Vol. XXVI, Number 50 • Wednesday, March 23, 2005 ■ 50¢ BullyingBullying movesmoves fromfrom playgroundplayground toto inboxinbox PagePage 33 www.PaloAltoOnline.comwww.PaloAltoOnline.com Vanishing PALO ALTO Stagnant buildings, sites could be claimed by progress Page 20 Check out the Weekly’s new online classifieds at fogster.com Nicholas Wright ■ Upfront Discrimination based on Zip codes? Page 7 ■ ■ In Business Sport and Toy Shop a true survivor Section 2 ■ Sports Stanford women advance to NCAA Sweet Sixteen Page 27 apr.com REDEFINING QUALITY SINCE 1990 R eading between the emotional line makes the difference between finding a house and a home. PALO ALTO This sunny Eichler home has been updated and remodeled while retaining the integrity of the original design. Expansive windows look out to lovely, landscaped gardens. Freshly painted. $1,098,000 PALO ALTO Stunning remodeled 3bd/2ba home. Beautiful new kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances and travertine tile. Fresh paint and new carpet. Large newly landscaped lot. Excellent Palo Alto schools. $979,000 MENLO PARK Old world charm abounds in this updated 1920’s Mediterranean style home in the Willows. Eat-in kitchen, living room with fireplace and cathedral ceiings, formal dining room and hardwood floors. $899,000 apr.com | PALO ALTO OFFICE 578 University Avenue 650.323.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Page 2 • Wednesday, March 23, 2005 • Palo Alto Weekly UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis YOU’VE GOT THREATS! Photo illustration by Norbert von der Groeben Online bullying among teens a growing concern by Alexandria Rocha playground are being joined by quick and — or 44 percent — 10- to 18-year-olds own a er and I’m like, ‘What’s up?’” said eighth- accessible text messages utilizing cell phones, cell phone in the United States. The figures grader Colleen Clayton, 14. arlier this year, a local high school stu- e-mails, instant messages and Web blogs. are also staggering for youth instant message When asked how often they use text and dent was placed under a restraining “This is a new form of bullying that could use. According to a 2003 Pew Research instant messaging, Jordan Middle School Eorder for sending another teen hun- grow,” said Joe DiSalvo, principal of Jane Center study, about 13 million youths have eighth-graders Angelina Marriott and Grace dreds of instant messages via the Internet. Lathrop Stanford Middle School. “I think Internet accounts with instant messaging. Morrison locked eyes, laughed and in unison In a separate incident last June, a Gunn most parents would be surprised at what their In Palo Alto, where most kids grow up with said, “All the time.” High School teacher found thousands of racist children are saying and doing electronically.” computers and get their first cell phone in With the convenience of technology, kids messages crowding her work e-mail account. Cyberbullying messages range from sexual middle school, the risk of cyberbullying is are forgetting to think before they act, said Although the suspect was never identified, innuendos to name calling to flat out put- even greater — they’re technologically adept. Scott Laurence, principal of Palo Alto High school officials and police believe it was a stu- downs. Rather than pick up the phone or take a bike School. Cyberbullying, especially with Web dent disgruntled over a grade. Some experts say the phenomenon is ride to relay a quick comment to a friend, they blogs, has taken the place of “slam books” — Such incidences are examples of a new phe- expanding because of the widespread use of send a text or instant message or e-mail. In notebooks passed around a school where stu- nomenon called “cyberbullying.” The days technology among today’s youth. essence, it’s “instant” gratification. dents wrote answers to various questions, when adolescents and teenagers passed mean According to a NOP World Technology “Whenever I don’t feel like picking up the some defaming, others praising, he said. notes in class and picked on each other on the study released earlier this month, almost half phone, I use a text message because it’s easi- (continued on page 10) Palo Alto Weekly • Wednesday, March 23, 2005 • Page 3 • Russian • Spanish • Arabic • English • German • Danish • Italian • Japanese • Mandarin Portuguese • Qualified, Native Instructors 703 HIGH STREET, PALO ALTO, CA 94302 Language (650) 326-8210 • Small Group Classes PUBLISHER Studies William S. Johnson • Private Instruction Anytime EDITORIAL Our Institute Jay Thorwaldson, Editor • Emphasis on Conversation Marc Burkhardt, Managing Editor Jennifer Aquino, Associate Editor • Professional Atmosphere Allen Clapp, Carol Blitzer, Assistant Editors Keith Peters, Sports Editor Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor Town • Cultural Tips by Don Kazak Robyn Israel, Arts & Entertainment Editor Don Kazak, Jocelyn Dong, Senior Staff Writers • Convenient Location Bill D’Agostino, Alexandria Rocha, Staff Writers Norbert von der Groeben, Chief Photographer Russian • Spanish Nicholas Wright, Staff Photographer Teaching tolerance Tyler Hanley, Assistant to the Editor & Online Editor hildren are not born hating looked like she could be Muslim. A Sue Dremann, Staff Writer, Special Sections other people. They learn that girl said her Jewish friends aren’t al- Spring Quarter Jeanne Aufmuth, Dale Benson, Lynn Comeskey, Tim Goode, Jim Shelby, C from others. lowed to visit with her in her grand- April 11-June 16 Jill Slater, Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, They can also learn better things, mother’s house. Contributors such as being tolerant of others who “Some people have more than oth- Tai Khandaker, Carol Palinkas, Editorial Interns Open House Saturday, April 2, 1-4pm Naomi Brookner, Photo Intern are different. It works, too. ers, and that’s not fair,” another girl DESIGN Mary Sano’s 6th grade class at said. Last day of discount registration Arabic • English German Carol Hubenthal, Design Director Jordan Middle School had two visi- The Palo Alto students relaxed and Judith Alderman, Assistant Design Director tors last Wednesday morning. Katie warmed up as the morning went on, Meet our professional instructors, receive a free Diane Haas, Lynda Lumish, Sue Peck, Senior evaluation, and enjoy complimentary refreshments Designers; Cuevo and Priti Sanghani are Stan- getting used to having visitors. They Mindi Casillas, Ben Ho, Dana James, ford University students who are in- interacted easily with each other, Scott Peterson, Designers terning with Multifaith Voices for making small jokes. It was a mostly 650-321-1867 • www.languagego.com PRODUCTION Jennifer Lindberg, Production Manager Peace and Justice, the group started white class, 13 girls and 11 boys. Dorothy Hassett, Joan Sloss, Sales & Production by the Rev. Diana Gibson, formerly One girl was African American, one Present this ad at the April 2nd Open House Coordinators of First Presbyterian Church of Palo boy Asian American, another girl and save $20 on any group or private package ADVERTISING Alto. might have been Southwest Asian. Michael Howard, Advertising Manager Cathy Norfleet, Display Advertising Sales Assistant Cuevo and Sanghani came to teach Sano asked what sort of injustices Arabic • English German Danish Italian Japanese Mandarin Portuguese 350 Cambridge Ave. Ste., 100, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Michelle Bayer, Jasbir Gill, Colette Jensen, peace to the kids, ages 11 and 12. the students see at school. Display Advertising Sales They started off with excerpts “Bullies,” one boy said. Kathryn Brottem, Real Estate Advertising Sales Joan Merritt, Real Estate Advertising Asst. from a video called “Promises,” “There are cliques,” a girl said. 14th ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST Linda Franks, Classified Advertising Manager about Israeli and Palestinian chil- “What do you do about those PALO ALTO WEEKLY Justin Davisson, Ana Gonzalez, dren, about the same age as Sano’s things?” Cuevo asked. Entry Deadline Friday, April 8 Evie Marquez, Maria Menche, Irene Schwartz, Classified Advertising Sales students. It’s a powerful video. The “The school has ‘mix-it-up’ days,” Palo Alto Weekly Blanca Yoc, Classified Administrative Assistant students watched it carefully. a boy said — when students are sup- PHOTOCONTEST ONLINE SERVICES In the video, two Israeli children posed to hang out with students they For more information call Lisa Van Dusen, Director of Palo Alto Online arrive to visit several Palestinian usually don’t. 650/326-8210, ext. 268 Shannon White, Assistant to Webmaster children in a camp. A Palestinian boy “Do people actually do it?” Sano BUSINESS says matter-of-factly to an Israeli: asked. Go to PaloAltoOnline.com Iryna Buynytska, Business Manager Miriam Quehl, Manager of Payroll & Benefits “Don’t speak Hebrew in the camp.” “No!” several students said. to view last years winners Claire McGibeny, AR Supervisor The boys play soccer, wrestle, eat Sano explained to me that “mix-it- Paula Mulugeta, Senior Accountant Sivanthy Siva, Business Associate dinner together. Then they sit around up days” are based on an idea from Tina Karabats, Cathy Stringari, Doris Taylor, and talk. what she called “teaching-tolerance Business Associates “I understand how they feel,” an Is- people,” the Southern Poverty Law ADMINISTRATION raeli boy says. “I would feel the same Center. The center tracks hate groups Amy Renalds, Assistant to the Publisher & Promotions Director; Nikki McDonald, Promotions way.” and publishes a semi-annual maga- Easter Egg Hunt & Online Coordinator; The visit becomes emotional when zine for educators. Janice Covolo, Receptionist; a Palestinian boy starts crying while Later, the students performed short Ruben Espinoza, Jorge Vera, Couriers telling of a young friend who was skits they were asked to put together EMBARCADERO PUBLISHING CO. Saturday, March 26 • 9am-10am William S. Johnson, President shot and killed by an Israeli soldier. based on what they heard that morn- (ages 12 and under) Robert A. Heinen, Vice President, Operations; Later, one Palestinian boy says to ing. The skits were just a few mo- Michael I. Naar, Vice President & CFO; Robert D.