The Voice of the Greenmeadow Community

CALENDAR

December IN THIS ISSUE

4 Holiday Potluck from 2-5pm President’s Message 2

12 Board Meeting @ 7pm Board Meeting Minutes 3

Financial Update 3

2012 Initial Board Meeting Minutes 4

Committee/Meeting Reports & 4 Updates

Fatima Giffen is the editor and layout designer

for the Meadowlark.

Deadline for content submission is the 20th of Please return undeliverable copies of the Meadowlark to: Greenmeadow Community Association each month.

303 Parkside Drive All content should be emailed to Palo Alto, CA 94306 [email protected] 650-494-3157

www.greenmeadow.org 2011

President’s Message

Hello Greenmeadow, Have a Merry or Happy Chanukah or Blessed and a Happy New Year from our Where did 2011 go? As I reflect on the year I am family to yours! grateful for many things! Sean Highlights include: [email protected]  An awesome season for the Marlins with a second place finish at Champs!  A successful year at the pool. th  An amazing 4 of July!  The Spring Egg Hunt, Party and the Potlucks in the park.  Recovering funds from Kimball …  Ending the year significantly under budget!

The 2012 Board met on Wednesday (after I wrote this) to begin planning and defining roles for 2012. The new Board has one change from last year, the addition of Carol Turner, who has landed back in Greenmeadow. Carol and I have known each other since we were little growing up in Greenmeadow and I am looking forward to working with her!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing Board member Tim Foy. Tim is wrapping up a four-year run on the Board and his service to Greenmeadow has been exemplary! I was thrilled to reconnect with Tim when we “moved back” to

Greenmeadow a few years ago. My memories of growing up with Tim include serving as altar boys at church and golfing at Palo Alto Municipal golf Happy Holidays from our course. Tim’s willingness to let me tag along back then was no different than his graciousness today family to yours! helping show me the way in serving our community. I don’t want to be too nice here because I expect Tim to remain active with our GMCA 2020 committee and serving me as a mentor! Thanks for everything Tim! For the January issue of the Meadowlark, we would If you get this in time, don’t forget to attend the love to include your Holiday Potluck at Sherry Listgarten’s house on New Year’s Resolutions! December 4 from 2-5pm. Please forward your resolution(s) and The 2011 Board has its final meeting on December head shot to Fatima Giffen at 12th at 7:00pm in the community room. [email protected].

Much appreciated! Fatima, Meadowlark Editor

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GMCA BOARD MEETING MINUTES

November 9, 2011 Greenmeadow Community Association

In attendance: Sean, Patrick, Tim, Budget vs. Actuals: GMCA Budget - FY11 P&L Lisa, Jeff and Chris January-October 2011

Total  Prior month’s minutes approved. Actual Budget  Staff compensation discussed. Income  JSSL Representation Building Rental o GMCA’s representative to the JSSL swim 85,625.00 85,000.00 Pool Rental 23,640.00 29,700.00 league organization will be reminded to Interest 3,562.54 2,330.00 prioritize GMCA community interests  Other Income* 36,140.00 e.g., GMCA’s recent interest options for Memberships and funding year-round swim  and not simply Registration Fees 290,294.50 311,900.00 those of the Marlins swim team in Classes 32,161.50 40,075.00 interactions with JSSL. Swim Team 22,404.92 17,704.00  GMCA Administrative Manager Search o Job description is done and posted on Total Income $ 493,828.46 $ 486,709.00

Internet. Expenses o Search committee of Sigrid P, Carol C-S, Administrative 77,759.75 92,940.00 Sean G and others will review applicants to Pool 199,450.65 232,775.00 identify prime candidates Building and o Initial interviews in mid-Nov Grounds 46,571.51 65,530.00 o Board interviews in late Nov. Committee Expenses 5,509.10 12,630.00 Contribution to  Pool Issues Restricted o New lounge chair slings are coming Reserves* 100,960.00 65,000.00 o Investigating applicability of new law effecive March 2012 that requires “public Total Expenses $ 430,251.01 $ 468,875.00 pool” to have handicapped access Net Operating Income o Locker rooms need some repairs (e.g., tile (After Contribution to work) Reserves) $ 63,577.45 $ 17,834.00 o Winter projects include step-wise water change to reduce accumulated chemical load Reserve Status Repair and o Voted to re-open pool on Sat 03/24/12 Replacement Earthquake  Irrigation Audit and Rebate for Controller 2011 Opening balance 338000.00 55000.00 o County audit of water usage done 2011 Planned Addition . Will soon receive guidance on water to Reserves 60000.00 5000.00 reduction options 2011 Special o County also offers materials rebates up to Contribution (Initial KA Reimbursement) 35960.00 $40k on turf reduction re-landscaping. 2011 Reserve Expenses  Pre-school Heat to date -4353.00 o Both DHW and general heating required Closing balance as of attention recently 11/30/2011 429607.00 60000.00  First meeting of 2012 Board is scheduled for * Includes $35,960 initial reimbursement from KA. This will Nov. 30 likely be re-classified as non-operating income in future financial reports.

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GMCA 2012 INITIAL BOARD COMMITTEE/MEETING REPORTS & MEETING MINUTES UPDATES

November, 30 2011 Rail Corridor Task Force “Vision Statement” is Now in Draft Report Form First meeting of 2012 Board: Sean, Patrick, Rob, Lisa, Jeff, Carol and Chris The Rail Corridor Study Task Force has the first working draft of its eventual advisory report to the Administrative Manager Search city council — a “vision” for land use, city design  Carol C-S reported on search progress opportunities, traffic circulation, and ways of  Board will do follow-up interviews soon. dealing with the expected increase in public transit by train and bus in the years to come. 2012 Board Roles  President  Sean The task force met on Dec. 1 and will meet on Dec.  Vice President  Carol T 15 to provide feedback to the consultants. The next  Ass’t. Vice President  Patrick draft will probably be ready in January and the final  Treasurer  Jeff report around March/early April.  Secretary  Chris  Ass’t. Secretary  Lisa The report deals with the area between Alma Street  Ass’t. Treasurer  Rob and El Camino Real (including land abutting on both sides), from the north to the south end of Palo 2012 GMCA Board Committee Liaisons Alto. Alma, the Caltrain tracks and El Camino are  Carol  Swim Team defined as major traffic corridors that have the  Chris  Communications, Emergency Prep positive impact of carrying high volumes of traffic  Jeff  Finance but the negative effect of isolating the residents and  Lisa  Civic Affairs, Membership dividing the city in half. Key goals in the draft  Patrick  Facilities, ARC, Tenant report are to provide more and safer crossings, a  Rob  Social, Aquatics more attractive El Camino Real that handles buses,  Sean  GMCA 2020 cars, pedestrians and bikers, while offering retail services of interest to locals, and, within the Board approved recommendation from corridor itself, three distinctive “town centers”: one Architectural Review Committee to approve plans at University Avenue, one at California Avenue and on 4054 Ben Lomond one at El Camino Way and East Meadow. Parks and recreational opportunities are included. Many of the improvements along El Camino Real and 2012 Membership Drive: Aiming to get documents sometimes within the corridor call for mixed-use, to printers by Dec. 12 for distribution in early multi-story development that blends retail, business January and residential occupants.

Grade-separated crossings all along the railroad tracks are envisioned in this draft. Mitigations for noise, vibration and visual impacts are included, as are additional crossings for vehicles, bikes and pedestrians. The need for more crossings, especially for bikes and pedestrians is included and several possible locations identified. A bike/pedestrian crossing at Matadero Creek (between the Page Mill underpass and East Meadow “Everyone here? Good. Meeting topic: Setting crossing) is among the recommended additions. world record for shortest meeting. All in favor say aye. Ayes have it. Meeting over.” 4

The improvements are needed with or without http://www.paloaltorailcorridor.org. Click on the the addition of high speed rail, the draft report image of the report cover at the bottom of the page. says. The draft does not indicate a preference among the possible changes to rail service but rather Carolyn Dobervich describes the possible effects of two likely choices Greenmeadow Rep to the R at every crossing and proposed crossing. UPDATE: At the Dec. 1 meeting, task force Because Alma Street is so close to the Caltrain members generally reacted to the first draft as a tracks, they are often considered together when new good start. They requested more data to use in crossings are envisioned. The draft report gives making decisions and they proposed several areas Alma a separate identity, however, on the two ends for further review. Among other things, they asked of town. From Embarcadero to Mountain View, it to take a second look at the roads and crossings is envisioned as an important arterial road that still south of Page Mill/Oregon Expressway. could look better and feel safer to bikers and pedestriains. From Embarcadero north it has a double life as part of a “town center” serving residences and businesses as well as local/regional traffic.

El Camino Real is envisioned as a more resident- friendly, pedestrian-friendly boulevard, with visual upgrades that would encourage people to S X F Y E C F T A K F G K O Y stroll, shop and sit outside. The need for safer U N W L S C E O I N F N W U W crossings is highlighted, and seven intersections are identified as a “critical intersection for K Z O Q V A D G F E U I A W W improvement.” East Meadow and Charleston are W U H W K V M E S D T D N U X among the seven. W G R I B J S T M S X D Z S O Q C U Q S O I H S L F E A A R El Camino would also accommodate Bus Rapid K B Q Q E V A E O I Z L A N S Transit, a Valley Transit Authority program that K Y R P I Y J R N P R S V K E seeks to offer higher quality express bus service. G L N T Y N B N D X P H I L I BRT stations are tentatively going in at Arastradero, California Avenue and the University Avenue A Z I M R U N E M I Z I C K O transit center (by the train station). H E B P S R L S I I N P N O I S H E V Z M O S E G M G H G H The “town center” concept, as described in the S E K A L F W O N S R H O U O draft, would enhance the Cal Ave. and Q N C H A N U K A H C J N F W University Ave. areas, but in the south end of M X C T S W R V K N V H J S A town could transform the area around El

Camino Way. It would provide street and sidewalk improvements and new, safe crossings at El Camino CHANUKAH SKIING and the train tracks. The vision in the draft describes sidewalk cafes and pedestrian amenities, CHRISTMAS SLEDDING more retail services needed by local residents and a

“community gathering space” (the area has no FESTIVITIES SNOWBOARDING nearby parks or public spaces). It also includes some medium-density housing. KWANZAA SNOWFLAKES

I wrote most of this report after a single reading of a SHOPPING TOGETHERNESS lengthy document and apologize for any errors or omissions. The draft is available online at 5

wait for a slice of that!).  7 Pearl Harbor Day  12 Poinsettia Day: These beautiful flowers are Dinner is followed by a "Feats of Strength". recognized as a symbol of Christmas. Poinsettia Day was pronounced as an Act of Congress. It is in honor of Another popular Festivus tradition, is an "Airing of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who died on December 12, 1851. Grievances" . This is where you can tell someone how Poinsett was the first Ambassador to Mexico who disappointed you are over what they did or didn't do brought the plant back to his plantation in the U.S. He during the past year. grew the plants in his Greenville, S.C plantation and gave them out as gifts to friends.In Mexican folklore, there is a story of a little poor girl who had nothing to  25 Christmas bring to church for Christmas. On her way to church,  26 : Boxing Day is celebrated in England, she picked some plants by the side of the road. As she Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other former entered the church, the ends of the leaves turned into British commonwealth countries. It is a legal holiday in bright, brilliant red flowers. You guessed it... Poinsettias these countries. This is also St. Stephans Day, where  21 Chanukah lasts 8 days Boxing Day gets some of it's roots. On St. Stephans' Day, churches opened their collection boxes to the  22 (shortest day of the year) poor. Boxing Day was an expression of appreciation  23 Festivus - for the rest of us! Are you feeling a and thanks, much like Christmas tips are today. The little left out!? You don't celebrate Christmas or roots of the holiday goes back to the Middle Ages . On Chanukah. Kwanzaa just isn't your thing. And, you don't this day, members of the merchant class would take even know what is. boxes, fill them with food and fruits, and give them to servants, tradespeople and the less fortunate. In the Then, come and experience the joy and the Miracle of case of servants, they would work on Christmas Day, so Festivus. One might say that the Festivus holiday is a it was only fitting that immediately after Christmas, they miracle in itself. would be given a day off to celebrate. Usually celebrated the day after Still not sure if Festivus is for you? It's non- Christmas, some would celebrate the following Monday denominational. So, everyone can partake. The Festivus when Christmas fell on a Friday or Saturday. Today, slogan is "A Festivus for the rest of us!" And, that the giving of boxes includes filling boxes with food and means you, too. So ... clothing for the needy and performing volunteer work. Monetary gifts to charity are also common. Happy Festivus to you!  26 Kwanzaa  27 National Fruitcake Day: National Fruitcake Day celebrates the rock hard, fruit filled holiday cake. While

The Origin of Festivus Holiday: fruitcake was popular in the 40's and 50's, we are not sure if anyone has ever eaten this weighty, gooey, sugar laden cake. Festivus came into being as the direct result of a Jerry Seinfled television show episode. It first aired on December 18, 1997. The holiday was promoted by Scientists have been unable to penetrate deeply into a Kramer (who else!?) fruitcake, and therefore, have failed to uncover its exact composition. Its density has also hampered their ability to use carbon dating to The Festivus holiday was created by show identify the age of a scriptwriter Daniel O'Keefe. His dad, also named Daniel, fruitcake. Unconfirmed had found reference to an obscure holiday called rumors suggest that Festivus, which was first celebrated in 1966. some fruitcake are hundreds of years old.

Festivus Traditions: It is very appropriate for National Fruitcake No, there isn't a Festivus Tree. Rather, an unadorned Day to be celebrated aluminum pole is the symbol of Festivus. shortly after Christmas. Once the holidays are The Festivus holiday is celebrated with a dinner. over, it's time to get rid Meatloaf is the suggested main course (I betcha can't of your fruitcake. 6

Giving a fruitcake is a Christmas tradition for many. It is also believed that recipients will re-wrap the fruitcake and give it to someone else. Who knows how many As we start a new year, I would years, or decades, a fruitcake has been passed along? Ultimately, the trick is to make sure you give away the like to reintroduce some of the fruitcake before the holiday season is through. sections of the Meadowlark that Otherwise, you get the joy of storing it, until the next fruitcake-giving season. On National Fruitcake Day, we haven’t seen in a while, those with a sweet tooth can celebrate by eating a slice or two. Otherwise, we suggest you use this day to give including: your fruitcake to someone....anyone. Note: Our research failed to find any information that suggests  Awards/Recognitions this is an official "National" day, which requires an act  Event/Activity Reviews of congress. Sure, you may argue that there are a few fruitcakes in congress. But to date, none of them has  Travel sponsored a bill to create or declare a national Fruitcake Day.  Youth Zone Please submit those articles!  31 New Year's Eve

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