Stanford Memorial Church a Place of Awakening Lutheran University Public Worship Sunday Celebration Church Palm Sunday, April 9, 10:00 A.M
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Vol. XXVII, Number 54 • Friday, April 7, 2006 ■ 50¢ ‘The Voice’ returns Page 13 fogster.com Classifieds WeeklyWeekend Edition Local& Global www.PaloAltoOnline.com Illustration by Nona Haydon Nona by Illustration Worth A Look 15 Eating Out 17 Movie Times 26 Goings On 29 Crossword Puzzle Inside ■ Upfront More retail space at Alma Plaza? Page 3 ■ Sports Stanford women gymnasts seek NCAA berth Page 33 ■ Home & Real Estate Garden tour ‘goes native’ Inside In Business Drop that remote. Back away from the burger. When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, we know it can be a challenge to get kids to choose fruit over candy bars and physical activity over computer games. That’s why Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital offers a wide range of resources that help families encourage healthy habits. Take Yves, for example. After participating with his family in the Packard Pediatric Weight Control Program, he’s significantly reduced his weight and gained self-esteem and confidence in the process. Ranked as one of the top ten pediatric hospitals in the nation by U.S.News & World Report, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital is a world class hospital devoted entirely to the care of children and mothers. Best of all, we’re located right in your backyard. To learn more about Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and how to help keep your family fit and healthy, visit www.lpch.org. L U C I L E PA C K A R D C H I L D R E N’S H O S P I T A L Page 2 • Friday, April 7, 2006 • Palo Alto Weekly UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis More retail space proposed for Alma Plaza Shopping area boosted; below-market-rate eas under the stores, and envisions Road. we speak,” Greenbriar Develop- an informal “plaza” area adjacent to Baer outlined the proposal Thurs- ment Manager Melissa Holmes told apartments added to mix a coffee shop and a possible fruits- day morning for the Chamber of the chamber committee. She said by Jay Thorwaldson and-vegetables market — perhaps a Commerce’s Government Action McNellis, who has negotiated with branch of Segona’s (currently in Red- Council. Baer is working with John various grocery providers since pur- acing demands for a larger “neighborhood shopping center” at the wood City and at Stanford Shopping McNellis, who purchased Alma chasing the site, now “feels confi- nearly vacant Alma Plaza, developer Jim Baer unveiled a new plan this Center) or perhaps a second location Plaza from the Albertson’s grocery dent he can get someone here” once Fweek that boosts proposed commercial space at the site from 11,000 to for the JJ&F Market in Palo Alto. chain a year ago. the project gets city approval. 19,200 square feet. The sweeping changes will be The housing component of the site The future of the site has been The plan also cuts six of the proposed 51 single homes from the plan but presented to the Midtown Resi- is being developed by Greenbrier debated for more than 17 years. adds 14 below-market-rate apartments above the commercial areas. dents’ Association Tuesday night at Homes of Fremont. It also adds 90 parking spaces for the apartments and storage/office ar- the Unity Church, 3391 Middlefield “This is a new plan, evolving as (continued on page 9) COMMUNITY Gunn lights could mean more fans Neighbors hopeful impact will be light by Lauren McSherry hen the Gunn High School football team plays its first W game this fall, Suzanne McKenna will be cheering from the stands. McKenna lives behind the high school in the Green Acres neigh- borhood. She is supportive of an ef- fort by a group of parents to install lights on the athletic field, a project that was guaranteed recently when the fundraising group Gunn Sports Norbert von der Groeben Boosters turned over $274,000 to the Palo Alto Unified School District. School officials, parents and stu- dents hope the lights — to be in- stalled by September — will not only enable games to be played at night, but will also attract a bigger fan base. Splish splash McKenna has lived near the high Tuck — a water-loving Labrador nicknamed “Metoo” — splashes after a tennis ball that bounced into a puddle during a break between rain- school for 11 years and knows she storms Wednesday at Mitchell Park’s dog park will be able to hear the loudspeaker announcing touchdowns, tackles and CITY only discovered the fee’s existence ers to open up the park at 5 a.m., a fumbles from her home on the nights months after the council approv- few hours earlier than normal. when the team plays at Gunn, but it al. “As much as I love the spring doesn’t worry her. She plans to be (After community gardeners celebration, it wouldn’t be fair for there, rooting for the team. Fee trips up spring protested a tripling of their fee, us to pick favorites and charge one She also hopes the benefits from the council agreed to reconsider group a fee and not others,” Betts installing the lights, and thereby the increase.) said. having night games, will outweigh dance in Baylands City officials say the new and Recently, California State Con- any negative impacts on her neigh- increased fees help the city recov- troller Steve Westly, who’s running borhood. Twenty-year tradition could leave Palo Alto er costs as revenue dissipates and for governor, paid $1,000 to film a “I really think it’s a chance to by Bill D’Agostino employee-benefit costs increase. campaign commercial in Foothills bring our community together,” she The “use fee” for open-space Park, Betts noted. said. “I’m hoping lots of people will or 20 years, the Mayfield Morris and Sword troupe has welcomed preserves will recover staff time Morris dancer Barbara Slone want to participate.” spring in the Palo Alto Baylands Preserve on the first day of May, when rangers provide groups ex- complained to the council Monday Currently a football game at the F literally dancing with bells on. tra help, according to Open Space night. Some council members said school draws 200 to 500 fans on av- But this year, members say a new $300 city fee threatens that annual Division Manager Greg Betts. The afterward they would look into the erage, according to Assistant Princi- event. fee ranges from $300 to $1,000, matter. pal Tom Jacoubowsky, who served “We’re trying to figure out how to continue this tradition without going depending on how much staff time The roots of Morris Dancing, a as Gunn’s athletic director for more bankrupt,” said Squire Cathy Bryg, who leads the group. is required. ritual English dance, are largely than three years. The new open-space “use fee” was one of a slew of new or increased The dance group, known among unknown. The night games, however, are ex- charges the City Council approved last year. As was the case with an in- fellow Morris dancers for its rasp- Dancers adorn their legs with pected to attract more people. The creased fee for community gardeners that drew protests, the dance troupe berry-colored vests, requires rang- (continued on page 8) (continued on page 8 Palo Alto Weekly • Friday, April 7, 2006 • Page 3 Lose 15-20 lbs In Business 703 HIGH STREET, PALO ALTO, CA 94302 Seth and Loriin lost 8 79 lbs.Weeks together at Lite for Life. (650) 326-8210 PUBLISHER “Lite for Life was the ideal William S. Johnson ReaderReaderWire comments via e-mail, voice mail and U.S. mail choice for us. For the fi rst time, FREE EDITORIAL my husband was making salads consultation Jay Thorwaldson, Editor she was a strong-voiced force for Marc Burkhardt, Managing Editor More than goats and going to the grocery store. We • Learn the most Jocelyn Dong, Associate Editor good information on Palo Alto and Allen Clapp, Carol Blitzer, Assistant Editors We recently read the article about became closer and more involved in powerful secret to Keith Peters, Sports Editor Esther Clark Park (March 24). Our surrounding cities. She knows what creating a healthy lifestyle.” attaining and main- Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor neighborhood is about more than is going on and expresses it in terms taining your ideal Rebecca Wallace, Arts & Entertainment Editor – Seth & Lori Don Kazak, Senior Staff Writer goats and birds and rabbits, as well we readers can understand. weight Bill D’Agostino, Lauren McSherry, Alexandria Rocha, Staff Writers as mansions, adobe homes and With her background, experience • See what you’re doing Norbert von der Groeben, Chief Photographer and dedication, the Daily has done Nicholas Wright, Staff Photographer ranch-style houses. now that defeats your Marjan Sadoughi, Photo Intern We are part of an ad hoc core journalism a disservice by letting her efforts Tyler Hanley, Assistant to the Editor & Online Editor group that has worked hard over go. I feel she is irreplaceable. The Sue Dremann, Staff Writer, Special Sections Daily is diminished by this action. • Nutritionist Supervised Cammie Farmer, Calendar Editor the past 30 years to preserve our Jeanne Aufmuth, Dale Benson, neighborhood’s rural ambiance. It should now be known as the Palo SAVE • All Natural Lynn Comeskey, Tim Goode, Jill Slater, Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, Contributors Our work has included interfacing Alto Weakly. • No Required Food Adena DeMonte, Benjamin Lincoln, Richard K. Freeman $ 7 5 Elizabeth Perry Editorial Interns with the Palo Alto City Council, the Purchases East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto DESIGN planning commissioners, Stanford, OFF ANY PROGRAM • Private Counseling *8 week minimum Carol Hubenthal, Design Director the Los Altos Hills Town Council and Expires 4/22/2006 Diane Haas, Lynda Lumish, Sue Peck, Senior residents in order to maintain our Diamond shined Designers; Dana James, Sarah McAleer, Charmaine “tranquil paradise.” Diana Diamond has been a per- Mirsky, Scott Peterson, Designers Adrienne and Jay Oliff sonal friend and colleague for many PRODUCTION Old Trace Road, Palo Alto years.