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MAY 28, 2014 | VOL. 49 NO. 38
Vision for Nepal
Menlo Park couple find ways to improve life in developing nations PAGE 16
PALO ALTO Landmark Estate – Lowell House – is located on one of the largest parcels in prime, sought-after Old Palo Alto. The 7bd home has had just 4 owners. Masterfully renovated and expanded in phases between 1997 and 2006. Home Theater, wine cellar. Guest house, pool and spa. Basketball/sport court.
$21,500,000
MENLO PARK Beautiful home with recent cosmetic updating, just moments to Burgess Park with swim center, gym, main library, downtown Menlo Park and bike path to downtown Palo Alto! Kitchen/family room with fireplace and built-ins opens to a colorful, sunny garden inviting outdoor enjoyment.
$1,575,000
WOODSIDE Private & quiet this remodeled 3bd/2.5ba home is on level lot. Made with quality materials for low maintenance, bonus rooms give you spacious living options. Easy commute to San Mateo & Santa Clara Counties.
$1,450,000
2 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N May 28, 2014 UPFRONT Inspirations a guide to the spiritual community WOODSIDE To include your VILLAGE Church in CHURCH Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. Inspirations with Please email Sunday School and Nursery Care Blanca Yoc at Pastor Mike Harvey Rev. Dorothy Straks [email protected]
3154 Woodside Road Woodside or call 650.851.1587 650-223-6596 www.wvchurch.org
Photo by Michelle Tsui, Rotary Club of Menlo Park Here are the winners of this year’s Rotary Scholarships, which were presented May 19 at Menlo-Atherton Performing Arts Center. First row, from left: Ayana Bohannon, Angelean Johnson, Louisa Aaron, Madeleine Rostami, Georgia Reid, Virginia Magana, Adriana Ortiz, Constance Carresco and Katy Leon; Second row, from left: Diana Marin-Melo, Dayana Sandoval, GraphicDesigner Kayte Toscano, Johanna Cortez, Talmai Abarca, Carolyne McBirney, Mayra Garcia, Robert DeGeus, Ernesto Carriel, and Embarcadero Media, producers of the Palo Alto Weekly, The Randy Lopez. Third row, from left: Fabian Chavez, Ruth Gomez, Mouianga Fehoko, Susan Vunga, Jose Sanchez, Andre Gomez, Ryan Young, Juan Lopez Casildo and Gurjeet Chahal. Almanac, Mountain View Voice, Pleasanton Weekly, PaloAltoOnline. com and several other community websites, is looking for a graphic designer to join its award-winning design team. Rotary scholarships total $128K Design opportunities include online and print ad design and editorial page layout. Applicant must be fl uent in InDesign, wenty-seven graduating The need-based scholarships, Dayana Sandoval, who will Photoshop and Illustrator. Flash knowledge is a plus. Newspaper seniors from local high totaling $128,000, were pro- attend UC Santa Cruz. or previous publication experience is preferred, but we will consider schools received scholar- vided by the Rotary Club of ■ The Doris and Orm Rec- T qualifi ed — including entry level — candidates. Most importantly, ships at the 28th annual Rotary Menlo Park Foundation for tor Scholarship went to Sacred Club of Menlo Park scholastic students attending four-year Heart Preparatory student designer must be a team player and demonstrate speed, awards ceremony May 19 at colleges and local community Diana Marin-Melo, who will accuracy and thrive under deadline pressure. The position will be the Menlo-Atherton Performing colleges. Members of the club’s attend Georgetown. approximately 32 - 40 hours per week. Arts Center. scholarship awards committee ■The Edward Mintz Scholar- In addition to the scholar- interviewed the applicants and ship went to Sacred Heart stu- To apply, please send a resume along with samples of your work ships, just over 100 students made the final decisions on the dent Fabian Chavez, who will as a PDF (or URL) to Shannon Corey, Creative Director, received academic achievement winners. attend Santa Clara. at [email protected] awards that were selected and Seventeen students who are ■ The Business and Pro- presented by the principals or attending four-year colleges and fessional Scholarship went to headmasters of their school. 10 who will attend commu- Sacred Heart student Ruth Rotary Club president Glen nity colleges received scholar- Gomez, who will attend Loyola Rojas welcomed about 300 par- ships ranging from $1,000 to Marymount. ents and friends of the students $12,000. ■ A Menlo Park Rotary Foun- after the Menlo-Atherton High Here are the recipients of this dation Scholarship went to 450 CAMBRIDGE AVENUE | PALO ALTO School Jazz Band performed year’s Rotary Club of Menlo Eastside College Preparatory several numbers to the delight Park scholarship awards: student Ayana Bohannon, who of the crowd. ■ The Tsui-Tang Family Math will attend Emory. Former Rotary Club president and Science Scholarship went to ■ A Menlo Park Rotary Foun- Tim Leary introduced the fea- Menlo-Atherton student Geor- dation Scholarship went to East tured speaker, Dr. Charles Prob- gia Reid, who will attend Lewis Palo Alto Academy student Gur- NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS er, the senior associate dean for and Clark College. jeet Chahal, who will attend UC medical education and professor ■ The John D. Russell Schol- San Diego. The Portola Valley Elementary School District will hold of pediatrics, microbiology and arship went to Menlo-Atherton ■ A Menlo Park Rotary Foun- two separate public hearings on the proposed Local immunology at Stanford Medi- student Madeleine Rostami, dation Scholarshp went to East- Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the proposed cal School. who will attend Northwestern side College Preparatory student budget for fiscal year 2014-15 on Wednesday, June In an uplifting speech, Dr. University. Johanna Cortez, who will attend 11, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at Corte Madera School, Room Prober exhorted the students ■ The Crittenden Fam- Connecticut. to continue to strive for educa- ily Scholarship went to home ■ A Menlo Park Rotary Founda- 102 located at 4575 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, tional excellence and find and schooled student Carolyn tion Scholarship went to Eastside California. A copy of the LCAP and the proposed pursue their passions in life, and McBirney, who will attend Cal College Preparatory student Jose budget will be available for public examination at the then turned the podium over Poly. ■ The Robert G. Paroli Sanchez, who will attend Bates. Portola Valley Elementary School District Office at to two residents from Stanford, Scholarship went to Eastside 4575 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, California from June who shared their life stories. College Preparatory student See SCHOLARSHIPS, page 6 6, 2014 through June 11, 2014 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Any stakeholder affected by CALLING ON THE ALMANAC the LCAP or the Portola Valley Elementary School District budget may appear before the Portola Valley THE ALMANAC (ISSN 1097-3095 and USPS 459370) Elementary School District Board of Trustees and 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- speak to the LCAP or the proposed budget or any 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 item therein. 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 5/28/14 [email protected] Classified ads: 854-0858 Valley and Woodside. Subscriptions for $60 per year or $100 per 2 years are welcome. POSTMASTER: Send CNS-2623365# address changes to the Almanac, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558. Copyright ©2012 THE ALMANAC 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.
May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 3 Menlo Park Median Price – 2013 Year End
Call Jackie & Richard to Sell Your Home Sold over $220,000,000 of Homes
Jackie Richard 650-855-9700 650-566-8033 [email protected] [email protected] BRE # 01092400 BRE # 01413607
www.schoelerman.com
4 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N May 28, 2014 Local News M ENLO PARK | ATHERTON | WOODSIDE | PORTOLA V ALLEY Atherton cops to crash at Watkins House pad
By Barbara Wood Special to the Almanac Officers who live therton police officers out of town who need to catch Asome shut-eye between will have a 12-hour shifts will soon have place to sleep a pretty nice place to do just that: Holbrook-Palmer Park’s between shifts Watkins House, empty since the city manager declined “I think the town needs to the traditional offer of free maintain the house in the housing. park” as a housing option for Police Chief Ed Flint said future city managers, said at the May 21 Atherton City Councilman Bill Widmer. Council meeting that the “We may not be able to get arrangement offers numerous who we want if we don’t have benefits for the town. the option to house them.” “We have a problem with the Councilman Rick DeGolia officers’ not getting enough said the plan could also help rest,” Chief Flint said, explain- the town recruit new police ing that officers work 12-hour officers. “We need to find shifts three or four days a tools and carrots that we can week, and some live hours use,” he said. “This is going to away. help.” When an emergency arises, Chief Flint said the Ather- if officers are in Atherton ton Police Officers Associa- when off-duty, “they’re not tion would be responsible for an hour and a half away” if housekeeping, while the town File photo by Michelle Le needed, he said. “It also gets would continue to take care The Watkins House in Holbrook-Palmer in Atherton has long been the home of the city manager. them off the road.” of maintenance and repairs at Chief Flint said the avail- the house. Furniture would be town to give him six months An opinion by City Attor- also keep an eye on the park ability of a local place for donated if needed, and locks to move into the Watkins ney William Conners seemed and provide some security officers to stay would also be would be added to bedroom House, and also received a to preclude renting out the qualifies because it benefits “a good recruiting measure.” doors. $2,500 monthly allowance to home to a private individual the park, he said. In addition, officers would The agreement would also offset his housing and com- or for some use not related to A few public speakers be requested to stroll the park be immediately revocable if mute costs. He later told the the park. When the land and opposed letting police crash at when there, adding some the town needed the house for town that he would not be able buildings were donated to the the house. “This is an asset of security benefits, he said. another reason, such as a new to move to Atherton and asked town, the park was to be used the town and we need to make All four council members city manager who wanted to for a $30,000 raise instead. only as “a first-class recre- some money from it,” said supported the plan. Atherton live there. He got the raise, but lost the ational facility,” he said. Hav- resident Walter Sleeth. “That’s is currently short one council When George Rodericks monthly allowance, and the ing someone, such as the city better than having this be some member, due to Jim Dobbie’s was hired as city manager in town began looking into alter- manager or police officers, sort of a playhouse for some of resignation in March. October 2012, he asked the native uses for the house. live in the home who could our town employees.” A
rural. It’s low end,” she said. The Residents want right to build larger homes town’s design-review process is By Dave Boyce “pretty good” at managing what side Town Council. cally been in favor of it. It isn’t houses look like, she said, but Almanac Staff Writer N WOODSIDE Residents of Woodside that much of a change.” The added: “I understand the argu- oodside Heights, Heights, represented by Greg residents’ proposal includes a ment that if you do this, you though within the Smith of Eleanor Drive, asked pathetic to the residents’ request, survey showing 95 percent sup- open the door.” Wborders of Woodside, the council on May 13 to amend but reluctant to move as quickly port within the homeowners Fifteen hundred square feet is a community apart: It sits the zoning of their properties. or as significantly as requested. association. is too much, said Councilman east of Interstate 280 and it is The proposal, “Woodside The chief concerns: a 37 percent “I just want something that Dave Tanner. But with more adjacent to West Atherton, where Heights: Rethinking Our Zon- increase in house size, and the fits in the neighborhood and people working from home, market values tend to be higher ing,” asks the council and unintended consequences — fits my family,” said Elizabeth “I understand the need for by comparison. The landscaping town government to change including a domino effect — if Bellock, also of Eleanor Drive; more square footage,” he added. resembles that of West Atherton: the municipal code by taking such a change were done without she added that the change might “There’s a certain balance that The homes are somewhat hidden 1,500 of the 15,000 square feet sufficient analysis of the impact make the area more attractive to we must have. ... I think it needs from the street by the trunks and of permitted floor area on a one- on other neighborhoods. younger families. to be studied, and I’m willing to foliage of large heritage trees. acre lot and reallocating it to Mr. Smith didn’t buy it. “The Councilwoman Ann Kasten, take the time out to do that.” Unlike Atherton, the floor primary houses. Such a change council should not stop our pro- whose council district includes Councilman Tom Shanahan area of primary houses in would allow a primary house a posal to pursue a hypothetical Woodside Heights, supported said he was concerned that Woodside Heights is limited to maximum of 5,500 square feet. question,” he said. the proposal, in part because larger homes would attract 4,000 square feet. And there’s The proposal requests that this Eleanor Drive resident Bill it might discourage clusters — larger families and wondered the rub, as recently presented in be done in three months’ time. Perrine said that “literally every- primary houses and accessory a 14-page proposal to the Wood- Council members were sym- body that I’ve talked to has basi- structures. “To me, that’s not See LARGER HOMES, page 8
May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 5 NEWS -EAT 0RODUCE s &INE &OODS 7INE ,IQUOR s $ELICATESSEN (ARDWARE 'RAIN Election day is June 3 Open 6:30 am - 8:00 pm daily Major ballot measures and a $265 million bond mea- Sales Dates: May 28 - May 31 candidate races will be decid- sure for the Sequoia Union ed on Election Day, Tuesday, High School District, which June 3, when the polls will be includes Woodside and Men- open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. lo-Atherton high schools; and Go to smartvoter.org or a $300 million bond measure check your voter information for the Midpeninsula Region- 4420 Alpine Rd., Portola Valley 3015 Woodside Rd., Woodside pamphlet for the location of al Open Space District. phone 650.851.1711 phone 650.851.1511 your voting place. Shapethefuture.org is the Among the ballot measures official website of the San are a $13.5 million bond Mateo County elections office. Fresh Produce measure for the Woodside Check AlmanacNews.com Driscoll $ Elementary School District: for news and elections results. Strawberries 1lb ...... 2.99ea. 6 oz. $ New program director Raspberries ...... 2.99ea. Vine ripe $ for special-needs kids Cluster Tomatoes ...... lb. 1.29 Minoo Shah, who oversees the Special Education Department N PORTOLA VALLEY Meat and Seafood of the San Francisco Unified Jalapeño Lime School District, will take over cial-needs students, she will $ programs for students with spe- work in the areas of “Positive Flat Iron Steak .... 9.98lb. cial needs in the Portola Valley Behavior Intervention & Sys- (Snapper) School District, tems, Response to Intervention, $ according to social-emotional learning, and Rock Cod ...... 9.98lb. Lisa Gonzales, differentiation,” Ms. Gonzales superintendent said in her announcement. $ of the Portola Besides her doctorate, Ms. BB Back Ribs ...... 4.98lb. Valley district. Shah received a bachelor’s degree Ms. Shah will in psychology and a master’s in On Sale Grocery replace Julie applied counseling/psychology Flynn as direc- Minoo Shah from the University of Bombay, B+M Original Baked Beans $ tor of student India; and a master’s in edu- 16 oz ...... 1.29 services on July cational psychology from the 1, the superintendent said in University of Southern Illinois, Mixim Fat Free Greek Yogurt $ her May 19 announcement. Ms. Carbondale. 5 oz...... 1.39 Flynn is leaving the district to In her announcement, Ms. become a school psychologist, Gonzales said Ms. Shah was Nabisco Wheat Thins $ Ms. Gonzales said. “enthusiastically supported” 9 oz - Also Triscuits...... 2.79 Ms. Shah, who holds a Ph.D. by interview panels made up in educational psychology from of teachers, staff, parents and Ore-Ida Bagel Bites $ the University of Arizona, began administrators. “Seldom do we 7 oz ...... 1.79 her career in 1986 as a school see such a great match of skill psychologist at the Learners and expressed desires of the par- Arrowhead Sparkling Water ¢ Academy School in Mumbai, ent community and staff,” Ms. 1 liter - plus Calif. redeem value ...... India. Gonzales said. 79 In 1998, she became a school Ms. Shah’s base salary will be psychologist in the San Fran- $138,525, Ms. Gonzales said. Deli Department cisco district, and subsequently Asked about the move from a $ has worked in that district in a very large to a very small district, Teriyaki Chicken Bowls ...... 7.99lb. number of positions, including Ms. Gonzales said: “Minoo’s $ Manderine Orange Chicken ...... 7.99lb. supervisor of special education true passion is working to sup- $ and most recently as director of port students and staff. In a Chinese Chicken Salad ...... 7.99lb. special education services. smaller district, she can interact $ In the Portola Valley district, with them daily and implement Spicy Thai Chicken Salad ...... 7.99lb. in addition to being respon- support services that don’t cur- Wine and Spirits sible for programs for spe- rently exist here in PVSD.” SCHOLARSHIPS continued from page 3 Awards went to Darian Andrade of Eastside College Preparatory, Oregon Pinot Noir Specials ■ A Menlo Park Rotary Founda- Angelean Johnson of Eastside tion Scholarship went to East- College Preparatory, and Kim- Oregon is producing world class Pinot Noir. side College Preparatory student berly Tsiang of Sacred Heart Here are a few fi ne examples at great prices. Kayte Toscano, who will attend Preparatory. U.C. Davis. Tom Borden grants for com- 2011 Evening Land, Willamette Valley ...... Reg. $25.99 Sale $21.99 In addition the following stu- munity college scholarships went dents received Peninsula College to Katy Bailon Leon, Juan Lopez 2011 WillaKenzie Estate, Estate Cuvee ...... Reg. $29.99 Sale $24.99 Fund/Rotary Club of Men- Casildo, Randy Lopez, Virginia lo Park scholarships: Andres Magana and Adriana Ortiz. 2011 J. Christopher, Willamette Valley ...... Reg. $29.99 Sale $24.99 Gomes, Mayra Garcia and Tal- Rotary Club of Menlo Park mai Soto Abarca. Foundation Awards for commu- (Woodside location only) The Drue Kataoka Arts Schol- nity college scholarships went to arships went to Emily Sykes and Constance Carrasco, Ernesto Car- Lucy Aaron. riel, Robert DeGeus, Mouianga The Rotary Youth Leadership Fehoko and Susan Vunga.
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Image courtesy of Greenheart Land Company 0\FOLHQWVVD\LWEHVW A rendering depicts the style of Greenheart’s planned 195-unit apartment complex at 777 Hamilton Ave., about three blocks from Willow Road in Menlo Park.
I can’t say enough about our 30+ years of Housing complex previewed experience with Steve. local knowledge. Born in By Sandy Brundage opportunity to connect to their said. He suggested placing sin- He was supportive, Almanac Staff Writer Menlo Park. community in a meaningful gle-story buildings in front, knowledgeable, smart, [ Raised in he Belle Haven neighbor- way,” he said, and that’s easier while limiting higher buildings creative, and worked like hood is seeing an influx of when home is right across the to the rear of the Hamilton crazy to help us get our 2 1/2 Atherton. Tproposed housing com- street from work. Avenue site. A Woodside plexes, and with a cyber cafe, The developer plans to build Later, Greenheart principal acre Woodside home ready dog wash and play areas, and “a 117 one-bedroom units, 52 two- Steve Pierce told the commis- for sale...I have never had resident. rather large spa,” Greenheart’s bedroom units, and 26 three- sion that the rooftop forest of anyone put in as much planned development on Hamil- bedroom units, divided into the Gehry building will be vis- ton Avenue looks like it will keep three-story stucco buildings. ible from much of Belle Haven, personal elbow grease as up with the neighbors in terms All of the apartments will be given that it will be 72 feet off Steve. I recommend him of creature comforts. rented at market rate, according the ground, while the Hamilton unconditionally. Located near Facebook’s to the staff report. Avenue apartment buildings [ upcoming west campus, Green- The main entrance to the will be about 34 feet in height. heart’s project will place 195 complex would be off Hamilton One-story buildings were not apartments on 6.5 acres, with an Avenue, according to the site viable given the amount of park- 67(9(*5$< address of 777 Hamilton Ave., plan, with 335 parking spaces ing required for the site as well %5( about three blocks from Willow provided. Electric cars will as the 30 units per acre required Road. The developer bought 21 have 10 charging stations, with by zoning law. “It’s all compro- parcels from numerous prop- another 50 pre-wired for charg- mises,” Mr. Pierce said. VJUD\#FEQRUFDOFRP erty owners, including the city ing if additional stations are Farther down the road on of Menlo Park, during the past needed in the future, Mr. Burke Haven Avenue, Facebook in two years to create the site. said. partnership with St. Anton is “We believe this development Trees, always a consideration building a 394-unit complex GUIDE TO 2014 SUMMER CAMPS FOR KIDS is a good one for the city as well in Menlo Park, will be well complete with a doggie daycare, as the community,” Greenheart represented, based on the staff pub and bike repair shop. Next principal Bob Burke told the report, with 200 new trees slated door, Greystar LLC has pro- Planning Commission during a for planting, including Califor- posed building 146 apartments. study session on May 19. nia fan palms. Six heritage trees Coupled with Greenheart’s He said that given that the are marked for removal. proposal, the projects will shift complex’s tenants are projected Not everyone is thrilled with the character of Menlo Park’s For more information about these camps, to be working within walking the site plan. Belle Haven resi- M-2 district away from an out- see our online directory of camps at www.paloaltoonline. distance, Greenheart expects dent Matt Henry commented dated industrial flavor, accord- the location to help minimize during the study session that ing to Chamber of Commerce com/biz/summercamps/To advertise in this weekly traffic impacts by reducing the Facebook is spending millions CEO Fran Dehn. directory, call: 650-326-8210 number of people commuting of dollars to construct its world- Greenheart said construction to work at places such as Face- class, “work of art” west campus is expected to take 18 months. Academics book. designed by renowned architect Since the project requires no Zip cars, bike sharing and Frank Gehry. discretionary approvals, the Alan Margot’s Tennis Camps Atherton Facebook’s shuttle program are “And what does Greenheart final determination of whether Alan Margot’s Tennis Camps provide an enjoyable way for your child to begin learning the game of tennis or to continue developing existing skills. Our approach expected to help. do? They throw up a wall four the site complies with the city’s is to create lots of fun with positive feedback and reinforcement in a nuturing ten- Jeff Adams, speaking on behalf blocks long of three-story apart- regulations will be made by the nis environment. Building self-esteem and confidence through enjoyment on the of Facebook, concurred during ments that is going to totally community development direc- tennis court is a wonderful gift a child can keep forever! Super Juniors Camps, ages public comment. “It’s important block Belle Haven’s view (of the tor rather than the Planning 4-6; Juniors Camps, ages 6-14. to us that everyone have the Gehry building),” Mr. Henry Commission. A www.alanmargot-tennis.net 650.400.0464 Arts, Culture, Other Camps Tell us who your local favorites are by voting online today LEGO Maniac Master Builder’s Camp ™ Los Altos Build It Again With Bricks™ the only LEGO Master Building Camp ™. Come build, 2014 create, learn parts, how to sort/store all using Master Building Techniques™. All VOTE ONLINE ages, week-long camps: 9-12; 1-4. Girls especially welcome! AlmanacNews.com/readers_choice www.Builditagainwithbricks.com 650.935.2166
May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 7 NEWS Path along Woodside Road in line for an upgrade
By Dave Boyce Almanac Staff Writer for construction; and $100,000 for construction management lans are afoot to improve and testing services, according the pedestrian and eques- to a staff report. Ptrian path along the south Councilman Tom Shanahan side of Woodside Road between cast the dissenting vote on Roberts Market and the elemen- the letter of support, hav- tary school. ing expressed his well-known A roadside improvement proj- aversion to the idea of public ect, for now just a concept, would projects paid for with funds not put a horse-compatible surface originating in the pockets of on the path, separate it more Woodside residents. His prefer- distinctly and regularly from ence is to break out the shovels traffic, and connect it to other and get to work. “I suspect it’d walking routes to school. The be a lot quicker,” he said. “We’d Town Council on May 13 autho- get 60 percent to 70 percent of rized the staff to submit a grant what we want.” application to the California That approach would not be Department of Transportation. productive, his colleagues said. In a 6-1 vote, the council also For one thing, the work has be agreed to write a “strong” letter done with enough expertise to of “wholehearted” support for last 50 years, said Mayor Dave the project. Burow. Councilman Ron Rom- Existing crosswalks at the ines noted that the road belongs Photo by Michelle Le/The Almanac school are already being upgrad- to the state. Bucolic it may be, but safety is a high priority for this path along the south side of Woodside Road between ed with new paint and flashing Modifications to state high- Roberts Market and the elementary school. The town has applied for state grant money to do an extensive lights in time for the start of ways must have Caltrans upgrade, including crosswalks and a resurfaced path that kids and horses will enjoy. school in August. The state approval, which in this case will grant would pay for four new be needed to provide room for gases, enhance public health and are less than safe, and that the support from affected agencies. crosswalks — three across the path improvements by nar- put disadvantaged communi- proposed fixes would effectively Town staff are anticipating them school driveways and one across rowing each traffic lane to 11 ties on an equal footing for the reduce the danger, Mr. Lee told from Caltrans as well as the Woodside Road in the vicin- feet from the current 12 feet. money. the council. town’s Circulation Committee, ity of Woody, the wooden fish Woodside is hardly a disad- “It’s very challenging out the Woodside Elementary sculpture next to Dry Creek. Getting the money vantaged community, but it there,” Town Engineer Paul School, the Woodside Fire Pro- That crosswalk would also have Agencies from all over the does have an edge of sorts, said Nagengast told the Almanac. tection District, the San Mateo flashing lights. state are competing for $129 Andrew Lee of Parisi Transpor- The proposed project is intended County Sheriff’s Office, and the To pay for it all, the town is million in grant money from the tation Consulting in Sausalito. to provide a safe and accessible county library Joint Powers seeking $855,000 in Caltrans Caltrans Active Transportation The application is “very com- route for all users of the path Authority. The City/County funds. A breakdown: $110,000 Program. Among the program’s petitive” in that the current along the south side of the road, Association of Governments has for project design, environmen- goals: encourage biking and path exposes high numbers of he added. already approved a resolution in tal issues and permits; $645,000 walking, reduce greenhouse pedestrians to conditions that The project will need letters of support, Mr. Nagengast said. A
foot monolith that three people state, all factors that are better a quagmire of endless debate. Residents seek right would live in, “like an (Egyp- addressed in one structure than ... You have, actually, no time tian) pyramid,” he said. “It a cluster. The current proposal, frame or a deliverable, nor seems to me that (Atherton) has while in need of tweaking, have you articulated any spe- to build larger homes absolutely no code whatsoever.” “seems very logical to me,” he cific standards by which you continued from page 5 indicators of great wealth. But in “We need to be prudent,” said said. “It’s very safe to say we’ll are being held to respond to our the Woodside Heights proposal, Councilman Peter Mason, “and get through this item no later very specific request.” about the effect, not over five in a list of unattributed com- we need to look at all the unin- than the next fiscal year. It could “In its present form,” Mr. years but over 50 years. “Any plaints under the title “Our Frus- be sooner than that.” Burow said, “if it was put before property that increases popula- tration,” that view is not found: “I just want to make sure I the council tonight, it would not tion density is not going to get “We sold our house there and Chief concerns: a 37 understand,” Mr. Smith said at pass.” my support,” he said. moved to Atherton where they one point. “You guys have deep- Mr. Shanahan weighed in. Councilman Ron Romines don’t have that ‘crazy zoning.’” percent increase in house sixed this, and if we go ahead “I’m not very excited about called the proposal “well-con- “Why are they building so size and unintended and file an application (with the being interrogated about my sidered,” but said that he was many beautiful homes in Ather- Planning Commission) as we’re time frame. I’ll tell you what. not persuaded. The change ton and not here? Rural doesn’t consequences for other entitled to, you will not approve There are a lot of priorities in has majority support among mean run down.” neighborhoods. that until you have finished your this town and I think you’ve residents there, the area is geo- “The town is too difficult to deal other survey work.” heard me be very clear: I don’t graphically isolated from much with. Why don’t we annex our “We’re not deep-sixing it,” rate yours very highly at all.” of Woodside, and it shares a bor- neighborhood to Atherton? We tended consequences. The last said Mr. Tanner. “We’re putting “Got it,” Mr. Smith replied. der with Atherton, but “I don’t have more in common with them.” thing I think we want is mini- it on a work plan. We have a lot “We’re doing the best that we find that terribly persuasive,” he Marilyn Voelke, chair of Athertons.” of work to do. It’s not going to can,” Mr. Shanahan said. “Right said. “It doesn’t mean we adopt Woodside’s Planning Commis- be deep-sixed. It’s going to be now, you just don’t have the the standards of the other town. sion, described the Atherton Deep-sixed? looked at and studied. It’s not votes on this council to do what ... We have much different stan- comparisons as “alarming” With a recognition of the deep-sixed, it’s not shelved, it’s you want to do.” dards than Atherton.” during the public comment urgency felt by Woodside not thrown away. It’s being acted “There you have it,” Mr. Smith period. The domino effect from Heights residents, the council upon. That’s what we did just replied. Atherton as yardstick this proposal would create an added the issue to Town Hall’s now. But we can’t tell you we’re “And I don’t think that your Atherton is kind of a standard “Atherton” effect as it moved work plan — a list of priorities going to do it in two weeks, we priorities are particularly high,” in Woodside (and Portola Valley) through town, she said. that is reviewed periodically. can’t tell you we’re going to do it Mr. Shanahan added. “Now in that when it is mentioned in Resident Tom Broderick said Residential development in two months. We have to study obviously, Anne Kasten dis- public, it is usually to point out he agreed. “It’s a very thin line priorities, noted Mayor Dave it and find out.” agrees, but you see, you’ve got something undesired, such as between what we have today Burow, include resource con- Mr. Smith replied: “I think some disagreement here. This is solid perimeter walls, imperial- and big boxy houses.” Atherton servation, energy efficiency and you’ve managed to translate ... not going to happen fast because looking gates and other visible would allow a 20,000-square- the primacy of the land’s natural a relatively simple change into there is opposition.” A
8 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N May 28, 2014 NEWS Expanding outdoor dining downtown Ride kicks off workshop project By Sandy Brundage By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer ager Jim Cogan said the effect taurant that did not have a per- Almanac Staff Writer at 401 Pierce Road. will be similar to that seen along mit, yet had outdoor seating. Jeff Feinman, vice president ot everything to do with Castro Street in Mountain View. Mayor Mueller said the city enlo Park explored of clubhouses and high school Menlo Park’s down- Left Bank was selected because staff worked hard to launch the building community programs for BGCP, said the Ntown/El Camino Real the restaurant already has an trial this year, noting that while Mthrough bicycling dur- workshop will serve three core specific plan leads to months of outdoor seating permit as well the specific plan allows the city to ing the holiday weekend, with a purposes: debate, vitriol and battles at the as a great track record for com- try new concepts, it takes staff to 7.3-mile “unity ride” led by teens ■ Act as a space for youth ballot box: Take outdoor dining, pliance, he said. implement the ideas. An advocate from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the to learn about mechanics and for example. The city will provide planters, for installing a carousel down- Peninsula on Saturday, May 24. repair techniques that could An enthusiastic City Coun- soil and some trees; the restau- town, he suggested testing out The event provided a chance lead to paid work and provide cil on May 13 unanimously rant will contribute additional temporary pocket parks next. to introduce group rides to the service to other residents. approved dedicating $30,000 to landscaping, tables and chairs. “I can’t wait for that to happen Belle Haven community and ■ Serve as a gathering spot, test an expanded outdoor din- At the end of the program, the because I want to have my carousel engage Menlo Park residents on complete with smoothies and ing program downtown. planters and landscaping will in a pocket park,” he said, laughing. both sides of U.S. 101, according music. Temporary planters will pass into the city’s custody for Mr. Cogan estimated that the to Bicycle Commissioner Cindy ■ Promote an active lifestyle, be erected to create a barrier use elsewhere. pilot program could launch in Welton, who helped organize it. with teens training younger around the parking area in front “It’s great to see some things July, with some coordination Facebook contributed 50 bikes kids to ride bikes and organizing of Left Bank Brasserie at 635 from the specific plan finally com- with the Chamber of Com- to the event for those without their monthly outings. Santa Cruz Ave. The approxi- ing to fruition,” Councilwoman merce to avoid interfering with own, while city officials and police Triton donated the shipping mately 56-feet-by-15-feet space Kirsten Keith said, echoing com- planned downtown events. were on hand to teach kids how to containers, and Studio 5K cre- will leave room for chairs and ments by other council members. Councilman Peter Ohtaki ride and to ensure a safe trip. ated architectural sketches of tables, while temporarily elimi- She thanked Left Bank and asked for an assessment of the The event also sparked inter- the workshop, which is expected nating a 15-minute, a one-hour, LB Steak for complying with trial at year’s end, which he said est in a project to convert to launch this fall. and a motorcycle parking space, the permits. Ms. Keith described would make it feasible to expand shipping containers into a bike Mr. Feinman estimated that according to the staff report. watching a blind woman attempt the pilot to a second location in workshop on the grounds of the the club needs to raise $50,000 Economic Development Man- to get around a downtown res- early 2015. A Menlo Park clubhouse, located to complete the workshop. A Dean Allen Watkins Watkins, Dean Allen, B.S., M.S., PhD, passed away on Satur- day, May 17, 2014 at his home in Woodside, CA. He is survived FREE SKIN by three sons: Clark Lynn and his wife Charlotte, Alan Scott and his wife Jane, and Eric Ross: by grandchildren Megann Noyes-Watkins, Brian Noyes-Watkins, and Erin Watkins, and CANCER by step-grandson Brad Wieners. Born in Omaha NE on October 23, 1922, Dr. Watkins was the son of Ernest E. and Pauline Simpson Watkins. After re- SCREENING ceiving his B.S. from Iowa State University, he married his col- lege sweetheart, Bessie Ena Hansen on June 28, 1944. They were married for 62 years at the time of her death in Septem- ber 2012. Dr. and Mrs. Watkins lived in California for 64 years, the last 42 in Woodside, CA. He did graduate study at California Institute of Technology (M.S. 1947) and Stanford University (Ph.D, 1951). Over the course of his 52 year career in electrical engineering, he was an engineer at Collins Radio Co., (1947- 48), staff at Los Alamos Laboratory (1948-1949), technical staff member at Hughes Research Laboratories (1951-53), As- sociate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford Univer- sity (1953-1956), Director Electron Devices Laboratory (1956- & # 64), Lecturer, Electrical Engineering (1964-70); Co-founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, Director Watkins Johnson !! ! ! Co., Palo Alto California, a pioneer in microelectronics, (1957- ! % )%!"% 1967); Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Director (1967-80), Chairman, Director (1980-2000). # ' %!4 Dr. Watkins was a Consultant to the Defense Department (1956-66) and a member of the White House Science Council 7 %$ " !$ ! (1988-1989). 7 % % His civic participation included serving as a Trustee at Stan- ford University (1966-1969) and as a member and chairman of 7 % ! the Board of Regents, University of California (1969-1996). He 7 # also served on several local school boards, the San Francisco Bay Area Council, San Mateo County Finance Committee and was a member, Board of Overseers, Hoover Institution on ! %' %.,'-+,/ War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford, 1969-2000. He served as private to 1st lieutenant, Corps of Engineers, O.R.C. Army of 24++6,,4.+ the United States, 1943-46. His memberships included Fellow IEEE, American Associa- tion for the Advancement of Science, American Physical Soci- /0+ #%' " ety, American Management Association, and Delta Upsilon. # %'3/+1. In 1957 he received the 7th Region Achievement Award, and in 1981, the Frederik Philips Award (IEEE). Services are private. The family requests that donations to ! ' ' ' the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Palo Alto, CA be made in lieu of flowers. " 5 (' ( " ) ) * %
PAID OBITUARY
May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 9 NEWS Atherton urges Surf Air to fly at higher altitudes By Barbara Wood Special to the Almanac Council members agreed to Pilots for the airline have been have a letter signed by Mayor dropping their landing gear aking a new approach in Cary Wiest sent to the FAA, urg- and powering up 6 miles from efforts to reduce airplane ing the change in the GPS flight the airport, he said, while Tnoise over Atherton, the path that aircraft are asked to other pilots do that only 3 town is sending a letter to the observe. miles away. Surf Air officials Federal Aviation Administration “Adding a higher GPS approach have promised to start drop- urging that planes fly at a higher would result in aircraft flying ping the landing gear closer to altitude until closer to the San 25% higher over homes in the the airport, he said. “That will Carlos Airport. Atherton, North Fair Oaks and be the most material change,” 0+ + + + + + + + ++ Noisy planes became an issue Menlo Park neighborhoods,” Mr. DeGolia said. soon after a new small airline, the letter to the FAA says. “We In December 2013, approxi- + + + + + + $ Surf Air, began flying passen- believe that this increase in alti- mately 75 people attended a gers into the San Carlos Airport tude would greatly reduce the community meeting in Ather- + + ++ +')+- in June 2013. noise impacts.” ton to air their concerns about Surf Air, whose customers pay Councilman Rick DeGolia, increased flight noise. Since one monthly price for unlim- who serves on the San Carlos then the working group has met !+ ited flights on small passenger Airport Noise Working Group several times to attempt to find +/+%,,(..& planes, recently added flights to along with Councilwoman a solution to the problem that *,&#+ + + "+ + and from the Truckee airport to Elizabeth Lewis, said the air- would not move aircraft over tDQPSUFS!GBSNFSTBHFOUDPN their weekend flight schedule. line has promised to make other residential neighbor- At their May 21 meeting, City another change to lessen noise. hoods. A Town seeks residents’ views on Parker Avenue right-of-way issue By Barbara Wood Carriage house N ATHERTON Special to the Almanac In other business, the council therton’s Parker Avenue declined for a second time to allow some of the homeowners’ endorse the Atherton Dames’ has some of the smallest improvements to remain where lots in the town, most project to renovate the historic A they are; or to make all hom- carriage house in Holbrook- less than 8,000 square feet, and eowners remove any improve- one of the widest streets, with Palmer Park. At an April 16 ments they’ve made that aren’t meeting, the council asked the official town right-of-way on their own property. extending 50 feet beyond the the Dames and their architect, At their May 21 meeting, Adolph Rosecrans of Woodside, 20-foot paved roadway. Atherton City Council mem- For years, residents of Parker to answer more questions about bers heard from many of the the plans and about the current have used much of that right- Parker Avenue residents, most of-way as if it were part of state of the building. of whom did not want the addi- With those questions their property, and now, after tional property taxes that would complaints from some Parker answered, the council asked come with the town’s gift of 900 at the May 21 meeting for the Avenue neighbors, the town is square feet of property. trying to do something about it. Dames to attempt to find out Because of the disagreement, what the public wants for the Residents can’t agree about council members asked City what they want done, however. building. Some council mem- Manager George Rodericks bers also expressed interest in The town has offered three to send registered letters to options: to abandon 30 feet of waiting for completion of the the owners of each house on park master plan before decid- its 70-foot right-of-way, which the street asking what their would increase each lot by ing what to do with the carriage preferred solution is. Town house. 900 square feet; to develop an Attorney William Conners encroachment permit process to said the town cannot abandon Video recording the right-of-way in a piecemeal The council agreed to pur- fashion; but it could possibly chase an automated video cam- TOWN OF WOODSIDE be done for sections of the 2955 WOODSIDE ROAD era system to record council and street. other public meetings, replacing WOODSIDE, CA 94062 Further complicating the the videographer who now PLANNING COMMISSION matter is the fact that the records each council meeting. county tax assessor’s office says June 4, 2014 7:30 PM The new equipment will cost it cannot legally say how much slightly more than the $25,200 PUBLIC HEARING any additional property taxes now spent on hiring the videog- would be. rapher for a year. A 1. AT&T CUSE2013-0008 5055 Farm Hill Boulevard Planner: Sean Mullin, Assistant Planner Review for approval, conditional approval, or denial of a Conditional Use Permit Amendment to CUSE2009-0002 to modify the ground-mounted equipment, remove the existing 12-foot pole and install a new 20-foot pole and Mass for Emil Vincent Real new pole-mounted equipment at an existing wireless facility on property owned by Caltrans. Ground-mounted A memorial Mass for Emil 2250 Avy Ave. in Menlo equipment would be installed within the confines of the existing utility pad. Vincent Real, a resident Park. All application materials are available for public review at the Woodside Planning and Building Counter, Wood- of Menlo Park for nearly A reception will follow in side Town Hall, weekdays from 8:00 – 10:00 AM and 1:00 – 3:00 PM, or by appointment. For more information, 60 years, will be held at 11 the church social hall. contact the Woodside Planning and Building Department at (650) 851-6790. a.m. Saturday, May 31, at Mr. Real died April 20 at the St. Denis Catholic Church, age of 90.
10 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N May 28, 2014 NEWS Fifth-grader makes giant horse for school parade By Snowy Sabel, age 11 ing the frame, but in the end it made a giant Morgan horse looked great. for my fifth-grade state float I tried to paper-mache the Iproject at Corte Madera horse, but the horse was too big, School in Portola Valley. and the paper became too heavy Each year, as part of the study and fell off. After some family of U.S. history, fifth-graders brainstorming, we came up with at Corde Madera participate the idea of wrapping the entire in a float-making project and horse in masking tape. This a parade, held in the school’s worked, but took a long time. parking lot. Next came the spray paint, Each fifth-grader is assigned a and a mane and tail made state and asked to make a float from strips of brown painter’s for it. My state was Vermont. paper. Since I like animals, I decided The horse was done, but the that I wanted my float to be an job was not. I still needed to animal. move the horse to school. Add- Making giant things is always ing a frame and wheels helped, more fun, so I decided to build but I still had to transport it five a giant horse, a Morgan horse, miles to school, down a long which is Vermont’s state animal. winding hill. This presented a My float was 14 feet high and 18 whole new challenge. feet long! There were approximately I designed and scaled a draw- 80 floats in the parade, held ing of the horse, so that I would on May 16. Most of the floats know how long to make the were pulled on red wagons or wooden pieces in the frame tricycles. of the horse. I built two sepa- Next year, the school plans rate frame halves and attached to reinforce new scale param- Snowy Sabel, 11, and her giant Morgan horse float. them together to make a whole eters, as the organizers were not frame. expecting the size of my horse. The next step was the chick- and drove this project. She some hard-to-reach things and ents and a friendly neighbor en wire, so that it would take Editor’s note: Snowy’s mom worked on every part of the when using the table saw, and as helped to ‘drive’ the horse down the shape of a real horse. This Jane Leibowitz says: “Snowy process. She did get help from an extra pair of hands for hold- the hill between two cars down took me more time than mak- completely conceived, designed her dad, Joeseph Sabel, with ing things up. Both of her par- the hill to school.” A
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May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 11 NEWS
gress to promote the vigorous Buckheit lawsuit saga appears to be over enforcement of the civil rights laws,” they wrote. By Renee Batti was never charged, and later was police report when Buckheit they agreed with the county Brian Wong, deputy county Almanac News Editor granted a declaration of factual requested it from him. Nor is that Mr. Buckheit’s claims were counsel, said county officials innocence in San Mateo County there evidence that the Coun- “extremely weak,” they dis- had sought attorney fees because May 20 federal appeals Superior Court. ty’s actions were motivated by agreed that there was “no legal “we take the taxpayers’ resourc- court decision is likely In including the county in his retaliatory intent. Indeed, there or factual basis” for them, they es seriously,” but the county Ato close the door on lawsuit, Mr. Buckheit alleged that is evidence to the contrary — wrote. “is unlikely to appeal the deci- the four-and-a-half-year fight the town and county had entered that the County tried to help “The County acknowledged at sion.” involving an Atherton resident’s into an agreement in which the Buckheit get a copy of his police oral argument that it had a role While pleased with the judges’ lawsuit against the town of county would create what he report but could not persuade in the formation of the domestic ruling on fees, Mr. Buckheit Atherton, three of its officers, believed to be a discriminatory the Town of Atherton to pro- violence policy followed by the said he continues to believe the and the county over the resi- policy on dealing with domestic duce it.” officers who arrested Buckheit,” county retaliated against him in dent’s 2008 arrest. violence accusations. He also But the judges sided with the ruling said. “A challenge to not producing the police report. The ruling overturns a 2013 alleged that the county con- Mr. Buckheit on the fee issue, that policy’s provisions, as inter- County officials “wanted to federal court decision that Jon spired with the town to retaliate noting that at issue was a civil preted by the arresting officers, punish someone who challenged Buckheit must pay San Mateo against him after he petitioned rights claim, and that a civil impelled Buckheit’s suit.” the system ... and they wanted County $145,434 in attorney the court for a determination of rights defendant (in this case, The judges also noted that to discourage anyone else from fees because his claims against factual innocence. The retalia- the county) may be granted awarding fees to defendants who doing it,” he said. the county in his 2009 lawsuit tion involved refusing to provide attorney fees “only where the prevail in a civil rights lawsuit Unless the county appeals the were frivolous. a copy of the police report on the action brought is found to be could discourage people from decision, he said, the years-long A three-judge panel of the incident, he said. unreasonable, frivolous, merit- filing such lawsuits, which could saga is over. “Not in my memory, Ninth Circuit Count of Appeals The lawsuit was dismissed less or vexatious.” Although undercut “the efforts of Con- but legally speaking.” A found otherwise: “We conclude by Federal Court Judge Joseph that the connection between Spero in April 2012, and the N BRIEFS load and read an e-book” to schools, coming out, spirituality Buckheit’s claims and the Coun- judge granted the county’s peti- complete. A finished card may and support groups for those of ty is ‘tenuous, but not frivo- tion for attorney fees. be exchanged for a free book, a diverse sexualities. lous’,” the judges wrote. Mr. Buckheit filed an appeal Summer reading beverage at Cafe Zoe and a raffle Mr. Buckheit’s lawsuit challenging the fee ruling as well “It’s important for the com- From June 9 to Aug. 9, Menlo ticket for other prizes. stemmed from his October as Judge Spero’s rejection of his Park will run a summer reading munity to know that we are 2008 arrest after he called claim that the county violated program for the “over 18” set. here for everyone” and that a Atherton police out to his home, his First Amendment rights by Go to menlopark.org/543/ Pride celebration wide range of county services reporting that he had been the withholding a copy of the police Adults to sign up online or drop San Mateo County will host are available, said Susan Takalo, victim of domestic violence by report. by the library at 800 Alma St. its second annual Pride Celebra- Pride Initiative co-chair. his then-girlfriend. Although The appeals court judges Once registered, participants tion on June 14. The free event Held at San Mateo Central he was taken into custody and wrote that they could see “no get bingo cards with squares will feature music, entertain- Park, located at 50 East 5th Ave. prohibited from returning to evidence that the County’s dis- listing activities such as “turn in ment and informational pre- in San Mateo, the event runs his home for several days, he trict attorney had a copy of the three book reviews” and “down- sentations on youth advocacy in from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 15 COVER STORY There’s a better way Menlo Park couple find ways to improve Le by Michelle Photo life in Nepal
By Barbara Wood
avid and Haydi Sowerwine returned to Menlo Park Dfrom 14 years in Nepal nearly a decade ago, but working to make better living conditions for residents of Nepal and other developing nations is still central to their lives. The Sowerwines are the founders of a nonprofit called VillageTech Solutions that has provided river- spanning wire bridges and worked out a way to bring lighting to rural Nepal and Myanmar. VillageTech currently has two new projects. One will provide Sowerwine David by Photo many of the educational resources of the Internet to village schools at low cost, even if they lack Internet access. The second will remove from well water most of the arsenic that is slowly poisoning many vil- lagers. The nonprofit, in the tradition of many Silicon Valley start-ups, is run out of the Sowerwines’ garage. This summer that garage will be Top: VillageTech Solutions founders crowded, as VillageTech hosts its Haydi and David Sowerwine work in third annual summer camp with their Menlo Park garage on the Looma as many as 15 high school and col- project, designed to bring computer lege volunteers from all over the technology to classrooms that may lack country who will work on the two a reliable source of electricity, much current projects. less an Internet connection. By the end of the summer, the Above and left: VillageTech Solutions Sowerwines hope to be far enough has provided wire bridges to span rivers along to look for manufacturers. in Nepal, and make it far easier for VillageTech is run almost com- villagers to get to work and school. pletely by volunteers, led by the On the cover: David and Haydi
Sowerwines and two more unpaid Sowerwine David by Photo staff members: board chair Skip Sowerwine and their VillageTech Stritter, who is also from Menlo Solutions nonprofit have provided river- Park, and Maria Calica, who is spanning wire bridges, such as this one over the Trishuli River in Nepal. working for them in Nepal. Students, most from engineering schools around the country, but
16 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N May 28, 2014 COVER STORY
also local high school students, help with the engineering work. Mr. Sowerwine has been interested in international development since his days as a Stanford undergraduate in chemical engi- neering. That education “qualified me to get the best job in the world,” he says. He worked for Esso (now Exxon) in Southeast Asia and
traveled the world, including to India, Ban- Le by Michelle Photo gladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines. When he later attended the Stanford Busi- ness School, he says, “I think I had more international experience than the profes- sors.” After receiving his MBA in 1972, he went to work for Dole Food Company in Central VillageTech Solutions founder David Sowerwine gives Stanford interns a tour of his home, where they work on projects to bring and South America, and eventually ended technology to remote villages, such as wire bridges (below right) in Nepal. up in Nepal working to help the country start new agribusinesses. He and Haydi, an early employee of the Laos as well as Nepal. “Laos at that time product-design firm IDEO, married, the was very interesting,” Mr. Sowerwine says, second time for each of them, in 1979 and but it was as much as 30 degrees hotter than raised their blended family of five children Kathmandu, so they stayed in Nepal, from in Menlo Park. Haydi left IDEO when she 1991 to 2005. went to Nepal with her husband in 1991. “You couldn’t walk 100 feet down the When the original assignment in Nepal street without seeing something and say- ended, David and Haydi, who by then had no ing, I wonder if there’s a better solution,” he children living at home, decided to stay “to says. try to see what we could do that was useful,” After a few false starts they found one Mr. Sowerwine says. “The house was empty of those better solutions — how to cross and we were adventuresome.” bridgeless rivers that at times left villages They looked at Thailand, Cambodia and completely isolated, unable to get to school
or work without walking for hours or even Sowerwine David by Photo days, during monsoon season. The Sower- wines started a company called EcoSystems Nepal in 1996, and helped villagers build a
Continued on next page
Above: The inside of the Looma, a device that brings computer technology to remote villages. Right: VillageTech Solutions co-founder David Sowerwine, right, and technical director Skip Stritter work on the Looma project. Le by Michelle Photo
May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 17 COVER STORY
Continued from previous page when rivers became too polluted to provide drinking water and total of 38 wire bridges using a villages began relying on wells human-powered carriage sys- and groundwater, which is often tem on wire cables. One of their contaminated with invisible and bridges spans 419 feet and saves odor-free dissolved arsenic. villagers a two-day walk. SafaPani, which means “clean They hope to replicate that water” in Nepali, is designed success with their two current to cut arsenic levels, which are projects. often as high as 200 ppb (parts per billion), to below the World Education Health Organization’s suggested limit of 10 ppb. The education project is called The simple system uses three Looma and is designed to bring buckets and electrolysis. the benefits of modern-day In the first bucket, an electric computer technology to class- current runs though water rooms that may lack even a reli- between two iron electrodes, able source of electricity, much leaving iron ions in the water less an Internet connection. that attract the arsenic and Sowerwine David by Photo “That’s what Looma is all cause it to return to solid form. about,” says Skip Stritter. “It’s The water is then released to a one box, it’s a projector, it’s a second bucket and filtered computer, and an audio system, through clean sand, leaving the and will connect to the Internet arsenic behind. Clean drinking if there is an Internet.” The water then runs into the third Looma can run off a motorcycle bucket. A battery, so works even where there is no power system. The Looma has a 32-gigabyte Above: A teacher in Nepal tries flash memory card, the same out the Looma device, projecting as those used in cameras and an image on the wall. Left: David Sowerwine and Skip Stritter phones, preloaded with books, work on the Looma project at games, videos, workbooks and the Sowerwine home in Menlo other media content found on Park. Below: David Sowerwine, the Internet. right, and Stanford interns listen It projects an image onto a to Melisa Tokmak’s ideas on wall, and is designed to be easy electrical supply options for the to figure out even for computer Looma project. novices. It is directed using a remote control made by modify- ing Wii game system wands, and has a simple Web browser for N LEARN MORE schools with Internet access. Visit VillageTechSolutions.org Clean water for more information about this “Particularly a big problem in enterprise and its programs. the plains below the Himalayas is arsenic in the water supply,” ■ Volunteer: VillageTech needs says Mr. Stritter. “It’s poisoning Le by Michelle Photo volunteers, from high school age tens of millions of people.” and up, with interest in the fol- The problem grew, he says, lowing areas: electrical engineer- ing (printed circuit board design), manufacturing (electronics and plastics, especially in Asia), software (JavaScript and Linux drivers), curriculum development (to help determine the content for the Looma), grant-writing and fundraising (for adopt-a-school and adopt-a-bridge programs) and video production (for videos to post on the Looma). Volun- teers who can make at least a three-month commitment can represent the organization in Nepal. Volunteers are also need- ed to serve as host families for summer camp students, starting in early June.
■ Donate: In addition to seeking major “angel” investors who might help fund the completion of Villag- eTech’s current projects, the non- profit seeks donations to meet expenses for summer camp, to provide airfare and support for overseas volunteers, and to buy
Photo by Michelle Le by Michelle Photo materials and supplies. Contribu- tions may be made to: VillageTech Solutions/ISI, 999 Olive St., Menlo Park, CA 94025; or online at villagetechsolutions.org.
18 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N May 28, 2014 NEWS Judge tosses Woodell suit over evidence destruction 7 By Sandy Brundage related expenses, only a small Almanac Staff Writer portion of which would be recoverable without filing a ohn Woodell’s defamation lawsuit against Mr. Woodell for lawsuit against two Menlo malicious prosecution. JPark fire board directors has “At a time when the courts been dismissed on grounds that are filled with people struggling !2 (-'.-#%02!++ he deliberately deleted cellphone to survive and seeking justice data. in serious cases, Mr. Woodell The lawsuit, filed nearly two wasted a tremendous amount years ago, related to an uprooted of court and litigant time after Virginia Chang Kiraly campaign painting himself as the victim sign during the 2011 Menlo Park in this imaginary dispute. The Fire Protection District board real victims here are Ms. Kiraly, election. Chuck Bernstein said whose sign was tampered with, he’d found the sign in his yard Mr. Bernstein, whose property lying next to a cellphone that was trespassed upon, and the ! turned out to belong to Mr. taxpayers, whose resources were Woodell. usurped by a baseless lawsuit,” Mr. Woodell, who is married Ms. Dhillon said, adding that to Menlo Park Councilwoman she hopes the suit doesn’t dis- Kirsten Keith, alleged that the courage people from exercising defendants spread rumors that free speech and participating %--5 !00.- 0(. he’d vandalized that sign and fully in elections. ! others, and denied that he was Mr. Bernstein, who repre- responsible. sented himself through most of Given that the cellphone is a the proceedings, said the ruling key piece of evidence in the case, to dismiss the lawsuit was very Ms. Kiraly filed a motion in good news, but that there was !2(-*%+1/(%+3$(2.0(3, April asking the court to dismiss nothing to celebrate. the lawsuit on grounds that Mr. “No one ‘won’ anything, but 24520 "/%06"-;"$,&0)/&44& 2*0'&"452*/("6*0-42"/& Woodell destroyed evidence by all of us — including uninvolved deleting the contents of his cell- taxpayers — lost something. "229029&-- 0.#"9"::; &--07+"$,&43;0&05*3 "-,&2 phone before Though the &,-*4; "9-02*(34*5-*"/"(&;2&%&23$) 2*0 they were able case resulted in to thoroughly Court: Wiping grief and inju- 0)/*::"2&--*;&//9 522&--; "$)"- "3"/%"/* examine it. ry to me, I still San Mateo cellphone data was feel badly for "$*'*$".#02$)&342";&"4) 204)&237*4)&2&.9&-4 County Superi- ‘patently unjust.’ my neighbor, &02(&"#-&3 2*0;-9;&/"&03&;%5(5 2*0 or Court Judge John Woodell Lisa Novak and, indirectly, &/*3&&22*&24)&"2$53 )&-#9"::2$)&342" issued her final ruling on the his family. I sincerely hope he matter on Thursday after hear- will continue to contribute his 2*34&/ 420.1-"93 4"/&4:; &//&4"34&2 "9-02*(34* ing arguments earlier in the time and skills to our commu- week as to why the case should nity.” *$402*/; 4"/'02%":: 02,3)01 -- 4"2". not be thrown out. Mr. Bernstein said that he “Forcing the Defendants to had told the truth about every continue to defend an action aspect of the case and thought for which they have been denied the judge’s ruling strongly sup- !2!,/"%++%#(2!+!++ potentially exculpatory evidence ported the defendants’ position. "42*$, 0-''; &/-0$,3;&#"440/ Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble by the willful destruction by “Nevertheless, I was surprised "229 5$,06*$);*$)"2% &"23 *."%&-4)&!00,&&1&23 the Plaintiff is patently unjust,” before, when the case was filed, Judge Novak wrote. so I don’t want to assume that “The Court cannot ignore the there will not be an appeal.” destruction of evidence, includ- Mr. Woodell’s counsel, Seth ing in anticipation of litigation, Rosenberg, had argued in court particularly when the probative that the phone was wiped in value of that evidence is so heav- accordance with Google’s ily connected to the ultimate employee exit policy and also ability of the Defense to seek and because it was malfunctioning. SJW members get the best seats first and save up to $6 per ticket receive a fair trial.” He told the Almanac that all Far from being the “unso- options will be considered in on service fees! And, members can attend a FREE listening party with phisticated phone user” as his light of the dismissal. “We do Kenny Barron and KCSM’s Sonny Buxton on Friday, June 20 (limit attorney claimed, the judge said not believe that Mr. Woodell a review of the evidence proved ever attempted to do anything two tickets per household). Join SJW today at stanfordjazz.org. that Mr. Woodell was anything improper and, at most, lesser but, given his former position at sanctions should have been PRESENTED BY OFFICIAL SPONSORS Google. In addition, the plaintiff granted.” had given different explanations A few issues remain to be as to why the phone had been decided by the court, including wiped under penalty of perjury. a settlement agreement between Both parties have paid a heavy Mr. Woodell and Ms. Kiraly price in both public opinion in the defamation countersuit and legal costs. According to she filed against him, and his Harmeet Dhillon, who repre- request to file certain docu- 12!-&.0$)!66&%12(4!+.0' sents Ms. Kiraly, her client has spent more than $230,000 on See WOODELL, page 20 May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 19 NEWS
N POLICE CALLS Council: No interest in outsourcing cops This information is from the Menlo Park man allegedly picked out two bottles Police Department. Under the law, of tequila, left the store without paying By Barbara Wood for them, and fled on a bike after con- might hire “an independent 3rd town’s parcel tax, which pro- people charged with offenses are consid- Special to the Almanac ered innocent unless convicted. Police tact with someone from store security. party consultant to evaluate the duces $1.8 million a year. In the received the reports on the dates shown. Police found the man, recovered the pros and cons of such a model.” past, 60 percent of that money tequila, and booked the suspect into San Mateo County jail. May 21. therton City Council No thanks, council mem- has gone into the general fund to MENLO PARK Theft report: Someone stole a bicycle members began their bers said. “There is absolutely support police services; but this Commercial burglary report: A Menlo that had been locked to a bike rack in review of the town’s 2014- no doubt in my mind that the year Mr. Rodericks is suggesting Park man was arrested on suspicion of the garage area at a Sharon Park Drive A 15 budget at their May 21 meet- residents in this town will not that only 20 percent, $350,000, burglary of Draeger’s Supermarket. The apartment complex. May 20. ing by making it clear there is support an outsourcing option,” go specifically to pay for police one project in the budget report said Councilman Rick DeGolia. services, to hire two additional they have absolutely no interest With the town in good financial officers. PV considers plans for Redberry Ridge in — a study of outsourcing the shape, “I see absolutely no rea- The other pulled resource is Further thawing may be ahead Historic Schoolhouse. town’s police services. son to waste our economic and state funding from the Educa- for development of 18 Redberry In resolving the clear-cut- While the council didn’t vote time resources” on researching tional Revenue Augmentation Ridge in Portola Valley when the ting incident, an April 2013 on a study of outsourcing, they outsourcing, he said. Fund (ERAF), which Mr. Rod- Town Council meets Wednes- agreement with Mr. Douglass did discuss it as part of prelimi- The three other council mem- ericks says could be reduced or day, May 28. included a $75,000 fine and nary budget considerations. bers agreed. eliminated at any time by state In recognition of progress by another $150,345 to cover costs In his budget report, City For the second consecutive lawmakers. Last year Atherton property owner David Douglass of replanting and maintenance Manager George Rodericks year, Atherton has a positive received nearly $1 million from toward landscape remediation over the following five years, wrote that while there seems to financial outlook, with a small this fund, and this year has bud- following the un-permitted fell- officials said at the time. be strong support of the town’s budget surplus. The surplus geted $700,000. ing of 18 large trees in the winter Remediation was unsuccess- current independent police exists even though City Manager The budget discussions will of 2013, the council will consider ful with three madrones, per- department, “if the Council Rodericks has pulled two sourc- continue at a study session on authorizing building permits. haps due to the drought, but 13 were interested in evaluating the es of revenue out of the general Wednesday, June 4, from 4 to 6 Deliberations will include native oak trees were reported possibility of a turn-key alter- fund and wants them available p.m., in the Council Chambers approvals already issued by the to be growing vigorously in native service delivery model,” only for capital improvements at94 Ashfield Road, in the Town Architectural and Site Control January 2014, when the council such as hiring the San Mateo or paying down long-term lia- Center. Commission and the Planning voted unanimously to allow Mr. County Sheriff’s Office to do bilities. Go to tinyurl.com/Ath-21 to Commission. The council meet- Douglass to submit plans to the Atherton’s policing, the town One of those resources is the see the budget report. A ing starts at 7:30 p.m. in the ASCC.
WOODELL shared the defendants’ relief find closure. “Menlo Park resi- continued from page 19 that the ordeal may be over. dents deserve a rest from this Brielle Johnck, who endorsed embarrassing episode that ments under seal. Ms. Kiraly during the fire started with a lawn sign and Sign up today at AlmanacNews.com At least one person who was board election, said she hoped ended with a grave dismissal subpoenaed to testify at trial Mr. Woodell and his wife now with prejudice.” A PLEASE JOIN US Vote Yes on AA to Preserve Our Area’s Unique Natural Beauty for Future Generations to Enjoy
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OLD TREES Santa Clara County League of Conservation Voters NEW TRAILS
For more information visit www.YesforOpenSpace.org www.YesForOpenSpace.org '/*,57(>&+8,57 6+4!6')+!:66579/4- +'8:7+
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May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 21 COMMUNITY
Three soar to Eagle Scout rank in Portola Valley Submitted by 27 other volunteers in his Elianne Frenkel-Popell. multi-stage project. After assembling and distributing Portola Valley Troop 64 30 new bikes, he organized a held a Court of Honor recent- bicycle safety evening. Then, ly to recognize three new he designed and created a Eagle Scouts: Theodore “Tes- half court basketball court, hie” Bronk, Lucas Harris and and followed that up with a Wesley Holthous. sports equipment collection One of the final require- drive and an evening when ments to becoming an Eagle the children could learn bas- Scout is to lead other scouts in ketball skills. Photo by Dr. Phil Lee, Troop 109 scoutmaster New Eagle Scouts are, from left, Shaan Chilukuri, Alex Pinto, Alexander Hudson and Kendall Lee. a service project. In total, the ■ Wesley Holthous , a three Eagle projects required ninth-grader at Menlo-Ather- more than 460 hours of vol- ton High School, discovered unteer time. that Restore (Habitat for Four reach Eagle Scout status Here is information about the new Eagle Scouts: Humanity’s nonprofit home Submitted by rural communities on service called “Kids Embracing Life,” improvement store in San ■ Teshie Bronk, a freshman Cecilia Pinto, parent of a scout. projects. an informational resource for at Menlo School, led a dozen Carlos) had a problem trying ■ Alexander Hudson, 17, a teens with the goal of helping scouts in rebuilding a garden to properly display cook tops. Four scouts with Menlo Park junior at Everest Public High them feel more comfortable shed at Ronald McDonald After designing a solution, he Boy Scouts of America Troop School in Redwood City, has about their hospital experience House. They repaired the recruited over a dozen oth- 109 recently achieved Eagle been active in scouting since the (www.kidsembracinglife.org). flooring, built shelves, sand- ers to help him build special Scout ranks. The scouts, who second grade. He is currently Kendall is currently junior assis- ed and painted walls, and display shelves for the store. each earned at least 21 merit junior assistant scoutmaster in tant scoutmaster in Troop 109. finished it off by building a At the end of the cer- badges, acquired leadership and Troop 109. Alexander’s Eagle He plays tenor saxophone in the new planter box. emony, when the scouts have outdoor skills, and completed Project is entitled “A Platform M-A Advanced Jazz Band and ■ Lucas Harris, an eighth- an opportunity to recognize independent service projects, Stage and Podium for Everest pit orchestra, works as a light- grader at Woodside Priory someone who helped mentor are: Public High School.” His school ing designer at both the M-A School, focused on helping them, all three chose to honor ■ Shaan Chilukuri, 17, a did not have a stage for assem- Performing Arts Center and the children at Haven House their scoutmaster, Kirt Wil- junior at Menlo-Atherton High blies. Alexander assessed the student-run Grab Bag Theater, Family Shelter. He involved liams. School, started scouting in need for speakers to be more vis- and runs a small web-design eighth grade but caught up ible and have their voices project business. to his peers, earning 25 merit to the back of the audience. He ■ Alex Pinto, 16, a sopho- badges and holding five con- designed a raised speaker plat- more at Menlo-Atherton High secutive troop leadership posi- form and podium, got much School, has been active in scout- tions. While volunteering at of the wood donated, raised ing since the fifth grade and has Abilities United, he recognized money for other materials, and earned 29 merit badges. His that the center needed a place organized volunteers to build Eagle Project, “Squirrel Boxes”, to store outdoor materials and them for his school. He will be involved raising money for decided to raise money for applying to college in the fall to materials and leading scouts in and build a tool shed as his study environmental science, constructing 30 nest boxes for Eagle Project. Abilities United a passion nurtured during his the SPCA in Burlingame. The is a recreational and educa- scouting experiences. boxes either housed injured or tional center for mentally and ■ Kendall Lee, 17, is a junior abandoned squirrels at the Bur- physically challenged people. at Menlo-Atherton High School lingame facility, or were used to Shaan plays clarinet in the and has been active in scout- transport and reintroduce the M-A Advanced Concert Band ing since the second grade. squirrels back into the wild. and is on the school’s tennis Kendall realized there were no Alex is interested in math and team. He takes part in the readily available resources for science. nonprofit organization Amigos kids to learn about being in Troop 109 meets in the Hill- de las Americas, which sends the hospital, so for his Eagle view Middle School Library in Troop 64’s newest Eagle Scouts, from left, Lucas Harris, Spanish-speaking high school Project, he organized a group Menlo Park. Theodore “Teshie” Bronk and Wesley Holthous. students to Latin America over of scouts, patients, doctors, and Go to mptroop109.com for the summer to work with local friends to develop a program more information.
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22 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N May 28, 2014 0, &+". $1* &'., "&2' , '&'& ' +, ,! *,'&3+%'+,+'- !, , *+,* ,+2$ . $+/",! $ .,'* -+,'%%*$ 5''*+2!' &1(& $ /$$+2 4* ($ +/",!&,")- * & !%&,$ (" +2!' &1(& $ $"**1 "& $$*2* %-+ -% '* *+2 * +' $& + ( * &+/",!#'"('& 2* "&"&+("* (''$/",!+ (*, +( -$$1 )-"(( (''$!'-+ 2 &&"+ '-*,2 &$'*#+ !''$+2/// + $$ '%"
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May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 23 COMMUNITY
Our reputation ) $ ! $ is only as good $ " as our clients’ experience. # ! $ ! $! # &%% ! !$"# # ! $ " # $ #&%% '%% # " $ " "$(%% " ! $ * $ Vanessa Valerio, RN COO and VP for Patient Care Photo by Ann Turner Record-setting athletes and their coach, from left, Jim Turner, coach (650) 328-1001 Dan Smith, and MaryAnn Levenson. www.CareIndeed.com YOUR 24/7 HOME CARE SPECIALIST 1150 Chestnut St. Menlo Park, CA 94025 Menlo Park residents set national cycling records
By Jim Turner The 2-kilometer pursuit is a Two Menlo Park residents, timed event to see how quickly masters athletes MaryAnn Lev- one can ride two kilometers (six enson and Jim Turner, recently laps at the Hellyer velodrome). set three national cycling records Turner finished in 2:58.275. at the Hellyer velodrome in San Track bikes are single-speed, Jose. fixed-gear bikes with no brakes. National and world cycling The velodrome is an arena for records for masters athletes track cycling. are maintained in 5-year age Both Levenson and Turner are groups. Levenson set a national coached by Menlo Park resident record in the women’s 55-59 Dan Smith, owner of SportVelo age group for the “hour” com- coaching. Both athletes are plan- petition (how far you can ride ning attempts at the World Hour a track bike in one hour in a record for their age group. velodrome). Turner set national The Hellyer velodrome offers records in the men’s 75-79 classes on Saturday mornings to age group for the 2-kilometer beginners. Rental bikes cost $5, individual pursuit and for the a training session costs $5, and “hour.” Hellyer Park parking is $6. After Levenson rode 38,122 meters attending three Saturday morn- in an hour and Turner rode ing sessions, riders are qualified 35,062 meters. to compete at the track. A Bianchini’s partners with Instacart delivery service
By Elena Kadvany N BUSINESS Special to the Almanac
ans of Portola Valley’s Bian- delivery service at custom- chini’s Market will now be ers’ requests, but decided to Fable to get those famous partner with Instacart instead. stuffed-to-the-gills sandwiches “Building our own in-house (with an Andes mint on the side, service was certainly possible, of course) and all groceries deliv- but not easy, and might have ered to their homes — within been a distraction from our one hour. core competency, which is Family-owned Bianchini’s, providing our customers with which also operates an outpost best selection of natural and in San Carlos, has partnered organic foods,” Bianchini said with San Francisco-based same- in a press release. day-delivery service Instacart to Instacart delivers for chains deliver throughout the Penin- like Whole Foods and Safeway sula. as well as smaller grocery stores Kevin Bianchini, owner of in San Francisco, Boston, Chica- Bianchini’s, said the company considered building its own Continued on next page
24 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N May 28, 2014 COMMUNITY
California Crush players and coaches. Girls basketball team wins district title Players and coach with the Paye’s Place 2017 girls basketball team.
Submitted by Christopher Ball, Led by head coach Josh parent of a player. Brumm, the team is an elite Paye’s Place wins AAU district championship The California Crush, a third- AAU (Amateur Athletic Union of the U.S.) basketball team. Submitted by Terry Erisman, High School, Mercy Burlingame grade girls basketball team parent of a player. N SPORTS High School, and San Mateo made up of players from Menlo In the photo, the players and coaches are: Top Row, from left, The Paye’s Place 2017 girls High School. Park and Atherton, recently won In the photo are players, the Pacific AAU girls basketball Ava Martin, Erica Fenyo, Ava basketball team won the AAU The team went 5-0 during the Merlino, Jayci Brumm, Delaney Pacific District Championship event, with a number of close seated, from left, De’Jeane Stine, district championship in Reno, Sam Erisman, Ilana Baer and Nevada. Ball, Natalie Westermann, Jamie in Reno over the May 3-4 week- games against a team from Utah Adams and Sydney Burnett; end. and California teams from Palo Mimi Shen. Standing, from left, The team will now repre- are Megan Sparrow, Ofa Sili, sent the Northern California/ bottom row, from left, Coach By winning, the girls qualified Alto, Redding and Modesto. Josh Brumm, Ellie Hardegree, for the Division I AAU National Paye’s Place has players from Sala Langi, Ani Uikilifi, and Northern Nevada District at coach John Paye. the 2014 AAU girls basketball Grace, Hoang, Annie Hopkins Championship this summer. Menlo School, Menlo-Atherton national tournament at the and Coach Adam Hopkins. Not ESPN Worldwide Sports Com- pictured: Riley Jensen, Hel- plex in Orlando, Florida, from ena Warner and Kaia Corona- July 2 to 5. Gelormini.
continued from previous page Delivery prices for each order are shown at checkout. Mini- go, Los Angeles, New York City, mum order amount is $10. Philadelphia and Washington, Instacart delivers from 9 a.m. to D.C. midnight every day (depending It uses a crowdsourced model on store hours). with screened and trained “per- Users can add notes to their sonal shoppers” who use their orders, such as requesting ripe- own modes of transportation ness (green banana lovers, to shop and deliver groceries to rejoice). customers. Instacart is available online at For most stores, delivery in instacart.com and as a free app under two hours costs $3.99. on iPhones and Androids. A
News of college graduates The following local stu- Valley, bachelor of science in dents recently graduated from biology. Gonzaga University, a private ■ Madeline Morey of Menlo Roman Catholic university in Park, bachelor of arts in soci- Spokane, Washington: ology. ■ Amanda Arrington of ■ Gregory Oremland of Menlo Park, bachelor of sci- Portola Valley, bachelor of ence in nursing. arts in psychology. ■ Erin Eichler of Redwood ■ Jackson Schoebel of City, cum laude, bachelor of Woodside, bachelor of busi- srts in history. ness ddministration in Busi- ■ Paul Hardy of Portola ness Administration.
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May 28, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 25 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) Council takes right step to protect privacy NEWSROOM Managing Editor Richard Hine (223-6525) merica’s distaste for government snooping into private On the national scene, in a rare exhibition of bipartisanship just News Editor matters popped up in Menlo Park last week when the City a few days ago, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 303-121 Renee Batti (223-6582) ACouncil voted 3-2 in favor of an ordinance governing how to restrict the National Security Agency’s widespread collection Lifestyles Editor data that police collect from license plate readers and surveillance of telephone records, according to a New York Times report. Jane Knoerle (223-6531) cameras can be used, and how long it may be kept. Although the bill was watered down somewhat, it still sends a Staff Writers The Menlo Park ordinance mandates that message that wholesale eavesdropping by gov- Dave Boyce (223-6527), Sandy Brundage (223-6529) license plate data, which will be stored in a EDITORIAL ernment agencies no longer gets a free pass. Contributors third-party regional intelligence database, be We believe the Menlo Park ordinance sets up The opinion of The Almanac Marjorie Mader, Barbara Wood, Kate Daly destroyed after six months unless it pertains to realistic controls that will guarantee the security Special Sections Editor an active criminal investigation or a court orders of public surveillance data collected by the police. Carol Blitzer that it be kept. Other jurisdictions typically retain the data for a We understand Chief Jonsen’s concerns that the ordinance, which Photographer Michelle Le (223-6530) year or more. The council also decided that images collected by he said no other California city has, signals a lack of trust in the DESIGN & PRODUCTION surveillance cameras must be deleted after 90 days. police department. He said the Menlo Park police department “... Design Director The ordinance also draws a firm line on the data’s use by other has never given this community any reason to feel it would use the Shannon Corey (223-6560) law enforcement agencies, which must agree to abide by Menlo information inappropriately.” The restrictions may also discourage Assistant Design Director Lili Cao Park’s regulations before being allowed access to the information. other law enforcement agencies from requesting Menlo Park’s data, Designers Linda Atilano, Rosanna Leung, They must also accept that the penalties for unauthorized use may he said, which would potentially inhibit their investigations. Paul Llewellyn, Kameron Sawyer include criminal prosecution by the district attorney, and civil But the three council members voting in favor of the tough ordi- ADVERTISING liability. Menlo Park Police Chief Robert Jonsen opposed putting nance — Ray Mueller, Rich Cline and Kirsten Keith — said trust Vice President Sales and Marketing the stipulations in an ordinance, urging the council to instead wasn’t the problem. The real issue is creating a system of checks Tom Zahiralis (223-6570) adopt a resolution, which functions more as a policy statement and balances that helps maintain local control of information Display Advertising Sales Wendy Suzuki (223-6569) instead of a law. He told the council that strict state and federal gathered about local residents. Real Estate Manager laws already safeguard the city’s information. Ms. Keith said the penal code has penalties for all types of crimes, Neal Fine (223-6583) Nevertheless, we believe that by taking this stand, the council is but that doesn’t mean that the council thinks everyone is going to Real Estate & Advertising Coordinator sending a strong message that it will retain oversight of how law commit a crime. The creation of an ordinance doesn’t imply that the Diane Martin (223-6584) enforcement uses the ever-growing number of surveillance tools council expects the police officers to break the law, she explained. Legal Advertising Alicia Santillan (223-6578) that some residents believe are slowly eroding personal privacy Fortunately, Menlo Park is not overrun with criminal activity. rights. Residents in nearby Portola Valley recently found out that Car theft, one of the crimes that license plate readers will combat, a license plate reader mounted on a speed sign on Alpine Road had is not an epidemic. These tools will augment the efficiency of the Published every Wednesday at 3525 Alameda De Las Pulgas, been in operation for nearly a week before even the Town Council police department, but that benefit must be weighed against the Menlo Park, CA 94025 found out. It was installed by the sheriff’s department, which is loss of privacy that inevitably comes with it. The new ordinance Newsroom: (650) 223-6525 under contract to provide police services to the community. strikes the right balance. A Newsroom Fax: (650) 223-7525 Advertising: (650) 854-2626 Advertising Fax: (650) 223-7570 Email news and photos with captions to: [email protected] LETTERS Email letters to: Our readers write [email protected] The Almanac, established in October 1965, is delivered each week to residents of Menlo Park, Support AA for open space Atherton, Portola Valley and Woodside and adja- cent unincorporated areas of southern San Mateo County. The Almanac is qualified by decree of the Superior Court of San Mateo County to publish Editor: public notices of a governmental and legal nature, as stated in Decree No. 147530, issued December After walking through several 21, 1969. ©2014 by Embarcadero Media Company. wonderful patches of wildflow- All rights reserved. ers last week in Montebello Subscriptions are $60 for one year and $100 for two years. Preserve, I was struck by the notion that we are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful and surprising regions of the ■ WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? world. I frequently hear comments All views must include a home address from friends who visit from and contact phone number. Published letters will also appear on the web site, out of state about what a spe- www.TheAlmanacOnline.com, and cial treasure we have. It’s easy occasionally on the Town Square forum. for those of us who live here Portola Valley Archives or grew up here to sometimes Town Square forum forget that. We’re lucky that so Our Regional Heritage Post your views on the For much of the 20th century, the Webb Ranch, the old Dennis Martin place, was adjacent to to the Burke Town Square forum at much of the land is open, pre- www.TheAlmanacOnline. served and accessible, and that Ranch and Ladera. Here, in this May 1921 photograph, Dan O’Leary, on the dark horse, has plenty of help com the community has stepped up restraining a calf on the ranch. Email your views to: to do what it can to preserve [email protected] the spots that deserve to be Stephanie Garratt is right As I look forward to my retire- intelligent judicial officer, who and note this it is a letter preserved. ment, I am confident that Com- will be a tremendous asset as a to the editor in the subject choice for bench line. That’s why I’m supporting missioner Stephanie Garratt Superior Court judge. Measure AA. We need to act Editor: will continue the legacy of my A dedicated public servant, Mail or deliver to: Editor at the Almanac, now. Once these lands are gone, I am honored that I was able to department. With nine years Stephanie Garratt has earned 3525 Alameda de las Pul- they’re gone for good. serve my community as a judge of experience on the bench as a your vote. gas, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Bob Dodge for over 24 years, first in Munici- Superior Court commissioner, Judge Craig L. Parsons Call the Viewpoint desk at Linaria Way, Portola Valley pal Court and for the past 18 she has already proven herself San Mateo County Superior 223-6507. years as a Superior Court judge. to be a fair, hardworking and Court
26 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N May 28, 2014 The Woodside School Foundation thanks our generous for supporting public education in the Woodside K-8 district.
Magnussen’s Lexus ABD Insurance & QWCooper Financial Services Sequoia Benefits Ace Relocation Systems, Inc. Susie Fox Jewelry Arcanum Architecture, Inc. Emily Joubert Freestyle Investors Lisa Rissetto, Angela G. Hensler & Co. Cardinal Education NanoDimension Fiat of Burlingame ProInsurance Kelly-Moore Paint Company Roberts Market Legacy Silicon Valley Mary & Brent Gullixson, Alain Pinel Realtors Putnam Subaru Mary Lynn Moran, M.D. Scott Kaloust, DDS, MS Village Square Veterinary Hospital W. L. Butler Construction
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28 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N May 28, 2014