Living with coyotes in Almanac country page 3
THE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR MENLO PARK, ATHERTON, PORTOLA VALLEY AND WOODSIDE
APRIL 13, 2011 | VOL. 46 NO. 33 WWW.THEALMANACONLINE.COM
A Los Trancos Woods inventor has not put away his childhood imagination Section 2 apr.com
Go to open.apr.com for the Bay Area’s only complete online open home guide.
ATHERTON Chateau Carolina custom home built in 2003 on a cul-de-sac. Pool, Pool House, Tennis court, putting green, in ground trampoline, wine cellar, theater room, 4 car plus 1 car garage; vineyard; orchard; hand distressed walnut hardwood floors; Lutron lighting system; elevator; Green building technology for energy and water use. $11,500,000
WOODSIDE This unique single-story home is located on one of Woodside’s most desirable streets. Offering the bucolic setting of Woodside, the sprawling, flat acre of Atherton, and the excellent Las Lomitas School District, this home really has it all. The open floor plan lends itself to both everyday living and entertaining. $2,895,000
MENLO PARK Fabulous 5bd/3ba home on third fairway of Sharon Heights Country Club. Separate suite on lower level with its own entrance. Remodeled kitchen and baths. Great views of golf course and western hills Las Lomitas School district, close proximity to 280 and Stanford. $2,599,000
MENLO PARK OFFICE 1550 EL CAMINO REAL, SUITE 100 650.462.1111 WOODSIDE OFFICE 2930 WOODSIDE ROAD 650.529.1111
APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Marin | Sonoma | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz
2 N The Almanac N April 13, 2011 UPFRONT
LANDSCAPE - DESIGN - BUILD Living with coyotes on Midpeninsula Ken Coverdell By Kate Daly (650) 726-5990 when she was just a pup. Ms. Finch- Award Winning Since 1985 Special to the Almanac Morales said the coyote was tied www.blueskydesignsinc.com up in someone’s backyard being issing cat posters are a kept as an illegal pet. Sierra is “very Masonry-Plantings-Woodwork-Irrigation-Water Features-Drainage-Pools/Spas-Lighting common sight in some unsocialized,” afraid of dogs, and Mparts of Woodside where unfit to be released into the wild. cats disappear on a regular basis. Coyotes “are wild animals, and “We’ve lost cats to coyotes and the more wild spaces we take up, the /B/AB3=4B63>3<7
April 13, 2011 N The Almanac N 3 Learn How to Qualify for UpLearn to $4,000toReduce in EnergyEnergy RebatesUse! AttendMenloPark’s Attend Menlo Park’s FREEFREE EnergyEnergyEfficiency EfficiencyClass Class
Tuesday,Tuesday, AprilApril 19:19 7-8:30:7Ͳ8:30 pmpm Menlo ParkMenlo Library’sParkCommunity CommunityRoom, Room,800 800Alma AlmaStreet Street Learnabouthomeefficiencyimprovementsandthestaterebateprogram,EnergyUpgradeCaliforniafrom Learn about home efficiency improvements and the state rebate program, Energy Upgrade California, from energyprofessionals.Upto$4,000inrebatesareavailableperproperty!Classattendeeswillalsolearnabout energy professionals. Up to $4,000 in rebates are available per property! Class attendees will also learn about freeFREEGreen@Home Green@HomeHouseCalls HouseCallsbyActerra. by Acterra.Energy Energysaving savinggiveaways giveawaysand lightand refreshmentslight refreshmentswillbe willprovided. be provided. Preregistration Preregistrationis NOTis NOTrequired. required.For moreFor moreworkshop workshopdetails, details,contact contactLizHenton Liz Hentonwiththe withEnergy the EnergyUpgrade Upgrade CaliforniaProgramCaliforniaat (650)Program363 Ͳat1949 (650)or email363-1949[email protected] or email [email protected]. . ForFor moremore informationinformation aboutabout EnergyEnergy UpgradeUpgrade California,California, visitvisit www.energyupgradeca.orgwww.energyupgradeca.org. .
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4 N The Almanac N April 13, 2011 M ENLO PARK | ATHERTON | WOODSIDE | PORTOLA V ALLEY Budget crisis top issue in supervisor’s race By Dave Boyce ( Almanac Staff Writer ELECT ON 2011( here were light moments ( at a March 30 forum in Some minutes later, candidate TRedwood City for the six Dave Pine floated the possibil- candidates running for a seat on ity of Doughnuts with Dave. “I the Board of Supervisors for San grew up in New England. There’s Mateo County. doughnuts everywhere,” he said. Candidates in the District 1 county supervisor race are, from left, Richard Holober, Terry Nagel, Demetrios Nikas, Gina Papan, Dave Pine and Michael Stogner. “Have a bagel and vote for Much later, responding to a ques- Nagel,” said candidate Terry tion on preserving trees, he noted: Nagel, who brought raisin bagels, “My name is Pine. I’m for trees.” dates Richard Holober, Demetrios election are the county’s budget The open seat represents District in response, she said, to a request The mail-in-ballot election, Nikas, Gina Papan and Michael crisis with an anticipated deficit 1, which includes South San Fran- to all the candidates to bring food. now ongoing, extends through Stogner. All six took questions on exceeding $80 million in the next cisco, San Bruno and Hillsbor- Ms. Nagel borrowed her slogan April and ends May 3. local issues, first from a modera- fiscal year; under-funded public ough. While Atherton, Woodside, from her son’s third-grade cam- Sharing the dais at the Veterans tor and then from some of the 40 employee pensions; the plight of Menlo Park and Portola Valley paign for student government, she Memorial Senior Center with Mr. to 50 voters who attended. the county’s less fortunate; and told the Almanac. Pine and Ms. Nagel were candi- Among the big issues in the the need to create jobs. See ELECTION, page 8 Stanford hospital expansion: Menlo Park not happy with traffic mitigation measures By Sandy Brundage Almanac Staff Writer traffic passing through Menlo Park. According to the EIR, that any people think that traffic won’t have a significant an expanded Stanford impact, an assertion that troubled Mhospital will be a boon the City Council. to the community. Nevertheless, “How do we reconcile what we the project’s final environmen- see in our town, as patterns when tal impact report continues to we drive, with the report we get come under fire by Menlo Park that says there is no impact at 280 officials. and Sand Hill? Or there is a low One Stanford physician in chief impact at Alpine, and Santa Cruz told the council at its April and Sand Hill?” asked Mayor 5 meeting that the expansion Rich Cline at the April 5 meet- was critical. “Ninety-five percent ing. He added that he lives near of children seen in emergency the latter intersection. “There’s rooms are from San Mateo and no way there’s not going to be a Santa Clara counties. So it’s really significant impact.” critical for us to move ahead with Prior to the council meeting, this. We’ve run out of room,” Dr. Stanford representatives provided Hugh O’Brodovich said. additional information to address The $3.5 billion project would some of the EIR’s perceived short- Photo by Michelle Le/The Almanac bring about 1.3 million square comings — namely, the meth- feet of new development and odology used for traffic analysis. Made by hand, from the heart more than 2,200 new employees Menlo Park staff estimates traffic Menlo School junior Shuhei Nakata, left, teaches Galen Dahl, 8, how to make a paper crane at the Atherton to Palo Alto by 2025. could actually be 45 percent high- Library on April 5. Seven Menlo School students were on hand that afternoon to help children create the cranes, But it could also add an esti- er than calculated by the project’s using a craft form known as origami. The Atherton Library has joined other San Mateo County branches in the mated 10,000 new daily car trips origami project, which is raising disaster-relief funds for Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims. to the area, with 51 percent of the See TRAFFIC, page 8 Dan Ghiorso named new chief of the Woodside fire district By Dave Boyce Mr. Berger said. practice that’s been going on for at least 50 Almanac Staff Writer “I assume (the other battalion chiefs) years, said Mr. Berger, who’s been on the Dan Ghiorso, a battalion wanted him to be chief,” Mr. Berger said. board for 25 years. attalion Chief Dan Ghiorso will take chief in the Woodside Fire “That’s a fairly good assumption,” Bat- “We have within the organization great over as fire chief of the Woodside Fire Protection District, will be talion Chief Don Romero said in a phone resources who know the organization and Protection District on May 1, accord- the new fire chief as of interview. Mr. Romero has tentative plans know the people,” he said. “There’s no B May 1. A ceremony is set ing to current chief Armando Muela, who to retire within a year and would have had need to bring a stranger in.” for April 25. retires this month. An induction ceremony to move from Sacramento to take the job. The board also does not want the Wood- for Mr. Ghiorso is set for April 25. member of the district’s three-person “I think Dan will make a fine chief,” he side district to serve as a stepping stone for Mr. Ghiorso, 51, is one of five battalion board of directors. Only Mr. Ghiorso added. “He’s very interested in the job.” chiefs interested in big-city positions in chiefs in the district, four of whom were applied for the chief’s job and he was The board limited the candidate pool eligible for the job, said Peter Berger, a hired on a unanimous vote on March 28, to battalion chiefs inside the district, a See GHIORSO, page 8
April 13, 2011 N The Almanac N 5 6 NEWS Planning Your Kitchen Earth Day in Portola Valley: and Bath Remodel Worm composting workshop For homeowners wanting to learn the By Dave Boyce steps to achieve a successful remodel, these interactive workshops, taught by Almanac Staff Writer do some respectable composting. our award-winning designers, Among their preferences: fruits promise to be informative and fun! hat there are earthworms in and vegetables, including hard- Upfront planning ensures your remodeling Portola Valley is not news. to-compost corncobs. They also project is not only a positive experience, but TBut earthworms crawling welcome pancakes without syrup, a collaborative one, helping to transform your around in the lobby of Town Hall eggshells, used coffee filters, dead ideas into the home you’ve always wanted. and eating the staff’s lunch left- flowers and newspapers, includ- n Get the answers you need about budgets, overs? That is news and the worms ing the Almanac. design and space planning/guidelines, cabinet and countertop choices, color will be available for inspection They will nibble at bread, palettes, lighting, new trends and ideas for and interviews during a one-day onions, garlic, coffee grounds and flooring. composting workshop that begins banana peels (after the farm is n Learn about accessible/timeless design, at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16, at the well along), but absolutely no oils, what choices are available for a healthier We never forget it’s your home.® Earth Day fair. meats, fish or dairy, and no citrus and greener home and how to integrate Town Hall’s worm farm is an or candy, including chocolate. them into your remodel now. Beautiful, initiative by Brandi deGarmeaux, “Worm composting is a great luxurious and functional – you can have it all. n Get excited about your home remodel as Portola Valley’s environmental pro- way to transform food scraps and our designers take you through a journey of grams coordinator. Its purpose: organic waste into a nutrient rich ideas, photos, materials, and product options to demonstrate an alternative to fertilizer and concentrated soil available to transform your home today! throwing away food scraps and conditioner,” Ms. deGarmeaux other things that earthworms like, says. “Your plants, lawns, gardens, such as cardboard and paper bags. environment and of course, the Worms have eclectic tastes and worms, will all benefit from ver- Saturday, April 23rd eat half their weight in food every micompost!” Registration and light breakfast 9:15 am day, according to a reference To pre-register for the workshop, provided by Ms. deGarmeaux. call Ms. deGarmeaux at 851-1700, Workshop 9:30 am – 12:00 pm While a single worm doesn’t ext. 222, or write to her at bde- Harrell Remodeling Design Center weigh much, a few thousand can [email protected]. Catherine Mullings wins computer award Call us or go online to register today. Catherine Mullings, 17, a tory, and plans License: B479799 We will see you there! Our Design Center is 85% solar powered. junior at Sacred Heart Prepa- for post-second- ratory in Atherton, has been ary education, presented the 2011 Award for said Millie Lee, Aspirations in Computing by a spokesperson the National Center for Women for Sacred Heart and Information Technology, Schools. Bay Area Affiliate. Catherine She was one of 25 female high Catherine advanced to school recipients chosen from Mullins the national among competitors in 11 counties competition and was honored in Northern California. as a National Award finalist, Winners were chosen for their competing against 2,800 high aptitude and interest in informa- school students representing tion technology and computing, the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and leadership ability, academic his- overseas military bases.
Online. Anyplace. Anytime. 6$<+(//272 www.AlmanacNews.com Eye damage related to ultraviolet (UV) rays may not be evident until a person is much older. As a preventative measure, therefore, it is suggested that everyone wear sunglasses that block UV $'9(1785( light. Look for those labeled “100 percent UV 6XPPHU&DPS protection.” With the summer season approaching, you’ll <0&$2)6,/,&219$//(< probably be spending more time outdoors. Your eyes, like your skin, need protection from harmful &DPSVDWWKH<DUHDERXWIXQDQGHQULFKLQJDGYHQWXUHV UV rays that can cause vision problems that are OHGE\FDULQJDGXOWV.LGVGHYHORSFKDUDFWHUH[SORUH not immediately obvious. Please visit MENLO OPTICAL at 1166 University Drive, on the corner QDWXUHWU\QHZDFWLYLWLHVDQGPDNHODVWLQJIULHQGVKLSV of Oak Grove and University Drive, to browse SAVE YOUR SKIN… through our display of sunglasses with UV-ray 'D\&DPSZLWKZHHNO\¾HOGWULSV AND YOUR EYES protection. We offer both prescription and non- 7HHQ/HDGHUVKLS&DPS Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can harm prescription sunglasses. Call us at 322-3900 if you have questions about eyewear. 2YHUQLJKW&DPSLQWKH6DQWD&UX]0RXQWDLQV your eyes in the same way that they injure your skin. This insidious damage can result in P.S Glasses with photochromic lenses automat- sunburned corneas, cancer of the eyelid, and ically darken as exposure to UV light increases. /HDUQPRUH\PFDVYRUJVXPPHUFDPS increased risk of eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. However, people may Mark Schmidt is an American Board of Opticianry be lulled into a false sense of security because and National Contact Lens Examiners Certified these diseases do not develop until long after Optician licensed by the Medical Board of California. He &RQQHFWZLWK<0&$RI6LOLFRQ9DOOH\RQ )LQDQFLDODVVLVWDQFHDYDLODEOH sun-related damage occurs. In fact, they may not can be easily reached at Menlo Optical, 1166 University even be aware they have suffered any damage. Drive, Menlo Park. 650-322-3900.
6 N The Almanac N April 13, 2011 NEWS REAL ESTATE Q&A by Monica Corman Negotiating Repairs While In Contract Dear Monica: I have accepted their favor, although low inventory an offer to buy my house and the is giving sellers some bit of lever- buyers have done their inspec- age. Buyers also don’t want to use tions. Now they have presented me their own money, if they have any with quite a list of repairs, some extra, to make repairs they feel the of which seem questionable, and sellers should have made. are asking for a price reduction You can completely reject to offset them. I thought I was their requests or compromise finished with negotiating when and accept some of them. If I accepted their last counterof- the requests are reasonable you fer. Do I have to say acquiesce to should accept them if you can their demands? because it means you will be Frank K able to move on. This is the most Dear Frank: Many more buyers painful part of the process and it are asking for repairs and offsets is best not to drag it out. You will than have for a long time. This likely reach an acceptable agree- is because they can ask for these ment and if not, you can put your Compassion Weekend Photo by Carolyn Bennett things since the market is still in house back on the market. Patrick Duffek, right, hands out balloon animals to children attending the Showers of Support birthday For answers to any questions you may have on real estate, you may party in Menlo Park for the families and women of First Resort’s Godparent Program, a counseling center e-mail me at [email protected] or call 462-1111, Alain Pinel Realtors. for women. The birthday party and baby shower was hosted by Menlo Park Presbyterian Church as part I also offer a free market analysis of your property. www.MonicaCorman.com of it annual Compassion Weekend, held April 2-3. Flood Park closure hasn’t led to crime spike SPARKLES & RAVIOLI THE CLOWNS By Sandy Brundage the average 12 reported during the Almanac Staff Writer same time period in 2007, 2008, Crime in and and 2009. around Flood Park Marsh Manor! hen the county first said Out of the 26 reported crimes 30 that Flood Park might from September 2009 through 26 Whave to close perma- March 2010, there were nine 25 Wednesday, April 20 nently, residents worried about their vandalisms and seven unlicensed from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. safety as well as the loss of a popular drivers. 20 community resource. Twenty-one School holidays might be a bet- acres of empty space in the middle ter predictor of crime than park 15 Restaurant Discounts! of a neighborhood seems like a closures. “For the vandalisms, they 12 13 10 prime target for crime. were victims reporting slashed 10 However, data provided by the tires,” said police spokesperson Menlo Park Police Department Nicole Acker. “There was no sus- 5 suggests that the park, which sits pect information provided, so it between Bay Road and the Bay- would be a guess as to what hap- 0 Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. shore Freeway, has not turned into a pened. Most of them happened 2007- 2008- 2009- 2010- magnet for crime since it was closed the week of Christmas, so it could March March March March 2008 2009 2010 2011 in September to let the San Fran- have been juveniles on break.” (Closed) cisco Public Utilities Commission San Mateo County may shut install a water pipeline. down Flood Park if Menlo Park Total crime incidents The Almanac looked at the num- reported to the Menlo Park doesn’t agree to take over manage- Police Department for periods ber and type of crimes reported ment. Running the park costs the shown. Data: Menlo Park from September through March for county $205,000 per year, money Police Department. The the past four years. Crime peaked that the county can no longer park has been closed since during the months immediately afford in light of the need to cut 10 September due to work on a before the closure, with double the percent from its general fund oper- water pipeline. number of incidents compared to ating budget. A
Bakhtian and Ms. Larrosa are Two win Amelia Earhart Fellowships doctoral students in the field of Noel Bakhtian and Cecilia Lar- were awarded by local Zonta Clubs aeronautics and astronautics at rosa were honored with Zonta belonging to District 9, Area One, Stanford University. International Amelia Earhart Fel- of Zonta International. Zonta International is a global Free Animal Balloons lowships at a luncheon held Jan. 15 By awarding the fellowships, organization of executives and and at Left Bank restaurant in Menlo Zonta encourages women to enter professionals working to advance Park. The two $10,000 fellowships aerospace-related fields. Both Ms. the status of women. Free Face Painting