Vol. XXVI, Number 59 • Friday, April 22, 2005 ■ 50¢ Check out the Weekly’s new online classifieds at fogster.com WeWeekend eEdition k l y www.PaloAltoOnline.com Taste of Bangkok Page 21 Kevin Hagen Worth A Look 15 Movie Times 17 Eating Out 21 Goings On 25 Crossword Puzzle 42 ■ Upfront Racial tensions persist after mistrial Page 3 ■ Sports Gunn pitcher just misses perfect game Page 31 ■ Home & Real Estate Behind the scenes at Stanford Section 2 pffp=fåíÉêå~íáçå~ä=a~ó `Ü~ääÉåÖÉë=áå=~=kÉï=bê~ pí~åÑçêÇ=fåëíáíìíÉ=Ñçê=fåíÉêå~íáçå~ä=píìÇáÉë cáêëí=^ååì~ä=`çåÑÉêÉåÅÉ=~åÇ=aáååÉê j~ó=SI=OMMR A full day of speeches, discussion, and interaction on critical international issues - includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Special Guests Samuel R. Berger, former National Security Advisor Hans Blix, former U.N. chief weapons inspector in Iraq Philip Zelikow, Counselor of the State Department Panel discussions on topics such as reforming United Nations, global climate change, the future of Russia, international criminal justice and peace, U.S.-European relations, our energy future, U.S. policy in Korea, and international responses to infectious diseases. Venue Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA Registration Registration fee: $250 per person. Fee includes all meals and parking. Registration is only accepted online at: http://siis.stanford.edu/siisinternationalday2005. Password: international For more information see: http://siis.stanford.edu Page 2 • Friday, April 22, 2005 • Palo Alto Weekly UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis Racial issues persist in wake of trial Asian-American leaders dismayed acquit two local Asian-American and pepper-spraying Albert Hop- ta Clara County District Attorney to police officers were themselves kins, a black resident, on the evening decide if he’ll retry the case. by stereotyping of some jurors Asian-American. of July 13, 2003. Their attorneys ar- Six of the eight jurors who voted by Bill D’Agostino “It only adds to the stereotyping, gued Hopkins, who was sitting in to convict the officers appeared to to the ‘they-and-us’ mentality,” he his parked gray Honda when they be white. One was black and the oth- fter a jury found itself unable continues to reverberate throughout said Wednesday, two days after the approached, acted threateningly and er juror’s race was unclear. Jurors to reach a verdict this week, the community. mistrial was announced. “The im- refused the officers’ commands. interviewed after the verdict report- A the criminal trial against two The Rev. William Masuda of the plicit message is, ‘They all stick to- Because the 12-member jury could edly disagreed whether the four Palo Alto police officers remains in Palo Alto Buddhist Temple was dis- gether.’ It’s not true.” not reach a unanimous verdict on the Asian-American jurors acted with limbo. However, the racial discord appointed by reports that pointedly Officers Michael Kan and Craig felony assault and misdemeanor bat- racial biases or just interpreted the surrounding the controversial cases noted the only jurors who voted to Lee were accused of unjustly beating tery charges, it’s now up to the San- (continued on page 5) LAND USE Barron Park land debate gets personal Developer files for restraining order against neighborhood leader by Jocelyn Dong drawn-out dispute over land de- velopment in Barron Park has A taken a strange turn, with alle- gations the leader of the neighborhood association asked a terminally ill man to kill the land developer. That developer, Mark Migdal, has filed for a restraining order against Doug Moran, president of the Bar- ron Park Association and a potential City Council candidate this fall. Norbert von der Groeben Migdal alleges Moran threatened his life while talking with Barron Park residents in February. Moran denies the allegation. Moran lives across the street from the three-parcel Matadero Avenue property that Migdal has tried to de- velop for four-and-a-half years. Moran’s conversation took place with Ducks deluxe the property tenants, one of whom re- A mother mallard and her baby ducks take a swim at Lake Lagunita on Stanford University campus Monday, April 18. portedly has cancer. According to police reports, the ill resident and his son were outside their as many longtime administrators re- counselor positions have been elim- property when Moran approached and SCHOOLS tire and qualified personnel decline inated because of shrinking budgets. introduced himself. During the con- to pursue such roles. The demands in Palo Alto are versation, talk turned to the proposed As budget issues continue to rise even more acute, according to local development as well as the fact that the The impossible job? and state and federal standards on residents. father is a war veteran receiving treat- School district says its harder to find qualified principals education increase, the principal’s “It’s a very educated community ment for cancer at the V.A. Hospital. by Alexandria Rocha job is no longer about “keeping the and everybody has a strong opinion of After telling the father about a back peace among students,” said Roberts. how things should be done,” said Eu- path to get to the hospital, Moran al- espite a statewide search last qualified administrator isn’t unique to School heads now have to be experts gene Lin, president of Hoover’s PTA, legedly said it would “be better if you summer, Palo Alto school dis- Palo Alto. Schools throughout the na- in areas beyond the traditional roles which recently voted to support Scott assassinated (Migdal) for us,” accord- D trict officials could not find a tion are finding a shortage of willing of principals. as the school’s permanent principal. ing to the son’s statement to the police. replacement for the departing and able applicants for such positions. Principals have to hire employees, “Everybody expects their children to The father’s recollection differed Hoover Elementary School princi- “It’s an incredibly time-consum- confer with staff, visit classrooms, excel at school, or expects the quality slightly, alleging that Moran said pal. There weren’t enough qualified ing job and I believe it eats away at talk to media outlets and — with an of education to be excellent. something to the effect of “the neigh- candidates. people,” said Marilyn Cook, the dis- increasing lack of resources — help “It’s a tough place to operate.” borhood would be better off if Migdal At the last minute, the district ap- trict’s assistant superintendent. “The PTAs raise funds. They work with In fact, Hoover wasn’t the only was assassinated.” The father said he pointed Suzanne Scott — who was expectations we have of principals demanding parents and diverse stu- school without a principal last sum- took the statement seriously, and at then teaching fourth grade at Palo far accedes a human being’s abili- dent populations, which today include mer. Both Paly and Gunn high some point that same week phoned Verde Elementary School — as the ties and consciousness.” higher numbers of English learners schools also required new leaders. Migdal, who contacted the police site’s interim principal. She may take London Roberts, a spokeswoman and children with special needs. Like Hoover, both positions were three days after the incident. the job permanently, pending a deci- for the Association of California Many work 12-hour days. filled internally. The police report gives conflicting sion next month by the school board. School Administrators, said the They are also taking on heavier Recognizing the high level of information as to whether the ill man’s The district’s problem finding a problem has reached an all-time high counseling roles, as many nurse and (continued on page 5) (continued on page 8) Palo Alto Weekly • Friday, April 22, 2005 • Page 3 Real Estate Matters WHERE TO BEGIN you see. The time agents spend 703 HIGH STREET, PALO ALTO, CA 94302 (650) 326-8210 Planning to look at homes next searching and then eliminating unsuitable properties can save you PUBLISHER weekend? Where will you begin? William S. Johnson How can you locate the perfect untold days or even weeks of your EDITORIAL ReaderWireReader comments via e-mail, voice mail and U.S. mail place without conducting an endless valuable time. Jay Thorwaldson, Editor Next time you buy a home, Marc Burkhardt, Managing Editor search? Talk to a real estate agent! Jennifer Aquino, Associate Editor None of our business for Stanford’s general use permit with contact an agent first. Let the agent Real estate professionals have Allen Clapp, Carol Blitzer, Assistant Editors I am writing regarding Mr. Nelson’s Santa Clara County, Stanford is to al- locate and show you the very best access to virtually all properties Keith Peters, Sports Editor comment about wanting to know Richard low construction of general-use trails homes for the most pleasurable Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor across its lands. currently for sale. They can show Robyn Israel, Arts & Entertainment Editor Alexander’s pay (Weekly, April 15). you a wide selection of homes that home purchase ever. One proposal is to use the existing Jackie Schoelerman is a Broker Don Kazak, Jocelyn Dong, Senior Staff Writers My response is since we do not pay suit your lifestyle and tastes. Best Bill D’Agostino, Alexandria Rocha, Staff Writers Alexander’s stipend, this question is re- paved Dish trails to the existing 280 un- of all, you won't have to spend time Associate with Alain Pinel Realtors. Norbert von der Groeben, Chief Photographer derpass. On the other side of 280, a Nicholas Wright, Staff Photographer ally irrelevant and ad hominem. But looking at properties which aren't She has degrees in both Architec- suitable trail across grassland could ture and Business Finance, with Kevin Hagen, Photo Intern how much the city workers get paid is right for you.