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Check out the Weekly’s online classifieds at fogster.com WeeklyWeekend Edition www.PaloAltoOnline.com Neurotic comics Comedic trio face their quirks with humor Page 8 Marjan Sadoughi Marjan Eating Out 13 Movie Times 15 N Upfront Roche leaving Palo Alto? Page 3 N Sports Palo Alto swimmer loses second chance at Olympics Page 17 N Home & Real Estate Edible garden delights Section 2 MILES YOUNGEST PERSON TO RECEIVE LIFE SAVING HEART PUMP.
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Page 2ÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*>ÊÌÊ7iiÞ UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis Roche to exit Palo Alto, pending Genentech deal Swiss firm could abandon ‘green’ campus; ter in Stanford Research Park, Wal- acquired Syntex in 1994. “It definitely has a ripple effect, lach said. How much of an impact the mas- no question about it, when that many jobs impact uncertain The inflammation-research divi- sive firm’s departure would make employees are not going to be here by Arden Pennell sion would move to Nutley, N.J., locally is hard to measure. Wallach and visitors ... are not going to come and virology research would move said Roche would not reveal how in on a regular basis,” she said. he Swiss pharmaceutical com- top 25 generators of sales tax and to the Genentech facility in South many employees live in Palo Alto, Business visitors to the multina- pany Roche will close its Palo the top five generators of utilities San Francisco, she said. and it’s too soon to say how many tional company — Roche’s Web T Alto office, where it employs tax, providing as much as $300,000 But it’s uncertain exactly when jobs, if any, would be lost. site cites 79,000 employees in 150 1,000 workers, if its bid to acquire annually, he said. Though that’s a that would happen because the Ge- And workers tend to use the in- countries — generate hotel tax, she biotechnology giant Genentech is tiny piece of the $145 million city nentech acquisition offer hasn’t been house cafeteria — the company has said. They also spend on meals and successful, according to Jacqueline budget, the city would lose a “su- finalized yet, she said. fair-trade coffee delivered — rather gifts, she said. Wallach, Roche’s vice president of perb corporate citizen,” he said. The laboratories are currently than drive off-campus for lunch, she The future of the site itself is also communications. The firm has partnered with the housed at 3431 Hillview Ave., at the said. uncertain. Who would move into a campus city on environmental and safety intersection of Arastradero Road Some money will be lost, how- According to Jean Snider, director that has won accolades for its en- initiatives, he said. and Foothill Expressway. ever, according to the mayor. of Stanford Research Park, Roche vironmental practices — such as a This Monday, Roche offered The site’s history runs deep. Ear- Roche generates between $80,000 has a ground lease, a structure re- program that achieves 95 percent about $44 billion to acquire the lier tenant Syntex — perhaps best and $120,000 in sales tax and be- sembling ownership that makes the recycling of everything from labo- remainder of the South San Fran- known for manufacturing “the Pill” tween $140,000 and $180,000 in lessee responsible for the property. ratory materials to coffee grounds cisco-based Genentech’s shares. for birth-control — was one of the utilities-user tax annually, Klein Wallach said it’s too early to say — is unclear. Roche has owned a majority stake first companies in the then-named said. whom Roche will tap to fill the space, It is certain, however, that Roche’s since 1990. Stanford Industrial Park, formed in The departure also means losing but acknowledged that with 760,000 departure will make a dent in the If the deal goes through, Roche 1951 to promote the school’s ties to money visitors spend, said Sandra square feet of laboratories, it may city’s tax rolls, according to Mayor will close its own 1,000,000-square- industry and government. Lonnquist, president of the Palo Larry Klein. The firm is one of the foot research and development cen- Roche has been at the site since it Alto Chamber of Commerce. VÌÕi`ÊÊ«>}iÊ4)
Combustible compost HEALTH A CalFire helicopter dumps water on a peripheral grass fire near the City may ban Palo Alto landfill, which erupted into flames late Wednesday af- smoking in ternoon and at times resembled a mini volcano. Firefighters spent Palo Alto parks Wednesday night battling the blaze, Parks commission to which consumed about 1.5 acres at discuss issue in September the end of Embarcadero Road. Six engines from Palo Alto, Woodside by Becky Trout and Mountain View and the CalFire hen Christine Martin visits the Baylands, as she does helicopter responded, according to W four or five times a week, Barbara Cimino, emergency manag- she spots something other than er for the Palo Alto Fire Department. the expanses of marsh grasses, the The smoldering compost is expected feasting birds or her fellow nature to burn for two to three days. People lovers. Martin, an Oregon Avenue resi- living in the path of the smoke were dent, spies cigarette butts scattered advised to limit outdoor activities. along the preserve’s trails. A city The cause of the fire is under investi- volunteer, Martin picks them up gation. For the full story, visit www. along with other trash. Martin said she also encounters Keith Peters PaloAltoOnline.com. cigarette butts near Hoover Elemen- tary School. And, she’s been both- housing arrangements in the area is branch, and a VA case manager is ered by smokers at past Twilight LAND USE uncertain. available to other vets who call the Concerts. “It’s a very stressful situation,” hotel home, according to Jill Hudson, “It’s bad for the environment. It’s said nine-month hotel guest Cyn- VA program director for community bad for my dog to eat them. It looks Palo Alto Hotel sold, thia Drescher-Murray. “The hotel mental health. The hotel is just a busi- like hell,” Martin said. isn’t offering to help us. They’re ness, she said, and the management A few months ago, she chan- slated for redevelopment just moving us out on the streets,” has no obligation to help the residents neled her discontent into a letter she said. find alternative housing. to the City Council and then to the Remodel may boost city revenues Drescher-Murray is a client of “It’s on our radar, and we will try to Parks and Recreation Commission, Telecare, an assistance organiza- do some problem solving for people requesting the city to consider ban- but leave some tenants scrambling tion for people with psychiatric ill- who need information.” she said. ning smoking in parks. by Karla Kane nesses. Telecare will help her find a Tom Murray, a five-year hotel res- Following a unanimous expres- new place to live, but other residents ident, said he is saddened by the im- sion of interest this week, the com- ne of Palo Alto’s last bastions year as a new boutique hotel. don’t have that support, she said. pending closure and wishes he could mission agreed to discuss a potential of low-income housing, the The downtown dwelling, located “People have no clue where’s stay in Palo Alto. Due to the lack ban in September. O Palo Alto Hotel, will soon at 425 High St., is now populated they’ll go,” she said. “There are of affordable housing, he will most “People have approached us and be no more. The 59-room, single- by mostly low-income residents. all kinds of people living there — likely have to move up the Penin- asked that this be looked at. We’ve residence-occupancy hotel has been Guests report monthly rents of working people, married couples, sula, possibly to Redwood City or also received letters,” Commission- sold and will close for redevelop- $1,000 or less. friends. It’s really upsetting.” further north. er Daria Walsh said. “It just seemed ment Aug. 14. Because most of the residents At least two veterans living at the “Unless you’re in a program, like a good idea.” Pending city approval for remod- have limited financial means, their hotel will receive housing assistance eling plans, it will reopen later this ability to find suitable alternative from the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs VÌÕi`ÊÊ«>}iÊ4) VÌÕi`ÊÊ«>}iÊ7) *>ÊÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 3 Upfront PATIOS & GRILLS GRAND Outdoor Furnishings Just last week, the city announced Roche Roche’s plan to install a rooftop 1UALITY /UTDOOR LIVING PRODUCTS 703 HIGH STREET, PALO ALTO, CA 94302 OPENING! VÌÕi`ÊvÀÊ«>}iÊή solar-power system that would have ALONG WITH GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE (650) 326-8210 been the largest in Palo Alto, with SALE* PUBLISHER William S. Johnson well be another scientific tenant. enough power for 172 homes. “The question now is, ‘Who can Those plans are tenuous now, s 0ATIO DINING SETS EDITORIAL Jay Thorwaldson, Editor we woo?’” according to Lonnquist. Wallach said. Jocelyn Dong, Managing Editor The Web firm Facebook, which “We probably need to evaluate if s $EEP SEATING Allen Clapp, Carol Blitzer, Associate Editors Keith Peters, Sports Editor houses 600 employees in a handful it’s worth installing them or not be- s 5MBRELLAS Tyler Hanley, Online Editor of downtown offices and confirmed cause we’re essentially leaving,” she Rebecca Wallace, Arts & Entertainment Editor last month it is looking for a central said, adding she didn’t know when Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor s "AR SEATING Don Kazak, Senior Staff Writer campus, did not respond to requests the decision would be made. Arden Pennell, Becky Trout, Staff Writers for comment. In addition to its own efforts, the Sue Dremann, Staff Writer, Special Sections Editor s &IRE PITS Karla Kane, Editorial Assistant Beyond the economic implica- firm has urged other research-park Marjan Sadoughi, Veronica Weber, Staff tions of Roche’s move, Lonnquist tenants to become certified green s 0ATIO HEATERS Photographers described with disappointment how businesses, Lonnquist said. It also Jeanne Aufmuth, Dale Bentson, Kit Davey, Iris Harrell, Jack McKinnon, Palo Alto will lose a business quick partnered with the city’s Utilities s 'RILLS Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, Craig Wentz, to lead the environmental charge. Department to design the zero- Contributors A member of the Dow Jones Sus- waste initiative. Monica Guzman, Christine Karavas, s #USTOM ""1 )SLANDS Thea Lamkin, Megan Rawlins, Editorial Interns tainability Index, Roche is frequent- “They’ve been serious leaders in Jill Kimball, Arts and Entertainment Intern ly cited by Palo Alto officials as an the community. They’ve just been 6)3)4 /52 Darlene Bouchard, Photography Intern example of a local business that suc- an outstanding partner,” she said. 3(/72//- 4/$!9 DESIGN cessfully went green. Chamber board member and Shannon Corey, Design Director Diane Haas, Sue Peck, Senior Designers The 17 acres of on-campus lawns Roche environment and safety di- Dana James, Paul Llewellyn, no longer consume water and chemi- rector Alex Haedrich has been a Charmaine Mirsky, Scott Peterson, Designers Patios & Grills cals — they’ve been converted to member of both the Green and Red 1180 KERN AVE, SUNNYVALE PRODUCTION drought-resistant landscaping. The Ribbon task forces to the mayor, 94085 CROSS STREET LAWRENCE Jennifer Lindberg, Production Manager Dorothy Hassett, Blanca Yoc, maintenance fleet was replaced with focusing on environment and emer- 408-245-2900 Sales & Production Coordinators 30 electric vehicles resembling golf gency-preparedness, respectively, WWW.PATIOSANDGRILLS.COM ADVERTISING carts. Air-conditioning costs have she noted. N OPEN DAILY Vern Ingraham, Advertising Director been cut 60 percent by using light- Staff Writer Arden Pennell can be Cathy Norfleet, Display Advertising Sales Asst. Judie Block, Adam Cone, Janice Hoogner, colored roofing compounds and non- e-mailed at apennell@paweekly. Display Advertising Sales toxic insulation materials. com. Kathryn Brottem, Real Estate Advertising Sales Joan Merritt, Real Estate Advertising Asst. David Cirner, Irene Schwartz, tel, made by a police spokesman in Inside Advertising Sales Palo Alto Hotel the article, as a “dog kennel.” Alicia Santillan, Classified Administrative Asst. VÌÕi`ÊvÀÊ«>}iÊή “There are some lovely people ONLINE SERVICES here,” she said. Lisa Van Dusen, Director of Palo Alto Online you’re left on your own,” he said. Residents were given a 30-day no- BUSINESS Curtis Williams, the city’s plan- tice to vacate their rooms by noon, Theresa Freidin, Controller Haleh Yee, Manager of Payroll & Benefits ning director, said “there’s not a lot Aug. 14. According to Murray, mi- Paula Mulugeta, Senior Accountant of places to go” for single-occupancy nor renovations, such as carpet re- Elena Dineva, Mary McDonald, Cathy Stringari, Doris Taylor, Business Associates residents.” A comparable establish- moval, have begun in units already ment, the Craig Hotel in downtown vacated. ADMINISTRATION Amy Renalds, Assistant to the Publisher & Palo Alto, was demolished in 2005. Current hotel management and Promotions Director Two other low-cost facilities, the staff declined to speak with the Rachel Palmer, Promotions & Online Assistant Opportunity Center and Casa Olga, Weekly. Janice Covolo, Receptionist; Ruben Espinoza, Jorge Vera, Couriers are fully booked. The hotel has been purchased by EMBARCADERO PUBLISHING CO. Murray has also looked into Palo an investment group known as Palo William S. Johnson, President Alto’s affordable-housing program, Alto Hotel LLC. Michael I. Naar, Vice President & CFO; Walter which he said has a waiting period Larry Perlin, the city’s chief build- Kupiec, Vice President, Sales & Marketing; Frank A. Bravo, Director, Computer Operations of two to three years. ing official, said the new hotel will & Webmaster “Since we’re being shut down have “mid-range” rates (estimated Connie Jo Cotton, Major Accounts Sales Manager; Bob Lampkin, Director, Circulation & you’d think we could get priority, at $125-$175 per night) and will be Mailing Services; Alicia Santillan, Susie Ochoa, but no,” he added. designed with a “modern, edgy, up- Circulation Assistants; Chris Planessi, Chip Palo Alto Housing Corporation, dated look.” Poedjosoedarmo, Oscar Rodriguez Computer System Associates which promotes affordable housing The number of hotel rooms will in the city, has no information on be reduced from 59 to 45, with the The Palo Alto Weekly (ISSN 0199-1159) is published every Wednesday and Friday by the closing of the hotel, nor plans addition of private bathrooms to SAFE SUMMER Embarcadero Publishing Co., 703 High St., Palo to work with its residents, according each, according to project architect Alto, CA 94302, (650) 326-8210. Periodicals post- age paid at Palo Alto, CA and additional mailing to Leanne Albuquerque, the housing Tony Carrasco. Saturday, July 26 offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circu- corporation’s office administrator. Williams estimated that, thanks lation for Santa Clara County. The Palo Alto Weekly Murray said despite the hotel’s to the city’s 12 percent hotel tax 11:00am is delivered free to homes in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, East Palo Alto, to faculty recent depiction in a news article as — which does not apply to tenants and staff households on the Stanford campus and a magnet for crime and frequent po- staying longer than 30 days — the Center Pavilion to portions of Los Altos Hills. If you are not cur- rently receiving the paper, you may request free lice visits, the situation has greatly new hotel could bring in hundreds delivery by calling 326-8210. POSTMASTER: Send improved in the past few years. of thousands of dollars in revenue. The best kind of summer is a Safe Summer! address changes to Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box “It’s been interesting. Three or four Carrasco said once the plans meet Join us as we gather cool tips about how to stay 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302. Copyright ©2003 by Embarcadero Publishing Co. All rights reserved. years ago the police would come, but city approval, construction is expect- safe in the summer. Our special guests will include Reproduction without permission is strictly prohib- they’ve cleaned it up,” he said. ed to take six to eight months. N ited. Printed by SFOP, Redwood City. The Palo Alto “We’re not like dogs in a kennel,” Editorial Assistant Karla Kane can the Palo Alto Red Cross, the Palo Alto Library, and Weekly is available on the Internet via Palo Alto Palo Alto Parks & Recreation. There will be tons of Online at: http://www.PaloAltoOnline.com Drescher-Murray added, also refer- be e-mailed at kkane@paweekly. Our e-mail addresses are: [email protected], ring to a characterization of the ho- com. goodies* to gather as well as the chance to win a [email protected], [email protected]. One Day admission ticket for two (2)** to Missed delivery or start/stop your paper? Call 650 326-8210, or e-mail circulation@paweekly. California’s Great America in Santa Clara. com. You may also subscribe online at www. PaloAltoOnline.com. Subscriptions are $60/yr The Public Agenda ($30 within our circulation area). *While supplies last. Must be a Kidgits Club Member to participate. PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL ... Beginning at 6 p.m., the council and the Planning & Transportation Commission intend to hold their **Must be present to win annual joint meeting. At 7 p.m., the council and commission plan SUBSCRIBE! to discuss an update to the Comprehensive Plan. The meeting will Support your local newspaper by becom- be held Monday, July 28, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 ing a paid subscriber. $30 per year for Hamilton Ave.). residents of our circulation area: $60 for businesses and residents of other areas. PALO ALTO PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Name: ______... The commission intends to discuss a request for a three-foot Address: ______encroachment into Bryant Street sidewalk for a four-story building City/Zip: ______proposed for 278 University Ave. and several issues related to the Mail to: Palo Alto Weekly, zoning of hotels. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July P.O. Box 1610. Palo Alto CA 94302 30, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). N
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*>ÊÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 5 WHAT CAN Upfront WE HELP YOU FIND News Digest TODAY? Palo Alto skipped for 2009 Tour of California 875 Alma Street, Palo Alto, CA (650) 327-7222 After a successful — and profitable — bike race kick-off in Feb- ruary, local bicycling advocates were fairly confident Palo Alto would be picked to host a stage in the 2009 Tour of California. But Wednesday, race presenter AEG announced that next year’s tour won’t stop in Palo Alto. AEG Vice President for Communications Michael Roth said the bicyclists had enjoyed Palo Alto, but each year the race route is Benefits changed and a stop in Palo Alto wasn’t convenient. That doesn’t mean Palo Alto won’t again host the 800-mile race, of which is billed as America’s answer to the Tour de France. Cycling “We really had a great stay in Palo Alto,” Roth said. “The cam- pus was wonderful and (the community) could not have been more hospitable.” for the World “I truly hope and believe we’ll be back.” In June, when the City Council finalized its plans to bid for the end of a day-long stage in 2009, city leaders expressed optimism fact: that hosting the race would bring in money and boost bicycling culture in the city. But Wednesday, City Manager Frank Benest downplayed the loss of the stage finish, which would not have generated as much money Vehicles in hotel taxes as the prologue, which Palo Alto hosted this year. “It’s not the end of the world,” Benest said. “Teams might not have CONTRIBUTE TO AN ESTIMATED stayed overnight.” Benest revealed the race generated between $28,000 and $58,000 for the city. It cost about $67,000 in overtime and other expenses, he 60-70% told the City Council in April. Yet revenues from visitors affiliated with the tour — not counting of urban spectators — brought in between $95,000 and $125,000 in hotel taxes alone, not including any sales-tax revenues from businesses, Benest said. air pollution Councilwoman Yoriko Kishimoto and local race organizer Alison Williams mentioned that Palo Alto is expensive, a factor that might BICYCLES PRODUCE 0% have dissuaded race promoters. This year, spectators lined the streets near City Hall and Stan- 171 University Ave I Palo Alto, CA I 650.328.7411 ford’s Palm Drive on Feb. 17 to watch cyclists complete the pro- www.paloaltobicycles.com I M-F 10-7; Sat 10-6; Sun 11-5 logue, a two-mile sprint from downtown to the heart of campus. N —Arden Pennell and Becky Trout Hunt for suspected killer is stymied The police search for Otto Emil Koloto, 22, of Gilroy, who is suspected of robbing and fatally shooting a man outside Palo Alto City Hall July 13, has come up empty a week and a half since the shooting. Get close to “We have talked with family members [who say] they haven’t heard from him,” Palo Alto Police Agent Dan Ryan said. “We believe he is being hidden by somebody, but we don’t know who it is.” your music. Philip Lacy, 27, of South San Francisco was shot in the head at 1:45 a.m. July 13. He was taken off life support at Stanford Hospital three days later and died. Funeral services have since been held. SATURDAY, JULY 26, 8 PM Police searched three homes in Gilroy the day after the shooting Geoffrey Keezer Quartet with Joe Locke without finding Koloto. Police later named Koloto the suspect in the shooting. SUNDAY, JULY 27, 7:30 PM 7.26 GEOFFREY KEEZER Police have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Taylor Eigsti / Julian Lage Duo the arrest and conviction of Lacy’s killer. Anyone with information MONDAY, JULY 28, 7:30 PM about Koloto’s whereabouts is asked to call the police tip line at Sylvia Cuenca Trio 650-329-2190. N —Don Kazak TUESDAY, JULY 29, 7:30 PM Ruth Davies’ Blue Night with Henry Butler Apartment owner files lawsuits against East Palo Alto THURSDAY, JULY 31, 7:30 PM Page Mill Properties, now known as Woodland Park Manage- Tia Fuller and Healing Space ment, has filed two lawsuits against East Palo Alto over its rent stabilization ordinance, which was recently modified. Visit www.stanfordjazz.org for a complete The Palo Alto-based property management company is challeng- list of Stanford Jazz Festival shows ing how the city calculates maximum rent increases allowed under ordinance and is also challenging the city’s annual registration fee TAYLOR EIGSTI/ increase from $135 a year to $240 a year. 7.27 JULIAN LAGE DUO The city’s ordinance now bases maximum rent increases on cur- rent rents. Woodland Park Management owns more than 1,700 apartments in the city, all of which are west of U.S. Highway 101. The company raised rents for its tenants an average of 9 percent late last year, sparking the battle between the city and the com- pany. The City Council passed a moratorium to block the rent increases, but Woodland Park (then known as Page Mill), filed a lawsuit and won, striking down the moratorium. The city has appealed that court ruling. BOX OFFICE: INFORMATION: Now, the apartment management company is again challenging the city’s revised ordinance in court. N 650.725.ARTS (2787) 650.736.0324 —Don Kazak www.ticketweb.com www.stanfordjazz.org BLUES NIGHT 7.29 W/ HENRY BUTLER ON THE WEB: The latest local news headlines at www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Page 6ÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*>ÊÌÊ7iiÞ Upfront Smoking ban !" $ ,( ($" ( "( (!" ( VÌÕi`ÊvÀÊ«>}iÊή $"( % )( ( ( ""( " )( ( % $ ("( (( ( (% ( Walsh and other commissioners $"( " ("(! ("! ( ,( " (( ( (!( ( "!( " ( "!( said they intend to research possible "! ( "( " ( ( "( + measures and sample the commu- "( "!( ( ( ( %( + ( '( ( ($ "+ nity’s feelings on smoking in parks. ($" ( (($" (( ( $"( #%( !" ( ! ( ( “One thing you don’t want to do $ ( $ ( "" ( ( % ,( is create an ordinance that creates "$("( !! ( )("(" + $ $% ( "( %( ( "( ( animosity,” Walsh said. "! (( (!!(! ( "!( "!( $ )( ( $"( # ( ( A broader ban, which forbids ( #" (("(! ( ,( ( (% ( ,( smoking even in apartments or pub- (! ( ($" ( )("( $ ( % ( ( ( "! ( ( lic streets, sparked a fiery debate in Belmont last year, but curtailing % ( !" ( "!( ( "( ! ( ,($ % )(! ( (" ( smoking in parks has won support in scores of communities nationwide. )( !(% $ (" " (( The issue isn’t new in Palo Alto, ( ")("( (% (+ either. ( ($ (( ( ,( Two years ago, then Mayor Judy ( ( !"( ( !!( ( $ ( Kleinberg suggested banning smok- "( # ( ( ( !!( )( % ( ing in parks during a council discus- "( "( "!!( ( "( " ( sion. $ ! (% ( (("! (( “There was a lot of concern about " "((,( dangerous conditions in the parks (( $ (%(" + and whether they were truly safe ( "( " ( ( " ,( ( !!( for children and family friendly,” "! ((($ ("("(% ( Kleinberg said. !)($" ( (("!!(" " ( Kleinberg said she floated the ( "( ""( " ,( ( idea of a smoking ban to test the !( " ( $( "( " ( + , ! $",$( community’s reaction. " ( ( " ( ( ( ( + " ! "" “There was not an outpouring of confirmation and validation for my idea, so I never introduced it as a formal proposal,” Kleinberg said. She’s glad that Martin and the parks commission have revived the issue. “Palo Alto is usually at the fore- front of ideas and innovations that It‘s an easy way to make a difference. promote healthy communities,” Kleinberg said. Supporters cite several reasons to ban smoking in parks: fire danger, health risks of second-hand smoke, promoting a child-friendly environ- ment and even to encourage smok- ers themselves to kick the habit. It’s already illegal to smoke on trails in Foothills Park. Commissioner Paul Losch said he “really dislikes smoking a lot” but isn’t yet convinced of the need for a ban encompassing Palo Alto’s acres of parks and open space. “I really don’t like proscriptive government when we don’t have to have it,” Losch said. “When some- body doesn’t like somebody smok- ing, there’s no reason they can’t ask Paper. Plastic. Monstrous. [them] to stop.” Your best defense is a reusable bag. He said he has asked a smoker to move in the past. Kleinberg has encountered that BYOBag! Retail Partners Reward Shoppers argument. Palo Alto businesses are partnering with the community to encourage you to bring “One line of dissent is here is gov- your own bag when you shop. They‘ll even reward you (e.g. discounts)! ernment trying to control our lives. Thank them for doing their part by giving them your business. That’s a valid point — yes, we are,” she said. Visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/BYOBag to learn your reward. Other opponents have said it Books Inc. would ruin smokers’ ability to enjoy open space and parks, an argument Country Sun Natural Foods Let Ms.Fit Boot Camp Adventures also voiced when smoking in Palo Curves - Palo Alto South show you how. Alto restaurants was banned in the J.J. & F 1990s, Kleinberg said. Great early morning, outdoor workouts energize “Will people stay away from our Legar Salon parks because they can’t smoke? I Patagonia you and jumpstart your day. Every workout is different. doubt it,” she said. Piazza‘s Fine Foods No stuffy gyms. No fancy equipment. All you need are Greg Betts, the city’s acting com- The Playstore a pair of workout shoes, comfortable clothing, and a munity-services director, said he ex- desire to create a healthier you. pects commissioners will research SkinSpirit other communities’ ordinances be- Whole Foods Market Next session starts July 28th fore the Sept. 23 meeting. in downtown Palo Alto In the meantime, Martin intends to continue picking up after sloppy Groups limited to 12. Reserve your space now. smokers in the Baylands, at Mitchell Palo Alto businesses — become a BYOBag! Campaign Partner. Contact us for details. Park and anywhere else she spots a Call 650-996-7399 today charred butt. N (650) 496-5910 www.msfi ttraining.com Staff Writer Becky Trout can be e- www.cityofpaloalto.org/BYOBag mailed at [email protected].
*>ÊÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 7 ArtsA weekly guide to music, & theater, art,Entertainment movies and more, edited by Rebecca Wallace >À>Ê->`Õ} Above: Betsy Franco, left, and Louise Fusfeld rehearse a comedy sketch called “Emotion- al Stunt Doubles” at the Pear Avenue Theatre in Mountain View. Right: From left, Caryn Huberman Yacowitz, Louise Fusfeld and Betsy Franco chat at the Pear.
by Jill Kimball omposting,” Caryn Huber- They might understand life’s com- man Yacowitz said with a plexities well, but they choose to “Ccompletely straight face, keep their sketches simple. The set: “is my passion.” a black backdrop and some move- For two seconds, there was si- able blocks that can serve as chairs, lence. Then, suddenly, she and the couches and beds. The costumes: two women sitting next to her at the fake nails and eyelashes. The sub- Pear Avenue Theatre exploded in ject: sex. short fits of giggles. Actually, the subject matter is “No, I’m serious!” Yacowitz in- under debate. “People who saw the sisted through the din. “I was on preview show said the overarch- NPR talking about it!” ing theme was sex,” Franco said. “I The laughter stopped, and it was think it’s about emotional problems almost possible to hear the wheels and neuroses.” turning inside Louise Fusfeld’s head Whatever the subject, there’s no as she reasoned quietly that com- mistaking the fact that women wrote posting and comedy go hand in hand it. Sketch titles include “Menopausal quite well. After all, just like biode- Anniversary,” “Womb with a View” gradable garbage, comedy sketches and “Emotional Stunt Doubles.” have to go through a decomposition Betsy Franco was on the set of the process before anything can grow new movie “Pineapple Express” with from them. her son, up-and-coming actor James >À>Ê->`Õ} “Sometimes we’re too close to Franco, when she got the idea that what we wrote, and we need to let led her to write the third sketch. “Ev- other people break it down and re- eryone had a stunt double,” she said. vise it,” Yacowitz agreed. “It was insane! I thought, ‘What if The conversations among Ya- actors didn’t just have doubles to do cowitz, Fusfeld and Betsy Franco, physical stunts?’” three local part-time comedians, It all sounds like fun and games THERAPY are typically more than a little silly, until everyone realizes the truth be- but they’re also thought-provoking. hind the comedy: The absurd neu- Wielding this lethal combination of roticism that seems too over-the-top smart and funny, the trio of Penin- to be real actually dwells within. sula residents has written and re- “We’re trying to unmask neuro- written 10 Saturday Night Live-style ses and obsessions and put them out sketches, collectively titled “Door there,” Fusfeld said. “Everything COMICThree local women explore their No. 3,” that premiere Aug. 1 at the goes back ultimately to things that Pear Avenue Theatre in Mountain don’t seem so earthshaking, but they emotions and their funny bones in a View. The women call their group really are.” Suburban Squirrel Productions. Unveling their hidden neuroses series of comedy sketches
Page 8ÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*>ÊÌÊ7iiÞ OF SAN JOSE/PALO ALTO s 24-HOUR CALL CENTER
1)3, 2+-+ 0++0)1,. >À>Ê->`Õ} Louise Fusfeld is flanked by Caryn Huberman Yacowitz (left) and Betsy Franco during a rehearsal at the Pear Avenue Theatre. The three became friends while studying acting in a Stanford University class. through writing and performance Tomlin were just a few of the ways there in some form because has been as therapeutic as it has names they dropped — but most it’s a way to relieve ourselves been hilarious for the three wom- of their inspiration came from of all these things that drive us en. Yacowitz, quiet and contained their own daily lives. crazy — and it’s safe because in real life, “could be anything I One day, Yacowitz channeled it’s comedy. You can’t just say it wanted when I got onstage” with- her frustration with a Global Po- straight...unless you’re Tennessee out consequences, and the things sitioning System through writ- Williams.”N 1 5 4( that “used to irritate the heck out ing. “I have a difficult relation- of” Franco became amusing. ship with my GPS,” Yacowitz 1)3, Performing comedy wasn’t nec- said, primarily the fact that the What: “Door No. 3”: a series 650-321-1234 )+/1 essarily second nature for any of mechanical voice of the GPS is of comedic sketches written 650-321-1234# ' &&& &&&&# ' &&& &&&& 0+*,1 )0* them, though. They say they owe a woman’s. “As the other female and produced by Caryn Hu- much of their knowledge to Kay in the car, I have problems deal- 408-777-7777408-777-7777%$ "! !"# berman Yacowitz and Betsy Kostopoulos, an acting professor ing with her. I don’t have techni- Franco of Palo Alto and Louise at Stanford University. The three cal problems, just deep emotional Fusfeld of Mountain View. became close friends in one of problems.” Where: Performances are at Kostopoulos’ classes and kept The conflicted, emotional, the Pear Avenue Theatre, 1220 coming back for more. menopausal characters make for Pear Ave. Unit K, in Mountain “She makes everyone feel so great laughs, but they’re also very View. comfortable and safe,” Yacowitz real voices in the back of these When: Friday, Aug. 1, and said. “Everyone feels like they comedians’ heads, shouted aloud Saturday, Aug. 2, at 8 p.m. are respected, even when they do for the first time. Cost: Tickets are $15 for something stupid.” “In going for things that are general admission and $10 for Finally, Kostopoulos suggested close to us, I think we’ve all tak- students and seniors. that the group of actors she kept en some chances,” Fusfeld said. Info: E-mail lfusfeld@pacbell. seeing in class rent out a local “You can’t be funny without un- net for information or to reserve theater and create their own show, covering yourself a bit.” tickets. Fusfeld said. It seemed appropri- The risks they’ve taken in ex- ate — Fusfeld is a screenwriter, posing themselves makes these Franco and Yacowitz are both women believe comedy may be About the cover: published young-adult fiction an underrecognized art, one that From left, Betsy Franco, writers, and all three share a pas- may be harder to pull off than a Caryn Huberman Yacowitz sion for acting and comedy — so Shakespeare tragedy because it and Louise Fusfeld perform they came to the Pear to write and hits closer to home. a comedy sketch about a car perform “Door No. 3.” “To me, comedy is this really GPS system. Photo by Marjan All three drew ideas from co- high art form. To society, it’s Sadoughi. medians they revere — Woody absolutely vital,” Fusfeld said. Allen, Goldie Hawn and Lily “Everywhere in the world, it’s al-
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“I’d say that the experiences I had when I was young gave me a lot of tools to deal with diversity and to be more open-minded,” he said. “I just feel an affinity with everybody THE NATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED THEATRE OF SILICON VALLEY — wherever I go, whatever culture, whether it’s San Francisco or the other side of the world, I feel like I can relate to everybody.” So it is little wonder that Mas- terson’s music appeals to a broad range of musical tastes. His upcom- ing concert in Palo Alto will con- tinue to broaden that range, with his first public performance of classical music with the Damien Masterson Ensemble. Masterson’s foray into classi- cal harmonica had a serendipitous start. “It’s an interesting story,” he said. “About three or four years ago I was practicing in the living room with the door open and someone walked in. As it turned out, I have a neigh- bor who is a renowned classical “#1 show of the year. guitarist who also plays Brazilian music and other styles.” That neighbor was Rick Heizman, A terrific new play with Damien Masterson is set to perform July 31 at Cogswell Plaza in down- who now plays classical guitar for town Palo Alto. the Damien Masterson Ensemble. astonishing theatricality.” The two started working out some classical pieces together. Later, the Associated Press Beyond the blues ensemble expanded to include Rob- ert Schwartz on the piano. Brown Bag Concert musician also plays jazz, Brazilian, Now, Masterson’s repertoire fea- Cuban and classical music on his harmonica tures music from Bach, Mozart, Debussy, Brahms, Beethoven and A GRIPPING NEW DRAMA by Jillian Keenan Ravel. “I call it light classical be- armonica player Damien two years in Brazil and nine con- cause I’m not classically trained,” he Masterson knows something secutive trips to Cuba. said. “There are quite a few figures H about the blues. This time in Latin America pro- out there who are brilliant classical He spent much of his childhood foundly influenced his first two harmonica players, and God only in the Alameda County foster-care CDs, “Intercambio” and “Cubacam- knows how they got their training.” system, moving among 22 homes bio.” According to Masterson, how- Classical music on the harmonica DOUBT and more than nine schools. At age ever, this earlier music was less per- isn’t as impossible as it might sound. 14, he was inspired to pick up the sonal than his more recent work. In fact, the chromatic harmonica harmonica by the music of blues “I was trying to become a com- that Masterson plays can reach all musicians Sonny Boy Williamson mercial success; I wanted to be the same notes as a piano. a parable and Little Walter. played on the radio stations and Masterson also plays the saxo- But today, Masterson — who that didn’t happen the way I wanted phone, but said he “wouldn’t dare performs in Palo Alto’s Brown Bag it to,” he said. “I became disillu- present myself paying classical Concert Series on July 31 — isn’t sioned, but I also promised myself music on sax because there’s such By John Patrick Shanley singing only the blues. Instead he is that I would never do that again — I a strong classical history there.” He renowned for playing a lively mix wasn’t going to make commercial added, “But in this case, because it’s of jazz, Brazilian and Cuban music concessions.” the harmonica, I feel like we have a that the JazzTimes magazine once So Masterson began to self-pro- little more leeway — or at least I’m Directed by Vickie Rozell & Robert Kelley called “a certified treasure.” duce his CDs, drawing on personal hoping.” “I had a very hard childhood, but experiences to influence his work. The Palo Alto performance will at the same time today I’m a happy “All of my songs became personal also include some of Masterson’s Now thru August 10 person and I don’t have any regrets,” expressions of things that I had gone trademark Latin and jazz-inspired Masterson said in an interview. through, things that I was going harmonica. Whatever the genre, After his emancipation from the through,” he said. They include a when Masterson is playing that in- Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto foster-care system, Masterson went piece called “Student Loan,” which strument, something just seems to to college and eventually studied Masterson wrote after he got out of click. music in Latin America, including college and was facing a huge debt. “I always get positive reactions on the harmonica,” he said. “If the uni- PULITZER PRIZE FOR DRAMA & verse has been trying to tell me any- thing, it’s ‘stick with the harmonica, TONY AWARD BEST PLAY 2005 kid.’” N One of the great plays of the decade, this riveting clash of conscience and conviction turns the stuff of headlines into PROFESSIONAL CLEANING OF exquisite, engrossing drama. When she suspects a popular What: The Damien Mas- s BRICK s mAGSTONE s CONCRETE s terson Ensemble performs and dedicated priest of misconduct with a student, Sister harmonica, guitar, and piano Aloysius takes matters into her own hands. But doubt thwarts AGGREGATE s STONE MORE renditions of classical, Latin, all assumptions in this ambiguous mystery, clouding truth and jazz music at the Palo Alto Before SPECIALIZING IN with complexity, and righteousness with remorse. Brown Bag Concert Series. s WOOD DECK CLEANING AND STAINING Where: Cogswell Plaza at s TEAK PATIO FURNITURE Lytton Avenue and Ramona DON’T MISS IT! CALL TODAY! Street in downtown Palo Alto CLEANING AND OILING When: Noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 31. 650.903.6000 Free Estimates and Demonstrations Cost: Free Locally Owned and Operated Info: Go to www.princesf. com/damien/ or the City’s Web www.theatreworks.org 1-888-822-7778 site at www.cityofpaloalto.org/ concerts. KIMBERLY KING & CASSIDY BROWN IN DOUBT / PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN After www.cappspressurewash.com Page 10ÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*>ÊÌÊ7iiÞ Arts & Entertainment
are not as compelling as Sister Aloysius. This creates a significant difficulty for the show insofar as it unbalances the intended ambiguity in the playwright’s sce- nario. Shanley has spoken, in interviews, of the show’s “sec- ond act” occurring after the curtain goes down, when the audience leaves the theater and begins discussing the play amongst themselves, taking sides with either Sister Aloysius or Father Flynn. But it’s hard, in The- atreWorks’ production, not to surrender all one’s doubt in the face of King’s fervent conviction. While Cassidy Brown’s portrayal of the progressive Father Flynn is generally solid, he does not give it ad- equate power or depth until far too late in the play. It is only in the penultimate scene, when he finally goes head-to-head with Sister Aloysius, that Brown seems
It’s hard not to surrender all one’s doubt in the face of actor Kimberly King’s fervent conviction.
to fully own the role. The actor seems uneasy in earlier
>Û`Êi scenes, especially in his monologues, where his blue- collar New York accent — at least on opening night — Great homes are as different flirted briefly with an Irish lilt and/or a hint of Virginia drawl. as the people who live in them. Playing Sister Aloysius, Kimberly King, right, domi- Sister James is played by one of TheatreWorks’ favor- Whether you’re building a new home nates the stage in “Doubt.” Also pictured is Tamiyka ite young actresses, Kristin Stokes. Stokes is delightful or remodeling, expect excellence White as Mrs. Muller, the mother of a student at the in the opening scene, embodying the sister’s enthusi- from De Mattei. Catholic school. asm for teaching as well as her flustered acquiescence to Sister Aloysius’ professional critique. As Aloysius begins her crusade against Flynn, however, Stokes is Questions of evil unable to provide sufficient counterpoint. Perhaps the real blame for this lies with Shanley, who has ceded the innocence vs. wisdom argument too early in the play; and innocence James’ willingness to believe Father Flynn’s explana- tions comes across as nothing but willful (and inex- TheatreWorks’ ‘Doubt’ is uneven, but cusably foolish) credulity, and the audience is loath to follow her example. raises compelling issues The final member of the cast is Tamiyka White as by Kevin Kirby Mrs. Muller, Donald’s mother. Called into the princi- pal’s office to discuss Flynn’s alleged improper conduct TEAK FURNITURE SALE nnocence can only be wisdom in a world with- with her son, Mrs. Muller has an unexpected response, 20% – 40% off on our full line of Ventana out evil.” So says Sister Aloysius in John Pat- to say the least, although it is clearly motivated by a Outdoor Teak and Dimension One Hot Tubs. “Irick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama desire to protect the boy. While her parting shot at Sister “Doubt: A Parable,” which opened last weekend at Aloysius is strong, White’s performance as a whole is TheatreWorks. not quite convincing. Her uneasy smile and distant gaze Shanley’s play is set in a Catholic school in the Bronx are too firmly fixed, her reactions a bit too uniform. in 1964, where the acerbic Sister Aloysius serves as The bulk of the action alternates between Sister principal. The world outside the school is rife with ra- Aloysius’ office and the courtyard that separates the cial tension and entrenched gender inequity — hardly school from the rectory. Tom Langguth’s set captures a world without evil — but this is not the world that the weight and the slight mustiness of the old stone concerns Sister Aloysius. When she warns Sister James structures, as well as the institutional color palette of (the new 8th-grade teacher) against indulging in a state the era: battleship grey, taupe, and the faded aqua hue of comfortable, blinkered innocence, it is by way of of early color photos. Scene changes are accomplished encouraging the young nun to be on the lookout for evil smoothly, with the interior walls of Aloysius’ office within the school and within the church. pivoting open to form the exterior walls that bound the More to the point, Sister Aloysius is seeking evidence courtyard, revealing the iron courtyard gate and the dim to confirm her worst fears about Father Flynn, the par- tenements beyond. ish priest and coach of the boys’ basketball team. When Sounds and lighting design are well executed to the Sister James reports some days later that Donald Muller, point of unobtrusiveness. The free-floating stained glass the school’s first and only black student, has returned to windows that back Father Flynn’s sermons are worth a class with alcohol on his breath after a private meeting special nod. in the rectory, it is all Sister Aloysius needs to clinch One can hope only that the performances even out in her suspicions. coming weeks, giving fair weight to all perspectives. Unwilling to trust the matter to the male-dominated Questions of dramatic balance aside, “Doubt” is clearly Largest Selection in Bay Area – In Stock church hierarchy, which she assumes will side with an important play. It raises issues that are just as ap- Immediate Delivery Flynn, she confronts the priest herself. What follows is plicable to the Bush Administration’s war on terror as a compact and essentially unswerving tale — “Doubt” to the sex scandals within the Catholic church: issues is presented as a 90-minute one-act — in which the need of due process, suspicion, proof, presumption of inno- $EEP 3EATING s $INING 3ETS s /VAL AND 2ECTANGULAR %XTENSION 4ABLES for concrete proof is weighed against the need for im- cence, and measuring the greatest good. N #HAISE ,OUNGES s !DIRONDACKS 3TEAMER #HAIRS s 2OCKERS s "ENCHES mediate action to protect the truly innocent. #OFFEE 4ABLES s 3IDE 4ABLES s 5MBRELLAS s #USHIONS s #OVERS What: “Doubt: A Parable,” a play presented Kimberly King is brilliant as Sister Aloysius. She %CO 3MART &IRE 0LACES s $IMENSION /NE (OT 4UBS s 3WIM 3PAS makes an extremely sympathetic character of the doc- by TheatreWorks trinaire nun, railing against ballpoint pens, permissive Where: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middle- education, and Frosty the Snowman with a deeply felt field Road, Palo Alto New Store in Mountain View! conviction that is never parodic and often nearly per- When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 %L 7 #AMINO 2EAL suasive. Shanley has also given her all the best zingers, p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m.; Satur- (ALF "LOCK 3OUTHEAST OF 3 3HORELINE "LVD which King delivers with a lethal staccato. Her resolve days at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 7 650.969.2200 in dealing with Father Flynn’s apparent misdeeds is p.m., through Aug. 10. equally formidable. Cost: Tickets are $26-$64 with discounts for Open Everyday • 10 – 5 Unfortunately for the show as a whole, King’s per- students and seniors. Walnut Creek | 2042 Mt. Diablo Blvd. | Exit 24 fwy @ 680 interchange formance is by far the strongest thing on stage. It’s not Info: Call the box office at 650-903-6000 or Mill Valley | 258 Redwood Hwy. | At Stinson Beach exit next to Sea Planes that the other actors are bad, merely that their characters go to theatreworks.org. *>ÊÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 11 PIZZA
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Page 12ÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*>ÊÌÊ7iiÞ Eating Out
RESTAURANT REVIEW
and brown butter. The ingredi- meal. ents were pristine, but my guest The crème brûlée was luscious They’re seeing stars would have liked more sauce. and satisfying. A little plate of The same with a main course complimentary goodies complet- of roast squab breasts ($36) with ed the meal on a high note. at Marché spring onions, morels, haricot While Marché has been a styl- vert, and cherry balsamic. “Aren’t ish and pricey addition to the Menlo Park restaurant hopes to scale culinary heights the sauces what French cooking local restaurant scene since it is all about?” she asked. opened in 2001, it’s exciting to by offering impeccable cuisine My loin of lamb was nicely see the new direction it’s taking by Jane Knoerle medium rare, served over a slice with Vazzoler and Isgur. of braised lamb shank, Scarlett They are showing diners you ee Isgur, principal at Menlo able on the weekends. The chef’s Nantes carrots, eggplant, and a don’t have to drive to San Fran- Park’s Marché restaurant, menu is where chef Vazzoler spoonful of “dukkah nuts and cisco or wait months for a res- Lhas his sights on the stars presents his edgier creations. spices.” I had to resort to Google ervation in Yountville to have a — restaurant critics’ stars, that Some examples are: lamb and 6iÀV>Ê7iLiÀ to learn more about the food. memorable dining experience. is. With a new executive chef, scallop tartare with strawberry Scarlett Nantes carrots are de- You can scale the culinary Kolin Vazzoler, and an exciting and hyssop, and Tasmanian scribed as “a classic among car- heights right here on the Penin- new menu, he’s intent on making salmon belly with lobster and rots, noted for old-time flavor.” sula. N Marché one of the five best res- licorice broth. Dukkah nuts and spices are “an taurants in Northern California. Before our appetizers arrived, Lee Isgur, principal at Marché, Egyptian blend based on a Mid- Jane Knoerle is Lifestyles Edi- After dining there, I think he we were served complimentary has a new executive chef and a dle Eastern recipe.” tor at the Almanac, one of the just might do it. The food served servings of lobster bisque. The new menu. Pistachio-crusted pork loin Weekly’s sister papers. at Marché on a recent Friday amuse bouche, warm crusty rolls ($36) accompanied by apricot night had a refinement you rarely and a nice bottle of pinot noir put a full bar. chutney and red torpedo onion Marché see in Peninsula restaurants. us in a good mood, despite the For a starter, I had soft-shell fondue, sounded like another de- 898 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo We were comfortably seated in slow service. crab served on a bed of cherry licious option. Park a booth in the main dining room The extensive wine list had tomatoes, white corn and panc- Dessert was a sweet ending to 650-324-9092 with a window onto the kitchen. selections by the glass, begin- etta ($16). The tasty little critter the evening. Our choices were www.restaurantmarche.com The room, which can seem drab ning at $10. There were many was dipped in panko crumbs and passion fruit coconut panna Hours: Dinner: Tue.-Sat. 5:30- in the daytime, glows at night fine wines in the $40 to $50 sautéed. Delicious. cotta ($11) from the contempo- 10 p.m. from oversize hanging lamps and range. We chose a 2003 pinot My guest chose diver scallops rary section and milk chocolate votive candles. noir Saint Aubin ($40), which ($18) as an appetizer. The dish crème brûlée ($9) from the clas- We ordered from the a la carte perfectly complemented our could also be ordered as a main sic menu. My guest’s panna cotta To read a profile of Marché’s menu. There is also a tasting dinners. There is also an impres- course ($33). It was accompanied came with a lime-mint granita, new chef, Kolin Vazzoler, go menu, which can vary in price sive collection of fine wines for by fava beans, hen-of-the-woods passion fruit curd, and Earl Grey to www.PaloAltoOnline.com according to the selections, and a the “expense account” customer. mushrooms, artichokes, vadou- ice cream. She said the granita and look at today’s issue of the chef’s tasting menu ($110) avail- Corkage fee is $25. There is also van (a French curry mixture) was a refreshing ending to the Weekly.
¹I]ZBjhZhi]ZbhZakZhXdjaY]VgYan]VkZ YZh^\cZYV[Zhi^kVabdgZVhhjgZYd[ hjXXZhhi]VcBjh^X5BZcad#º — Musical America Music@Menlo CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL AND INSTITUTE 9Vk^Y;^cX`ZaLj=Vc!6gi^hi^X9^gZXidghEVad6aid$6i]Zgton The Bay Area’s Premiere Chamber Music Festival Featured Artists & Speakers violin string quartets flute baritone guest speakers Jorja Fleezanis Borromeo String Sooyun Kim Robert Gardner Bruce Adolphe Erin Keefe Quartet Demarre McGill percussion Ara Guzelimian The Sixth Season: July 18–August 8 Philip Setzer Escher String Quartet oboe Florian Conzetti Stuart Isacoff Arnaud Sussmann harpsichord William Bennett Christopher Froh Michael Steinberg Ian Swensen Kenneth Cooper Kathryn Greenbank Daniel Kennedy ¯LdgaY"8aVhh8dcXZgih Joseph Swensen piano clarinet Tom Kolor viola ¯:c\V\^c\Hnbedh^VVcYAZXijgZh Gary Graffman Anthony McGill Hsin-Yun Huang Derek Han bassoon ¯;gZZ8V[8dckZghVi^dch Paul Neubauer Jeffrey Kahane cello Dennis Godburn Anna Polonsky french horn ¯>chi^ijiZBVhiZg8aVhhZh Andrés Díaz Stephen Prutsman William VerMeulen ¯;gZZEZg[dgbVcXZhWn>chi^ijiZ6gi^hih David Finckel Wu Han Laurence Lesser bass soprano special thanks to the following sponsors: DaXun Zhang Celena Shafer I]ZL^aa^VbVcY;adgV=ZlaZii;djcYVi^dcI]Z9Vk^YVcYAjX^aZEVX`VgY;djcYVi^dc Koret Foundation Funds 8]jWWEZghdcVa>chjgVcXZ8^i^Eg^kViZ7Vc` for tickets and information: 6bZg^XVcEjWa^XBZY^V778Bjh^XBV\Vo^cZ HVc?dhZBZgXjgnCZlh LLL#BJH>86IB:CAD#DG<+*%"((&"%'%' *>ÊÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 13 CROSBY STILLS NASH & YOUNG “A MELODIOUS HOWL OF PROTEST FROM ONE OF ROCK’S GREATEST BANDS.” -- KirkKirk Honeycutt,Honeycutt, TheThe HollywoodHollywood ReporterReporter
MoviesMovie reviews by Jeanne Aufmuth, Tyler Hanley and Susan Tavernetti OPENINGS -/ ", Ê / /, The Stanford Theatre is at 221 University Ave. in Palo Alto. Go to www.stanfordtheatre.org.
SOUNDTRACK Julius Caesar (1953) This NOW AVAILABLE adaptation of Shakespeare’s play depicts the assassination EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT STARTS FRIDAY, JULY 25 of Caesar. Fri. at 7:30 p.m. Landmark Theatres # $!$"430 Emerson St 650/266-9260 ##!!# !' ! !" $ ! # " &# " " # """ !" $ # $ " # The Private Lives of Eliza- MOBILE USERS: For Showtimes - Text CSNY With Your ZIP CODE To 43KIX (43549)! beth and Essex (1939) A drama about the tumultuous affair between England’s queen “ and a nobleman. Fri. at 5:30 and 9:45 p.m. Father of the Bride (1950) Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy) ‘‘THE DARK KNIGHT’’ REDEFINES WHAT David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson pick up where they left off must deal with the wedding of ” when “The X-Files” comes to the silver screen for the second time. A SUMMER POPCORN MOVIE CAN BE.. his beloved daughter (Elizabeth JASONJASON LYNCH,LYNCH, The X-Files: I Want to Believe --- Taylor). Sat.-Tue. at 7:30 p.m. (Century 16, Century 20) The second “X-Files” feature film, based Sat. and Sun. also at 3:55 p.m. “ ” “EPIC.. ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR..” on the popular sci-fi television series, might be exactly what fans were RICHARD ROEPER,, The Reluctant Debutante looking for. (1958) Rex Harrison is a British FBI cases never stop cropping up, and apparently the same goes for “THIS IS POWERFUL AND PROPULSIVE FILMMAKING.” father whose American daugh- “The X-Files,” the long-running TV show that comes to the silver screen KENNETH TURAN,, ter (Sandra Dee) pays a visit. for a second time, six years after the show’s conclusion. Ex-fans will Sat.-Tue. at 5:40 and 9:15 p.m. “II LOVELOVE THISTHIS MOVIE!MOVIE! IT’SIT’S SENSATIONAL.SENSATIONAL.” be thrilled to know their beloved agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully MICHAEL PHILLIPS,, Guest Critic,, haven’t changed much; they get back in the swing of things so fast it’s as if they never stopped. While moviegoers unfamiliar with the series NOW PLAYING “THRILLING MOMENTS OF PURE CINEMA. might have trouble understanding certain topics fully without proper The following is a sampling of movies HEATH LEDGER’’S PERFORMANCE AND THE FILM’’S context, the movie still offers a good mystery-thriller plot that anyone recently reviewed in the Weekly: VISUAL BEAUTY ARE TRANSPORTING..” can enjoy. MANOHLA DARGIS,, Six years after the FBI charged him with murder and kicked him out The Dark Knight--- of his post as an investigator of paranormal cases, or X-Files, Mulder (Century 16, Century 20) Christian Bale re- “‘ ’ prises his role as Gotham’s ultimate vigilan- “‘THE DARK KNIGHT ’ ISIS DAZZLING.DAZZLING. (David Duchovny) still hasn’t quite moved on. He sits at home, collect- te, a conflicted superhero who moonlights A SUPERLATIVEIVE ACHIEVEMENT.ACHIEVEMENT.” ing newspaper clippings of strange occurrences and shooting pencils as suave billionaire Bruce Wayne. Having GENE SHALIT,, at the ceiling. Scully (Gillian Anderson) works at a Catholic hospital, dispensed with Wayne’s moody origins in “Batman Begins,” Batman is now faced convinced she has left her agent days far behind. But when an FBI agent with a more diabolical fiend in the form of approaches Scully and promises to drop charges against Mulder if he The Joker (Heath Ledger). The Joker isn’t in returns to investigate a new case involving an FBI agent gone AWOL, it for the money nor is he necessarily seek- both are thrown into the darkness once again. ing control of Gotham. He’s just a twisted sicko who wants to watch the world burn. The only clue to the missing agent’s whereabouts is in the possibly And burn it does while the Joker insinuates fabricated visions of Father Joe, an ex-priest and convicted sex offender, his evil into the Gotham mob (led by Eric who inexplicably sees miscellaneous body parts in the West Virginia Roberts) and a Hong Kong crime organiza- snow before they are dug up. He believes there is a connection between tion while Gotham’s shining star (Aaron Eckhart as District Attorney Harvey Dent) these body parts and the agent in question, but his visions don’t tell him puts baddies behind bars. But Dent alone why. can’t control the Joker’s axis of evil, seeking As usual, faith in the supernatural is what divides agents Mulder and the help of loyal Gothamites Lt. Jim Gordon Scully in the case: The former wants to believe Father Joe is on to some- (Gary Oldman), Dawes, and of course Bat- man himself. Who in turn depends on trusty thing, while the latter is suspicious of the priest’s motives. Throughout butler Alfred (Michael Caine) and genius the film, both grapple with their beliefs in the paranormal and in each inventor Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) to other, creating that classic tension always present in the TV episodes. maintain his murky masquerade. Ambitious, What the movie lacks in scary moments (I jumped in my seat only flawed and erratically visionary, Batman is back. Rated: PG-13 for language, action once, at the sudden noise of a shovel digging snow), it makes up for in violence and mature themes. 2 hours, 32 its interesting, if sometimes predictable, plot twists. Anyone who is a fan minutes. — J.A. (Reviewed July 18, 2008) of mysteries will enjoy trying to unravel this one before all is revealed, and they’ll appreciate the pace of its unfolding — it happens gradually Hancock ---1/2 rather than all at once near the end. (Century 16, Century 20) Will Smith deliv- ers a pitch-perfect performance as John Some scenes might have been corny in another actress’ hands, but Hancock: a grungy, sodden superhero Anderson’s icy glares and angry tears are intense and believable. Du- whose dubious rescue tactics are not chovny’s acting isn’t especially memorable, but his subtlety in expression looked upon kindly by the residents of Los keeps things from getting overly dramatic. (It might be an illusion, but Angeles. Hancock is faster than a speed- ing bullet and able to leap tall buildings he seems to improve after he shaves off his facial hair.) in a single bound but suffers from deep Billy Connolly, who plays Father Joe, steals the show in his support- feelings of rejection stemming from an 80- ing role. He manages to thoroughly creep you out while also inspiring year-long bout of amnesia and the fact that some compassion. Like Mulder, you’ll really want to believe his visions he was abandoned at a Miami hospital. As the tetchy Angelenos rebuff Hancock he are real. rebuffs back, his slipshod do-gooding re- The film doesn’t seem any more extraordinary than the average “X- sulting in felony destruction and some 600 ! ! Files” episode — and it’s actually shorter in length than the last install- subpoenas for civil suits. Not your run-of- ment of the series — but another episode might be just what the fans the-mill superhero. There’s a core of vulner- ability under that hefty psychological armor wanted. and image consultant Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) is determined to polish Hancock BEST OF PALO ALTO Rated: PG-13 for violence, disturbing content and mature thematic to an amicable shine. Humor is laced with LT O W sorrow as Hancock strives to interface with A E material. 1 hour, 44 minutes. E the community and mold himself into an Winners O K — Jill Kimball L upbeat people person, losing his emotional L
A Y footing time and time again. Rated: PG-13 announced P for intense action, violence and language. BEST OF To view the trailer for “The X Files: I Want to Believe,” go to Palo Alto Online at 1 hour, 35 minutes. — J.A. (Reviewed July th http://www.PaloAltoOnline.com/ 2, 2008) August 27 2 0 0 8 Page 14ÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*>ÊÌÊ7iiÞ FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MOVIE TIMES AND
Note: Screenings are for Friday through Tuesday only. CSNY: Deja Vu (R) (Not Reviewed) Aquarius: 2, 5, 7:30 & 9:45 p.m. The Dark Knight (PG-13) --- Century 16: 11:05 a.m.; 12:05, 12:45, 1:15, 2:40, 3:25, 4, 4:40, 6:15, 6:45, 7:15, 8, 9:35, 10:05 & 10:30 p.m. Century 20: 11 & 11:40 a.m.; 12:10, 12:40, 1:15, 1:45, 2:20, 3:05, 3:35, 4:05, 4:40, 5:10, 5:45, 6:25, 7, 7:30, 8:05, 8:35, 9:10, 9:50 & 10:25 p.m. Get Smart (PG-13) --1/2 Century 12: 12:40, 3:30, 7:30 & 10:15 p.m. Hancock (PG-13) ---1/2 Century 16: 11:50 a.m.; 2:25, 4:55, 7:20 & 9:55 p.m. Century 20: 11:10 a.m.; 12:15, 1:30, 2:35, 3:55, 4:55, 6:15, 7:25, 8:50 & 10 p.m. Hellboy 2: The Golden Army Century 16: 11:10 a.m.; 1:55, 4:50, 7:35 & 10:20 p.m. Century 20: 11:15 a.m.; 12:25, 2, 3:30, (PG-13) (Not Reviewed) 4:50, 6:20, 7:35, 9:10 & 10:30 p.m. The Incredible Hulk (PG-13) --- Century 12: 7:05 & 10 p.m. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom Century 12: 12:50, 4:10, 7:40 & 10:35 p.m. of the Crystal Skull (PG-13) --1/2 Iron Man (PG-13) ---1/2 Century 12: 1:10, 4:20, 7:25 & 10:20 p.m. Journey to the Center of the Earth Century 16: 11:55 a.m. 2:20, 4:45, 7:10 & 9:40 p.m. Century 12: 12:20, 3, 5:30, 7:50 & 10:10 (PG) -- p.m. Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Century 12: 1:40, 4:30, 7:10 & 9:40 p.m. (G) (Not Reviewed) Kung Fu Panda (PG) ---1/2 Century 20: 11:20 a.m.; 1:40, 4:10, 6:45 & 9:05 p.m. The Last Mistress (Not Rated) Aquarius: 1:30, 4:30, 7 & 9:30 p.m. (Not Reviewed) Les Triplettes De Belleville Century 16: Sat. at 10 p.m. (PG-13) ---1/2 Mamma Mia! (PG-13) --- Century 16: 11:25 a.m.; 12:30, 2:15, 3:40, 5:05, 6:30, 7:45, 9:15 & 10:25 p.m. Century 20: 11:25 a.m.; 12:50, 2, 3:25, 4:35, 6, 7:15, 8:45 & 9:55 p.m. Meet Dave (PG) (Not Reviewed) Century 12: 1:20 & 3:45 p.m. Mongol (R) (Not Reviewed) Century 20: 11:10 a.m.; 1:55, 4:45, 7:30 & 10:20 p.m. Pan’s Labyrinth (R) ---1/2 Century 16: Fri. at 10 p.m. Sex and the City (R) --1/2 Century 12: 12:30, 4, 7:20, 10:30 p.m. Space Chimps (G) (Not Reviewed) Century 16: 11:15 a.m.; 1:20, 3:30, 5:35 & 7:40 p.m. Century 12: 12:10, 1:30*, 2:30, 3:50*, COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH RELATIVITY MEDIA AN APATOW COMPANY/MOSAIC MEDIA GROUP/GARY SANCHEZ PRODUCTION MUSIC 4:50, 6*, 7 , 8:30* & 9:15 p.m. *Spanish subtitles A FILM BY ADAM MCKAY“STEP BROTHERS” RICHARD JENKINS MARY STEENBURGEN ADAM SCOTT KATHRYN HAHN SUPERVISION BY HAL WILLNER MUSIC EXECUTIVE STORY Step Brothers (R) (Not Reviewed) Century 16: 11:15 a.m.; 12:15, 1:45, 2:45, 4:15, 5:15, 7, 7:50, 9:30 & 10:15 p.m. Century 12: BY JON BRION PRODUCERS WILL FERRELL ADAM MCKAY DAVID HOUSEHOLTER BY WILL FERRELL & ADAM MCKAY & JOHN C. REILLY SCREENPLAY PRODUCED DIRECTED Noon, 1, 2, 2:40, 3:40, 4:40, 5:15, 6:15, 7:15, 8, 9, 9:50 & 10:25 p.m. BY WILL FERRELL & ADAM MCKAY BY JIMMY MILLER JUDD APATOW BY ADAM MCKAY Tell No One (Not Rated) ---1/2 Guild: 1, 4, 7 & 9:55 p.m. The Wackness (R) (Not Reviewed) Century 16: Noon, 2:30, 5, 7:30 & 10 p.m. WALL-E (G) ---1/2 Century 16: 11 a.m.; 1:35, 4:10, 6:55 & 9:25 p.m. Century 20: 11:20 a.m.; 12:55, 1:50, 3:25, STARTS FRIDAY, JULY 25 4:25, 5:55, 7, 8:25 & 9:35 p.m. CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES Wanted (R) ---- Century 16: Sun.-Wed. at 9:50 p.m. Century 20: 11:35 a.m.; 2:15, 5, 7:50 & 10:25 p.m. SORRY, NO PASSES ACCEPTED FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT The X-Files: I Want To Believe Century 16: 11:20 a.m.; 12:10, 2, 2:50, 4:35, 5:20, 7:05, 7:55, 9:45 & 10:30 p.m. Century 20: (PG-13) --- 11:05 a.m.; noon, 12:45, 1:35, 2:30, 3:15, 4:15, 5:05, 5:50, 6:50, 7:40, 8:25, 9:25 & 10:15 p.m. ( -«ÊÌ (( -iÊÀi`ii}ʵÕ>Ìià ((( Ê}`ÊLiÌ (((( "ÕÌÃÌ>`} Aquarius: 430 Emerson St., Palo Alto (266-9260) Guild: 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park (266-9260) Century Cinema 16: 1500 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain CinéArts at Palo Alto Square: 3000 El Camino Real, View (800-326-3264) Palo Alto (493-3456) Century Park 12: 557 E. Bayshore Blvd., Redwood City Internet address: For show times, plot synopses, trailers (800-326-3264) and more information about films playing, go to Palo Alto Century 20 Downtown: 825 Middlefield Road, Redwood Online at http://www.PaloAltoOnline.com/ City (800-326-3264)
ON THE WEB: The most up-to-date movie listings at www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Iron Man ---1/2 Iceland, Trevor, Sean and their mountain stage musical of the same name. Amanda (Century 16, Century 20) Marvel Comics’ guide (Anita Briem as Hannah) literally fall Seyfried is a youthful, glowing Sophie, a golden avenger blasts onto the screen with to the center of the earth — to a world Greek island innkeeper’s daughter on the all of the action and effects one would ex- flooded with strange creatures and envi- eve of her fantasy wedding day. Naturally pect from a superhero film. Unexpected are ronmental anomalies. But being trapped there’s a hitch: Sophie won’t feel whole the A-list cast and acting, tons of well-timed miles beneath the earth’s surface is no until she’s discovered the true identity of humor and a relatively novice director (Jon vacation. The temperature consistently her real dad. Her amateur sleuthing uncov- Favreau) who demonstrates an appreciation rises and carnivorous beasts seem to be ers mom’s diary of yore and three potential for the character’s roots. Billionaire inventor waiting at every turn. It will take teamwork, candidates to walk her down the aisle. To Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) enjoys a ingenuity and notes from Verne’s novel to cover her bases Sophie secretly invites the lavish lifestyle, with his only real ties to his free the wayward travelers from the bowels entire trio of ex-suitors to her island nuptials: best friend (Terrence Howard), personal of the planet. Presented in 3-D, “Journey” New York banker Sam (Pierce Brosnan), assistant (Gwyneth Paltrow), and business is cinematic eye candy. Plot, dialogue and English stuffed-shirt Harry (Colin Firth) and partner (Jeff Bridges). Tony’s Stark Indus- acting are buried beneath a visual barrage erstwhile adventurer Bill (Stellan Skarsgard). tries is the premier weapons manufacturer that may stimulate children but dizzy adults. Stress the A in Awkward as beleaguered in the world. Then Tony is kidnapped by the Rated: PG for intense adventure action and mom Donna (Meryl Streep) catches wind of sinister Ten Rings group and told to con- some scary moments. 1 hour, 32 minutes. the plan and faces her buried past head-on. struct a missile or face execution. Instead, — T.H. (Reviewed July 11, 2008) All the shenanigans are part a of sketchy he builds a massive suit of armor and tableau supporting the real star, the music. escapes. After this sobering experience, Mamma Mia! --- There’s a baker’s dozen-plus of toe-tapping Tony decides to halt weapons distribution (Century 16, Century 20) Director Phyllida ABBA tunes that propel the “narrative” and develop a new armor with the power Lloyd ramps up the kitsch in an irresist- forward with something akin to manic glee. of flight. He’s soon taking to the skies and ible silver-screen version of the ABBA-ized VÌÕi`ÊÊiÝÌÊ«>}i® making daring rescues. The visual effects are stunning and the casting extraordinary, with Downey bringing humor and a nu- 1/2 anced interpretation of his character. Rated: (out of 4 stars) PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and brief suggestive content. 2 hours, 6 minutes. T.H. (Reviewed May 2, 2008) -Moira McDonald, SEATTLE TIMES A FILM BY GUILLAUME CANET Journey to the Center of the Earth -- (Century 16, Century 20) Jules Verne’s clas- sic science-fiction novel gets an upgrade HARLAN COBEN for the digital age with this effects-laden family film. Professor Trevor Anderson Based on the Best-Selling Novel by (Brendan Fraser) and his nephew, Sean (Josh Hutcherson), travel to Iceland to © 2006 EUROPACORP – LES PRODUCTIONS DU TRESOR find clues to the disappearance of Sean’s CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES OR CALL father, a scientist who believed the writ- NOW PLAYING! FOR SHOWTIMES ings of Jules Verne were factual. While in CHECK THE MOVIE GUIDE FOR THEATRE AND SHOWTIME INFORMATION tellnoonemovie.com Mobile Users: For Showtimes - Text Message XFILES and your ZIP CODE to 43KIX (43549) *>ÊÌÊ7iiÞÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊU Page 15 Movies
Commitment To Excellence VÌÕi`ÊvÀÊ«ÀiÛÕÃÊ«>}i® Wanna get away from it all? “Mamma Mia!” $500 is the ultimate summer escape. Rated: PG- 13 for sexual innuendo and mature themes. Discount Coupon 1 hour, 43 minutes. — J.A. (Reviewed July (with purchase of new roof) 18, 2008) Original Ownership Since 1975 Tell No One ---1/2 All Types of Roofi ng & Gutters (Guild) Guillaume Canet adapts Harlan Co- Telling tales of life and love ben’s bestselling crime novel of the same Residential & Commercial S.C.L#785441 name with whip-smart technique and a 1901 Old Middlefi eld Way, Mtn. View 650-969-7663 tetchy undercurrent of anxiety. Pediatric on the peninsula surgeon Alex Beck (Francois Cluzet) is going through the motions since his wife Margot (Marie-Josee Croze) was savagely murdered at their lake home near Paris over eight years before. Out of the blue Alex receives a cryp- http://wordwench.wordpress.com tic e-mail with a provocative link: a grainy real-time video showing Margot’s face and a NYC. SUMMER 1994. message telling him that she’s still alive. “Tell THE GIRLS WERE FLY. THE MUSIC WAS DOPE. no one,” it says. Quick as a wink the police re-open the investigation — or is it Pandora’s AND LUKE WAS JUST TRYING TO DEAL. Box? — as Alex is fingered for the murder at the same time as he’s trying to solve it. BEN JOSH FAMKE Thriller, love story, whodunit: It’s an unwieldy The City of Palo Alto Arts & Sciences Division KINGSLEY PECK JANSSEN trio made whole by an up-and-coming mastermind. Not rated but should be R for and the Palo Alto Weekly present OLIVIA MARY-KATE METHOD violence and adult situations. 2 hours, 5 min- THIRLBY OLSEN MAN utes. In French with English subtitles. — J.A. (Reviewed July 11, 2008)
WALL-E ---1/2 (Century 16, Century 20) WALL-E (a.k.a. / Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) is the last robot left Earth, steadily cleaning up superfluous trash while the population 0 has lifted off on Axiom, a state-of-the-art $,$**".$*+ home away from home. WALL-E’s days are spent crushing garbage into cubes, collect- ing curiosities and watching a battered VHS BROWN BAG CONCERT SERIES copy of “Hello Dolly!” That tiresome routine is / turned upside down with the arrival of EVE, a Thursdays, 12 – 1 pm: July 10 – 31, 2008 1 2 fetching, egg-shaped probe sent to Earth to 0 determine its tenuous life-sustaining status. Cogswell Plaza: Lytton & Ramona Streets )--'$(%#& Sparks fly, and how. WALL-E shows off his collection to impress the impenetrable EVE, Free to the public all beautifully sans dialogue. High-tech hell /! breaks loose when EVE is beamed back up to the Axiom and a lovesick WALL-E stows 2 7/17 KAWEH Flamenco, Rumba and Salsa music - www.kaweh.com away on her transport. It’s best not to dig too deep into “WALL-E’s” narrative as much 7/24 MISS ANN GIBSON, the duchess of Ragtime goes unexplained and its dramatic mysteries FREDERICK HODGES, famed society pianist 0 are shrouded in stunning visuals and the titu- 2 lar hero’s search for the perfect love match. Hit songs and piano solos by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and But “WALL-E” isn’t lacking a conscience; it George Gershwin - www.frederickhodges.com passes judgment on waste, gluttony, instant gratification and global warming. Beauti- 7/31 DME/DAMIEN MASTERSON ENSEMBLE, / fully executed with a wink and a nudge, The Beauty of the Chromatic Harmonica - Harmonica, guitar and piano “WALL-E” is a film with heart. Rated: G for 0 renditions of classical, American and Latin American music good for all audiences. 1 hour, 37 minutes. www.damienmasterson.com *%& ".%+ — J.A. (Reviewed June 27, 2008) Wanted ---- Bring your small sun umbrellas (Century 16, Century 20) The humdrum life For more information call 650-463-4940 is starting to wear on Wesley Gibson (James or visit www.PaloAltoOnline.com McAvoy). His boss berates him at every turn, he suffers from overpowering headaches, and his girlfriend is having an affair with his best pal. Wesley desperately needs an injec- tion of adventure. Enter Fox (Angelina Jolie), a tattooed assassin who disrupts Wesley’s monotony to tell him about the murder of his estranged father, one of the world’s most dangerous killers. In a flash, Wesley’s life SOUNDTRACK goes from mundane to deadly as he’s intro- FEATURING duced to a secretive assassins’ guild called NOTORIOUS B.I.G., the Fraternity and its leader, Sloan (Morgan NAS, WU-TANG CLAN, Freeman). What’s more, it looks like Wesley A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, has inherited some of the almost-paranormal DJ JAZZY JEFF AND WINNER skills his father was known for. But a THE FRESH PRINCE, rogue member of the Fraternity (Thomas BIZ MARKIE AUDIENCE AWARD SUNDANCE Kretschmann as Cross) seems intent on FILMFILM FESTIVALFESTIVAL eliminating the world’s elite assassins, and he appears to have Wesley directly in his crosshairs. Simultaneously groundbreaking and breathtaking, “Wanted” is more than just one of the best films of 2008 — it’s one of the best action movies ever made. Rated: R for strong bloody violence throughout, pervasive language and some sexuality. 1 hour, 53 minutes. — T.H. (Reviewed June 27, 2008)
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Page 16ÊUÊÀ`>Þ]ÊÕÞÊÓx]ÊÓäänÊUÊ*>ÊÌÊ7iiÞ SUMMER OLYMPICS Sports He’s helping Shorts A SOCCER TRIP . . . “How I the Olympians Spent My Summer Vacation” will be an interesting topic of discussion for a handful of play- ers on the Stanford Vortex, a live a dream Boys’ Under-18 Class I soccer team that will participating in the Stanford’s Knapp works behind scenes National Cup VII Finals begin- as head manager of men’s swim team ning this weekend in Virginia Beach, Va. Teams from all over by Keith Peters the country will be taking part in ed Knapp will be walking into the National Sta- the tournament at the Hampton dium in Beijing in a few short weeks. He’ll also Roads Soccer Complex and the T be at the Olympic pool every day and then return Princess Anne Soccer Complex. to the stadium for closing ceremonies. The National Cup VII Finals is Knapp will wear the the culmination of nine regional red, white and blue of the championships contested by over U.S. Olympic team. He’ll 1,400 boys’ and girls’ teams com- sit down with the athletes peting in U-13 to U-17 divisions. and coaches for breakfast, The Vortex qualified by winning a lunch and dinner at the regional tournament in Modesto Olympic Village. He’ll be last month. It will compete in a there when Michael Phelps bracket against winners from wins his first gold medal Washington state, Massachusetts and last, and when the U.S. and eastern New York. The Vortex national anthem is played represents the Stanford Soccer for every American swim- Club and includes boys who will ming gold-medalist. either be high school seniors this Knapp, however, is not an Olympian as we know it. coming year or who have just But, as a member of the U.S. Olympic swimming del- graduated. Many of the players egation, he’s still part of the team headed for Beijing have played together since they and an integral part of whatever success is achieved were in third grade. Coached by in the pool there. Freddy Ferragut, a former Chil- The only thing Ted Knapp won’t be doing is wearing ean professional player and Palo an Olympic medal around his neck. Alto resident, the Vortex includes Knapp, 48, a former Stanford All-American swim- Palo Alto’s John Christopherson, mer and 1981 graduate, just finished his 24th season as Zal Dordi, Jonathan Harrison, the associate head coach of the Stanford men’s swim Peter Johnson, Charles Linares, team. The Menlo Park resident also has been around Matt Nguyen, Greg Stewart and the Olympics before, as an “information provider” to Ryan Wood; Menlo Park’s Ben the swimming broadcast team in 1992 and helping Taylor; Atherton’s Sam Woolf; with the Atlanta Organizing Committee in 1996. Portola Valley’s Servando Barriga; This, however, is Knapp’s first trip to the Summer East Palo Alto’s Junior Lopez and Keith Peters Games as a member of the U.S. Olympic team. Ramon Solis Sierra; plus Victor “This is my first gig with the Olympics at this level, Ojeda, Joe Pinsker, Renzo Ortiz this role,” said Knapp, who is the head men’s manager and Miguel Arreola. of the U.S. swim team. “I certainly feel like I have more invested in this role . . . it’s a much more enrich- OAKS HOST TOURNEY . . . It has Stanford coach Ted Knapp is headed to Beijing as the head manager of the U.S. men’s Olympic swim been another highly succcess- team, a job that requires him to fulfill a jack-of-all-trades role while assisting athletes and coaches. (continued on page 18) ful baseball season for the Palo Alto Oaks, but it may not count for much this weekend when the Kirk misses another chance at Olympics team hosts the AABC NorCal Stan Musial Association State Despite suspension of Hardy due to banned stimulant, deadline for team has passed Tournament at Baylands Athletic by Keith Peters according to reports by The As- in the women’s 100-meter breast- Center. Only two losses separates tanford grad Tara Kirk wasn’t sociated Press and Swimming stroke, 50 free, 400 medley relay the Oaks from the end of their the only athlete to miss a trip World magazine. Another web and, likely, the 400 free relay. She season, while five wins will put Sto the Beijing Games by fin- site, nbcolympics.com, reported now faces a two-year ban for the them in Sunday’s championship ishing third at the U.S. Swimming that Hardy’s ‘B’ sample also test- first-time offense and removal game at 1:30 p.m. Unlike most Olympic Team Trials earlier this ed positive. from the USA team, which has tournaments, both finalists will month in Omaha, Neb. The Associated Press reported been training at Stanford since advance to the Western Regional Kirk, however, finds herself in that Hardy’s attorney, Howard July 7. tournament. The Oaks (17-4), a unique situation following the Jacobs, confirmed to NBC News Hardy has left the training camp who picked up two forfeit wins likely suspension of Olympian that Hardy tested positive for the and returned home to be with her from the San Jose Braves last Jessica Hardy for testing positive banned stimulant clenbuterol. family in Southern California. weekend, will begin their quest for a banned substance. The 21-year-old Hardy, a for- Kirk, who lives in Palo Alto,
to extend their season another Keith Peters Hardy’s ‘A’ sample from the mer Cal swimmer, made her first finished third in the 100 breast weekend when they play host to recent U.S. trials tested positive, Olympic team by earning berths Palo Alto’s Tara Kirk the California Cobras on Friday at (continued on page 18) noon. A victory will earn Palo Alto a date with the Novato Knicks at 7:30 p.m., while a first-round loss It’s the blues after season-ending American Legion baseball loss means a game with the Folsom- by Colin Becht Redwood City lost in the cham- each of the first four Burlingame the clutch hit. Sacramento loser at 2:30 p.m. he championship game of pionship game to Burlingame, 5-4. batters reaching base, Burlingame In the third inning, Redwood “The (first) Friday game is going to the Area 2 American Legion The loss was the Blues’ second in as jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. City’s offense again put the pressure be tough on the Oaks as some of T 19-under tournament, when many days to Burlingame. From that point, however, Torres on Burlingame — this time produc- my starters work and can’t get the taken simply as a game, presented “It was a tough game,” said Menlo settled down and did not allow a hit ing two runs. day off,” said Palo Alto manager everything a true fan could want — School grad Jack Mosbacher. “Our for the next four innings. John Bordy singled and advanced Steve Espinoza. “Other than that, good pitching, good hitting, good guys hit the ball hard all night, and Meanwhile, the Blues, threatened to second on a wild pitch, putting we should be OK.” defense, even a late-inning come- it just didn’t seem to fall. It was just in the bottom of the first, when him in scoring position. Diekroeger back that made the game dramatic one of those nights that didn’t feel Mosbacher singled and Menlo se- then came through with an RBI sin- SPORTS ONLINE through the last out. like it was meant to be ours.” nior Kenny Diekroeger was hit by gle, stole second and later scored on For expanded daily coverage of college Unfortunately for the Redwood The game got off to a rough start a pitch. With two outs, the Blues a single by Sacred Heart Prep grad and prep sports, please see our new site City Blues, it did not deliver a vic- for Redwood City, as starting pitch- had runners on second and third, Eric Davila. at www.PASportsOnline.com tory. er Ray Torres struggled early. With but were unable to come up with (continued on page 18) Palo Alto Weekly • Friday, July 25, 2008 • Page 17 Sports
their hand-eye coordination is when ery day at the Sheraton and getting Ted Knapp it comes to hitting a golf ball.” around town has been easy. Athletes (continued from page 17) Among the golfers, of course, was have walked to and from the pool ing and fulfilling experience.” Phelps. from the hotel or taken shuttles, in Knapp assumed his position when “He was above average,” Knapp addition to spending time walking the U.S. Olympic swim team arrived said of the Olympic champion and up and down University Avenue at Stanford on July 7 to begin 2 1/2 world recordholder. “But, I don’t during their free time. The Bowman program builds weeks of training. The team leaves think he’s going to be the poster boy “The planning has been phenom- confidence, creativity and Friday for Singapore, where the for miniature golf!” enal,” he said. “There have been swimmers will train until August 3, Knapp’s role has kept him with the very few challenges.” academic excellence. then head for Beijing. team pretty much 24/7. There is time Knapp, who also has been in As team manager, Knapp’s role is to drop by his home in Menlo Park charge of the athletes’ laundry twice Lower School - Grades K - 5 open-ended. to see his wife, Laurie, plus daughter a week — picking up and dropping “Whatever the coaches, athletes Ellen and son Sam. But, like the rest off — said he doesn’t mind being Middle School - Grades 6 - 8 and administrators need me to do, of the U.S. delegation, Knapp had to at the team’s beckon call because anything from getting batteries be in his room at the Sheraton Palo everyone respects each other so Individualized, self-directed program for clocks that don’t work to be- Alto each night by 10 p.m. much. ing a movie or restaurant critic,” “People are sort of surprised “I have a very good relationship Knapp explained. “I’m a jack-of- that I’m not at home, since I live so with all the staff members,” said Rich international & cultural studies all-trades.” close,” said Knapp. “But, we’re all Knapp, who was an assistant man- During the U.S. swimmers’ stay together; we’re a team.” ager at the 2007 World Champion- Proven, Montessori approach at Stanford, Knapp has (among his While there is a curfew and code ships last summer in Australia and many duties) lined up sightseeing of conduct, Knapp said everyone has assisted with numerous other State-of-the-art facility trips for the athletes as well as other has honored the rules. national teams. “This staff is simi- activities. He arranged for the men’s “It’s a team of veterans,” he said. lar to the one at the World Champi- Low student-teacher ratio team to have dinner one night at his “They know what to do. They un- onships. There’s lots of chemistry. in-laws (John and Sue Becker) while derstand their roles and why they It’s really an outstanding group . . the women’s team ate at the home of are here.” . We’re all in this together, to help www.bowmanschool.org John Goldman, a Stanford booster Knapp said his job likely has been the athletes achieve their very best 4000 Terman Drive l Palo Alto, CA l Tel: 650-813-9131 and local masters swimmer. The made easier because U.S. Swim- in Beijing.” women had a Mariachi band and a ming, the governing body of the Knapp doesn’t see himself any piñata while the men had ping pong, sport, has done an excellent job of busier once the team reaches Chi- a pool table and basketball. planning for nearly everything. na. The swimmers will be staying Another evening the entire team There are, of course, always a few closer to home in the athletes’ vil- as the dinner guest of Stanford exceptions. lage, having been instructed to stay alums at the Los Altos Golf and “I did take one of the coaches to away from vendors, local restau- Country Club. visit my dentist,” Knapp said. “He rants and anything unfamiliar that Recently, Knapp arranged for a thought he had an abscess coming might prevent them from achieving night out at Malibu Grand Prix in on.” their goals. Redwood City, where the entire Other than that, the training time Still, China is a big unknown — swim team played miniature golf. at Stanford and in Palo Alto has even for Knapp. “It was a really fun night,” Knapp been smooth, injuries non-existent “I don’t know what to expect when said. “Some athletes took it very se- and everyone’s health excellent. we get there,” Knapp said, “but I’m riously. Some of the other athletes, Breakfast and lunch has been pro- ready to do it.” well, it’s amazing how bad some of vided for the athletes and staff ev- Spoken like a true Olympian.■
stole second. Once again, Mosbach- Baseball er was stranded as Bordy fouled off Tara Kirk (continued from page 17) several pitches before flying out to (continued from page 17) The Blues threatened to tie the right field to end the game. by .01 of a second and would have game in the fourth, when Menlo’s Redwood City now faces an un- taken Hardy’s place on the team, Trevor Williams and Menlo grad certain future. Anthony Bouvier, but the deadline to finalize teams Ryan Morris each singled to start Torres and Curt Vail will be sopho- was Monday. That means Kirk los- the inning. With runners on first mores in college while a handful of es out twice in her attempt to make and third with no outs, Morris was others will be freshmen. her second Olympic team. picked off. A strikeout and a ground Davila, for example, has been re- USA Swimming now can only out ended the threat. cruited to pitch for Sonoma State. add swimmers to the events va- Burlingame was able to stretch its While he said that he would like cated by Hardy from the available lead in the sixth inning, thanks to to return to the Blues for one more pool of talent already on the squad. some errant defense by the Blues. season, he’s unsure due to summer Kara Lynn Joyce is the next-fastest Davila came in to pitch for Red- baseball with Sonoma State. available swimmer in the 50 free wood City in the seventh and shut Mosbacher, who will be play- while Rebecca Soni (already on down Burlingame for the final three ing at Stanford next spring, is in a the team in the 200 breast) is avail- innings, fooling batters with a strong similar position. Morris, who plans able for the 100 breast. curveball. on walking on at USC, said that he Stanford women’s coach Lea In the bottom of the seventh, Mor- will play for Redwood City and is Maurer, who coaches Kirk, said ris led off the inning with a single, optimistic that his teammates will, her standout breaststroker could and Calvin Craig did the same. as well. petition the U.S. Olympic Commit- Both Morris and Craig were able to “I think like 15 of the 18 guys tee and the International Olympic advance a base when Burlingame are coming back next year, so we Committee, but said the possibility right fielder Gregory Diekman had should have another run at the title,” of being added to the U.S. team “is trouble fielding Craig’s single. Mos- he said. most unlikely.” bacher then provided a clutch single Bouvier, who plays both baseball Another drawback is that Kirk for the Blues, driving in both Morris and football at Claremont McKen- is in Western Ireland. She and her and Craig. na, said after his final game with the boyfriend are vacationing on Achill “He (Burlingame pitcher Nik Blues: “Everyone was awesome. We Island in a house “that has no ad- Jurado) was a good high school basically became a family by the dress, just a few distant neighbors pitcher at Mills and I’ve had nine end of the season. I’d love to play and their 12 cats” Kirk wrote in a at-bats against him. I got a fastball. again with all these guys, but I know blog dated July 21. “As the days I just kind of got my hands through they’re going do just as well next pass, I fee the burden of my disap- it, and luckily it found a spot,” said year. They only lose the three of us pointment less and less,” she wrote. Mosbacher. (Bouvier, Torres, and Vail). They’re “It is by no means lighter. Instead, BEST OF PALO ALTO Mosbacher advanced to second great guys.” it’s as if the exercise of carrying it LT O W A E on a throw to the plate, and later “This has been the most awe- and not collapsing under its weight E O K reached third on a sacrifice bunt, some summer of baseball, totally has made me stronger . . . I hoped L L but the Blues were unable to drive reminded me of why I love playing that Ireland could heal me and I left A Y
P him in for the tying run. baseball,” said Mosbacher. “I love California shortly after I ran away announced In the ninth, Redwood City got a them . . . we started out as a team from Trials . . . Missing making th BEST OF final shot for a comeback. With two and we ended as a family, and it was the Team this summer has crushed August 27 2 0 0 8 outs, Mosbacher drew a walk and really a joy to be a part of.”■ parts of me.”■ Page 18 • Friday, July 25, 2008 • Palo Alto Weekly Sports
Junior Olympics in Orange County. WATER POLO In addition to the Stanford teams, NorCal will have an 18-under and New champion is assured 16-under team entered. Before the girls head for JO’s, the local boys will compete starting this for women’s 20-U nationals weekend. Five local girls help SJ Splash finish ahead of defending champs The Stanford Water Polo Club will have all seven of its teams playing, by Keith Peters won last year’s title, appeared head- including its 18-under squad that team with local players was ed for a repeat after beating CHAWP features Alex Avery, James Balas- hoping to play in the title B, 12-2; edging Commerce, 11-10; sone, Scott Bishop, Ryan Brown, A game of the USA Water Polo- swamping Greenwich, 15-2; and Tom Cole, Evan Dellinger, Toby Women’s 20-under National Cham- sinking NCSD, 16-2. Stanford, how- Espinosa, Michael Fortune, Miguel Get Moving! pionships on Thursday at Cam- ever, then suffered a 6-5 loss to SET, Martin de Bustamante, Tim Norton, polindo High in Moraga. dropping the defending champs into Scott Platshon, Paul Rudolph, Geng That team, however, was not the the semifinals for teams 5-8. Wang, Tim Wenzlau and Michael Camp Avenidas defending champion Stanford Red Stanford played American River Wishart. Summer Fitness squad. in the semifinals, hoping to reach Brown, Norton, Avery and Ru- Actually, it was the San Jose Splash the fifth-place game later on Thurs- dolph helped the Stanford 20-under Academy and its five local players — Chris- day. team win a national championship tie Clark, Adriana Vogt, KK Clark, The Stanford White team opened two weekends ago in Moraga. Lindsay Dorst and Rebecca Dorst. with back-to-back losses before Last weekend, Rudolph helped August 18-22 The Splash took a 5-0 record into beating Pacific, 6-3. After a 7-1 loss his Sacred Heart Prep team win the 10 am - 3:15 pm Thursday’s semifinals against SET, to SET, Stanford toppled Carlsbad, first-ever California High School needing a victory to reach the cham- 9-2. The White team played for 13th State Championship, a 32-team at Little House pionship match later on Thursday. place on Thursday. event held in Southern California. The Splash opened with an The Stanford Red team included The SHP club team went 6-0, Five days of fitness, 11-5 win over Diablo White and Elise Ponce, Tanya Wilcox, Megan topped by a 5-4 victory over Lam- fun & personal growth! swamped Houston, 13-5, Tuesday. Burmeister, Kelsey Holshouser, Kel- orinda (Moraga) in the champion- On Wednesday, San Jose edged El ly Eaton, Alex Koran, Kim Krueger, ship match. Alex Whittam, a senior Body & brain fitness Rancho, 8-6, outscored SoCal, 8-4, Lauren Wyckoff, Yvonne Dunlevie, at SHP, scored the game-winner and edged American River, 11-9, to Pallavi Menon, Kandis Canonica, and was the team’s second-leading Healthy gourmet lunches reach the semifinals. and Cassie Wyckoff. scorer behind Rudolph. Giveaways & prizes Vogt, Lindsay Dorst and the Clark The Stanford White team includ- Sacred Heart, coached by Gators’ sisters are graduates of Sacred Heart ed Wren White, Laura Espinosa, head coach Brian Kreutzkamp, Health fair & awards Prep while Rebecca Dorst is a junior Caitlin Espe, Emily Clopp, Cay- edged Foothill (Orange County) in at Menlo-Atherton. ley Bowles, Monica Coughlan, MJ the quarterfinals and defeated Har- The tournament was expanded Mordell, Elizabeth Carey, Kat Boo- vard-Westlake, 6-4, in the semifi- Call (650) 289-5436 or from 16 to 20 teams this season, the her, Beth Kwoka, Jenna Gunderson, nals. Incoming sophomores Phillip visit www.avenidas.org best squads from around the coun- Hallie Kennan and Ruth Milne. Bamberg and Robert Dunlevie plus try. Many of the same players will be junior goalie Ben Dearborn all had for details and to register! The Stanford Red team, which competing next week at the National solid weekends.■
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Comcast Digital Cable $ 99 with ON DEMAND a month for 29 six months*
1-800-COMCAST
*Offer ends 07/27/2008, is only available in wired and serviceable areas in participating Comcast systems (and may not be transferred) and limited to new residential customers. Offer limited to Digital Starter Cable. AFTER THE 6 MONTH PROMOTIONAL PERIOD OR IF SERVICE IS CANCELLED OR DOWNGRADED, REGULAR CHARGES APPLY UNLESS SERVICE IS CANCELLED. YOU MAY CANCEL SERVICE BY CALLING 1-800-COMCAST. Comcast’s current monthly service charge for Digital Starter service is $56.99. Digital Cable service limited to a single outlet. Service subject to Comcast standard terms and conditions. Prices shown do not include equipment and installation charges, taxes, or franchise fees. Offers may not be combined with other offers. Certain services available separately or as a part of other levels of service. Basic Service subscription required to receive other levels of service. Not all programming available in all areas. Converter and remote required to receive On Demand services. On Demand selections subject to charge indicated at time of purchase. Call for restrictions and complete details. Comcast ©2008. All rights reserved. All trademarks the property of their respective owners.
Page 20 • Friday, July 25, 2008 • Palo Alto Weekly