Quentin Kopp, a board member of the state's HighSpeed Rail Authority. I am counsel for Russ Peterson and Roger Reynolds Nursery in the Peterson v. HighSpeed Rail case, which Mr. Kopp discussed last week. Mr. Kopp thinks the case was unmeritorious. Far from it. The sole goal of the case was to ensure that high-speed rail and Caltrain not try to start construction of a high-speed rail project on the Peninsula unless and until they secured the written consent of Union Pacific Railway to every aspect of construction contemplated. This is absolutely required pursuant to a binding contract that goes back to 1991. The defendants have been ignoring that contract and the rights of Union Pacific. Caltrain and the rail authority instead entered into "memoranda of understanding" between themselves as to their grand high-speed rail plans without mentioning the rights of Union Pacific, which has virtual veto power over any such project on the Peninsula. Union Pacific has written many letters to the defendants warning them of their rights and not to do anything without securing their consent. When asked to acknowledge Union Pacific's rights, all the defendants would say in public meetings was that, "we're talking." The lawsuit, which was dismissed for technical and procedural reasons (filed too early), has now secured a court order cementing Union Pacific's rights. The court order states that the defendants both agree that they cannot start construction on the Peninsula without Union Pacific's written consent. The defendants are now bound by that order and cannot do an end-run around it. Wo u l d the defendants have openly and publicly so agreed without the lawGUEST suit and OPINION the resulting court order? I doubt it. If Union Pacific's many letters are representative of their current position, the defendants will have a hard row to hoe in trying to get this project up the Peninsula. They will be held to the exacting standards of the existing contract which gives Union Pacific exclusive and perpetual authority to decide whether, if at all, or under what conditions, the high-speed rail project can come up the Peninsula. The interests of Union Pacific in protecting its freight operations and the interests of the Peninsula residents in preserving the beauty of their towns and cities may well gest that actual routes be studied, not just two-dimensional maps. Recology's Gino Gasparini has told me that his new trucks will still not travel the private road that I share with two other households, and that, come January, I must haul my bin to the "curb," which is defined as the frontage road approximately 540 feet uphill from my property line. If I opt for "backyard service," someone will come to pick up the bin for a surcharge that adds up in 50-foot increments. There's a lack of "service" in this garbage deal and I am appalled at being penalized for my property's location. Margo Sensenbrenner Happy Hollow Lane, Menlo Park dovetail in many important respects. The court order will prevent the defendants from doing any end-run around Union Pacific when all indications were that they intended to do exactly that unless prevented from doing so. Sometimes you have to go to court to ensure that things are done correctly. We have heard countless assurances from the defendants at countless town hall meetings, and the public is becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of good faith from the proponents of this project. The High-Speed Rail Authority always professes that they are in compliance with the law. I suggest your readers consult the numerous reports of the Legislative Analyst's Office and the recent scathing report of the California State Auditor on this point, not to mention the just-issued report of the prestigious U.C. Berkeley Institute of Transportation Studies, which says that the authority's ridership study is totally unreliable. Every activity of these defendants must be watched and monitored closely. The Peterson case provides one more important weapon to ensure such monitoring, thanks to the courageous actions of Russ Peterson and our beloved 90-year-old Roger Reynolds Nursery. Michael J. Brady is an attorney based in Redwood City. Mateo and Santa Clara) in not supporting Caltrain's budget needs. I hope the Joint Powers Board will rise to the challenge and pursue a dedicated source of funding much like other transit systems. Caltrain is the only system that I know that does not. I think it is time to set up a special district use tax to really ensure the viability of Caltrain and the continued mobility of commuters on the San Francisco Peninsula. A reduction in service will not serve any useful purpose in the long term, but will drive more people away from using Caltrain and make our freeways more congested. While I think electrification is an important element in making Caltrain run more efficiently and effectively, one should not wait until that conversion. I think we must lay the groundwork today to bring Caltrain under one fully funded jurisdiction. Matthew Young Mountain View Dated: June 29, 2010 /s/ MARGARET S. ROBERTS, MMC, City Clerk Published in THE COUNTRY ALMANAC on July 7, 2010 and July 14, 2010 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Menlo Park, California, is scheduled to review the following items: PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS Use Permit/DNA2.0/1140 O'Brien Drive: Request for a use permit for the indoor use and storage of hazardous materials in association with the manufacturing of synthetic genes in the M-2 (General Industrial) zoning district. Use Permit Revision/Jason Osborne for Verizon Wireless/2005 Willow Road: Request for a use permit revision to modify an existing wireless facility, including the replacement of two panel antennas and the addition of two dish antennas on a 60-foot tower located on a Pacific Gas & Electric substation site. NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that said Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on public hearing items in the Council Chambers of the City of Menlo Park, located at 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, on Monday, July 26, 2010, 7:00 p.m. or as near as possible thereafter, at which time and place interested persons may appear and be heard thereon. If you challenge this item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Menlo Park at, or prior to, the public hearing. The project file may be viewed by the public on weekdays between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, with alternate Fridays closed, at the Department of Community Development, 701 Laurel Street, Menlo Park. Please call the Planning Division if there are any questions and/or for complete agenda information (650) 330-6702. Si usted necesita m�s informaci�n sobre este proyecto, por favor llame al 650-330-6702, y pregunte por un asistente que hable espa�ol. DATED: July 8, 2010 PUBLISHED: July 15, 2010 Deanna Chow, Senior Planner Menlo Park Planning Commission L E T T ER S Continued from previous page sion to get this done, not those who propose to bribe a developer with extraordinary fees and taxes or allow special interest groups to stop complementary development (the Derry Project) and leave parts of the city looking like the Bronx. I'm willing to bet that this "City Stimulus" could be accomplished for a lot less than $1.2 million and the city would be a lot better off. So to the council, especially Heyward Robinson and Planning Commissioner Vince Bressler, let's put Menlo Park first on your priority lists and cancel your personal agendas. Pat White Fremont Street, Menlo Park Counties should step up for Caltrain Editor: As a user of Caltrain, I am very concerned with the lack of commitment and disappointed by the three counties (San Francisco, San New garbage contract leaves out Menlo customer Editor: As a South Bay Waste Management Association rate-payer, I sug- Visit our Web site for Planning Commission public hearing, agenda, and staff report information: www.menlopark.org July 14, 2010 The Almanac 19 represented by Scott Dancer S E AL PE IN ND G S E AL PE IN ND G Woodside Hills SALE PENDING $1,595,000 Woodside, 17.6-acre Forest FOR SALE $1,650,000 Central Woodside SALE PENDING $1,995,000 Woodside, Gated Estate FOR SALE $2,095,000 Woodside, Stunning Remodel FOR SALE $2,125,000 Woodside, 9 Acres with Views FOR SALE $2,250,000 SO LD Woodside, Serene Setting FOR SALE $2,195,000 Central Woodside SOLD $2,395,000 Woodside Elegance FOR SALE $2,995,000 S E AL PE IN ND G Woodside, Amazing Vistas FOR SALE $4,150,000 Portola Valley, Complete Estate FOR SALE $4,950,000 Woodside Estate FOR SALE $5,495,000 SO LD Portola Valley, Architectural Gem FOR SALE $6,395,000 Atherton, 1 Acre SOLD $8,850,000 Woodside, Folger Estate FOR SALE $12,500,000 Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. 2969 Woodside Road Woodside, CA 94062 Scott Dancer 650.529.2454 scottdancer.com 20 The Almanac July 14, 2010