the almanac 12.28.2012 - section 1

W W W. T H E A L M A N A C O N L I N E . C O M

D E C E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 1 2 | VOL . 48 NO. 17

page 5

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Inside this issue

Neighborhoods 2013

2 The Almanac TheAlmanacOnline.com December 26, 2012

From the staff at the

December 26, 2012 TheAlmanacOnline.com The Almanac 3

UPFRONT

By Rebecca WallacePalo Alto Weekly

Jessie Jewitt rarely performs in public. But this Dec. 31 she’ll be in front of an audience,

backed by thousands of pipes. A longtime pipe organist with a degree from the Schola Can-torum music school in Paris, she is scheduled to perform the New Year’s Eve concert on the grand 1957 Casavant organ at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto. While the concert is usually performed by resident organist James Welch, Ms. Jewitt will do the honors this year. Ms. Jewitt, who has Asperger’s syndrome, has long found spiri-tual comfort and a way to com-municate through her music, she said in an email, writing, “This is the greatest gift I’ve ever been given.” Her concert is set for 8 p.m. in the church at 600 Colorado Ave. in the Midtown neighbor-hood. There is a $10 suggested donation for admission, with students under 18 free. For more information, go to saint-marks.com. The Midpeninsula hosts sev-eral other arts-related events on New Year’s Eve and Day, includ-ing concerts and dances. Here are a few of the options: Longtime flamenco dancer Koko de la Isla, who has studied for years in Spain and Japan and teaches the art form in Moun-tain View, will be featured in a New Year’s Eve “Flamenco Night at Menlo Hub,” at 1029 El Camino Real in Menlo Park. Other performers will include guitarist Alberto Marques, sing-ers Virginia Juan and Jose de la Isla, percussionist and bass play-er Mike Masuda, and drummer Sam Sotelo. Flamenco shows are set for 9 and 10 p.m.; the restaurant’s New Year’s celebra-tion continues until 1 a.m. Go to menlohub.com or call 650-630-6273 to reserve a table. Revelers who prefer to take

the stage themselves can opt for the annual New Year’s Eve Contra Dance put on by the Bay Area Country Dance Society from 8 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. The event includes a potluck and is held at the Palo Alto Masonic Temple at 461 Florence St. Caller Lynn Ackerson will join musical guests Stringfire (Erik Ievins, Patti Cobb and Chris Knepper). Admission is $20 general, $16 for society members and $10 for

students. Go to bacds.org. Several local restaurants offer special New Year’s Eve menus, often along with live music. At Morocco’s Restaurant at 873 Castro St. in Mountain View, keyboardist Johnny Smiley will play jazz and belly dancer Etain will perform on Dec. 31, with a five-course set menu. Dinner is served starting at 5 p.m., with

Photo by Bob Roberts

Flamenco dancer Koko de la Isla will perform in a New Year’s Eve “Flamenco Night at Menlo Hub” restaurant in Menlo Park.

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PORTOLA VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Please take notice that on Wednesday, February 6,

2013, at 6 p.m. or as soon thereafter as can be heard,

at the Portola Valley School District Board Room,

4575 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, California, 94028,

the District’s Board of Trustees will conduct a public

hearing. The school board will consider adopting

a resolution proposing to renew and increase the

District’s existing Measure C parcel tax and to renew

and increase its existing Measure D parcel tax each

for 8 additional years to a combined level of $656 per

parcel per annum (annual collections of approximately

$987,000), maintaining an exemption for certain

seniors and disabled persons from both, to fund a

variety of educational programs, such as maintaining

academic excellence by continuing emphasis on math,

science, reading, writing, art, music, and maintaining

qualified and experienced teachers and minimizing

class size increases.

Music of the nightNew Year’s Eve on the Midpeninsula meanspipe organs, flamenco, jazz, rock and soul

Newsroom: 223-6525Newsroom fax: 223-7525Advertising: 854-2626Advertising fax: 854-3650Classified ads: 854-0858

E-mail news, information, obituaries and photos (with captions) to: [email protected]

E-mail letters to the editor to: [email protected]

THE ALMANAC (ISSN 1097-3095 and USPS 459370) is published every Wednesday by Embarcadero Media, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558. 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 ©2012 by Embarcadero Media, All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

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See MUSIC OF THE NIGHT, page 14


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Emma Bakes, MD, PhD, died of metastatic breast cancer during her senior year at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Bakes was an accomplished astrophysicist who worked at NASA for 10 years prior to entering medical school. In addition to her academic and professional accomplishments, Dr. Bakes’ dedicated much of her time to various community and volunteer services. Her selfl ess example inspired the altruistic efforts of countless others, and because of her, some of them have entered into the fi elds of science and medicine. In recognition of her contributions and accomplishments Stanford University and the School of Medicine conferred her Medical Doctorate posthumously with compassion and kindness during Commencement 2011. Dr. Bakes represented the best of what we can be and to keep her inspirational fl ame ever lit, especially for those in the medical profession, her partner, Dr. Donald Mendoza and I – one of her former teachers at Stanford -- are asking those interested in the service of others to honor and follow her example by contributing to the Campaign for Stanford Medical Center in her memory. Simply designate Dr. Bakes’ name on your check or add an explanatory note to your donation. Fifty percent of the funds contributed in Dr. Bakes’ memory will be targeted for breast cancer research; the other 50% will go towards the medical-education fund of the School of Medicine. Thank you.

Elliott Wolfe, MD, FACP

Emma Bakes, MD, PhDIN LOVING MEMORY

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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

By Sandy Brundage, Renee Batti and Dave Boyce

The Almanac covers Menlo Park, Atherton, Wood-side and Portola Valley

— towns that like to think of themselves as places that remain true to “village” ideals such as community spirit, safety, and smart growth. The year tested their commit-ment to those ideals.

Menlo Park An undercurrent of change pervaded Menlo Park in 2012. The long-awaited passage of the downtown/El Camino Real specific plan heralded a flurry of project proposals, just as city officials had hoped. But at least one proposal appears to be fol-lowing the letter of the new regu-lations rather than the spirit. Passing the specific plan was a key step toward revitalizing El Camino Real and the vacant car lots owned by Stanford Univer-sity. Developer John Arrillaga stepped in to propose building an eight-acre complex of medi-cal offices, offices, retail, and a smattering of rental housing — instead of the senior housing development city officials said they were led to believe Stanford supported during specific plan

negotiations. Since the project meets the specific plan’s baseline requirements, the city won’t get a say on whether the Arrillaga project should be built. The lack of housing won’t help the city meet state-mandated housing requirements. After set-tling a lawsuit brought by three advocacy groups in May for years of failing to comply with state housing law, Menlo Park started a hectic process to identify potential sites for an estimated 1,000 high-density and afford-able housing units, a process that inspired protests by residents of Sharon Heights and Linfield Oaks when their neighborhoods landed on the list. Menlo Park captured global headlines for another project, this one praised by city officials and residents alike. Facebook hired renowned architect Frank Gehry to design its 22-acre Con-stitution Drive campus. Mr. Gehry’s sketches show a single enormous room perched on top of a parking structure and capped by a rooftop garden — what Facebook representa-tives described as “an office in a forest.” His portfolio includes the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain and the Walt Disney Con-cert Hall in Los Angeles. Other community changes

involved downsizing rather than supersizing. Kepler’s Books and Magazines revived under the ownership of entrepreneurs Praveen Madan and wife Chris-tin Evans. After time off for remodeling to bring back the radical feel of Kepler’s, the couple re-opened the landmark store in October with a smaller footprint, but larger inventory. They also created a nonprofit events and lectures arm, with most author appearances free to the public. And then there were the changes no one wanted to see. Violence unsettled the com-munity as a string of at least 16 shootings in six months in Menlo Park and East Palo Alto left behind a trail of wounded and dead. Police, attributing the outbreak to a gang feud, stepped up collaborative efforts to stem the violence, using enforcement techniques and community out-reach to appeal for peace. A fire at Beechwood School injured no one, but caused $400,000 in damage to the private K-8 Belle Haven facility. Among the faces of those who will guide the city through the ups and downs are newcomers. Alex McIntyre arrived as city manager in the spring, while Bryan Roberts left his position as police chief in the fall. Ray

Mueller and Catherine Carl-ton joined the City Council. Incumbent Kelly Fergusson bid farewell to the dais after losing a chance at a third term by 235 votes during the November elec-tions; Andy Cohen, whose sec-ond term also ended this year, opted not to seek re-election.

School news meets crime news At year’s end 2011, the Almanac reported the unusual circum-stance that three out of the four elementary school districts in our coverage area had, or soon would have, new superintendents. The fourth, the Portola Valley School district, was bucking the trend, with Tim Hanretty beginning his second school year as super-intendent that summer. Mr. Hanret-ty, we reported, “doesn’t appear to be going any-where anytime soon.” We were wrong. After pleading no contest in August 2012 to charges of embezzling nearly $101,000 from the Portola Valley district

and fraudulently obtaining a loan for the Woodside School District during his tenure there, Mr. Hanretty is serving a two-year prison term and facing a sizable restitution debt to both school districts. Although he has already paid much of the Portola Valley district’s debt, a court struggle is ongoing to determine how much he owes the Woodside district. Taking the reins at the Por-tola Valley district in 2010 from Anne Campbell, who assumed new duties as superintendent of county schools, Mr. Hanretty resigned his post in January after the DA’s office launched an investigation of possible misappropriation of funds from the time he was the Woodside district’s finance officer. A subsequent investigation of the Portola Valley district’s finances turned up the theft of public funds, which Mr. Hanret-ty used for his home construc-tion project, as well as numerous bookkeeping irregularities, the result of which significantly overstated the district’s available funds and plunged the district into a financial crisis that will take several years to resolve. So it turns out that the Portola

Local News

See TIMES A-CHANGING, page 8

Photo of model courtesy of Facebook.

An eagle’s eye view of Frank Gehry’s design for the Constitution Drive campus of Facebook in Menlo Park. City officials and residents alike praised the proposal, excited about being able to put the city on the map with a building designed by the Pritzker laureate who also created the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain.

TOP STORIES OF

2012The times they are a-changing

Tim Hanretty booking photo


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Erik Romme, formerly chef de cuisine at Madera Restaurant at the Rosewood Sand Hill, has taken over as executive chef at the Menlo Grill Bistro & Bar at the Stanford Park Hotel. In addition to Madera, Menlo Park’s only Michelin star-rated restaurant, Mr. Romme has also been chef de cuisine at Menlo Park’s Marche Restaurant (now closed), and executive chef at Left Bank. “Our goal at the Menlo Grill has always been to be a great neighborhood restaurant, and we are thrilled with Erik’s extensive knowledge of the local dining scene and the local food purveyors,” said Nathan Davis, Menlo Grill’s director of food and beverage. Mr. Romme is focusing on the restaurant’s Christmas Day din-ner as his first menu, Mr. Davis said. “Early in the new year, he will create his first seasonal menu, and diners can expect ongoing evolutions of the menu to reflect the availability of fresh, seasonal ingredients,” he added. In a written statement, Mr. Romme said: “My passion is to create food that is classically refined with a casual, homey feel. I get my inspiration from walking through farmers’ mar-kets and keeping up with the latest flavor trends. “As much as possible, I try to make the ingredients speak for themselves and showcase the natural beauty that they provide. I like to create dishes that are not just exciting in flavor, but also effectively mix color and texture to delight all of the senses.” The Menlo Grill Bistro & Bar, at 100 El Camino Real, is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and for late-night snacks. Call 330-2790 for information or reservations.

Piccolo Ristoranteopens in Menlo Park Piccolo Ristorante Italiano, Menlo Park’s newest Italian restaurant, officially opened its doors on Dec. 14, serving din-ner six nights a week through December, and adding lunch to the offerings next month. The restaurant is at 651-H Maloney Lane, just off Oak Grove Avenue, in the space formerly occupied by Bona restaurant. The opening is a homecom-

ing of sorts for Piccolo’s owner, Elio D’Urzo. who co-owned Brunello Ristorante Italiano, which operated at the Maloney Lane site from 2008 to 2010. Piccolo’s menu features many traditional Italian dishes, including gnocchi and pasta, chicken piccata, and eggplant parmigiana, according to Pic-colo general manager Lucino Gonzalez. The chef is an Italian native, Mr. Gonzalez said. The restaurant also plans to have one or two fish entrees on the menu every week, Mr. Gon-zalez said. Although the owner had hoped to have a liquor license by now, it didn’t arrive in time for the restaurant’s official opening. Mr. Gonzalez said the license is expected by this week, but meanwhile, patrons can bring their own wine and the restau-rant won’t charge a corkage fee. Mr. D’Urzo is a native of Calabria, Italy. His experience in the restaurant business in this country includes being a co-owner of Sapore Italiano in Burlingame. He jumped right into the res-taurant business shortly after moving from Italy, learning the ropes while working at his uncle’s restaurant in Marin County. Piccolo, Mr. D’Urzo’s first solo project as a restaurateur, will be open Monday through Saturday for dinner only in December, but will begin offering lunch as well next month, Mr. Gonzalez said. Dinner hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Call 326-1314 for more informa-tion or to make a reservation.

Menlo Grill Bistro namesnew chef Erik Romme

WHAT’S COOKING

Erik Romme


N E W S

By Dave BoyceAlmanac Staff Writer

Here’s a thorny issue: For decades, merchants on Main Street have been

watching as their customers are snatched away by discount giants like Walmart, Costco and Home Depot. To thwart big-box encroachments, local govern-ments sometimes enact ordi-nances but it’s often just a matter of time before these outsized competitors establish them-selves. As if online competition were not enough, Amazon.com is becoming bricks-and-mortar with its network of warehouses and its plans for same-day deliv-ery of online purchases. Outspent and out-maneu-vered, Main Street merchants and communities turn to “shop local” campaigns in hopes of maintaining community ambi-ence and circulating local dol-lars locally, but it’s a rear-guard battle. Long have Goliaths been stomping on their livelihoods. Are there no Davids, no intrepid slingers of stones? Well, there’s Yiftee.com: that’s gift plus nifty plus “Yippee!” This year-old Menlo Park start-up expands the idea of shopping local with online vouchers. Friends, associates and strang-ers can engage in long-distance gift giving, including to victims of natural disasters. The key to Yiftee’s mission: the gifts can be picked up from merchants local to the recipients’ communities. When a recipient redeems a Yiftee voucher at a local checkout counter, it’s as reliable as a credit card transaction, said Yiftee chief executive officer, co-founder and Woodside resident Donna Novitsky in an interview. Yiftee offers small merchants a way to participate effectively in online commerce despite a lack of technical savvy and without the associated costs of a website. “We want these small businesses to survive. We want them to thrive. And they need tools,” said Woodside resident and Yiftee co-founder Lori Laub in an interview. “We’re giving them (a) tool ... and it doesn’t cost them anything to use it and participate.” Bookmarking Yiftee’s website yields the link: “Yiftee - Not-So-Random Acts of Kindness,” and it does have the makings of a virtuous network: satisfac-tion in giving, joy in receiving, and perhaps new confidence in being the Main Street merchant in the middle. But to get to that happy place, Yiftee must first become a household word. A natural disaster could be an opportunity: maybe peo-

ple could set up Yiftee online vouchers for stricken residents in communities also home to stricken local merchants. Ms. Laub grew up in North Dakota and saw a tornado destroy her hometown’s businesses, includ-ing her father’s. “Their lives were very, very impacted for a long time,” she said. Yiftee has been on the ground in the three New York City com-munities of Red Hook in Brook-lyn, Rockaway in Queens, and on Staten Island. Relief work in the wake of super storm Sandy is still going on, according to Yiftee’s Michealene Risley, also a Woodside resident. As of mid-December, according to Red Cross spokeswoman Daphne Hart, her organization had served more than 4.2 million meals and snacks in the New York communities hit hard by

the storm. On a recent Decem-ber weekend, the Red Cross dis-tributed more than 10,000 items associated with neighborhood and home clean-up kits. Some 9,400 customers were still without electric power on Dec. 11 in New York City, according to a spokesperson from the mayor’s press office. So far, the participating Brooklyn merchants tend to sell prepared food and beverages. The Yiftee website shows gifts that include a Cappucino or latte ($3.70) or an artisanal sandwich ($5.60) at Kave Espresso Bar & Event Space; a beer flight ($8) or breakfast ($17) at The Kent Ale House; a one-month member-ship ($90) at Chalk Gyms. On Staten Island, gifts can include a haircut ($35 for men and $45 for women) at Avanti Hair Salon and a pizza ($23 to $28 or build

your own) at Goodfella’s Pizza. Pending the participation of stores selling hardware, clothing and toys for residents there who need them, Yiftee has volunteer intermediaries on the ground who will make local purchases of these items, Ms. Novitsky said. A friend from Menlo Park can celebrate the birthday of a friend in San Diego by letting her know of a gift of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Grigio ($8.45) waiting for her at Sheraton Suites Sym-phony Hall Sky Lobby Bar. She can reciprocate with a cup of handmade drip coffee ($2.75) and sliders ($8.45) at Lutticken’s at 3535 Alameda de las Pulgas in West Menlo Park. The website lists merchant names and addresses imported from the Foursquare social net-working site in cities and towns all over the country: Mocha Madness in Pocatello, Idaho, for example, or the Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. Many may never have heard of Yiftee, but a gift from a thoughtful someone through that merchant is apparently redeemable. “Walk into a cafe. They’ve never heard of us but you can present your Yiftee and they’ll redeem it,” Ms. Novitsky said.

An ‘Aha’ moment Yiftee has nine employees in an office on Sand Hill Road. “We all sit in one room. There are eight desks and we end up sharing,” Ms. Laub said. “Everybody knows what’s going on with everything,” Ms. Novitsky added. The company

will eventually have more than nine employees, she said, but “we would much rather be a small group with a big impact.” The idea emerged over think-ing about group discount cou-pons. Yiftee talked to over 100 small businesses and really tried to understand what makes them tick, Ms. Laub said. It’s hard to keep the doors open, and an unhealthy local economy will drive down housing values and school quality. “Your down-town, your community is what holds all these people together. Who’s going to sponsor the Little League?” Small business owners help each other, Ms. Novitsky said. “They talk with each other. They’re competitive, but they’re all in it together.” The effect of a big-box store is cumulative, Ms. Laub said. “If I go to Home Depot, I might as well go to the place next door for my groceries,” she said. “You don’t want to take the neighbor-hood down.” Some merchants they talked to “tried Groupon,” she said. But rather than customers looking for bargains, they want people who can fall in love with a place, she said — people like the people who would send Yiftee vouchers as heartfelt gestures. “We came up with this micro-profit idea and it was kind of an ‘Aha,’” Ms. Novitsky said. Yiftee’s target audience is women 25 to 50 years old, women who, when Yiftee was explained to them, responded: “That would be great. I would send those all day long.” A

Startup offers new take on buying local

Two other Woodside women are involved: Yiftee co-founder Lori Laub, left, and Yiftee’s marketing executive Michealene Risley.

Photo by Michelle Le/The Almanac

“We came up with this micro-profit idea and it was kind of an ‘Aha,’” says Yiftee chief executive and co-founder Donna Novitsky, a Woodside resident.


N E W S

By Dave BoyceAlmanac Staff Writer

In 2012, Portola Valley’s Town Council, in attempt-ing to comply with the

state’s evolving and complex affordable-housing mandates, turned to the music and began the dance, and not alone. Its energetically reluctant partner: a group of residents upset by a plan to put a concentration of small homes near theirs in a town with seven- and eight-figure home values. The council signed a pur-chase agreement for a f lat piece of land, but under pro-test by neighbors. The council announced plans to sell some sloped land and use the money to buy the f lat land, also pro-tested by neighbors. With a botched clean-up of pesticide residues on the f lat land, the council let its agreement expire, which the neighbors liked. And the council agreed to consider an ad hoc com-mittee to discuss affordable housing, which the neighbors also liked.

Are these steps forward, or back, or both, and how many of each? In this dance, who is leading whom?

Blue Oaks properties The Blue Oaks properties in Portola Valley are on 2.5 acres of wooded upland at Buck Meadow Drive and Redberry Ridge. The 1996 subdivision consists of quasi-mansions in what for-mer mayor Maryann Derwin has called “the ritziest housing development in town.” In keeping with an ordinance requiring subdivisions to set aside 15 percent of its lots for affordable housing, the corner site had been designed as four lots for eight homes afford-able to people of moderate incomes. In San Mateo County, according to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, a moderate income is around $86,500 for an individual and $123,600 for a family of four. Eligible buyers would work or live in Portola Valley. Five developers familiar with

the return on investment in such projects have looked at this one and not taken it on, according to Town Attorney Sandy Sloan. Town Planner Tom Vlasic has said that the sloped topography compli-cated plans for developing it. Opponents claimed there is no evidence of developers’ negative views, and that the town should have understood the constraints before acquir-ing the properties. The town’s Architectural & Site Control Commission and Planning Commission consented this fall to a council proposal to consolidate four lots into two to attract buyers. Real estate professionals deter-mined the best price, officials said. The sale went through in December to a Blue Oaks homeowners consortium for $2.88 million.

The nursery site The former nursery site is a flat 1.68-acre lot located on an arterial road. Sewer connec-tions are nearby, as are “smaller single-family lots (Wyndham

Drive) similar to the type of development envisioned by the Town for this property,” according to a town statement. A layer of vegetation shields the Wyndham Drive homes. To the north is Our Lady of the Wayside Roman Catholic Church; to the south, a com-mercial cluster that includes a restaurant, dry cleaner, feed store, saddle shop and private security service. The neighbors complain that the density of the pro-posed housing would create an “urban setting” and lower their property values. They have said repeatedly that they do not oppose affordable housing, but claim the process has not been “democratic and open” and that an unfair bur-den is falling on their neigh-borhood. The town should consider second units to meet mandates, they say. The nursery property has been the subject of negotia-tions since at least March 2009, when nursery owners John and Karin Wu rejected an offer from the town, Councilwoman

Ann Wengert told the Almanac in August. In July 2009, the Wus received a letter of intent from Windmill School, a pri-vate preschool founded in the 1950s in Portola Valley. In March and again in Septem-ber of 2011, deals with Windmill fell apart — the first time after the school learned that the prop-erty had to be rezoned, and the second over the discovery of soil contamination. The Town Council signed a purchase agreement in August 2012 with contingencies that included the sale of the Blue Oaks properties and San Mateo County environmental authorities approving the pes-ticide clean-up. The sale netted $2.88 million, but the pesticide issue bloomed into a potentially long delay after county officials declared the clean-up inadequate. The council elected to let the con-tract expire. Town officials have promised a “robust community process” going forward. With the state and region continuing to play the music, the dance will go on. A

Moderate-income homes in Portola Valley? Not yet, not yet.

Valley School District was fourth in the queue for a new superin-tendent after all. Carol Piraino, the former Corte Madera School principal who was serving as assistant superintendent under Mr. Hanretty, stepped up to that position after a stint as interim superintendent following Mr. Hanretty’s resignation.

Winds of change in Atherton Should Atherton build its new public library in Holbrook-Palm-er Park? Sound like a simple question? Not in Atherton, where few things lack complicating twists and embellishments.

The question may have been the key impetus for major change in the town’s political arena, cul-minating in a shift in power on the five-member City Council. It ultimately was put to voters last month, but not before anger and resentment had solidified against the three council mem-bers — Kathy McKeithen, Jim Dobbie and Bill Widmer — who decided in October 2011 that the library should be in the park, ignoring demands of numerous residents that voters should be allowed to decide. Also calling for a vote in Octo-ber 2011 were council members Elizabeth Lewis and Jerry Carl-son, who during the last four years often joined together in casting the minority vote on some significant council issues.

In the spring, the council responded to growing public pressure and agreed to put the question on the ballot, and 69 percent of the voters said no to the park location. In what may have been a ripple effect of the controversy and the hostility it engendered toward the council majority, Ms. Lewis was the top vote-getter, by far, in the race for two council seats. Cary Wiest, who fared poorly in the council race just two years ago but is seen as a likely ally of council members Lewis and Carlson, came in second. Denise Kupperman, who led the citizen task force on the library rebuilding project and was a strong advocate of build-ing it in the park, came in a distant fourth in the field of four candidates. There’s little dispute that the existing seismically unsafe, cramped library in the Town Center needs renovation or a complete rebuild, but the town will now have to study other options. In addition to the influence of the library question on vot-ers’ choice for council members, another force was in play. In what many longtime residents say was an unprecedented involve-ment in an election, the Ather-ton Police Officers’ Association waged an aggressive telephone and mail campaign on behalf of Ms. Lewis and Mr. Wiest, using methods characterized by coun-

cil members and residents as scare-mongering and deception. In condemning the APOA tactics, the council majority and members of the public said the campaign activities were an attempt by the police union to influence the results of contract talks that begin next year. On the nonpolitical side of town government, the City Council in October appointed George Rodericks city manager — the first permanent manager since the departure of Jerry Gruber in October 2010. Although the plan was to hire a permanent manager in the spring, the council was divided when trying to choose from among the top finalists in a recruitment process. Town Hall was led from Janu-ary until mid-October by City Clerk Theresa DellaSanta, who managed to keep the ship afloat during a time of significant staffing change and policy shifts — not to mention an election season.

Woodside’s new management Town Manager Kevin Bryant took over from Susan George in January after 19 years when she had a stellar record for leading Town Hall staff and keeping finances in tiptop shape. Mr. Bryant, who worked as Ms. George’s assistant since 2008, has led what appears to have been a seamless transition. The council meetings con-

tinue to be productive, with lively debates and sometimes painstak-ingly thorough examinations of the details of running a munici-pality, including establishing a Circulation Committee to address issues of getting around town effectively, planning for an Arts & Cultural Affairs Commit-tee in 2013, and settling on how to categorize riding arenas. In the “lively debate” depart-ment, new Councilman Tom Shanahan has turned heads behind the dais with his ardent advocacy of forgoing the use of other people’s money, as he refers to state and federal funds, to address Woodside’s infra-structure needs. Mr. Shanahan argued in April against using $215,600 in county and federal money to upgrade crosswalks at Wood-side Elementary School, and in November about accepting some $6.5 million in federal funds to rehabilitate three bridges con-sidered “structurally deficient” and “functionally obsolete” by the California Department of Transportation. On these issues, he represented a minority view-point on the council. No one on the council dis-sented in October on a proposal to establish a widely popular farmers’ market on Wednesday afternoons near the intersection of Skyline Boulevard and La Honda Road, after an auspicious but technically illegal debut in August. A

TIMES A-CHANGING continued from page 5

Michelle Le

Tim Hanretty’s Woodside home was renovated using nearly $101,000 in public funds embezzled from the Portola Valley School District.


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Clark Lee Thomas, who lived in Menlo Park for 40 years before moving to the Vi in Palo Alto six years ago, died Nov. 21 at the age of 93. Mr. Thomas and his wife, Betty, were longtime members of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and the Peninsula Bible Church. Born in Medicine Hat, Albert, Canada, Mr. Thomas moved to San Diego with his family as a small child. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in petroleum engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1941. He served in World War II as a meteorologist decoding weather maps on bombing mis-sions with the rank of captain. He worked for Stanford Oil Company of California (Chevron) for 35 years, retiring as chief geolo-gist and head petroleum engineer. He had a life-long love of rocks, minerals, gems, coins, art, fishing, woodworking and barbecuing, say family members. He made many

friends working on projects at Little House, they say. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty; daughters, Ann Pow-ell, Robin Sweet and Carol Pen-rose; and eight grandchildren. Contributions in his name may be made to Mount Hermon, Thomas Campership LIFE Fund/Book of Remembrance, P.O. Box 413, Mount Hermon, CA 95041.

Obituary: Clark Lee Thomas

Retired geologist and engineer

By Daniel DeBoltMountain View Voice

Facebook CEO Mark Zuck-erberg said he is giving nearly $500 million in

Facebook stock to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation — its largest donation ever. The multi-billionaire made the announcement on his Facebook page Dec. 18, saying that he and his wife Priscilla have “made a contribution of 18 million Facebook shares to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation” as part of a pledge to donate most of their wealth to charity. The Mountain View-based foundation, which funds a wide range of nonprofits and charities, declined to say how the money might be spent. With Facebook’s stock price at about $27, the contribu-tion is valued at about $486 million. That is slightly more than the $470 million in total donations the SCVF received in all of 2011. “This is the Silicon Val-ley Community Foundation’s largest single gift,” said Rebec-ca Salner, vice president of marketing and communica-tions for the SVCF. It is reportedly also Mr. Zuckerberg’s largest donation yet. In his announcement on

Facebook, Mr. Zuckerberg says that he and his wife signed “the Giving Pledge” two years ago, an effort started by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett that now has 81 billionaires pledg-ing to donate most of their wealth to charities. “Our first major project has been around education reform with Startup: Education in Newark, NJ,” Mr. Zuckerberg

writes in his announcement. “I’m really proud of the work we’ve done there, helping lead-ers like Governor Chris Chris-tie and Mayor Cory Booker sign the most progressive teachers contract in our coun-try, opening four new district high schools, 11 new charter schools and more.” “Today, in order to lay the foundation for new projects, we’ve made a contribution of 18 million Facebook shares to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation,” Mr. Zuckerberg wrote. “Together, we will look for areas in education and health to focus on next. I’m hopeful we’ll be able to have as positive an impact in our next set of projects.” “Mark’s generous gift will change lives and inspire oth-ers in Silicon Valley and around the globe to give back and make the world a bet-ter place,” said Emmett D. Carson, CEO of Silicon Val-ley Community Foundation. “We are pleased and honored that he has chosen to continue to partner with us to help him achieve his philanthropic goals.” Mr. Zuckerbeg, who draws a $1 a year salary from Face-book, has an estimated net worth of $9.5 billion earlier this year, according to Forbes magazine. A

Zuckerberg donates a fortuneto Silicon Valley foundation

Photo by Veronica Weber

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg says that he and his wife signed “the Giving Pledge” two years ago, an effort started by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett that now has 81 billionaires pledging to donate most of their wealth to charities.

By Sandy BrundageAlmanac Staff Writer

The peeling façade of the long-vacant Park Theatre may give way to a mix of

office space and retail, according to owner Howard Crittenden. “I am working with my architect reviewing options on developing the site,” he told the Almanac on Dec. 20. “I have met with the city and find our big hurdle will be the historic nature of the building. The city (has) been most helpful, offering directions that will hopefully result in a successful application.” Plans for renovating the prop-erty at 1275 El Camino Real gathered steam after the Menlo Park City Council approved the downtown/El Camino Real specific plan earlier this year.

JobTrain delivers winter wonderland Hundreds of toys were deliv-ered to children in Menlo Park on Dec. 19, thanks to the com-bined efforts of JobTrain, Hewl-ett Packard, TE Connectivity, and other corporations. The gifts were given to chil-dren with unemployed parents

pursuing vocational training and employment assistance, according to a press release. That wasn’t JobTrain’s only good deed this year: students in its Culinary Arts programs baked more than 10,000 cook-ies for the approximately 1,000 inmates of the San Mateo Coun-ty Jail. A representative from the San Mateo Service League will wrap and deliver the holiday gift on Christmas morning, said JobTrain spokesperson Kail Lubarsky. JobTrain, a nonprofit located in Menlo Park, provides voca-tional training, guidance on how to earn a high-school-level education, and counseling to those seeking work.

Environmental quality awards nominations Nominations for Menlo Park’s annual environmental quality awards are due Monday, Jan. 14, according to the city. The 2011 award recipients included Tavinder and Vivek Wadhwa, nominated for build-ing a passive energy home that uses insulation and other

construction features to reduce energy consumption by 90 percent, according to the city. This year’s awards add a new category — sustainable life-

style, for “an individual or family demonstrating exem-plary actions in reducing use of resources over the past year in the community.”

Go to tinyurl.com/cjfoyaz to download the nomination form or call the city’s environmental department at 330-6740 for more information. A


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Menlo Park may turn to an outside partner to get the most out of

the city’s $2.6 million invest-ment in the Menlo-Ather-ton Performing Arts Center (PAC). Catherine Carlton, who served on the Parks and Rec-reation Commission before winning a seat on the City Council this November, said her research into Bay Area event venues uncovered a local connection — Eric Lochtefeld, who owns the Fox Theatre in Redwood City, grew up in Menlo Park and attended Menlo-Atherton High School. A potential partnership resulted from their conversa-tion: With 492 seats, the PAC offers a mid-sized venue that fills a gap in Mr. Lochtefeld’s business, while he has the expertise to refer performers to the PAC as well as handle promotions and ticket sales, according to Ms. Carlton. The center could also provide a rehearsal space for Broad-way by the Bay performers, giving students a chance to learn alongside theater pro-fessionals. “Some of the really big pro-moters won’t necessarily be a good fit, since Fox handles the administration and they already have really tight con-nections with groups like Ticketmaster. But for some independent acts, comedians and things like that, then this is the appropriate fit,” Ms. Carlton said, noting that specific details of any arrangement have yet to be worked out. Mr. Lochtefeld said he’s turned down offers from other cities to take over their venues because the company has its hands full hosting 150 events a year at the Fox, but he has a soft spot for his home-town. “My wife and I cannot assure the City of Menlo Park that promoters we refer will book shows or that we will promote and produce our own shows in Menlo Park, but Cat has done a terrific job of pay-ing attention to what is going on, reaching out to us, and laying the foundation for us to do business in that venue,”

he said in an email. Menlo Park shared the cost of building the center with Menlo-Atherton High School in exchange for 55 days of rent-free use during the school year, and unlimited access during school vacations. But as the Almanac previously reported, the city only aver-ages between 11 and 36 days of use per year since the theater opened in 2009. In 2011 the city brief ly experimented with another agency, Prime Time Enter-tainment, to provide sound equipment, event coordina-tion, and staffing. But the association fell apart without sufficient marketing by the city and a dearth of available PAC dates. Scheduling remains chal-lenging. “We had one oppor-tunity come up already, but it conflicted with a school event so we couldn’t do anything with it,” Ms. Carlton said. Still, a new manager in charge of scheduling onboard at the PAC may help, and the school is also trying to publish its

schedule earlier so the city can plan its own use. To help address the issue of costs, in October the city announced a new grants pro-gram to award $500 to $1,000 each year to up to five commu-nity groups to subsidize rental of the theater. Staff has recom-mended that the first round of grants go to the Menlo Park Chorus; Kepler’s Arts/Lec-tures, the new nonprofit events arm of the iconic local book-store; Menlowe Ballet; Western Ballet; and West Bay Opera. The Parks and Recreation Commission was scheduled to vote on the recipients on Dec. 19, but did not have a quorum, according to Commissioner James Cebrian. He sounded enthusiastic about potentially working with the Fox Theatre, saying the commission has been exploring public-private part-nerships. “Though it is early in the process, I am very opti-mistic that Cat’s work to bring the Fox Theatre and the city together will result in a fruit-ful collaboration.” A

2nd act for Performing Arts Center■ Menlo Park may partner with Fox Theatre management to book acts.


One of the lead underwrit-ers of Facebook’s initial public offering (IPO)

will pay $5 million in fines to settle the first regulatory action brought against Facebook finan-cial backers who allegedly with-held information from public investors. Morgan Stanley settled the case brought by the state of Massachu-setts without deny-ing or admitting any wrongdoing. “Morgan Stanley is committed to robust compliance with both the let-ter and the spirit of all applicable regulations and laws,” a company spokesperson said in a press release. According to court filings, the state alleged that a senior investment banker at Morgan Stanley instructed Facebook on how to selectively pres-ent revised revenue forecasts to Wall Street analysts, even going so far as to write most of the script used by Facebook to update analysts in circum-vention of laws against under-

writers directly inf luencing provided data. That gave Wall Street investors an illicit edge, according to the state of Mas-sachusetts. A Facebook spokesperson said the social networking company had no comment on the case. Multiple class action lawsuits resulted from the May 18 IPO. The suits allege that Facebook provided false and mislead-

ing statements in documents filed with the Securi-ties and Exchange Commission and made available to the public prior to the stock offer-ing. In addition, according to the

lawsuits, the company alleg-edly gave a private heads-up to lead underwriters, including Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, who then decreased their revenue projections. The lawsuits allege that the under-writers told a handful of select investors about the change, but not the public. Facebook stock was trading at around $26 on NASDAQ on Dec. 21; it had debuted eight months earlier at $42.05. A

Morgan Stanley settles claim over Facebook’s IPO

Park Theatre plans take shape

The suits allege that Facebook provided false and misleading

statements.

BRIEFS

Almanac file photo by Daniella Sanchez

The city of Menlo Park shared the cost of building the Performing Arts Center with Menlo-Atherton High School.


N E W S

By Renee BattiAlmanac News Editor

Elizabeth Lewis, sworn in for her second term on the Atherton City Council

on Dec. 19, was the unanimous choice of her colleagues to serve as mayor for the next year. The vote to appoint her was 4-0, with outgoing may-or Bill Widmer absent on a business trip. It was newly seated Coun-cilman Cary Wiest’s first vote. Jerry Carlson was elected vice mayor on a 3-0 vote. He abstained from voting. Ms. Lewis said a top priority as mayor is to “develop a more collaborative council,” one that

will function with a collegial and respectful spirit. Many council observers would agree that a collegial spirit would be a welcome change after years of divisiveness and rancor among council members. But there are differing opinions on whom to blame for that ran-cor. Outgoing three-term coun-cilwoman Kathy McKeithen last January publicly accused Ms. Lewis of abusive behavior toward her, and called on then-mayor Widmer to demand more civility at meetings. Mayor Lewis has also com-plained of incivility and unethi-cal behavior among council members, and campaigned on a promise to work toward restor-ing civility to the body.

In remarks made after taking the gavel, she said that she didn’t expect council members to vote in lockstep and to always agree on issues, but she urged her col-leagues to “put aside personal agendas” as they work for the overall good of the town. Mayor Lewis acknowledged Councilman Widmer’s efforts during his term as mayor, not-ing that “a lot has been accom-plished” over the year. Mary Widmer, Bill Widmer’s wife, read a statement by her hus-band that provided an overview of council accomplishments over the last 12 months. He cited the replacement of interim staff in many key positions with per-manent staff, and improvements in outsourced-services contracts with the addition of efficiencies and concessions.

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ATHERTON

Mayor: ‘Put aside personal agendas’

See ATHERTON MAYOR, page 18

Elizabeth Lewis

By Renee BattiAlmanac News Editor

As expected, the newly configured Atherton City Council rescinded its Nov.

28 adoption of a resolution that would cut compensation for 10 unrepresented town employees. The compensation resolu-tion was passed unanimously last month, although council members Jerry Carlson and Elizabeth Lewis promised to call for reconsideration of the issue this month, after Cary Wiest replaced Kathy McKeithen on the council. (Only a council member who has voted in favor of a measure can call for its reconsideration, according to City Attorney Bill Conners.) In calling for reconsideration this week, the council in effect threw out its earlier endorse-ment. But council members made it clear that they were not abandoning the policy changes represented in the resolution — bringing employee costs more in line with private-sector com-pensation and shifting more pension and health-care costs to employees to reduce the town’s overall spending on its staff. Instead, their intent is to tweak some of the resolution’s terms to slow the pace of incremental changes, easing the burden on employees, council members Carlson and Lewis said. Terms of the resolution, which would not affect police sergeants or rank-and-file officers, include capping vacation and sick-leave accrual, capping the town’s

contribution for health benefits, and requiring employees to pay for more of their contribution toward retirement. The resolution would also cre-ate a two-tier retirement system for new hires, and eliminate post-retirement health benefits for new hires. Although all five council members voted for the resolu-tion in closed session before the Nov. 28 meeting, Mr. Carlson and Ms. Lewis had a change of heart when the council brought the matter to a public meeting last month. The council had hammered out the compensation changes for months before its closed-ses-sion endorsement, and although the unrepresented employees were kept in the loop, and offered feedback along the way, they were surprised when told the resolution would be voted on in late November, and hadn’t been given a chance to review it until the day before Thanksgiv-ing, according to Steve Tyler, the town’s public works super-visor and one of the employees who would be affected by the changes. The employees “are all for getting things right and mak-ing concessions. But (the speed of the changes) will put some serious pain on some of us,” Mr. Tyler told the council at its Nov. 28 meeting. Last week’s vote to reconsider

ATHERTON

See ATHERTON COUNCIL, page 18

Council to slow pace of compensation cuts


SANITARY DI STRICT

At West Bay Sanitary District we work hard to provide our customers with the ability to flush their toilets worry free. We have increased our productivity in the cleaning, repairing, and replacement of sewer lines and have successfully reduced Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) 60% from 41 in 2010 to 16 in 2011. As of November 2012 there have been only 10 SSOs this calendar year, a reduction of another 37%.

We are committed to keeping the wastewater in the pipes. That’s why we not only clean the sewer main lines but we offer a “courtesy cleaning” of the homeowner’s private sewer lateral from a conforming property line clean out to the sewer main.

The District provides 24 hour emergency service. If you have a sewer lateral problem, day or night, call us first at (650) 321-

0384 and we can assess if it’s a problem we can fix based on its location or if you will need to call a plumber or drain cleaning service.

We have cleaned more sewer lines, repaired more sewer lines and replaced more miles of pipeline over the last few years than ever before, vastly increasing the dependability of our wastewater collection system. You can depend on us to serve you.

Serving Our Community Since 1902

Winter 2012

West Bay Sanitary District Bulletin

Dedicated to protecting the public health and the environment by providing cost effective sanitary sewer service

by Phil Scott District Manager

REPORT A PROBLEM by calling (650) 321-0384

District Recognized for Safety

The California Sanitation Risk Management Authority (CSRMA) has presented its 2012 second annual Safety, Health, Environmental, Liability and Losses (SHELL) award to the West Bay Sanitary District for its outstanding accomplishment in safety and risk management. The award program was developed by CSRMA to recognize member agencies for a superior level of performance in risk management and establishment of effective risk management programs.

“The SHELL Award is shared by all the employees since it takes every individual employee to be committed to safety to win this award,” said District Manager

Phil Scott. “Safety and training are of the highest importance at the West Bay Sanitary District and I would like to thank CSRMA for recognizing our efforts at the District,” says Scott.

Each employee receives a jacket with the SHELL Award embroidered in front and the District received a wall plaque commemorating the award. In addition, the District was awarded a $10,000 cash prize that was distributed equally among the 26 District employees.

“What this award characterizes is state of the art risk management efforts, policies, procedures and training programs,” said CSRMA’s David Patzer.

West Bay Sanitary District President Ronald Shepherd receives the 2012 Second Annual SHELL Award from CSRMA’s David Patzer at the District Board meeting on September 12, 2012

Sewer Lateral Insurance Program Available in 2013

A number of our customers have asked for a way to reduce the significant cost of replacing a sewer lateral pipe. West Bay asked HomeServe to establish an optional sewer line insurance program for homeowners that covers the sewer lateral all the way from the front of the house to the main line.

Homeowners who participate could save thousands of dollars during a sewer emergency and relieve a lot of stress trying to arrange for a competent and fair contractor to do the job.

We anticipate this optional insurance product will be available in early 2013. If you are interested, please visit our website at www.westbaysanitary.org periodically for updates and more information on availability, prices, coverage and how to enroll.

For updates and information, please visit www.westbaysanitary.org.

West Bay holds no financial interest in this program, but we recognize the benefit to our customers of an optional sewer line insurance program.

Thiele-Sardiña Joins District Board

Roy Thiele-Sardiña is the newest Member of the District Board. Roy is a long time Menlo Park resident and is a seasoned venture capitalist and entrepreneur with over 20 years of investment and operating experience in the technology industry. Roy was the co-author of Measure L for pension reform in Menlo Park.

Roy most recently served as Managing Director at Steelpoint Capital and is the Managing General Partner of HighBAR Ventures. Roy previously worked at Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ:SUNW) for 11 years. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.B.A. from New York University, Stern School of Business.


District Teams with San Mateo County Firefighters for Trench Rescue Training

West Bay Sanitary District Bulletin - Winter 2012

Tour Our New Customer Focused Website

West Bay Sanitary has modernized the entire website to focus on providing useful information to our customers. Visit us at: www.westbaysanitary.org to meet the Board of Directors, peruse the financial reports, download agendas and minutes or find out how to get a permit for sewer repair with our new Your Sewer Guide feature.

Tablets Increase Efficiency in the Field

District staff members are now able to conduct data entry in the field with a tablet computer, eliminating the extra time it takes to travel to the office for that purpose. With advances in new technology our crews can truly go paperless with inexpensive handheld tablets and spend more time in the field. They also have the added efficiency of having maps, safety procedures and infrastructure information literally at their fingertips.

REMEMBER:

Please don’t put grease down

the drain.

It clogs the sewer lines.

In September the West Bay Sanitary District and firefighters from around San Mateo County partnered up for a 3 day, 24-hour course, which included a full 20 hours of hands-on training on trench rescues.

“Though we’ve come a long way over the years to improve trench safety and incidents are rare, it’s good to know the Fire Department is continually training for trench rescue and will be there when every minute counts,” says Phil Scott, District Manager of the West Bay Sanitary District.

The event was hosted by the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, Fire Station # 1, in Menlo Park as part of the Regional Training & Exercise Program.

Board Approves 2012/13 Budget

The West Bay Sanitary District Board of Directors has approved the 2012/13 budget that projects $17,606,460 in revenues and $18,467,713 in total expense, liabilities and reserves in the General Fund.

The most significant cost is our non-operating expenses, which have risen to a full 60% ($8.5M) of all expenses for the District and include the support of the Wastewater Treatment Plant operations at South Bayside System Authority (SBSA), and debt service on the bonds to fund SBSA’s Capital Improvement projects. West Bay Sanitary is a partner with Redwood City, Belmont, and San Carlos, which formed the Joint Powers Authority known as SBSA.

The Capital Asset Fund budget includes capital expenditures and revenue transfers of $5,767,500. This number consists of over $4 million in capital projects such as pipeline replacement. It also includes equipment replacement and contributions to our emergency reserves.

For more budget details go to: www.westbaysanitary.org/about-us/budget-finance.

Capital Improvement Projects Awarded for 30-Inch Corrugated Metal Pipe Lining Project

Part of this year’s annual Capital Improvement Program for the District is to rehabilitate approximately 4,400 lineal feet of 30-inch sanitary sewer main. The project was awarded to Re-Pipe California of Ontario which is in the process of rehabilitating the 30-Inch corrugated metal pipe (CMP) along an easement through non-residential parcels located on the northwesterly part of the District in the City of Menlo Park.

The project location is along an easement across the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of way near Modoc Avenue and Terminal Avenue; crossing Chilco Street; through the TE Connectivity Site; and along an easement of the northerly properties along Constitution Drive between Chilco Street and Chrysler Drive.

The sanitary sewers will be rehabilitated using a trenchless method by inserting a cured in place liner into the existing pipeline. Some small areas will need to be open trenched to accommodate the liner.

Re-Pipe California and their sub-contractors will keep all traffic disruptions to a minimum. The project is planned to be completed by February of 2013. For questions regarding this project please call (650) 321-0384.

WEST BAY SANITARY DISTRICT

BOARD MEMBERS

West Bay Sanitary District (WBSD) operates a wastewater collection system serving Menlo

Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and several small portions of unincorporated areas of San Mateo County through a network of over 200 miles of mainline pipe and 13 pumping stations serving

approximately 54,000 citizens.

Ronald W. Shepherd,President

David Walker, Secretary

Edward Moritz, Treasurer

Fran Dehn, Director

Roy Thiele Sardiña, Director

small-plates meals from 10 p.m. Call 650-968-1502 or go to moroccosrestaurant.com. Farther north, Redwood City’s Fox Theatre at 2223 Broadway hosts the rock and soul cover band The House-rockers and DJ Dinero on New Year’s Eve, with a balloon drop, party favors and a mid-night champagne toast. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the party is for ages 21 and up. Tickets are $35 general. Go to foxrwc.com. Next door, the smaller Club Fox will host a salsa night with doors also opening at 8. Tick-ets are $15 in advance and $20

at the door. Go to clubfoxrwc.com. At nearby Angelica’s Bis-tro, at 863 Main St. in Red-wood City, a New Year’s Eve party will feature Generation Esmeralda, a band that plays the music of disco group Santa Esmeralda with some of the original members. Din-ner seating starts at 8 p.m., with the show at 9 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $115/$135. Go to angelicasbistro.com or call 650-365-3226. Earlier in the day on New Year’s Eve, seniors will gather for the annual Senior New Year’s Eve Day Bash with dancing and a buffet lunch at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, 3921 Fabi-an Way, Palo Alto. The party, which is presented together with the Avenidas senior cen-ter and the city of Palo Alto,

goes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cultural Arts Hall, with a champagne toast at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance and $18 at the door. Go to paloaltojcc.org or call 650-223-8664. On New Year’s Day, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra always holds a free afternoon concert in Palo Alto. This year’s theme will be “Dial M for Music,” with music by Mozart, Mendelssohn and New York City composer Har-old Meltzer. The Meltzer piece is an SFCO commission and a world premiere, called Sin-fonia Concertante for Violin & Viola. Soloists Scott St. John (violin) and Sharon Wei (viola) will be featured. The concert is at the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto at 625 Hamilton Ave. Go to sfchamberorchestra.org or call 415-692-3367.


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Menlo School will host “Too Marvelous for Words, the Magic of Johnny Mercer,” a benefit for Lighthouse for the Blind, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, and Sunday, Jan. 13, in the Spieker Ballroom at Menlo School, 50 Valparaiso Ave. in Atherton. Suggested donation is $15. The benefit will feature Steve Gill, emeritus teacher at Menlo, his daughter Anne and “Friends of Annie”: current and former Menlo students, who have sung in previous Lighthouse concerts. They include voice teacher Sharon Davis, former Menlo music director Linda Jordan, and Kari Hall, Robert Hinkson, John Jordan, Andy Kitt, Karen Linford, Jennifer Mitchell, Matt Pick, Mollie

Thompson and Mark Warren. After graduating from Los Altos High School in 1997, Anne Gill was in a near-fatal car accident that left her blind and brain-injured. Mr. Gill, a veteran singer with local theater groups, was inspired to organize the concerts in appreciation for the Lighthouse for the Blind summer camp in Napa for visu-ally impaired adults with other disabilities, which his daughter has enjoyed. Since Mr. Gill organized the first benefit concert in 1999, more than $73,000 has been raised in donations, which have allowed dozens of adults to receive full or partial scholar-ships to attend Enchanted Hills Camp.

Menlo School hosts Lighthouse for Blind benefit concert

Photo by Michelle Longosz

Steve Gill, emeritus teacher at Menlo School and his daugher Anne.

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MUSIC OF THE NIGHTcontinued from page 3

POLICE CALLS

This information is from the Menlo Park police department. Under the law, people charged with offenses are considered innocent until convicted.

MENLO PARK

Residential burglary reports:

■ Losses estimated at $32,600 in break-in and theft of $20,000 coin collection, $5,000 ruby and diamond ring, platinum wedding ring, gold wedding band, neck-lace and matching bracelet, emerald ring and bracelet, gold bracelet, diamond pendant, French clip gold earrings and laptop computer, Menalto Ave., Dec. 17.■ Losses estimated at $1,400 in break-in and theft of Kimber .45-caliber pistol, Florence lane, Dec. 16.■ Loss estimated at $300 in theft of portable top-loading washing machine, Roble Ave., Dec. 17.■ Unknown losses in theft of electronic

equipment and several pieces of jewelry, Woodland Ave., Dec. 19.Auto burglary report:

■ Window smashed and $40 purse stolen with $60 cash and cards inside, Marsh Road, Dec. 20.Theft reports:

■ Loss estimated at $300 in theft of multi-colored flower pattern ornamental bowl, Stonepine Lane, Dec. 15.■ Loss estimated at $175 in theft of Sec-tor 9 skateboard, Willow Road, Dec. 20.■ Loss estimated at $105 in theft of pack-age containing two bottles of perfume, Willow Road, Dec. 18.■ Unknown loss in theft of wallet from unattended purse hanging on back of chair, Cafe Borrone at 1010 El Camino Real, Dec. 20.■ Unknown losses in theft of four phones during house party, Henderson Ave., Dec. 14.


N E W S

TOWN OF WOODSIDE

INVITES APPLICATIONS FORPLANNING COMMISSION

Districts 1Unexpired term to February 2016

The Planning Commission participates in the administration of the plan-

ning laws and policies of the Town. It is responsible for recommending

to the Town Council ordinances and resolutions necessary to implement

the General Plan and adopted development policy. The Commission also

conducts necessary public hearings to administer the planning laws and

policies of the Town and acts upon applications for zoning amendments,

conditional use permits, variances, subdivisions and other related functions

as may be assigned by the Council.

The Planning Commission meets on the first and third Wednesday at 7:30

p.m.; Commissioners are appointed for a four-year term; one member is

appointed from each Council district. A listing of district addresses is

provided on the Town’s web site at www.woodsidetown.org, Town Hall,

Boards and Committees, Planning Commission, Districts.

Interested residents may request information and applications Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-12 noon and 1-5:00 PM at Town Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, at the Town’s web site, www.woodsidetown.org, Residents, Volunteer Opportunities, or telephone the Town Clerk at (650) 851-6790. Deadline for applications is Tuesday, January 15, 2012, 5:00 PM.

TOWN OF WOODSIDE

2955 WOODSIDE ROAD

WOODSIDE, CA 94062

PLANNING COMMISSION

***SPECIAL MEETING DATE***

January 9, 2013

7:30 PM

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

4. Leo Montes LLC SDES2012-0006

246 Mountain Home Road Planner: Sean Mullin, Planning Intern

Review and recommendation of approval/denial by the Planning Commission of a proposal to demolish

an existing single-family residence and construct a new two-story single family residence including an

attached Accessory Living Quarter (ALQ), a detached garage, a new entry gate; renovate an existing

swimming pool and detached historic ALQ; preserve a historic stone patio and cabana; and site grading

and landscaping on a 3.16-acre lot at 246 Mountain Home Road (APN 072-191-580).

All application materials are available for public review at the Woodside Planning and Building Counter,

Woodside Town Hall, weekdays from 8:00 – 10:00 AM and 1:00 – 3:00 PM, or by appointment. For more

information, contact the Woodside Planning and Building Department at (650) 851-6790.

By Dave BoyceAlmanac staff writer

Woodside has cultures — an equestrian culture, a bicycling culture, a

culture built around rural char-acter — but does it have Culture? That would be a question for the town’s arts and culture commit-tee, if there were one, which there is not. Maybe next year. On Dec. 11, the Town Council welcomed the idea of adding an arts committee to the nine current citizen advisory com-mittees. A council resolution is likely in January that would establish the Arts & Cultural Affairs Committee. “I think it’s a great idea,” said Councilman Peter Mason. “I think we have an untapped source of energy,” said Council-man Tom Shanahan.

“I think there are a lot of people who are talented in this town,” said Mayor Anne Kasten. Town Hall is prepared to pro-vide seed money of a few thou-sand dollars, including money for a community survey, but expects the committee to sus-tain itself. “I would like every-thing they do to be self-funded,” Town Manager Kevin Bryant told the council in response to a question on financing the com-mittee from Mr. Shanahan. As proposed by a group of 10 residents in a letter to Mr. Bry-ant, the committee would meet on the second Monday of the month and have 12 members. The mission: “To strengthen multi-generational community ties within the Town of Wood-side by initiating, sponsoring and celebrating local art, creativity and cultural activities including

but not limited to the areas of art, photography, design, music, horticulture, culinary arts, lit-erature, drama and dance.” Twelve members makes possi-ble working ad hoc subcommit-tees that can focus on particular

topics, Suzanne Muller, one of the letter’s signatories, told the council. “There really seems to be a tide of interest.” In establishing such a com-mittee, Woodside would catch up with Portola Valley, Atherton

and Menlo Park. Those commu-nities also have venues available for public celebrations of the arts. In Woodside, public spaces with capacity for an audience are lim-ited to Independence Hall, where the council meets, and the patio-like area outside Town Hall. Venues are an issue, noted Mr. Bryant and Councilman Dave Burow. “We can be creative about ven-ues,” Ms. Muller said. A summer watercolor class, for example, does not need to be inside at all, she said, adding that the Filoli estate on Canada Road and Mountain Terrace on Skyline Drive may have space available. “I think there’s a very clear need for this,” said Alexis Bartlo, chair of the Livestock and Eques-trian Heritage Committee and president of the Woodside Com-munity Foundation. “I think it

would be really interesting to expand the opportunity to get people together and to share and get beyond our interest groups.” Tom Johnson, another signa-tory to the proposal, remarked that “Woodsiders often coalesce around special interests such as equestrianism, biking, conser-vation, sustainability etc., and in some respects these special interests have come to define our Townís community activities.” “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main,” he said, quoting Renaissance poet John Donne. “It’s an opportunity for the town to bring people together and create a deeper sense of community,” Mr. Johnson add-ed. “We feel that the committee could help show ... that these people are not islands.” A

Arts and culture committee may be ahead for Woodside

Photo by Sergio Ramirez

In the trenchesFirefighters, including those with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, recently worked with staff from the West Bay Sanitary District in a trench rescue training program. When responding to a cave-in or a trapped victim, rescuers need to know how to mitigate dangers for both victim and rescuer, said Phil Scott, district manager of the West Bay Sanitary District, which handles wastewater collection for Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and other nearby areas.

‘It’s an opportunity for the town to bring people together and

create a deeper sense of community.’

WOODSIDE RESIDENT TOM JOHNSON

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A R T S

By Rebecca Wallace

David Harrington was practically on the edge of his seat. “I can’t wait

to play here,” the Kronos Quar-tet violinist said recently at Stanford University’s new Bing Concert Hall. “To walk in here and know that music has been valued in this way, it’s really beautiful,” he said. His emotions were in concert with many others recently, when a small, enthusiastic crowd gath-ered for a media preview of the hall before its official opening in January. Violinist Geoff Nuttall of the St. Lawrence String Quar-tet called the 842-seat venue “devastatingly good,” and Stan-ford music department chair Stephen M. Sano said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to have this kind of space.”

Large student ensembles have been rehearsing in the new hall for about a month, and Mr. Sano is already finding it excel-lent for teaching and learning, thanks to its acoustic design and its relatively intimate size and layout. One violinist, he said, reported being able to see — and hear — a faraway bassoonist breathe, which makes for fine interorchestra coordination. With the opening-night con-cert approaching on Jan. 11, the $112 million venue looks nearly finished, scented with the perfumes of fresh paint, wood and carpets. In the oval-shaped concert hall, the soft yellow Alaskan cedar on the stage is as bright as promised. Seats rise away from it in the separate terraced sections that give the “vineyard-style seat-ing” its name. “We face each other. I think

this is very important. We see other audience faces,” said Yasuhisa Toyota, whose Los Angeles-based Nagata Acoustics firm is responsible for the hall’s acoustics. He worked closely with archi-tect Richard Olcott and others at the New York-based Ennead Architects to create an intimate feel inside a state-of-the-art space. One goal was to get all audience members as close to the stage as possible, Mr. Olcott said. The farthest seat is 75 feet away from the conductor, and the closest seats, in the center section, begin at stage level. Mr. Nuttall said his quartet enjoys these types of theater-in-the-round venues, noting that the experience is “more like inviting people into your home.” He added, “The only choice you have to make as a performer is where to face.”

Promising previewStanford’s nearly completed Bing Concert Hall draws advance praise

Top: A small crowd previews the Bing Concert Hall. Above: A photographer walks through one of the “terraced” seating sections.

Photographs by Veronica Weber


A R T S

Hanging above and around the stage are acoustic cur-tains that look like sails, and a double-curved ceiling reflector with lighting and other techni-cal equipment housed behind it. The effect is grand, drawing the eye upward. The lobby surrounding the concert hall feels spacious as well. High windows let in lots of natural light filtered through trees, and bamboo plants grow in picturesque atrium spaces. Tables and chairs dot the patios outside. On Nov. 27, two con-struction workers with hard hats were already enjoying the al fresco seating. Though a dump truck temporarily blocked the view, soon visitors will be able to stand at the hall’s

front entrance and look across to the Cantor Arts Center. The venue also houses artists’ suites, a music library, rooms for practice and instrument storage, a recording studio, and restrooms with a touch of high-tech (26 women’s bathrooms, 16 for men, and four family facilities). Green lights over the stalls go red to show that stalls are occupied; the color change happens when a visitor locks a stall door. On another tech topic, it seems difficult if not impossible to get a cellphone signal once you leave the lobby and enter the concert hall. Some people, of course, may like this. Rick War-ren, patron-services manager at Stanford Live, said that signals

are not purposely blocked. (The phenomenon may have some-thing to do with the fact that the hall is acoustically isolated from exterior sounds by a 12-inch-thick concrete enclosure.) Mr. Warren said that officials will look into possibly allowing wireless access during student performances. As for “tweet seats,” where some theaters allow patrons sitting in a special section to post to Twitter dur-ing a show, the jury’s still out. “Those are controversial,” he said in an understatement. Stanford Live (previously named Stanford Lively Arts) begins its arts-presenting season

on Jan. 11 with the concert hall’s opening concert. The sold-out event will feature the San Fran-cisco Symphony and the St. Lawrence String Quartet. A free community open house on Jan. 12 has also sold out. While Stanford Live has pre-sented many dance and theater performances in the past, Bing’s inaugural season will focus on music. Stanford Live artistic director Jenny Bilfield said the organization plans to bring back visiting dance companies and other types of performers in future seasons. “We’re learning how to use the space,” she said.

The university broke ground in May 2010 on the concert hall, which is named for alumni donors Peter and Helen Bing and built on 5.5 acres. The site housed the Stanford Men’s Gym before the 1906 earthquake. A photo mounted outside depicts the grand gym in black and white, all triangular pediments and columns. A

Visit binghall.stanford.edu for more information about the Bing Concert Hall and the Stanford Live and student events planned there. The author, Rebecca Wal-lace, is arts and entertainment editor of the Palo Alto Weekly.

Left: Guests visit the light-filled concert hall lobby. Below: The front entrance of the new Bing Concert Hall at Stanford University.

Acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota and architect Richard Olcott.


N E W S

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A celebration of the life of Don Nystrom will be held at noon Thursday, Jan. 10, at Skylawn Memorial Park, at Highway 92 and Skyline Boulevard in San Mateo. Mr. Nystrom died Nov. 14 after a courageous battle with bladder cancer. He was 86. Mr. Nystrom was one of the original builders of the Sharon Heights subdivision in Menlo Park 50 years ago. He was also a founding member of the Sha-ron Heights Golf and Country Club. Mr. Nystrom was born in Oakland. The family later moved to Burlingame, where he graduated from Burlingame High School. He was active in sports, especially basketball and track. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines. He graduated from Stanford University in 1950 with a bachelor of arts degree in his-tory and economics. He was a member of Chi Psi fraternity.

After working as a carpenter’s apprentice during high school and college, Mr. Nystrom became a journeyman c a r p e nte r. At 21 he received his real estate license and worked for a title com-pany as an escrow offi-cer. He received his contrac-tor’s license at 25, then founded Nystrom Construction Corpo-ration and began a long career as a building contractor and real estate developer. Mr. Nystrom married Mar-jorie Adams and they raised their family in one of the homes he built in Sharon Heights. After they divorced, he moved to Foster City. He enjoyed tennis, hiking, skiing and golfing. He also traveled around the world and pursued his passion for ballroom danc-

ing well into his 80s, say family members. Mr. Nystrom was a longtime member and past president of the Foster City Rotary Club, a major donor to the Rotary Foundation, a volunteer at Samaritan House, and a mem-ber of Sons in Retirement. He was also a construction and real estate arbitrator for the American Arbitration Society and a tenant and landlord negotiator for the San Mateo County Human Relations Department. He will be remembered for his integrity, business savvy, wit, boundless energy and love of life, say family members. He is survived by his chil-dren, Karen Nystrom, Sandra Nystrom, and Mark Nystrom; companion Jan Reini; sister Joan Kane; and four grand-children. Donations in his name may be made to Samaritan House, 4031 Pacific Blvd., San Mateo CA 94403.

Sharon Heights builder Don Nystrom dies

Don Nystrom

The list also cited improve-ments in the use of technology “to boost our efficiencies and openness to the public,” includ-ing the addition of a search capability on the town’s website to allow residents to find infor-mation easily; and the installa-tion of wireless Internet connec-tions in the Council Chambers, allowing the public to download agendas and staff reports during meetings to cut down on the use of paper. Mr. Widmer also cited prog-ress in tackling financial chal-lenges, in the near term as well as long term. In the latter category, he cited the establish-ment of an irrevocable trust that locks away funds to meet long-term financial obligations for retiree benefits. The fund now has about $1.5 million, he said, adding that the town’s off-balance-sheet liability is an estimated $7.5 million. In her statement, Mayor Lewis also named and acknowledged the work of each of the town’s

core staff members, beginning with the new city manager, George Rodericks. “I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead the town,” she said. Calling City Clerk Theresa DellaSanta “the hero of 2012,” Mayor Lewis acknowledged her duo roles over the course of nine months as interim city manager and city clerk. The town begins a new year with “a solid foundation” of staff, she said, calling them “a superb group of professionals.” With last week’s tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, fresh in everyone’s mind, Mayor Lewis referred to the mass shooting, noting that the town’s collective safety and security “remains paramount,” including at the 10 public and private schools within its borders. Shortly after her remarks, Police Chief Ed Flint swore in the town’s newest police officer, Chris Vigil, an Army veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq, and who worked for five years on the Santa Cruz police force. A

ATHERTON MAYOR continued from page 11

Atherton council to slow compensation cuts

the resolution was 3-1. Council-man Bill Widmer was absent. Before casting his vote oppos-ing the reconsideration, Coun-cilman Jim Dobbie said he was surprised by the reversal of his two council colleagues, who had earlier supported the resolution. He said that, by implement-ing the compensation changes,

continued from page 11 the council was “fulfilling our stewardship” as elected officials of the town. He said that 80 percent of the town’s expenses go to employee costs, and though it’s important to pay staff fairly, Atherton employees are paid “far better than people with equivalent experience” in the private sec-tor. Mayor Lewis emphasized that “the council is in agreement with a lot of these (changes).” She cited, as an example, a change that will gradually shift all of the employees’ share of their retirement costs, which is 7 percent of their pay, to the employees. Many public agen-cies require employees to pay

all or at least some of that cost, but Atherton pays the entire amount, plus the town’s own share. She also said the council is committed to eliminating post-retirement health care for all new hires. Implementation of the chang-es is what’s at issue, she said. At last month’s council meeting, she suggested, for example, that the 18-month time frame for incremental increases in employee contributions to their pensions could be expanded to three years. Council members directed staff to come back with a revised resolution for them to review at their January meeting. A

Registration for the Menlo-Atherton Little League is now open. Boys and girls between the ages of 5 1/2 and 16 (before April 13, 2013) are eligible to partici-pate if they submit a completed registration form by Jan. 13. Fees range from $175 for T-Ball

to $250 for Majors. Visit m-all.org for more infor-mation. There is a button on the home page that links to the registration page, accord-ing to Little League spokesman Anurag Chandra.

M-A Little League registration opens

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A Lionel train set, G-man fin-gerprint set, 1929 electric stove and oven, and a “Miss Friday” mechanical doll, are among the toys from the Harry P. Costa collection on display at the San Mateo County History Museum through Dec. 30. Mr. Costa collected toys from the 1920-1970 era, which he dis-played at his stationery store on San Mateo Avenue in San Bru-no. Entitled “Playing Grown-up: Toys from the Harry P. Costa Collection,” the exhibit focuses on toys that allowed children to mimic the activity of adults. The museum is located at 2200 Broadway in downtown Redwood City within the old

1910 courthouse. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, free for children 5 and under.

College graduate

Keith Burgelin of Menlo Park has completed his master’s of education degree work at UC Santa Cruz. He received bach-elor degrees, Phi Beta Kappa, at UC Santa Cruz in 2011, in lit-erature and theater arts. A 2007 graduate of Menlo-Atherton High School, he plans to teach at the high schoool level.

Last chance to see antique toy collection

BRIEFS


C O M M U N I T Y

Discover the best places to eat this week!

A M E R I C A N

Armadillo Willy’s 941-2922

1031 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altoswww.armadillowillys.com

The Old Pro326-1446

541 Ramona Street, Palo Altowww.oldpropa.com

S T E A K H O U S E

Sundance the Steakhouse 321-6798

1921 El Camino Real, Palo Altowww.sundancethesteakhouse.com

C H I N E S E

Chef Chu’s 948-2696

1067 N. San Antonio Roadwww.chefchu.com

Ming’s856-7700

1700 Embarcadero East, Palo Altowww.mings.com

New Tung Kee Noodle House947-8888

520 Showers Drive, Mountain Viewwww.shopmountainview.com/luunoodlemv

I N D I A N

Janta Indian Restaurant 462-5903

369 Lytton Ave. www.jantaindianrestaurant.com

Thaiphoon323-7700

543 Emerson Ave, Palo Alto www.ThaiphoonRestaurant.com

Read and post reviews, explore restaurant menus, get hours and directions

and more at ShopPaloAlto, ShopMenloPark and ShopMountainView

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P E N I N S U L A

Save Menlo, a group of com-munity members not thrilled with the massive eight-acre, mixed-use complex developer John Arrillaga wants to build on Stanford’s car lots in Menlo Park, has been busy. The group has gathered 156 signatures towards its goal of 500 for a petition expressing concern about the traffic impact of the proposed 96,000 square feet of medical offices, 133,350 square feet of regular offices, plus retail space and 120 apart-ments. Save Menlo estimates that the project will consume 51 percent of the maximum non-residential buildout allowed by the new downtown/El Camino Real specific plan. Save Menlo also maintains that the specific plan’s envi-ronmental impact report did not analyze the effect of that

much medical office space being added along El Camino Real. Options for forcing changes to the development remain virtu-ally non-existent, however, since the project meets the baseline requirements of the specific plan and thus requires no over-all Planning Commission or City Council approval.

New health center A pledge of $4.3 million from the Sequoia Healthcare District helped San Mateo County start construction of a new health center at 2710 Middlefield Road in Redwood City. The project, a combined medical-dental clinic, broke ground Dec. 14, and the county expects construction to be finished within a year.

Protest gathers signatures BRIEFS

The Menlo Park-Atherton AYSO GU19 (girls under 19) United team recently won the AYSO Silicon Valley Area Championship, defeating San Jose Destiny 2-0 at Kelly Field in Menlo Park. Pastor Guzman, who also led girls’ teams to championships in 2009 and 2011, was coach. Rudy Medina was assistant coach. This year, so many girls signed up for GU19 soccer that two teams were formed, United and Green02. Also coached by Mr. Guzman, Green02 finished sixth in a competitive league that included teams from as far away as Salinas. Team United had a challeng-ing start to the season, suffering its first and only loss to San Jose Destiny. When United

advanced to the championship game, it was considered the underdog, a fact that motivated the team to defeat Destiny, says team spokesman Tricia Teason. The team record for the sea-son was eight wins, one loss, and 28 goals scored. Team members are: from Menlo-Atherton High School, Katie Doherty, Rubi Guzman, Chloe Green, Rosemary Her-nandez, Meghan Hom, Kim-berly Medina, Capri Zelaya and Lexie Kemp Dahlberg; from Sequoia High School, Lizbet Gomez and Elisa Solis; from Everest Public High School, Sofia Alcazar and Jocelyn Aledo; from Woodside High School, Katie Englis; from Castilleja, Becky Abramowitz; from Kings Academy, Hannah Lawry; from

Girls soccer team wins championshipThe Menlo Park-Atherton AYSO GU19 (girls under 19) United team won the AYSO Silicon Valley Area Championship.

College of San Mateo, Shelby McDonald; from Foothill Col-lege, Becca Kaplan.

The Menlo Park-based Cali-fornia Game Wardens Founda-tion has received a challenge pledge of $1.8 million from an anonymous donor on the condi-tion that it is matched by other contributions. The foundation’s goal is raising $5 million for game wardens in California. Game wardens operate in the law enforcement division of the California Department of Fish and Game. Their assignments often require them to patrol in remote locations or cover terrain including back country, lakes, rivers, beaches, wetlands, desert, as well as metropolitan areas. The foundation was estab-lished in 2007 to provide finan-cial benefits and other support to California game wardens and their families. It has provided $180,000 for scholarships, medi-cal emergencies, training grants, and other awards to wardens for exemplary service.

One of the first beneficiaries was warden Bob Orange of Plu-mas County, whose wife had a horse riding accident that forced her to rely on a wheelchair. The foundation paid to help retro-fit their home for wheelchair access. Local residents who serve on the foundation’s board include Ned Spieker of Atherton, Peter Stent of Woodside, Judd Hanna, part-time resident of Half Moon Bay, and Steve McCormick, Moore Foundation director. Major donors will be recog-nized on a plaque to be dis-played at the headquarters of the Department of Fish and Game in Sacramento. Visit calgwf.org to make dona-tions online. Donations may be made by mail to: Califor-nia Game Wardens Foundation headquarters, 2190 Sand Hill Road, Suite 100, Menlo Park CA 94025.

Game Wardens Foundation receives challenge grant

20 The Almanac TheAlmanacOnline.com November 21, 2012

C O M M U N I T Y

From left, Hugo, Alyssa, and Kathy at InnVision Shelter Network’s Haven Family House in Menlo Park.

The Las Lomitas Elemen-tary School District’s govern-ing board welcomed two new members on Dec. 12, William Steinmetz and Diane Honda, and unanimously elected Rich-ard Ginn as board president and Jay Siegel as clerk. Mr. Steinmetz and Ms. Honda replaced Maria Doktorczyk and John Macdonald, who did not run for re-election. The board also recognized teachers Janet Gregori, Susan Logie, Maria Marchi, Brenda Nixon and Jill Ohline, who have been certified by the National Board for Professional Teach-ing Standards as deserving of advanced teaching creden-tials. The board on its website says that the certification is “designed to recognize effective and accomplished teachers.” The Las Lomitas district has two schools: Las Lomitas (K-3) and La Entrada (4-8).

Eagle Scout award Jonathan Spencer Horn of Emerald Hills was honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor Sept. 15 at the Hillsdale Unit-ed Methodist Church in San Mateo. A member of Troop 27 in San Mateo since 2006, Jonathan earned 21 mer-it badges. His Eagle project was refurbish-ing the gardens at Stanbridge Academy in San Mateo. A senior at Stanbridge Acad-emy, Jon is now serving as a assistant scoutmaster. He hopes to parlay his interest in scouting and first aid into a profession as a firefighter, park ranger, or

emergency medical technician.

Dana Cappiello joins Intero Real Estate Dana Cappiello of Woodside has joined Intero Real Estate Services Inc. in its Woodside office AT 1590 Canada Lane. A real estate agent for more than 13 years, Ms. Cappiello is a founder of the Until There’s a Cure Foundation, which has raised millions for AIDS prevention and education. She currently serves on the boards of Project Happiness and the Rich May Foundation. An avid equestrian, Ms. Cap-piello is a member of the Wood-side Trails Committee.

School board welcomes new members

By Maria Duzon, marketing manager, InnVision Shelter Network.

Like most families at InnVision Shelter Net-work, Hugo and Kathy

never imagined they would become homeless. After Hugo was honorably discharged from the Army, he moved with his wife Kathy and their 13-year-old daughter Alyssa

into a comfortable two-bed-room home. Kathy worked as a nurse at the local children’s hospital, and Hugo found a steady job in security. Suddenly, Hugo fell ill with a chronic and painful condi-tion. His illness limited his mobility and forced him to leave his job. The family cut down on expenses and tried to sustain themselves on their

savings and Kathy’s single income. Within three months, they realized that they could no longer afford to keep their apartment. The family moved into a hotel while they searched for affordable housing and new employment for Hugo. On the verge of homelessness, Hugo

Finding a home for the holidaysInnVision Shelter Network helped family regain housing, employment

By Lenora FerroSpecial to the Almanac

In our little hamlet of Portola Valley, the grand tradition of poetry thrives.

From verses of a “soggy, boggy froggy” to the pack-animal hunting mentality of human bullying to thrills of mountain biking, from dire comparative world economic inequalities to NFL hero dreams, from mes-merizing onomatopoeic beauty of raindrops to exquisite rev-elations of perfection’s slippery slope, Portola Valley school children made a showing of remarkable talent in this yearís celebration of the art form: the Portola Valley Annual Poetry Contest. Chosen from a record 438 entrants, 31 winners shared their poems with a standing-room-only audience equally enthusiastic and tuned in to the poetic gifts on offer. Surely the poet-gods of Mount Olympus were in attendance as well — and smiling — as the event unfolded into a charmed local marking of National Poet-ry Month. (Submissions were made during April, the month designated 16 years ago by the National Society of American Poets.) The community celebra-tion took place on May 24 at the Town Center. The annual event is sponsored by Friends of the Portola Valley Library, in collaboration with library staff (thank you, Angela Luis, youth services librarian!) and with local school teachers and administrators. This was the 13th annual poetry contest and celebration hosted in the community.

Contest winners

■ Kindergarten: Tanner Benz, first place; Isabelle Armsby, second place; Tyler Doernberg, Third Place; Everett Miller, hon-orable mention.

■ First grade: Evan Ruiz, first place; Hannah Drew, second place; Nicholas Zamboldi, third place; Olivia Cheney, honorable mention. ■ Second grade: Aston Axe, first place; Lanier Poland, sec-ond place; Leah Shaw, third place; Brennan Strecker, honor-able mention. ■ Third grade: Karel Andres Ruiz, first place; Cassia Jones, second place; Brisa Vaughan, third place; Courtney Yee, hon-orable mention. ■ Fourth grade: Lindsay Skra-bo, first place; Eliza Sandell, second place; Nora Brew, third place; Maria White, honorable mention. ■ Fifth grade: Naomi Rubin, first place; Alex Vercruysse, second place; Chris T. Russell, third place; Billy Youstra, hon-orable mention. ■ Sixth grade: Joseph Pug-lisi, first place; Ava Collat, sec-ond place; Robin Sandell, third place; Max Leiter, honorable mention; Samual Putney, hon-orable mention. ■ Seventh grade: Samantha Ramsey, first place; Valerie Fil-loux, second place; Emma Law, third place; Nicholas Treynor, honorable mention. ■ Eighth grade: Rebecca Whitman, first place; Robert Wilson, second place; Kelsey Gosling, third place; Anisha Reddy, honorable mention. ■ No entries in ninth grade. ■ Tenth grade: Camille Nohra, first place; Sophie Hulme, sec-ond place; Madison Hughes, third place. ■ Eleventh grade: first place forfeited; Emma Wiszowaty, second place. ■ Twelfth grade: Kaitlin Bon-figlio, first place; Abigail Faisal, second place. A

Lenora Ferro is a writer and poet who has been involved with the poetry contest for many years. She is a Friends of the Portola Valley Library board member.

State Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, is encouraging con-stituents, including Alma-nac readers, to think about situations that might benefit from a new state law, and situations that might benefit if a current law were retired. His fifth annual “Oughta Be A Law ... Or Not” contest is accepting ideas until Jan. 15.

Sen. Hill’s 13th Sen-ate district includes the communities of Atherton, Menlo Park, Woodside and Portola Valley. Constitu-ents with an interest in this contest should email, fax or mail their entries to Sen. Hill’s Palo Alto office. Go to tinyurl.com/idea-321 for an application.

Have an idea for a new law?

Young poets honored in Portola Valley

Continued on next page

Jonathan Spencer Horn

Dana Cappiello

PEOPLE


H O L I D A Y F U N D

15 Anonymous ....................24,250Luke and Virginia Vania ............... **Kenneth M. Ashford ....................75Barbara and Bill Binder ............... **Margo Ritter ...............................25Andrew C. Hall ........................... **Anna Marie McSweeney ..............50Anne Moser ............................... **Arthur and Ruth Barker ............... **Barbara and Carl Johnson .........100Barbara and Robert Simpson ...... **Bob and Marion Oster ................. **Bruce and Donna Whitson .........300C. M. MacIntosh .........................40Diane Gibbs and The Herrick Family .**Dorothy B. Kennedy .................... **Gail and Susan Prickett .............300Gail B. Siri ................................. **George Comstock and Anne Hillman .........................1,000Harry and Carol Louchheim .......300J. and Renee Masterson ............250James E. Esposto ...................... **Jane Land .................................. **Janice E. Jedkins ......................400Joe and Julie Zier .....................100John and Carmen Quackenbush ... **Karen Kang and Jon Ferraiolo ....150Karen Price ................................50Kathy and Bob Mueller ..............100Lenore Horowitz ....................1,000Lucy Reid-Krensky ....................200Marc and Mary Ann Saunders ...... **

Maris Smith ...............................35Mark and Karen Weitzel .............. **Mary and Bob Dodge ................200Mrs. Diana Laraway .................... **Mrs. Erika L. Crowley ................500Ms. Andrea G Julian ..................300Ms. Kathleen J. Elkins ...............100Nita and Clay Judd...................... **Pegasus Family Foundation ....1,000Penny and Greg Gallo ...............500Robert and Marna Page .............. **Robin Quist Gates .....................250Sybille Katz ................................ **The Novitsky Family ..................100William J. Wagner .....................150

In Memory OfMichael and Mary Griffi n ..............75Karen Lewis ...............................25Virginia and Alvin Rathbun .......1,000Robby Babcock .......................... **Annie Strem ............................... **Esther Johnson .......................... **Peter Wong ................................ **Janice M. Pausa ......................... **Carl Wright ..............................100Bill Land .................................... **John, Annmarie, Richard Sisson ... **

Businesses & OrganizationsThe David and Lucile Packard Foundation .........................15,000Griffi n and Sons Construction, Inc. .........................................100

77 donors through Dec. 17 totalling $63,231

** Designates amount withheld at donor request

Boys & Girls Clubs of the PeninsulaProvides after-school and academic support and activities for 3,200 young people, 6 to 18, at clubhouses in Menlo Park’s Belle Haven neighborhood, East Palo Alto, and Redwood City, and offers programs at Flood and Belle Haven schools in Menlo Park, Hoover Community School in Redwood City, and McNair School in East Palo Alto

Ecumenical Hunger ProgramProvides emergency food, clothing, household essentials, and sometimes financial assistance to families in need, regardless of religious preference, including Thanksgiving and Christmas bas-kets for more than 2,000 households.

Project ReadProvides free literacy services to adults in the Menlo Park area. Trained volunteers work one-on-one or in small groups to help adults improve their basic reading, writing and English language skills so they can achieve their goals and function more effective-ly at home, at work and in the community. In 2007-08, a total of 120 tutors assisted more than 300 students.

St. Francis Center Provides services for families in need with the goal of helping them to live in dignity and become self-supporting community members. The center assists 2,400 people each month with such services as low-income housing, food and clothing, shower and laundry, counseling, community garden, and education.

Ravenswood Family Health Center Provides primary medical and preventive health care for all ages at its clinics in Belle Haven and East Palo Alto. It also operates a mobile clinic at school sites. Of the 16,500 registered patients, most are low-income and uninsured and live in the ethnically diverse East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and North Fair Oaks areas.

St. Anthony’s Padua Dining RoomServes hundreds of hot meals six days a week to people in need who walk through the doors. Funded entirely by voluntary con-tributions, St. Anthony’s is the largest dining room for the needy between San Francisco and San Jose. It also offers emergency food and clothing assistance.

Second Harvest Food BankThe largest collector and distributor of food on the Peninsula, Second Harvest Food Bank distributed 30 million pounds of food last year. It gathers donations from individuals and busi-nesses and distributes food to some 162,000 people each month through more than 700 agencies and distribution sites in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

InnVision Shelter NetworkProvides shelter/housing and supportive services across 18 sites in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Peninsula. Serves thou-sands of homeless families and individuals annually on their path back to permanent housing and self-sufficiency.

JobTrainProvides training and job placement for people with the biggest problems, including returning parolees, long-term unemployed, homeless, welfare clients, marginalized youth, and those recover-ing from drug and alcohol abuse.

StarVista (formerly Youth and Family Enrichment Services) Provides 22 programs to help people who struggle with sub-stance abuse, domestic violence, mental health, and relationship and communications issues. Helps strengthen youth, families, and individuals to overcome challenges through counseling, edu-cation, and residential services.

Contributions to the Holiday Fund go directly to programs that benefit Pen-

insula residents. Last year, Almanac readers and foundations contributed $167,000 for the 10 agencies that feed the hungry, house the homeless and provide numerous other services to those in need. Contributions to the Holiday Fund will be matched, to the extent possible, by generous community corporations, foundations and

individuals, including the Rotary Club of

Menlo Park, the David and Lucille Packard

Foundation and the William and Flora Hewl-

ett Foundation. No administration costs will

be deducted from the gifts, which are tax-

deductible as permitted by law.

All donations to the Holiday Fund will be

shared equally among the 10 recipient agen-

cies listed below.

The Almanac will make every effort to publish donor names for donations received before Dec. 31, 2012, unless the donor checks the anonymous box. All donations will be acknowledged by mail.

The organizations below provide major matching grants to the Holiday Fund.

Rotary Club of Menlo Park

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Enclosed is a donation of $_______________

Name ___________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ______________________________________________

E-Mail __________________________________________________ Phone _______________________________

Credit Card (MC, VISA, or AMEX) ________________________________________________ Expires _____/_____

Signature _________________________________________________________

I wish to designate my contribution as follows: (select one)

In my name as shown above

– OR – In honor of: In memory of: _______________________________________________ (Name of person)

The Almanac Holiday Fund is a donor advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. A contribution to this fund allows your donation to be tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

All donors and gifts amounts will be published in The Almanac unless the boxes below are checked.

I wish to contribute anonymously. Please withhold the amount of my contribution.

Please Make checks payable to: Silicon Valley Community Foundation

and send to:The Almanac Holiday Fund

c/o Silicon Valley Community Foundation2440 W. El Camino Real, Suite 300

Mountain View, CA 94040

Use the form below to donate by mail.

DONATE ONLINE: siliconvalleycf.org/almanac-holiday-fund

www.siliconvalleycf.org

Holiday FundGive to The Almanac

Your gift helps children and people in need

Almanac Holiday Fund 2012

turned to the Department of Vet-erans Affairs for help. His family was referred to InnVision Shel-ter Network and moved into a transitional apartment at Haven Family House in Menlo Park. “I thought the shelter was going to be a huge room with cots,” said Kathy. “But what we found was a beautiful, fully fur-nished apartment and staff that were so accommodating.” With stable, supportive hous-ing, the family was able to rebuild their lives. Hugo’s health improved and he secured a full-time job at SFO. Their daughter Alyssa enrolled in a nearby school and received the Student of the Month award. Hugo and Kathy worked with their case manager to develop a monthly budget and a college savings plan for Alyssa. Within a few months at InnVision Shelter Network, they saved more than $1,500. They found an afford-able apartment near Alyssa’s school, and moved into perma-nent housing — just in time to

celebrate the holidays together in their new home. “InnVision Shelter Network gave us a safe and comfortable place to get back on our feet,” said Kathy. “They saved our family from living on the street. I hope to stay in touch and give back in any way I can.” InnVision Shelter Network supports hundreds of homeless families like Hugo, Kathy, and Alyssa on their path to perma-nent housing and self-sufficien-cy. Our services are only made possible by the generous support of our community. Visit www.ivsn.org to donate or get involved.

Gifts to the Almanac’s Holiday Fund benefit the St. Francis Center and nine other community organizations.

The Almanac

2012

HolidayFund

Continued from previous page

Support The Almanac’s

print and online coverage

of our community.

Join today: SupportLocalJournalism.org/Almanac

Marketplace fogster.comTHE PENINSULA’S

FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEBSITECombining the reach of the Web with

print ads reaching over 150,000 readers!

fogster.com is a unique website offering FREE postings from communities throughout the Bay Area and an opportunity for your ad to appear in the Palo Alto Weekly, The Almanac and the Mountain View Voice.

PLACE AN AD

ONLINEfogster.comE-MAIL [email protected]

PHONE 650/326-8216

Now you can log on to fogster.com, day or night and get your ad started immediately online. Most listings are free and include a one-line free print ad in our Peninsula newspapers with the option of photos and additional lines. Exempt are employment ads, which include a web listing charge. Home Services and Mind & Body Services require contact with a Customer Sales Representative.

So, the next time you have an item to sell, barter, give away or buy, get the perfect combination: print ads in your local newspapers, reaching more than 150,000 readers, and unlimited free web postings reaching hundreds of thousands additional people!!

INDEX BULLETIN BOARD100-199

FOR SALE200-299

KIDS STUFF330-399

MIND & BODY400-499JOBS500-599 BUSINESSSERVICES600-699HOMESERVICES700-799 FOR RENT/FOR SALE REAL ESTATE 800-899PUBLIC/LEGAL NOTICES995-997

The publisher waives any and all claims or consequential damages due to errors. Embarcadero Media cannot assume responsibility for the claims or performance of its advertisers. Embarcadero Media has the right to refuse, edit or reclassify any ad solely at its discretion without prior notice.

PLACE AN AD

E-MAIL [email protected]

Now you can log on tofogster.com, day or night and get your ad started immediately online. Most listings are free and include a one-line free print ad in our Peninsula newspapers with theoption of photos andadditional lines. Exempt are employment ads,which include a weblisting charge. Home Services and Mind & Body Services require contact with a Customer SalesRepresentative.

So, the next time you havean item to sell, barter, give away or buy, get the perfect combination: print ads in your local newspapers,reaching more than 150,000readers, and unlimited free web postings reachinghundreds of thousandsadditional people!!

GO TO FOGSTER.COM TO RESPOND TO ADS WITHOUT PHONE NUMBERS22 The Almanac TheAlmanacOnline.com December 26, 2012

BulletinBoard

115 AnnouncementsDid You Know that ten million adults tweeted in the past month, while 164 million read a newspaper in print or online in the past week? Advertise in 240 California news-papers for one low cost. Your 25 word classified ad will reach over 6 million+ Californians. For brochure call Elizabeth (916)288-6019. (Cal-SCAN)

REACH 5 MILLION hip, forward-thinking consumers across the U.S.When you advertise in alternative news-papers, you become part of the local scene and gainaccess to an audience you won’t reach anywhere else. http://www.altweeklies.com/ads

Dance Expressions - Ages 3 & up

Infidelity Support

pianist for Holiday performances

Stanford music tutoring

Teen Jazz

130 Classes & InstructionAIRLINE CAREERS Become an Aviation Maintenance Tech. FAA approved training.Financial aid if qualified – Housing available. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Instituteof Maintenance 877-492-3059 (AAN CAN)

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice,*Hospitality. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV authorized. Call 800-481-9472 www.CenturaOnline.com (AAN CAN)

Attend College Online 100% *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice, *Hospitality, *Web. Job placement assis-tance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV authorized. Call 888-210-5162 www.CenturaOnline.com (Cal-SCAN)

Aviation Maintenance Tech Airline careers begin here. FAA approved training. Financial assistance available. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-242-3382. (Cal-SCAN)

EARN $500 A DAY Airbrush & Media Makeup ArtistsFor: Ads - TV - Film - FashionTrain & Build Portfolio in 1 week. Lower Tuition for 2012. AwardMakeupSchool.com

German language class

Instruction for Hebrew Bar and Bat Mitzvah For Affiliated and Unaffiliated George Rubin, M.A. in Hebrew/Jewish Education 650/424-1940

133 Music LessonsMusic Lessons for All Ages! Find a music teacher! TakeLessons offers affordable, safe, guaranteed music lessons with teachers in your area. Our prescreened teachers spe-cialize in singing, guitar, piano, drums, violin and more. Call 1- 866-974-5910! (Cal-SCAN)

A Piano Teacher Children and AdultsEma Currier, 650/493-4797

Barton-Holding Music Studio Accepting new students for private vocal lessons. All levels. Call Laura Barton, 650/965-0139

Hope Street Music Studios In downtown Mtn.View. Most Instruments voice. All ages & levels 650-961-2192 www.HopeStreetMusicStudios.com

Jazz & Pop Piano Lessons Learn how to build chords and impro-vise. Bill Susman, M.A., Stanford. (650)906-7529

Piano Lessons in your home Children and adults. Christina Conti, B.M. 15+ yrs exp. 650/493-6950

135 Group ActivitiesThanks to St Jude

140 Lost & Found

Lost Boston Terrier Female Boston Terrier named Flute was lost near the corner of Clark and Marich Way in Mountain View on 12/09/2012. She is black and white, 2 1/2 years old and weighs 18 pounds.

She is shy and skittish. Please do not chase. She may be hiding in bushes, in a garage, or other hiding place.

She is missing her collar, but has a microchip identifying her owner. A Vet or the SPCA should be able to read the information on the microchip.

REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO HER RETURN

Please call (650) 941-6849 or (650) 862-4939

LOST MAN’S WALLET Lost wallet in Palo Alto on Sat., 12/08/’12, between Crepevine restau-rant on Univ. Ave., Union Bank park-ing lot at Uni. and Waverly and 7-11 at Lytton and Waverly. Please call (650) 328-6709. Reward. Thanks.

Notice of Found/Unclaimed Prop. Pursuant to Sections 2080 through 2080.5 of the California Civil Code, notice is hereby given that the Mountain View Police Department has in its pos-session a silver band w/clear stones recovered on Hope St. in Mountain View. The owner(s) of such property are hereby notified that seven (7) days following publication of this notice, if no owner appears and proves their ownership of such property, that the title shall then vest in the person or entity that found the property. The owner, in the case of proving their ownership of such property, shall pay all rea-sonable charges for storing, advertis-ing, etc of such property incurred by the City. CLAIM OF ITEM SHOULD BE MADE TO: Mountain View Police Dept., Property & Evidence Unit, 1000 Villa St. (650) 903-6375

145 Non-Profits NeedsDONATE BOOKS/HELP PA LIBRARIES

150 VolunteersFosterers Needed for Moffet Cats

FRIENDS OF THE PA LIBRARY

For Sale202 Vehicles WantedCASH FOR CARS Any Car/Truck. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. WeCome To You! Call For Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3808 www.cash4car.com (AAN CAN)

Donate Your Car, Truck, Boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 888-902-6851. (Cal-SCAN)

215 Collectibles & AntiquesCirca 1850 parlor couch - $1900

235 Wanted to BuyDiabetic Test Strips Wanted Cash Paid. Unopened, Unexpired Boxes Only. All Brands Considered. Help oth-ers – don't throw boxes away. For more information, CALL (888) 491-1168. (Cal-SCAN)

240 Furnishings/Household itemsMoving Sale: CoffeeTable $55, Exercycle $40; misc.

Drexel Heritage sofa and arm cha - $600

245 MiscellaneousAT&T U-verse for just $29/mo! Bundle and save with AT&T Internet+Phone+TV and get a FREE pre-paid Visa Card! (select plans). Hurry, call now! 800-319-3280. (Cal-SCAN)

Cable TV-Internet-Phone Save! Digital packages start at $89.99/mo (for 12 months.) Options from all major service providers. Call Acceller today to learn more! Call 1-888-897-7650. (Cal-SCAN)

Highspeed Internet everywhere by satellite! Speeds up to 12mbps! (200x faster than dial-up.) Starting at $49.95/mo. Call now and go fast! 1-888-718-6268. (Cal-SCAN)

oak firewood seasoned oak firewood, delivered to your driveway, #350 a cord, $195.00 per 1/2 cord, call bob 650-367-8817

Seasoned, Split Firewood Seasoned, split Oak - $250(650)365-4345, cash & pick-up only

Kid’sStuff

340 Child Care WantedKid Care & Transport Needed Need part-time help for rides & homework in the afternoons for our two kids (son 13 & daughter 11). Light housekeeping / laundry also requested. Starts January 2013.Must be able to drive, have a valid driver's license and a reliable car.Call Mary at 650 387 8881

part-time nanny/driver needed

345 Tutoring/LessonsCollege Admissions Counseling

PIANO AND RECORDER LESSONS

355 Items for Sale*NEW* all terrain tricycle

3/4YrsBoyclothesmajorityNew/tags

4 Teletubbies 6” $5

4 Thomas and Friends DVD’s

4YrsBibbsnowpants+DownJacket$30

BabyBlanketsThick/ThinBagfull$20

Boy shoes 8-13 toddler $4each

BOY0-6MonthsClothesw/tags$50

Kids Accordian and zylophone$15

PowerRanger outfit$5

420 Healing/BodyworkSchwinn Airdyne Comp bicycle - $340

425 Health ServicesMedical Alert for Seniors 24/7 monitoring. Free Equipment. Free Shipping. Nationwide Service. $29.95/Month CALL Medical Guardian Today 866-944-5935. (Cal-SCAN)

Sleep Apnea Sufferers with Medicare. Get FREE CPAP Replacement Supplies at No Cost, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, prevent red skin sores and bacterial infection! Call 888-699-7660. (Cal-SCAN)

475 Psychotherapy & Counseling

Counseling Services Mental Research Institute clinics offer low cost counseling services byappointment for individuals,couples, families and children in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Location: 555 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. Forinformation, call 650/321-3055

Jobs500 Help WantedAttorneys White & Case LLP in Palo Alto, CA seeks mid-level and sr attorneys in corp (transactional incl. M&A), tax, banking, intellectual property and dis-putes practices. We are seeking attor-neys with 2 or more yrs of exp. Multiple openings. Please send your resume to [email protected] ref AR-16

Engineers Delphix Corp. has openings in Menlo Park, CA for Software Engineers (Customer Support Engineers) to conduct troubleshooting and analysis (ref# 6683.11); Software Engineers (Sr. Customer Support Engineers) to troubleshoot, debug and perform root cause analysis for multiple tech-nologies and products (ref# 6683.9); and Sr. Front End UI Engineer to develop web UI software applications (ref# 6683.12). Send resume to: HR, 275 Middlefield Road, Suite 50, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Specify title and ref# for each position.

Food Service Coordinator Mtn. View-Los Altos HSD.Full time. Apply online atwww.mvla.net/Personnel/Pages/default.aspx

Food Service Workers I & II Substitute. MtnView-Los Altos HSDFulltime, Apply online atwww.mvla.net/Personnel/Pages/default.aspx

550 Business OpportunitiesStart Now! Open Red Hot Dollar, Dollar Plus, Mailbox, Discount Party, $10 Clothing Store, Teen Store, Fitness Center from $51,900 Worldwide! www.DRSS25.com 1-800-518-3064. (Cal-SCAN)

560 Employment Information$$$HELP WANTED$$$ Extra Income! Assembling CD cases from Home! No Experience Necessary! Call our Live Operators Now! 1-800-405-7619 EXT 2450 http://www.easywork-greatpay.com (AAN CAN)

Driver: $1000 Bonus (1st 30 Hired) Up to 47 cpm New Equipment. Need CDL Class A Driving Exp. 877-258-8782 www.ad-drivers.com (Cal-SCAN)

Driver: Quarterly Bonus $0.03 enhanced quarterly bonus. Get paid for any portion you qualify for: safety, production, MPG. CDL-A, 3 months current OTR exp. 800-414-9569 www.driveknight.com (Cal-SCAN)

Drivers: Class A CDL driver training. $0 training. Cost with employment commitment if you enroll in the month of December! Central Refrigerated (877) 369-7126. www.CentralTruckDrivingJobs.com (Cal-SCAN)

HELP WANTED!!! MAKE $1000 A WEEK mailing bro-chures from home! FREE Supplies! Helping Home Workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity! No Experience required. Start Immediately! www.mailing-usa.com (AAN CAN)

BusinessServices

604 Adult Care OfferedCaregiver Available Licensed. Call Doris, 650/754-3543

615 ComputersMy Computer Works Computer problems? Viruses, spyware, email, printer issues, bad internet con-nections - FIX IT NOW! Professional, U.S.-based technicians. $25 off service. Call for immediate help. 1-888-865-0271 (Cal-SCAN)

624 FinancialCredit Card Debt? Gete free now! Cut payments by up to half. Stop creditors from calling. 888-416-2691. (Cal-SCAN)

Reverse Mortgage? At least 62 years old? Stay in your home & increase cash flow! Safe & Effective! Call Now for your free DVD! Call Now 888-698-3165. (Cal-SCAN)

645 Office/Home Business ServicesClassified Advertising The business that considers itself immune to advertising, finds itself immune to business. Reach Californians with a Classified in almost every county! Over 270 newspapers! Combo~California Daily and Weekly Networks. Free Brochures. [email protected] or (916)288-6019. (Cal-SCAN)

Display Business Card Ad Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising â ” Mark Twain. Advertise your Business Card sized ad in 140 California news-papers for one low cost. Reach over 3 million+ Californians. Free brochure [email protected] (916)288-6019. (Cal-SCAN)

YOU DON’TNEED IT, SELL IT IN THE ALMANACMARKETPLACE

IFPLACE AN AD

ONLINE: fogster.com

E-MAIL: [email protected]

PHONE: 650/326-8216

fogster.comTHE PENINSULA’S FREE CLASSIFIEDS WEBSITE

TO RESPOND TO ADS WITHOUT PHONE NUMBERS GO TO WWW.FOGSTER.COM

MARKETPLACE the printed version of


HomeServices

710 CarpentryCabinetry-Individual Designs Precise, 3-D Computer Modeling: Mantels * Bookcases * Workplaces * Wall Units * Window Seats. Ned Hollis, 650/856-9475

715 Cleaning ServicesFamily House Service Weekly or bi-weekly green cleaning. Comm’l., residential, apts. HOnest, reliable, family owned. Refs. Sam, 650/315-6681.

Orkopina Housecleaning“The BEST Service for You”

Bonded Since 1985 InsuredTrustworthy Detailed

Laundr W Walls/WindowsOut

W Work650-962-1536 - Lic. 20624

www.orkopinabestcleaningservice.com

730 ElectricalA FAST RESPONSE! lic #545936 Bob 650-343-5125. www.HillsboroughElectric.com

748 Gardening/LandscapingBeckys Landscape Weekly/periodic maint. Annual rose/fruit tree pruning, clean-ups, irrigation, sod, planting, raised beds. Power washing. 650/444-3030

LANDA’S GARDENING & LANDSCAPING *Yard Maintenance*New Lawns*Clean Ups*Tree Trimming*Wood Fences* Rototilling*Power Washing*irrigation timer programming. 17 years experi-ence. Call Ramon 650-576-6242

Leo Garcia Landscape/Maintenance Lawn and irrig. install, clean-ups. Res. and comml. maint. Free Est. Lic. 823699. 650/369-1477.

Mario’s Gardening Maintenance, clean-ups. Free est. 650/365-6955; 650/995-3822

Tired of Mow, Blow and Go? Owner operated, 40 years exp. All phas-es of gardening/landscaping. Refs. Call Eric, 408/356-1350

751 General Contracting

A NOTICE TO READERS: It is illegal for an unlicensed person to perform contracting work on any project valued at $500.00 or more in labor and materials. State law also requires that contractors include their license numbers on all advertising. Check your contractor’s status at www.cslb.ca.gov or 800-321-CSLB (2752). Unlicensed persons taking jobs that total less than $500.00 must state in their advertisements that they are not licensed by the Contractors State License Board.

BP Construction Total home remodels, incl. kitchens, baths, decks. New construction. No job too small. Lic. #967617. 650/995-0327.

757 Handyman/Repairs

650-222-2517

AAA HANDYMANAND MORE

Senior DiscountLic #469963 Since 1976 Licensed & Insured

Complete ome RepairMaintenancemodelin

Professional PaintingCarpentrPlumbing

Custom Cabine DesigDeck enceAn Much More

650.529.1662650.483.4227

ABLE HANDYMAN

FRED30 Years Experience

HANDY “Ed” MAN

FREE ESTIMA

E D R O D R I G U E Z(650)465-9163 (650)570-5274

Jeff’s Handyman and Repair Free est. 10% SENIOR Discount. “No Job Too Small.” Call Jeff, 650/933-7021

759 Hauling# J & G HAULING SERVICE Misc., office, garage, storage, old furniture, mattress, green waste and yard junk. clean-ups. Licensed & insured. FREE EST. 650/368-8810 (see my Yelp reviews)

767 MoversBAY AREA RELOCATION SERVICES Homes, Apartments, Storage. Full Service moves. Serving the Bay Area for 20 yrs. Licensed & Insured. Armando, 650-630-0424. CAL-T190632

771 Painting/WallpaperGlen Hodges Painting 45 yrs. #351738. 650/322-8325

STYLE PAINTING Full service painting. Insured. Lic. 903303. 650/388-8577

775 Asphalt/ConcreteRoe General Engineering Asphalt, concrete, pavers, tiles, seal-ing, new construct, repairs. 35 yrs exp. No job too small. Lic #663703. 650/814-5572

779 Organizing ServicesEnd the Clutter & Get Organized Residential Organizing by Debra Robinson (650)941-5073

790 RoofingAl Peterson Roofing

Specializing inng

650-493-9177

since 1946

RealEstate

801 Apartments/Condos/StudiosMountain View, 1 BR/1 BA - $1475

Palo Alto, Studio Small midtown studio, perdect for stu-dent, with kitchenette, bath, large closet, and laundry facilities.Partially furnished.Rent covers utilities, and cable Tv, but not phone.No smoking, no pets.

805 Homes for RentPalo Alto, 4 BR/2 BA - $5000. mon

Palo Alto, 4 BR/2 BA - $4500.. mo

Woodside, 1 BR/2 BA - 2,300 mont

809 Shared Housing/RoomsALL AREAS - ROOMMATES.COM Browse hundreds of online listings with photos and maps. Find your roommate with a click of the mouse! Visit: http://www.Roommates.com. (AAN CAN)

Redwood City, 2 BR/1 BA - $870/mth

825 Homes/Condos for SaleLos Altos, 3 BR/2 BA - $799000

Menlo Park, 3 BR/2 BA - $1099000

Palo Alto, 3 BR/2 BA - $899000

Palo Alto, 4 BR/3.5 BA - $2995000

Redwood City, 3 BR/2 BA - $599000

Sunnyvale, 3 BR/2 BA - $599999

Woodside, 3 BR/2 BA - $1099000

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995 Fictitious Name StatementTREE TEMP’S FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 253327 The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Tree Temp’s, located at 20 Stadler Drive, Woodside, CA 94062-4840, San Mateo County. Registered owner(s): SANDRA L. HUMPHRIES 20 Stadler Drive Woodside, CA 94062-4840 This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein on 1988. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on November 26, 2012. (ALM Dec. 12, 19, 26, 2012, Jan. 2, 2013)

OBUJEN & MCCUTCHEON FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 253490 The following Person(s) is (are) doing business as: Obujen & McCutcheon, located at 112 Jane Drive, Woodside, CA 94062, San Mateo County; Mail Address: P.O. Box 610141, Redwood City, CA 94061. Is (Are) hereby registered by the follow-ing owner(s): KIRBY REPORTING SERVICES, INC. 112 Jane Drive Woodside, CA 94062 This business is conducted by: A Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein on 12/05/2012. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on December 06, 2012. (ALM Dec. 12, 19, 26, 2012, Jan. 2, 2013)

BORBEY GEMSTONES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No.: 253527 The following Person(s) is (are) doing business as: Borbey Gemstones, located at 625 Oak Grove Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025, San Mateo County. Is (Are) hereby registered by the follow-ing owner(s): ILDIKO V. BARKER 1 Winchester Drive Atherton, CA 94027 This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed herein on 12/15/1984. This statement was filed with the County Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on December 10, 2012. (ALM Dec. 19, 26, 2012, Jan. 2, 9, 2013)

997 All Other LegalsNOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE T.S No. 1327979-35 APN: 077-202-130-9 TRA: 61014 LOAN NO: Xxxxxx3026 REF: Bain, Dianne IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED January 09, 2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On January 03, 2013, at 12:30pm, Cal-Western Reconveyance Corporation, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursu-ant to Deed of Trust recorded January 19, 2006, as Inst. No. 2006-008335 in book XX, page XX of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of San Mateo County, State of California, executed by Dianne Carol Bain, a single woman, will sell at public auction to highest bidder for cash, cashier's check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal cred-it union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the finan-cial code and authorized to do business in this state: At the main entrance of the City Hall of Records, 401 Marshall Street, Redwood City, California, all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: Completely described in said Deed of Trust. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 171 Erica Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028. The undersigned Trustee dis-claims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other com-mon designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be held, but without cov-enant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, condition or encumbrances, including fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to pay the remaining principal sums of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid bal-ance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable esti-mated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $557,391.78. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a writ-ten declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default

and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is locat-ed. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auc-tion does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the prop-erty. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the exis-tence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, ben-eficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (619)590-1221 or visit the internet website www.rppsales.com, using the file number assigned to this case 1327979-35.Â Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone informa-tion or on the Internet Web Site. The best way to verify postponement infor-mation is to attend the scheduled sale. For sales information: (619)590-1221. Cal-Western Reconveyance Corporation, 525 East Main Street, P.O. Box 22004, El Cajon, CA 92022-9004 Dated: November 26, 2012. (12/12/2012, 12/19, 12/26) R-422987 ALM

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DAVID J. LADD Case No.: 122932 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of DAVID J. LADD. A Petition for Probate has been filed by: KATHLEEN A. LADD in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN MATEO. The Petition for Probate requests that: KATHLEEN A. LADD be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the person-al representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before

taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to inter-ested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an inter-ested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A HEARING on the petition will be held on January 14, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in Dept.: 28 of the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, locat-ed at 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063. If you object to the granting of the peti-tion, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: /s/ Robert A. Biorn 917 Alma Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650)321-5001 (ALM Dec. 19, 26, 2012, Jan. 2, 2013)

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2012sales*Atherton Avenue, Atherton*Trinity Drive, Menlo Park*Vintage Court, Woodside*Bolton Place, Menlo Park8 Shasta Lane, Menlo Park1273 & 1281 Laurel Street, Menlo Park1725 Poppy Avenue, Menlo Park*Valparaiso Avenue, Menlo Park1405 Hopkins Avenue, Palo Alto*Arlington Way, Menlo Park1365 Bay Laurel Drive, Menlo Park24600 Ruth Lee Court, Los Altos*Bay Laurel Drive, Menlo Park95 Reservoir Road, Atherton*Hillside Avenue, Menlo Park435 Woodside Drive, Woodside1 Brady Place, Menlo Park*Princeton Road, Menlo Park2150 Stockbridge Avenue, Woodside2130 Camino a los Cerros, Menlo Park*Holly Avenue, Menlo Park17 Redberry Ridge, Portola Valley*Bay Laurel Drive, Menlo Park57 Politzer Drive, Menlo Park4270 Manuela Way, Palo Alto25 Sunrise Court, Menlo Park30 Sand Hill Court, Woodside210 Durazno Way, Portola Valley1425 Valparaiso Avenue, Menlo Park1211 Elder Avenue, Menlo Park20 Tripp Court, Woodside1125 North Lemon Avenue, Menlo Park1144 Werth Avenue, Menlo Park*Camino de los Robles, Menlo Park572 Eleanor Drive, Woodside

7 Siskiyou Place, Menlo Park38 Willow Road, Menlo Park1216 Bellair Way, Menlo Park252 Arbor Road, Menlo Park2027 Menalto Avenue, Menlo Park2051 Gordon Avenue, Menlo Park730 Sharon Park Drive, Menlo Park1131 Sherman Avenue, Menlo Park262 Stanford Avenue, Menlo Park2332 Crest Lane, Menlo Park355 Old La Honda Road, Woodside2 Perry Avenue, Menlo Park2124 Cedar Avenue, Menlo Park211 Gabarda Way, Portola Valley212 Selby Lane, Atherton2108 Camino a los Cerros, Menlo Park2156 Sterling Avenue, Menlo Park1345 Johnson Street, Menlo Park*Sherman Avenue, Menlo Park2156 Harkins Avenue, Menlo Park1062 Del Norte Avenue, Menlo Park274 Willow Road, Menlo Park124 Blackburn Avenue, Menlo Park912 Timothy Lane, Menlo Park1021 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park441 Emerald Avenue, San Carlos395 Newcastle Drive, Redwood City1280 Sharon Park Drive #40, Menlo Park167 Finger Avenue, Redwood City3003 Melendy Drive, #2, San Carlos315 Homer Avenue #204, Palo Alto2010 Sand Hill Court, Menlo Park918 College Avenue, Menlo Park4 Williams Court, Menlo Park*Edgewod Lane, Menlo Park765 Woodside Drive, Woodside

Thank You & Happy Holidays

*Physical address withheld for privacy of buyers & sellers

For more information on these properties and all of Keri’s listings please visit

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: #01

1988

98

the almanac 12.28.2012 - section 1

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