MENLO PARK election: More money reported from union, developers, real estate interests. Page 5

Cycling: Romantic, heady and healthful. Health & Fitness

THE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR MENLO PARK, ATHERTON, PORTOLA VALLEY AND WOODSIDE Section 2

NOVEMBER 8, 2006 www.AlmanacNews.com | VOL. 42 NO. 10

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2 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 custom jewelers

This week’s news, features and community events.

FIRST SHOT

FIRST SESSION FREE! The Almanac/Marion Softky Call Today! Musicians in motion The high-stepping Stanford Band, as is the fashion at a groundbreaking ceremony for a $379 million X- ray laser device, brought along their hard hats as they entertained about 1,000 people on Oct. 20 at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center in Menlo Park.

Menlo Park Portola Valley ■ Council election: More money reported from ■ Plan unfolds for bulk buy of solar arrays in union, developers, real estate interests. Page 5 Portola Valley, Ladera. Page 7 ■ O’Brien Group spends big to fight referendum. Is your Page 8 Woodside ■ Urban forest is green but growing fragile. Page 11 addiction ■ Woodside and Portola Valley may get $2 million from county in settlement of hurting Election 2006 property-tax dispute. Page 9 ■ High school seniors help out at polls. Page 5 anyone? ■ Check AlmanacNews.com for election night Sports updates. Page 5 ■ M-A’s perfect football season ends with loss to ■ Measure A campaign raises almost $200,000. Aragon. Page 19 Page 17

Also Inside On the cover Around Town ...... 29 With a phone call and a picture-perfect photo op, Editorial ...... 22 Woodside officially became a town on Nov. 16, 1956, following a bruising and divisive incorpora- Calendar ...... 31 HE SEQUOIA CENTER helps families recover the Letters ...... 22 tion campaign. New city clerk Jane Hicks holds the balance in their lives from the effects of abusing alcohol Police Calls ...... 21 phone up for council members Selah Chamberlain T Schools ...... 18 (left), Mayor William Lowe and Rose OíNeill to and other drugs. Our services are offered in a warm and caring hear the good news. This month, the town environment by trained staff dedicated to helping individuals celebrates its 50th anniversary. Photo collage by Marjan Sadoughi. Story begins on Page 14. gain control over their lives. The Sequoia Center is licensed through –Call today 1-800-997-5504 to schedule a free, confi dential CALLING ON THE ALMANAC the State of to deliver: 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- THE [email protected] 4455. Periodicals Postage Paid at Menlo Park, CA and at Residential Treatment For all other calls, phone 854-2626 additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general • 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 ■ E-mail letters to the editor to: Fax: 854-0677 2 years are welcome from residents of the above circulation /Day Treatment 650 Main Street, Redwood City [email protected] area. Subscription rates for businesses and for residents of 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. HEALTH • HOPE • RECOVERY

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4 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 M ENLO PARK | ATHERTON | WOODSIDE | PORTOLA V ALLEY Menlo Park election: More money reported from union, developers, real estate interests ■ Union spending hits $22,000; Boyle, of city services. Some of the fli- Alto, the former president of the cal action committee that has Duboc, Winkler collect another $3,000 each. ers also endorse candidates Cline Magnussen Buick Pontiac GMC campaigned in behalf of candi- and Robinson. auto dealership. dates Vincent Bressler, Cline and By Rory Brown the council election as of Nov. 3, The three candidates are run- Robinson, received a contribu- Almanac Staff Writer according to independent expen- Developer contributions ning as a slate, and have now tion of $1,050 from its own trea- diture reports filed Nov. 3 with Candidates Boyle, Duboc and raised about $87,500, com- surer, former council candidate local union is spending big the Secretary of State’s office. Winkler each took in another bined, from Jan. 1 to the Alma- David Speer. to oust Menlo Park City Of those costs, $13,382 has gone $3,000 in donations since Oct. nac’s press deadline on Nov. 6, The group paid for a flier ACouncil candidates toward ousting incumbents 30, according to late campaign according to the reports. recently mailed to residents that Lee Duboc and Mickie Duboc and Winkler, and finance reports. All six candidates also report- says incumbents Duboc and Winkler, as the two can- $8,298 has been spent The three candidates each ed accepting a $2,000 donation Winkler “did nothing to save” didates and their ally, ELECTION campaigning in favor received three donations of $1,000 from developer David Bohannon. the Park Theatre. John Boyle, cumula- 2006 of candidates Richard — one from the Redwood City- Mr. Bohannon’s company, the Candidate Robinson leads the tively received another Cline and Heyward based DES Architects and Engi- David D. Bohannon Organiza- other three candidates in mone- $9,000 from developers, Robinson, according to neers, and another from the Palo tion, reported Oct. 27 giving tary donations, with $22,400, fol- real estate interests and a the reports. Alto-based real estate company $2,000 to each of the six candidate lowed by Mr. Cline with $13,885 retired auto dealership presi- The labor council has Menlo Business Park LLC, accord- campaigns, and, according to the and Mr. Bressler with $10,919. dent. paid for four fliers that denounce ing to the reports. reports, none of the candidates Mr. Bressler has also loaned The San Mateo Central Labor incumbents Duboc and Winkler The third listed donation is turned down the offer. another $2,000 to his own cam- Council has poured $22,180 into for supporting the privatization from Bernard Magnussen of Palo Menlo Park on Track, a politi- paign. A Check AlmanacNews.com for election night news It may be a long night for San ■ ELECTION RETURNS Mateo County residents plan- ning to stay up until election Visit www.AlmanacNews.com results are in, but the Almanac will keep you company with updated stories and tallies at tion day won’t begin until www.AlmanacNews.com. Wednesday, she said. Election officials predict Candidates and commu- that the final unofficial results nity members are expected — minus a count of provi- to gather at the Menlo Park sional and absentee ballots City Council chambers, where dropped off at polling places Cable Channel 27 will begin on election day — won’t be live election night coverage available until about 2 a.m. at 10 p.m. This can be seen in The Almanac will post Menlo Park and Atherton. results for local races, begin- Menlo Park council candi- ning at about 8:05 election dates plan to attend, say candi- night, when the first wave of dates John Boyle and Heyward absentee ballots will be tallied, Robinson. Mr. Boyle is running according to Carol Marks of on a slate with incumbents the Elections Office. Mickie Winkler and Lee Duboc; At about 8:30 and 9 p.m., Mr. Robinson, Richard Cline more absentee vote results will and Vincent Bressler are trying be available. to unseat the incumbents. The Almanac/Marjan Sadoughi Starting at around 10:30 p.m., The cable station plans to A Boyle-Duboc-Winkler banner at a Menlo Avenue door in downtown Menlo Park, and candidate Heyward the county plans to release results stream its live coverage on the Robinson leaves fliers at a home on Valparaiso Avenue. that include precinct counts Internet at www.Community- every hour, Ms. Marks said. MediaCenter.net. The verification and count County Elections Office Menlo Park candidates make last push By Rory Brown of provisional and absentee postings can be found at www. ■ ELECTION 2006 incumbents) paid for the flier. ballots dropped off on elec- shapethefuture.org. Almanac Staff Writer Candidate Heyward Robinson labeled the flier “pretty ques- flurry of last-minute fli- The flier says the Service tionable,” as discussions of the High school seniors help out at polls ers, e-mails and accusations Employees International Union city’s labor negotiations occur reinforced the contentious Local 715, which represents the “in closed session, not on cam- By Stephanie Cadora A recently participated in a three- tone of the Menlo Park City Coun- city’s non-safety employees, “is paign fliers.” Special to the Almanac hour poll worker training session cil race as it entered its final hours. seeking an increase in pension Mr. Robinson and candidates f you want to get excited about at Menlo-Atherton High School. A flier that hit residents’ benefits that will increase the cost Vincent Bressler and Richard the upcoming election, visit a They are expected to be among mailboxes Nov. 6 is the latest to the city by over 50 percent.” Cline are running against the Ihigh school during poll-worker some 500 high school seniors, example of the fight between The “incumbent slate” of Lee incumbent slate. training. two camps for three seats on the Duboc, Mickie Winkler and John About 45 high school seniors See STUDENTS, page 8 five-member council. Boyle (a newcomer backed by the See CAMPAIGN, page 8

November 8, 2006 ■ The Almanac ■ 5 HOLIDAYHOLIDAY In the spirit of the upcoming Holidays, Flegels is having a storewide Holiday Sale with savings of 10% - 40%. Most floor items are available for immediate delivery, so now is the time to find that perfect accent or furniture SALE piece to create the ideal Holiday look! SALE Financing Available Flegels Fine Furniture & Interior Design

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6 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 NEWS REAL ESTATE Q&A by Gloria Darke Washer and dryer or bust!

Q. We recently purchased a home and without countering it out, then you have we included in our contract the washer the right to the washer and dryer. But you and dryer along with the usual items. The don’t have the right to the tenants washer house was tenant occupied and diffi cult and dryer, obviously. to get into. However, we went to do our Some research would need to be done fi nal walk-thru the day before we were to to ascertain the age of the washer/dryer One from the heart close and discovered that those appliances which you presumed were part of what you John and Susan Sobrato of Atherton were were not there. It turns out that they were purchasing. Try to determine what the recently honored at Pathways Hospice belonged to the tenants! We threatened value of appliances of that age and particular Foundation’s One From the Heart Awards not to close until this matter was resolved brand are and ask for a credit in that amount. breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Cabana in Palo but our loan rate also expired the next day. Fortunately, most of the information you Alto. The Sobratos received the John W. Gardner How is something like this supposed to be would need should be available on the Visionary Award for their innovative philosophy handled? Alice Hall, Palo Alto internet rather than having to make a dozen toward philanthropy. Their daughter, Lisa Sobrato A. Dear Alice Hall, Usually the personal phone calls. It is interesting to me that this Sonsini, accepted the award on their behalf. property which is to be included in the could have happened; it just goes to show purchase price is in the MLS information. that in the heat of negotiating, usually on You did not mention if you believed that price, other items can be overlooked. In it was part of the purchase or if you just the total scheme of things, this is a relatively added it in to your contract. However, small item and I would not advise holding Plan unfolds for bulk buy of solar even if it wasn’t in the listing but was in up the close for it. Just get an agreement the contract, the contract supercedes the in writing, close the escrow and enjoy your listing and if the sellers agreed to that new home. arrays in Portola Valley, Ladera For answers to any questions you may have on real estate, you may e-mail me By David Boyce at [email protected] or call 462-1111, Alain Pinel Realtors. I also offer a free ■ INFORMATION we’ll get other communities to Almanac Staff Writer move over,” Mr. Rive said. “If market analysis of your property.. group of Portola Val- For more information on we succeed, I think this is going ley and Ladera residents this program, send e-mail to to be quite big ... in setting an Aare collaborating with a [email protected]. example that communities can solar-panel installer on a plan to change if they come together.” increase the level of sun-gener- A home with an $85 monthly ated electricity in these commu- are welcome to make offers, but electricity bill would require a nities. The plan calls for acquir- none has responded so far, said 3.5-kilowatt array, while a home ing solar electricity systems at a Armand Neukermans, a commit- with a $1,000 bill would need 18 discount by buying in bulk. tee member and one of the people kilowatts, he said. Most homes Representatives of Foster behind the plan. have the necessary free space on City-based Solar City will fan “It’s sort of like planting a tree the roof, he added. out to visit each home in Por- for generations to come,” Mr. The arrays would be sized to tola Valley and Ladera, starting Neukermans said of the proposal. produce just enough electricity early this week, to engage in an Commenting darkly on the need to meet a home’s normal require- “advertising, public relations ments, Mr. Rive said. There is no and education” campaign on financial incentive in generating solar electricity fundamentals ‘It’s sort of like more than that because, while and to determine whether a the excess is fed back to PG&E, solar panel would work out at planting a tree for residents receive nothing for it, he a given home, said company generations to come.’ said. president and chief executive If a roof is oriented away officer Lyndon Rive. ARMAND NEUKERMANS, from the sun’s path, the system The company needs to sign up PORTOLA VALLEY RESIDENT can be set at a slight angle, or 40 to 50 residents before the end installed on the ground at an of the year to make the plan work for clean energy in the face of added charge, Mr. Rive said. For economically. Mr. Rive and other global environmental troubles, properties with deep shade from members of the Solar City team Mr. Neukermans added: “We large trees, solar panels may be met with a residents’ commit- don’t have 30 years. Our kids uneconomical, he added. tee at the home of Councilman don’t have 30 years.” Residents who sign with Solar Ted Driscoll on Oct. 29 to talk City would save about 30 percent about plans for the outreach Setting an example on purchase and installation of campaign. The state’s rebate for install- the panels, Mr. Rive said. The Mr. Driscoll recently had a ing solar panel systems drops deal includes handling of permits, solar electricity system installed in January to $2.40 per watt rebates and PG&E connections. on his roof. Portola Valley offi- from $2.60 per watt. To make Solar City will also monitor the cials are enthusiastic about the current plan work, Solar system’s operation over the Inter- wider use of solar panels, but City — formerly the solar- net, he said. the town is not affiliated with panel business unit at Palo Alto Plans for the new Town Center this project and will have no Hardware — must install a total include up to 70 kilowatts of roof- role in choosing a vendor, Mr. capacity of at least 175 kilowatts, mounted solar panels. The town Driscoll said. Mr. Rive said in an interview. could sign up with Solar City if a The committee will choose “We’re trying to set up an down payment could be made a vendor, probably on Nov. 14. example so that, if this com- before the end of the year, said Vendors other than Solar City munity can move over (to solar), Councilman Ted Driscoll. A

Wetland restoration tour Saturday Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to noon, starting at Bayfront Park, at To get a feel for the largest Bayfront Park, which are now the end of Marsh Road. Res- wetland restoration project being restored as part of the ervations are required for the on the West Coast, you can National free tour. Call the refuge at sign up for a tour of the salt Wildlife Refuge. 510-792-0222. Or go to fws. ponds adjacent to Menlo Park’s The next tour is on Saturday, gov/desfbay.

November 8, 2006 ■ The Almanac ■ 7 NEWS O’Brien Group spends big to fight referendum Creative By Andrea Gemmet Arts Day Derry developer may argue referen- Almanac Staff Writer dum signatures are invalid. Page 10. Jill Leggett practices he O’Brien Group, the circulating services. painting on silk, Derry project developer, Friends of the Derry Project using a brush, has raised a total of $84,147 reported having $42,420 left in wax and silk T dye, at the silk and spent $41,728 to defeat a the bank. referendum against the project, scarf painting according to the latest campaign Menlo Park Tomorrow workshop finance statements. Menlo Park Tomorrow report- offered by Joy- Lily during the Menlo Park Tomorrow, the ed receiving a $10,000 loan and recent Creative group supporting the referen- an $87 cash contribution from Arts Day at dum, reported spending a quar- Menlo Park resident Morris Allied Arts Guild ter of that, $9,883. Brown. The financial statement in Menlo Park. Both camps received all their covers Sept. 1 through Sept. 30. The Almanac/ financial support from single The group reported spend- Marjan Sadoughi sources. ing $9,883, including $4,500 for Chris Brentlinger’s signature O’Brien Group consulting services, $2,552 for The O’Brien Group and its affili- petition and envelope printing ates contributed $60,000 in cash services from CopyAmerica, and Incumbent slate endorsement causes stir and $24,147 in non-monetary $1,464 for a newspaper ad in the ■ Parents protest co-president of school Schlein] broke no rules, he ran it contributions, for a total of $84,147 Almanac. Menlo Park Tomorrow by people ... it’s not a foundation given to the “Friends of Derry has $4,642 left in its coffers, most foundation endorsing candidates. endorsement in any way.” Lane, sponsored by The O’Brien of which is carried over from a By Rory Brown She acknowledged that the flier ■ ELECTION 2006 Group” committee. The financial previous campaign. Almanac Staff Writer did make some parents “uncom- statement shows contributions and fortable,” and the foundation expenditures made through Sept. Signature verification ike a lot of influential co-president of a nonprofit board plans to discuss, and poten- 30 of this year. The San Mateo County Elec- Menlo Park residents, Ted organization is using his title in tially reconsider, its guidelines The O’Brien Group reported tions Office is still examining ref- LSchlein is supporting one supporting candidates in a con- concerning political endorse- $24,147 in non-monetary expen- erendum petitions to see whether of two political camps in the City tentious council race at the same ments at its next meeting. ditures: $20,000-worth of “voter there are the 1,850 verified signa- Council election. time the foundation is looking She said that parents who communications,” $1,564 for an tures required to proceed with the But Mr. Schlein is also board for donations. choose not to donate to the Almanac newspaper ad, and $2,583 referendum on two ordinances: co-president of the Menlo Park- “[Mr. Schlein] using his name foundation because of the flier for services of one employee. one rezoning the Derry site for the Atherton Education Founda- probably alienated some poten- are “adding to the polarization” Cash expenditures include 134-condominium project and the tion, and the use of his title tial donors,” said parent Dan and “hurting the children.” $10,000 to Olson Consulting of other changing the zoning lan- in supporting candidates John Burke. “I think you have to The foundation is scheduled Tulare, California, and $7,500 to guage for the property next door at Boyle, Lee Duboc and Mickie question anyone that uses a to hold its first “donation day” Pacific Petitions Inc. for petition 1300 El Camino Real. A Winkler, has created a stir. volunteer organization for the of the 2006-07 school year on “Join me in voting for Boyle, political gain of others.” election day. Drop boxes will be Duboc and Winkler ... They He also labeled the quote at local schools supported by the STUDENTS and running in no time flat. have a plan to preserve and credited to Mr. Schlein on the foundation, in hopes that when continued from page 5 “Our generation understands improve our community — flier “a little ridiculous and mis- people go to school grounds to technology,” says Lauren Verity, without raising your taxes,” says leading,” as there is a utility tax vote, they will also give to the and 2,000 other poll workers, 17, of Menlo Park. “It was easy.” Mr. Schlein, on a flier paid for measure on the ballot. foundation, Ms. Rich said. staffing precincts in San Mateo She and her friend, Melanie Tal- and mailed to residents by the Laura Rich, who is presi- Maria Hilton, the other co- County on Tuesday, Nov. 7. akai, 17, of East Palo Alto, will both three candidates’ campaigns. dent of the school board and president of the foundation, In addition to M-A, local be eligible to vote in March. They Mr. Schlein could not be works regularly with the foun- is listed as a supporter of the high schools involved include say they look forward to partici- reached for comment before the dation board, said Mr. Schlein’s incumbent slate on campaign Woodside, Sacred Heart, Menlo pating as poll workers in the Nov. Almanac’s deadline. endorsement of the candidates literature paid for by the can- School, Sequoia, Mid-Peninsula 7 election. Although Mr. Schlein’s is within his rights. didates, but her role with the and East Palo Alto Academy. While Lauren admits she’s endorsement may help the three “It’s made clear on the flier foundation is not listed. The program to hire high school doing this for the $140, she candidates garner votes, par- that it’s [Mr. Schlein’s] personal John Boyle is also a member of seniors (they are paid $140 each) adds: “I think people who are 18 ents are questioning why the opinion,” said Ms. Rich. “[Mr. the foundation board. A aims to staff the voting operations, should vote. You can’t complain and to promote participation in about things if you don’t vote.” elections by young people. One of the measures she’s inter- CAMPAIGN about our chances.” Diane Martinelli, who teaches ested in is state Proposition 85, continued from page 5 On the other side, Mr. Robin- Recycle day an American government class at which would require a 48-hour son said: “The campaigning has at Acterra M-A that many of these students waiting period and parental noti- Mary Gilles, who is working to been pretty tiring, but I think it’s are taking, says she is thrilled to fication for minors seeking abor- get the incumbent slate re-elect- really paid off. We’ve gotten a good The Environmental Vol- teach kids about voting. tions. “I don’t think parents should ed, said the flier is intended as response, and I like where we sit.” unteers invite one and “This was a good opportunity have to know,” Lauren says. a “rebuttal” to “previous union Although campaigning inten- all to drop off unused or to get involved and see how vot- Her friend Melanie disagrees: attacks” on candidates Duboc sified in recent days, Mr. Boyle unwanted electronics free ing works,” says Calvin Johnson, “Parents should always know and Winkler. and Mr. Robinson noted that on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 9 18, of Menlo Park. what kids are doing.” a lot of votes have already been a.m. to noon, at the parking He is now eligible to vote, This is an example of the civic Last push cast. lot at Acterra, 3921 E. Bay- and says it’s a big responsibility: engagement that Sarah Carrade, The six candidates and “A lot of votes are already in shore Road in Palo Alto. “This marks my entrance into community program specialist their supporters campaigned and done, because of the high Items, working or not, can adulthood. Now I have to know and outreach worker with the throughout the weekend, and percentage of absentee ballots,” include computers, scanners, what’s going on.” elections office, likes to see. both sides expressed cautious said Mr. Robinson, when cam- copiers, stereos, cable, game During the poll worker training “I’m passionate about getting optimism. paigning on San Mateo Drive on systems, test equipment, bat- session at M-A, he teamed with students involved,” she says. “Over “It’s been a pretty aggressive Saturday. “But any small inter- tery chargers, cartridges, and another student to put together the 100 students are participating as campaign by everybody,” said action with voters can translate more. For information, call new eSlate electronic voting booth. poll workers from South County Mr. Boyle. “Going door to door into a big difference in a close Sue Trautman at 961-0545 or The students had the machines up alone.” A and talking to people, I feel good election.” go to evols.org.

8 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 NEWS

Portola Valley, Woodside may )NTERNATIONAL3CHOOLOFTHE0ENINSULA (650) 251-8504 • www.istp.org get $2 million from county Palo Alto, CA ■ San Mateo County offers the money audit. However, the towns dis- to settle a property tax dispute. covered that at least two pre- 9œÕÊ«Àœ“ˆÃi`Ê̜ vious audits “had not been By David Boyce checks in the mail, is an echo resolved,” said Portola Valley }ˆÛiÊÌ i“ÊÌ iÊ Almanac Staff Writer of last November. The County Town Attorney Sandy Sloan in ܜÀ`° Controller’s Office sent Portola a memo to the Town Council. arge checks from the San Valley and Woodside checks for The four towns began negotia- Mateo County treasury about the same amount in a late tions by asking for four years of œÜÊޜÕÊV>˜° Lwill be forthcoming to four acknowledgment — 17 years late back payments, from 1999-00 towns — including Portola Val- — of a 1988 state law that guar- to 2002-03, said Ms. Howard. “I ley and Woodside — if their anteed the towns a 7 percent truly believe that if we said we respective Town Councils agree to share of property tax revenues wanted anything more, we’d have settle a year-long dispute with the from their jurisdictions. ended up in court,” she said. “We county over property tax revenues For years, Portola Valley has felt comfortable that that was a the towns say they are owed. reasonable amount to expect.” #RJ?LC?H=?-NB?L!OFNOL?M5CNB3M.URSERY TH'RADE Portola Valley would receive The talks produced a compro- "ILINGUAL)MMERSION3CHOOL about $900,000 and Woodside mise. The county would pay for &RENCH %NGLISHOR#HINESE %NGLISH $1.2 million, with Half Moon Bay ‘The strong thing we the budget years 2001-02 and and Colma also receiving checks. had going for us is that 2002-03, plus about $100,000 #HINESE %NGLISH &RENCH %NGLISH The Portola Valley Town that had been deducted from the )NFORMATION.IGHT )NFORMATION.IGHT Council is scheduled to vote on we realized early earlier payments, Ms. Howard .OVEMBERAT0- .OVEMBERAT0- the settlement at its 8 p.m. meet- on that it was more said. ing on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in the In keeping with the 1988 law, Historic Schoolhouse. to our advantage the towns will receive annual The negotiation with the county to work together payments boosting their prop- “was not a very contentious pro- erty tax revenues to the 7 percent cess,” Portola Valley Town Admin- (with the other towns).’ target. For Portola Valley, that’s istrator Angela Howard said. “The ANGELA HOWARD, TOWN an increase of about $400,000 a The Tree is up! strong thing we had going for us ADMINISTRATOR, PORTOLA VALLEY year on typical yearly revenues is that we realized early on that it of $5 million. Shop, eat, get into the holiday spirit! was more to our advantage to work The towns also wanted a 7 together (with the other towns).” received 4 percent of its prop- percent interest rate on the Best selection of beautiful ornaments In Woodside, the Town Coun- erty tax revenues and Woodside money owed them, but settled cil will study the matter in about 5.7 percent. for what the county earns on its closed session on Nov. 14, said Last year’s checks from the investments, about 4 percent, The Traditional Shop Town Manager Susan George, county covered revenues owed Ms. Howard said. Monday thru Saturday • 10:00AM - 5:00PM adding that she couldn’t discuss the towns for the 2003-04 and The four towns are sharing its details until the council had 2004-05 budget years. But with the costs for the outside attor- All Nov thru Dec 17 considered it. 15 years of payments unac- ney hired for the negotiations, Sunday • NOON - 5:00PM “I’m hopeful that an agree- counted for, the town attorneys but the “insignificant” fee ment with the county will be argued that the county owed didn’t even reach the cap of reached very soon,” she said. more. $17,000 for all four towns, Ms. The county replied that they Howard said. A Late payments owed nothing because state The possibility of a settle- law protected old records from — Almanac reporter Andrea ment, with the prospect of large review if they had passed an Gemmet contributed to this story. Menlo man sentenced to four years in prison By Alexandria Rocha sexual relations with an under- I wish I had been stronger at the Palo Alto Weekly age girl starting when she was 14 time. ormer Jordan Middle in late 1991. “I’m affected by it every hour School teacher and coach The victim, now in her late 20s and every day — I’m not making FBill Giordano, a resident and living in Pennsylvania, said that up,” he said. of Menlo Park, was sentenced to her sexual encounters with Mr. A psychological profile of Mr. four years in prison Nov. 3 for Giordano began in December Giordano by Dr. David Berke of having sexual relations with a 1991 after he hired her to baby- San Mateo concluded that Mr. young girl from 1991 to 1994. sit his son, according to Steve Giordano has “predatory and “You’ve betrayed many people Wagstaffe, San Mateo County pedopheliac” type behavior. and took advantage of a posi- deputy district attorney. Mr. Giordano joined the Palo tion of trust and leadership,” San “I’m deeply sorry,” Mr. Gior- Unified School District as a Mateo County Superior Court dano told the judge Nov. 3. teacher in 1978, and became a Judge James Ellis told Giordano “There’s no question that what I teacher at Jordan Middle School when he announced the sentence did was wrong. I’m deeply sorry. in 1991. A in the Redwood City courtroom. Mr. Giordano had entered Allied Arts Guild a no contest plea to 10 counts YOUR SOURCE FOR 75 Arbor Road (at Cambridge) of child molestation as part of LOCAL INFORMATION Menlo Park a plea bargain that provided a maximum sentence of five years 650.325.3259 in prison. www.alliedartsguild.org Mr. Giordano was arrested at his Menlo Park home on Aug. Benefiting Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford 18, 2005, on charges of having www.AlmanacNews.com

November 8, 2006 ■ The Almanac ■ 9 NEWS Challenge to Derry referendum? Titus pleads guilty to fraud ■ Developer may argue referendum ■ MENLO PARK Vivian Michelle Titus of counts of embezzlement. signatures are invalid, said city attorney. Woodside, a former banking She was a senior vice presi- the two ordinances, including executive charged with bank dent at Mid-Peninsula Bank By Rory Brown comment on a potential chal- the approval of the project, or fraud and embezzlement of from 1996 to 2003, and a man- Almanac Staff Writer lenge of the referendum. refer the ordinances to the vot- $700,000, has pleaded guilty aging director at First Republic n an effort to halt a referen- The San Mateo County Elec- ers in an election. A final count to one count of bank fraud. Bank in 2003 and 2004. dum campaign against the tions Office is examining refer- is expected to be finished by the Ms. Titus, 43 at the time of Ms. Titus is accused of forg- IMenlo Park “Derry” condo- endum petitions to see whether county and announced by the her arrest last June, is scheduled ing bank customers’ signa- commercial project, the devel- there are the 1,850 verified city no later than Nov. 27. to be sentenced Feb. 20, 2007, tures to arrange two $250,000 oper behind the project may signatures required to proceed in U.S. District Court in San lines of credit and to withdraw challenge the validity of the with the referendum on two Two challenges Jose. a 200,000 cashier’s check from signature drive. ordinances: one rezoning the In conversations with the city, She could be sentenced to another customer’s account. Representatives from the San Derry site for the 134-condo- the O’Brien Group has discussed a maximum of 30 years in She allegedly used the money Mateo-based O’Brien Group minium project and the other two potential challenges to the prison, be fined $1 million, for a down payment on an have yet to file a written chal- changing the zoning language for referendum drive, Mr. McClure and ordered to pay restitution, Atherton home, loan pay- lenge to the city, but City Attor- the property next door at 1300 El said. said Luke Macaulay, a Depart- ments and personal use. ney Bill McClure said the com- Camino Real. One claim is that the refer- ment of Justice spokesman. To hide account statements pany has “raised legal questions” The referendum was spear- endum proponents did not She remains free on bail. from a customer whose name regarding the referendum. He headed by the residents’ group include a specific notice that In exchange for the guilty she used, Ms. Titus arranged said he expects some kind of Menlo Park Tomorrow. Group state elections code requires to plea, entered Oct. 5, federal for bank statements to be sent written challenge to be submit- spokesperson Morris Brown said be included on the referendum prosecutors agreed to drop two to a post office box in Redwood ted to the city. the group has more than 2,400 petitions, Mr. McClure said. counts of bank fraud and three City, the indictment says. Jim Pollart, vice president signatures. The other claim focuses on and spokesperson for the If there are enough verified sig- the land use designation for the O’Brien Group, would not natures, the council must rescind proposed project site — a 3.4-acre property near the intersection of Tickets El Camino Real and Oak Grove On Sale Now! Avenue. Ed[e\7c[h_YWÉi=h[Wj[ijJh[Wikh[i The referendum focused solely on challenging changes to the iloli city’s zoning to allow high- density residential projects on f the proposed site, and a partial zoning of the neighboring site at 1300 El Camino Real. The >EB?:7OJH7:?J?EDI O’Brien group has suggested that because the general plan amendment was not challenged =?;M?DJ;H=7H:;D in the referendum, any changes Honoring the Beauty and Tradition of the Glass Conservatory to the zoning would not be con- sistent with the general plan,

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10 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 NEWS Urban forest in Menlo Park is green but growing fragile ■ Culling of older trees called necessary to ensure a healthy canopy in the future.

By David Boyce to public safety, he said. Almanac Staff Writer The city has had a program in place for decades, but limited enlo Park loves trees. funding has reduced culling They’re on logos for the to trees considered immanent Mcity, the school district dangers, Ms. Dryer said. With and the police department. The 4,300 trees on the city’s watch Chamber of Commerce uses an list, about $2.8 million — $650 acorn in its logo. For 10 years, the per tree — will be needed to cut National Arbor Day Foundation down and replace them. has named Menlo Park an official To prepare a report for the City tree city. On neighborhood streets, Council for next year’s budget, a once youthful trees have grown to pilot project is under way to evalu- create a sheltering green canopy. ate trees, talk to the public, replace And therein lies a problem, said trees as necessary, and work out Dianne Dryer, the environmental a long-term gradual reforesta- programs coordinator for the city tion plan for Menlo Park’s urban of Menlo Park. Many of the 20,000 forest. “Looking down the street, deciduous street trees — those you shouldn’t be able to see any The Almanac/David Boyce located in public right-of-way — change if it’s properly done,” Mr. Big deciduous trees in Menlo Park’s urban forest are in trouble, said consulting arborist Barrie D. Coate at were planted in the 1950s as part of Coate told the Almanac. an outdoor community meeting on Saturday morning, Nov. 4. The city may begin to systematically cut down new subdivisions. As they advance The pilot project includes and replace aging trees. into their 50s and 60s together, some 156 homes and 370 street these trees are growing vulnerable trees in an area north of Santa it is judged dangerous, she said. and present a safety issue over the Cruz Avenue on parts of Cotton Taking an old tree down “is next five to 10 years, she said. and Hobart streets, Hillview, hard for people to swallow,” Ms. Older trees can appear healthy, Hesketh and Politzer drives and Dryer said. “I know the emotion IN HER SHOES and be healthy, while also losing Valparaiso Avenue. because I love trees. But I also All profi ts to benefi t limbs, said Barrie D. Coate, a Of the 370 trees, about 30 know that if we don’t do some- consulting arborist to the city of are scheduled to be cut down thing to replace these trees, Menlo Global Fund for Women Menlo Park, during a neighbor- between Nov. 20 and the end Park will not look as lovely in 20 hood walk on Saturday. Nov. 4. of the year. A homeowner can years. That’s the sad reality.” The city should be culling a few take a tree off the list by calling Some Menlo Park trees are not FREE trees at a time to avoid bare spots or e-mailing Ms. Dryer before meant for this climate, Mr. Coate in the canopy if several trees on Thursday, Nov. 9, but the city PEDICURE the same street become a threat reserves the right to remove it if See TREES, page 17 Month of November Tree culling plan draws support, criticism Please call for appointment 650-326-9611 • Fax 650-326-9616 Residents in a West Menlo an interview, he said residents when replanting is optimal.) 644 Emerson St., Suite 100, Palo Alto Park neighborhood had mixed were “willing to live with” the Other residents supported www.inhershoespa.com • [email protected] reactions to the city’s pilot possibility that their street could the plan. “The people on these project to replace certain aging be denuded of its canopy if the streets are getting the benefit of deciduous street trees with ash trees had to be removed en decisions made 30 or 40 years younger varieties considered less masse. ago,” said John Fox of Elder )&)43./4).4()36!5,4 )43./43!&% likely to drop limbs and more (Ms. Dryer said Monday, Street. “You’ve got to think suitable to the local climate. Nov. 6, that the city may give about people who are going to Culling is set to begin Nov. Hillview Drive residents more be here in 40 years.” 20. Dianne Dryer, Menlo Park’s time to review their options Al Odian of Cotton Street said environmental programs coor- with the arborist. A resident he expects the culled trees will dinator, said her office has heard has also appealed tree culling be replaced with “decent trees.” equal measures of support and on Cotton Street, which could criticism from residents. delay action until next fall, — By David Boyce She described the plan in an Oct. 19 letter that invited residents to a Saturday, Nov. 4, “tree walk” with “Don’t settle for Imitations!” an arborist along streets north of Santa Cruz Avenue. About 50 Custom hardwood cabinets made by such types of residents showed up. wood as Alder Pine, Cherry, Maple, and Walnut can be “We want to understand why ,/3!,4/36!5,43!&% you picked our tree (to come manufactured for any room in your home. $%0/3)4#/ down), because our tree looks Custom wood work and furniture include, but not limited to: perfect,” said one man. “We have unity here,” said a Kitchen cabinets • Bathroom vanities !PRIVATEDEPOSITORY 7 Ê, ʛ£t woman, referring to the parade • Entertainment centers • Fireplace mantels 3AFEDEPOSITBOXESOFALLSIZES / iÀiÊÃÊ œÊ›Ó of liquidambar trees lining both • Built-in dressers • Book cases 3TRICTANDTOTALCONlDENTIALITY  6 Ê/t sides of Cotton Street. “It’s going 3ECUREDANDAMPLEPARKING to be higgledy-piggledy. It’s not going to be the same.” &ORYOUROWNSAKEWESHOULDHAVEYOURBUSINESS Russ Hall argued that the City 1725 E. Bayshore Road 6ISITOURFACILITIESANDJUDGEFORYOURSELF Council had agreed to allow Redwood City, CA 94063 $ATABANKFORIMPORTANTANDCONlDENTIALRECORDS Hillview Drive residents to maintain the street’s colony of 650.364.3376 &IRST3TREET ,OS!LTOS #! mature Modesto Ash trees. In www.stergionconstruction.com 4EL  WWWLOSALTOSVAULTCOM November 8, 2006 ■ The Almanac ■ 11 THANK YOU! Menlo-Atherton’s Foundation for the Future gratefully acknowledges the following generous donors who joined us last year to support excellence in education at Menlo- Atherton High School. Gifts were received from September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006.

VISIONARY LEADER ASSOCIATE Keri Nicholas Peter Brown & Angela Sherry Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Jim & Stephanie Nisbet Jim & Daryl Camarillo Gary & Judy Bloom Phil Abrahamson & Dana Shelley Carlos & Nancy Aguilar Brad & Judy O’Brien Noreen & Jim Carruthers Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Drew Altman & Pam Koch Douglas & Loretta Allred John & Teri O’Neel Jicky Child Charles Bacon & Cynthia Joe & Suzanne Amato Clint & Jackye Ostrander Patrick Chow & Patsy Obayashi Dusel-Bacon Marion Avery John Peters & Lenora Yuen Tom Cooper & Mary Hom Robert & Edie Barry Dale & Andrea Bastian Steve & Carol Peters Craig & Ann Cornelius Greg & Alison Blank Doug & Laurie Bauer Gary & Anne Peterson Burt & Elaine Cummings The Bohannon Foundation The Birkhofer Family The PG & E Corporation Franz Joseph & Maria Decker John & Nancy Brandon Steve & Cathy Bitler Foundation Bob & Lee Duboc BENEFACTOR Vincent Bressler & JoAnne Elias Blawie & Pam Stoner Jeff & Mary Pickard Kenneth & Jennifer Duda Goldberg The Polash Family Anonymous Dave & Cherie Bogart Richard & Patrice Eberli Clay & Denise Bullwinkel Ed & Chris Rivera Philip Arcuni & Carin Pacifico Michael & Sheila Brand Robert English & Anna Zara Gerald & Marjorie Burnett Doug & Kate Rundle The Conway Family Foundation Bruce & Suzanne Brownstein Lynn & Bill Evans Preston & Carolyn Butcher Steve & Nancy Russell Margaret Costello Henry & Terri Bullock Federated Department Stores Bruce Cabral & Kim Harney Randy & Terry Ryals Foundation Tom DeFilipps & Ann Baskins Al & Susan Camarillo Howard & Kerry Dallmar Steve & Meritt Sawyer Doug Felt & Lillian Lee Bert & Linda Fornaciari Sloane & Judy Citron Jerry & Judi Finch Albert Scherm & Susan Tang Cliff & Sarah Fitzgerald John & Michele McNellis Mel & Margaret Connet Frank & Jeanne Fischer Ted & Linda Schlein Mike & Gretchen Flanagan Peninsula Community Alan & Sue Cooper Foundation Leigh Flesher Rob & Jane Creighton Peter Schwab & Ellen Frank & Stacy Fredericksen Feigenbaum Portola Group Foundation Art & Cindy Folker Joan Dove David & Meg Fried Schwab Fund for Charitable Jozef Ruck & Donna Ito Greg Fountain & Annette Bruce & Elizabeth Dunlevie Hal & Hilda Friedman Chavez Giving Bill & Lauren Younger eBay Foundation Eric & Barbara Gilbertson Susan Gold Greg & Nancy Serrurier Hollis Elliott & Debbie Devoto Jeff Gould & Lynne Thieme Mike & Pam Gullard Elton & Katharine Sherwin PATRON David Fair & Vickie Grove Brian & Lea Greenberg John & Laura Hale Sam & Lorie Sinnott Greg & Patricia Gump Anonymous Craig & Sally Falkenhagen Russ & Debbie Hall Jeff & Kayla Skidmore Tahir Hasoon & Hedeff Essaid Mary Helen Armstrong Doug Farel & Sheila Riley The Henry J. Kaiser Family Lyle Smith Alec & Mary Henderson Jim Bassett & Lily Hurlimann Mike Fero & Katy Basile Foundation Sam So & Margaret Tao Jerry & Diane Hester Steve & Darline Bellumori Alexander & Deborah Fitz The Holland Family Joe & Laura Sorenson John Higham & Carol Bunker Dawn Yates Black The Flora Family Foundation Rich & Dianne Jensen Jeff & Linda Starr Daniel & Alice Hom Jeff & Julie Brody Bob & Diane Frankle Scott Kaspick & Susan Greg & Nancy Sterling Intel Foundation Jeff & Dianne Child Termohlen Dale & Jennifer Fuller Jim Tetrud & Karen Butterfield- Matt & Donna James Jorge del Calvo & Gerine Diane & Patrick Kelvie Mel Gallen & Sue Young Tetrud Todd & Lil Johnson Ongkeko Barry & Bronwyn Lewis Kristin & Eric Gananian The Sigmund Foundation Doug Collom & Marla Stark Tom & Julie Gaston David Jones & Ann Yvonne Melvyn Mark Don & Sharon Traeger Walker Sanford & Susan Fitch Michael Hannan & Susan Olzak Ken & Sheila McDonnell Rick Van Rheenen & Eileen Hideto Kaneshima Fowley Light Fund Michael Hardy & Joanne Blum Moran Kevin & Kim Menninger Brian & Katie Keating Goldman Sachs Tom & Judy Hood Terry & Susan VerHaar Randy & Julie Merk John & Lanette Kozlowski Norm & Jane Hall Joe & Jody Horowitz Jane Walker Mark Merrill & Peggy Lynch Zafer & Ferah Kutlu Bill Kirsch & Elyse Dunnahoo Ken & Karen Imatani Tom & Linda Walsh Marshall & Susan Mohr Bryan & Susan Lovegren Jim & Cathy Koshland John Kadvany & Susan Gillman Steven & Denise Watanabe Luther & Carol Orton Alan & Cindy Marty Daniel Leemon & Julie Dorsey Tom Kane & Diann Lewis Van & Karen Weiss Gary & Anne Peck Peter Mazonson & Mary Ann Hy Murveit & Leslie Airola- Jeff & Janna Rodgers James & Marilyn Lattin Rick & Rebecca Wilson Zetes Murveit Allen & Pam Rudolph Gary & Laura Lauder Sam & Kathy Wright Richard & Marjorie McCracken Armand & Eliane Neukermans Edward & Darlene Solomon Merijane Lee Michael & Marybeth McLaughlin Jerry & Katy Peck INVESTOR Fred Stanske & Cindy Newton The Mayerson Family Patrick & Pat McVeigh SF Foundation Greg & Linda Stroud Tom & Patti McCabe Anonymous Michael & Anne Mellenthin Roger & Elizabeth Sippl Barry & Libby Taylor David & Jennifer McMullin Curtis & Maryvonne Abbott Microsoft Giving Campaign Dwight & Joy Somersett Emil & Patty Wang Jay & Kim Mitchell Adobe Matching Gifts Program Doug & Beth Mohr Brad Sylvester & Kathy Jackson Gerry & Virginia Weiss John & Linda Montgomery David & Marty Arscott Alison Moonie Fred Wiener & JoAnn Kukulus Wells Fargo Community Montgomery Law Group, LLP Phil & Tiger Bachler Steve & Vivian Nahmias Support Campaign John Moragne & Kim Young Dave & Laurie Bailard Bruce & Anita Ochieano Wells Fargo Foundation Denis & Jennifer Morrissey David & Karen Bliss Craig & Lori Pica Educational Matching Gift Jim & Geri Nicholas John & Dagny Borcich Program Bruce & Sue Pound 12 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 Michael Price & Deborah Abel John & Jacque Jarve Griff & Lynne Weber Katherine Linnemann Ignacio & Uriel Hernandez Jed & Pam Riddle Alan & Alexandra Kalin Leland Wilson M-A PTA Laura Herrera de Garcia Dennis & Diana Romley David & Maggie King John & Zaza Wu Lawrence & Kathleen Masket Helen Ingwersen Richard Ruby & Catherine Mike & Linda Klein Brett & Robin McDonald Patty Kelley Habiger Ted & Laurie Knapp FRIEND Bob & Angela McIntire Yolanda Lemus-Page Alie & Glenda Saad Al & Sally Knorp Anonymous Heidi McRae Lydia Li Brad Snedecor & Mary Eric & Polly Lai Russ Altman & Jeanne Merino Diana & Mark Ongko Charlene Margot O’Shaughnessy Mark Linton & Susan Ellis Ron & Susan Beltramo Jim & Leslie Peck John & Pauline Mergenthaler Kim Sommer Randy & Kathy Lipps Bob & Barbara Berkowitz The PG & E Corporation George & Cathy Michaels Peter & Susan Sorlie Linda Maki Robert & Marida Berlin Campaign for the Community Mr. Roger Toguchi John M. Stacey Walter Martin & Kathy Walkup Bob & Audre Bley Peter & Patti Randall Collin & Carol Park Timothy & Katerina Steck Pierre & Catherine Martineau Mark & Robin Bogott Blair Ratcliff & Ruth Cronkite Jason & Hildegard Pressesky Doug & Kathy Stevens Bill & Synda Matthews The Bohannon Family Sally Rayn Tom & Linda Sako Jim & Maureen Swartz Kevin & Mary McCurdy Ben & Gail Brian Walt & Judy Robinson Aileen Sasaki Michael Tennefoss & Tina Seelig David McNellis & Erica Richter Dewan & Ushar Chand Hal & Denise Schectman James Steck & Sandy Dutro Eliot & Cris Terborgh David & Dolores McQuilkin Billy Chow & Aimee Yan Joe & Sue Scheid Margie Tully Allan & Terry Thygesen Edward Mocarski & Christine Tom Coates & Kris Bobier Roger & Naomi Stoller Doss & Annette Welsh Vanguard Charitable Martens Miles & Pat Congress Rick & Lynne Vieth David Wright Endowment Program Mike & Jennifer Moore Kim Cooper Craig & Stacia Weisenfluh Rob & Debbie Verity Robert & Yoshiye Moriarty Mike & Lee Crager Stephen Westfold IN MEMORIUM Jeff & Gwyn Wachtel Kristina Granlund Moyer Kristen Davis Joan Westley Robby Babcock Philip & Margaret Winters George Murphy Duane & Susanne Delagnes Robert & Felisa Zuk Roger & Yumiko Myoraku Ken & Chris Doniger IN KIND DONATIONS SPONSOR SUPPORTER John & Nancy Ortberg Chris & Marybeth Dorst AplinUnoCreative Anonymous Rod Perkins & Marcia Makino Juris Dumpis & Daria Finstad Anonymous John Giambruno Richard & Lisa Abramson Miguel Pinilla & Pamela Leffler Ed Forman & Jan Swanberg Alfredo Alberto Marian Hill Matt & Kathy Avery James Pooley & Laura Jean Anders & Kazuko Frisk Richard Alter & Merry Gilmer Clint McClintock Karen Axelsson Anderson Mark & Debbie Gerow Ignacio Amaral & Maria Valadez Mark Setzen Steve & Ann Banich Nicolas & Laurence Popp Mike & Lissa Goldenstein John & Melanie Chladek Roger & Betty Toguchi Robert & Ildiko Barker Sohrab & Mastaneh Rahimzadeh Philip & Deborah Hage Eric & Emilia Darko Tim & Patty Burch Wes & Suzanne Ramirez Elizabeth Halaby Terry & Judy Doyle We apologize to anyone whose Hollis & Anne Call Annamaria Rapakko George & Elyce Haskell Razieh Duchin name has been inaccurately listed or Barry & Lynne Calvarese Galen Rosenberg & Denise David Hauk & Patti Fry Don & Joan Fabiano inadvertently omitted. Please feel free James & Lynne Charley Barnett to contact us at [email protected] with Arthur & Helen Hausman Scott Feiler & Janet Galan David & Nancy Christie Tim & Perryn Rowland any corrections. Brian & Marty Higgins Gregorio & Rosario Flores David & Wendy Chute Steve & Mary Rudolph Tom & Marian Hill Mark Fowle & Kristen Olson Craig Crowley & Beth Chappell John & Kitti Salera Lois Hosay Claude Godcharles Stuart & Sharon Dalton Jonathan Seder Jeff & Laura Hurn Rob Decker, PhD & Associates Rick & Debbie Sklarin Colin & Carrie Jenkins Scott & Lisa Dettmer Vern & Karen Stevenson Don & Pam Johnson Andrew & Karola Epstein Tegger Sun Ken & Juri Kameda Jim & Maria Flaherty Pat Swift Tom Kilduff & Deb Bolding Eric Fronberg & Tania Simirenko Michael Taylor & Kristy Frank & Viola Kung Dave & Sally Fundakowski Roos-Taylor Larry & Gale Lane Global Impact Casey & Sandra Terribilini Sione & Meleana Langi Jim & Nicole Healy Wayne Townsend-Merino Lloyd & Ellen Leanse Joe & Cathleen Hedges Richard & Ellie Trautman Robert & Louise Lee Virginia Holmes Dennis & Terry Tsu James & Sandy Lees Lee & Cynthia Ivy Tyco Matching Gifts Program Laurel Leone Douglas & Susan Jacobs Richard & Cyndi Vujovich Jerry & Patty Leugers Jim & Kathy Janz John & Mary Wachtel

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______Do not list my name in Foundation communications. Please make tax-deductible donation For more information on the Foundation and the checks out to Foundation for the Future, different ways to make your donation, visit our M-A and mail to: website at www.m-afoundation.org or contact: Gifts of securities and matching gifts also gratefully accepted. Foundation for the Future Cindy Folker Menlo-Atherton High School Director of Development, Foundation for the Future Tel: (650) 322-5311, Ext. 5206 P.O. Box 1228 Email: [email protected] Menlo Park, CA 94026

November 8, 2006 ■ The Almanac ■ 13 the big 5-0 Woodside History Archive

Members of Woodside’s new town government gather around the phone in 1956 to hear the county clerk’s announcement that Woodside is officially a town. From left, they are Councilman Selah Chamberlain, town clerk Jane Hicks, Mayor William Lowe, and Councilwoman Rose O’Neill. The first Town Council meeting got under way a few minutes later.

“ ustic little Woodside, Rthe deep Peninsula community that voted to become citified so that it could remain countrified, officially became the Town of Woodside at 10:03 a.m. yesterday. “At that moment, in the flower bedecked garage of the Woodside Fire Department, the telephone rang. “Miss Jane Hicks, a pretty, gray-haired woman who later became the temporary town clerk, smiled jubilantly as the County Clerk’s office informed her that the Town of Woodside had been born.” Reporter Tim Adams of the San Francisco unincorporated area under the jurisdiction of Examiner opened his story on the nascent the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. town’s first council meeting with those words “If it hadn’t been for incorporation, I think on November 17, 1956. Woodside would be a real mess right now,” says As the town of Woodside reaches the half-cen- Trish Hooper. tury mark next week, one might well say that the Ms. Hooper was part of a cadre of women more things change, the more they stay the same. — housewives, in the dismissive parlance The concerns that galvanized residents to of 1950s newspaper reporters — who led incorporate as a town and gain a measure of the fight to incorporate Woodside in 1956. control over Woodside’s destiny are still among Knocking on doors, talking to neighbors, the issues that concern Woodsiders today: circulating fliers and holding campaign meet- Maintaining its distinct, rural atmosphere ings in the old Woodside store building, they amid the pressures of development and popu- set out to create a town. lation growth. Keeping the country feel by “The men were all working, so the women resisting the urge to install sidewalks, street- gave their days to driving around and push- lights or — heaven forbid — a stoplight at the ing the recalcitrant into the right field,” Ms. intersection of Woodside and Canada roads. Hooper says. “There were some men involved, Preserving the horse trails, dealing with sewer but it was primarily women.” problems, and regulating truck traffic. Although hardly anyone objected to the goal In fact, at its very first meeting, the Wood- of keeping Woodside rural, residential and un- side Town Council fielded a request from the Redwood City-ish, the idea of incorporating Greersburg School to widen a walking path and becoming a town was not overwhelmingly used by students on the south side of Woodside embraced by residents. Road between the school and Canada Road. “I think the general feeling was exactly con- The council fielded a similar request from the trary to what we were trying to put over, that if Woodside Elementary School District (for- the town incorporated, it would become a big merly known as Greersburg) earlier this year. suburbia,” Ms. Hooper says. “A lot of people

COVER STORY COVER Prior to Nov. 16, 1956, Woodside existed as an didn’t understand that we were incorporating

14 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 Woodsiders recall the fight over incorporation as they celebrate a half-century of

The Almanac/Marjan Sadoughi being a town Woodside’s anniversary celebration kicked off with a birthday theme at this year’s May Day Parade. Town celebrations for its 50th year F DISNEYLAND CAN CELEBRATE ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY FOR A WHOLE “IYEAR, THEN SO CAN WOODSIDE,” SAYS TOWN MANAGER SUSAN GEORGE. The town’s 50th birthday has been the theme of the annual May Day Parade, last month’s Day of the Horse, and an exhibit at the Community Museum. On the actual day of incorporation, Nov. 16, Woodside is holding its annual volunteer reception — but with a twist. Instead of the usual holiday party to thank members of the town’s committees and commissions, the town is inviting all Woodside volunteers, past and present, to a birthday bash in Independence Hall. A town-wide 50th anniversary celebration that will be open to the public is tentatively set for next spring, to coincide with the opening of Woodside’s first municipal park, Barkley Field, says Ms. George.

The Almanac/Marjan Sadoughi Thalia Lubin, a member of the town’s History Committee, pages through Peggy Lowe’s scrapbook chronicling the town’s incorporation. to do exactly the opposite.” ing and voting for Woodside’s She says that an ill-fated sub- (incorporation), chose to ignore division on unstable land on me and stopped the friendship. Summit Springs Road galvanized People took it very personally.” many Woodside residents into At the time, she was a doctor’s action and convinced them that a wife and the busy mother of four local government was necessary children, Ms. Talbot says. to protect the area. “I know the reasons we wanted “We wanted to keep the western (incorporation) was to call our own hills from being badly subdivided shots, have our own mayor and and sliding downhill, (but) a lot of use our own tax money,” she says. people felt it was just more gov- “Those of us working for it were ernment meddling,” Ms. Hooper working primarily so we would says. “They were not willing to see have control over our own destiny. that if the county had jurisdiction I couldn’t tell you why some people over Woodside, they would do didn’t want it except that it would whatever they wished.” raise taxes and we would have to The result was a divisive battle take care of our own roads.” that culminated in a narrow With a laugh, she calls the incor- victory for incorporation propo- poration proponents “ingenues” nents, who carried the day by 646 who had no idea how big of a chal- votes to 574. When the election’s lenge they were taking on, but boldly results were certified, Woodside went “where angels fear to tread.” The Almanac/Marjan Sadoughi officially became San Mateo “There were a lot of different County’s 14th municipality. kinds of people in town, but there Museum exhibit maps Woodside’s birth as a town “It was very polarizing for were enough who truly cared The Woodside Community Museum’s artfully displayed exhibit on the town’s incorporation 50 years ago the town,” recalls Trudi Talbot, about the future,” Ms. Talbot says. offers a nostalgic look back at the soon-to-be town circa 1956. The museum, located in the restored who moved to Woodside with “They could just see the handwrit- Mathisen farmhouse between Independence Hall and the Village Pub, is open Saturdays, 1-4 p.m., her husband in 1947, where they ing on the wall, we all could, and through Nov. 18, and after that by appointment by calling 851-1294. The “Woodside Becomes a Town” built a house on Mountain Home we thought we should get busy and exhibit will be up through next spring. The museum’s regular hours in 2007 haven’t been set yet, so Road. “I had people who were my check back with the town. friends who, because I was work- See BIG 5-0, page 16

November 8, 2006 ■ The Almanac ■ 15 COVER STORY

This 1946 picture shows the dedication of “Scout Hall,” which was later relocated and dubbed Independence Hall, the centerpiece of Woodside’s Town Hall complex.

BIG 5-0 continued from page 15 do something. We had good advice and good help, and it worked.” Few people are aware that a pre- vious effort to incorporate Wood- side failed, says Thalia Lubin, a member of the Woodside History Committee. A treasure trove of newspaper clippings acquired by the committee revealed a story about the failed attempt in the Woodside History Archive Aug. 16, 1928, issue of the Red- wood City Standard, she says. “We had no idea,” Ms. Lubin says. “No one remembered it.” Another important document available at the museum: the offi- cial state document for the town of Woodside’s incorporation. Ms. Lubin points out that whatever you do, don’t call it a city. Woodside is a town, not a city, and proud of it. There is at least one Woodside resident who is waging a Sisyphean battle to get Caltrans to change a sign on Interstate 280 that refers to the City of Woodside. Richard Delucchi, a longtime Woodside resident whose rec- ollections were mined for the Woodside Community Museum exhibit on the town’s incorpora- tion, said the incorporation cam- paign “was a big mess.” “I was against it at that time,” he says on a DVD about Wood- side that is part of the exhibit. “I thought taxes would go up and First Baptist Church people would start subdividing the Of Menlo Park smaller properties.” And, 50 years later, there have “A small Church with a big HEART” been subdivisions in Woodside, Worship celebration 11:00 Sunday though not many, and property Sunday School and Bible Study 9:30 values — and the resulting prop- Sound Biblical Teaching, Drama, Music, Retreats erty taxes — are exponentially Children’s Ministry, Home of New Beginnings Preschool higher than they were in the Woodside History Archive (650) 323 8544 1950s. Of course, that’s true of all This is one of a series of cartoon-embellished fliers that 1100 Middle Ave@Arbor (near Safeway) of San Mateo County’s cities, as incorporation proponents used to sway voters. www.firstbaptist.com well as its unincorporated areas. Maintaining a Brigadoon-like worse if Woodside had remained limiting dirt-hauling trucks using state of perpetual small-town inno- unincorporated, she says. Woodside and Canada roads, cence is an impossibility, despite the “It’s kept a lot of its ambience,” fielded complaints about drag-rac- best intentions of Woodside officials Ms. Talbot concedes. “Every- ing teens terrorizing Canada Road To include your Church in like the town’s first mayor, William body says, when they hear I lived residents, and faced an uproar Inspirations Lowe, who declared, “We have only in Woodside, that it’s a wonder- over the route of the new freeway one purpose in mind, and that is to ful town.” — Interstate 280 — that would Please call keep Woodside the way it is.” Now a resident of Carmel run through the town. Blanc Yoc at 650-326-8210 ext. 239 Ms. Talbot, who was appointed Valley, she’s witnessing another Despite the changes, Marie or e-mail [email protected] to the very first Woodside Plan- battle over incorporation in her Wagner Krenz, whose family ning Commission and served current home. bought a summer house on Greer for eight years, is still convinced “I hope they can do it,” she says Road in 1918 and has returned that becoming a town was the of Carmel Valley incorporation there for weekends and summers right thing for Woodside to do. proponents. “Carmel Valley is at ever since, rejoices that so much “(Opponents) were worried the mercy of Salinas like Wood- of Woodside’s rural community I Time to make that we would do something to side was at the mercy of Redwood feel has been preserved. ruin our quiet, lovely little village. City. It was city living, which is “It’s so nice that Woodside looks your business ruined our quiet fine, but we didn’t want that.” so much as it always has,” Ms. lovely little village,” says Ms. Tal- The battle over incorporation set Krenz says. “Across from our grow? bot, who moved out of Woodside the tone for the challenges faced house we can still see the beautiful in the 1970s. “When I go back, I by that first Woodside council. woods over where the Mounted Advertising in the Almanac can help hardly know where I am.” In the town’s first year, it became Patrol is. There are more houses, you reach your potential customers. Even so, it would’ve been embroiled in a controversy over but it’s mostly the same.” A

16 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 NEWS Community Health Education Programs Measure A campaign November 2006 raises almost $200,000 Web site • www.pamf.org E-mail • [email protected] As of Oct. 21, the campaign Francisco, which is developing to pass Measure A, the 1/8-cent a large mixed-use project at Events & Lectures sales tax for parks in San Mateo Bay Meadows race track in San “In Vitro Fertilization and Assisted Reproductive Technology 2006” County and its cities, had raised Mateo. Tuesday, November 14, 7 – 8:30 p.m. $191,736, according to cam- The San Mateo County Parks Salli Tazuke, M.D., PAMF Reproductive Endocrinology paign finance reports filed by and Recreation Foundation gave Parks for the Future. $10,000 plus the services of In vitro fertilization (IVF) has become a standard treatment for infertility since its inception in the 1970s. What One-fourth of that came from Executive Director Julia Bott. underlies its success and who is it for? Join us for a discussion of the latest assisted reproductive technologies the Lane brothers, former pub- The Peninsula Open Space such as pre-implantation genetic diagnoses. lishers of Sunset Magazine and Trust, a nonprofit land trust Hearst Center for Health Education, Level 3, Jamplis Building, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 795 El Camino books. L.W. “Bill” Lane of Por- based in Menlo Park, also gave Real, Palo Alto. RSVP to (650) 853-4873. tola Valley and Melvin Lane of $10,000. Classes Atherton each donated $25,000 Measure A would raise about to the campaign, according to $16 million a year to support “Good Nutrition and Feeding Practices for Toddlers,” Tuesday, November 14,2–4p.m. the reports, which cover the county parks, parks in 20 cities, This class will address parental concerns regarding nutrition and feeding practices. It should be attended by period from Jan. 1 through Oct. and parks in three special dis- parents or caretakers only. 21. tricts, including the Midpenin- “Supermarket Wise,” Thursday, November 16, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The largest single donation, sula Regional Open Space Dis- Learn techniques for making healthier food choices in a local supermarket with tour dietitian Karen Ross, M.S., R.D. $49,000, came from the Bay trict. It requires a two-thirds “Managing Your High Blood Pressure,” Monday, November 27,3–5p.m. Meadows Land Co. of San vote to pass. A This class provides information on causes, risks and treatment of high blood pressure, and approaches to successful reduction, such as exercise and medication. “Moving Through Pregnancy,” Mondays, November 27 – December 11, 7 – 9 p.m. TREES org shows photos of the trees and A three-session program covers a variety of topics related to pregnancy. continued from page 11 matches each listed tree with two “What You Need to Know About Warfarin,” Wednesday, November 29,6–8p.m. recommended replacements. A Learn what warfarin is, why you are taking it and how you can help yourself. said, citing as an example the resident can request a different tree “Advance Health Care Directives,” call for available dates and times. 1,800 mature liquidambar trees and, for a $226 fee, a larger tree. PAMF’s specially trained volunteers will provide advice and answer questions about the Advance Health Care that prefer wetter weather, such For $25, anyone can appeal Directive form. Free. as a Florida swamp or an Ohio a tree-removal decision to the Support Groups woods. They grow brittle here city’s seven-member Envi- after 50 years; one local specimen ronmental Quality Commis- Cancer (1st & 3rd Tuesdays) • Diabetes (1st Wednesday) • Multiple Sclerosis (2nd & 4th Mondays) • Sleep Apnea (1st lost four limbs last year, he said. sion, whose ruling can then be Thursday) • Alcohol and Drug Education (Every Tuesday) • Healing Imagery for Cancer Patients (Nov. 1 & 15) The average California street appealed to the City Council. For information on class fees and to register, call the Education Division at (650) 853-2960. tree lives 30 years, he added. “These trees have been here much longer than average.” If falling limbs cause injuries, a potential litigant would tend New Look, New Location to look first to the homeowner’s insurance and then to the TAKE ME town’s, Mr. Coate said. The city’s notifying a homeowner about a dangerous tree would TO THE likely be a relevant fact, added Ruben Nino, the director of engineering services. RIVER! Replacement trees will be 15- gallon specimens of 15 decidu- ous species that have desirable qualities — tall when mature and showing “spectacular” fall colors — without the bad habits of breaking pavement or drop- Same great quality ping limbs, Ms. Dryer said. The city’s Web site at menlopark. We are looking for a Full-time Sales Representative with and service. great sales skills... you're able to land the big fish. We’re proud to announce Post news We want an energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and a self-directed pro- fessional – one who loves to cast for great sales results. Someone who the grand re-opening of our store. possesses strong organizational and public interaction skills. You should You’ve always looked to your Benjamin Moore® retailer for great products and views on have the ability and demonstrated experience to make public and one- and great advice. Well, that’s not changing. But now our newly redecorated on-one presentations. You must fish well with minimum supervision. store will make your entire shopping experience even better. You’ll fi nd Your responsibility is to develop and present effective marketing programs more inspiration to help you choose paint and decorating tools. Our experts – hook, line and sinker – that result in sales. You will be working with a will help you bring your ideas to life, with the confi dence you need to get base of current and prospective customers within a geographic territory. the job done right. ©2004 Benjamin Moore & Co. Benjamin Moore and the triangle M symbol are registered trademarks We value and actively seek to recruit, develop and retain people and The Leader in Paint & Color is a trademark licensed to Benjamin Moore & Co. with backgrounds and experience reflecting the diversity of the communities we cover.

For immediate team consideration, FAX your resume to: Neal Fine • 650-854-3650 or email: [email protected] 717 Oak Grove Avenue, Menlo Park www.AlmanacNews.com We offer a competitive compensation & benefits package including (Across from the Fire Station) medical, dental, paid vacations, sicktime, and a 401(k) plan. 650-322-2238 November 8, 2006 ■ The Almanac ■ 17 SCHOOLS Five Portola Valley teachers honored Gourmet Italian Foods Five teachers in the Portola 20 years. Donna Kasprowicz, presidents from each school will Now featuring Fra’mani Salumi Valley School District will be sixth-grade teacher at Corte make the presentations: Caro- OPEN 7 DAYS honored Wednesday, Nov. 15, Madera, and Juliet Green, who lyn Carhart-Quezada and Buffie Mon-Sat 8am-6pm • Sun 8am-4pm (650) 369-4235 for their combined 75 years of specializes in music, drama and Williams from Ormondale, and WEEKLY SPECIALS service to the district. chorus at the middle school, Marti Sterns and Donna And- The occasion is the PTO’s share honors for their contribu- righetto from Corte Madera. Columbus Stella Pecorino annual recognition ceremony in tions to the district for 15 years. People with information about Gorgonzola the Corte Madera School multi- Jan Avila, who launched the the honorees — memories, Salame 10 oz. Romano use room, 4575 Alpine Road in Reading Recovery program at stories, comments or photos $ 99 $ 99 $ 99 Portola Valley. The event begins Ormondale and has helped early — are asked to e-mail: carhart- lb. 4 lb. 5 lb. 7 at 5 p.m. with refreshments, learners become readers, is being [email protected] or mar- Exp. 11/21/06 Exp. 11/21/06 Exp. 11/21/06 followed by the presentation of honored for 15 years of service. [email protected]. awards at 5:30 p.m. Barbara Gardyn, kindergarten The regular meeting of the 1453 Woodside Road, Redwood City (across from Woodside Plaza) The Corte Madera honorees teacher at Ormondale, is being school board will be held after are led by Karen Reis, who has recognized for a decade of service. the event in Room 1001 at Corte taught Spanish at the school for PTO presidents and vice- Madera. O L T W A E E

O K

L L 2003

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A P BEST OF Woodside Priory celebrates 50th anniversary 2 0 0 0 BEST FRESH FISH • BEST SEAFOOD The Woodside Priory communi- An overflow crowd of friends community were all refugees ty observes two events on Founders and colleagues from five decades of Communist domination in Cook’s Seafood Day, Saturday, Nov. 11 — the first is expected to attend and hear Hungary in the post-World War Restaurant & Market Mass celebrated by Father Egon stories and reminiscences that II years. In the 1970s, they affili- “A GREAT PLACE TO EAT LUNCH OR DINNER” Javor in 1956 on behalf of the seven began even before Nov. 11, 1956. ated with St. Anslem Abbey in Seafood Dinners from $595 to $995 Benedictine monks who purchased Abbot Matthew Leavy, O.S.B., New Hampshire to better estab- land in Portola Valley to found the will bring the best wishes of lish American roots. Clam Chowder - Seafood Salads school, and Father Egon’s 90th Woodside Priory’s parent com- The founding monks also Our Award Winning Fish & Chips birthday. He turned 90 Oct. 18. munity in New Hampshire. Abbot brought high school soccer to Prepared from the finest Alaskan halibut. The Mass will be held at 5 p.m. in Matthew was part of the Priory the . The Also featuring a full service fresh fish market. the Priory Chapel. A reception will community when he was a young nearest high school team was in Restaurant: Mon-Sat 11-8:30 pm, Fri ‘til 9 pm follow in the school dining hall with priest just beginning his vocation. Monterey, and the boys played Market: Mon - Sat 9 - 7, Closed Sunday a by-decades photo display in an Father Egon and the other local college teams. Among the 751 El Camino Real Call in Orders Welcome adjacent building on the campus at six Benedictine monks who reminiscences is sure to be the time Menlo Park, CA 94025 Phone 650 325-0604 or 322-2231 301 Portola Road in Portola Valley. founded the Woodside Priory Woodside Priory beat Stanford. A Jarretiere Event

Friday - Nov. 10th 11am to 6pm Saturday - Nov. 11th 11am to 4pm

Please join us as we unveil the new Images Of and wonderful fl exible expandable Woodside collection. There is an ideal jewel Beauty Salon 3040 Woodside Road, Woodside, Ca. for your personal style. Plus Saturday (650) 851-7103 only Welcome Annete Aiassa of Castlenuovo d Aiassa Designs. We offer Family haircuts, Hair colors, Perms, We look forward to seeing you. Wedding & Formal hair styles, Manicure & Pedicure, Facials, & Body treatments. ~ ~ ~ DARREN MCCLUNG Now carrying PRECIOUS JEWELRY BUMBLE & BUMBLE THE STANFORD BARN 700 WELCH ROAD SUITE 102 PALO ALTO, CA (650) 321-5994 Open: Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Located near Buck’s Restaurant)

18 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 NEWS OF LOCAL ATHLETES AND TEAM SPORTS Menlo School in wild M-A’s perfect football season ends ■ Bears fall into a ship with Aragon. times, with the Bears’ running 51-41 football victory two-way tie for first Woodside suffered an upset game picking up only 77 yards loss to Terra Nova on Friday, on 33 attempts. By Keith Peters in five minutes to close to within after loss to Aragon 14-3, and is out of the champi- Despite its offensive woes, M-A Palo Alto Weekly 44-41 with 3:28 left to play. By Craig Wentz onship picture. actually grabbed the lead at 22-21 At that point, Menlo quarter- Palo Alto Weekly Had the Bears beaten Aragon, when McCabe connected with n a wild game that lasted back Andrew Dixon hit James they would have won the Bay Kevin DiSibio on a 50-yard TD over three hours and fin- Walker with a 45-yard touch- enlo-Atherton’s perfect Division crown outright. pass with 6:09 left in the game. Iished in the dark, the Menlo down pass with 2:22 remaining football season came to Aragon provided M-A with its After an offsides penalty on School football team kept its PAL to secure the victory. Man end Saturday with a best competition of the season, Aragon on the extra point, M-A Ocean Division co-title hopes Dixon threw for 367 yards and 27-22 loss to host Aragon in a key rushing for 320 yards against decided to go for two and got it alive and a possible postseason four touchdowns. Fellow senior PAL Bay Division game. the Bears. with Saia Haatoa going up the berth intact with a 51-41 victory Anthony Bouvier scored three The Bears (5-1, 8-1) and Dons Both teams had three turn- middle for the PAT. over host Carlmont on Friday touchdowns, had eight receptions (6-1, 7-2) are now tied for the overs, but M-A had no continuity Aragon’s Chris Seminoff hauled afternoon. for 150 yards, kicked two field division lead. Aragon has fin- on offense. Junior quarterback the ensuing kickoff just inside The Knights (5-1, 8-1) pulled goals and had an interception. ished its regular season, but Troy McCabe completed just six the one-yard line and raced for into a first-place tie with the Menlo wide receiver Ricky M-A still must host Woodside of 20 passes for 92 yards and was the game-winning 99-yard Scots (5-1) and need only to beat Hawkins caught five passes for next Saturday and win that intercepted three times. touchdown with 5:54 remaining lowly Jefferson next week to assure 165 yards and senior running back game to earn a co-champion- McCabe was sacked four to play. A themselves of a co-championship. Leon Ivery rushed for 153 yards in Menlo jumped out to a 27-19 the wild offensive display. lead at halftime and increased it The two teams combined for 92 “When you to 41-19 before Carlmont began points, over 1,000 yards and its wild rally, scoring 22 points missed six missed extra points. A don’t want One Vikings survivor just anybody in Pop Warner playoffs The Bowman program builds confidence, creativity and By Jim Gallagher Dylan Kappeler and Keenan Gates. working on Vikings Boosters Midgets: A 7-6 halftime lead wasn’t quite academic excellence. enough for the Vikings on Nov. 4 in Hollis- enlo-Atherton Vikings ter, as the Sunnyvale Knights charged Lower School - GradesK-5 teams contending for from behind for a 20-7 victory. Tavasa your car!” MPeninsula Conference Pale slashed for the Vikings touchdown Middle School - Grades6-8 Pop Warner championships were after a fumble recovery, and Josiah Paye • TIRES • ALIGNMENTS passed to Marquise Tolson for the con- whittled from three to one over the Individualized, self-directed program • SHOCKS • BRAKES Nov. 4-5 weekend. Following is a version. A Vikings drive was spoiled by a third-quarter penalty, and Sunnyvale summary of the results. Rich international & cultural studies Junior PeeWees: Early in their Nov. cashed in with a 70-yard breakaway. With 5 semifinal playoff game against the a minute left, Sunnyvale scored the Gilroy Browns, the Vikings realized the clincher. Winding up the season with Proven, Montessori approach Browns couldn’t stop M-A tailback Khalil strong defensive games for the Vikings (Lil) James. The result: James carried were Leo Tovo, Brian Munks, Dante And- State-of-the-art facility more than a dozen times for three touch- righetto and Buck Stanek. Defensive downs in a 26-7 Vikings victory at Terra back Brandon Gibson shut down the Low student-teacher ratio 2115 El Camino Real Nova High in Pacifica. James’ scoring Knights’ heralded passing game. With the runs of 30 and 11 yards, together with loss, many M-A Midgets concluded their Redwood City a 48-yard fumble return by Campbell Pop Warner careers, and will be joining www.bowmanschool.org Roellig, nudged M-A to an 18-7 halftime the Vikings exodus to high school rosters 4000 Terman Drive l Palo Alto, CA l Tel: 650-813-9131 advantage. Another James score of three in 2007. A 650.365.0280 yards, plus a two-point conversion kick by Dominic Andrighetto, put the game out of reach in the third quarter. On Nov. 12 at 8 a.m., the Vikings play for the Division II Peninsula Conference championship at The #1 Cadillac Service Center on the Peninsula Woodside High against Hollister, the only team to defeat them this season. PeeWees: Although they rallied to over- Now Open Saturdays 9-5 come a halftime deficit, the Vikings were Call for an evicted from playoff contention with an 18-7 loss to Delta Bay. Trailing 6-0 at the appointment half, Menlo-Atherton used a 40-yard pass from Marcus Prioste to Marcus Franklin to set up Sean Barrett’s touchdown run. Pri- oste passed to Barrett for the go-ahead conversion. However, a critical intercep- tion led to Delta Bay’s deciding score, and the Brentwood team added a late touch- Exclusive Pickup down for the final margin. For the Vikes, PUTNAM CADILLAC and Delivery Service California Dr Talausi (T) Teu’s interception set up the 193 California Dr., Burlingame touchdown drive. Other defensive stand- MondayThrough Friday ONLY. Call For Details. Peninsula Av E l Ca outs included Wyman Boyd, Alex Lopez, mino Re Jack Heneghan, Michael Falepouono, Jacob Lozano 650-342-9500 x111 or [email protected] 650-342-9500 al November 8, 2006 ■ The Almanac ■ 19 VVoottee ffoorr BBooyyllee,, DDuubboocc aanndd WWiinnkklleerr oonn NNoovveemmbbeerr 77

P. )#! & P                      !  "!#$   !!        %" !  &        !  !  !   "  )    !!"  "      Q     Q   ' () ' () SS     +   +   +    '  '  '  SS      -  “I support Boyle, Duboc and Winkler because they support new playing field for our kids located at Bayfront Park. By electing Boyle, Duboc and Winkler and supporting new fields for our kids, everyone in our city wins!” -Andy Kirkpatrick, Pop Warner football coach and Little League baseball commissioner.

P,     ")        & )     " Q  San Mateo County Times             +  + 

P  G     Q    PG     !  &       Q "Boyle, Duboc and Winkler recognize a  growing fiscal crisis and have a sound  'S     -  plan to minimize unnecessary spending, avoid further cuts, and to raise sufficient revenue to pay Menlo “Boyle, Duboc and Winkler will bring business vitality back to Park's excellent employees a Menlo Park. They will stand up to special interest groups that competitive wage. We should reward seek to derail our progress with lawsuits and referendums. them with a vote of confidence." We need all three on our city council to keep Menlo Park open -Joe McNamara, former Chief of Police, for business.” - Greg Stroud, Menlo Park resident and former Vice San Jose, CA and Kansas City, MO President of Sales for Sun Microsystems.

Paid for by "John Boyle for City Council", FPPC# 1289008; "Re-elect Lee Duboc", FPPC# 1289189; and "Re-elect Mickie Winkler", FPPC# 1289223.

20 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 FOR THE RECORD

■ POLICE CALLS

This information is from the Atherton and ued at $1,000 stolen from business, 1100 Avenue, Oct. 31. Menlo Park police departments and the block of El Camino Real, Oct. 26. Spousal abuse report: 1100 block of San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. Under Auto-burglary reports: Windermere Avenue, Oct. 31. law, people charged with offenses are ■ Radio stolen from vehicle, 700 block of Battery reports: considered innocent until convicted. Coleman Avenue, Oct. 29. ■ Verbal argument and physical alterca- ATHERTON ■ Backpack and other items stolen from tion between family members, 1200 block of Sevier Avenue, Oct. 27. Grand theft report: MP3 player and cell vehicle, 800 block of Coleman Avenue, ■ phone stolen from locker at Menlo-Ather- Oct. 29. Alleged battery from co-worker in 100 ton High School, 500 block of Middlefield Burglary reports: block of Linfield Drive, Oct. 30. Road, Oct. 27. ■ Business broken into and computer WOODSIDE Burglary report: Items stolen from dorm equipment stolen, 1000 block of O’Brien at Menlo College, 1000 block of El Cami- Drive, Oct. 30. Weapons report: Person threatened no Real, Oct. 27. ■ verbally and with hunter’s knife by pos- Computer equipment stolen from busi- sible gang members in vehicle at Wood- Robbery report: Fence-jumping robbery ness and suspect arrested, 1100 block of side High School, 100 block of Churchill suspects arrested with assistance of San O’Brien Drive, Oct. 30. Avenue, Oct. 25. Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, first block ■ Flat screen TV stolen, 100 block of Dur- Burglary report: Large flat screen TV On stage in The Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory’s production of Holbrook Lane, Nov. 1. ham Street, Oct. 30. taken from wall after garage door appar- of “The Laramie Project” this weekend are, from left, Sheryl Abbott, MENLO PARK Stolen vehicle report: Gray 1989 Toyota ently pried open, 1000 block of Mountain Barbara Evans, Max Ball, Sally Pfleiderer, Diane Rezendes and, center Camry stolen, 1100 block of Ringwood Home Road, Oct. 25. Fraud reports: front, Ryan Pfleiderer. ■ Vehicle sold illegally with forged signa- ture on DMV form, 200 block of Blackburn Avenue, Oct. 30. Call me today about our full line-up. ‘Laramie Project’ continues ■ Credit report showed fraudulent account opened with victim’s Social Secu- (Auto. Home. Life. Commercial.) rity number and birth date, 800 block of this weekend in Portola Valley Santa Cruz Avenue, Oct. 30. A play about intolerance, for- victim of a hate crime perpetrated Grand theft report: Leather jacket val- (650) 691-4770 giveness, reconciliation, love. by two of his peers solely because With two preview nights and he was gay. News of Matthew’s three performances behind them, story prompted a New York acting WANT TO MAKE the Portola Valley Conservatory company to travel to Laramie and cast is geared up for three more conduct some 200 interviews with WAVES? BALDEV MANN performances of “The Laramie the town’s citizens. Those inter- TRY THE SURF IN Insurance Agent Project” this weekend. views were the bases for the play. TOWNSQUARE. 1901 OLD MIDDLEFIELD WAY STE 6 Doors to Lane Family Hall at “The story, told through the The Almanac’s Online MOUNTAIN VIEW Valley Presbyterian Church in eyes of the Laramie towns- Gathering Place [email protected] Portola Valley open at 7:10 p.m. people, is extremely moving, CA Lic: 0F24165 for the performances at 7:30 human and thought provoking,” www.almanacnews.com Subject to availability and qualifi cations. Insurance offered only with select companies. Allstate Insurance p.m. on Friday, Saturday and said the Rev. Cheryl Goodman- Company, Allstate Indemnity Company, Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company, and Allstate Sunday, Nov. 10-12. Morris, the director. Life Insurance Company: Northbrook, Illinois ©2006 Allstate Insurance Company. To reserve a ticket, call the church office at 851-8282, ext. 411. The suggested donation is $20 for adults and $10 for youth. The play is recommended for audienc- es from eighth-graders through adult. Jensen Hauser “The Laramie Project” is the true story of Matthew Shepard, a CUSTOM UPHOLSTERING young man who was murdered in Swiss Craftsmanship Since 1950 Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998, the 98 5th Ave. • (650) 365-5027 • Redwood City MARIA is BACK A TASTE OF THE PENINSULA with her mouth A cornucopia of restaurants and cafes providing watering desserts! PARKSIDE GRILLE the finest dining from brunch to dessert. ~ PALMA is doing great and will be here Nestled in the wooded hills of Thursday-Saturday. Portola Valley just 4 minutes west of 280 Connoisseur Coffee Co. Main St. Coffee Roasting Co. 2801 Middlefield Road 150 Elm St., Redwood City ~ Redwood City (650) 368-3430. M - F Renowned (650) 369-5250 6am-2pm, Sat. 7am-2pm 9am-5:30pm Fresh roasted coffee beans CHEF IGNAZIO MELIS Make Your Holiday Party Mon. - Sat. – European style. Full from Italy and California Coffee roasting & fine teas, coffee bar. Now serving Memorable In Beautiful Portola Valley espresso bar, retail is now bringing his breakfast: M-F 6am-11am; Reserve Our Newly & wholesale. Sat. 7am-1 pm talents to Buon Gusto. Lunch: M-F 11am-2pm ~ Renovated Private Rooms Same Menu with LOTS For Info Please Contact Our Event of NEW SPECIALS! Organizer at 650-529-9007 Parkside Grille Vive Sol-Cocina Mexicana 884 Portola Road, Portola 2020 W. El Camino Real, Valley (650) 529-9007. Mtn. View (650) 938-2020. Lunch: T-F, 11:30-2:30. Specializing in the Cuisine Dinner: Every Night Dinner: 7 nights. Bold and of Puebla. Open daily for Lunch: Tuesday - Friday innovative cuisine in an lunch and dinner. elegant country setting, nes- tled among the redwoods. 529 - 9007 • 884 Portola Rd. Portola Valley www.parksidegrille.net To Advertise in “A Taste of the Peninsula” call The Almanac 650-854-2626. November 8, 2006 ■ 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 We can make a difference Editorial he catastrophic threats to our planet laid out by Al Gore in his Managing Editor Richard Hine from its own operations to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. News Editor Renee Batti film and book “An Inconvenient Truth” has shaken some of us Residents and local businesses will be encouraged to participate. Lifestyles Editor Jane Knoerle and gotten our attention. Now what can we do? Portola Valley Mayor Steve Toben says he signed the agreement Senior Staff Writers T Marion Softky, Marjorie Mader Without national or international leadership on this incredibly because scientific opinion on the issue “is increasingly settled.” Staff Writers Andrea Gemmet, important and complex issue, are we simply doomed to go it alone In other words, fewer and fewer scientists dispute the findings David Boyce, Rory Brown as individuals, saving a little energy here and postponing a trip Editorial Intern Stephanie Cadora so clearly laid out in “An Inconvenient Truth.” And even though Contributors Barbara Wood, there? Clearly, this is a crisis that can be solved only by extraordi- Portola Valley, which is home to 400 Sierra Club members who Bryan Wiggin, Kate Daly, nary cooperation, but someone has to drive the bus. So far, Mr. pushed hard for the agreement, has already adopted many “green” Bill Rayburn, Miles McMullin, Katie Blankenberg Gore’s crusade has found many supporters, but others continue to initiatives, Mayor Toben said he “really wanted to extend the Special Sections Editors mistrust him, including those town’s commitment to environmental protection.” Carol Blitzer, Sue Dremann who think he is just fishing for That is an ambition we wish could be echoed by local govern- Photographer Marjan Sadoughi EDITORIAL another chance at the presidency. ments around the world. Portola Valley is a small town, but it is a Design & Production The opinion of The Almanac Design Director Raul Perez Anyone who believes that, start. As noted in last week’s cover story by David Boyce, other local Assistant Design Director and who dismisses global communities, including Menlo Park and Woodside, are looking at Katie Cvitkovich warming as a political ploy, should talk to the climate change the issue as well. We hope they will soon initiate programs of their Designers Linda Atilano, Gail Thoreson, Elise Eisenman, scientists. They are seeing more and more evidence that the own to reduce production of greenhouse gases. As for us, local gov- Eric Kinnaird, Nancy Hwang, earth is in for a bruising climb in temperature that will drasti- ernments cannot force us to act, but they can design incentives and Tanya A. Ortega cally change our environment in a devastating way. other enticements for residents and businesses to take action too. Advertising The warm-up in worldwide weather already is melting the All of this effort may sound like a very tiny drop in a very Advertising Manager Neal Fine Display Advertising Sales icecaps and, in not too many years, is forecast to cause flood- large bucket, one that won’t pare even a fraction of a degree of Roxanne Bates ing in low-lying areas worldwide, including right here in temperature from our out-of-control problem. But take a look Real Estate Account Menlo Park and Atherton. Many animal species, including Representative Donna Berryhill at California’s recent commitment to begin regulating emissions Real Estate Assistant humans, as well as plant life, will have to adapt if they can, and of greenhouse gases by large industries in the state. That effort Monica Asborno some will simply disappear. started in the state Legislature, and was helped along by our own Advertising Services As Al Gore reminds us, we needn’t wring our hands over this. Ira Ruskin, assemblyman from Redwood City, who a few years Coordinator M.J. Hayden There are ways to act locally and have an impact, however small. ago was a Redwood City councilman. Receptionist Renee Meil Circulation, Classified, Consider the case of Portola Valley, a hamlet of 4,600 souls Portola Valley, Redwood City, and even the state of California, & Legal Advertising Bill Rayburn whose local government has taken it upon itself to sign what is may be relatively small actors in taking on a highly complex planet- Published every Wednesday at called the Mayors Agreement on Climate Change, which echoes sized problem, but if the world is going to solve global warming, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, the much more famous Kyoto Protocol. people and communities need to get on the right side of this and Menlo Park, CA 94025 The agreement says the town will lower greenhouse gas emissions (650) 854-2626 become part of the solution. Why not start here and start now? FAX (650) 854-0677 e-mail news (no photos please) to: [email protected] LETTERS e-mail photos with captions to: Our readers write [email protected] e-mail letters to: [email protected] The Almanac, established in September, 1965, Somber day lightened is delivered each week to residents of Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside by tiny blooper and adjacent unincorporated areas of southern San Mateo County. The Almanac is qualifi ed by Editor: decree of the Superior Court of San Mateo County to publish public A wonderful remembrance notices of a governmental and legal ceremony was held last month nature, as stated in Decree No. 147530, issued November 9, 1969. for the imminent deconstruc- Voluntary subscriptions are available for delivery to homes in Menlo tion of what was, until 30 years Park, Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside at $30 per year or $50 for ago, Portola Valley School. 2 years. Subscriptions by businesses Many spoke, including the or residents outside the area are $50 for one year and $80 for two years. current superintendent, teachers and the students of Linda Vlasic’s ■ WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? class, who sang as they found and recovered the time capsule. All views must include a home address and contact phone number. Published letters Although we currently think will also appear on the Almanac Web site, of these buildings as our “late” www.AlmanacNews.com, and occasionally on the Almanac’s Town Square forum. Portola Valley Town Center, the edifice spent the first half of its TOWN SQUARE FORUM life as our community middle POST your views on the school until the school board Town Square forum at www.AlmanacNews.com felt it was too much of a liability Menlo Park Historical Association for the children to spend most of EMAIL your views to their day in buildings straddling Our Regional Heritage letters@AlmanacNews. the San Andreas Fault. com. Indicate if it is a Linden Towers, the estate of James C. Flood, was built in the 1880s along Middlefield Road in what is now letter to be published. That action planted the seeds of Atherton. Many years later the home was torn down and replaced by Lindenwood, a new Atherton neighborhood. its upcoming takedown. Before MAIL or deliver to: Editor at the Almanac, closing the school in the 1970s, the 3525 Alameda de las board convened a public hearing. Pulgas, Menlo Park, Opening remarks were made by notes about the setting of the she recited, “...and Teutonic creek the intended, geologic forces to CA 94025. Mrs. Dorothy Regnery, then the school site, she mistakenly read was present at the site.” With that “an unlikable German.” CALL the Viewpoint desk at Portola Valley town historian. the letter, “e” in place of the first one tiny blooper, she thus changed 854-2626, ext. 222. Reading from her scribbled “c” in the word, tectonic, when the meaning of both words from See LETTERS, next page

22 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006 VIEWPOINT

LETTERS

Continued from previous page ■ TOWN SQUARE go through the school application to explode. Over population is an administration building requires process twice. issue that cannot be ignored. It too, expansion or replacement. Yes, it brought down the house These letters will also be posted The Sequoia school district’s affects each and every one of us. In 1981, although plans were and set the stage for a less for- in TownSquare (www.AlmanacNews. decision to give Summit a two- Jackie Leonard-Dimmick made and $80,000 raised to add mal, typical Portola Valley town com), where you can comment on year charter, rather than the usu- Walnut Avenue, Atherton a children’s section to our library, meeting — the way it should be. them and post your own views. al five-year timeframe, creates for various reasons it did not Sheldon Breiner looming uncertainties again. Atherton has an happen. Our library staff has put Buckeye, Portola Valley traffic is regularly obstructed by An early, favorable decision from together many successful pro- large groups riding side by side. the Sequoia district on Summit’s opportunity to move ahead grams and presentations, which Woodside has right Bob Susk and Dave Tanner charter renewal application will Editor: often draw more than 90 people, have it right: Uphold the ordi- resolve these uncertainties. The Atherton currently has an sig- but there is no separate space to restrict cyclists nance and prevent Woodside new application allows ample time nificant opportunity to make for these activities. Our library, Editor: from further becoming a tourist for all possible procedural delays progress on important long-term which operates on property tax I was quite surprised to read attraction. Citizens have rights, and appeals. Guided by their issues. With last year’s passage of a dollars sent to us by the state, has a few weeks ago that the Wood- too, and the quiet enjoyment of teachers, students will be able to five-year parcel tax, the 2006 coun- built a reserve of over $1.5 mil- side town attorney has issued an one’s town is one of them. give full attention to their purpose cil elections behind us, and the lion. The funds are available to opinion that limits on bike events Leon G. Campbell in being at Summit — preparing overwhelming favorable response expand this beautiful building. run counter to the Bill of Rights Albion Avenue, Woodside for college and for life. in the recent police services survey, Another great opportunity per the freedom of assembly Mimi Sabo now is the time to focus on the could come Nov. 7 with the clause. Yet she goes on to qualify Summit Prep is Sherman Avenue, Menlo Park town’s pressing facility needs. passing of Measure A, the one- this right, noting that if an event looking for a break Our police administration build- eighth-cent county sales tax for “will unduly impede, obstruct, Overpopulation a factor ing is nearly 50 years old, and defi- parks. Measure A will generate impair or interfere with” traffic or Editor: cient in many respects. There is no $205,000 per year for 25 years threaten public safety the Wood- Is a break from the upheaval in in global warming locker room for women officers, for our park, but cost the average side ordinance is enforceable. sight for students at Summit Pre- Editor: no restrooms for persons under Atherton household only about Might I invoke the legal concept paratory Charter High School? Global warming has become arrest, and poor accommodations $40 per year. Money to upgrade of res ipsa loquitor (literally, “the I applaud the effort by Summit’s of major interest recently, as last for crime-detection technology, the Holbrook-Palmer Pavilion thing speaks for itself”)? Besides leadership to begin the school’s week’s cover article “Cooling It” emergency operations, and other would make it competitive with the well-reasoned issue of the dan- charter renewal process now, by David Boyce illustrates. Most modern capabilities. When our neighboring reception halls (and gers of Old La Honda Road, riders well before the two-year charter of us do need to make changes public works and building depart- generate more income for the on narrow roads such as Albion, expires in May 2008. The school in the way we live. ments outgrew their cramped town), retrofit the tennis courts, Manzanita and others regularly was forced into a difficult re- One partial solution is seldom space in the same facility eight maintain the historic buildings, threaten the safety of townspeople, chartering process earlier this mentioned: Choose to produce years ago, they were moved into and modernize the irrigation of who literally have nowhere to go to year. The tight timing caused smaller families. Even with fam- “temporary trailers,” and they are the fields and meadows. avoid these packs. On major thor- tremendous stress on the students ine, war and natural disasters, still there. Charles Marsala oughfares such as Canada Road, and parents, requiring students to the world population continues The conclusion: Our police/ Mayor of Atherton

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November 8, 2006 ■ The Almanac ■ 23 SPANNING APPROXIMATELY 4.6 ACRES of gently rolling meadows and groves of oak trees, this exceptional offering combines miles-away tranquility with close- in convenience. Woodside’s building code for this large lot permits the construction of a new residence to the unusually generous scale of 8,000 square feet of living space. In addition to a main home, the construction of a basement, outbuildings, tennis court, swimming pool, and other estate amenities are allowable up to a maximum development area of 18,000 square feet.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROPERTY • Approximately 4.6 acres of gently rolling meadows and oak groves, featuring multiple sites suitable for new construction • Maximum Floor Area (MFA) of 8,000 square feet • Maximum Development Area (MDA) of 18,000 square feet • Existing 5-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom residence • Regulation-scale tennis court and barn are sold “as is” • Excellent location just minutes from Woodside village and major commute routes • Convenient to the exceptional equestrian facilities and riding trails of The Horse Park at Woodside • Award-winning Woodside Elementary School

Offered at $5,995,000

SCOTT DANCER 2969 WOODSIDE ROAD WOODSIDE, CA 94062 650-529-2454

Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

24 ■ The Almanac ■ November 8, 2006