Inside this issue Summer Home + Garden Design
THE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR MENLO PARK, ATHERTON, PORTOLA VALLEY AND WOODSIDE
JULY 10, 2013 | VOL. 48 NO. 45 WWW.THEALMANACONLINE.COM
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2 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 10, 2013 UPFRONT Computer pioneer dies at 88
By Dave Boyce processing, linking and in-file Almanac Staff Writer object addressing, use of mul- tiple windows, hypermedia, and he fellowship of high- context-sensitive help, accord- technology pioneers ing to an SRI statement. Tlost another giant with A major turning point in the death of Atherton resident the collective vision of what Douglas C. Engelbart. computers might become came Credited with inventing the on Dec. 9, 1968, when Mr. computer mouse and for com- Engelbart sat on stage during a ing up with concepts such as computer conference at the San point-and-click and hypertext Francisco Civic Auditorium, a links, Mr. Engelbart interceded keyboard and mouse in front of on behalf of ordinary people to him and a big-screen projection extend the power of computing behind him. For 90 minutes he far and wide. manipulated text and pictures. Mr. Engelbart died July 2 at Using a grocery list as a prop, his Atherton home at the age Photo by Louis Fabian Bachrach, Courtesy of the he created headings and reorga- Computer History Museum of 88, according to a statement Douglas Engelbart, shown here nized the items under them in from his former employer, SRI holding an early computer mouse, ways that are common practice International in Menlo Park. his groundbreaking invention, died today. He also engaged in live “Doug was a giant who made July 2 at his Atherton home at the video-enabled exchanges with the world a much better place age of 88. co-workers at SRI in Menlo and who deeply touched those Park, including revising a docu- of us who knew him,” said Cur- them through a card-reader ment in tandem. tis Carlson, SRI’s president and to check for errors. With no “Two thousand people gave CEO. “SRI was very privileged errors, you could use the cards him a standing ovation,” Mar- and honored to have him as to run the program and come ion Softky wrote in 2001. “And one of our ‘family.’ He brought back later for results, usually in all at once people began to real- tremendous value to society. We the form of a print out. ize what computers could do.” will miss his genius, warmth Improving or correcting your Go to tinyurl.com/DCE-demo and charm. Doug’s legacy is program required new punch for a video of this demonstra- immense — anyone in the world cards. And depending on the tion. who uses a mouse or enjoys the demand for the computer, you “It was stunning. It really productive benefits of a personal may have had to stand in line (woke) a lot of people up to computer is indebted to him.” and listen to and/or watch a whole new way of thinking In the 1950s and 1960s, when about computers — not just as SRI was known as the Stan- number crunchers,” Bob Taylor ford Research Institute, Mr. ‘Doug was a giant who of Woodside said for the Alma- Engelbart led a team of “com- made the world a much nac story. Mr. Taylor won the puter pioneers” in the Augmen- Medal of Technology award the tation Research Center. This better place and who year before Mr. Engelbart and team developed tools to “enable deeply touched those was recently named a fellow at people and organizations to har- the Computer History Museum ness the growing power of com- of us who knew him.’ in Mountain View, a recogni- puters to meet the exploding CURTIS CARLSON, SRI’S CEO tion that he shares with Mr. challenges of the coming times,” Engelbart. Almanac staff writer Marion the card reader monotonously The demo did not awaken the Softky wrote in a February 2001 checking the cards of the people industry as a whole. It was not cover story. ahead of you. until the 1980s that the first Compared to the desktop and Enough of all that, said Mr. commercially available mouse hand-held computing pow- Englebart and his team. Along appeared, by which time Mr. erhouses of today, using a with the mouse and hypertext, Engelbart’s patent had expired, computer in the 1960s was the group developed real-time according to a 2004 interview something like driving a car text editing, integration of text with BusinessWeek cited in an from the back seat. To develop and graphics in the same docu- obituary of Mr. Engelbart from a computer program, for exam- ment, online journals, telecon- Bloomberg News. ple, you typed code at a card- ferencing with a split screen, and punch terminal to yield a stack technology that allowed people A soft-spoken man of cards with holes in them, the to collaborate on problems from Karen O’Leary Engelbart, who holes representing computer different remote locations. married Mr. Engelbart in 1999, instructions. You handed your In the field of programming, cards to an operator who ran the group developed online See COMPUTER PIONEER, page 6
CALLING ON THE ALMANAC
THE ALMANAC (ISSN 1097-3095 and USPS 459370) is published every Wednesday by Embarcadero Media, Newsroom: 223-6525 N E-mail news, information, obituaries 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025- Newsroom fax: 223-7525 and photos (with captions) to: 6558. Periodicals Postage Paid at Menlo Park, CA and [email protected] Advertising: 854-2626 at additional mailing offices. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circulation for San Mateo County, The Almanac is N E-mail letters to the editor to: Advertising fax: 223-7570 delivered free to homes in Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola [email protected] Classified ads: 854-0858 Valley and Woodside. Subscriptions for $60 per year or $100 per 2 years are welcome. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Almanac, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558. Copyright ©2012 To request free delivery, or stop delivery, of The Almanac in zip code 94025, 94027, by Embarcadero Media, All rights reserved. Reproduction 94028 and the Woodside portion of 94062, call 854-2626. without permission is strictly prohibited.
July 10, 2013 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 3 THANK YOU
Jackie and Richard thank you for trusting us to help you achieve your Real Estate Success.
1530 University, Palo Alto 12135 Dawn, Los Altos Hills* 9 Atherton Oaks, Atherton*
98 Kilroy, Atherton* 678 College, Menlo Park 940 Monte Rosa, Menlo Park*
1941 Deodara, Los Altos 2291 South Court, Palo Alto 96 Touscolusa, Atherton*
Call Jackie and Richard for a Free Home Consultation
Jackie Richard 650-855-9700 650-566-8033 [email protected] [email protected] BRE # 01092400 BRE # 01413607
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4 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 10, 2013 Local News M ENLO PARK | ATHERTON | WOODSIDE | PORTOLA V ALLEY Fate of Merry Prankster redwood tree in limbo ■ County approves removal permit, but also asks night and play pinball with the architect to preserve heritage tree. light show in the sky.” Then a developer bought most By Sandy Brundage its walls. The main portion of of Perry Lane, according to Mr. Almanac Staff Writer the 1,667-square-foot building Wolfe. Reporters descended he days of “Chloe’s Tree,” served as an officers’ club at upon the street expecting to home to hawks and wit- Camp Fremont during World record “sonorous bitter state- Tness to the Dymaxion War I for thousands of Army ments about this machine civi- dance troupe and Merry Prank- troops, according to neighbor- lization devouring its own past. sters, may be numbered. hood lore, before being relo- Instead, there were some kind of The redwood tree, measuring cated to Stanford Avenue. Ms. nuts out here. They were up in a 4 feet in diameter, has stood near Scott later added a dance studio tree lying on a mattress, all high the yard’s border at 180 Stanford in back, where her Dymaxion as coons, and they kept offer- Ave. longer than anyone living troupe rehearsed. ing everybody, all the reporters can remember. But the real and photographers, some kind estate developers who bought of venison chili, but there was the unincorporated West Menlo Nearly 30 neighbors something about the whole Park property last year plan to have banded together setup ...” build a new house, one whose The oak survived. It escaped footprint leaves no room for the to ‘Help Save Chloe’s San Mateo County’s ax three redwood. Tree.’ times, thanks to neighborhood “What bothers me, and both- protests, only to finally die of ered me from the beginning, A short distance away sits root rot in 2005. is that this isn’t someone with Perry Lane, also known as Perry Now nearly 30 neighbors have a sudden need to expand a Avenue, also known as the place banded together to “Help Save house,”said Roberta Morris, Ken Kesey, author of “One Flew Chloe’s Tree.” who lives nearby. She wondered Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” lived. Ron Snow, dubbed the “Mayor if the tree’s presence factored His street had “Kesey’s Tree,” an of Menlo Park Plants and Gar- into the purchase as an easily ancient oak of which Mr. Wolfe dens” by at least one friend, has removed obstacle. noted, perhaps apocryphally, lived nearby on Stanford Avenue “If everybody who asks (for a “Everybody was attracted by for about 33 years. removal permit) gets a yes, that the strange high times they had “I sit in my backyard and bothers me,” she said. heard about the Lane’s fabled can see the hawks land in the The house, owned in previous Venison Chili, a Kesey dish tree. You don’t often get to see years by Chloe Scott, also known made of venison stew laced with hawks, but I see (them) here as “Chloe Scott the dancer” in LSD, which you could consume and I don’t see them land in Tom Wolfe’s book, “The Electric and then go sprawl on the mat- other trees,” he said. Photo by Magali Gauthier/The Almanac Kool-Aid Acid Test,” has stories tress in the fork of the great oak This redwood tree on Stanford Avenue in unincorporated West Menlo of its own within the wood of in the middle of the Lane at See REDWOOD TREE, page 7 Park may come down to make way for a new house.
Town considers disposition of Jackling House artifacts
By Dave Boyce N WOODSIDE Almanac Staff Writer
ince 2010, Woodside has Corp. CEO Steve Jobs after a owned a collection of long legal battle and fight in the Santiques that have had court of public opinion with historical value but not an Jackling House fans in Wood- appraised dollar value. Now they side and elsewhere. have one: $30,825. The Town Council had request- The collection from the Jack- ed an appraisal of the artifacts’ ling House on Mountain Home value and planned to meet July 9 Road includes a 50-foot copper- to consider what to do next. and-iron flagpole ($800), eight (Visit AlmanacNews.com for plated-metal Mediterranean updates. This story went to press Revival wall sconces ($2,000), prior to the meeting.) a three-light pool-table light Council members have said of Arts and Crafts movement they would like to keep the arti- provenance ($1,000) and a 1929 facts, but space is a problem. Some cast-copper mailbox ($2,000). are on display in the Woodside
These artifacts recall the Span- Community Museum, but many Photo by Michelle Le ish Colonial Revival mansion are locked away in a weather- These pierced-wheel design sconces in the Moorish style are part of the Jackling House collection built in the 1920s and demol- at the Woodside Community Museum. The collection’s three Moorish sconces have a value of $600, ished in February 2011 by Apple See JACKLING HOUSE, page 7 according to an appraisal commissioned by the Woodside Town Council.
July 10, 2013 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 5 NEWS -EAT 0RODUCE s &INE &OODS 7INE ,IQUOR s $ELICATESSEN (ARDWARE 'RAIN Open 6:30 am - 8:00 pm daily Sales Dates: July 10 - 13, 2013
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6 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 10, 2013 NEWS REAL ESTATE TRENDS by Samia Cullen Bald eagle Rising Interest Rates May Force spotted Hesitant Buyers into the Market in Woodside Interest rates are at a two-year high fundamentals change the direction of Jeff Degnan, who lives on and heading higher. The recent spike the market. Although interest rates Canada Road in Woodside, in rates has left buyers and sellers alike are at a two-year high they still low in saw this bald eagle over wondering how higher mortgage rates comparison to previous years. his house on July 5. His will affect the real estate market. As inventory levels have dwindled daughter Emily Degnan took Rising mortgage rates may finally be over the past year, the growing ranks the photo. The family is a forcing many hesitant buyers into the of buyers have helped propel dramatic market. NAR’s Pending Home Sales price increases. As long as our inventory little worried about all their Index (PHSI), which is based on home remains low and demand is high, interest chickens. purchase contracts, in May reached its rates should not have a meaningful highest level since late 2006. NAR also effect on the market especially given announced it was upgrading its price that a significant number of offers in forecast for 2013. our area are cash offers. Multiple offers It appears some of the rise in will continue to be the norm although contract signings could be from the total number of offers received on a buyers wanting to take advantage of listing could decrease. current mortgage interest rates before For the first half of 2013, the median BBC acquires new proprietor they move higher. This implies a sale price increased 25% for Palo Alto By Sandy Brundage continuation of double-digit price (from $1,726,000 in 2012 to a record over the Creamery in 1988, he arrested for sexually assaulting increases from a year earlier, with a high of $2,150,000), 15% for Menlo Almanac Staff Writer gutted that restaurant to rebuild two women in an upstairs room strong push from pent-up demand. Park (from $1,325,000 to $1,525,000), from the ground up. at the club in 2010. Both pleaded Home prices are not going down any and 12.5% in Atherton (from $3,200,000 t may take a year to reopen Mr. Fischer declined to com- guilty to related charges. time soon unless the economy or other to $3,600,000). the landmark British Bankers ment further on his plans for the Former owners Lance White Club in Menlo Park, but those BBC. and Richard Eldridge initially If you have a real estate question or would like a free market analysis for your home, I please call me at 650-384-5392, Alain Pinel Realtors, or email me at [email protected]. longing for its return can feel said the BBC had shut down for For the latest real estate news, follow my blog at www.samiacullen.com optimistic, despite yet another remodeling in January 2012, but change in ownership, given the Local restaurateur eventually announced online new proprietor’s track record. that it would stay closed. Rob Fischer, who owns the to reopen historic A few months later social Palo Alto Creamery along with Menlo Park club. media executive Owen Van Reposado and, in Mountain Natta took a stab at reopening View, Gravity and Scratch, has The building at 1090 El Camino the club, only to walk away after added the BBC to his roster. Real housed Menlo Park’s admin- deciding his plan wasn’t finan- He said it will take at least a istrative and police departments cially viable. 185 year, however, to bring the build- before becoming the BBC. In Landlord Dennis Grimsman, ing up to code, including seismic more recent years the rowdy res- who owns the building, told the upgrades. Renovation is a process taurant gained a checkered histo- Almanac he’s glad to have a ten- Join us for he’s familiar with; after taking ry after a busboy and a cook were ant again. A WEEKEND BRUNCH!
JACKLING HOUSE wooden railings and panels, cur- might have been discarded or continued from page 5 tain rods and a fireplace screen. sold as scrap salvage.” Commenting on the estimated The artifacts of interest to value of the artifacts, Kathryn Ms. Su and Mr. Gilad have an proof container outside. Wilen Hobart and Douglas S. appraised value of $16,150, “Personally, I’m not interested Baxter of the San Francisco firm Town Manager Kevin Bryant in disposing of any of that stuff,” of Hobart Associates write: “The said in a staff report. Councilman Peter Mason said in provenance, of primarily regional The couple will be fourth in February when the council last interest, has some bearing on the line. Rights of first refusal, in considered the artifacts’ disposi- value and was considered in the priority order, are held by the tion. “It seems odd to me that we valuation conclusions. Unfortu- town, the San Mateo County would give it away just because it’s nately, most of the material is in Historical Association and the sitting around. ... I think we should fair or poor condition and con- University Art Museum at the figure out a way to store it.” siderable expense will need to be University of California in Santa Mr. Mason was referring to undertaken to properly reclaim Barbara. (Santa Barbara County interest expressed for some of the this collection for modern use. is home to 54 houses designed Panettone French Toast with Maple Syrup, artifacts by Woodside residents “The objects of the highest by Mr. Smith, according to an Mascarpone Whipped Cream, Roasted Ben Gilad and Qian Su. The cou- potential value include those entry at architect.com.) From Rhubarb & Local Strawberries. ple are planning a new house on most closely associated with the what artifacts are left, the staff Whiskey Hill Road in the style of Jackling legacy and his compa- report recommends offering Try our brand new brunch menu and indulge Jackling House architect George ny, Kennecott Copper Company them for sale to Ms. Su and Mr. in our Frutti di Bosco, “Mixed Berries” Washington Smith. Among the and mine,” they write. “The Gilad, with the remainder to be with Adami Prosecco, Vecchia Romagna Italian Brandy artifacts the couple said they’d overall market is clearly narrow auctioned off at a later time. like to acquire: doors and door and limited for much of this Go to tinyurl.com/Jackling for and Mixed Berries. Or try our… knockers, chandeliers and light inventory which, under nor- the staff report and the apprais- BOTTOMLESS BELLINI’S FOR $15 fixtures, decorative grill work, mal demolition circumstances, al, which begins on Page 8. A BRUNCH REDWOOD TREE are higher in tree-lined neigh- down a historic house, a his- Saturday & Sunday continued from page 5 borhoods; cooling and heating toric tree, and put in a cookie- costs can also be reduced. cutter house.” 10:30am - 2:30pm “If neighbors would under- The county did grant the A software designer by trade, stand, I think they would rally removal permit in May, but after Open for Lunch and Dinner, Wednesday - Sunday he devotes some of his free time together and builders might be noticing the opposition, asked to planting redwoods around more inclined to keep the big the architect to redesign the new the Santa Cruz region. He trees — well, I don’t know if house to protect the redwood 185 University Ave, Palo Alto noted the big tree offers benefits that would happen,” Mr. Snow tree. Carter Warr of CJW Archi- Reservations: (650) 614-1177 beyond those of ambience and said. “It’s a crime, in a way, tecture was not immediately wildlife habitat. Property values that builders come in and rip available for comment. A www.campo185.com
July 10, 2013 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 7 NEWS
Man struck by train is identified Menlo Presbyterian walks The man who was struck train passed through the to another train. At 9:27 a.m., and killed Friday morn- Atherton station at approxi- Caltrain reported resuming for clean water overseas ing, July 5, by a train at the mately 7:15 a.m., Caltrain normal operations with both The Menlo Park Presbyterian N BRIEFS Atherton station has been spokesperson Jayme Acke- tracks back in service. Church hosts a one-mile walk identified by the San Mateo mann said. Caltrain does not “Delays were extensive through Menlo Park on Satur- County coroner’s office as stop on weekdays at the Ather- throughout the system,” she day, July 13, to raise funds for wage gain of $6.9 billion, made Clifford Planchon, 88, of ton station, located at Fair said in an email. “Ridership clean water projects in rural the largest contribution. Redwood City. Oaks Lane and Dinkelspiel was reported to be lighter than overseas areas. Media analysts attributed the Northbound Caltrain #313 Station Lane. normal for a Friday due to the Participants will start at the wage increase to Facebook’s struck Mr. Planchon as the Passengers were transferred holiday.” church, located at 950 Santa public stock offering, noting Cruz Ave., walk to a water that the Bureau’s definition of source to fill buckets, and then “wage” includes bonuses and Support The Almanac’s print and online coverage of our community. return, “ to simulate the experi- stock options in addition to ence of villagers in rural Africa,” paychecks. Join today: SupportLocalJournalism.org/Almanac according to the MPPC. The event starts at 1 p.m. July 15: SamTrans For every person who registers focus group and participates in Walk4Water, MPPC will donate $25 toward SamTrans will hold a focus clean water projects. group in Menlo Park on Mon- Go to mppc.org/walk4water to day, July 15, as part of a series of register. The event will also be meetings in San Mateo County. held in Mountain View on July The outreach meetings will col- 14 and San Mateo on July 16. lect input about how SamTrans should conduct outreach, Facebook effect? according to the transportation Since Facebook’s relocation to agency. Menlo Park, it’s become busi- The Menlo Park meeting focus ness as usual to see the city men- group will be held from 6 to 7 tioned in the Wall Street Jour- p.m. at the main library at 800 nal, Forbes and other national Alma St. publications. Last week, it happened again July 26: Police BBQ — this time as the U.S. Bureau Grab a hot dog and gab Includes of Labor Statistics unveiled data with members of the Menlo for 2012 that showed San Mateo Park Police Department on July T-shirt & Lunch County had the largest jump in 26. The community barbecue, weekly wages of any county in hosted by the department as a the country, with a gain during prelude to National Night Out s &ULLY SUPPORTED WATERREST STOPS the past year of 107.3 percent to in August, starts at 6 p.m. and s ""1 LUNCH CATERED BY ,UTTICKENS $ELI yield a weekly average wage of ends at 8 p.m. in Burgess Park, s &REE 4 SHIRT FOR EVERY RIDER WHO REGISTERS ONLINE $3,240. The professional and located in the Civic Center at business services sector, with a 701 Laurel St. s AM OR AM START TIME AT -ENLO !THERTON (IGH 3CHOOL s !LL PROCEEDS GO TO 2OTARY 4UTORING SCHOLAR SHIPS AND NONPROFITS SUCH AS "OYS AND Portola Valley: Some free 'IRLS #LUB AND 3ECOND (ARVEST &OOD "ANK s /PPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE 2OTARY EV recharges to end soon
ÈxUÊ{ÈÊUÊÎxÊ - By Dave Boyce greenhouse gas emissions. Almanac Staff Writer Fee revenues would go toward recovering estimated annual ver the last 15 months, operating costs of about $2,420, the town of Portola Val- replacing equipment when nec- Oley has given away 4.758 essary, discouraging use of pub- megawatt-hours of electricity to lic facilities as primary charg- those owners of electric vehicles ing stations, and encouraging SATURDAY who’ve taken advantage of the prompt disconnection once a battery charges available at vehicle has been recharged, Ms. Town Center. de Garmeaux said. But with increasing use of the Recharging requires a credit AUGUST 17 two charging stations, increas- card and can take several hours. ing popularity of electric vehi- The website of the ChargePoint cles, and the December 2013 network, based in Campbell, REGISTER: www.tourdemenlo.com expirations of the warranties shows station locations, wheth- and $22,000 in grant-funded er they’re busy and the fee, if Ride day registration 8am-10am subsidies, the town will be reset- any. A ChargePoint website map at Menlo-Atherton High School, 555 Middlefield Rd ting the usage fee sometime over shows 144 stations in the Bay the next couple of months. Free Area and 75 within 10 miles of Sponsored by battery charges will be available Portola Valley, including 13 in for the first hour only; a fee of Redwood City and 20 in and $4 an hour will take effect after around Palo Alto. 60 minutes. Portola Valley’s two stations The Town Council agreed are located in the parking lots of to the change after a June the public library and the His- 12 presentation by Brandi de toric Schoolhouse at 765 Portola Garmeaux, the town’s coordi- nator of initiatives to reduce See EV RECHARGES, page 17
8 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 10, 2013 NEWS Menlo Park: Letter sheds light on firing of gymnastics teacher By Sandy Brundage Nevertheless, her termination, emailed pub- Almanac Staff Writer while handled in a manner that licly to pro- “may have been unpleasant,” was gram manage- hile the city said the appropriate, the letter says. ment and to public was not entitled When the Almanac asked Ms. the City Coun- Wto learn the outcome Sutton about the letter, she seemed cil on Jan. 30, REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL of an investigation into allega- to be taking its contents in stride. described the (RFP)Concession Operation for tions of harassment and a toxic “I’m confident that a resolution is instructor as workplace environment in its forthcoming,” she said on July 5. unprofessional Michelle Sutton Westwind Community Barn gymnastics program, a letter The exact nature of that reso- in how she had The Town of Los Altos Hills is from Menlo Park City Man- lution remains to be seen. It does asked the parent to step away ager Alex McIntyre to the former not appear to include returning during a child-only class. soliciting proposals for the concession employee who made the accusa- to Menlo Park to teach; the The Almanac found no docu- operation of Westwind Community tions sheds some light. instructor said she’s greatly mentation of reprimands or Barn. Please see the below link for The Almanac was able to read a enjoying her new position and other performance issues in her copy of the letter, which reminds expanded hours at Gold Star personnel file. Since Ms. Sutton the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Michelle Sutton, the popular Gymnastics in Mountain View. was an at-will employee, how- Concession Operation. gymnastics instructor whose A complaint Ms. Sutton filed ever, Menlo Park isn’t required abrupt firing lies at the heart of in May with the California by law to document disciplin- The deadline is Thursday, August 8, the uproar, that she had been an Department of Fair Employ- ary actions, although employers 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at-will, temporary and part-time ment and Housing (DFEH) con- often do as a safeguard. www.losaltoshills.ca.gov employee who could, therefore, tinues working its way through Fellow instructor Chris Ortez be terminated at any point. the system. A DFEH spokesper- quit in protest over her firing The letter says the investiga- son said that its investigation and later told the city man- tor, after interviewing 18 people, could take nine to 12 months. ager and the council that Ms. concluded the instructor had not The week before she was fired, Mihalek held “none-too-dis- been illegally harassed or fired the instructor had asked the creet contempt” for Ms. Sutton We are buyers of Diamonds, in retaliation for trying to file a city’s human resources depart- and reportedly had a history of complaint about her supervisor. ment and union representatives complaints filed by at least two Estate Jewelry, Fine Watches, Without naming anyone, Mr. about filing a harassment com- female staff members. McIntyre’s letter acknowledges plaint against supervisor Karen Mr. McIntyre could not be Sterling Silver Flat Ware that at times, certain supervisors Mihalek. Ms. Sutton was then reached for comment before the and Gold and Platinum Jewelery and employees interacted inap- terminated on Feb. 12. Almanac’s press deadline. Previ- propriately with Ms. Sutton. He She said she was told that a ously the city has declined to com- wrote that the city would address parent’s complaint led to her ment on the investigation, citing those incidents confidentially. termination. The complaint, employee confidentiality. A Jackson Square Estate Buyers
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,OCAL SHOWROOM s &ULL 3ERVICE &INE *EWELER /VER YEARS OF SERVING THE -ID 0ENINSULA Photo by Michelle Le/The Almanac Nak’s Oriental Market owners Ikie and her husband Sam Kurose in 2009. We specialized in the purchase Nak’s Oriental Market fights for its life of larger Diamonds....1 carat and above! By Tara Golshan ed open underneath his eye and and sushi-grade meat. But recent Special to the Almanac the back of his head and he didn’t rent hikes and competition from We offer Free appraisals fter nearly five decades remember falling,” said Ken, who big grocery stores have made of selling groceries, Nak’s has taken over many of the store’s operations difficult for the small with no obligation AOriental Market in Menlo management responsibilities. “A business at 1151 Chestnut St. Park is struggling to stay in busi- week later, he fell again.” Rent is now about $3,500 a 2808 EL CAMINO REAL ness. On top of worries about Mr. month, and business, even from (3 Lights South Of Woodside Rd.) Financial troubles and family Kurose’s health are concerns the loyal customers, hasn’t been REDWOOD CITY illness have created obstacles about the financial challenges enough, Ken Kurose said. Every for this Menlo Park fixture, facing the store. week, he said, he would find 650-365-3000 especially after store owner Sam The market, which has been himself throwing away a couple WWW.JACKSONSQUARE.COM Tues. – Sat. 10am to 5pm Kurose collapsed three months open for 45 years, carries a com- hundred dollars’ worth of fish. Closed Sunday & Monday ago, his son, Ken Kurose, said. bination of Asian and Dutch “My dad collapsed and he bust- products, in addition to produce See NAK’S MARKET, page 16
July 10, 2013 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 9 PRIME WEST ATHERTON 81 Adam Way, ATHERTON 1 and 2/3 Acres 83 Tuscaloosa Avenue 89 Tuscaloosa Avenue
ART-INSPIRED ESTATE HOME GATED LEVEL LOT
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10 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 10, 2013 July 10, 2013 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 11 NEWS Mary Durkin Kearns Piersol Council has wide choice of September 20, 1921 – June 20, 2013 applicants for vacant seat Mary Stewart Durkin Kearns Piersol was Church. She was a member of the Menlo Cir- born in Brooklyn, New York, September 20, cus Club in Atherton for 41 years. By Renee Batti 1921 to Mary Stewart Bushfield of Goshen, NY Mary enjoyed travelling all over the world, Almanac News Editor N ATHERTON and Joseph Stephen Durkin of Newburgh, NY. but especially being at the ocean. She loved Her father was a CPA for the Federal Bureau music, dancing, playing the piano and her ith only hours left of Investigation. She grew up in Chevy Chase, garden. to file, six Atherton budget on maintaining the city- MD and Washington, DC with her brother, Jo- She is survived by her six children, Mary Wresidents had applied governed police force. seph Stephen Durkin, Jr., and was a graduate Kearns Coffron of Menlo Park, Kathryn before the Almanac’s press time Mr. Ruggeiro and Mr. DeGo- of Woodrow Wilson high school and Trinity Kearns Gould (Chris) of Atherton, Patri- for appointment to a vacant lia noted, however, that the College in Washington, D.C. Fluent in French cia Kearns Kehrer of Dillon, MT, Thomas F. seat on the City Council. The town needs to look at ways and Spanish she served in a division of cultur- Kearns IV of Reno, NV, Carol Durkin Kearns filing period ended at 5 p.m. to adjust pension and health al cooperation of the State Department dur- of Spokane, WA, Michael J. Kearns of Salt Lake Monday, July 8, and the council benefit packages to reduce ing World War II. During this time she also City, UT; five grandchildren, Tamara Coffron will meet Thursday, July 11, to the town’s contributions to worked as a liaison with Chinese students. Nurisso (Fred) of Redwood City, CA, Brock interview the applicants and them and address a massive She was married January 26, 1946 to 1st Lieu- Coffron (Lynn) of Stevensville, MT, Whitney try to agree on one to serve out unfunded liability — estimated tenant Thomas F. Kearns USMC, a graduate Gould Topping (Henry) of New York, Chris- Jerry Carlson’s term. at between $12 million and $30 of Georgetown University of Foreign Service, topher K. Gould (Aly) of Hong Kong, Judge The six are: Audit/Finance million. Mr. Conlon said he at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Thomas Kearns of Salt Lake City, UT; nine Committee chair and Rail needs more data to determine Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. They great-grandchildren, and one niece, Victoria Committee member Greg Con- whether benefit adjustments made their home in Salt Lake City, Utah where Durkin Moser (Karl) of Zurich, Switzerland. lon; longtime council watcher should be made in the next Mr. Kearns was Vice President of Kearns Cor- Vigil will be held Wednesday, July 17, 7pm and Transportation Commis- police contract. poration, owner of the Salt Lake Tribune. They at Crippen & Flynn, 400 Woodside Road, sioner John Ruggeiro; Com- Mr. Conlon was one of four had 6 children together but were divorced in Redwood City, CA. A memorial service is munity Center Advisory Com- residents who ran for two open 1955. Mr. Kearns died in 1967. In 1963 Mary scheduled for Thursday, July 18, 11:00 a.m. at mittee vice-chair Rick DeGo- council seats in November. Durkin Kearns married a widower, Frank W. Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Avenue, lia; Audit/Finance Committee He came in third place behind Piersol, of Atherton, in Carmel, CA. Mr. Pier- Menlo Park, CA. member Diane Sandhu; Trans- incumbent Elizabeth Lewis and sol was an executive with Stanford Oil Corpo- In lieu of flowers the family requests dona- portation Committee and Rail Cary Wiest. ration in San Francisco for over 50 years. He tions be made to Sequoia Hospital Founda- Committee member Michael Mr. Ruggeiro has been a died in 1982. Mary worked as a realtor for Finn tion, Dr. Bruce McAuley - Cardiac/Pulmonary Lempres; and regular attendee & Hunt and Cornish & Carey. Dept., 170 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood Atherton new- of council meet- Mary was an Atherton resident for 50 years, City, CA 94062 or Ocean Medicine Founda- comer and for- At least six ings since 1982. a member of the Junior League, Atherton tion c/o Dr. Andrew Newman, 750 Welch Rd, mer San Mateo He has served on Dames and Church of the Nativity Catholic Suite 104, Palo Alto, CA 94304. County super- residents want the Transporta- visor candidate to join them tion Committee PAID OBITUARY Michael Stogner. for 10 years, and The six are hop- on the dais. is its current vice- ing to serve out chair. Mr. Carlson’s council term, Mr. DeGolia’s appointment to which expires in December the Community Center Adviso- Gerald Jospeh Demma 2014. Mr. Carlson resigned July ry Committee in January, and November 30, 1935- June 2, 2013 1 and is moving out of town. his subsequent appointment Ms. Sandhu, Mr. Lempres and as chair of that group’s library Mr. Stogner filed their applica- subcommittee, represent his A celebration of life was held June 21, 2013 in Nevada City. He later purchased a second tions on Monday, July 8. They first forays into Atherton civic in his private cathedral of redwoods located home to enjoy fishing, hiking, boating and could not be reached for com- affairs. He said he has focused at his home in Woodside honoring the life of camping with his wife, children, grandchil- ment before the Almanac’s press on family, work, and service on time. Gerald Jospeh Demma…Jerry! dren and dogs. It is life’s simple things Jerry nonprofit boards before becom- Among the issues council ing involved in town matters. Jerry was born November 30, 1935 in Palo cherished most, nurturing relationships and members are focused on as Ms. Sandhu was appointed to Alto to Joseph and Dorothy Demma. He spending time with those he loved. they seek to fill the vacant seat the Audit/Finance Committee graduated from Menlo Atherton Having been released from the are renewal of the town’s parcel last September, and was reap- High School in 1954, joined the lengthy bondage of Alzheimer’s tax — a question likely to be pointed to a two-year term last Army and was stationed in Ger- disease, his hesitation to leave us put before voters in November; month. and negotiating a new contract many from 1954-1957 where he was dismissed when he learned Mr. Lempres has served on the with the town’s police offi- transportation and rail commit- met his bride to be Elke Brandt, that there was one space left on cers. tees since 2012. and wed on February 8, 1959. that day’s Angels-flight on June In interviews with the Alma- Mr. Stogner, who lived in Jerry then attended and gradu- 2, 2013. Jerry, surrounded by his nac, Mr. Ruggeiro, Mr. Conlon San Carlos until recently and is ated from Northrup Aeronauti- family and love at home, peacefully and Mr. DeGolia all said they locally known as a civic activ- cal Institute in November 1959. ascended beyond our sight. support renewing the parcel tax, ist, noted in his application: “I which raises about $1.85 million Jerry and Elke moved to Wood- His adoring and patient wife promise if appointed I will not for the town annually. The tax seek this position in 2014. This side in 1961 where they raised Elke, son John and wife Erika, expires in June 2014. will allow the residents to fill their family. Jerry worked for daughter Jeanette and husband The parcel tax issue is insep- this position.” QANTAS AIRWAYS as an Aero- Callum, grandchildren Kaitlin, arable with the question of Council members will inter- nautical Engineer for 35 years. His work took Melissa, Grant Joseph and Faith, sister Sallie whether the town can maintain view applicants on July 11, Jerry and family around the world for exten- and many nieces and nephews continue to live its own police force: 60 percent beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the of the tax’s revenue supports sive training and education. Jerry was recog- and honor him until we meet again. City Council Chambers, 91 Ash- the police department, which field Ave. in the Town Center. nized as a top engineer in this field and was It gives our family great peace knowing some residents have advocated If they fail to appoint anyone respected by many. In 1994 Jerry retired from that Jerry is now reunited with his oldest son outsourcing. to the seat that night, they will the airlines and began to pursue his love of Joseph Angelo. The three candidates inter- vote on whether to call for an nature. As an avid outdoorsman Jerry began Jerry was a dedicated loving husband, viewed by the Almanac say election in November. hiking and observing wildlife in their natu- father, grandfather and friend to all. It is with they don’t support outsourc- If the council appoints an ing police services, noting that ral habitat. Jerry spent most of his summers respect of his legacy that everyone continues applicant, that person would be Atherton residents appear to be sworn into office at the July 17 camping with his family at Scotts Flat Lake to recognize that “Life is Choices!” willing to spend an estimated council meeting. A PAID OBITUARY 55 to 60 percent of the town’s
12 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 10, 2013 NEWS Legends hold fundraiser for underserved youth
By Sam Borsos absolutely fantastic event and Special to the Almanac I’m looking forward to learning from it and making this year ith summer in full even better.” swing, the Menlo The fundraiser will have base- WPark Legends semi- ball-inspired carnival games, pro baseball team is bringing live music by Leviathan, a home the community together for a run derby with Legends players, charitable cause. The baseball autograph signing, a raffle, a program is hosting its live/silent auction, and second annual Legends a Hawaiian barbecue- Village fundraiser on style dinner. Everyone Saturday, July 20, at 5 who attends is invited to p.m. at Nealon Park in participate in the pick- Menlo Park. up style softball game at The event raises funds the end of the night with for the Legends Village, Legends players. which provides base- The money from the David Klein ball programs to under- event will provide pro- Photo by Sofia Biros/Special to the Almanac served youth who can grams for underserved benefit from clinics, a mentor- youth from Menlo Park, Red- Keeping pace ship program and free camps. wood City, East Palo Alto, Emma Babb is pushed by her daughter, Brigith, as they participate with friends in the Menlo Park Senior At last year’s event, between 100 Portola Valley, Woodside, San Center’s third annual walkathon on June 25. The event, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and held at Kelly to 150 people attended, and the Carlos, Los Altos, Atherton, and Park, raised funds for the center. program raised about $3,000 for Mountain View. Klein, inspired a variety of programs for kids. by positive experiences with “Last year, we had a lot of baseball as a child, said that the ing life lessons,” said Klein. “If Bringing kids into the game of years, the program has hosted team members’ families come, Legends Village has given about you were to strike out or have baseball makes sure they have Legends baseball camps in June as well as other followers who 20 free camps and private les- a tough game, there are a lot of all those opportunities.” and July at both the Burgess have been with the Legends for sons in the community. life lessons in baseball. We try This fundraiser is not the only Little League Field and Nealon many years,” said David Klein, “I think baseball, more than to offer baseball opportunities event in which the Legends pro- Park. the Legends general manager any other sport or activity, to kids who were not initially gram interacts with the youth and camp director. “It was an does an amazing job in teach- able to have those opportunities. community; for the past five See LEGENDS, page 14
23(1681'$<-8/< ² 30
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719 Elizabeth Lane, Menlo Park (/(*$1772:1+20(&/26(72'2:172:1 HOFRPHWRWKLVHOHJDQWWZRVWRU\WRZQKRPHWXFNHGDZD\DWWKHHQGRIDODQHFRQYHQLHQWWR 7ZREHGURRPVDQGWZRDQGRQHKDOIEDWKV WGRZQWRZQ0HQOR3DUN7KHVSDFLRXVOLYLQJURRPIHDWXUHVDVRDULQJFHLOLQJDQGDFR]\JDVORJ /LYLQJURRPZLWKILUHSODFHDQGIRUPDOGLQLQJURRP ILUHSODFH7KHDGMRLQLQJGLQLQJURRPLVHQKDQFHGE\DJUDFHIXOFKDQGHOLHU3ULVWLQHTXDUW]FRXQWHUV *RXUPHWNLWFKHQZLWKQHZTXDUW]FRXQWHUWRSVDQG DQGEUDQGQHZVWDLQOHVVVWHHODSSOLDQFHVHTXLSWKHJRXUPHWNLWFKHQ8SVWDLUVWKHPDVWHUVXLWH new stainless steel appliances features a high ceiling, three closets, and an en suite bath with a whirlpool tub. A second bedroom has a double closet and an en suite bath. A sliding door opens to the secluded, fully fenced garden. 7RSUDWHG0HQOR3DUNVFKRROGLVWULFW 7KHDWWDFKHGRQHFDUJDUDJHDQGSDYHGJXHVWSDUNLQJFRPSOHWHWKHDPHQLWLHV7RSUDWHG0HQOR &RQYHQLHQWWR(O&DPLQR5HDO&DOWUDLQDQG 3DUN6FKRRO'LVWULFW8SGDWHGDQGH\HFDWFKLQJWKLVKRPHLVUHDG\WRPRYHLQWRQRZ GRZQWRZQ0HQOR3DUN
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July 10, 2013 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 13 At Risk for Diabetes? COMMUNITY Stanford University Seeking Volunteers! Young poets honored Dr. Gerald Reaven at Stanford University is in Portola Valley s Weight Loss sessions at studying how a medicine like aspirin works First grade: Marie Goodson, first to lower blood sugar in people at risk for By Renee Batti End of Study! Almanac News Editor place; Tanner Benz, second place; type 2 diabetes. Logan Wilson, third place; Loli Prelle, honorable mention. You will be screened for diabetes, receive enora Ferro likes to evoke s Opportunity cholesterol panel results & an evaluation of the wisdom of William Second grade: Raphael Bajet, Carlos Williams when first place; Jackie Nassiri, second risk for heart disease. L place; Evan Gerdes, third place; for Monetary encouraging children to write If you qualify you will recieve 1 month of Bennett Lacerte, honorable men- Compensation! and read poetry. From one of his tion. the study medicine or placebo (no medicine); poems, “Asphodel, That Greeny Flower,” she recites: Third grade: Brynn Brady, first payment for study time AND instructions for place; Ben Lamm, second place; weight loss by the dietitian! Mishal Junaid, third place; Nicho- s In Good Health It is difficult to get the news from las McKee, honorable mention. poems, Yet men die miserably every day Fourth grade: Sophia Gottfried, Call Dr. Reaven & Associates first place; Alec C. Lacerte, sec- s 30-60 years old For lack of what is found there. ond place; Calvin Katz, third place; @ 650-723-7024 Ayisah Anderson, honorable men- Those words were among tion. Check YOUR Risk for Type 2 diabetes! Ms. Ferro’s opening remarks s Moderately Overweight Fifth grade: Eliza Sandell, first at a recent poetry reading and place; Piper Holland, second For general information regarding questions, concerns, or complaints about research, reception for winners of a BMI 25-35 research related injury, or the rights of research particiapants, please call (650) 723-5244 place; Jake Gainey, third place; or toll-free 1-866-680-2906, or write to the Administrative Panel on Human Subjects in poetry contest sponsored by Annabelle Ross, honorable men- Medical Research, Administrative Panels Office, Stanford University, Stanford CA 940305 Friends of the Portola Valley tion. Library in collaboration with Sixth grade: Tara Kariat, Olivia the Portola Valley Library and Treynor, tie for first place; Anne local schools. Boyle, Kenneth Akers, tie for sec- The event celebrated the work ond place; Joshua Eichbaum, Livie of 364 participating Portola Val- Carusi, tie for third place; Cameron ley children from eight schools, Cronwall, Francesca Geoly, Emma who offered, in poetic style, Jaeger, Amanda Smith, Henry news and impressions of their Saul, honorable mentions. worlds. Seventh grade: Isaac Roybal, Ms. Ferro, a member of the Jamie Wojtowicz, tie for first place; Friends of Portola Valley Library, Thomas Winham, Claire Ryland, reported after the celebration tie for second place; Sergio Cal- that during the readings, “even deron, third place; Eva Elfishawy, with young children in the Jasmine Tang, honorable men- crowd, one could hear a pin tions. drop. And ‘the news’ from our Eighth grade: Natasha Badger, *'(-*"-#&# poets was indeed what we need Emily Chargin, tie for first place; to hear — from word about the Alix Friedman, Lucie Morgan, tie Patriot Act to the marketing of for second place; Samantha Ram- sey, Jacyn Schmidt, tie for third body image to greed and sorrow place; Max Untrecht, Brynn Wil- and real beauty to ‘who-I-am’ liams, honorable mentions. %$ #((& " ()(, "" + "" $ musings ... “ "%")%*"-) )%&'%+ + '"*) %$ Contest winners were awarded Ninth grade: Sophie Concordel, () #) (, ) + ,)%( "" $ )*&%# $ gift certificates from Kepler’s first place; Kelsey Gosling, second *) %$( $ $'$ (% ,%'!$ place; Robert Wilson, third place; %($ " ( $) %""%, $ ) %' ( bookstore — $50 for first place, Lilly Johnson, honorable mention. $30 for second, $20 for third, $ ') Granville Redmond and $10 for those receiving hon- Tenth grade: Vick Xu, first place. %%!(&($*(' &)( Spring in Southern California, orable mention honors. Eleventh grade: Sarah Reid, first , "'- 1931 place. ( $ %'!(% ') oil on canvas The winners *'$ )*' %') + ')( Sold for $446,500 Twelfth grade: Emma Wiszowaty, Kindergarten: Eleonora Axelrad, first place. A first place.
LEGENDS were selected into the 2013 MLB continued from page 13 draft: Grant Nelson, selected 270th overall in the 9th round The summer camps include by the Arizona Diamondbacks, coaching from players on the Brett McMinn, selected 536th Legends, as well as a chance to overall in the 18th round by get first-hand experience with the New York Mets, and Tyger the team during the coaches’ Pederson, selected 994th overall By appointment only: An important Louis XV style A magnificent blue and white semi-pro games at night. Play- in the 33rd round by the Los Sarah Hurt, +1 415 503 3287 gilt bronze mounted marquetry porcelain vase, tianqiuping [email protected] commode, Paul Sormani Yongzheng Mark and Period ers ages 6 to 12 are invited to Angeles Dodgers. fourth quarter 19th century Sold for $5,906,500 hang out in the dugout during The Legends Village fund- Fitzgerald, Francis Scott Key. Sold for $115,500 games, throw the first pitch, raiser is $10 for children 12 The Great Gatsby. A belle époque diamond announce the starting lineup, and under and $15 for general New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, solitaire ring be a batboy and run after foul admission. Admission includes 1925. First edition Sold for $458,500 Sold for $182,000 balls during games. food and activities. All the As of July 3, Legends are 7-7 in proceeds go to Legends Vil- the Far West League Standings. lage. Nealon Park is at 800 %$ #(%# Three former Legends players Middle Ave. in Menlo Park. A ©2013 Bonhams & Butterfields Auctioneers Corp. All rights reserved. Bond No. 57BSBGL0808
14 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 10, 2013 COMMUNITY
‘A Wa l k News of local college graduates in the ■ Shayla Bunch and Robert Menlo Park received a bach- Cooper of Menlo Park gradu- elor’s degree during the 2013 Woods’ ated from Emory University commencement ceremonies “Reflecting Pool, in Atlanta, George, on May 13. of Hobart and William Smith Corte Madera Ms. Bunch received a bachelor Colleges held May 19 in Gene- Creek,” a black of science degree and Mr. Coo- va, New York. Mr. Durand and white digital per, a bachelor of arts degree, majored in international rela- print, is one of from the Emory College of Arts tions/economics and partici- the photographs and Sciences. pated in the study-abroad featured in Alan ■ Raphael R. Durand of program. McGee’s July show at the Portola Art Gallery at theAllied LET’S DISCUSS: Arts Guild, 75 Read the latest local news headlines and Arbor Road in talk about the issues at Town Square at Menlo Park. The AlmanacNews.com AlmanacNews.com exhibit, “A Walk in the Woods: Landscape as B ◆ A ◆ C ◆ A ◆ A Metaphor,” features photographs of BAY AREA CLASSICAL ARTIST ATELIER LLC San Mateo County woodlands. Mr. McGee is a ART CLASSES resident of Portola Long Pose Valley. Drawing/Painting with North Light
Briefs: Student MASTER wins scholarship WORKSHOPS AND SUMMER Evan by Linda Dulaney Zachariah Omar Adham of BACAA Studio Menlo Park is one of seven stu- PROGRAM 345 Quarry Road, San Carlos dents who have been accepted A HIGHER LEVEL June - December 2013 (650) 832-1544 into the Take Five scholarship [email protected] • www.BACAA.org program at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New OF SERVICE. York. The program enables select NOW WITHIN undergraduates to enroll for a PALO ALTO fifth year of study tuition-free, and to explore subjects outside REACH. their major area of study. CLAY GLASS Mr. Adham, a junior major- ing in neuroscience, will do coursework on the theme of FESTIVAL public health through the lens of the media. Son of Omar and Mary Adham, he is a graduate of Menlo-Atherton High School. July 13 & 14, 2013 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. New director of With the opening of a new Service League convenient location in Menlo Park, Interim director and longtime Chase’s exceptional personal 150 Prestigious employee Karen Francone has service has become easier to been named executive direc- Clay & Glass Artists tor of the Service League of access. Let our dedicated team San Mateo County. The league of professionals help you achieve Palo Alto Art Center administers programs that help your financial goals and put our county jail inmates re-enter the innovative technologies to work Embarcadero and community. Ms. Francone replaces former for you. Stop by our new branch Newell, Palo Alto San Mateo County Supervisor location and experience a new Mike Nevin, who died Dec. 1, level of service you’ll truly value. 2012. She began working for the Service League in 1990, when she helped launch the Free Admission first Hope House for recently Elaine Hyde released female inmates. There NOW OPEN are now six Hope Houses, four for women and two for men. Anne Goldman www.clayglassfestival.com In 2010, the Service League 3500 Alameda de Las Pulgas dedicated the Karen Marie Fran- Menlo Park, CA 94025 cone Wellness Center, which 650.798.2099 provides Hope House partici- pants with a health and fitness ©2013 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC City of Palo Alto facility.
July 10, 2013 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 15 COMMUNITY Top real estate Atherton event raises funds for hospital foundation agents named The Sequoia Hospital Foun- ery, adding additional private Small plates prepared by the N AROUND TOWN dation hosted Cirque du home-like birthing suites, and program’s gourmet chef will by RealTrends Sequoia, an evening of food expanding nursing and family be served throughout the day. Mary and Brent Gullixson of and wine for 250 guests at an waiting areas. from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July The open house marks the Alain Pinel Realtors in Menlo Atherton estate on June 21. The The evening honored the late 28. This is the one day of the first public viewing of “After Park were the #4 team, with event raised nearly $225,000 doctors William Kennett and year the program’s Artists’ the Celestrial Axe,” the site- sales of $266 million, according for the redesign, renovation John Hoff, two of Sequoia Hos- Barn and private grounds are inspired sculpture by visual to the Wall Street Journal and and expansion of the Sequoia pital’s pioneering obstetricians. open to the general public. artist and 2013 artist-in-resi- RealTrends’ list of the Top 250 Hospital’s Birth Center. The afternoon will include dence Drue Kataoka. Team Real Estate Professionals The Birth Center aver- Djerassi open studios open studios, dance and music Admission is $35 per person by sales volume for 2012. ages 133 deliveries per month. The Djerassi Resident Artists performances, literary read- and reservations are required. Others mentioned as top teams Plans include doubling the Program will held its annual ings and self-guided tours To reserve, go to www.djerassi. in the country were Carol Car- capacity of the level 2 nurs- “Open House/Open Studios” ot the sculpture collection. org or call 747-1250. nevale and Nicole Aron, Alain Pinel Realtors, Menlo Park (#106 with $90 million sales volume), NAK’S MARKET Elaine Berlin White of Coldwell continued from page 9 Banker, Menlo Park (#179 with $70 million) and Ginny and Joe “It has been slow,” Ken said. Kavanaugh of Coldwell Banker, “We need more business. All the Portola Valley (#250 with $61 big guys shut all the small stores million). down and I think we should Local real estate agents among have gone down then, too.” the top 50 on the Top 250 list, for The financial trouble, however, individuals, included Keri Nich- was unknown to the family, he olas, of Coldwell Banker, Menlo said, until he began to see the bills Park, at #30 with $156 million; come in. Mr. Kurose had taken Scott Dancer, of Coldwell Bank- out a mortgage on his house, er, Woodside, at #35 with $141 run the business on credit, and million; and Tom LeMieux, of attempted to keep the store open Coldwell Banker, Menlo Park, at for his loyal customers, Ken said, #41 with $132 million. noting his father’s pride. Other top sellers included Hugh Cornish, Coldwell Banker, Menlo Park; Rich Bassin, Alain Pinel, Community’s support Menlo Park; Hanna Shacham, Coldwell Banker, Menlo Park; has energized and Erika Demma, Coldwell Banker, motivated store owner Woodside; and Billy McNair, Coldwell Banker, Menlo Park. Sam Kurose. Got to tinyurl.com/real-705 for more information. But now, Ken said, Mr. Kurose is just hoping that his son can do his best to keep the store run- Giampa to attend ning in the recession. The lease for the store ends in December Grammy Camp 2014. Until then, Ken said, he will continue to work at the Wyatt Giampa of Portola Valley, store and try to make a profit. a senior at Woodside High School, Despite all this drama, as Ken is one of 103 students selected to puts it, the local community’s attend Grammy Camp, a 10-day support has made his father more summer program. energetic and motivated than ever Wyatt, 17, will attend the before, judging by an email thread camp’s Los Angeles location July circulating around town. Diane 13-22 at the University of South- Jordan Wexler started the email ern California Thornton School exchange to ask the community to of Music, taking part in the support Nak’s Oriental Market. camp’s audio engineering career “Let’s visit Nak’s and tell our track. Last year he participated friends in the area to support in the camp’s electronic music this special place,” Ms. Wexler production track. wrote in the email. “If we each Wyatt has DJ’d at Corte Made- visit the store and send e-mails ra Middle School, Castilleja, and to relevant list-serves, it will help local private parties. At Wood- this important part of our com- side High, he assists in the audio munity’s fabric stay intact.” production class and creates The communityís reaction even weekly entertainment videos via brought Mr. Kurose to tears, Ken his HD video production class. said, adding that it was the first He recently composed the time he had ever seen his father score for the short film “Sto- cry. Since his father’s collapse, ryline,” which premiered in local storeowners have been visit- May. He also studies acting ing the market and the hospital. and took part in Woodside’s “I am so thankful for the com- production of “Legally Blonde.” munity,” Ken said. “They appreci- He plans to attend a college in ate all that (my father) has done. It Southern California to study has motivated him and gave him music and aspires to a career in energy — gave him a boost.” A the music and film industry.
16 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 10, 2013 COMMUNITY
N POLICE CALLS 13 cases of car July 8 This information is from the Menlo Park apartment complex on Waverley Court, vandalism, theft Police Department. Under the law, but was unable to break into the com- WEEKLY REAL ESTATE REPORT people charged with offenses are con- partments where the coins were kept, Menlo Park police are inves- sidered innocent unless convicted. July 4. tigating 13 cases of auto van- Reports available via the ■ Nothing is missing after a break-in of MENLO PARK dalism or theft that occurred convenient QR code or at an Oak Avenue home under construc- between 8 p.m. Saturday, July 6, Offering 30+ years Residential burglary reports: tion, June 29. and 7 a.m. Sunday, July 7. PeninsulaSpecialist.com of local knowledge. ■ Someone broke into the back end of ■ The proprietor of a storage locker in a storage unit attached to a carport on Each case involved the theft Born in Menlo Park. an open carport on Coleman Avenue of or tampering with items in Real Estate Statistics Oak Grove Avenue and stole a bicycle, found the locker’s lock broken, but was Raised in Atherton. unlocked vehicles, said Officer bike helmet and bike pump with a total uncertain as to whether anything was Updated Weekly for A Woodside resident. estimated value of $5,290, July 5. missing, June 28. Jason Poirier. The incidents ■ Several maintenance tools used for occurred on Gilbert Avenue, Commercial burglary report: Police Atherton grounds upkeep are missing from an arrested William Graham, 25, of Oak- Seminary Drive, Gloria Circle, Oak Grove Avenue apartment complex land on burglary, fraud and conspiracy Pine Street and Yale Road in Woodside storage unit found pried open, July 5. charges after his alleged attempt to Menlo Park. The estimated loss is $3,675. cash a fraudulent check at Bank of Police remind residents to Portola Valley ■ Power tools valued at $1,100 at a America at 633 Santa Cruz Ave., June remove valuables from vehicles construction site on Corine Lane were Menlo Park 28. and keep vehicles locked. Any- reported stolen from a locked tool trail- er found with a broken hinge, July 1. Theft reports: one with information about ■ these incidents can call Officer ■ Someone broke a lock and made off Someone walked into Greylock STEVEGRAY with a $425 bike from an open carport Partners at 2550 Sand Hill Road dur- Jason Poirier at 330-6300. on Coleman Place, July 5. ing business hours and stole $4,000 in cash from a backpack in an unlocked DRE# 01498634 ■ A resident of Roble Avenue is miss- LET’S DISCUSS: ing a $300 bike from an open carport office, June 28. Surveillance videos 650-743-7702 showed someone going from office to Read the latest local news headlines where the bike was kept locked up, and talk about the issues at Town office. [email protected] July 3. Square at AlmanacNews.com ■ Someone stole a $100 bike locked ■ A laptop computer, the computer’s in a secure underground garage at case, a tennis racket and a backpack an apartment complex on Coleman are missing from an unlocked vehicle Avenue, July 5. parked in the 200 block of El Camino PENINSULA ■ An audible burglar alarm and a Real, June 28. The estimated loss is locked back door that had been forced $2,170. open led to a walk-through with police ■ Police arrested Kevin EstradaRuiz, of a home in the 100 block of Willow 30, of San Francisco on theft charges Road. The homeowner determined that after he allegedly took a laptop com- nothing was missing, July 5. puter instead of “processing it for deliv- ■ Someone broke the locks on coin- ery” to a business on Hamilton Court, operated laundry machines in an June 28.
EV RECHARGES according to a staff report, Discover the best places continued from page 8 vehicles were connected for an average of 4.5 hours per day. to eat this week! Road. Each station can charge Thirty-nine percent of the ses- two vehicles at once. (The sta- sions lasted less than an hour, 40 AMERICAN New Tung Kee Noodle House tion at the library is currently percent lasted between 1 and 2.5 out of order.) hours, and 21 percent went Armadillo Willy’s 947-8888 Over the previous 365 days, beyond 2.5 hours. A 941-2922 520 Showers Drive, Mountain View 1031 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos www.shopmountainview.com/luunoodlemv www.armadillowillys.com INDIAN The Old Pro Janta Indian Restaurant 326-1446 462-5903 541 Ramona Street, Palo Alto 369 Lytton Ave. www.oldpropa.com www.jantaindianrestaurant.com ITALIAN Thaiphoon Cucina Venti 323-7700 254-1120 543 Emerson Ave, Palo Alto 1390 Pear Ave, Mountain View www.ThaiphoonRestaurant.com Support The Almanac’s www.cucinaventi.com CHINESE Read and post reviews, Chef Chu’s coverage of our explore restaurant menus, 948-2696 get hours and directions community. 1067 N. San Antonio Road www.chefchu.com and more at ShopPaloAlto, Ming’s ShopMenloPark Memberships begin 856-7700 and ShopMountainView 1700 Embarcadero East, Palo Alto at only 17¢ per day www.mings.com
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July 10, 2013 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 17 Serving Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, and Woodside for 47 years. ViewpointIDEAS, THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ABOUT LOCAL ISSUES FROM PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. EDITED BY TOM GIBBONEY
EDITOR & PUBLISHER Tom Gibboney (223-6507)
NEWSROOM Managing Editor Richard Hine (223-6525) News Editor Renee Batti (223-6528) Lifestyles Editor Jane Knoerle (223-6531) Staff Writers Dave Boyce (223-6527), Sandy Brundage (223-6529) Contributors Marjorie Mader, Barbara Wood, Kate Daly Special Sections Editor Carol Blitzer Photographer Michelle Le (223-6530)
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Design Director Shannon Corey (223-6560) Designers Linda Atilano, Lili Cao, Rosanna Leung, Paul Llewellyn, Scott Peterson, Kameron Sawyer Woodside History Committee ADVERTISING Our Regional Heritage Vice President Sales and Marketing Tom Zahiralis (223-6570) The Folger Estate in Woodside was the site of many social affairs, including the wedding festivities in this undated photo. James A. Folger II, whose father founded San Francisco-based Folgers Coffee company, moved to Woodside in 1902, according to a history of Woodside by Display Advertising Sales Wendy Suzuki (223-6569) Woodside History Committee member Thalia Lubin and local historian Bob Dougherty. In 1905, he commissioned architect Arthur Brown Jr. to design an Edwardian-style mansion on what was called Hazelwood Estate, and the 13-acre property, complete with sulfur springs and a stable Real Estate Manager Neal Fine (223-6583) designed in the French Baroque style, was renamed the Folger Estate. Real Estate & Advertising Coordinator Diane Martin (223-6584) Legal Advertising Alicia Santillan (223-6578) LETTERS Secret money poisoning our democracy Our readers write By Congresswoman Anna Eshoo Published every Wednesday at to funnel hundreds of millions of dollars into political 3525 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Safety more important “Star Trek” parody video, line dance lessons, and campaigns under the secrecy provided by 501(c)(4) Menlo Park, CA 94025 presidential hotel suites. These are just some status. Newsroom: (650) 223-6525 than couch sculpture This secret money from unknown donors is poison- Newsroom Fax: (650) 223-7525 Aof the outrageous things the Internal Revenue Advertising: (650) 854-2626 Editor: Service spent $49 million of taxpayer money on at more ing our electoral system and our democracy. So long as Advertising Fax: (650) 223-7570 As a working artist I could than 200 employee conferences from 2010 through their primary purpose is to promote social welfare — Email news and photos with captions to: weigh in on the aesthetic 2012. The findings, presented at a recent Congressio- arguably a mere 51 percent — 501(c)(4) organizations [email protected] with innocuous-sounding names like Americans for Email letters to: merits of the Willow Road nal oversight hearing, come amid revelations that the [email protected] “Couch Sculpture,” but I IRS inappropriately held up applications for Prosperity can pour the remainder of their The Almanac, established in October 1965, is recall the Eiffel Tower in Paris tax-exempt status by groups with “Tea Party,” funds into political campaigns, all without delivered each week to residents of Menlo Park, disclosing their big-money backers. For all Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside and adja- had critics and fans as well. “patriot,” and “progressive” in their names. cent unincorporated areas of southern San Mateo we know, foreign nationals could be influ- More important to me is Does this sound unacceptable? I’d certainly County. The Almanac is qualified by decree of the encing our elections with undisclosed con- Superior Court of San Mateo County to publish the safety of pedestrians and say so. But the IRS is complicit in a broader public notices of a governmental and legal nature, breach of trust with the American people tributions. Furthermore, taxpayers end up as stated in Decree No. 147530, issued December bicyclists of our town. For subsidizing the political agendas of special 21, 1969. ©2013 by Embarcadero Media Company. example Coleman Avenue, a — one that is threatening the fabric of our All rights reserved. democracy. interests. Subscriptions are $60 for one year and $100 for major street to Laurel School, two years. Beyond gross misuse of taxpayer money and GUEST The IRS attempted to rectify how it is an obstacle course of dan- mishandling the applications of mom-and- OPINION considers 501(c)(4) applications this week. ger. The road not only lacks pop nonprofits, the IRS is wrongfully allow- Applicants who have been waiting more sidewalks and bike paths, its ing secret, big-money interests to conceal millions than 120 days for a decision will be approved ■ WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? rutted edge is often blocked of dollars in political campaign spending and run if they “self-certify” that no more than 40 percent of by ivy, trash cans, asphalt roughshod over our elections. spending goes toward elections. Rather than pull an All views must include a home address diverters, and so on. I actu- arbitrary standard from thin air, the IRS should update and contact phone number. Published All of the estimated $300 million in secret money letters will also appear on the web site, ally saw a woman with a spent in the 2012 election cycle can be traced back to a its rule to ensure that 501(c)(4) organizations function www.TheAlmanacOnline.com, and baby strapped to her chest fall single provision in our tax laws, called Section 501(c) “exclusively” to promote social welfare, as Congress occasionally on the Town Square forum. forward into the gravel. (I did (4). Originating in the Revenue Act of 1913, Section intended. The burden of ridding our elections of secret money Town Square forum stop to help.) 501(c)(4) provides tax-exempt status to nonprofit Post your views on the Apparently the “rural aes- groups “operated exclusively for the promotion of social doesn’t fall entirely on the IRS. A constitutional Town Square forum at thetic” of a few vocal resi- welfare.” Like many nonprofits, 501(c)(4) groups are amendment overruling the “Citizens United” decision www.TheAlmanacOnline. dents is enough to squash not required to publicly disclose their donors. is necessary to grant Congress full regulatory author- com any changes toward safety. The operative word in the law is that these organi- ity over campaign contributions and expenditures. Email your views to: Yes, I know there are differ- zations are required to function “exclusively” for the Congress should also pass legislation that requires [email protected] ent municipal jurisdictions general public’s benefit, meaning they are prohibited corporations, labor unions and nonprofit groups to and note this it is a letter disclose all campaign-related spending or donations to the editor in the subject involved, but they somehow from engaging in political campaigns. But in a 1959 within 24 hours. line. managed to get El Camino rulemaking, the IRS turned this simple standard on its Our government is being bought and sold on the Mail or deliver to: head, changing the word “exclusively” to “primarily.” Real and Middlefield Road to auction block by unlimited money from anonymous Editor at the Almanac, line up. This seemingly small change opened up a loophole in 3525 Alameda de las Pul- our tax law that, until the Supreme Court’s infamous buyers. That is not a democracy, and the American gas, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Safety First. people should not stand for it. Jill Andre “Citizens United” decision, had gone relatively unno- Call the Viewpoint desk at ticed. Once “Citizens United” opened the spigot of Anna G. Eshoo, a Democrat, represents Pope Street, Menlo Park 223-6507. corporate money in elections, special interests rushed California’s 18th Congressional district.
18 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 10, 2013 VIEWPOINT What should city do in Louise Street dispute? Don’t destroy our neighborhood; Don’t ignore my property rights; protect our green-space buffer give residents safe access By Michael Schwarz consistent with the general plan. The By Sam Sinnott ing rear-access rights and that my n July 16 the City Council will developer’s crews, supervised by his ver a year ago, I bought a proposal would help get cars off vote on an issue that raises attorney, drove a truck into the green home on Santa Cruz Avenue. Santa Cruz — a stated goal of the Ofundamental questions about space and cut three large branches of O The existing lot was over- city. the nature of our community, and a heritage redwood tree — despite grown, including almost a dozen Neighbors claim, among many the broader rights of homeowners in instructions from the city attorney dead heritage trees, but it was also inaccuracies, that a green space any community. The matter involves not to do any work in the public large, flat and suitable for a new would be destroyed. A large, over- the “vacation and abandonment of right of way. It was the third time he family home, with an enormous grown oleander bush dominates a portion of the Louise Street right has cut trees and removed vegetation white oak tree and an old driveway this so-called green space. I recently of way.” For Louise Street residents, from the green space without autho- and parking area with double gates designed yet another driveway that what is at stake is the unique histori- rization. As a result we now see an connecting directly to Louise Street saves all foliage and provides 83 cal character of the cul-de-sac we call exposed view of Santa Cruz for the in back. square feet of more green space than home — and our ability to protect first time in 75 years. The elderly former owners used the former gravel parking area. this sanctuary from a determined and Although we won both prior votes the gates and dirt driveway connect- The city agrees that we have deep-pocketed developer who wants and the Planning Department has ing to Louise Street for many years. vehicular access rights to Louise. We to change it forever. twice denied the developer’s request However, this rear access had been have recently been using the existing For more than 75 years, that char- to change the house’s blocked by neighbors placing dirt driveway and gates to clear the acter has been defined by a lushly frontage from Santa Cruz gravel and wheel stops in the rear yard of overgrowth that was vegetated, wooded buffer zone that to Louise, recently he filed public right of way, blocking choking the heritage oak tree. All separates the end of our cul-de-sac another permit to build those gates, to create their work was previously discussed with from homes on Santa Cruz Avenue. a neighborhood-changing own exclusive parking area. and approved by the city arborist. We call it the green space — a 53-by- driveway on Louise. He Mr. Tate, the elderly former Prior notice of this work was given 60-foot area that is undeveloped has no right to appropri- owner, had complained to to the city attorney and to the police public right of way. It gives the street ate public land for private the neighbors about block- chief. a rural feel, and it is the first thing you gain at the neighborhood’s ing his driveway but they In my view, the council ignored see when you turn onto Louise. Or at expense. He can make a GUEST ignored him. my legal property rights and voted least it has been, until now. sizable profit by develop- OPINIONS After reviewing my origi- to appease a packed house of neigh- The threat comes from a developer ing his home at its historic nal plan to relocate the rear bors by revoking my encroachment who bought a home at 1825 Santa Santa Cruz address. driveway and allow the park- permit. The city began a process to Cruz Avenue for $1.5 million, which The families on Louise Street have ing to remain, my neighbors decided gift city-owned land to the neigh- he plans to rebuild and sell as a Lou- collectively lived here for more than not to move their parking and bors. The neighbors replaced the ise Street property for $5.5 million. 300 years. The developer bought his vowed to organize the neighborhood gravel parking area with ivy follow- (No other house on Santa Cruz has house a year ago. A vote for abandon- against me. That was April 2012. ing the March 5 council hearing. commanded more than $4.5 mil- ment will protect the green space in Following many fruitless meetings The city’s attempt to take the lion). To do so, he intends to build perpetuity. A vote against it will give with neighbors, the Public Works safest route of access away from a a new driveway through the green the developer his driveway. This will Department granted my applica- single-family home by abandoning space, a structure that violates the increase his profits but destroy what tion for an encroachment permit part of the street is a violation of long-established tranquility of our we most cherish about our street. If a to pave my existing rear access and my property, due process, and equal cul-de-sac. He claims he is restoring single developer can do that despite improve the safest vehicular route protection rights. his “historical access,” but more than his neighbors’ unanimous opposi- to and from my property. Because No negative impacts will stem 60 Louise Street residents dating back tion, the basic fiber that binds our Santa Cruz is at its narrowest in from a new family driving to their to 1948 have sworn that no driveway community together is becoming front of my property, staff approved home via a safe street. The council ever existed. perilously fragile. the permit, similar to one that was should drop the proposed abandon- In March, the City Council voted Today it’s our neighborhood. approved for the driveway in 1984, ment and approve my revised, green against the driveway. The developer Tomorrow it could be yours. to make the property safer. driveway plan. responded by advertising the prop- Michael Schwarz and his wife Kiki City staff also recommended Sam Sinnott is a longtime erty with a Louise Street address, Kapany have lived on Louise Street denying the neighbors’ appeal of Menlo Park resident and founder hiring an attorney and threatening a since 1994 and have raised two daugh- the driveway encroachment permit of Sinnott & Co. Architecture lawsuit. In May the Planning Com- ters there. He is writing on behalf of because staff recognized the exist- & Construction. mission voted that abandonment was the Louise Street families.
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July 10, 2013 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 19 NEW LISTING – OPEN SUNDAY
3100 Woodside Road, Woodside
Walk to Town and the acclaimed Woodside School (pre-K to 8th) from this 3.0-acre estate featuring an approximate 3,100 square foot 4BR/3BA home (including solarium), barn and two landscaping sheds, nestled in a setting of flowing native grasses, framed by a series of heritage oaks, redwoods and Rosalind Creasy “Edible Landscaping”-designed rose gardens.
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www.helenandbradhomes.com Top 1% International President’s Circle 650.400.3426 [email protected] HELEN AND BRAD MILLER [email protected] DRE 01142061/00917768
20 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 10, 2013