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The Almanac 10.12.2011 - Section 1
Section 1 of the October 12. 2011 edition of the Almanac
FALL REAL ESTATE Inside this issue T H E H O M E T O W N N E W S PA P E R F O R M E N L O PA R K , AT H E R T O N , P O R T O L A VA L L E Y A N D W O O D S I D E OCTOBER 12, 2011 | VO L . 4 7 N O. 7 W W W. T H E A L M A N AC O N L I N E . C O M VOTER'S GUIDE 2011 See Section Two `Achievement gap' is issue in school race 2 The Almanac October 12, 2011 UPF RONT 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. Almanac photo by Michelle Le Customers check out the Tesla Model S Beta at the Menlo Park showroom on El Camino Real. Tesla Model S debut draws a crowd By Daniel DeBolt Embarcadero Media ozens of prospective buyers and curious gearheads formed a line on Saturday at Menlo Park's Tesla Motors dealership to sit inside the first mass production car to be developed and built entirely by a Silicon Valley company. As members of the public got their first close-up look at the new Tesla Model S sedan, Menlo Park resident Rich Shane said he'd already made up his mind to buy the new Tesla, potentially the first electric sedan that can go as far as a conventional gas powered car on a tank of gas. He said he canceled his reservation for a Nissan Leaf because its 100-mile range is well beat by the Tesla, which can run for 160 miles if you buy the $59,000 base model and as far as 300 miles with an optional $20,000 battery pack. "I couldn't accept not being able to get to and from Sacramento," Shane said. Set to compete with BMW's D profitable five series, the Tesla S is an attempt to build a luxury car with a sports car feel. With a compact electric motor, no transmission and a lithium-ion battery spread flat under the Tesla claims it can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds. floor, the company claims the car has twice the storage room as the BMW five series, with substantial trunk space at both ends. It can also seat seven, if two optional rear-facing seats are installed in the back that can only be used by small children. The placement of a battery that weighs as much as 1,000 pounds under the floor gives the Model S the lowest center of gravity of any production car, Tesla claims, helping the 3,700 pound car to handle better than other car in its class and almost as well as the Lotus-designed Tesla Roadster, said store manager Neil Joseph. The electric motor generates 306 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 362 foot pounds of torque until a 14,000 rpm redline. Tesla claims it can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in 5.6 seconds and reach 130 miles per hour. A sport version is said to be able to do that in less than five seconds. Once inside the car, most could not get their eyes off the 17-inch, high-definition display in the center of the dash, a $1,900 option. It functions like an enlarged iPad with Internet access over a 3G connection, allowing clear access to Google maps and climate controls. More than 6,000 people have already put themselves on a waiting list to buy the car and more than 600 have put down a $40,000 refundable deposit, said See TESLA, page 8 MARSH MANOR Same great services. NEIGHBORLY SERVICES... FRESH NEW LOOK! CALLING ON THE ALMANAC 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 �2011 by Embarcadero Media, All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. MARSH RD. MIDDLEFIELD RD. MARSH MANOR Newsroom: Newsroom fax: Advertising: Advertising fax: Classified ads: 223-6525 223-7525 854-2626 854-3650 854-0858 E-mail news, information, obituaries and photos (with captions) to: email@example.com E-mail letters to the editor to: firstname.lastname@example.com FLORENCE 101 FWY 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. www.MarshManor.com October 12, 2011 The Almanac 3 Now Open In Palo Alto Valerie Wilson Travel Palo Alto 525 University Avenue, Suite 23 Palo Alto, California 94301 855-255-8525 650-485-4545 firstname.lastname@example.com Experience The Power of AccessTM Connect One to One And Travel With Us! z Valerie Wilson Travel Locations: New York, New York y Valerie Wilson Travel celebrates the opening of their new office in Palo Alto with a ribbon cutting ceremony with clients and special guests Pictured above: Kimberly Wilson Wetty, Co-President & Co-Owner, Valerie Wilson Travel, The Honorable Mayor Sidney Espinosa, and Becky Powell Vice President, Member Sales & Service, USA and Canda Worldwide Member Sales, Virtuoso� 4 The Almanac October 12, 2011 Short takes 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 Jobs died too soon to fulfill his plans to return to Woodside By Dave Boyce Almanac Staff Writer `E arth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust," reads the Book of Common Prayer in reflecting on the end of a life. And so it is for Steven P. Jobs, the visionary and longtime chief executive of Apple Computer who lived in Woodside in the 1980s and who died at the age of 56 on Oct. 5, 2011. And so it was in February 2011 for his rambling mansion on Mountain Home Road. Mr. Jobs had plans to return with his family to his old Woodside address, but only after tearing down the Spanish Colonial-style house on the site and replacing it with a modern home. A billionaire several times over in a town familiar with the ways of powerful people, it still took Mr. Jobs 10 years to complete that first step. He never got around to the second one. Slowing him down were fans of the mansion's architect, George Washington Smith, and preservationists who blocked Mr. Jobs repeatedly in their efforts to keep hope alive and save the mansion, in Woodside or wherever, in whole or in part. After the successive fizzling of proposals that would have moved the house or large File photo by Danielle Stolman pieces of it, Mr. Jobs won a Steve Jobs spoke before the Woodside Town Council on the Jackling house on Dec. 14, 2004. judgment for a demolition permit in March 2010, but it would be another year before The town has not received ically significant parts, some servant's call box. he could act on it. By the time any development plans since of which are on display now The exhibit "Days of Grandeur: he did, the town had salvaged the house was demolished, in the Woodside Community The Jacklings and their Woodside certain meaningful elements of Planning Director Jackie Young Museum, are a living room Estate," is open on Sundays from the house before it was reduced told the Almanac. chandelier, banisters from a See JOBS, page 8 to splinters. Among the mansion's histor- set of stairs, wall tiles and a Menlo Park council finishes Staff calls for extension of Stanford's draft review of downtown plan $10 million offer to rebuild Alpine trail By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer `A nd there's a lot to discuss," Mayor Rich Cline commented at one point during the council's Oct. 4 review of Menlo Park's draft downtown/El Camino Real specific plan. He wasn't joking. There was still so much to discuss, in fact, that the meeting ran past midnight again. The last session of the council's review focused on portions of El Camino Real, particularly parcels owned by Stanford University, with some digression into how to link public benefits to preferred land uses. But finally, those on the dais gave a unanimous green light to moving the plan forward to the next phase. Unlike the Planning Commission, however, the council opted not to take a formal vote to do so. "The Council could have made a final vote (as the Commission did), or the Commission could have directed their guidance be moved forward as unanimous consent (as the Council did)," Associate Planner Thomas Rogers explained to the Almanac in an email. He said that it was hard to set a specific date for the next meeting. Staff has "a bit of work to do" to compile the council's recommendations, he noted, which affects the timeline for returning to the Planning Commission and City Council with a final draft of the plan and its environmental impact report. The first meeting with the Planning Commission on the final plan probably won't happen until January at the earliest, according to Mr. Rogers, and will then be followed by council review. "You've given us a lot to chew on," Mr. Rogers said near the end of the meeting, and later closed out the discussion by appreciating the council's attention to detail. "Thanks, and we'll see you again." Go to tinyurl.com/plan-163 to review all documents associated with the specific plan. A By Dave Boyce Almanac Staff Writer O ne shoe has dropped. A staff report from the county manager's office, based on community feedback, recommends that San Mateo County supervisors ask Stanford University for a two-year extension on its controversial offer of $10 million to upgrade the rickety trail along Alpine Road through the unincorporated communities of Ladera and Stanford Weekend Acres. The other shoe will likely fall Tuesday morning, Oct. 18, when the Board of Supervisors is expected to have a public hearing and vote on Stanford's offer. The board meets in the Hall of Justice and Records at 400 County Center (corner of Bradford Street and Hamilton Avenue) in Redwood City. What could be controversial about a university, in hard times, offering neighbors $10 million to design and pay for an arguably safer trail in place of an old, unsafe and little used one? The trail's right-of-way is: Wildly inconsistent in width and topography, which could affect heritage trees and what remains of Weekend Acres' secluded lifestyle. The Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing Oct. 18. Located along a twisting, heavily traveled two-lane artery where speed-limit violations may get worse if the project straightens part of Alpine Road. Unsafe, according to Weekend Acres residents who describe the tedium of waiting to join traffic on Alpine Road and the danger of doing so because the traffic is moving fast and they have only seconds to join the flow. An improved trail for pedestrians, cyclists, kids and dogs could add to their headaches. There are too many unknowns to be for or against the offer, Assistant County Manager David Holland told an Oct. 4 gathering of 80 to 100 people at the Ladera Swim & Tennis Club. What is needed is a trail design to study and talk about, he said. "It might look a lot better than what we have in our heads right now," Mr. Holland said. The audience peppered Mr. Holland with questions, among them whether $10 million is enough, who would pay if it isn't, can traffic be slowed, what will its volume be in 10 years, and what will be the effect of Ladera proponents outnumbering Weekend Acres opponents. "I do believe that all of these issues can be addressed," Mr. Holland said. "Certainly, a couple of on-demand traffic lights can slow this traffic." As for the greater numerical support in Ladera, trail qualities such as safety will be the primary conSee TRAIL, page 8 October 12, 2011 The Almanac 5 N E W S WOODSIDE PORTOLA VALLEY Sale Dates: Oct. 12,13,14,15 Menlo man sentenced for local school burglaries www.robertsmarket.com He pleaded no contest. By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer Fresh Produce TASTY, NEW CROP COMICE PEARS SWEET 89 $ � lb. A lb CONCORD GRAPES 1 99lb RUSSET POTATOES GREAT FOR BAKING $ 49� lb Meat And Seafood FILET MIGNON APPLEWOOD BACON $ $ 19 $ 98 $ fter pleading no contest on burglary charges related to local school breakins, Jaime Maldanado, 20, was sentenced Oct. 6 to 16 months in county jail, with credit for 32 days already served, the San Mateo County district attorney's office said. The Menlo Park man broke into the Hillview, Laurel, and GermanAmerican International schools along with at least two teenagers during a single week in September. Their ill-gotten loot included 26 iPads and $400, although Hillview Middle School recovered 12 of its tablet computers. He was arrested after a police dog provided incentive to surrender at the scene of the Laurel Elementary School break-in. Mr. Maldanado also owes $360 in fines. At the time of arrest he was on probation for possessing stolen property in Santa Clara County, and also faces similar charges for somehow finding himself with 10 laptops stolen from the Palo Alto Unified School District. A 598 lb COUNTRY STYLE BACON 498 Woman faces gunman during nighttime stroll in Menlo Park lb By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer On Sale Grocery 32 OZ. FAMILIA ORGINAL SWISS MUSELI 6 99 DINO BUDDIES CHICKEN NUGGETS 26 OZ. $ 99 4 PRECIOUS MOZZARELLA CHEESE $ 6 OZ. BALL 399 1 MILKBONE LARGE DOG BISCUITS $ 26 0Z. 3 29 SAN PELLEGRINO SPARKLING MINERAL WATER $ 49 750 ML�PLUS CALIF. REDEEM VALUE nighttime stroll turned terrifying for a woman on Sharon Road in Menlo Park on Monday, Oct. 3, when she was confronted by a man with a gun. A little before 10 p.m., as she was talking on a cell phone while walking, a man pointed a gun at her chest and ordered her to get in a car, police said. She refused; the robber snatched her purse instead and ran to the car, which was driven south A toward Sharon Park Drive. The police report describes the attacker as a Hispanic man in his early 20s with a shaved head, wearing a gray top and possibly dark pants. There's no description of the getaway driver yet, but the car was said to be gray or silver. According to police, they've compared the crime to other recent armed robberies in neighboring areas and concluded there's no connection. Police ask anyone with information to call 330-6300 or the anonymous tip line at 330-6395. A Righting the record on school history The Almanac apologizes for an error in the Sept. 28 cover story on the 150th anniversary of the Portola Valley School District. An e-mail from Barbara Bogart, former Portola Valley resident involved in writing and staging four fundraising shows for the Portola Valley PTA in the 1970s, corrects the record. She says in the email: "The film, `Romeo and Juliet, a tragedy,' a comic adaptation, was written and directed by my husband Skip in 1973. The leads were Blanche Perry, wife of (baseball great) Gaylord Perry, and Bill Penny, PVS principal at the time. Skip was not in the film, which was shot all over Portola Valley and I had a short bit part in a sinking swan boat on Morshead Lake." The preformers in her shows were residents and faculty members, many of whom still live in Portola Valley. Some photos from these shows were on display Sunday, Oct. 2, among the historic memorabilia in the Portola Valley Town Center's Community Room. Ms. Bogart, now living in Modesto, said she enjoyed the 150th celebration with her son and daughter, both PVS graduates. Dana flew here from the East Coast and sang with the local group, rounded up by banjo player Jeff Pollock. On the drums was Jeff Bogart, now living in San Diego. -- Marjorie Mader Deli Department STOP BY OUR DELI FOR A FREE RANGE FRESH ROASTED CHICKEN Also serve up our fresh, homemade side dishes Real Mashed Potatoes $5.99 lb. Steamed Veggie Medley $6.99 lb. Macaroni & Cheese or Rice Pilaf $5.29 lb. $4.99 lb. JUST $5.29LB Wine and Spirits 2006 Martin Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon: Dos Rios Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley Reg $34.99...................................Sale $19.99 Nestled against the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains, lies the Dos Rios Vineyard. Martin Ranch has crafted an intense, fresh, juicy Cab that displays plenty of rich , earthy/mineral complexity. This is serious wine that is perfect with grilled, marinated steak. Great value! 6 Upholstery 650-591-3424 1064 Cherry Street San Carlos, CA 94070 RJ's Kathy's Drapery Plus Roman Shades 650-591-0220 Better Choice Since 1960 email@example.com The Almanac October 12, 2011 N E W S R EAL E STATE Q&A by Monica Corman Finding Comparable Sales When Data Is Slim Dear Monica: I live in an area where most of the homes are either much larger or have more land than my home. What comparable properties should I use to price my home when nothing like my home has sold in the area? Jane C. Dear Jane: First find the closest area with homes like yours and see what buyers have paid for homes there recently. Then add or subtract value based on any differences such as schools, location, and other variables. This should at least give you an idea of what price range you are in. Your real estate agent is the best source for this information. You can also look at historical information for smaller properties in your own area and adjust the prices to current levels for those earlier sales. You need data on year over year price changes in order to do this. Try to think like a buyer and understand how they would respond to your home. Your agent would be a good guide for what buyers are looking for. Using these methods you should be able to find the market value of your home. For answers to any questions you may have on real estate, you may e-mail me at email@example.com or call 462-1111, Alain Pinel Realtors. I also offer a free market analysis of your property. www.MonicaCorman.com Photo by Joel Simon Photography Al Gore speaks at Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton on Oct. 4. Al Gore visits Sacred Heart Schools By Sloane Sturzenegger Senior, Sacred Heart Prep I ety lacks a commitment from the government to take an environt isn't every day that a former mentally friendly path. "But after vice president speaks at a all," he said, "government comhigh school. mitment is a renewable resource." Tuesday, Oct. 4 , was one of Students reacted positively to those days. Al Gore -- Nobel the presentation. Sophomore laureate, Oscar winner, and Lauren Mohrman said: "Hearenvironmental activist -- visited ing his advice about making a Sacred Heart Schools in Atherdifference really spoke out to ton, and spoke to an audience of me. Having someone you don't 700 students, faculty and guests. see everyday tell you that you Mr. Gore was introduced by can make a change really makes his friend Ray Lane, a Sacred you believe that you can." Heart Schools parent. Mr. Senior Andrew Liotta described Lane and Mr. Gore work the speech as "very imprestogether on the Kleinsive and well articulated. er Perkins "Green Tech He presented his key ideas Al Gore's appearance was part Fund," which has had in a comprehensive and of the school's Excellence Series much success promoting honest manner." environmental sustainMost students were of talks and discussions. ability. Mr. Lane's heartvery excited in the days felt personal introduction leading up to the event. lightened the mood and set the out-of-date ideas and customs. Mr. Gore didn't disappoint. "I'm standard for an engaging, interAfter 45 minutes, Mr. Gore really glad I had the opportunity esting discourse. concluded his address and to hear the vice president speak. Mr. Gore's remarks to the stu- opened the floor to questions It's an experience I won't forget," dents, who ranged from eighth- from the audience. Questions said Andrew. to 12th-graders, focused on ranged from "Will you run for In addition to Al Gore, Sacred global climate change and what president again?" to a philosoph- Heart Schools has invited severyoung people can do to help. He ical discussion about motivation al other guests during the Excelurged the students to be "leaders and leadership. Much of the lence Series, a program that of change" who work to promote half-hour Q&A session focused prompts discussion and debate ethical choices. on global warming, its projected through thought-provoking lecHe added that while most effects, and what students can do tures and speeches. Featured students cannot vote, they can to protect the environment. last year were Emmy-winning participate in the fight against Before leaving the stage, Mr. songwriter Peter Buffet and global warming by making Gore closed by saying, "The char- Senior Advisor to Google Omid adults question their beliefs on acter of an individual, of a nation, Kordestani. global warming, how they vote, and ultimately of the human For more information on the what resources they use, and spirit is being tested today," refer- Excellence Series, contact Millie what businesses they purchase ring to the declining state of the Lee at firstname.lastname@example.com. goods from. environment. He maintained that Mr. Gore emphasized the dif- businesses and individuals are Sloane Sturzenegger, a senior at ference between "the hard right doing their part, but each person Sacred Heart Preparatory, is coand the easy wrong" and the can always do more. editor-in-chief of the school newsconsequences that can come Mostly, Mr. Gore argued, soci- paper. A from cutting corners. Our biggest problem today, Mr. Gore said, is that many aspects of our society are accepted just because "they've always been that way." Youth brings a unique perspective that's open and receptive to change. It is the job of the young people to question unethical, non-environmental aspects of our society and to ask adults, "Why do we do that?" By working as a whole, Mr. Gore said, students can force our leaders to reevaluate FOR THE FASHIONABLE As any woman knows, eyeglasses have the potential to make as much of a fashion statement as a piece of fine jewelry or a pair of designer footwear. Consequently, a woman is likely to have several pairs of eyeglasses in her wardrobe, for work, for play, and for evening wear. The current fashion continues to favor light rectangular frames as well as rectangular frameless styles. What's new is the willingness to forego traditional dark frames (black, dark brown) for eye- popping pink, aqua, purple, and other hues. Of these, purple seems to be the most popular since it suits every skin tone and color. As far as sunglasses go, colorful frames with decorated and logo emblazoned temple arms reign supreme. Choosing eyeglasses that complement your facial features and skin tone can enhance you're appearance. At MENLO OPTICAL, we understand that eyeglasses are an individualized product. We carry designer frames in many different styles, colors, and sizes, so you'll be sure to easily find a pair that helps you complement and enhance your personal style. Call us at 322-3900 if you have questions about eyewear, or bring us your prescription. We are located at 1166 University Drive, on the corner of Oak Grove Avenue and University Drive. P.S. Style alone should not dictate eyeglassframe selection. Facial shape and size should also be taken into consideration when selecting frames. Mark Schmidt is an American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners Certified Optician licensed by the Medical Board of California. He can be easily reached at Menlo Optical, 1166 University Drive, Menlo Park. 650-322-3900. Open House Sunday, October 23 9am �1pm be it all bea Lancer www.sfhs.com October 12, 2011 1885 Miramonte Avenue | Mountain View 650 968-1213, ext. 430 The Almanac 7 N E W S Red-light camera reforms vetoed by Gov. Brown By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer MENLO BRIEFS A bill sponsored by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, that passed the Legislature with wide bipartisan support got the governor's stamp of disapproval on Oct. 7. Senate Bill 29 would have made it easier for wrongfully ticketed drivers to clear tickets, and would have created standards for camera warning sign placement and operation. It would have prohibited the use of the cameras for the purpose of raising revenue. The legislation was a reintroduction of a bill the senator authored last year after San Jose resident Vera Gil suggested the legislation for his "There Oughta Be a Law" contest. She mistakenly got multiple red-light camera tickets for a stranger's car that had a nearly identical license plate. Gov. Jerry Brown said in his veto message that rules for using red-light cameras should be overseen by local elected officials, not the state. Senior safety seminar How to care for elderly loved ones is a question facing many families. A seminar on "7 Key Things to Know Before Hiring In-Home Care in California" aims to help answer it. Hosted at the Peninsula Volunteers Little House at 800 Middle Ave. in Menlo Park, the free seminar takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. Call 342-2600 for more information. Candidates forum The League of Women Voters will host a forum for the five candidates running for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District board of directors on Thursday, Oct. 20. The forum starts at 6 p.m. in council chambers at the Menlo Park Civic Center at 701 Laurel St. Photo by Derek Marsano Breakfast at Sharon Park pond Derek Marsano wishes to share this picture he took at about 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Sharon Park pond in Menlo Park. He says a female osprey visited the pond and took a carp for breakfast. Menlo Park fire district race short on cash Candidates not trying to outspend each other. By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer Parking plaza closed Wondering what happened to parking plaza 2 in Menlo Park? The parking plaza between Oak Grove Avenue and Chestnut Street is fenced off so the city can repair its deteriorated pavement, according to Interim Public Works Director Chip Taylor. A No council meeting The Menlo Park City Council is taking Tuesday night, Oct. 11, off, following the Columbus Day holiday. But they'll return to council chambers the following week, on Oct. 18. TESLA continued from page 3 O Tesla sales adviser Kyle Thompson. The car is set to be built in 2012 in Tesla's new assembly line at the former NUMMI plant in Fremont, with 5,000 to be manufactured in the first year and 20,000 a year after that. A federal tax rebate brings the price of the car down to just under $50,000, "which sort of seems in the range I would expect," Mr. Shane said. The price can go up for those who want more than the 160-mile range. An intermediate option for a 230-mile battery pack costs another $10,000. Mr. Thompson said the expensive battery was well protected from TRAIL continued from page 5 road hazards by a steel plate and a frame. It can also be removed from the bottom of the car in minutes, should the need arise. Hooked up to a 240-volt outlet, the 300-mile battery can charge in only five hours. Unlike the Nissan Leaf, the battery charger comes standard in the price of the car. Tesla expects the battery to retain 70 percent of its capacity after 100,000 miles. The Model S has yet to undergo crash testing, but Tesla expects a five-star rating. While the $50,000 car may be too expensive for many, Tesla may use profits from the Model S to pay for the development of a cheaper model. Mr. Thompson said in three years, Tesla expects to sell a $30,000 to $40,000 electric car. A f the five candidates running for two open seats on the Menlo Park Fire Protection District board, only one seems serious about campaign fundraising, based on financial reports filed with San Mateo County covering Jan. 1 through Sept. 29. "I've spent mostly my time so far," said candidate Scott Barnum, who wasn't required to fill out a financial report since his spending has fallen under the $1,000 threshold for filing. He intends to keep it that way. Describing his campaign as "long on shoe leather and short on cash," Steve Kennedy plans to JOBS continued from page 5 fly under the government radar by spending less than $1,000. "So far, I have spent about $60 on a stuffed toy Dalmatian dog," he said, and about $13 on campaign fliers. He's also recycling posters and lawn signs from the 2005 campaign. The dog, along with a top hat and black trench coat that he plans to dab with white spots, forms the cornerstone of Mr. Kennedy's street campaign. Incumbent Bart Spencer has spent a bit more than he's gotten from his one donor to date, who gave $500. So far he's shelled out $600 for campaign signs. That leaves challengers Rob Silano and Virginia Chang Kiraly. Mr. Silano drew $3,975 in donations, with the largest contributions coming from developer Cary Preston Butcher and informed his opponents that he was prepared to be patient in carrying out his plans. He said at the meeting that if he did not get the demolition permit at that time, he would simply wait and try again, which he did. "Are you trying to wear us down?" Councilwoman Carroll Ann Hodges asked him at the time. "I think the elements will wear the house down," Mr. Jobs replied. The house, which had sunk into a decrepit state, was an "abomination," said Mr. Jobs, who went on to question the ($500), James O'Donnell of the Industrial Emergency Council ($300), and Jennifer and Dale Fuller of Menlo Park ($1,000 each). His coffers also include a $1,000 campaign loan from wife Barbara Silano. As money comes in, it also flows out. Mr. Silano's $2,118 in expenses has mainly gone toward campaign literature and fundraising, according to the financial report. Ms. Chang Kiraly reported zero monetary donations for the filing period, but loaned her campaign $1,848 and spent precisely that amount on yard signs and county fees. She also received $750 in non-monetary contributions from the Convere Group, a political campaign and finance consulting company in Menlo Park. A cerns, he said. Safety figured prominently in feedback from both Ladera and Weekend Acres residents, Mr. Holland said. Ladera resident Craig Hirst tried to ease the concerns of Weekend 8 Acres residents, and got a round of applause. "There's a problem there and we've got to take care of that because our kids visit your kids," Mr. Hirst said. "We're one community. Don't make us two." "Ladera is easy, Weekend Acres is very complicated," Mr. Holland told the Almanac in an interview A 1 to 4 p.m. at the museum at 2961 Woodside Road. The town's collection also includes a 50-foot flagpole, a copper mailbox, roof tiles, an organ, woodwork, fireplace mantles, many light fixtures and moldings. A personal appearance Mr. Jobs, who lived in Palo Alto during the deliberations and who usually communicated on the Jackling house through his attorneys, visited the Woodside Town Council in December 2004 historical importance of both Mr. Jackling and the architect, Mr. Smith. (In comments after Mr. Jobs' death, people who knew him say he had few compunctions about allowing objects or reputations whose moments had passed to fade away as part of the natural order of things.) The town's History Committee in 2001 had reported finding doors wrenched off door frames, windows missing, and outside varieties of plants growing inside the house. At the time, Mr. Jobs said he did not know why the openings had not been boarded over. A The Almanac October 12, 2011 N E W S Woodside photos, history in new book "Woodside," Images of America's newest book, presents the history of the area in vintage photographs. Architect and Woodside resident Thalia Lubin and La Honda historian Bob Dougherty collaborated with the Woodside History Committee to create a history of Woodside, assembling stories of the many colorful characters, places and events that make the town unique. The Woodside Community Museum and private collections, including those of Jacques Audiffred, provided most of the photographs and documents for the book. The book includes tales of the Ohlone Native American culture, Spanish and Mexican periPOL I C E C A L LS 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 Theft reports: Loss estimated at $4,000 in theft of parcel containing two sport coats, five pairs of slacks, and 11 shirts and delivered to front porch, Valparaiso Ave., Sept. 30. Loss estimated at $1,570 in theft of GPS unit, leather gloves, two helmets, and mobile phone accessory from motorcycle, Sharon Park Drive, Oct. 2. Loss estimated at $50 in what witness said was someone taking all Daily Post newspapers from downtown Menlo Park newspaper racks and putting them into trunk of Mercedes, Santa Cruz Ave. and Doyle St., Sept. 30. Auto burglary report: Loss estimated at $2,350 in theft of gardening tools from bed of pickup truck parked in driveway, Hollyburne Ave., Oct. 5. Residential burglary reports: Loss estimated at $100 in beak-in and theft of camera from table near door while resident was busy elsewhere in house, Live Oak Ave., Sept. 30. Door knob and lock damaged in attempt to break into locked laundry room of apartment complex, Ravenswood Ave., Oct. 4. Fraud reports: Loss of $613 in unauthorized use of credit card, Hedge Road, Oct. 4. Two bogus checks discovered by bank, which stopped payment so no loss, Hamilton Ave., Oct. 4. Adult Protective Service report: 900 block of Oak Lane, Oct. 2. WOODSIDE Theft report: Apple iPad stolen and tracked to Modesto using subscription tracking service, Roan Place, Sept. 28. LADERA Theft report: Loss estimated at $500 in theft of laptop computer from unlocked van, Dedalera Drive, Sept. 27. ATHERTON Theft reports: Apple iPad stolen, Menlo Circus Club at 190 Park Lane, Sept. 30. Cell phone stolen during football game, Menlo-Atherton High School at 555 Middlefield Road, Oct. 4. Red mountain bike stolen, Middlefield Road, Oct. 4. Laptop stolen, Valparaiso Road, Oct. 6. Wallet stolen, Valparaiso Road, Oct. 6. Stolen vehicle report: Vehicle stolen from driveway, Nora Way, Oct. 4. The new book "Woodside" is the result of work by architect and Woodside resident Thalia Lubin, La Honda historian Bob Dougherty, and the Woodside History Committee. ods, logging of the redwoods, settlement by European and other pioneers, and Woodside's incorporation as a town. The book points out Woodside has no traffic lights or sidewalks, horses have the right-of-way, and the main road through town, a state highway, is closed for the annual May Day Parade. Highlights of "Woodside" include these chapters: The Invasion of Eden, Sawmills and Settlers, Stores and Saloons, Trails and Turnpikes, and Pride and Politics. Arcadia Publishing publishes local and regional history in the United States. "Woodside" ($21.99, Arcadia Publishing, 128 pages, soft cover) will be available at Kepler's Books and at arcadiapublishing.com. Reviews � Superior rating for quality & price by Consumers Checkbook. Ladera Garden and Gifts BROTHER EDWARD GRADUATED WITH A MASTERS IN EDUCATION FROM DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY AND AN ED. D. FROM UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO. `Holidays on a High Note' benefit in Atherton Editor's note: The story in last week's paper had several errors. The correct information is below. The Foothill Auxiliary to Peninsula Family Service will host its 14th annual "Holidays on a High Note" home entertaining benefit on Monday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Menlo Circus Club, 190 Park Lane in Atherton. More than 25 designers will display their ideas for entertaining at home. The event focuses on the theme of "The Four Seasons" and features floral creations and arrangements by Keith Shaw and Mike Kobel of Buds Design and Landscaping of San Mateo. Tablescapes and floral artworks will also be on display. The marketplace opens at 9 a.m., followed by a presentation at 10:30 a.m. by Mr. Shaw, lunch at 12:30 p.m., and a silent auction. Foothill Auxiliary member Kris Forbes is chairman of "Holidays on a High Note." Tickets are $100 per person, with advance reservations required. All proceeds from tickets, sales, auctions, and 20 percent of marketplace sales will benefit Peninsula Family Service. For tickets or more information, call Eileen Sullivan at 415-309-3412. He believes the Priory creates an atmosphere of openness and trust, where students can learn to take intellectual and creative risks in a safe environment. He encourages students to be curious about life and to "listen with the ear of their hearts." He's been an member of the Priory for 23 years and currently serves as the Director of Guidance and Counseling. Support Local Business BROTHER EDWARD ENGLUND, O.S.B. ONE OF THE MANY REASONS TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO: Woodside Prior y School Admissions Office 302 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028 650/851-8223 www.PrioryCa.org Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival this weekend The 41st Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16, on the town's Main Street. Admission is free. Festivities include a parade, three stages of entertainment, harvest-inspired crafts, pumpkin carvers, and a haunted house. Coastal favorite foods, such as artichoke hearts, calamari, and linguisa sausage, will be featured, along with traditional festival foods. Pumpkin will take center stage with pumpkin pie, bread, cheesecake, cookies, ice cream, and smoothies for sale. The World Championship Pumpkin, along with the top five weigh-off pumpkins, will be on display. Last year's winner weighed in at 1,535 pounds. The online guide to Menlo Park businesses ShopMenloPark.com OPEN HOUSE for Prospective Students and Families Saturday. November 12th, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 16th, at 7 p.m. Saturday, December 3rd, at 10 a.m For information and to R.S.V.P. contact Admissions at 650.851.8223 October 12, 2011 The Almanac 9 C O M M U N I T Y Purple Swingers top Portola Valley softball By Chuck Corley Member, Purple Swingers Members of the Purple Swingers team, champions of the Portola Valley Softball League, are front row, from left, Chris Molumphy, Lori Sutherland, Mike Banks, Beth Rabuczewski, Tina Molumphy, Sue Jaggers and Bao Chang; and back row, from left, Mike Chang, Mia Banks, Mark Geenan, Carrie Sweetnam, Jan Sweetnam, Buffie Ward-Williams, Jim Totte, Maria Geenan, Chuck Corley, Jon Myers, Mike Randal, Kristi Corley and Craig Flower. he town of Portola Valley celebrated its 13th adult coed summer softball season with a new champion, the Purple Swingers. Portola Valley softball is played all summer long and culminated on Sept. 10 with a men's and women's all-star game followed by the championship game and a barbecue. The Portola Valley Town Center field provided a great backdrop for local parents, neighbors and those working in Portola Valley to enjoy the warm, relaxing and lazy days of summer playing America's favorite pastime. T The Purple Swingers, led by Team Captain Jon Myers, had steady hitting and a tight defense that held off the Teal Spare Parts squad in the championship game, 10-4. Over the 12 game regular and playoff season, the Purple Swingers outscored their opponents by a 2-1 margin. "After playing together for over a decade, it's great to finally finish a season with a win," Myers said. "As we've gotten older, it seems like we've continued to get better. This was a fun season for all of our players and our families." Like many of the dozen teams in the league, the Swingers have been teammates and friends for more than 10 years since their children were in pre-school together. The Portola Valley Softball League brings out the town, kids and community to play ball and cheer on for their friends in a casual, yet competitive environment. The members of the Purple Swingers are Chris Molumphy, Lori Sutherland, Mike Banks, Beth Rabuczewski, Tina Molumphy, Sue Jaggers, Bao Chang; Mike Chang, Mia Banks, Mark Geenan, Carrie Sweetnam, Jan Sweetnam, Buffie Ward-Williams, Jim Totte, Maria Geenan, Chuck Corley, Jon Myers, Mike Randal, Kristi Corley and Craig Flower. Visit pvsoftball.com for more information about the Portola Valley Softball League. A BIRTHS Woodside Kristin Nagata and Matthew Alecock, a son, Sept. 24, Sequoia Hospital. Support Local Business The online guide to Menlo Park businesses ShopMenloPark.com 10 The Almanac October 12, 2011 C O M M U N I T Y Bridge breakfast introduces `Doggie Diner' new executive director head greets By Samantha Bergeson Special to the Almanac school learning sessions to academically strong inner-city eirdre Marlowe will be students. introduced as the new Peninsula Bridge has a sumexecutive direcmer program that tor of the Peninsula brings motivated midBridge program at a bendle-school students efit breakfast to be held from lower-income from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. families onto such Thursday, Oct. 20, at the campuses as Menlo Sharon Heights Golf & School, Sacred Heart Country Club, 2900 Sand Prep and MenloHill Road in Menlo Park. Deirdre Atherton High School Marlowe Doors open at 7 a.m. for academic courses, The program's mission including algebra and is to promote academic high-level English, and personal success for middle and enrichment activities, such school students from under- as art, music and sports. resourced communities. Bridge plans to add two sites The breakfast is free; how- to next summer's program: ever, a donation may be made Saint Francis High School in at the end of the event. Mountain View and Pinewood Go to peninsulabridge.org to School in Los Altos Hills. RSVP or call Sherri Staner at Since the program began in 408-358-8805. 1989, some 5,000 kids have been involved, including 375 New director enrolled this past summer. Ms. Marlowe joins Penin- Most of the students come from sula Bridge from a similar the Ravenswood district in program in Baltimore called Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, Middle Grades Partnership, and the Redwood City and San which offers summer and after- Mateo-Foster City districts. visitors Is Jamis MacNiven, owner of Buck's restaurant in Woodside, to be blamed or credited? A day before the Sept. 10 opening of a new Peninsula Humane Society animal shelter in Burlingame, a 5-foot-tall Doggie Diner head was put on display in the main lobby, where it now greets visitors. Doggie Diner, a Bay Area fast food chain that went out of business in 1986, was instantly recognizable by signs with a giant red dachshund head with a bowtie and chef's hat. While he isn't saying how Teachers for the program work at local middle schools. High school students can volunteer as teaching assistants. Ms. Marlowe succeeds Grainger Marburg as executive director. During his six-year tenure, enrollment grew 60 percent, Bridge said. In addition to Middle Grades Partnership, Ms. Marlowe has D This 5-foot-tall Doggie Diner head now greets visitors to the new Peninsula Humane Society animal shelter in Burglingame. the head wound up at the new shelter, Ken White, president of worked as an acting director for a statewide charter school advocacy network in Maryland. She has trained public school teachers and taught at public schools in Baltimore. She holds a bachelor's degree in religious studies from the University of California at Berkeley, and a master's in leadership in teaching from the College of the Peninsula Humane Society, suggested Mr. MacNiven had something to do with it. "Jamis is an eclectic guy with many talents and he loves the work we are doing," said Mr. White. "He could have handcarved this giant head or won it in a poker game." "It's like the opposite of a frat house prank," said Scott Delucchi Delucchi, spokesman for the society. "Instead of a mascot being stolen, we had one dropped off." The new shelter is known as the Tom and Annette Lantos Center for Compassion. It's located at 1450 Rollins Road in Burlingame. Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Notre Dame of Maryland. She earned principal certification after additional graduate work in school administration at Johns Hopkins University. "The opportunity to expand efforts to reduce the achievement gap by serving middleschool students in an area with so much potential for growth is exciting," Ms. Marlowe said. A The Roundtable at Stanford University Education Nation 2.0 .99 $ 9-11 A 9 HE EEN T BETW RS OF U HO * MA 5 PM ND 3- f $ of 3 GOODIME* ANYT Everyday value haircut prices are $16 for adults and $14 for seniors and kids 10 & under Menlo Park Sharon Heights Shopping Center 325 Sharon Park Drive (Behind Starbucks) (650) 763-3443 October 12, 2011 The Almanac 11 A community health education series from Stanford Hospital & Clinics A Gentle Touch Proves Its Power In New Breast Cancer Treatments By the time Anne Broderick was diagnosed with breast cancer, her grandmother, her aunt, her mother, two sisters and a brother had already been found to have some form of cancer. Her own illness, then, "wasn't a terrible shock that came out of nowhere," she said, "but it's certainly a lifechanging bit of news. At the moment when you first hear the diagnosis, you have no idea of how serious it is or what the treatment will be. It's still a shock even if you're not surprised." It was June 2005 when, after years of twice-yearly mammograms and monthly breast self-exams, Broderick learned that she had cancer in her left breast. Her doctors classified the cancer as Stage 2. Broderick's tumor was large, but the cancer had not reached her lymph nodes. They told her that she would have surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Those options were not unexpected, either. Her aunt had had a double mastectomy to remove her breast cancer, her sister had gone through seven weeks of daily radiation as part of her breast cancer treatment. And, Broderick said, "I'd heard all of these stories about chemotherapy." Instead of a double mastectomy, in which both breasts are removed, Broderick's tumor was removed with a far less invasive surgery called a lumpectomy, which removes only the tumor, leaving intact as much of the breast as possible. No Longer the Dark Ages She assumed that she would have the same kind of radiation her sister had had. Broderick became a patient at Stanford Hospital & Clinics; there, she found out, something else was available. Breast cancer was first documented by Egyptian physicians in 1600 BC. Now, nearly one in eight women will develop the disease in her lifetime. The incidence of breast cancer has remained the same in the last decade, but the number of women who survive has increased steadily as screening has become more common, imaging more sophisticated and treatment possibilities more abundant. Norbert von der Groeben By the time Anne Broderick was diagnosed with breast cancer, her grandmother, her aunt, her mother, two sisters and a brother had already been found to have some form of cancer. she was presented with a new treatment option. She was a candidate, Horst said, for radiation that could be given in just five days, not weeks. "The thought of going every day, five days a week for seven weeks was just overwhelming. When I was presented with this shorter option, I just grabbed at it," Broderick said. What researchers at Stanford were exploring was the idea that radiation could be delivered in a more targeted and accelerated fashion. One approach, which takes place during surgery, is called intraoperative radiotherapy. Another method uses external radiation therapy after surgery. Both approaches focus radiation beams only on the margins of the lumpectomy cavity, instead of the whole breast. It's a technique, Horst said, that's allows patients "to continue to be physically active, to keep working and to take care of their families." "The thought of going every day, five days a week for seven weeks was just overwhelming. When I was presented with this shorter option, I just grabbed at it." � Anne Broderick, patient, Stanford Hospital & Clinics The history of breast cancer care has followed the same path as other medical treatments, becoming more and more refined. "In the 1960s and 1970s, surgeons performed the biggest operation possible. They would remove the breast and the surrounding muscle and lymph nodes and hope for the best," said Frederick Dirbas, MD, who heads the Breast Disease Management Group at the new Stanford Women's Cancer Center. "There was much less use of medical therapy and radiation. Physicians didn't have the information or the tools we have now to combine treatments to care for our patients." When Broderick met with her Stanford radiation oncologist, Kate Horst, MD, "Physicians knew it was out there. People also said it's been tried and it didn't work. We decided we were going to do this in a way that would make it work." � Frederick Dirbas, MD, Leader, Breast Disease Management Group, Stanford Women's Cancer Center Broderick knew that it was a newer type of therapy, "but I didn't feel I was at risk. I felt I was in very good hands. When Dr. Horst explained it to me, it made a lot of sense." Making It Work Stanford was one of the very first to offer these newer forms of radiation therapy, Dirbas said. "Physicians knew it was out there. Most said it's been tried and it didn't work. We decided we were going to do this in a way that would make it work." As important as any other advance, Dirbas believes, is an interdisciplinary collaboration among surgeons, radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, researchers and support programs. The Stanford Women's Cancer Center, which opened this June, is built on that kind of collaboration and designed to bring together in one setting all those involved in breast and gynecologic cancers to provide the most comprehensive care possible. Norbert von der Groeben Norbert von der Groeben When her Stanford radiation oncologist, Kate Horst, MD, offered Broderick a chance at radiation therapy that would last days, not weeks, she said yes. 12 Broderick felt such benefit from the Healing Partners program at Stanford, she trained to be a practitioner of the hands-on therapy and now helps others. The Almanac October 12, 2011 special feature What You Should Know About Breast Cancer Breast cancer is either invasive or non-invasive. The most common type of breast cancer affecting women today is invasive ductal carcinoma. It begins in the lining of the milk duct, then moves into the surrounding breast tissue. Some types of breast cancer have been linked to the hormones estrogen and progesterone. When hormone replacement therapy became less common, breast cancer rates began to decrease. Symptoms may include a lump, change in size or shape of the breast, change in the color or feel of skin and other parts of the breast. Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain; some cancers never cause any symptoms at all. Risk factors include age, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, early menstruation or late menopause, dense breast tissue, weight gain and obesity after menopause, not having children or having a first child after age 30. Join us at stanfordhospital.org/socialmedia. Watch the new Stanford Hospital Health Notes television show on Comcast: channel 28 on Mondays at 8:30 p.m., Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. and Fridays at 8:30 a.m.; channel 30 Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. It can also be viewed at youtube.com/stanfordhospital. Diagnosis at Stanford may include an all-digital mammogram with computer-aided detection, breast MRI, ultrasound and CT scan. Treatment options include surgery, breast reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and biologics therapy. Stanford offers patients various forms of radiation therapy, including intraoperative radiation and post-operative accelerated partial breast irradiation. Stanford also offers patients a significant group of clinical trial possibilities. Other supportive services include nutritional counseling, a preparation for chemotherapy class, therapeutic writing, support groups, pain management, hypnosis, massage and yoga. For more information, visit cancer.stanford.edu/breastcancer or phone the new Stanford Women's Cancer Center at 650.498.6004 That proximity can speed the transition from breakthrough research in prevention, detection and treatment to clinical availability. Broderick also discovered that Stanford was a resource for additional treatment elements. Healing Partners offered her a weekly meeting for six months with a practitioner expert in a type of hands-on energy therapy. "Like tai-chi and acupressure it works to get energy flowing through the body so the body can do its own work," Broderick said. "It sounded a little woo-woo to me, but there was no downside. Anything I could do that would help me, I would try." The weekly sessions began even before her surgery. "It really felt wonderful," she said. "I felt so relaxed and peaceful." Broderick thinks that it helped her avoid any side effects from her chemotherapy, except for tiredness im- mediately after each session and the typical hair loss. "I wasn't my usual peppy self. I still worked I didn't miss a beat there," she said. � Anne Broderick, patient, Stanford Hospital & Clinics The program became "an essential part of my emotional balance," she said. "It helped me pay attention to the mind-body connection. The power of touch is something we don't do much with in our society. It's very comforting." Norbert von der Groeben "The way I was treated definitely contributed to my healing. It was clear to me that people cared about me." Breast cancer was first documented by Egyptian physicians in 1600 BC. Now, nearly one in eight women will develop the disease in her lifetime. The incidence of breast cancer has remained the same in the last decade, but the number of women who survive, like Broderick, has increased steadily as screening has become more common, imaging more sophisticated and treatment possibilities more abundant. After her surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Broderick took another treatment drug, Herceptin, a medication proven very effective for certain types of breast cancer, for a year. Now 72, she's continuing her career as a psychotherapist and leadership coach. "I don't think about cancer very much," she said. "When I do see women recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I tell them to take good care of themselves, to be proactive about their health care, to be sure their questions are answered." "I tell them about the services at Stanford. If you're going to have cancer, this is the place to have it." Sharing with Others Broderick became so enthusiastic about the technique that she trained to become a practitioner and now helps other cancer patients. She has nothing but good things to say about her care at Stanford, from her physicians and nurses to the MRI technicians. "The way I was treated definitely contributed to my healing," she said. "It was clear to me that people cared about me. Having cancer is never a wonderful experience, but this was as pleasant as it could be." Her weekly Healing Partners treatment started even before Broderick's surgery. The combination of that program and the reduced side effects of accelerated radiation therapy, she believes, made it possible for her to maintain her career as a psychotherapist and leadership coach. Norbert von der Groeben 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. It is currently ranked No. 17 on the U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Hospitals" list and No. 1 in the San Jose Metropolitan area. Stanford Hospital & Clinics is internationally recognized for translating medical breakthroughs into the care of patients. The Stanford University Medical Center is comprised of three world renowned institutions: Stanford Hospital & Clinics, the Stanford University School of Medicine, the oldest medical school in the Western United States, and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, an adjacent pediatric teaching hospital providing general acute and tertiary care. For more information, visit http://stanfordhospital.org/. Norbert von der Groeben Broderick's husband, Lou, was a mainstay of support during her treatment. Because of her family history of cancer, her own diagnosis of the disease didn't come as a surprise, "but it is still a shock," she said. October 12, 2011 The Almanac 13 Mondays and Fridays certified therapists enjoy the patio in the trees located at the intersection of Portola Rd/Alpine Rd Massage Specials N E W S $70/hr. Stanford professor Donald Dunn dies at 85 Professor Donald A. Dunn, a resident of Atherton for 50 years, died at Stanford Hospital on Sept. 27 after a long illness. He was 85. He was a passionate teacher and innovator, frequently engaged in multiple fields of study and work contemporaneously, the family said. In the 1960s, he was involved in the formation of a new department at Stanford, the Department of EngineeringEconomic Systems (EES), which Visit tinyurl.com/Dunn-193 for more information on the Almanac's Lasting Memories website. Obituaries are based on information provided by families and mortuaries. ITALIZE Va l u e s f o r N a t u r a l H e a l i n g Therapies 3 Portola Rd., Portola Valley 650.851.3215 Visit us at vitalizetherapies.com Challenging Engaging Joyful Middle School Open House Oct. 9, Nov. 6 Upper School Open House Oct. 30, Dec. 4 What school is meant to be. For Information and Open House Registration: www.menloschool.org/admissions 50 94027-4400 Are you a Stanford Hospital, Lucile Packard, or Menlo Medical Clinic allergy or asthma patient covered by Anthem Blue Cross? We can help you. At Atherton Allergists, we continue to accept Anthem Blue Cross Insurance. We are available to see you right away, and take care of all your immediate and long term allergy and asthma needs. Give us a call. (650) 556-9577 3301 El Camino Real, Suite 101 Atherton, CA 94027 www.athertonallergists.com 14 The Almanac was instrumental in developing an early form of systems engineering. EES was a primary interest for Dr. Dunn from this point on, and he was a professor and associate chair of EES for many years, retiring in 1995. His early publishing was in various fields of physics and electronics, including microwave electron tubes, microwave power systems, and computer si mu l at ion s of plasmas. More recently he published in areas of Donald Dunn systems engineering, satellite and computer communication, and telecommunications public policy. Born and raised in Southern California, he attended South Pasadena-San Marino High, taking chemistry courses at Pasadena Junior College. In 1943, the Navy began enrolling officer candidates in its V-12 college training program, and he was admitted to Cal Tech, where he studied chemistry with Linus Pauling and history with J.E. Wallace Sterling, graduating in three years. He completed his Naval service aboard a light cruiser and then came to Northern California to work for Eitel-McCullough, where he eventually served as director of research. Not only did he attend graduate school at Stanford University, studying electrical engineering under Fred Terman and receiving his Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1956, he also attended Stanford Law School, winning the first Hellman Legal Writing Prize. Just before starting law school, he met Jane Goodspeed, a graduate of the Stanford School of Education and a teacher at Palo Alto High School, and they were married in 1948. He received the LL.B. degree from Stanford Law School in 1951 and was a member of the State Bar of California; he was admitted to practice before the U.S. patent office, and he practiced patent law as an attorney with the firm of Flehr and Swain in San Francisco and also for Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles. While in law school, he worked in the tube lab at the Stanford Electronics Research Lab (ERL); he later became director of the Electron Devices Laboratory at Stanford and director of the Stanford Plasma Physics Laboratory. He was a pioneer in the field of microwave tube research, working with Dean Watkins, Hubert Heffner, Lester Field, Ed Ginzton, Karl Spangenberg, and Marvin Chodorow. As a microwave engineer, he was a consultant on the ECM pods of the XB70 supersonic bomber. He was chair of the International Symposium on Microwave Power held at Stanford in 1967. In 1970 he co-authored a book on the future of satellite communications, and in 1972 he wrote "Models of Particles and Moving Media." He was a senior member and former chair of the San Francisco section of the IEEE. Dr. Dunn was affiliated with Stanford Research Institute, where he directed a study on the interdependence of computers and communications for the FCC. In 1976, in an interview in Computer World magazine, he predicted growth from 500,000 online terminal users to 50 million. At Stanford's EES department, he was an enthusiastic and inspirational teacher, and he could regularly be seen riding his bicycle through the Quad to and from classes, the family said. Teaching was a crucial aspect of his life from the 1960s until his work as an emeritus professor in the 1990s. He traveled widely both as a professor and consultant in the field of telecommunications, often with his family, and he particularly enjoyed visiting his graduate students in their home countries, including China, Greece, Brazil, Italy, Korea, Norway, England, and Israel. He had a lifelong love of the opera, which he attended in San Francisco and around the world. Upon his retirement, he enjoyed spending time at the beach in Aptos, continued to write and to advise students, and continued his 40 years of neighborhood runs and daily swims at DeGuerre Pool. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Jane Dunn; his children, William Goodspeed Dunn and Dr. Elizabeth Ross Dunn; and two grandchildren. In lieu of f lowers, memorial gifts in Don's name may be made to the Department of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University. October 12, 2011 C O M M U N I T Y We Buy Gold, Jewelry, Diamonds & Silver Estate Buyers 2808 EL CAMINO REAL (3 Lights South Of Woodside Rd.) REDWOOD CITY Peace activist Alice Richards dies at 96 Alice M. Richards, 96, a long time resident of the Menlo-Atherton area, died June 20 at Sequoia Hospital. A memorial was held Oct. 1 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto. Throughout her life Ms. Richards was a peace activist. She participated in anti-war movements beginning in the early 1950s, O B ITUARY first against the Korean War and, later in the 1960s, against the Vietnam War. She continued to oppose the wars in Central America, Iraq, and Afghanistan until her death, say family members. Together with her husband, Harvey W. Richards, she traveled to the Soviet Union, central Asia, Mongolia, Cuba, and Africa. She helped him produce documentary films about the peace movement, the civil rights movement, the environment, and conditions of women and children. Footage from the films continues to be used in feature films, documentaries and television news programs in the United States and around the world. Ms. Richards was a member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, the Peninsula Peace and Justice Center, Women for Peace, the ACLU, and the Sierra Club. She is survived by her sons, Jonathan Meigs of San Mateo and David Meigs of Soquel, and by stepsons, Steffen Richards of Berkeley and Paul Richards of Oakland. Now Paying Top Dollar for: � ROLEX � GOLD, SILVER OR PLATINUM � JEWELRY NEW OR OLD, WORN EVEN DAMAGED � PATEK PHILIPPE, CARTIER AND ANY FINE WATCHES � DIAMONDS & PRECIOUS GEMS � SILVER AND GOLD COINS � STERLING SILVER AND FLATWARE � NOT SURE? BRING IT IN! � WE ALSO ACCEPT TRADE-INS AND CONSIGNMENT 650-365-3000 WWW.JACKSONSQUARE.COM Tues. � Sat. 10am to 5pm Closed Sunday & Monday SAFE-EASY-LOCAL FREE $15 Gas Card with every sale of $200 or more One card per customer expires 10/30/11 Students serve as election officers Woodside High School students are among the 268 students who have joined the democracyLive! program to become student election offers in the upcoming county elections on Tuesday, Nov. 8. The students, who have completed mandatory training classes held at their school, will carry out all the normal responsibilities of an election officer on Nov. 8. They will each receive a $100 stipend after serving the required 15 hours or more or election day. Join today: SupportLocalJournalism.org October 12, 2011 The Almanac 15 ALLIED ARTS GUILD 75 ARBOR RD - MENLO PARK C O M M U N I T Y Emily Greco solos in `Amelia Lives' One-woman show explores the life of Amelia Earhart By Jane Knoerle Almanac Lifestyle Editor PORTO L A VA L L EY Artisan Shop & Studios Scenic Gardens Historical Architecture Events & Meeting Facilities For more details, please see our website: www.alliedartsguild.org Or Call (650) 322-2405 mily Greco, a member of the Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory staff for seven years, is entering new territory with her presentation of "Amelia Lives" Oct. 21-23 at the Lane Hall Theatre, 945 Portola Road in Portola Valley. "I've never had to be on stage by myself for an hour-and- E a-half (before assuming this role)," says the young actress who has appeared in many PVTC productions, including roles as Puah in "Puah's Midlife Crisis," Hodel in "Fiddler on the Roof," and Peter in "Peter Pan." In "Amelia Lives," the audience is invited to look into the world of Amelia Earhart Lose 2-5 lbs. a Week Safely cp caf� primavera (650) 321-8810 healthy is... LITE FOR LIFE-MENLO PARK 713 Oak Grove Ave, Menlo Park, CA firstname.lastname@example.com Join Now and registration is free. SCAN this on your Phone Seafood Dinners from $595 to $995 Try our new Grilled Seafood Specials Personalized Care Saturday Appointments Patient Navigator Digital Mammography Integrated Healthcare October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Schedule your mammogram today by calling 650-367-5536 Clam Chowder - Seafood Salads Our Award Winning Fish & Chips Prepared from the finest Alaskan halibut. Restaurant: Mon-Sat 11-8:30 pm, Fri `til 9 pm; Market: Mon - Sat 9-7 pm NOW OPEN SUNDAYS Market: 10-5 pm; Restaurant:11-7 pm OPEN NOW IN WOODSIDE! through events, stories, letters and quotes from the aviatrix, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean in 1937, while trying to navigate the globe. She was 39. The set for "Amelia Lives" is in the basic shape of an airplane, in which Emily as Amelia moves about and pulls out hidden props to create new environments on stage. She transforms Amelia into a 6-year-old child, a teenager, a young woman, and, finally, the mature pilot. Her costume for the show resembles clothing Amelia wore for her last flight, a checkered shirt and khaki pants. In creating the image, it helped that Emily and Amelia were both 5 feet 9 inches tall. "I'm a little curvier than she was," says Emily, who lightened her hair for the role. "The cherry on top is we both have freckles." Ms. Greco was first approached by Director Karen Byrnes to play Amelia for the 15th annual theater festival at Notre Dame de Namur this fall. "We both loved the script, so we jumped in all the way even through neither one of us had ever attempted a solo show like this," say Ms. Greco. Preparation took four weeks. She will reprise the role in January when she presents "Amelia Lives" at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos. As an instructor at the Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory, Ms. Greco has taught hundreds of children, pre-school to high school, for the past seven years. "Amelia Lives" will be her last performance for PVTC. Working with Cast Images, an agency in Sacramento, since March, she will concentrate on her career as a professional actor. "As Amelia found the courage to pursue her dreams, to struggle with her fears and uncertainty, so will I," she says. A I NFO RMATI O N "Amelia Lives" will be presented by Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at Lane Hall Theatre, 945 Portola Road in Portola Valley. Karen Byrnes is director and Marilee Saier, stage manager. The play was written by Laura Annawyn Shamas. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $10 for children. Visit pvtc-ca.org for tickets and information. Hair and Nail Services using natural products. Online booking at www.olivehillsalon.com We carry Moroccan Oil, Paul Mitchell, Farm House Fresh and other products. sequoiawomen.org Sequoia Hospital is proud to support the San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure� 2920 Woodside Road Woodside Ample parking in front and back. 650.851.1150 16 The Almanac October 12, 2011 C O M M U N I T Y MENLO PARK 15 TH ANNUAL SIDEWALK ARTS & CRAFTS FALL FEST S A N TA C R U Z AV E N U E DOWNTOWN MENLO PARK OCTOBER 14 15 16 FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10 AM - 5 PM Melissa Cattaneo and George Fontaine Jr. 90 PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS Cattaneo-Fontaine Melissa Suzanne Cattaneo and George Rawlings Fontaine Jr. were married May 28 at the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park. The Rev. Frank W E DDING R icha rdson of Cumming, Georgia, performed the ceremony. A reception followed at HolbrookPalmer Park in Atherton. The couple met in 2006 through a mutual friend, Tish Stewart of Nashville, Tennessee, who served as a bridesmaid. The bride is the daughter of Marty and Cookie Cattaneo of Menlo Park. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in retail and consumer sciences. She does outside sales for a pharmacy in eight southeastern states. The bridegroom is the son of George and Celia Fontaine of Houston, Texas. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he majored in broadcast journalism. He works in marketing and artist development for New West Records. The newlyweds traveled to Greece and Turkey for their honeymoon. They now reside in Athens, Georgia. Mernie Buchanan Presented by Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce pacificfinearts.com ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AWARENESS Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm problem, affecting over 2 million Americans. Without detection and treatment, atrial fibrillation can affect quality of life and cause stroke and heart failure Expert Stanford physician specialists will discuss the signs and symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation and the options for evaluation and treatment, which may improve quality of life and decrease complications. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 9:30AM � 11:00AM Sheraton Palo Alto (Justine Room) 625 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA To RSVP, email: email@example.com Please register, seating is limited. MODERATED BY: Paul J. Wang, MD, FACC, FHRS Professor of Medicine Director, Stanford Arrhythmia Service For more information: www.stanfordhospital.org/afib-event Support Local Business The online guide to Menlo Park businesses ShopMenloPark.com October 12, 2011 The Almanac 17 Local Deals Kicks When you shop locally, good things happen to make our community stronger: Sales tax dollars, which fund schools and local services, stay in the community. You help to sustain the unique and diverse businesses that make our shopping areas vibrant. You show how much you value the expertise of these businesses and the quality service they offer their customers. You reduce your carbon footprint by not driving outside the community to shop. And when you shop at locally owned businesses, you also support our friends and neighbors who are running these businesses, donating to community events and causes, hiring our kids and getting involved in making Menlo Park a better place. Good for Business. Good for You. Good for the Community. Go to ShopMenloPark.com to browse special offers, events and new marketplace items from these featured local merchants Estetica Skincare By Kasia Kepler's Books and Magazines Cheeky Monkey Toys Flegel's Furniture Gerry's Cakes Ann's Coffee Shop Learn more about the value of locally owned businesses at ShopMenloPark.com A community collaboration brought to you by For more information call 650.223.6509 Available in a mobile version 18 The Almanac October 12, 2011 C O M M U N I T Y Health Insurance Is Your Family Covered? Individual, Family, Medicare, Group Health Plans Eric RHU, REBC, LUTCF CA. INS Lic #0737226 L. Barrett CLU, CLTC, Serving the Peninsula For Over 23 Years www.barrettinsuranceservices.net Eric, Jackson, Brenna, Katia The Barrett Family Photo by Roger W. Stoller Roger White Stoller creates his metal and stone "Flow Series" sculptures at Stoller Studio in Portola Valley, where he pours the 1,900-degree bronze in his small foundry. Sculptors, painters exhibit works in Portola Valley A gallery show featuring nine Portola Valley artists -- from sculptors to painters -- will be on display at the Kriewall-Haehl Gallery at the Woodside Priory, 302 Portola Road in Portola Valley, through Nov. 5. The show can be viewed from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Cultural Arts Committee of Portola Valley is sponsoring the inaugural gallery show with an artists' reception to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Hors d'oeuvres and wine from the Thomas Fogarty Winery and Portola Valley Vineyards will be served. The public is invited to attend. Portola Valley musicians Angela Schillace and Kari Rust will provide music for the afternoon. The Portola Valley artists include: Foster Beigler, wall sculptures; Brigitte Carnochan, photography; Deirdre Clark, paintings; Nina Else, ceramic sculptures; Kalani Engles, paintings; Candace Gaudiani, photography; Bonny Novetsky, acrylic prints; Adele Seltzer, monotypes; and Roger White Stoller, sculptures. A U.S. POSTAL SERVICE STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Title of Publication: The Almanac Publication Number: 459-370 Date of Filing: October 1, 2011 Frequency of Issue: Weekly No. of Issues Published Annually: 52 Annual subscription price: $60/1yr Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, San Mateo County, CA 94025-6558 Mailing Address of Headquarters of Publisher: Same Publisher: Tom Gibboney, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558 Editor: Tom Gibboney, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558 Managing Editor: Richard Hine, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558 Owner/ Stockholders owning or holding 1% or more of the total amount of stock: Embarcadero Media, 450 Cambridge Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Stockholders owning 1% or more of the total amount of stock: Jean and Dexter Dawes, Ely Trust, & Shirley Ely, Trustee, Franklin P. Johnson, William S. Johnson, Marion Lewenstein, Trustee, Teresa M. Lobdell, Helen Pickering, Trustee, Russella van Bronkhorst Trustee, and Jeanne Ware, all of Palo Alto, California; Margaret Haneberg of San Carlos, California; Robert Heinen of Menlo Park, California; Jerome I. Elkind of Portola Valley, California; Anthony Sloss of Santa Cruz, California; Elizabeth Sloss of Seattle, Washington; Karen Sloss of Bellingham, Washington. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1% or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: Shirley Ely, Trustee, Marion L. Lewenstein, Trustee, Helen Pickering, Trustee, Wells Fargo Bank all of Palo Alto, California; Joan Sloss of Santa Rosa, California. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 28, 2011 Extent and Nature of Circulation Average no. of Actual no. of copies each issue copies of single during preceding issue nearest to 12 months filing date A. Total Number of Copies (Net press run) 15,000 15,000 B. Paid and/or Requested Circulation 1. Paid/Requested Outside Co. Mail Subscriptions 224 222 2. Paid/Requested In County 8,858 8,891 3. Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, and Counter Sales 425 425 C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation 9,507 9,538 D1. Free Distribution by Mail Outside-County 134 0 D2. Free Distribution by Mail Inside-County 845 774 D4. Free Distribution Outside the Mail 3,722 3,951 E. Total Free Distribution 4,701 4,725 F. Total Distribution 14,208 14,263 G. Copies not Distributed 792 737 H. Total 15,000 15,000 I. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation 66.92% 66.87% 10. 11. Filoli announces Holiday Traditions Tickets for Filoli's nine-day Holiday Traditions event, which takes place from Nov. 25 through Dec. 3, go on sale Monday, Oct. 17. This year's theme will be "The Wise Old Owl." The Woodside estate's rural environment will be reflected in designs that include animals, pinecones, cuckoo clocks, and miniature lodges. The event opens with a Premiere Access Holiday Boutique on Friday, Nov. 25. Guests will have first chance to shop, along with enjoying hors d'oeuvres and wine. There will be a Saturday Evening Dinner Party with dining and dancing in the ballroom the following night, Nov. 26. Buffet lunches and evening bistro dining will be available at select times during the week, with advance reservations. A children's tea, for ages 6 12, will be held Dec. 3. Beginning Oct. 17, tickets may be purchased by mail, fax, or by calling Filoli weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 364-8300, ext. 508. Beginning Oct. 24, tickets may be purchased online at filoli.org. A 13. 14. Isabel Marant Vanessa Bruno Rachel Comey 883 Santa Cruz Ave. Menlo Park (650) 353-7550 Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm www.josefboutique.com I certify that the information furnished on this form is true and complete. Michael I. Naar, CFO, Embarcadero Media Published in THE ALMANAC on October 12, 2011 October 12, 2011 The Almanac 19 C O M M U N I T Y YOU ARE INVITED to come meet our teachers, tour our beautiful campus & participate in a student Q&A panel C A L E N DA R Visit AlmanacNews.com/calendar for more calendar listings. Special Events `Holidays on a High Note' The Foothill Auxiliary to Peninsula Family Service will host its `Holidays on a High Note' benefit, featuring more than 25 designers. Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $100. Menlo Circus Club, 190 Park Lane, Atherton. Call 650-403-4300. www.peninsulafamilyservice.org Freedom Walk The goal of the walkathon is to raise awareness about human trafficking and to encourage a community response. Oct. 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Students: starts at $15 adults: starts at $25. Burgess Park, 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park. www.saveeveryslave.webs.com/ club.html The Menlo Art League Annual Exhibit is at the Menlo Park Library in the downstairs community room from Oct. 2 through Oct. 28. An opening reception is set for Oct. 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the community room. Free. Saxophonist Paul Vornhagen gives a jazz concert with his quartet. Oct. 22, 3-4 p.m. Free. Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, Woodside. Call 650-851-0147. smcl.org Artists Reception Music, wine and hors d'oeuvres celebrating artists Foster Beigler, Brigitte Carnochan, Deidre Clark, Nina Else Kalani Engles, Candace Gaudiani, Bonny Novesky, Adele Seltzer and Roger White Stolle. Oct. 15, 4-6 p.m. Free. Kriewall-Haehl Gallery at Woodside Priory, 302 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-218-8563. OPEN HOUSE October 22, 2011 10:30-12:00 noon 17, 7-8 p.m. $12 members; $20 members. Cubberley Community Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Jim Lehrer The former anchor and author of "Tension City: Inside the Presidential Debates, from Kennedy-Nixon to Obama-McCain" gives an insider account of the backstage drama and reflects on some of the "major moments" and "killer questions" that defined each historical debate. Oct. 19, 7-8 p.m. $15 & $35 members; $20 & $45 nonmembers. Lucie Stern Community Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Call 408-280-5530. Justin Torres discusses his new novel "We the Animals." Oct. 12, 7 p.m. Members free. Admission requires purchase of event book or $10 gift card. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers. com Stephen Mitchell presents his new translation of Homer's "Iliad." Oct. 19, 7 p.m. Members free. General admission requires purchase of event book or $10 gift card. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www.keplers.com Thad Nodine and Rachael Herron Women's National Book Assn-San Francisco Chapter presents: Rachael Herron: "A Life in Stitches" and Thad Nodine: "Touch and Go." Oct. 16, 1-3 p.m. Free. Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. Call 650-324-4321. www. keplers.com Et Alia Woodside Homeowner Energy Workshop Learn how an energy-upgrade can help to improve comfort in the home, lower utility bills and protect the environment by saving energy. Oct. 15, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Woodside Library, 3140 Woodside Road, Woodside. Call 831-515-1368. euc-woodside2-eorg.eventbrite. com/ `The Incredible Magic Hat Show' Benny Bendini offers chapeaugraphy, comedy magic, musical scores and sound effects. Oct. 20, 4:30-5 p.m. Portola Valley Library, 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Call 650-851-0560. `Tricks or Treats Puppet Show' Nick Barone Puppets present a Halloween show for kids ages 4 and up. Oct. 17, 4-5 p.m. Free. Atherton Library, 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane, Atherton. Call 650-328-2422. www.smcl.org responsible students Talks/Authors `Help Your Child Survive and Thrive' MPCSD/CAMPUS presents author and speaker Dr. Michele Borba. Oct. 20, 7-9 p.m. Menlo-Atherton Center for Performing Arts, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton. drmicheleborba. eventbrite.com Dr. Khaled Hosseini is the author of "The Kite Runner," a story of two orphaned boys coming of age in war-torn Afghanistan. Hosseini will discuss his work and foundation that provides humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. Oct. WWW . MID - PEN . COM Ongoing Enrollment contact the Admissions Office ANNOUNCING T H E 2 6 TH A N N U A L PA L O A L T O W E E K L Y JUDGES: ADULT/YOUNG ADULT Tom Parker, Award winning novelist and short story writer, UC Extension and Foothill College Instructor and former Stanford Instructor Meg Waite Clayton, is the nationally best selling author of The Four Ms. Bradwells, The Wednesday Sisters, and The Bellwether Prize finalist The Language of Light. She lives with her family in Palo Alto, and is at work on a fourth novel to be published by Ballantine in 2013. Pamela Gullard, Pamela Gullard's stories have appeared in the North American Review, Arts and Letters, The Iowa Review, TriQuarterly and other journals and anthologies. With co-author Nancy Lund, she has written three nonfiction books; the latest, Under the Oaks: Two Hundred Years in Atherton, appeared in 2009. Pamela teaches personal narrative and literature at Menlo College. PRIZES FOR ADULTS: $500 Cash - FIRST PLACE $300 Cash - SECOND PLACE $200 Cash - THIRD PLACE FOR YOUNG ADULT/CHILDREN/TEEN: $100 Gift Certificate - FIRST PLACE $75 Gift Certificate - SECOND PLACE $50 Gift Certificate - THIRD PLACE Certificates are from co-sponsoring area bookstores. Bell's Books (*ages 15-17) Kepler's (*ages 12-14) Linden Tree (*ages 9-11) *age as of entry deadline CHILDREN/TEEN Katy Obringer, Former supervisor of Palo Alto Children's Library Caryn Huberman Yacowitz, Playwright and Children's book author Nancy Etchemendy, Children's book author NE DEADLI ED ENTRY DEADLINE: EXTEND Writers: December 2, 2011, 5:30 p.m. All All adult winners and first place young winners in each category will be announced in the Palo Alto Weekly in February 2012. All winning stories will be published online at www.PaloAltoOnline.com CONTEST RULES 1. The contest is open to anyone who lives, works or attends school full-time in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Stanford, Portola Valley, Woodside, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, and East Palo Alto. 2. Limit of one entry per person. 3. Stories must be typed, double-spaced. Maximum 2,500 words. Longer stories will be disqualified. 4. $15 entry fee, along with hard copy, for all ADULT stories; $5 entry fee for YOUNG WRITERS under 18. Make checks payable to "Palo Alto Weekly." 5. Entries may not have been previously published. 6. Signed entry form must accompany story. Author's name should NOT appear anywhere on pages of story. 7. All winners are required to email their story to the Palo Alto Weekly in a Microsoft Word Document as an attachment. Mail manuscripts to: Palo Alto Weekly Short Story Contest, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302 or deliver to 450 Cambridge Ave., Palo Alto Questions: firstname.lastname@example.com 20 The Almanac October 12, 2011 WE ARE HERE FOR YOU Stanford Hospital & Clinics is in contract negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is in contract negotiations with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California. During negotiations, both hospitals are still seeing patients insured with these health plans. During this period, we will limit your financial responsibility for co-payments and deductibles to the level you would pay if we were an in-network provider. We encourage you, our patients and families, to call us with any questions at 1.877.519.6099 or 650.736.5998. We look forward to continuing to provide patients and families with access to our leading physicians, medical professionals, pioneering medical advances and world class, state-of-the-art care. October 12, 2011 The Almanac 21 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 Staff Writers Dave Boyce, Sandy Brundage Senior Correspondents Marion Softky, Marjorie Mader Contributors Barbara Wood, Kate Daly, Katie Blankenberg Special Sections Editors Carol Blitzer, Sue Dremann Photographer Michelle Le Our endorsements in local races In Sequoia high school district, elect Du Bois, Moody and Weiner e believe it is time for a fresh approach to governance of the Sequoia Union High School District, which operates MenloAtherton, Woodside, Sequoia and Carlmont high schools, as well as other smaller schools. In our opinion, the candidates best prepared to make a significant change are challengers Carrie Du Bois, Larry James Moody and Allen S. Weiner. We do not make this decision lightly, but come to our choices due to the intractable problem known as the achievement gap that year after year has continued to shortchange many students who are not getting what they need from these comprehensive high schools. Incumbents Olivia Martinez and Lorraine Rumley each are seeking a fourth term on the board. We value their service, but after 12 years, it is time to bring new ideas to this board, now that former Superintendent Pat Gemma has been replaced by James Lianides, who has made some welcome changes since he took over last year. With enrollment of more than 8,000, the Sequoia district faces the challenge of bringing together students with wide-ranging levels of achievement from the most affluent and least affluent neighborhoods in Silicon Valley. And their middle EDITO RIA L schools are just as diverse, with averThe opinion of The Almanac age Academic Performance Index scores in the 900-plus range at Las Lomitas and Menlo Park City school districts, while the average score at Ravenswood, though rising, was 715 this year, more than 200 points behind Menlo Park schools. In the past Sequoia board members and high school principals have blamed underperforming middle school districts for delivering students who are not prepared for serious high school work. Many of these students are students of color and are the most likely to fail to graduate from these high schools. But finger-pointing can no longer suffice to correct this short-coming. The Sequoia board must act much more decisively to bring down the achievement gap between white and Hispanic students, which, over the last five years, averages out at 285 points at M-A; 152 at Woodside; and 147 at Summit Prep, a public charter school in Redwood City. We believe the three challengers in this race are much better prepared than the incumbents to accomplish this task. Carrie Du Bois is an activist and leader who has brought new ideas to the San Carlos School District board during her two terms. She found that many Sequoia district parents who live in East Palo Alto had never visited the high school campus attended by their son or daughter. Ms. Du Bois then persuaded Superintendent Lianides to provide a school bus to transport parents from outside East Palo Alto to a community-building dinner with Ravenswood district parents, which was an eye-opener for those who W Design & Production Design Director Raul Perez Designers Linda Atilano, Gary Vennarucci Advertising Display Advertising Sales Adam Carter Real Estate Manager Neal Fine Real Estate and Advertising Coordinator Diane Martin Published every Wednesday at 3525 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Menlo Park, Ca 94025 Newsroom: (650) 223-6525 Newsroom Fax: (650) 223-7525 Advertising: (650) 854-2626 Advertising Fax: (650) 854-3650 e-mail news and photos with captions to: email@example.com e-mail letters to: firstname.lastname@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. attended. Ms. Du Bois has numerous other stories of how she has managed to break through red tape and bring new thinking to the problems of the district, and we support her election on Nov. 8. Larry James Moody, a resident of East Palo Alto, said he simply wants to have a representative of the (Ravenswood) district on the board, to be "... a part of the conversation, to make sure that all kids are graduating." E L E C T O N A high priority for Mr. Moody is to find "what it is going to take to 2 0 11 turn those (achievement gap) results around." One of his proposals, which we wholeheartedly endorse, is to televise board meetings and start them at 7:30, rather than the present 5:30 p.m., which makes it nearly impossible for working parents to attend. Allen S. Weiner would bring a new and badly needed knowledge of the law to the board, as well as expertise in negotiations. As a senior lecturer at Stanford Law School, Mr. Weiner is highly interested in whether the board and the district staff can operate more efficiently. After attending several board meetings, Mr. Weiner said, "There was just no kind of collective deliberation. ... The board is getting its information from this very wooden and formal discussion." With three of five Sequoia board seats open, voters have a rare opportunity to significantly change how the district operates over the next four years, and can do so by electing Carrie Du Bois, Larry James Moody and Allen S. Weiner. Spencer, Barnum for fire board O f the four qualified candidates for the two open seats on the Menlo Park Fire Protection District board, we believe incumbent Bart Spencer and challenger Scott Barnum are the best choices to win the four-year terms. Rob Silano and Virginia Chang Kiraly also are knowledgeable about the district, but we believe Mr. Spencer and Mr. Barnum have the edge. We did not find Steve Kennedy, a former board member, qualified to serve. As in many other districts, escalating employee and pension costs are a major factor that will continue to challenge the Menlo Park board in the next few years and beyond. Incumbent Bart Spencer, a 12-year veteran who has served several terms as president of the board, is well-qualified to serve again. Mr. Spencer has a background in fire services, but, more important, has helped develop procedures that make the board more efficient. Mr. Spencer supported imposing a contract on firefighters and says he is open to reopening negotiations in the next few months. He also is in favor of the "compensation philosophy" recently approved by the board. Hardly a fan of the status quo, Mr. Spencer said he continues to compare the financial statements of other fire districts with the Menlo Park district Continued on next page WHAT'S YOUR VIEW? All views must include a home address and contact phone number. Published letters will also appear on the web site, www.TheAlmanacOnline.com, and occasionally on the Town Square forum. TOWN SQUARE FORUM Post your views on the Town Square forum at www.TheAlmanacOnline.com EMAIL your views to: 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. Our Regional Heritage During World War I, Camp Fremont officials issued many rules about the off-time conduct of the thousands of young soldiers stationed in what is now downtown Menlo Park. One soldier is said to have spent 30 days in the guardhouse for accompanying a base hospital nurse to a movie at the Fremont Theatre. Atherton Heritage Association CALL the Viewpoint desk at 223-6507. 22 The Almanac October 12, 2011 V I E W P O I N T Fire district board race Continued from previous page to look for cost savings that could apply here, including some outsourcing if it is feasible. Mr. Barnum is an appealing candidate because he will bring a fresh view to the board, as well as business perspective that is needed since the departure of Peter Ohtaki, who last year was elected to the Menlo Park City Council. An Atherton resident, Mr. Barnum has been a volunteer in the district's emergency preparedness programs for six years, organizing his Victoria Manor neighborhood to be prepared if an emergency occurs. Asked how he would resolve the contract impasse with firefighters, Mr. Barnum declined to issue a flip answer, saying the issue is complex and that since he has not been engaged in the negotiations it would be presumptuous of him to suggest an easy solution. Going forward, he said the board needs to address the fact that less than 5 percent of calls are fire-related and the inefficiency of sending a fire truck to all emergency calls. At least during the current fiscal year, the fire district has been able to balance its budget. But there are tough decisions ahead, including whether to upgrade fire stations. We believe Bart Spencer and Scott Barnum are the best candidates to help guide these decisions and fill the two open seats on the Menlo Park fire board. Incumbents have edge in college district O Driscoll, Johnson in Woodside board race ransparency and communication with parents are big issues in the race for two Woodside School District board seats, and we believe the two challengers, Rudy Driscoll and Kevin Johnson, are committed to a more open approach on the board than incumbent Virginia "Ginger" Bamford. With its one K-8 campus on Woodside Road, this district serves 500 students who can live nearby or miles away in the hills above town or in Portola Valley. On a 2010 survey, some respondents said that communications between parents and the board was not satisfactory, mentioning that emails to board members are often ignored and that the afternoon board meetings are inconvenient for working parents to attend. Others said the board is not open to parent feedback. Survey results like this should have raised a red flag at the board, but so far, we have seen few changes for the better. Although not running as a slate, Messrs. Driscoll and Johnson sound similar themes in their low-key campaigns. Both promise to respond quickly to emails and calls from parents, and both are eager to get to work on T a new strategic plan for the school. And both have young children who will be attending school for many more years. Mr. Driscoll sees himself as someone who has the skills to bring together the key school groups, including the foundation, PTA, school board and the teachers' group. Mr. Johnson has a strong interest in the character development program known as Social Emotional Learning, which is being introduced to a limited degree on the campus, and wants to expedite its adoption in classrooms and on the playground. Ms. Bamford, the one-term incumbent who has two children who graduated from Woodside and whose youngest child is in seventh grade, said she is open to moving the board's public meetings to any time of the day. Addressing the communications issue, she said some types of communication from board members are restricted by the state Brown Act, and that the board has a longstanding policy for its president to respond in writing to communications received. We believe the school board could do better by making a commitment to open and transparent communications. Rudy Driscoll and Kevin Johnson want to move in that direction and should be elected to the board. f the seven candidates running issue to build and upgrade campus buildfor the San Mateo Community ings. College District board, we supMs. Schwarz believes the state formula port the incumbents, Karen Schwarz for funding higher education is hard on and Patricia Miljanich, both elected in community colleges, which get $6,000 1995, and Dave Mandelkern, first elected per student compared with $12,000 for in 2003. One other candidate, Joe Ross, the California State University system responded to the Almanac questionnaire. and $18,000 for the University of CaliThree others either declined our endorse- fornia. "It seems discriminating to me ment or could not be reached. to fund at such a different level while In many ways, the challenge at the providing the same education," she said. college district, which Mr. Mandelkern and serves 44,000 students Ms. Schwarz believe at three campuses, can San Mateo County ELECT O N be boiled down to one needs a public four2 0 11 word -- money, and year college. He added the board's effort to that he would seek gain public support for more collaboration a parcel tax and new buildings in the with nearby state universities and expand wake of a rollback of state support. the college's presence in the county's Last year, voters approved a $34 four- coastal communities. year parcel tax that will help hire more Voters should remember that commuinstructors, but Ms. Miljanich said some nity colleges are the only option for many students still cannot get the classes they students who cannot qualify or afford need. four-year colleges. The colleges provide a Demand for classes at Canada College wide range of classes for adults, too, and in Woodside at the district's two other offer vocational training in some fields. campuses in San Mateo and San Bruno The incumbents, Patricia Miljanich, goes up when the economy goes down. Karen Schwarz and Dave Mandelkern That is the case now, and a major reason have been wrestling with the tough issues why the board is asking voters in this before the district for many years and election to approve a $564 million bond deserve to be returned to office. If you can afford it, support bond issue T his is a terrible time to put a $564 million bond issue on the ballot, given the state of the economy and the fact that many residents are simply out of work. But the many buildings and classrooms of the San Mateo Community College District are in need of repair or replacement, and even half a billion dollars doesn't go far when rebuilding an aging college system with three campuses. For homeowners, the cost of the bonds would be $12.95 a year for each $100,000 of assessed valuation, not including interest. Some residents may reject the new tax, and that is understandable. But if you can afford it, we believe a "yes" vote is a worthwhile investment in education infrastructure that cannot be replaced any other way. We recommend a yes vote on Measure H, if you can afford it. www.TheAlmanacOnline.com your online source for local news about MENLO PARK, ATHERTON, PORTOLA VALLEY, WOODSIDE Find out how help is just one phone call away! Attend an Open House & Receive a Free Gift! Monday, October 24, 2 - 4 pm Thursday, October 27, 10 am - 12 noon 24/7 support for every need Emergency preparedness review Legal referrals Medical advocacy Home safety checkup Network of trusted vendors Transportation assistance Reassuring check-in calls IF IT'S NOT IN THIS VAULT, IT'S NOT SAFE. LOS ALTOS VAULT & SAFE DEPOSIT CO. A private depository Safe deposit boxes of all sizes Strict and total confidentiality Secured and ample parking Visit our facilities and judge for yourself. Data bank for important and confidential records. 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