BICYCLIST, run over by truck, is up and around. She wants to start a ‘bicyclists against drunken driving’ group. Page 8

THE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR MENLO PARK, ATHERTON, PORTOLA VALLEY AND WOODSIDE JANUARY 24, 2007 www.AlmanacNews.com | VOL. 42 NO. 21 StandingTALL With the help of 7-foot-1 center Greg Somogyi, Woodside Priory School’s basketball team is suddenly a force to be reckoned with

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2 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 This week’s news, features and community events.

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• Uniformed, Bonded & Insured • Equipment & Supplies Provided • Every Cleaning is Inspected & Guaranteed • Environmentally Safe & Pet Friendly The Almanac/David Boyce Call today for a no obligation estimate. Hollowed halls 650-368-2102 In the foreground stands the shattered remains of the multipurpose room, once part of Portola Valley Most major credit cards accepted. School and later used as the town’s community hall. In the distance rises the shed roof and wooden http://peninsula.maidbrigade.com framing of a one-story maintenance building — the first new building of the new Town Center complex. Locally owned and operated. Cleaning homes like yours since 1979. Atherton Woodside ■ Council upholds appeal to keep antique urns in ■ Lawyer and community leader John A. Hooper neighborhood. Page 5 dies Jan. 17. Page 16 ■ Little Store restaurant closes; owners want to Menlo Park reopen. Page 18 Is your ■ Changes at Allied Arts: restaurant, Traditional Shop to close. Page 5 People addiction ■ Councilman John Boyle: Let’s rethink utility ■ Cyclist, run over by truck, is up and around. tax. Page 9 She wants to start a “bicyclists against drunken hurting driving” movement. Page 8 Portola Valley ■ M-A grad is working to improve the lives of anyone? Afro-Ecuadorians in Ecuador. Cover, Section 2 ■ Former councilman Bob Anderson dies Monday. Page 17 ■ Virus returns to The Sequoias retirement Schools communtiy. Page 20 ■ High cost, no state funding may doom MP school busing program. Page 11

Also Inside On the cover Calendar ...... 30 Woodside Priory School’s basketball team warms HE SEQUOIA CENTER helps families recover the Letters ...... 22 up before a recent game against Harker School Tbalance in their lives from the effects of abusing alcohol Obituaries ...... 19 in San Jose. The Panthers are 13-3, including a and other drugs. Our services are offered in a warm and caring Police Calls ...... 20 perfect 6-0 in league play, and are set for a much- Viewpoint ...... 22 anticipated showdown with rival Sacred Heart Prep environment by trained staff dedicated to helping individuals on Jan. 30. Photo by Marjan Sadoughi. See Page 12. gain control over their lives. The Sequoia Center is licensed through –Call today 1-800-997-5504 CALLING ON THE ALMANAC the State of California to deliver: to schedule a free, confi dential assessment with one Medical Detoxifi cation The Almanac offices are at 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025. THE ALMANAC (ISSN 1097-3095 and USPS 459370) is • of our Specialists. published every Wednesday by Embarcadero Publishing Outpatient Treatment (Day & Evening) For Classified ads, call 854-0858 ■ E-mail news to (no photos please): Co., 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025- • [email protected] 4455. Periodicals Postage Paid at Menlo Park, CA and at THE For all other calls, phone 854-2626 additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general • Residential Treatment News: Ext. 213 ■ E-mail news photos with captions to: circulation for San Mateo County, the Almanac is delivered sequoia free to homes in Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and • Integrated Behavioral Health CENTER Display advertising: Ext. 233 [email protected] ■ Woodside. Voluntary subscriptions for $30 per year or $50 per Programs /Partial Hospitalization CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY TREATMENT SERVICES Fax: 854-0677 E-mail letters to the editor to: 2 years are welcome from residents of the above circulation [email protected] area. Subscription rates for businesses and for residents of /Day Treatment 650 Main Street, Redwood City other communities is $50 per year and $80 for two years. 2660 Solace Place, Suite A, Mountain View POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Almanac, P.O. 800-997-5504 • www.sequoiacenter.com To request free delivery, or stop delivery, of The Almanac in zip code 94025, 94027, Box 7008, Menlo Park, CA 94026-7008. Copyright ©2006 by 94028 and the Woodside portion of 94062, call 854-2626. Embarcadero Publishing Co., All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. 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4 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 M ENLO PARK | ATHERTON | WOODSIDE | PORTOLA V ALLEY Council upholds appeal to keep antique urns in neighborhood ■ Test of new law may show council’s deference that he and his wife own them, to Lindenwood neighborhood. having spent $5,000 each to repair them, with one “rotted out on By David Boyce ■ ATHERTON the inside” and the other found Almanac Staff Writer on the ground in three pieces. pair of antique plant- home to some 76 parcels, said They’re not in the front yard filled urns are likely to Deputy Town Planner Lisa Costa because they’re small enough to Astay in Atherton’s historic Sanders in a staff report. be emptied and stolen, he said. Lindenwood neighborhood now The staff report recommended Marion Oster, head of the that the City Council has upheld allowing the Lambs to take the Atherton Heritage Foundation, an appeal to prevent their depar- urns and the Planning Commis- said the urns had also been ture. The decision could indicate sion had approved a permit to restored by a previous owner, a a council trend of interpreting a move them, as is permitted under Ms. Thompson, after a gardener recently enacted artifact preser- the new law as long as the artifacts hit one and knocked it over. vation law in deference to resi- are well maintained, entered in Mayor Alan Carlson offered dents’ opinions rather than the the town’s artifact inventory, and to compensate the Lambs for Planning Commission and state stay within town boundaries. the urns, but his colleagues on and national guidelines. But a group of Lindenwood the council did not second his The five-member council, on neighbors appealed the com- motion. a 4-1 vote with Councilman mission’s decision to the coun- Councilman Charles Marsala Charles Marsala dissenting, cil, which can reverse a ruling said in an e-mail that he took denied the request of residents if it “makes a finding” to justify the Lambs’ side because of the Randy and Lisa Lamb to take a different opinion, said City town’s use of “eminent domain with them two antique urns Attorney Marc Hynes. statutes to take possessions.” from their Lindenwood prop- Mr. Hynes, who is preparing Asked to comment on the erty at 51 Laburnam Road when the findings, told the Almanac proceedings, Mr. Lamb replied: they move to their new home, he expects to include “half a “We are appalled at the way the also in Atherton but two and a dozen” that justify the council’s town’s overly qualified (arche- half miles away on Park Lane. decision, including their histori- ology consultant) was treat- The cast-iron urns, about 5 feet cal value and relevance to the ed.” Asked about possible legal tall on their pedestals, date from Flood estate. action, he said they are evaluat- at least 1937 and were part of the Who owns the urns? “They won’t ing their options. estate of Silver King James C. belong to the town,” Mr. Hynes Councilman Janz, who is also Photo courtesy of the town of Atherton Flood, who lived in the area more told the council. “All we’re saying an attorney, said the council’s This urn is one of two at the center of a dispute over Atherton’s new or less defined by the walls of the is that they can’t be moved.” artifact preservation law and the property rights surrounding movable Lindenwood neighborhood, now Randy Lamb told the Almanac See URNS, page 8 objects of historic value. Changes at Allied Arts: Restaurant, Traditional Shop to close ■ Auxiliary in talks with professional restaurateur By bringing in a professional Over the 75 years the auxil- to open new eatery at the historic complex. restaurateur, the Woodside- The Almanac’s Jane Knoerle iary has operated its restaurant, Atherton Auxiliary plans to remembers the heyday of the it has donated more than $4 By Renee Batti volunteers. expand the food operation at Allied Arts restaurant and million to the children’s hos- Almanac News Editor her time as a volunteer at the Jean Coblentz, president of the Guild to include a small- Traditional Shop. Page 23 pital, “and in excess of 10,000 hile area residents are the Woodside-Atherton Aux- scale breakfast and coffee ser- women have volunteered their reminiscing about iliary, said both existing busi- vice as well as catering services time to cook and serve hun- Wsweet times gone by nesses will be replaced by for conferences and special leaders say. dreds of thousands of meals,” at the Allied Arts Guild res- enterprises that will generate events, Ms. Coblentz said. But In a statement issued last according to the statement. taurant in light of its pending more business for Allied Arts, in keeping with the terms of week, members of the Palo “PAA’s proud legacy is (its) closure, the Guild’s nonprofit which donates all proceeds to the auxiliary’s use permit for Alto Auxiliary said the group many contributions which have owners are “very close” to reach- the Lucile Packard Children’s the complex, the new restau- had been “prepared to con- funded benefits for children at ing an agreement with another Hospital at Stanford. rant won’t be serving dinner. tinue providing the lunch and the hospital since 1932,” the restaurateur to do business in She said there are no other One goal of the change, she special events service it has auxiliary said. the same spot — a move they tenant changes planned for the said, is to attract more non- offered for 75 years, in spite Pam Page of the Palo Alto say is a critical step forward into sprawling, historic complex profit groups and corporations of reduced restaurant walk-in Auxiliary told the Almanac Allied Arts’ future. of recently renovated build- to the Guild for conferences traffic resulting from a variety that her mother had worked The Woodside-Atherton ings and gardens, located at and retreats. of factors affecting the site. countless hours as a restaurant Auxiliary, which owns Allied 75 Arbor Road in Menlo Park. “The group will now con- volunteer many years ago. Arts, announced last week that Those tenants include small, Long history of service sider other hospital support After Ms. Page moved back to it is not renewing the lease of for-profit shops and artists’ The existing restaurant, options, including marketing the area from Chicago several the Guild’s restaurant, oper- studios; revenue from their which has operated at Allied their popular cookbook, food years ago, she followed in her ated by volunteers with the leases benefits the children’s Arts since 1932, serves only product sales, and hosting spe- mother’s footsteps as a restau- nonprofit Palo Alto Auxiliary. hospital. lunch — and will continue cial events, such as the Ameri- rant volunteer. That tradition It is also closing the Tradi- The Guild also rents space for doing so until it closes its doors can Girl Fashion Show and Tea, tional Shop, staffed by its own special events. on Feb. 28, the organization’s at various local venues.” See ALLIED, page 8

January 24, 2007 ■ The Almanac ■ 5 &OUR LEGGED&RIENDS 4AKEA"ITEOUTOF0AIN

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6 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 PEOPLE REAL ESTATE Q&A Robert E. Wallace: pioneered study by Monica Corman Median Price vs. Average Price of earthquake geology at USGS Q: What is a difference between the because more buyers can buy at the higher By Marion Softky median price and the average price when end, but this doesn’t tell you what has hap- ■ OBITUARY ards Committee in the 1960s. Almanac Staff Writer Members included noted looking at real estate sales statistics? pened to the price of your own home. During more than 40 years geologists Bob Wallace, Ben A: This is the time of year when you will The average price is the sum of all home he public face of Dr. with the USGS in Menlo Page and Earl Pampeyan. see lots of statistical analyses for the previ- sale prices divided by the number of sales. ous year’s sales activity. Some charts show This number can be skewed if there is Robert E. Wallace was Park, Dr. Wallace studied the After incorporating in the median price for all homes sold and an abnormally high or low sale or sales Tstanding with Dan geology of earthquakes and 1964, and spurred by its other charts show the average price for the occurred during the period. Rather, on top of a van, in their hazards in California geologists, Portola Valley same sales. A significant change in either To understand the value of your own prop- front of the collapsed Cypress and around the world. He became a leader in planning statistic is often interpreted as a change in erty you should consult with an experienced Freeway in Oakland, explain- discovered a stream descend- to accommodate building the price of an individual property. These realtor to look at sales statistics for proper- ing to the world on the CBS ing from the Carrizo Plain to geologic hazards such as statistics do not indicate how much appre- ties that were exactly comparable to yours. Evening News what had in Southern California that earthquakes and landslides. ciation or depreciation has taken place. Sometimes important information is not yet happened in the 1989 Loma moved 30 feet sideways across It prepared geologic maps The median price is the point mid- reflected in the statistics and a realtor who is Prieta earthquake. the fault during a big earth- of the fault and town, and way between the least expensive and most active in the market every day can tell you what Dr. Wallace, a longtime resi- quake in 1857, when the Pacif- passed regulations control- expensive home sold in an area during a the attitude of the market is at the moment. dent of Portola Valley, earned ic Plate of the earth’s crust ling building in risky areas. given period of time. Fluctuations measure Are buyers holding back and waiting or are changes in market activity. If more buyers they actively engaged? Are sellers holding back that place through 50 years jerked northwest 30 feet. It is While Dr. Wallace served are buying more expensive homes than or is there more inventory on the market than with the U.S. Geologi- on several of these com- there are buyers buying less expensive is likely to sell quickly? Median and average cal Survey, where he mittees, he acted more homes, the median price rises. This can price statistics won’t give you this information. pioneered the study as a “steady guiding show a certain strength in the economy Only your realtor can tell you this. of earthquake geology Robert E. hand,” who remained and hazards along the Wallace was in the background, says For answers to any questions you may have on real estate, you may e-mail me San Andreas Fault and George Mader, who at [email protected] or call 462-1111, Alain Pinel Realtors. I also offer a free around the world. ‘Mr. Earthquake has been town planner market analysis of your property.. “Bob was one of the anywhere, the since incorporation. pioneers of earthquake final word,’ says “He’s always been there science,” says geophys- to answer questions and A New Millennium of Female Aviators geophysicist icist Bill Ellsworth support actions.” A presentation about how women are changing of the Earthquake Sheldon Breiner. Sheldon Breiner, Hazards Team at the longtime resident and the face of aviation today USGS in Menlo Park. chairman of the town’s Dr. Wallace died geologic safety commit- Jan. 8 of kidney failure in named Wallace Creek. tee, also saw Dr. Wallace as Reno, where he and his wife As one of the world’s lead- the go-to man for questions Trudy moved in 1998. He was ing experts on earthquakes, of geology. “He was the Mr. 90. Dr. Wallace has traveled to Earthquake anywhere, the Bob Wallace was born in Turkey, Japan, the Soviet final word,” he says. “He was New York City, raised in New Union, the Philippines, the the one guy you went to for Jersey, and received his bache- Middle East, and China. opinions.” lor’s degree from Northwestern “Tracking earthquakes Dr. Wallace was also a University. along the Great Wall of Renaissance man. Friends He first studied the San China” was the title of a 1985 remember him as an avid Andreas fault for his doctor’s Almanac article describing bird watcher, ham radio thesis at the California how a team of American and operator, and amateur Institute of Technology. He Chinese scientists learned astronomer. His watercolor mapped the fault near Palm- about modern earthquakes landscape paintings won Women Are Finding Their Wings dale, camping out, playing by studying breaks and numerous awards. “He did his violin for the coyotes, and landforms caused by ancient his own Christmas cards,” And Soaring! eating cold canned beef stew, earthquakes. “We coined the recalls fellow geologist Chet Highlighting 15 contemporary female aviators, he reported in an oral history, term paleo-seismology,” Dr. Wrucke of Portola Valley. “Earthquakes, Minerals and Wallace said then. “They are Over 42 years with the Julie Jervis will talk about the opportunities, Me,” published in 1999 and really fossil earthquakes.” USGS in Menlo Park, Dr. challenges and triumphs awaiting women pursuing available on the USGS Web Wallace published over 100 a career in aviation. site: quake.usgs.gov. Portola Valley papers and a book. He also That study showed the fault Dr. Wallace was one of garnered numerous awards had slipped 75 miles — a star- the geologists living in Por- from major geologic, engi- tling conclusion at the time. tola Valley who became con- neering and seismic organiza- After getting his doctorate, cerned when they realized the tions. He officially “retired” Dr. Wallace joined the USGS, middle school sat on the San in 1987, but continued work- and spent most of World Andreas fault, and children ing for USGS for 11 more War II in Alaska looking for were at risk in an earthquake. years before moving to Reno, minerals, including uranium. Dr. Wallace was so con- where son Alan Wallace is a During this period, he met cerned — his son Alan geologist with the USGS. and married Trudy, his wife, attended Portola Valley Dr. Wallace is survived by companion, and best friend School — he even ran for the his sister, Harriet Wallace of for 60 years. She died in 2005. school board. Savoy, Illinois, and his son, After teaching at Wash- Eventually the school closed, Alan Wallace of Reno. ington College for four years and became Town Center As a career tribute, the LECTURE & after the war, Dr. Wallace for almost 30 years. Now the USGS in 2000 dedicated the rejoined the USGS in 1951, buildings are being torn down Robert E. Wallace Earth- BOOK SIGNING and moved to its new Menlo to make way for a new Town quake Center in Building 3A Park office in 1956. There he Center — off the fault. on its Menlo Park campus. At By Julie Jervis helped create the Office of Thoroughly aware of the its dedication, Dr. Wallace Saturday 601 Skyway Rd, Earthquake Studies and build hazards the fault posed to said this would serve as his February 3 San Carlos it into one of the world’s top their communities, Portola memorial, instead of a (650) 654-0200 earthquake centers. He was Valley and Woodside estab- memorial service after his 10:30am its first chief scientist. lished a joint Geologic Haz- death. A www.hiller.org

January 24, 2007 ■ The Almanac ■ 7 NEWS Menlo Park cyclist, run over by truck, is up and around ■ Experience may launch bicycle-oriented crusade against drunken driving.

By David Boyce Almanac Staff Writer keep my strength.” On Dec. 23 at about 3:40 p.m., ou’ve heard of MADD, she was riding her racing bicycle Mothers Against Drunk home in the bike lane after a train- YDriving. Menlo Park resi- ing ride when she was struck by a dent and mother of three MaryAnn pickup truck driven by Hillsbor- Levenson, for the moment using a ough resident Walter Sorensen, walker and crutches to get around 76, and dragged for some 35 her house, has every right to have feet, according to a Menlo Park MADD on her mind after being the police report. Police arrested Mr. victim in a horrific accident Dec. 23 Sorensen at the scene on charges on Sand Hill Road that allegedly of felony drunken driving. involved drinking and driving. Ms. Levenson managed to roll But Ms. Levenson is also a away when the truck jumped The Almanc/Marjan Sadoughi bicycle racer. a curb but Early diners have lunch in the Allied Arts restaurant last Friday, courtesy of Palo Alto Auxiliary volunteers. The accident the truck also occurred while Her three drove over her Allied Arts restaurant, shop will close she was return- boys ride abdomen, wit- ing home after nesses told her ALLIED made by local artists, is doing Coblentz said. a training ride, their bikes husband, physi- fine, she said, but “the Tradi- “You look back on 75 years, continued from page 5 so as she enters to school cian Scott Lev- tional Shop is traditional — and and I can’t think of anything her fourth week enson. Among no one is traditional anymore.” that hasn’t changed,” she said. of an expect- ‘and now it her extensive will end soon, she noted sadly. Also, she said, two-thirds of “The Gap (clothing company) is ed eight-week scares the injuries were a the Woodside-Atherton Aux- in trouble because they couldn’t recovery peri- fractured pel- Changing times iliary’s newest members have keep up with the times. od, she’s been heck out of me,’ says vis, broken ver- Ms. Coblentz noted that a big regular jobs, and therefore have “We are trying to be produc- thinking of MaryAnn Levenson tebrae, a shat- problem for both auxiliaries is less time to volunteer than aux- tive, and still maintain that starting BADD tered larynx, finding volunteers with enough iliary members had in the past. really, really beautiful, calm set- — Bicyclists and extensive time on their hands to staff the In order to fulfill the mission ting that is Allied Arts, that is Against Drunk Driving. damage to one of her feet, part restaurant and the Woodside- of both auxiliaries — to raise reminiscent of the past. But “When I get better, I don’t of which had to be reattached, he Atherton Auxiliary’s two retail money for the children’s hos- people need to understand that know who I need to meet with said. shops. The auxiliary’s Artisan pital — Allied Arts Guild had there are some things about the but I want to do something Someone in a sports utility Shop, which sells only items to change with the times, Ms. past that don’t work today.” A about drunk driving,” she told vehicle blocked Mr. Sorensen from the Almanac. Her three boys ride leaving the scene, Mr. Levenson their bikes to school “and now it said he was told by witnesses. URNS Laura Jones, the consulting Fine points like these seemed scares the heck out of me.” Ms. Levenson’s next bike ride continued from page 5 archeologist hired by the town to to count for little to residents in She has taught bicycle safety at will be on a stationary one, evaluate the Lambs’ request, said the packed council chambers Menlo Park’s Oak Knoll School graduating to a racing bike after decision “probably would sur- the setting really is Atherton, in who wanted the urns to stay and is planning to return there she buys a new one, which she vive a challenge.” part because so little remains of put. Several spoke, among them and relate an object lesson. “I can’t plans to shop for in the company the urns’ original context. Gerta Ungerman, a resident who wait to get back to school and of her coach. Whose standards? While Lindenwood’s bound- said she lived across from the show them my helmet,” she said. Is she in daily physical pain? By the time the James C. aries closely approximate the urns for 30 years — when they Ms. Levenson, 48, is up and Ms. Levenson said that, remark- Flood estate was subdivided into estate’s original boundaries, so were in the front yard — and around, though her jaw is still ably, only her jaw and tail bone the Lindenwood neighborhood much change has gone on over that she “missed them terribly.” wired and she’s not allowed to are bothering her. “For what I in the early 1940s, significant the years that the location of The previous homeowner, Ms. chew, she said. She can have soft went through, the pain is not structures such as the main the urns — in the Lamb’s yard Ungerman said, would walk her mushy food, an improvement over bad,” she said. “The pain I have house were already gone and — “didn’t really meet a reason- to her door after a visit, notice the broth regimen she’s been on. is in just sitting around.” artifacts such as urns were dis- able test for me of being in a his- the urns and say: “Aren’t they She had lost about 10 pounds but Her recuperation is giving her tributed among the new parcels, torical setting,” Ms. Jones said, beautiful?” has turned around the weight loss time to catch up on reading said Ms. Costa Sanders, the adding: “You don’t know you’re Resident Ron Peyton and regained two, she said. “I can’t nutrition journals. A planner. The remnants of the on a historical estate. You’re in acknowledged that the urns wait to have a salad,” she added. estate still in their original loca- somebody’s backyard.” were separated from their Has she had any ice cream? ■ INFORMATION tions include its outer walls and Adding to that backyard sense is original locations on the estate, “A little,” she replied. “I’m a To follow MaryAnn Levenson’s monumental gates, plus a few Atherton’s focus on artifacts rather but are still physically close to dietitian, so I’m a little neurotic progress, go to caringbridge. fountains and a bench or two. than on a major structure such as the historic Flood Circle area. when it comes to calories. ... org/visit/maryannlevenson and While residents may see these a building. It’s unusual for a pres- “The best preservation course Food is no longer a pleasure. It click on “Read Journal.” artifacts as comprising a historic ervation district not to include a is to keep the artifacts on site,” is medicinal. I’m taking it in to setting for the neighborhood, major structure, she said. he said. A WANT TO MAKE WAVES?

TRY THE SURF IN TOWNSQUARE. The Almanac’s Online Gathering Place www.almanacnews.com

8 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 NEWS NEED A NEW Boyle: Let’s rethink utility tax WORKOUT? By Rory Brown ■ MENLO PARK the tax, but said the council Almanac Staff Writer needs to consider the long-term Check AlmanacNews.com for economic forecast, not just the enlo Park Councilman news updates. points made by Mr. Boyle, when VISIT John Boyle, the first setting the tax rate. Mof a growing group of budget surplus in the fiscal year “We can’t micromanage [the residents to publicly question that ended June 30, 2006. tax],” she said. “We’ve got to the need to implement the voter- ■ “Better than expected” sales take our best estimates of the approved utility tax at the maxi- tax revenues. long-term trends and go with mum rates, is pushing for the ■ Encouraging signs from the that — not just a few observa- council to re-evaluate the tax. local economy and real estate tions here and there.” Free Body Evaluation Mr. Boyle said that unexpected market. She noted that the council revenues and an improving local “It’s simply a matter of under- can change the tax rates at any Fun, unique, challenging, motivating economy should prompt the standing how much we really time, and she would be open and rewarding fi tness programs council to consider reducing, or need before putting this tax to doing so if the Feb. 6 report potentially stalling the tax, which into effect,” Mr. Boyle told the shows that the city’s long-term • Tone and Condition is scheduled to hit the city’s resi- Almanac. economic condition is better • Improve Your Strength dences and businesses April 1. He noted that, if possible, the than expected. • Balance, Overall Fitness The council is scheduled to council should wait until the The council allowed the tax discuss the issue near the end mid-year budget report for the to go forward, with no public • Elevate Your Game of its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. current fiscal year is unveiled discussion, at the maximum • Lower your 10k Time 23, at Mr. Boyle’s request. The Feb. 6. The report will document rate at its Dec. 19 meeting, with • Tai Chi and Yoga Classes meeting starts at 7 p.m., in the the city’s revenues and expenses Mr. Boyle urging the council to council chambers at the Civic from July 1 to Dec. 30. put the matter on the agenda of • Nutritional Counseling Center, between Laurel and “If we find out we’re expecting a future meeting. All ages and sports. Alma streets. a surplus instead of a deficit, Voters narrowly passed — by Change lives – starting with your own!! In a letter to Mayor Kelly [the council] may want to let 65 votes — a two-tiered tax: up Fergusson and the city’s top [the tax] slide ... and revisit it in to 3.5 percent on utilities staff, Mr. Boyle said the council July,” he said. (water, gas and electric bills), should reconsider the need to and 2.5 percent on communi- will get you there!! levy the tax at the maximum Long-term forecast cations (landline telephone, rates for several reasons: Mayor Fergusson said she sup- cell phone, cable TV and Inter- 650-365-6000 ■ A An unexpected $3.7 million ports ongoing discussions about net bills). 880 Hurlingame, Suite D, Redwood City, CA 94063 Does Menlo Park have a deficit or a surplus? LIVE LIFE TO THE MAX! By Rory Brown Almanac Staff Writer only hope ... to keep from losing that went unfilled for much of true lifeline services to our city,” the year, and unexpected, one- enlo Park residents said resident Kathleen Kruse time property tax and sales tax have been dealt a series Erpenbeck in a recent e-mail revenues. Mof fee increases, pro- to the City Council. The e-mail “We don’t have a $3.7 million gram cuts and, most recently, was also signed by her husband, surplus — we just don’t,” said a utility tax, to compensate for Chip Erpenbeck. Councilman Heyward Robin- what city officials have described The Erpenbecks aren’t alone in son. “You have to look at all the as a series of budget deficits their criticism; others, including funds, and you have to look at — the city’s revenues falling Councilman John Boyle, say the them over a number of years. short of covering its costs. city’s financial condition may ... We still have some very clear But a recent city-issued report be better than expected, and financial problems — it’s not states that for the period from the utility tax rate needs to be like we’re seeing all the car July 1, 2005, through June 30, re-evaluated. dealerships on El Camino [Real] 2006 (fiscal year 2005-06), the being refilled.” You give me your financial goals. city not only covered its costs, The surplus The city’s short-term and but built a surplus of $3.7 mil- But other council members long-term budget status will I’ll give you powerful tools to help lion as well. and city officials say the surplus become more clear Feb. 6, when Although many residents is likely a one-time bonus. the council receives the mid- acknowledge that the surplus “Without the [utility] tax, we fiscal year budget report, Ms. achieve them. is good news, it’s not what they still have a structural deficit,” Augustine promised. expected to hear after support- said Carol Augustine, the city’s She said that report will out- LookingLooking for for a representativea representative who who offers offers (his/her) his ing what city officials labeled as finance director. line the city’s budget for the financialfi nancial solutions? solutions? Then Then look look to meto me for: for: a much-needed tax. She said a large portion of the current fiscal year, which started “My husband and I ... were savings are due to personnel July 1, and will provide updated • •Life Life Insurance Insurance misled into voting for a [utility vacancies in the police and com- long-term financial projections • A• Annuitiesnnuities tax] that we understood was our munity services departments for the next 10 years. A • •Estate Estate Strategies Conservation Strategies ® ® Charles E. (Ted) Pollock, CLU CLU®, ChFC ® • •Retirement Retirement StrategiesStrategies Financial Representative • Disability Income of his plans at the beginning of Financial Representative • Disability Income Insurance Park Theatre may have an angel CA.Registered Insurance Representative Lic. 0453266 • Mutual Funds the Jan. 23 City Council meet- • Mutual Funds By Rory Brown CA. Insurance lic. 0453266 • Long-Term Care Insurance as an art deco movie house or ing. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. New England Financial • Long-Term Care Insurance Almanac Staff Writer as a dance studio. in the council chambers at the New England Financial 950 Tower Lane, Suite 1000 I focus on helpingpeople create, conserve, and The former movie house, Civic Center, between Laurel and 950 Tower Lane, Suite 1000 I focus on helping people create, conserve, and FosterFoster City, City, CA CA 94404 94404 distribute assets. To learn more, call me today. he Park Theatre, a Menlo which was closed in 2002, is Alma streets. (Check Almanc- 650-286-5800650-286-5800 distribute assets. To learn more, call me today. Park landmark for more located on El Camino Real News.com for news updates.) Fax:Fax: 650-286-5818 650-286-5818 Tthan 50 years, may reopen between Oak Grove and Val- Mr. Duncan said his plan is [email protected]@sf.nef.com after all. paraiso avenues. to “restore the theater, and then Menlo Park resident Andy Mr. Duncan, whose mother find out the most appropriate

Duncan has come forward is a partial owner of the Menlo use for the building.” Charles E. (Ted) Pollock is a Registered Representative of New England Securities Corp., 950 Tower Lane, Ste. 1000, Foster City, CA 94404.New England Financial is the service mark for New England Life Insurance with a proposal to restore the Park Academy of Dance, said he Company, 501 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, a MetLife company. Securities products offered through historic theater, and reopen it will present a “general overview” See THEATER, page 20 registered representatives of New England Securities Corp., Boston, MA (member NASD, SIPC) CD200604020, Exp.07/30/2008 January 24, 2007 ■ The Almanac ■ 9 10 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 NEWS

High cost, no state funding may School starts Aug. 23 School will start Thursday, Aug. 23, for students in the Menlo Park City School District, said Superintendent Ken Ranella. doom MP school busing program Teachers and staff bargaining groups and the district have agreed on this start date, he said. The parties have not yet reached agree- ■ Trustees to pursue other options Trustees give go-ahead to design ment on contracts and other areas of the school calendar. to reduce traffic congestion. phase for $5 million district recourse center. Page 17 By Marjorie Mader Almanac Staff Writer about $850,000 if the district respectively, biked to the information, and determining if developed its own bus service, said, would help determine how board meeting. They suggested there’s interest in a collaborative ny hope that yellow school according to the consultant. many students could walk or encouraging students to walk or effort to reduce the traffic con- buses will bring some 2,248 “There’s no way that the dis- bike to school or need transpor- bike to school, carpooling, and gestion and parking problems Astudents to four schools in trict could get contributions tation. developing more safe routes to near the schools. the Menlo Park City School Dis- from parents to foot the bill,” State guidelines indicate school. Trustees directed Superin- trict to ease traffic congestion said Ms. Thygesen. that kindergartners through Ms. Laprais, also a member tendent Ken Ranella to develop has dimmed with the district The choice for the district is: second-graders who live with- of Menlo Park’s Bicycle Com- a transportation scenario that board’s determination that it Does it spend district money in a half-mile could walk to mission, urged trustees to look would be a basis for a parent would be highly expensive and on busing or on teachers and at other options and the big survey to determine the interest not self-supporting. resources in the classrooms? picture. “Every neighborhood in busing. “There’s no way to create a But although a student trans- ‘There’s no way that has different needs,” she said. The complete transportation school-operated bus program portation service appears Reg Rice, the only member report may be viewed online at that doesn’t have a financial unlikely, Ms. Thygesen said, the district could get of Menlo Park’s Transporta- www.mpcsd.org. Click on Agen- impact on the district’s operat- “We haven’t closed the door.” contributions from tion Commission to attend the da Online for the Jan. 16 meet- ing fund,” said school board The busing option is one of meeting, said he would like the ing and bring up Feasibility President Terry Thygesen after several the board is reviewing parents to foot the bill.’ district to make a presentation Study of School Transportation the board’s Jan. 16 meeting. to try to reduce traffic conges- SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT to the commission about the Program. A “It’s pretty clear from the tion and parking problems TERRY THYGESEN report. transportation consultant’s at the schools and in nearby Trustee Bruce Ives said the analysis there’s no silver bul- communities. These problems board should look at a “hybrid,” Post news and views on let” — no state money available are expected to increase as school. The distance increases or mix, of solutions and specific — to make a district transpor- the district’s enrollment grows to three-fourths mile for needs at each school site. tation program break even, she through 2015. third- though fifth-graders, said. Trustee Jeff Child suggested and to a mile for middle Next steps The cost is estimated as that the district find out what school students. Trustees decided on a plan $720,000 a year if the district the distances are from students’ Parents Laure Laprais and of action that includes meeting contracted with a transportation homes to the schools they Marcia Bever, PTO safety chairs with Menlo Park and Ather- company for the service, and attend. This information, he at Encinal and Laurel schools, ton council members, sharing www.AlmanacNews.com

We were driving to the store on a rainy day last week, and my son looked out the window and told me, “Mom, there are lots of puddles of precipitation outside today.” Precipitation? What four-year-old knows what precipitation is? I asked him how he knew that, and he told me he learned about the water cycle at school. You know, I wasn’t so impressed that he simply knew how to say a big word—I was amazed that he could apply something he’d just learned to what he saw going on around him. I’m so glad I chose Challenger School for my little guy.

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January 24, 2007 ■ The Almanac ■ 11 hen Woodside Priory School basketball player David Gamburd is asked what position he plays on the W team, he’s not too sure what to say. “I don’t know — I play center, I guess,” said the 6-foot senior, shrugging his shoulders. On a lot of other high school teams, Gamburd would probably be one of the taller players, and potentially fill the center position, but things are a little different at Woodside Priory. Ahead of Gamburd on the depth chart is the colossal, 7-foot-1 Greg Somogyi, a junior exchange student from Budapest, Hungary. With the help of Greg, and his 6-foot-5 brother, George, the K-12 Portola Valley school with just 240 high school students has put itself on the map as a bona fide contender to make a championship run. The Panthers are 13-3 this season and a perfect 6-0 in league games, including a 45-38 win against Sacred Heart Prep that ended the Atherton school’s four-year, 78-league-game winning streak. And with their hot start, the Panthers, who won just two league games two years ago, have been labeled a top-15 Bay Area team by the San Jose Mercury News. “It’s been quite a process, changing the perception of the school to that of a competitor,” said Mark Stogner, the school’s nine-year athletic director. “I was the coach several years ago, and we were the doormat of the league.” “The school has had a few good years, but historically this hasn’t been a strong team,” said second-year coach Al Klein, who coached Menlo School to a state title in 1983. “But I knew we had a really good team this year. … I’m hoping we can build something here.”

Far right: Players huddle during a recent practice.

Right: At 7-foot-1, center Greg Somogyi stands head and shoulders above everyone on the court — including coach Al Klein.

Below: Coach Al Klein directs players during practice. A long- time coach, Klein led Menlo School to a state title in 1983.

The Woodside Priory Panthers are 13-3, With the help of 7-foot-1 including a perfect 6-0 in league games. center Greg Somogyi, ■ THE REMATCH The Woodside Priory basketball team will host Woodside Priory School’s By RORY BROWN / Almanac Staff Writer Sacred Heart Prep on Jan. Stand 30. The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., in the Wood- basketball team is suddenly side Priory gym, at 302 Por- Photos by MARJAN SADOUGHI / tola Rd. in Portola Valley. a force to be reckoned with Almanac Staff Photographer

12 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 COVER STORY

‘Five-man basketball’ allowing the Panthers to erase an early 11-point deficit. “This program has been in place for a while, and it just Of course, it doesn’t hurt when you have a 17-year-old “Last year, Coach Klein changed the attitude of the happens that our latest exchange students in Greg and center as tall as NBA-great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on team,” said senior forward Alex Schreiner. “Now, we George play basketball,” he said, also noting that two other your side. have a physical team, and we have the mindset to match exchange students — one from Japan, and the other from “Greg’s a very skilled player,” Coach Klein said, noting that. We all understand our roles, and we all expect Korea — are also on the team. “Obviously, we’re not going that he’s garnered interest from several Pac-10 and West good things out of this team.” He added that the team to get a 7-foot-1 Hungarian player every year.” Coast Conference colleges. “The amazing thing about improved to 14-10 last year, during Klein’s first season. Greg and George said a recent Hungarian graduate Greg is that he can step outside and hit the 15-footer. He’s Greg and George credit the Panthers’ success to sup- told them about the school. a very good shooter.” port from the school community. George, a senior, said he plans to return to Hungary But Klein said Greg is a part of, rather than the focus “[In the United States] basketball is this big cultural for college, but Greg said he is “99 percent” certain he’ll of, a game plan that puts emphasis on ball movement thing. … There’s this whole different atmosphere,” said attend a U.S. university. and teamwork. George. “Everything is new for us, but with students and Continued on next page “It’s unfair to say it’s Greg’s team, or that it’s Reggie’s faculty at games, we have a lot of team,” he said, also referring to Reggie Willhite, the support.” senior swingman who leads the team in scoring. “I’m “Yes, we have a lot of support a big believer in five-man basketball. Working together here,” echoed Greg. “There is a lot makes us a better team.” of pressure on me, but others don’t Coach Klein’s words rang true during a recent road put it on me — I put it on myself.” victory over Redwood Christian School, based in Cas- tro Valley. Although Willhite lead all players with 28 The Somogyis points, including two game-clinching free throws with Greg and George played on a three seconds left, and a breakaway dunk; and Greg club team in Budapest before added 15 points, a slew of rebounds and several mon- coming to Woodside Priory. strous blocks, it was the team’s collective fundamental Founded as a monastery school play that won the game. in the 1950s by Hungarian monks, The Panthers’ crisp ball movement and gritty, physical the school has consistently play opened up the lanes for the slashing Willhite and drew enrolled several Hungarian stu- double and triple coverage away from the towering Greg, dents a year, Stogner said. ding

A major force under the basket, Greg Somogyi tries to block a shot during the Panthers’ victory over Harker School in San Jose.

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REDWOOD CITY • 650-366-1273 Despite his size, Greg Somogyi gets roughed up by Photo courtesy of Woodside Priory School 2342 EL CAMINO REAL #100 opposing defenders. He was knocked to the ground in Reggie Willhite slashes to the basket during the www.drawender.com this game, against Harker School, and the next game, Panthers’ recent victory over Harker School. Willhite, against Castro Valley-based Redwood Christian School. a senior and team captain, is Woodside Priory’s leading scorer this season.

“When we beat Sacred Heart earlier this year, it Standing tall was like the story of David and Goliath,” Schreiner said. “It was the best moment of my basketball Continued from previous page career, but now we have the target on our back The brothers’ also have different playing styles. — they want to beat us on our home court.” Despite his size, Greg gets banged around under Gilbert Perez, Sacred Heart’s first-year coach, said the basket, and was thrown to the floor during he’s looking forward to the rematch, and his main a scramble for a loose ball in the Panthers’ win focus will be to stop Willhite, rather than Greg. over Redwood Christian. George is much more “We’re taking it one game at a time, but when we aggressive, blanketing opposing players with tight face them again, we may very well be 7-1 [in league defense, and picking up his fair share of fouls. play], and maybe they’ll be 8-0, and that would make StartStart thethe “Greg and George have been vital to our suc- for a good match up.” he said. “When we played them cess, and they’re also great guys,” Schreiner this season, it wasn’t the 7-footer that hurt me, it was NewNew YearYear offoff rightright said. “I guess you expect the 7-foot-1 Hungarian Reggie Willhite that hurt me. If anything, [Greg] superstar to come in and be arrogant, but [Greg opened up opportunities for [Willhite].” Fix those nagging home and business plumbing and George] are just great people.” “Sacred Heart is certainly the team to beat,” Stogner said. “They have a rich tradition as far as and repair problems for the new year ! Sacred Heart athletics … and that’s the level we aspire to be at.” Although Mr. Klein and the players promise The Somogyi brothers have also embraced the rivalry. • Plumbing • Instant Hot Water they abide by the sports cliche of “taking one game “Since I was on the soccer team that played Sacred Emergencies Systems at a time,” the Jan. 30 rematch with Sacred Heart Heart earlier this year, it has become a goal to beat • Leaking Pipes • Recirculation is clearly on everyone’s mind. them,” said George. “We have to beat Sacred Heart.” A • Dripping Faucets Systems • Clogged Drains • Water Heaters • Water Filtering • Copper Repiping Systems • Hydro-Jetting Service • Water Conservation • Video Inspection • Garbage Disposals

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Check Our Web Site: www.plumbingservice.com 800-378-DRIP (800-378-3747) The Panthers pose for a group shot during practice. Coach Al Klein and several players credit good chemistry as a major factor in the team’s successful season. 14 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 NEWS Caltrain on a roll: new officers, ambitious plans By Marion Softky as a new member of the Caltrain tive, more creative, and a more ■ EMUs: Caltrain could replace tions, it can fall back on replacing Almanac Staff Writer JPB. A member of the board significant part of our lives,” said all it rolling stock with individually its aging diesel locomotives with of the Valley Transportation powered “Electric Multiple Units,” electric locomotives. These are altrain is entering 2007 Authority and the Capitol Cor- Project 2025 similar to those on some light rail still faster, quieter, and more with hopes of becom- ridor JPB, Mr. Williams replaces The next two years will be systems. These would be faster, efficient than current diesel- Cing a national model of Ken Yeager, who was recently critical for Caltrain. quieter, more flexible, more fuel- powered trains, but less so than modern rail rapid transit com- elected to the Santa Clara Coun- With much of its rolling stock 20 efficient, and more economical EMUs, which can run shorter parable to much-envied systems ty Board of Supervisors. years old, the JPB must decide in to operate — like the rail systems trains more often. in Europe and Japan. “Caltrain is on a good roll; the next two that are “We want to run lighter, self- At its first meeting Jan. 4, the our on-time performance was years what common propelled electric cars more fre- board of the three-county joint 96 percent,” JPB member Art mix of new ‘We are considered in Europe quently,” said Mr. Lloyd. “Then Powers Board (JPB), which runs Lloyd of Portola Valley told the equipment and Japan. we can run two-car trains every the Peninsula commuter rail ser- Almanac. “We are considered it needs to the most improved Their prob- 10 minutes.” vice, welcomed a new member, the most improved heavy rail electrify heavy rail service in lem is they Caltrain officials are optimistic chose new officers, heard reports service in the country.” the railroad could not they can convince the regulators on a good year in 2006 and an Last November, Caltrain and carry the country.’ be used on that they can run the lighter cars ambitious program for the next reported an average weekday it through BOARD MEMBER ART LLOYD current rail safely on tracks that are occasion- 20 years called “Project 2025.” ridership over 33,000, the high- 2025. lines that ally used by freight trains, by San Francisco City Treasurer est in the railroad line’s 143-year A recent are shared adjusting hours, providing mod- Jose Cisneros is the new chair history. Since the three counties report, Project 2025, presents with freight trains under current ern train controls, and modifying of the nine-member board. bought the right-of-way and a 20-year plan to improve the federal and state regulations; these regulations on the size of buffers. Redwood City Councilman Jim started running the trains14 railroad and expand its service. would have to be changed. “This could be a model for the Hartnett is vice chair; he also years ago, service has increased Project 2025 lays out two ■ Electric Locomotives: If the country,” Mr. Lloyd said. “But chairs the San Mateo Coun- from 54 to 96 trains a day, options for electrifying the rail- Caltrain team is unable to nego- we need to get the regulations ty Transportation Authority, including 22 popular Baby Bul- road by 2014: tiate changes in federal regula- relaxed.” A which allocates money from the let express trains, according county’s Measure A half-cent to Executive Director Michael transportation sales tax. Scanlon. San Jose City Councilmember “Caltrain is looking to a future “When you Forrest Williams was sworn in in which it will be more innova- Chimney fire extinguished don’t want on Tripp Road in Woodside just anybody The Bowman program builds Firefighters from the Wood- getting firefighters safely up on side Fire Protection District the roof, where they proceeded confidence, creativity and responded to a phone call from to open it up to get at the fire, academic excellence. working on the homeowner at 3573 Tripp he said. Road at about 4:40 p.m. Tues- Woodside firefighters are day, Jan. 16, and extinguished called to one or two chimney Lower School - Grades K - 5 your car!” what appeared to be a chimney fires a year, he said, adding that Middle School - Grades 6 - 8 fire. creosote in the flue is the chief • TIRES • ALIGNMENTS There were no injuries and culprit and that it should be • SHOCKS • BRAKES apparently no significant dam- removed periodically by a chim- Individualized, self-directed program age to the house, said Woodside ney sweeper. Rich international and cultural studies Battalion Chief Dan Ghiorso, who was not present at the fire Proven, Montessori approach but was reading from a report. The four-hour effort involved State-of-the-art facility some 26 firefighters and six BLOOD DONORS firefighting vehicles, including Low student-teacher ratio 2115 El Camino Real one from the Menlo Park Fire NEEDED Protection District and two Redwood City from the Redwood City Fire 1-800 GIVE LIFE www.bowmanschool.org Department, he said. 4000 Terman Drive  Palo Alto, CA  Tel: 650-813-9131 AMERICAN RED CROSS The most difficult part was 650.365.0280 Post news and views on The #1 Cadillac Service Center on the Peninsula Now Open Saturdays 9-5 Call for an appointment

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in San Francisco with the firm 1980. He was a 50-year member Community leader John Hooper dies of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro. of the Pacific Union Club and From 1968 until his death, a past president of the Cypress John A. Hooper, a descen- ■ received a bach- Mr. Hooper devoted himself to Lawn Cemetery Association. dant of an early San Francisco OBITUARY elor’s degree in charitable and community orga- Mr. Hooper is survived by his pioneer family, died of natural political science nizations. He served as president wife, Trish, of Portola Valley; causes Jan. 17 at The Sequoias matic rank of minister to the from Stanford of the Auxiliary of the Univer- his children, John C. Hooper of retirement community in Por- U.S. Mission to NATO. University in sity of California Hospital in San Point Arena, Margo H. Blair of tola Valley. He was 89. After he and his wife, Trish, 1938, and a law Francisco, president of Planned Chicago, Lawrence Hooper of A distinguished lawyer, he moved back from Paris, they degree from Parenthood of Northern Califor- Twisp, Washington, and Helen served in Paris from 1957 to settled into the family’s Moun- Harvard Law nia, and president of the Board McCloskey of Rumsey, Califor- 1967 under Presidents Eisen- tain Home Ranch in Woodside, School in 1941. John Hooper of Delegates for Planned Parent- nia; and five grandchildren. hower, Kennedy and Johnson where they lived until moving to He served in the hood Affiliates of California. A private memorial will be as a U.S. Defense Department The Sequoias in the mid-1990s. U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946. In He was a member of the held. Donations in his name representative, North Atlantic Mr. Hooper was born in San 1943 he married Trish Lowrey. Woodside Planning Commis- may be made to Planned Parent- and Mediterranean Areas, and Francisco. He graduated from the For 10 years, from 1947 to sion from 1973 until 1980, serv- hood, The Thacher School, or defense adviser with the diplo- Thacher School in Ojai in 1934, 1957, Mr. Hooper practiced law ing as chairman from 1979 to Peninsula Humane Society. A Bill Moggridge talks on design in digital age Bill Moggridge of Woodside, Town Council meeting. Traditional author of “Designing Interactions,” ■ NOTES The presentation for Ms. Chase will speak at the Palo Alto-based design firm and Mr. Schilling will follow the Shop Kepler’s book- IDEO, one of the first to integrate initial public comment period. store in Menlo the design of software and hard- The Jan. 24 meeting begins at Park at 7:30 p.m. ware into the practice of industrial 8 p.m. in the Historic School- Store Wide Wednesday, Jan. design. house at 765 Portola Road. 31. He is a consulting associate Another presentation will follow CLEARANCE Kepler’s says professor in the Joint Program in by Angela Hey on the new Web site he will tell stories Design at Stanford University. at coolpv.com, the Portola Valley of designers who Moggridge Climate Protection Initiative. Save Up to 75% changed the way The council is also scheduled people use everyday things in the Chase, Schilling to discuss the recent decision by digital era, based on his interviews to be honored residents Bill and Jean Lane to 75 Arbor Rd at Cambridge, Menlo Park with the founders of Google, the Laura Chase and Mike Schilling, protect their land with a con- creator of The Sims, and the inven- the recently retired commission- servation easement, and the tax Allied Arts Guild tors and developers of the mouse ers of Portola Valley’s architecture benefits available for another 11 and the desktop computer. review board will be recognized for months to anyone thinking of 650-325-3259 Mr. Moggridge is a founder of their contributions at Wednesday’s following the Lanes example. KGO’s Len Tillem & Michael Gilfix MEDI-CAL, TRUSTS, Len Tillem Esq. & Michael Gilfix, Esq. Len Tillem & Associates ASSET PROTECTION Gilfix & La Poll Associates, LLP Host of KGO’s “Legaltalk” Stanford Law School Tuesday, February 13, 2007 33 yrs Experience 2:30-4:30pm or 6:30-8:30pm Crowne Plaza Cabaña Mediterranean Room, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA. 94306

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16 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 NEWS

MP trustees give go-ahead for Former PV councilman design phase of resource center Bob Anderson dies ■ The school board also approved summer make way for future construction projects at Encinal and Laurel schools. at these two schools, said Ahmad Robert H. “Bob” Anderson, Sheikholeslami, the bond pro- who served on the Portola By Marjorie Mader these programs at the school sites gram manager. Valley Town Council for 14 Almanac Staff Writer is needed to accommodate new Projects at Encinal include relo- years beginning in 1968, died rustees of the Menlo Park construction at each of the four cating six existing portable class- Monday, Jan. 22. City School District on Jan. school sites. The timetable calls rooms and six new ones to house Mr. Anderson lived in The T16 approved moving into for the design work and regulatory students and staff; beginning con- Sequoias retirement commu- the “design development” phase approvals to be completed by sum- version of classrooms for future nity in Portola Valley, and for the district’s 12,000-square- mer of 2007, and for construction kindergartens; and providing had been ill for some time, foot Teacher Educational Resource to start in the fall. parking space during construc- according to Sue Crane, who Center, which is to be built next to Trustees will have opportunities tion of the resource center. served on the council with Mr. the district office on the Encinal later to review and approve the cen- At Laurel School, a modular Anderson. School site in Atherton. ter’s design during the master plan building will house a new preschool In addition to his years on The $5 million center is designed approval process for projects that program for district students cur- the council, Mr. Anderson to provide a centralized location will be funded by a voter-approved rently being served outside the was on the Planning Commis- Mr. Anderson and his wife, for a number of district services $91-million bond measure. district. The district’s occupational sion from 1964 to 1968 — the Charlotte, were among the — such as technology, the science therapy program will move to this first commission formed after founding families of Christ program and curriculum special- Summer projects new building from classroom space the town’s incorporation. He Church in Portola Valley. ists — now housed in five portable Trustees also approved a series at Oak Knoll. Also, improvements served for some time on the A complete obituary will buildings on school campuses. of site development projects at will be made to the parking lot, fire Woodside Fire Protection Dis- be published in next week’s There will also be a teacher train- Encinal and Laurel schools that lane and the student drop-off and trict board as well. Almanac. ing and meeting room, storage must proceed this summer to pick-up areas. A areas, and space for a future opera- tions and maintenance group. The resource center is a joint ALPINE/WEST MENLO LITTLE LEAGUE project with the Menlo Park-Ather- ton Education Foundation and will T-BALL REGISTRATION house the foundation’s office. The district is applying for Opens - January 2, 2007 Gourmet Italian Foods Closes - March 2, 2007 state funding for the project. OPEN 7 DAYS Board approval is critical now If your son or daughter is 5 years old by April 30, 2007, because the space occupied by Mon-Sat 8am-6pm • Sun 8am-4pm he/she is eligible for T-Ball. (650) 369-4235 Please register online at: WEEKLY SPECIALS http://eteamz.active.com/alpine/ or contact: Beemster Woodside Deli Sagra Premium Gourmet Extra Virgin Dutch Cheese Baked Ham Olive Oil Randy Gabrielson Scott Cacchione $ 99 $ 99 $ 99 Co-Commissioner Co-Commissioner 9 lb. lb. 7 lb. 9 1 liter [email protected] [email protected] Exp. 1/30/07 Exp. 1/30/07 Exp. 1/30/07 (650) 688-8511 (415) 262-1347

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January 24, 2007 ■ The Almanac ■ 17 NEWS

Little Store restaurant closes; owner wants to reopen it By Jane Knoerle ■ WOODSIDE Almanac Lifestyles Editor 7(%.)4 he Little Store in Wood- Asked why he and his wife side, which has seen many were leaving the restaurant, Mr. Topenings and closings in Eastley said: “The business was its 100-plus years, closed Jan. 14. successful. But, like any busi- Although the sign on the ness, it wasn’t just one thing. door says “Closed for repairs,” There were many issues.” #/-%34/ Dick Eastley, who with his wife The homey Little Store has seen Lynn has operated the restau- plenty of ups and downs through rant for almost five years, said the years. It has been a general they are no longer associated store and, briefly, a gas station. with the business. When Mr. Mouney bought it in Property owner Marcel Mouney 1972, “It was just a little grocery, told the Almanac late last week: “I selling beer and sandwiches.” 0(!2-!#)%3 want to open it again. It is a land- Longtime Woodside residents mark. When customers heard hope to see their neighborhood about the closing, they said ‘Oh, hangout reopen. In the Jan. 3 Marcel, where will we go now?’” Almanac article about opera Mr. Mouney said he is inter- nights at the Little Store, neighbor viewing chefs about taking Stuart Whittelsey said, “We con- 7%'/ over the business. He also said sider this our second kitchen.” it’s time for the restaurant to The Little Store is located at 3340 undergo a complete “overhaul.” Woodside Road in Woodside. A Science fairs at Portola Valley schools Science takes the spotlight at Corte Madera and Wednesday, "/4(7!93 Portola Valley Schools this week Jan. 24, at Ormondale. when students from kindergar- Family nights are 6 to 7:30 ten to eighth-grade display their p.m. at both schools where projects at science fairs with family nights Tuesday, Jan. 23, at See SCIENCE, page 19 Winter Swimming!! The Burgess Park pools are busy all winter with kids teams, lessons, Aqua Fit, laps, Masters swim, polo, triathlon, and even kids triathlon — winter session on now! WARM WATER POOL 2EGULARANDHERBAL THATIS9OUSEE ATAT%LEPHANT0HARMYOU LL lNDATRADITIONAL2XPHARMACYWITHKNOWLEDGEABLE CARINGLICENSED Swim Lessons: Special Price! PHARMACISTSPLUSALLTHELATESTDRUGSTOREESSENTIALSFOREVERY DAY Session: January 8 − March 24 HYGIENE REMEDIES ANDlRSTAID9OULLALSOlNDANEXTENSIVEHERBAL Winter only, 2 lessons/week for the price of 1 PHARMACYSTAFFEDBYLICENSEDEXPERTSIN#HINESEOR!YURVEDICMEDI Sign up now to get your timeslot CINE4HISISABOVEANDBEYONDOURMAMMOTHSELECTIONOFVITAMINS Program info, hours, SUPPLEMENTS COSMETICS AND BODY CARE PRODUCTS 3O NO MATTER Menlo Swim and Sport directions, prices, and news: 501 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 WHICHWAYYOUGO %LEPHANT0HARMHASWHATSRIGHTFORYOU 650-328-SWIM (7946) www.menloswim.com

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18 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 FOR THE RECORDS

■ OBITUARIES College. He ing company of golf manuals. A celebration of his life has co-founded Cypress Properties, earned a bach- Mr. Inman was a member of been held. Donations in his where he engaged in shopping Arthur Inman elor’s degree in the Suburbans, Sequoia Club, name may be made to the center and suburban office Founder of Peninsula Lithograph journalism and Sharon Heights Golf and Coun- Sequoia Hospital Foundation. acquisitions and development. business. try Club (where he was a charter He served on the board of Arthur Nelson Inman, a long- During World member), Native Sons of the John deBenedetti III high-tech and medical technol- time resident of Menlo Park War II, he served Golden West, Desert Seniors Real estate developer ogy companies, as well as philan- and Atherton, died Jan.15 at his in Europe with Arthur Inman and the Peninsula Investors. John L. “Jay” deBenedetti III thropic organizations, including home at the Hyatt Classic Resi- the Army Air He served on boards for the died Jan. 7 in Atherton after a the Vista Center for the Blind. dence in Palo Alto. He was 84. Corps. In 1946 Salvation Army, Communica- battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a member of the San He founded the Peninsula Staff Sgt. Inman returned to tions Arts Magazine, and the He was 68. Francisco Golf Club, Bohemian Lithograph Co. in Redwood City marry his college sweetheart, Sequoia Hospital Foundation, Mr. deBenedetti was born in San Club and Menlo Country Club. in 1948, which then expanded Jeanette Rose Owen. where he was treasurer for the Francisco and grew up in Santa He is survived by his wife, Marti; and moved in 1960 to Menlo After working at the Palo Alto past 10 years. A birthing room Cruz. He came from a pioneering daughters Ann Levis of St. Louis, Park, where he printed books for Times and the Redwood City at Sequoia Hospital was donated family of growers and shippers. Missouri, and Mary Newman of Sunset Publishing Co. Tribune, Mr. Inman founded by the Inmans in 1999. He graduated in 1959 from UC Lafayette; son John deBenedetti of Mr. Inman was born in Chico Peninsula Lithograph. He sold Mr. Inman was a golfer, a master Berkeley, where he was a mem- San Francisco; sister Jane McInnis; and grew up in Oroville, where the company to McCalls/Nor- domino champion, made furni- ber of the golf team and Zeta Psi and eight grandchildren. he was his high school’s stu- ton Simon in 1968 and retired ture for his homes in Pebble Beach fraternity. He was member of Donations may be made to: That dent body president. In 1939 he in 1973. He published Oceans and Truckee, and went salmon “The Builders of Berkeley” and Man May See, 10 Koret Way, Box hitchhiked to Treasure Island Magazine for six years, then fishing in British Columbia, miss- supported many Cal programs 0352, San Francisco, CA 94143; or to work at the World’s Fair, fell donated it to the Oceanic Soci- ing only one season in 45 years. over the years. to the UC Berkeley Foundation in in love with the Bay Area, then ety. He then founded Golf Asso- He is survived by his wife of He broke with the family’s support of the Memorial Stadium returned to attend San Jose State ciates, a printing and distribut- 60 years, Jeanette; daughters agricultural roots and pursued Building Fund, UC Regents/ Gift Linda Chilton of Atherton, and a career as a commercial real Administration, 2080 Addison SCIENCE director of business develop- Diane Inman of Washington; estate developer. The beginning St., Berkeley, CA 94720. continued from page 18 ment at Caliper Lifesciences in son Roger Inman of Menlo Park; of his career was spent with A celebration of his life will be Mountain View. five grandchildren; and two Coldwell Banker and Sutter held at the San Francisco Golf students will show and talk “Habitats” is the overall great-grandchildren. Hill Development. In 1976 he Club at a future date. about their experiments in each theme for the Ormondale fair. school’s multi-use room. Kindergartners through third- An added attraction to stu- graders have studied and cre- your small dents’ exhibits at Corte Madera ated their models of different HELP BUSINESS will be a presentation by sci- living environments. take flight by entist Michael Rowe, who at 7 Corte Madera, the district’s ADVERTISING p.m. will share his adventures grade 4-8 school, is located at 4575 and slides from his recent trip Alpine Road; Ormondale is at 200 to the Galapagos. He is the Shawnee Pass, Portola Valley. in

visually impaired. Extrapolating this percentage to the general population, researchers estimated that 14 million Americans have vision problems. The good news is that 11 million of them could achieve sharp vision with appropriate correction. Major Additions and As we get older, our eyes change and many of us have some difficulty reading small type or street signs. With today’s advances in vision care and eyewear, you can enjoy good vision and look stylish. Bring your eyewear prescriptions to Menlo Whole House Remodels Optical at 1166 University Drive, on the corner of Oak Grove Avenue and University Drive. We STAND CORRECTED! feature a wide selection of well-crafted frames, "The presentation was very professional. Lots of great information!" A National Health and Nutrition Examination including rimless and semi-rimless, and fill -Workshop Attendee Survey concluded that approximately 14 Americans prescriptions with lightweight, scratch-resistant have uncorrected vision problems that are lenses. Call us at 322-3900. Thursday, January 25, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm significant enough to impair daily living. The study P.S. The designation “20/20” vision indicates involved 13,000 people, aged 12 years and older. that a person has normal vision in reading 1954 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View, CA 94043 Those who normally wore eyeglasses or contact letters on the Snellen chart from 20 feet away. lenses to correct their vision were tested with their Mark Schmidt is an American Board of eyeglasses or lenses in place. For the purposes of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners ispel the myths of remodeling and learn the facts and how-to’s of the process the study, impaired vision was defined as 20/50 Certified Optician licensed by the Medical Board of in an interactive workshop designed specifically for homeowners. or worse in the better eye. By this definition, 6.4 California. He can be easily reached at Menlo Optical, percent of those examined were found to be 1166 University Drive, Menlo Park. 650-322-3900. DWhether you are undecided about remodeling or ready to go, the class will cover all the details, decisions, and questions homeowners have—including how to live through a remodel. Topics will include: CANTOR ARTS CENTER • Pre-planning • Choosing an architect, designer and /or contractor • The design process • Budgeting AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY • Materials • Floor plans • Code requirements • Scheduling •Building permits • Inspections and more! Harrell Remodeling, one of the San Francisco Peninsula's premier WINTER & SPRING STUDIO ART CLASSES remodeling contractors, will lead this workshop and take you step Art classes are available for kindergartners through adults, by step through the design and construction process so you can go and range from one-day workshops to weekly classes. into your major remodel confidently and intelligently. Your home is Every class has an in-gallery component, an important part of your life—make it reflect who you are by and all materials are provided. giving it your very best!

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January 24, 2007 ■ The Almanac ■ 19 FOR THE RECORD

When we set out ■ POLICE CALLS This information is from the Atherton and ■ Bike stolen, 900 block of Crane Street, Menlo Park police departments and the Jan. 15. San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. Under Robbery report: Suspect arrested at busi- law, people charged with offenses are ness, 1400 block of Willow Road, Jan. 14. to change the community, considered innocent until convicted. Burglary report: Fence cut and vehicles ATHERTON broken into and gardening equipment sto- Child abuse report: Five-year-old with len, 1100 block of O’Brien Drive, Jan. 15. large bruise on face, 300 block of El Auto burglary reports: ■ Stereo stolen, we started by Camino Real, Jan 16. 1200 block of Mills Street, Jan. 13. Arson report: Three students caught ■ Stereo and CDs stolen, 800 block of setting garbage can contents on fire with Coleman Avenue, Jan. 15. lighter, 100 block of Selby Lane, Jan 17. Vehicle accident report: Person sus- changing ourselves. Mountain lion sighting report: Valley tained leg injury, Laurel Street at Raven- Road, Jan. 13. swood Avenue, Jan. 12.

MENLO PARK PORTOLA VALLEY Stolen vehicle reports: Auto-burglary report: Black and white Grand theft reports: ■ Wallet and money jacket stolen from locked vehicle, Lawler stolen, 900 block of Willow Road, Jan. 12. Ranch Road and Sand Hill Road, Jan. 13.

THEATER the property to “test the waters continued from page 9 and see if the idea will fly.” He said Mayor Fergusson has “I’ve lived in the Menlo Park been “very helpful” in making and Atherton area my whole life, plans to revamp the theater. and I went to the Park Theatre as “I’ve been determined to bring a kid,” Mr. Duncan said. “Some- the Park Theatre back to life,” thing needs to be done to restore Mayor Fergusson said. “Right the theater back to the glory of now, the theater is deteriorating what it was.” badly. We need to restore it — it’s He said he has not submitted such a treasure and a symbol of an application to the city’s plan- Menlo Park.” ning department, but he has been Mr. Crittenden closed the the- in talks with Atherton resident ater in August 2002, and it has Howard Crittenden, who owns stayed empty since. He said the the theater, for four months. theater’s tenant, Landmark The- Mayor Kelly Fergusson said aters, could not afford to pay Mr. Duncan has an option on market-level rent. A Norovirus hits Sequoias again It appears that the highly The San Mateo County Health contagious norovirus — which Department has asked that the causes vomiting, diarrhea and health-care facility and lodge be other severe symptoms of intesti- closed to visitors, the flier says. nal illness — has returned to The The dining room is open, but Sequoias retirement community food is being served on paper in Portola Valley, which was hit plates, the resident said. Residents with an outbreak last month. are also asked to wear disposable The counties of San Mateo and A June 22 flier provided to the rubber gloves while dining, to Santa Clara have always stood for Almanac by one of the commu- wash hands frequently and to use nity’s approximately 300 resi- hand-sanitizing lotion. imagination and innovation. So when dents, stated, “We have another In the three-week outbreak it came to dreaming up ways to better outbreak of the virus.” It says that in December that eventually of the 27 cases noted, the health- involved 52 cases, the dining serve the region, we imagined a care facility has had 14, including room and all public gathering new way forward for ourselves. 8 that “have been resolved.” It areas were closed and residents says there have been two cases in were served on paper plates in This January, the new Silicon Valley the lodge; 11 in the apartments, their apartments. That outbreak Community Foundation opens its with five resolved; and “symp- did not involve the health-care toms” in five staff members. facility. doors, following the merger of Peninsula Community Foundation Student Camp and Trip Advisors INTRODUCING THE NEW and Community Foundation Silicon SUMMER SILICON VALLEY Valley. The new foundation combines “MAKE A BRIGHT CHOICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR SUMMER” COMMUNITY FOUNDATION more than $1.5 billion in assets with FAIR a priceless portfolio of expertise and SUNDAYSUNDAY FEBRUARYFEBRUARY 5,4, 20062007 10:00AM-1:00PM experience-in turn creating a catalyst Menlo School, 50 Valparaiso, Atherton for change greater than the sum of Programs for ages 8-18 • Free admission • Free parking its parts. Imagine that. MEET DIRECTORS FROM: OVERNIGHT CAMPS Traditional, Teen, Specialty TRIPS Biking, Wilderness, Cross Country, Worldwide Touring www.siliconvalleycf.org PROGRAMS Sailing, Ranch, Arts, Language, Community Service 650.358.9369 | 408.278.2200 EDUCATIONAL College Campuses US & Abroad For information call: Judy Wiesen, Student Camp & Trip Advisors: 415.454.5441 or 800.622.2347 20 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 VIEWPOINT

LETTERS Los Altos, CA 94022. The phone Here are some online resources: continued from page 23 number is (650) 691-2121. ■ Everyone can benefit from To learn more about chlo- reading the DMV’s Driver’s ing right turns are looking left ramine’s effects on health, the Handbook about sharing the to merge. A driver is not antici- environment and plumbing, see road, rights of cyclists and pating a moving vehicle (yes, a www.chloramine.org. responsibilities of motorists. bicycle is a moving vehicle) com- Rita Solk These are the laws under which ing up on the right. Tioga Drive, Menlo Park we all use the road. http://ffw- ■ Riding on sidewalks is much ww.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/ more dangerous than the street — Online tips that pgs55thru57.htm#bike about two to 10 times higher risk. ■ A cyclist’s perspective on Sidewalk cyclists are in danger are helpful to cyclists sharing the road, directed at at every road crossing and even Editor: both motorists and cyclists, every driveway because motorists As one of the Menlo Park bicy- can be found at: http://www. do not look for fast traffic on the cle commissioners, I want to bikeleague.org/action/ sidewalk. Additionally, drivers thank the Almanac for sharetheroad.php ■ have a much narrower field of the thoughtful Jan. "/"$ Safety and vision of the sidewalk than of the 10 editorial “Can -. riding informa- road. This is particularly true on cyclists, motor- " tion for cyclists is . . c Santa Cruz Avenue, where many ists coexist?” w Respond to o at: http://www. w m homes have tall hedges. Coexistence, w Letters to the Editor, bikexprt.com/ I encourage everyone inter- and better posted on streetsmarts/ ested to check out the following mutual under- Town Square at usa/index.htm URL with additional bicycle standing, is AlmanacNews.com ■ An excellent safety information: going to be local resource http://crankmail.com/fredo- improved with & on cycling safe- swald/Kids-Bike-Safety.pdf better knowledge "3 ty from Richard Jackie Macdonald and awareness of 426 Swent can be found Elder Court, Menlo Park what it means to each at: http://www.bike- group to “share the road.” class.swent.net/ Contact Ruskin with I’d like to offer some online mate- ■ Finally, resources for local rial for both cyclists and motorists roadways and bicycle routes chloramine information that may help with shared con- and links to local maps and Editor: cerns. I hope this information can resources from the MTA are at: Thank you for your Dec. 27 inform and lead to better under- http://bicycling.511.org/ coverage of the chloramine issue standing. After all, many of us are John Fox and the two letters following it. in both groups. Elder Avenue, Menlo Park Our local health department and the San Francisco Pub- lic Utilities Commission have turned a deaf ear to people’s suffering and the public outcry on the use of chloramines in our water system. Chloramine has not been properly studied for health effects such as skin and respiratory problems. We need to work with Assem- Private Catering blyman Ira Ruskin, D-Redwood Parties Available City, and other legislators to get chloramine removed from the water. Mr. Ruskin plans to introduce a bill to do so as well as have testing completed. Anyone having symp- Buy One Entree toms from chloramine or who is FREE& Receive One For Equal or Lesser Value FREE concerned about damage to their expires 1/17/07 plumbing and the environment Beginner Fencing classes starting Jan. 2007 offered by The Town of Atherton should contact Mr. Ruskin at Parks and Rec and SF Fencers’ Club Mondays for Youth and Adults. 823 Hamilton Street, Redwood City 5050 El Camino Real, Suite 117, For more information call 415-640-5671. 650-780-3550

Low Cost Divorce/Living Trust The David Simpich MARIONETTES DOCUMENT PREPARATION SERVICE The Pilgrim’s INCLUDES: • Divorce $449 Progress • Living Trusts $399/$499 • Friday 1/26 7:30pm • Incorporations/LLC $399 • Saturday 1/27 7:30pm • Non-Profit $399 • Sunday 1/28 4:30pm • Probate (Free Quote) First Presbyterian Church • And much more! of Palo Alto Kyle & Koko 1140 Cowper St. (at Lincoln) $15 adult; $12 youth & child We The People® 800-579-0009 (not recommended for children under 8 yrs) 650-361-1723 Form and Service Center since 1985. We are not attorneys. We provide only self-help services at your specific discretion. LDA#72 Santa Clara County www.puppetshowcase.org January 24, 2007 ■ The Almanac ■ 21 Serving Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, and Woodside for 40 years. Ideas, thoughts and opinions about local issues from people in our community. Edited by Tom Gibboney.

Editor & Publisher Tom Gibboney Last stand for the Jackling house? Editorial Managing Editor Richard Hine mid all the hoopla about Apple’s new iPhone and the run- Or he could just let the historic landmark rot by leaving it open News Editor Renee Batti away success of the iPod, and then the word about the record to the elements as he has done since he decided that demolition is Lifestyles Editor Jane Knoerle $1 billion-plus quarterly profit, it would not be a surprise if the only answer. Under that scenario, though, he won’t get what he Senior Staff Writers A Marion Softky, Marjorie Mader Apple CEO Steve Jobs is neglecting his little problem with the Jack- wants, which is a new, smaller home on the property. Staff Writers Andrea Gemmet, ling house in Woodside. That’s because no matter how successful Mr. Evidently, Mr. Jobs did not count on the success of the preservationist David Boyce, Rory Brown Editorial Intern Stephanie Cadora Jobs is within the walls of the Cupertino-based iPod and computer group Uphold Our Heritage, which successfully fought the demoli- Contributors Barbara Wood, company, his longtime effort to tion all the way to the Appeals Court. The group includes Clotilde Bryan Wiggin, Kate Daly, tear down the walls of the 16-bed- Luce, whose family owned the Jackling house in the 1960s. She told Bill Rayburn, Miles McMullin, EDITORIAL Katie Blankenberg rooom Jackling house on his 6.4- the Almanac that she would like to see the efforts to relocate the house The opinion of The Almanac Special Sections Editors acre Mountain Home Road estate continue, with the ideal outcome keeping it in Woodside. Carol Blitzer, Sue Dremann in Woodside has gone nowhere, So far, the most likely candidate to pull off what is said to be Photographer Marjan Sadoughi and the outlook isn’t getting any better. a $4 million to $6 million effort is Gordon Smythe, a Palo Alto Design & Production The latest bad news came Jan. 10, when the California Court of resident and principal of Propel Properties. Mr. Smythe has said Design Director Raul Perez Assistant Design Director Appeals ruled that Woodside acted improperly when the Town his team could dismantle the house in six months, and reassemble Katie Cvitkovich Council gave Mr. Jobs a permit to demolish the massive Spanish it at an unknown, but nearby, site over a period of years. In 2006, Designers Linda Atilano, Gail Thoreson, Elise Eisenman, Colonial revival-style mansion built in 1926 for copper magnate Mr. Jobs said he would be willing to contribute $500,000 to such Eric Kinnaird, Nancy Hwang, Daniel C. Jackling. a move, Mr. Smythe said last October, with $150,000 for debris Tanya A. Ortega Noted architect George Washington Smith designed the home removal and $350,000 for moving expenses. Advertising in the same Spanish Colonial Revival style that he used for many If Mr. Jobs truly wants to remove the Jackling house from his Advertising Manager Neal Fine projects in the Santa Barbara area during the same time period. property, he should sweeten the offer to Mr. Smythe, or whoever Display Advertising Sales Roxanne Bates Now, a lot of Mr. Smith’s works, including the Jackling house, are else mi ght be convinced to haul the home away. Given the success Real Estate Account designated as historic structures and are governed by the Califor- of the Apple Corp. and his other interests, surely Mr. Jobs could Representative Donna Berryhill nia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). afford to throw a few million at a problem that has dragged on far Real Estate Assistant Monica Asborno The ruling under CEQA said that the town did not pay enough too long in Woodside. Advertising Services attention to options other than demolition, so now it appears that We suggest he offer a multi-million dollar challenge grant with Coordinator M.J. Hayden Mr. Jobs will have to either remodel or restore the house or try to a definite time limit to anyone who could remove the home in, Receptionist Renee Meil find someone to dismantle the 17,000-square-foot structure and say, one year. It is not a stock option (Mr. Jobs knows all about Circulation, Classified, rebuild it on another site. those) but it might just do the trick. & Legal Advertising Bill Rayburn

Published every Wednesday at 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, LETTERS Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 854-2626 Our readers write FAX (650) 854-0677 e-mail news (no photos please) to: [email protected] Budget surplus, e-mail photos with captions to: new tax don’t mix [email protected] e-mail letters to: Editor: [email protected] What is going on here? I don’t The Almanac, established in September, 1965, is delivered each week to residents of Menlo understand how Menlo Park can Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside have a year of concern over a large and adjacent unincorporated areas of southern San Mateo County. The Almanac is qualifi ed by budget deficit, pushing worried decree of the Superior Court of San Mateo County to publish public citizens to vote for a utility tax out notices of a governmental and legal of fear our basic services will be nature, as stated in Decree No. 147530, issued November 9, 1969. cut, and then be told oh, no, sorry, Voluntary subscriptions are available for delivery to homes in Menlo that’s wrong, we actually have a Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside at $30 per year or $50 for budget surplus of $3.7million! 2 years. Subscriptions by businesses I know nothing about how to or residents outside the area are $50 for one year and $80 for two years. run a city, but I can’t imagine how this huge discrepancy could ■ WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? happen. And now we are paying more taxes for a problem that All views must include a home address and contact phone number. Published letters wasn’t really there. will also appear on the Almanac Web site, I’d like to know how the City www.AlmanacNews.com, and occasionally on the Almanac’s Town Square forum. Council plans to deal with this issue. TOWN SQUARE FORUM Heather Nelson POST your views on the Lorelei Lane, Menlo Park Town Square forum at Menlo Park Historical Association www.AlmanacNews.com Questions after Our Regional Heritage EMAIL your views to letters@AlmanacNews. cyclist’s accident Peninsula residents rejoiced at a gala picnic in October 1863 when train service was inaugurated between com. Indicate if it is a San Francisco and Menlo Park and Mayfield (Palo Alto). The new train made the trip in 80 minutes; a letter to be published. Editor: stagecoach ride took nine hours. The scene above shows a train crossing San Francisquito Creek. I read the Jan.17 article about MAIL or deliver to: Editor at the Almanac, MaryAnn Levenson, the cyclist 3525 Alameda de las who was hit by a motorist on collision and the injury done to It isn’t so. East of 280, the posted across from the Stanford Linear Pulgas, Menlo Park, Sand Hill Road Dec. 23. Ms. Levenson? And second, did speed limit on Sand Hill is either Accelerator a couple of years ago. CA 94025. Two things in the article stunned Sgt. Prickett really say that the 40 or 35 mph. The speed limit was Please do a follow-up article CALL the Viewpoint desk at me. First, can it be that the police speed limit on Sand Hill Road, lowered from 45 to 40 mph after 854-2626, ext. 222. report made no mention of the east of Interstate 280, is 45 mph? a cyclist was killed on Sand Hill See LETTERS, next page

22 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007 VIEWPOINT

Times remembered at Allied Arts By Jane Knoerle REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK t’s hard to believe the Traditional Shop and the Allied Arts restaurant operat- Jane Knoerle Ied by the Palo Alto Auxiliary to Lucile is Almanac lifestyles editor Packard Children’s Hospital are closing. They’ve been the subject of dozens of articles I’ve written for the Almanac. They’ve also been part of my own life. Customers flocked to the shop to get the In the 1970s I was a member of the first selection of gifts and ornaments. Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary to Lucile A longtime member recalls the days Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. when the shop carried custom Christmas As a provisional member, I put in a week- cards, which meant spending a great deal ly stint at the Traditional Shop for a year. of time with the customer and doing a lot As active members, we were required to of paper work. “We tried to get out of it if work at the shop twice a month. we could,” she says. Members also knitted Dressed in blue smocks, we volunteers custom Christmas stockings for sale. learned how to operate a cash register If Christmas was busy, sometimes hot (no computers then) from the always summer days dragged on indefinitely. The Almanac/Marjan Sadoughi patient Mrs. Dean. She referred to us as We blue-smocked ladies gathered in A good crowd enjoyed lunch at the Allied Arts restaurant last Friday. her “girls” and called everyone “honey.” groups to chat or sneaked into the back She showed us the skills needed for sell- room for a cup of coffee. shrimp sandwiches served on crustless closed for two and a half years for a ing in an upscale shop, known for its fine We peered out the window at tearoom white bread, “fingers” of cinnamon or complete renovation and restoration, selection of china, silver and antiques. guests dining in the courtyard and orange toast, cream puffs or petit fours. the restaurant has struggled. It has She demonstrated how to do a meticu- wished we could join them. Ladies had tea. The children were served revamped its menu. It has replaced lous gift wrap, for that was expected in punch. chefs. But times have changed. those days. The Traditional Shop was a Allied Arts restaurant The tearoom was popular for bridal The day of the tearoom is past. The popular source for wedding gifts, which For longtime Menlo Park residents, and baby showers and, once a month, number of “ladies who lunch” as well as were delivered locally by our own van. Allied Arts restaurant was always the Palo Alto Auxiliary members modeled the availability of women volunteers is The shop always had beautiful flower tearoom. We remember when you had in a fashion show. It was a great way to dwindling. Younger women today are arrangements created by auxiliary mem- to make reservations for lunch during spend Monday, with lunch and a fashion working or prefer spending their free time bers and replaced every Monday. Each the holidays by September or you’d show at Allied Arts. in other ways. season brought special gift and decorative never get in. At Christmas, high school choral Allied Arts restaurant is closing Feb. 28 items selected by Mr. Newman and Miss Lunch and tea were served five days groups sang after tea. Then most fami- to allow a last Valentine’s Tea. I intend to Smith. (All the professionals at the shop a week by the women of the Palo Alto lies visited the giant Christmas tree in be there for that tea, maybe sit at the little were referred to as Miss, Mrs. or Mister.) Auxiliary. The set-price luncheon often the Traditional Shop, where we parents table for two in front of the fireplace or on Christmas was the most exciting time of included soup, a creamy casserole, and allowed the children to choose an orna- the enclosed porch overlooking the “blue the year. The real, ceiling-high Christmas always dessert. ment for their own tree. garden.” I’ll lift my cup of Earl Grey and tree went up the first week in November. Tea was especially nice: cucumber and Since it reopened in 2004, after being drink a toast to times remembered.

LETTERS continued from previous page In old days, Dumbarton Rail was for freight By Arthur L. Lloyd on this incident, perhaps with an interview ■ Corridor trains to and from Sacramento with Sgt. Prickett so he can explain what is PANEL OF CONTRIBUTERS and Altamont Commuter Express trains going on. he proposal to establish commut- Arthur L. Lloyd is a to and from Stockton and Tracy. Con- Mike Laine er rail service in the Dumbarton board member of the nectivity is a must and the easier it is to Menlo Park Tcorridor between Redwood City San Mateo County use public transportation the more cars and Newark makes good sense for our Transit District, which come off the road and the less pollutants Some advice for kids Bay Area region. It utilizes a corridor operates the Samtrans go into the atmosphere. Eventually, it will already in place that can be upgraded buses, and the Penin- be good-bye to “Spare the Air” days. biking to school economical1y and placed into service sula Joint Powers Board, Comments were made at recent public Editor: quickly once all plans are in place. which operates Caltrain. He is a member hearings that rail commuter service is I live near Hillview Middle School. My Built in 1914 by Southern Pacific, of the Almanac’s Panel of Contributors. “19th century” technology. Nothing husband and I alternate driving and bicy- this line was to be mainly a freight cor- is farther from the truth. The internal cling with our three children to Oak Knoll ridor. It allowed the owning railroad combustion engine, invented in the each morning. faster transit time for freight between when freight service was stopped in the 1890s, has had no major changes until It’s great to see so many children and fami- San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley mid-1980s. Track and signal upgrades now, when we finally are looking at elec- lies riding their bikes to school. However, I points as well as to the East Bay. Pas- will be necessary, but not in the cost tric and hydrogen technology, as well as am becoming increasingly concerned for the senger operation was brief, with one range to completely build a new line. hybrids, a combination if electric and an safety of some of our unac- train a day between Redwood City and Trains will operate from and to internal combustion engine. companied cyclists. Newark; that service was discontinued Union City — three per day to San Meanwhile, railroads began experimen- "/"$/& Parents, please -. 8 in 1917 at the advent of the United Francisco and three per day to San tal diesel electric service in the late 1920s, " 4 . remind your inde- c States’ involvement in World War I. Jose, in each direction. They will oper- and by 1958 the steam engine was replaced w Respond to o pendent riders of w m Only occasional special passenger ate during normal commute hours so completely. Now, railroads are moving to w Letters to the Editor, the following safety posted on trains were run over this line, most that federally required grade crossing the best of the best — electric propulsion. measures: Town Square at specifically every other year a train whistle-blowing will not occur during North America lags the world in electri- ■ Ride with traf- AlmanacNews.com between Berkeley and Palo Alto for nighttime hours and disturb residents fied railroads and this is long overdue to fic, not against it. 5 the “Big Game.” The author, repre- who live near the line. be remedied. All the present diesel engines 0 & Some are taught to 8 "3 senting the railroad historical societies, Freight service is not planned, but on Caltrain do is generate 600 volts of ride on the wrong side /426 also set up several special trains for rail Union Pacific has indicated an interest. direct current to electric traction motors of the road so they can enthusiasts direct from San Francisco This, also, could be restricted to day- mounted in the trucks (wheel sets) of the “see traffic coming.” This is to San Joaquin Valley cities. time hours in the middle of the day. locomotive. Direct electric propulsion illegal and dangerous. The accident rate for Now we have a demand for restora- This is a regional plus for public trans- eliminates the diesel. wrong-way cyclists is more than three times tion of this line, which is owned by portation. Yes, it benefits residents living Electrifying Caltrain will bring about as high as for cycling properly. Drivers mak- the San Mateo County Transit District east of our Peninsula, but it also will allow more frequent service with faster run- (SamTrans). SamTrans purchased the transfers for residents on our side of the ning times (acceleration and decelera- See LETTERS, page 21 right-of-way from Southern Pacific Bay to connect at Union City to Capitol tion) and cleaner operation.

January 24, 2007 ■ The Almanac ■ 23 Harcross Road Starwood Drive West Glen Way Tioga Drive Woodside Woodside Woodside Menlo Park FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE $28,000,000 $6,500,000 $1,195,000 $2,250,000

Olive Hill Lane Whiskey Hill Road Laning Drive Woodside Woodside Woodside FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE $4,995,000 $5,995,000 $2,995,000

SOLD Atherton LIST PRICE $6,900,000

SOLD Atherton LIST PRICE $5,495,000

SOLD Scott Dancer Atherton 650.529.2454 LIST PRICE scottdancer.com $4,995,000 2969 Woodside Road, Woodside, CA 94062 Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

represented by Scott Dancer

24 ■ The Almanac ■ January 24, 2007