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

JULY 31, 2020 | VOL. 55 NO. 37 WWW.ALMANACNEWS.COM Head of Menlo Church steps down over ‘poor judgment’ Community outcry after revelation that pastor knew of son’s attraction to children, but still let him work with youth By Kate Bradshaw church for 17 years, was put on a Almanac Staff Writer leave of absence this winter, and later reinstated. On Wednesday ohn Ortberg, the senior pas- morning, the church announced tor of Menlo Church, is step- that its governing board unani- Jping down from his role at mously accepted Ortberg’s resig- the evangelical Presbyterian nation, according to a statement church that sits prominently in on the church’s website. downtown Menlo Park, follow- His last day will be Sunday, Aug. ing community 2, when he is expected to address outcry after the the congregation. church’s board Ortberg’s “poor judgment has learned that he resulted in pain and broken trust had allowed his among many parents, youth vol- son to continue unteers and staff” and he “needs to work with to focus on healing and reconcili- youth for more ation within his own family,” the than a year after Pastor church’s board stated. learning that John Ortberg After an initial investigation he was sexually that was criticized as inadequate, attracted to children. Menlo Church announced earlier Menlo Church attracts about this month it would launch a sup- 6,000 weekly congregants across plemental investigation, although six Bay Area campuses, and it has yet to hire an outside firm to on its website brands itself as a conduct it. family-friendly faith community, The church board plans to but it faced a reckoning as details hire an interim pastor to serve emerged regarding troubling rev- in a transitional role during the Sammy Dallal elations in late 2019 and early Menlo Church is looking for a new leader after revelations about Senior Pastor John Ortberg’s son 2020. Ortberg, who has led the See MENLO CHURCH, page 17 rocked the community. San Mateo County joins state’s COVID-19 watchlist Gyms, salons and other nonessential services may be forced to close Saturday

By Tyler Callister order means the following would positive cases per 100,000. the list for 14 days. social gatherings without suf- Almanac Staff Writer have to cease operation: gyms and “If the county exceeds the state’s “We’ve been anticipating being ficient physical distancing and fitness centers; places of worship case rate threshold for three con- added to the monitoring list as wearing of facial coverings, as well or weeks, San Mateo Coun- and cultural ceremonies, such as secutive days, certain industries our case rate hovers above the as higher exposure for residents ty has been the only Bay weddings and funerals; offices for and activities will be required to state’s target,” said San Mateo performing work that involves FArea county to evade the businesses not in essential service cease operations unless they can County Manager Mike Callagy person-to-person contact and state’s coronavirus watchlist, sectors; personal care services, be modified to operate outside in the county press release. “It’s crowded housing conditions that but on Wednesday it joined the like nail salons and body waxing; or by pick-up,” the county said clear that COVID-19 continues make home isolation difficult.” crowd. hair salons and barbershops; and Wednesday. to spread in our community As of July 28, San Mateo The July 29 announcement by shopping malls. County officials said they did and in the Bay Area. It’s vital County had a coronavirus case county officials saying San Mateo The county also said that shops not expect that the local case rate that we all do everything we total of 5,306, with a peak num- County is joining California’s that offer tattoos, piercings and would decrease after three days, can — wearing face cover- ber of cases in a single day at watchlist means that a wide range electrolysis may not be operated and that they “urge businesses ings, washing our hands, and nearly 140 on July 20, according of businesses and activities may outdoors and therefore would and the community to prepare avoiding gatherings — to slow to the San Mateo County health be forced to shut down starting have to close. now for the additional restric- and eventually stop the spread. department’s coronavirus data Aug. 1 if the county remains on Among other criteria, the tions” expected to be imposed These individual actions can dashboard. the list for three consecutive days, state’s threshold for inclusion Saturday, Aug. 1. make a huge difference.” “The state has not offered unless they can be modified to on the watchlist is a COVID-19 Gov. Gavin Newsom The California Department guidelines for when restrictions operate outside or by pickup. Visit case rate of 100 per 100,000 of announced July 17 that public of Public Health addresses San might be lifted,” county officials almanacnews.com for the latest the population. The county’s schools on the state’s corona- Mateo County on its website, said in the July 29 press release. A information. case rate as of July 29, based on a virus watchlist cannot open saying it “sees roots of com- Email Tyler Callister at According to the county, this 14-day rolling average, was 110.4 campuses until they’ve been off munity transmission related to [email protected]

INSIDE VIEWPOINT 22 | FOOD 23 | ARTS 24

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2QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 638 MIDDLEFIELD ROAD 2140 SANTA CRUZ AVENUE, D107 PALO ALTO MENLO PARK

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July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ3 EMBARCADERO MEDIA AND YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE (YCS) PRESENT “Youth Rising Up: Can Gen Z Lead on Social Change?” A conversation with young adults on racial justice, protest and advocacy.

Thursday, August 6 • 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Presented virtually on Zoom Registration required at EmbarcaderoMediaGroup.com/youth-forum

PANELISTS MODERATOR

Shown above from top left after attending De Anza College and studying Julie Lythcott-Haims communications following high school. Was a Ayinde Bomar Olukotun speaker at Palo Alto’s Juneteenth event. Former corporate lawyer, former Stanford dean 2020 graduate of Menlo School and incoming of freshmen and undergraduate advising, Hele’ine Grewe freshman at Pomona College, where he will be and bestselling author of the anti-helicopter studying Public Policy. One of the organizers of Rising senior at Menlo Atherton High School; parenting manifesto “How to Raise an Adult.” the Palo Alto Community Protest on June 6th. daughter of a Black father and Tongan mother and Her second book is the award-winning prose active in various social justice and environmental Divya Ganesan poetry memoir “Real American,” which campaigns and organizations. Raised in East Palo illustrates her experience as a Black and biracial Rising senior at Castilleja School and former Alto and the eldest of four children. Works part person in white spaces. A third book, “Your Turn: president of the Palo Alto Youth Council. Co- time as a Census worker and a graphic designer. How to Be an Adult,” will be published in April founder of Real Talk, a student-led group engaging Makayla Miller 2021. BA from Stanford, JD from Harvard, and high schoolers in civil discourse and engagement. MFA in Writing from California College of the Spearheaded a #2020ready campaign to engage 2020 graduate of Palo Alto High School and Arts. Serves on the boards of Foundation for Palo Alto youth voters. currently a student at Louisiana State University. Organizer and speaker at Palo Alto’s Juneteenth a College Education, Global Citizen Year, and Cleo Goodwin march and Menlo Park’s Black LGBTQIA Lives Common Sense Media. 2018 Gunn High School graduate. Transferring Matter rally and march. Former president of Black to North Carolina Central for the upcoming year Scholars United at Paly.

ONLINE

4QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 Local News

M ENLO PARK | ATHERTON | WOODSIDE | PORTOLA V ALLEY

Airbnb, short-term rental hosts to start paying hotel taxes

By Kate Bradshaw Menlo Park, and average nightly Almanac Staff Writer rates fluctuated between $211 and $254. cross Menlo Park, poten- Several council members dis- tially hundreds of housing cussed concerns that short-term Aunits are used as short- rental operators are likely seeing term rentals, yet only a small revenues drop during the pan- portion are registered and pay the demic, and argued that now is not city’s 12% hotel tax, according to a good time to start enforcing a tax data collected by the city. that hasn’t been enforced before. The Menlo Park City Council “For me this issue is not if, it’s voted unanimously on July 28 to just when,” said Councilman Ray move forward with a plan to hire Mueller. a third-party vendor to create Councilwoman Catherine Carl- Magali Gauthier Woodside Elementary a database and notify all of the ton initially opposed the mea- will announce its back-to-school decision Aug. 7. Portola Valley’s school short-term rental housing opera- sure, raising concerns that some board decided to start the school year with distance learning. tors in the city about the ordi- households rely on the income nance that requires them to pay from short-term rentals and that the city’s 12% transient occupancy the tax could drive up prices and More local elementary students tax, also know as a hotel tax. send visitors to stay in neighbor- The council also agreed to delay ing communities instead, but ulti- will go back to school online enforcement of the ordinance mately agreed when the enforce- until January 2021. ment date was pushed back. Portola Valley is latest district to opt for distance learning, While the city’s hotel tax ordi- Currently, though, the few peo- others will decide in coming week nance applies to all housing units ple who are following the rules rented for less than 30 days, and paying their taxes are the By Tyler Callister At the high school level, the school districts are doing the enforcement has usually been ones most adversely affected by Almanac Staff Writer answer from the Sequoia Union same thing. directed toward hotels. Under the the city’s hotel tax ordinance, and High School District at a July 21 The Portola Valley School Dis- city’s ordinance, operators of other that should be remedied, Vice ver since the coronavi- board meeting was no. Students trict, at a school board meeting types of short-term housing rent- Mayor Drew Combs said. rus crisis forced all San will learn virtually, through July 24, became the next domino als are supposed to register with Councilwoman Betsy Nash and EMateo County schools to Zoom and other tech tools, the to fall in a series of Midpenin- the city and then report and remit Mayor Cecilia Taylor also favored close back in mid-March, one district said, for at least the first sula school districts announcing taxes quarterly, according to staff. the step and pushed to avoid addi- question has plagued students, quarter of the fall semester. their students will start the new However, in Menlo Park, only tional delays. parents, and teachers alike: Will Now, with rising coronavirus school year from home, with 12 homes and four corporate lease Airbnb also has a program students come back to campus case numbers in San Mateo companies are registered and where it makes agreements with in the fall? County, many local elementary See ELEMENTARY, page 6 voluntarily remitting taxes to the governments to collect and remit city, according to staff. local taxes on behalf of hosts, Hotel taxes usually go into the collecting them from guests at city’s general fund. The city’s the time they book their stays, Atherton VC sentenced in college Housing Commission had rec- according to its website. While ommended that the revenue be Airbnb has such agreements in set aside to support affordable Redwood City, Palo Alto and admissions scam housing activities specifically, but Mountain View, among many the council didn’t decide how it other California cities, according Judge orders Manuel Henriquez to serve six months in prison might spend the new revenues to its website, the company was By Jamey Padojino an additional charge of conspira- Foundation. Oftentimes, parents Tuesday, or the logistics of how not able to immediately commit cy to commit money laundering, worked with Singer to have test the ordinance will be enforced in to a similar agreement in Menlo anuel Henriquez, the according to the U.S. Attorney’s proctors correct their student’s the new year. Park, according to Coffman, former CEO of a Palo Office. He founded Hercules answers on the SAT or ACT col- The closest estimate to the true who told the council she had MAlto-based venture cap- Capital and stepped down as CEO lege entrance exams. number of short-term rental units recently spoken with company ital firm, was sentenced Wednes- when federal indictments in the In June 2015, Henriquez paid on the market comes from a web- representatives. day to six months in prison for college admissions scandal were Singer to have a third party cor- site called AirDNA, which is not However, that program doesn’t paying more than $500,000 in a announced in March 2019. rect his older daughter’s answers entirely accurate, said Rhonda provide the same level of data that national admissions scam that The indictments claimed the on SAT II subject tests and four Coffman, deputy community working with an outside compli- involved more than 50 parents, parents paid large sums of money months later on a SAT exam, development director. In some ance management service might, sports staff and test proctors, fed- to education consultant Rick according to the U.S. Attorney’s instances, housing units may be she said. Having clearer data eral prosecutors said. He helped Singer, who used the funds to Office. duplicated if they are marketed about the short-term rental mar- his daughters get admitted to col- bribe universities into guaran- Henriquez continued seeking on multiple sites, and unincor- ket in Menlo Park could also set lege by ensuring they did well on teeing their children admission, Singer’s services for his youngest porated Menlo Park data is not the city up to tackle larger ques- college entrance exams five times. mostly as athletic recruits despite daughter three times between separated out, she said. tions about short-term rentals, Atherton resident Henriquez, the applicants having little to 2016 and 2017 by paying for a However, according to that data such as whether they’re impacting 56, pleaded guilty last year to a no experience in the sport. The third party to correct tests she source, looking at the last two housing availability, Coffman charge of conspiracy to commit funds were disguised as dona- took in Los Angeles and Houston, quarters of 2019, there were any- said. A mail and wire fraud and honest tions to Singer’s fake nonprofit where between 396 and 524 short- ADMISSIONS SCAM, Email Kate Bradshaw at services mail and wire fraud, plus organization, The Key Worldwide See page 12 term rental units on the market in [email protected]

July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ5 NEWS Established 1965 Atherton: Three candidates vying for two spots Serving Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, in upcoming City Council election and Woodside for over 50 years By Tyler Callister nomination papers and were zoning standards for residen- decision to close the Atherton Almanac Staff Writer deemed qualified as of July 28, tial developments, but which train station. “The main benefit NEWSROOM meaning the county has verified failed to pass the state Senate in Atherton residents have said Editor his November, there will at least 20 signatures on their January. they want is the townwide quiet Andrea Gemmet (223-6537) be some competition for a nomination forms. “While SB 50 itself is dead, the zone,” she said. “Right now, Assistant Editors seat on the Atherton City In 2019, David and fellow legislature could always bring Caltrain can use its horns south- Julia Brown (223-6531) T Council. After three uncon- Park and Recreation Commit- back another SB 50-like bill to bound right after the Fair Oaks Heather Zimmerman (223-6515) tested elections since 2012, this tee member John Davey made override the town’s zoning to Lane rail crossing and north- Staff Writers year there are two openings waves when they both resigned place high rise apartment build- bound until it passes Watkins.” Kate Bradshaw (223-6536) and so far, three candidates are from their committee positions ings within a mile to half mile David is an independent mar- Tyler Callister (223-6588) Angela Swartz (223-6529) running. in protest of a City Council deci- of the train station,” she said. keting consultant with experi- The 2020 race includes two sion to turn down the building “When this bill failed to pass, ence working at local tech start- Contributors Kate Daly, Maggie Mah incumbents, Vice Mayor Eliza- of a new off-leash dog park near the legislature created nine oth- ups and public relations firms Special Sections Editor beth Lewis (12 years on the Holbrook-Palmer Park. David er state bills to replace it. This and has lived in Atherton for 16 Linda Taaffe (223-6511) council) and Councilman Cary and Davey had been longtime issue has the greatest potential years. Chief Visual Journalist Wiest (8 years on the council). advocates of the dog park. to change the very character of Suber said that there’s still Magali Gauthier (223-6530) The challenger is Christine In an email, David suggested our town and cities and towns time for more interested candi- David, a former Park and Recre- one of her main policy priorities like it across California.” dates to file nomination papers. DESIGN & PRODUCTION ation Committee vice chair and would be zoning standards that David also said she is con- The deadline for the Nov. 3 elec- Design and Production Manager longtime Atherton resident. affect the landscape of the town. cerned about noise levels in tion is Friday, Aug. 7. A Kristin Brown (223-6562) Atherton City Clerk Antho- In particular, she referenced Atherton and the need for a Email Tyler Callister at Designers Linda Atilano, Amy Levine, ny Suber confirmed that all Senate Bill 50, a divisive hous- “quiet zone,” suggesting her [email protected] Paul Llewellyn, Doug Young three candidates have taken out ing bill that would have relaxed approval of the town’s recent

ADVERTISING Vice President Sales and Marketing ELEMENTARY Even if students did go back to Elementary — have announced parents on Friday, August 7.” Tom Zahiralis (223-6570) continued from page 5 campus in the fall, there’s no plans, a handful of local schools Superintendent Steve Frank Display Advertising Sales question that school would look haven’t committed yet. did not respond to requests (223-6570) 100% online classes. very different. Menlo Park City, Woodside for further comment by The Real Estate Manager “We believe we have a defensi- For one, many elementary Elementary, and Las Lomitas Almanac’s press deadline on Neal Fine (223-6583) ble plan for on-campus learning, students will have to wear masks: Elementary school districts have Wednesday. Legal Advertising however there are factors beyond The state’s order requires face yet to confirm whether they will Meanwhile, Las Lomitas Ele- Alicia Santillan (223-6578) our control,” Superintendent masks for third graders and follow other districts’ lead. mentary School District is set to Roberta Zarea told the school above, and strongly recommends Menlo Park City School Dis- discuss the issue of virtual learn- ADVERTISING SERVICES board. them for kindergarten through trict’s board discussed a draft ing at its Aug. 5 board meeting, Advertising Services Manager Zarea cited rising cases in San second graders. of its virtual learning plan at its according to Superintendent Beth Kevin Legarda (223-6597) Mateo County — a total of 5,306 School staff will also be meeting July 23. The board will Polito. “LLESD currently has a Sales & Production Coordinators cases as of July 28 — and a lack of required to keep 6 feet of distance make a final decision at its July full, five-day in-person program Diane Martin (223-6584), testing infrastructure as reasons from students, while students 30 meeting, Superintendent Erik planned for fall,” Polito said in an Nico Navarrete (223-6582) for the district’s decision to keep should maintain 6 feet from Burmeister said in a presentation email. “However with the county The Almanac is published students and staff home. one another “as practicable,” to the board. on the precipice of being added to every Friday at Before Portola Valley School according to California Depart- According to the Woodside the Monitoring List, we will have 3525 Alameda De Las Pulgas, District, two other local schools ment of Public Health rules. Elementary School District to revisit that at our August 5th Menlo Park, CA 94025 had already made the same Schools would also be required to website, information about the Board meeting.” A Q Newsroom: (650) 223-6525 choice: Belle Haven Elemen- check students’ temperatures and 2020-2021 school year reopen- Newsroom Fax: (650) 223-7525 Email Tyler Callister at tary in Menlo Park and Selby symptoms daily. ing “will be communicated to Q Email news and photos with captions [email protected] to: [email protected] Lane Elementary in Atherton Many elementary schools in the have both announced plans district have presented “hybrid” Q Email letters to: CRIME BRIEFS [email protected] to start school with virtual models in the event of school learning. openings, meaning students Q Advertising: (650) 854-2626 Atherton burglary Advertising Fax: (650) 223-7570 The flurry of announcements would be on a split schedule — A Gresham Lane homeowner scared off a burglar on July 28, Q Classified Advertising: (650) 854-0858 comes as school districts have half online, half on-campus. been scrambling to respond to Atherton police reported. Around 2:30 a.m., noise coming from Q Submit Obituaries: the master bathroom woke up the homeowner, who saw that a AlmanacNews.com/obituaries recent health orders from the Some districts still in flux state. window in the bedroom was open and the screen removed, police The Almanac (ISSN 1097-3095 and USPS 459370) is published every Friday by Embarcadero On July 17, California’s 1,037 While districts across the said in a statement. After the homeowner banged on the door to Media, 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, the bathroom, the burglary suspect fled through the bathroom CA 94025-6558. Periodicals Postage Paid at school districts saw a major Midpeninsula — including Palo Menlo Park, CA and at additional mailing offices. announcement from Gov. Gavin Alto Unified, Redwood City window. Adjudicated a newspaper of general circulation Police said the burglar escaped with a wallet containing $96 for San Mateo County, The Almanac is delivered Newsom about the fall semester: Elementary and Ravenswood free to homes in Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Schools in counties on the state’s and had apparently used a patio chair to climb into the bedroom Valley and Woodside. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Almanac, 3525 Alameda coronavirus watchlist must be window. There is no suspect description and the incident is under de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6558. off the list for 14 days before OBITUARIES investigation. Copyright ©2020 by Embarcadero Media, All rights reserved. Reproduction without opening. —Andrea Gemmet permission is strictly prohibited. San Mateo County had been A list of local residents

The Almanac is qualified by decree of the the only Bay Area county to who died recently: Minor injuries in crash Superior Court of San Mateo County to publish stay off the state’s watchlist until Grace Elise Vilez Butch- A vehicle heading north on Interstate 280 in Woodside crashed public notices of a governmental and legal nature, as stated in Decree No. 147530, issued Wednesday. er, 89, a Menlo Park resi- into the center divider Saturday afternoon, then careened across November 9, 1969. Subscriptions are $60 Zarea said July 24 that district dent, died on July 9. Phyllis for one year and $100 for two years. Go to all northbound lanes before going over the right shoulder guard- AlmanacNews.com/circulation. officials felt they should commit Bird Roth, 90, a teacher rail and down a 25-foot embankment, according to a California to virtual learning if school clo- and longtime Atherton Highway Patrol spokesperson. To request free delivery, or stop delivery, resident, died on July 26. of The Almanac in zip code 94025, 94027, sures are inevitable. “Deciding The accident was reported at 4:10 p.m. The CHP says that the 94028 and the Woodside portion of now gives parents time to plan To read full obituaries, vehicle came to rest on the embankment between Interstate 280 94062, call 854-2626. for fall rather than at the last leave remembrances and and Canada Road, which parallels the freeway. minute,” she said. post photos, go to Lasting One person suffered minor injuries in the crash and was trans- Districts are also preparing Memories at almanacnews. ported to Stanford University Medical Center for treatment. for how to potentially reopen. com/obituaries. —Bay City News Service

6QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 NEWS

Housing, finance, and bicycle New faces join Portola Valley council race and pedestrian safety are among the issues “where I’ve developed Councilwoman Ann Wengert decides not to seek reelection expertise and interest,” she said. Wengert added that she hopes By Julia Brown management, according to her a state requirement so it’s not if, it’s most recently last year. that there will not be council Almanac Assistant Editor LinkedIn profile. when and how,” she said. “I hope Reached by phone Wednesday, candidates campaigning around Wernikoff has three children — if I have the opportunity to serve Wengert said she had been weigh- a single issue, and that whoever riving down Alpine Road a son starting college in the fall, a we can find the right path forward ing whether to run again for over takes her place will offer a new on her first visit to Portola daughter heading into her junior that fits the rural character and a year and that it came down to perspective. She also hopes the DValley was a moment that year at Woodside High School the intent of the general plan.” “length of service.” council continues to work on has stayed with Sarah Wernikoff and another son going into eighth She said she does not have an “It felt like a natural time for me addressing the town’s housing over a decade later. grade at Menlo School — and has opinion on the town’s recent to step down,” she said, adding shortage. “The first time we came down served as a community volunteer work to engage residents on racial that the pandemic “wasn’t really a “While we’ve had an ethos of Alpine Road I was instantly in love in the Portola Valley School Dis- equality and policing or the Stan- factor” in her decision. wanting to preserve our local with Portola Valley,” said Wer- trict, fulfilling a number of roles ford Wedge project, a plan initi- Looking back on her tenure, culture and I agree with that, it nikoff, who grew up in Chicago including parent-teacher orga- ated by Stanford University to Wengert says much has changed requires a modification and and moved to the Bay Area with nization president, foundation build faculty homes and afford- since she joined the council. Back growth that allows for reason- her husband in the late ‘90s before trustee and member of the Mea- able rental units on property it then the council dealt with much able change,” she said. “Now is settling in Portola Valley 14 years sure Z Leadership Committee. owns along Alpine Road. more localized issues, and now the time, and now we can’t delay ago. “We were definitely automati- She credits her daughter, who “Our town could clearly ben- “we have a much greater role in any further because the need is cally attracted to the rural nature, has Down syndrome, with inspir- efit from more diversity,” she said regional representation,” she said, critical.” A but we knew we needed a really ing her to get more active in the when asked about the council’s noting her participation in the Email Julia Brown at strong community and school community. race and policing subcommittee. Select Committee on aircraft noise [email protected] district, and we made the right “My advocacy and civic mind- Wernikoff has a bachelor’s issues and county committees. decision.” edness turned on from my work degree in international relations Wernikoff says it’s her love with the school district,” she said. from Miami University and an COMMUNITY BRIEF and appreciation for the town “She was the only kiddo with MBA from the George Washing- that’s the driving factor behind Down syndrome the entire time ton University School of Business. her decision to run for a seat on we went through (the district). I Her campaign website is sarahfor- County tops 5,000 coronavirus cases the Portola Valley Town Council. benefited from their partnership pvtowncouncil.org. San Mateo County reported 89 new cases of COVID-19 on She is the first to qualify for the with me and our family in terms Tuesday, bringing the county’s total to 5,306. No new deaths were reported, keeping the death toll at 118. Seventy people are November ballot and has already of helping us assure the best out- Ann Wengert racked up a list of endorsements, comes for her.” hospitalized as of Tuesday. including from all current coun- Wernikoff also joined the Councilwoman Ann Wengert, Long-term care facilities have 552 reported cases as of July cil members and former and LuMind IDSC Down Syndrome who joined the Portola Valley 22, the latest date for which data is available. No new cases have current elected officials such Foundation shortly after it was council in 2007, issued a state- been reported out of long-term care facilities in the county since as former Mayor Jon Silver and founded and was there for 12 ment after she decided not to seek July 13. Assemblyman Marc Berman. years, including three years as reelection. The facilities, which make up about 6% of the county’s total, Mary Hufty, a retired Palo Alto board chair. “Thank you to all I have had have seen its case total rise by single digits since June 2, indicat- Medical Foundation family phy- “I dealt with having to hire two the pleasure to meet and work ing a slowdown in the spread of COVID-19 in those spaces. sician who has served on town different executive directors ... and with over these 17 years of public Santa Clara County reported 259 new cases of the coronavirus committees, has pulled papers we had board members across service,” she said. “I am excited to on Wednesday, bringing the total to 9,612. Two more people and confirmed her candidacy via the country who didn’t really embrace new opportunities and have died of the disease, raising the county’s death toll to 187. email Tuesday. (An article about know each other,” she recalled. challenges, and to continue my Of the 185 people hospitalized in the county due to COV- Hufty’s candidacy is planned for “I learned there are always going exploration of all this area has to ID-19, 29 patients are new. Another 25 patients are under the Aug. 7 edition.) to be difficult issues you have offer.” investigation for the virus. The seven-day average of hospital- Ann Wengert, who has served to navigate, and you need to be Wengert was appointed to the ized COVID-19 patients has more than doubled over the past on the council for 13 years, is thoughtful and balanced and a council after running unopposed month, from 2.96% on June 29 to 7.4% on July 28. not running for reelection, she good listener.” and served as mayor three times, —Embarcadero Media staff confirmed in a statement Tues- She said the decision to run for day. Mayor Jeff Aalfs told The office now was “super spontane- Almanac he has decided to run for ous” and not based on any par- reelection, but has not yet pulled ticular issues or platform. papers, according to the San “I am not getting involved over Mateo County Elections Office an issue — I am doing it because candidate roster. we live in a special place and this Although this is her first time is the kind of work I like to do,” running for public office, Wer- Wernikoff said. nikoff is no stranger to politics. She said it’s fair to say she’s not She recently worked nearly two looking to shake things up from years as the chief of operations how they’ve been run, saying she for Close the Gap California, a respects the town’s general plan Let us take the stress of running errands off your plate. Palo-Alto based organization that and considers it the “backbone We have a large team of caregivers ready to travel throughout the Bay Area. CareIndeed recruits women to run for office and guidepost for what you’re The Heart of Home Care. and helps them launch their cam- using to make decisions.” At the CI-GO Offers: paigns. Its goal is to increase the same time, she said the town ERRANDS TO RUN? percentage of women in the state should be “evolving in a way that Grocery Dry LEAN ON US! Legislature from 33% to 50%. respects the intent of the general shopping Cleaning Wernikoff also spent the last plan.” All Your Essentials Delivered eight months working as the cam- Wernikoff anticipates some of Safely to Your Front Door Medication Mail paign manager for state Senate the major issues on the council in Pick Ups Services District 15 candidate Ann Ravel, the years to come include housing which helped influence her own and wildfire preparedness. Asked decision to run for office. about balancing the interests of Our top priority is the safety of you, your loved ones, “That was an incredible oppor- building more housing to meet and our community. We’re Here to Help! tunity and I learned a tremen- state mandates and retaining Order online and get 10% dous amount and find the work the rural character of the town, Call us today at (650) 352-4007 or [email protected] to find out more off your first service really interesting,” she said. she said, “My hope is you can do about our program! Promo code: CAREINDEED Her background is in man- both.” agement of nonprofit organiza- “The town clearly needs to www.careindeed.com https://info.careindeed.com/ci-go tions and e-commerce general address the housing issue and it’s

July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ7 NEWS Portola Valley considers buying 3 acres from equestrian center By Julia Brown who said he could not elaborate for comment before The Alma- of the 12-acre equestrain center the Goodsteins had to reduce the Almanac Assistant Editor beyond the information provided nac’s Wednesday press deadline. property and later 3 adjoining number of horses from 84 to 40, on the agenda. The closed-session The parcel under discussion, acres to use as public open space, and move the riding ring back he Portola Valley Town agenda item was a conference one of four lots on the property, is now known as Spring Down beside the stables. Council on July 22 held a between real property negotiators just under 3 acres and is the only Open Space. According to an In 2009 the Woodside-area Tclosed-session discussion and Goodstein Family Partners one owned by Goodstein, accord- October 2000 Almanac article, Horse Owners Association gave on the possible town acquisition Lp with “transfer of property to ing to the San Mateo County Stanley and Carol Goodstein sold Carol Goodstein its Hall of Fame of a parcel at 725 Portola Road, the town ownership” under negotia- Assessor’s Office. the front two lots of their property award. In a post on its website, current location of Spring Down tion. Carol Goodstein is listed as The center, which has operated to the town at below market value the association notes, “There are Equestrian Center. the owner of the center on its in Portola Valley since 1984, abuts and in exchange were allowed many kids that grew up at Spring Nothing was reported out website. the Portola Valley Town Center to use the land for horse shows Down who successfully went on of closed session, according to Spring Down Equestrian Center complex at 765 Portola Road. In and equestrian training for a Town Manager Jeremy Dennis, officials did not return requests 2000, the town purchased 3 acres decade. As a result of the sale, See SPRING DOWN, page 19 Panel discussion to be held on Generation Z and racial justice Aug. 6 conversation will be moderated by former Stanford dean

Embarcadero Media staff and Makayla Miller. The free, also spearheaded a #2020ready father and Tongan mother, Grewe of the anti-helicopter parent- public event is being presented by campaign to engage Palo Alto has been active in various social ing manifesto “How to Raise ive young adults who’ve Embarcadero Media and Youth youth voters. justice and environmental cam- an Adult.” Her second book is led recent efforts to bring Community Service (YCS). Goodwin graduated from paigns and organizations. Raised the award-winning prose poetry Fabout social change along Olukotun, a 2020 graduate of Gunn High School in 2018 and in East Palo Alto, she is the eldest memoir “Real American,” which the Midpeninsula will share their Menlo School, was one of the was a speaker at Palo Alto’s June- of four children. illustrates her experience as a perspectives on racial justice organizers of the Palo Alto Com- teenth rally and march in down- Makayla Miller, a recent gradu- Black and biracial person in white and advocacy in a virtual panel munity Protest on June 6. An town Palo Alto. After attending ate of Palo Alto High School, spaces. A third book, “Your Turn: discussion on Thursday, Aug. 6, incoming freshman at Pomona De Anza College and studying co-organized and spoke at Palo How to Be an Adult,” will be pub- from 7 to 8:30 p.m. College, he will be studying public communications, Goodwin will Alto’s Juneteenth march and lished in April 2021. She serves Moderated by former Stanford policy. be transferring to North Carolina Menlo Park’s Black LGBTQIA on the boards of Foundation for a University Dean of Freshmen and Ganesan is a rising senior at Central for the upcoming aca- Lives Matter rally and march. College Education, Global Citizen Undergraduate Advising, Julie Castilleja School and former demic year. The former president of Black Year and Common Sense Media. Lythcott-Haims, “Youth Rising president of the Palo Alto Youth Hele’ine Grewe is a rising senior Scholars United at Paly, she’s cur- Registration is required to Up: Can Gen Z Lead on Social Council. She co-founded Real at Menlo-Atherton High School rently a student at Louisiana State attend the event, which will Change?” will feature Ayinde Talk, a student-led group engag- who also works part-time for University. be hosted on Zoom. Go to Bomar Olukotun, Divya Ganesan, ing high school students in civil the U.S. Census and as a graphic Lythcott-Haims is a former EmbarcaderoMediaGroup.com/ Cleo Goodwin, Hele’ine Grewe discourse and engagement, and designer. The daughter of a Black corporate lawyer and author youth-forum to reserve a spot. A

Thank you to our staff, donors, and volunteers for having served more than 135,000 meals!

In response to COVID-19, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula now offers community dinners every weeknight at our Redwood City and EPA Clubhouses. We currently offer 2,200+ to-go meals each night across both sites. Partner with BGCP to continue serving our community. www.bgcp.org/donate

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula is to provide the low-income youth of our community with the opportunities they need to achieve school success. We part- ner with families, schools, and school districts to provide our students with expanded learning opportunities through after school, summer, and school day programming.

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July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ11 NEWS

ADMISSIONS SCAM community service while under Town Square to test limiting comments continued from page 5 two years of supervised release and to pay a $200,000 fine. to registered users prosecutors said. Prosecutors had requested The Atherton resident also Henriquez be sentenced to five By Almanac staff in meaningful discussion on others, make repetitive com- paid $400,000 to help his daugh- months in prison (a reduction Town Square, we know that ments and side-track discus- ter become a tennis recruit at from an earlier petition of 18 tarting Aug. 1, participa- there are many others who sions,” Johnson said. “With Georgetown University despite months); two years of super- tion in The Almanac’s stay away because they view an expected highly-charged her having no competitive experi- vised release; 250 hours of com- Spopular Town Square it as an inhospitable place too election season ahead of us, it ence in the sport, the U.S. Attor- munity service; and a $150,000 reader forum will be limited often dominated by rude post- seemed like the right time to ney’s Office said. fine. to those who register on the ers who belittle others and implement new requirements.” In a July 21 letter to Gorton, In a July 22 sentencing memo- site with their name and email their motives,” Johnson said. Becoming a registered user Henriquez expressed “regrets, randum, prosecutors stated that address. “Town Square wasn’t intended requires a person to register shame, sorrow and remorse” for Henriquez and his wife, Elizabeth The change is an experiment as a place exclusively for the their name and email address his actions. “I never imagined Henriquez, conspired with Singer to determine if requiring regis- thick-skinned.” with AlmanacNews.com. being called a ‘common thief,’ but to cheat on the exams five times, tration will lead to a more wel- “The actions of these prob- Although posters are encour- here I stand before you, humili- the most instances compared coming environment for those lematic posters have demanded aged to use their name when ated and destroyed. to other parents involved in the interested in respectful discus- increasing amounts of our they post comments, they may “I fully realize and acknowledge scam. sions of local issues, according staff’s time to moderate, edit choose to use a screen name that what I have done was wrong, On Jan. 27, 2019, less than two to Publisher Bill Johnson. and sometimes delete dis- instead. But the registration illegal, unfair and hurtful, espe- months before they were indicted, “In spite of the large numbers respectful comments that requirement will create some cially to the many honest college Singer visited the couple’s home, of people who enjoy engaging seem intended to antagonize accountability and a way for applicant students and parents,” where Manuel Henriquez verified or manipulate public opin- Almanac moderators to contact Henriquez wote. “I am ashamed that Singer helped them cheat on ion with false or misleading the poster. of my actions of putting myself the tests and worked to cover up LLEHUAEHUA GGREENMANREENMAN information.” “There is no perfect way to and family over all the children the fraud. Johnson said that the volume weed out posters who are hell- and parents who played by the Elizabeth Henriquez was sen- of commenting has soared since bent on being snarky or disre- rules.” tenced on March 31 to seven “Thank You the shelter-in-place orders were spectful,” Johnson said. “But at In admitting to his wrongdo- months in prison, two years of and made in mid-March, fueled by a time when emotions are high ings, Henriquez also said los- supervised release, 300 hours Bless You deep divisions over the han- and so much polarization exists ing control over his company of community service and a dling of the pandemic response in politics, we hope this step was “like losing my third child, $200,000 fine. Healthcare and, more recently, on protests will move Town Square closer and I lost that along with my Manuel Henriquez is the Workers and advocacy relating to racial to a place where constructive professional reputation and 28th parent who pleaded guilty Everywhere!”y injustice and police reform. dialogue and debate can occur.” integrity.” and the 20th parent sentenced “We are constantly evaluat- Almanac readers will be In addition to the prison sen- in the scandal, according to ing how to make Town Square asked to help evaluate the reg- tence, U.S. District Court Judge prosecutors. A 650.245.1845 a safer place for all posters and istration requirement after the Nathaniel Gorton ordered Hen- Email Jamey Padojino at A to keep out those who attack Nov. 3 election. riquez to perform 200 hours of [email protected]

OUR WORK CONTINUES... FOR OUR NEIGHBORS DURING THE Peninsula COVID-19 CRISIS. NEIGHBORS LIKE THE STROUDS.

Anna and Lee Stroud live in a mobile home park in East Palo Alto. And they love it. According to Anna, “This has always been a family oriented mobile home park. We have good neighbors here.” Lee, a retired systems analyst, has been disabled since 1995. Due to mobility issues, he had trouble climbing the stairs to his front porch. That’s where RTP came in. We built a new set of wider stairs with lower risers that make it easier for Lee to navigate. The couple is grateful for the help they’ve received. “It’s been a great place to live and RTP made it better!” Become a

Every neighbor has a story to tell. Stories like the Stroud’s are possible because of caring people like you. Please help us continue our work by donating today. To learn more visit www.rtpeninsula.org or call (650) 366-6597.

12QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ13 14QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ15 OUR COMEBACK DEPENDS ON ALL OF US

HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19. From visiting friends and family to dining out at a restaurant, remember to wash your hands, wear a face covering, and practice social distancing. Together we can get back to enjoying everyday life safely.

Learn more at smcgov.org

16QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 NEWS

MENLO CHURCH service that covers religion children each Sunday, according But Ortberg was found to have publicly identified his brother as continued from page 1 throughout the United States, to a church document by ministry “exhibited poor judgment that the unnamed volunteer on Twit- reported that, according to the leader John Garrison. was inconsistent with his respon- ter. Lavery told The Almanac that search for a new senior pastor, church’s elders, the initial inves- The church board also said sibilities as senior pastor,” Seabolt his primary goal was to make according to the statement, and tigator did not interview any it would, with guidance from said at the time. sure there would be a robust in the interim, Eugene Lee will parents whose children had con- experts, conduct a full audit of its Ortberg, who has served as investigation. continue as executive pastor. The tact with the pastor’s son, any child and youth safety practices, senior pastor since 2004, accord- “I don’t believe you can inves- congregation pushed back its other volunteers who worked with which will be regularly audited. ing to the church website, tigate 16 years in a month and a annual congregational meeting him, or any outside group where acknowledged in a July 6 state- half,” Lavery said. several weeks to Aug. 30, during he worked with kids. And in What happened ment to the church community In the aftermath of Lavery’s which some board seats will be up interviews with church staff, the that it was his younger son who announcement, church members for election. interviewer did not ask specific Last November, Menlo Church was the volunteer in question and raised questions over the thor- The board — known as an Elder questions about his conduct. Hol- publicly announced a series apologized for not taking action oughness of the investigation and Board — has nine members, and liday confirmed this information of actions in response to what to stop him from working with what confidence the faith com- with the senior pastor, leads the to be accurate with The Almanac. church leaders determined to children. munity could have in its findings. church community. When the The scope of the church’s ini- be “poor judgment” by Ortberg “When my son first spoke to “We understand our initial board was alerted last November tial investigation was to learn if when he permitted “a person me, I should have immediately investigation could have gone fur- to concerns about Ortberg’s deci- the pastor had received a con- serving in the church commu- asked our church Elders for coun- ther and included specific exper- sion to permit his younger son fession from his youngest son nity” who admitted an “unwanted sel and I should have exerted my tise in child safety and sex abuse to keep working with children, that he struggled with unwanted thought pattern of attraction to full influence to ensure that he did issues, and it could have been it promptly hired the law firm thoughts about children, failed to minors” to continue to work with not volunteer again at any event informed by conversations with Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass prevent his son from volunteer- children for about 16 months with kids and youth,” he wrote in a wider group of people,” states a LLP to conduct an investiga- ing and failed to inform anyone after disclosing that information, his statement. July 11 online message to church- tion, which ran from Novem- at the church; and to determine according to a Jan. 21 statement After the son told his parents goers from the Menlo Church ber through early January, after whether his son engaged in any from the church’s Elder Board. about his attraction to children, Elders. “Based on the feedback which the pastor was reinstated. misconduct, and whether there The pastor did not respond to a he also continued to work with we’ve received, we are initiat- Statements from Menlo Church were any specific allegations or request for an interview or com- high school students as an Ulti- ing a supplemental independent at the time identified him only information about possible mis- ment. In his resignation letter, mate Frisbee coach. As of June investigation into concerns raised as a youth volunteer, and not as conduct while he volunteered at Ortberg acknowledged his error 2019, he was listed as the coach of about the volunteer.” Ortberg’s son. the church, according to a July and his “regret for not having Gunn High School in Palo Alto’s But in late June, Danny Lavery, 29 statement from the church served our church with better Ultimate Frisbee team, Gunn Parishioners push the pastor’s older son, publicly responding to questions it had judgment. Extensive conversa- Control. He stopped coaching the revealed on Twitter that he had received. tions I had with my youngest son Gunn Control team in November for transparency called on the church to conduct The investigation involved gave no evidence of risk of harm. 2019 after sending a note to team The Almanac spoke with the investigation, and that it was speaking to “relevant student and ... However, for my part, I did not members saying he had stepped several former parishioners who his younger brother who had children’s ministry leaders going balance my responsibilities as a down because of a family crisis, are parents following the son’s revealed his interest in children, back to 2008, each of whom was father with my responsibilities as Religion News Service reported. identity being released. Several and Lavery who “Given the brev- asked to disclose any informa- a leader.” He was also listed as a coach for said they wanted the church to dig ity of the investigation,” he said tion about which they were aware Lavery initially contacted the the Bay Area’s Red Dawn team in deeper to see if he was responsible on Twitter, made his initial letter involving any allegations of mis- church’s Elder Board on Nov. 21, the 2019 U.S. Open Club Champi- for any misconduct while working to the church public in order to conduct by any leader or volun- 2019, to report that his brother onships Under-20 division. with children, and others urged push for a more robust, thorough teer,” according to the statement. had disclosed to him that he had He was a coach for about five the church to be more transpar- inquiry. Kelly Morehead, who attended sexual and/or romantic attrac- years, according to the Ortberg’s ent with how it is conducting its To date, the younger Ortberg the church for many years, whose tions toward children and young spokesperson. supplemental investigation. Some son has not been accused, arrested children participated in youth teens, according to email cor- After the investigation, the called for Ortberg to step down. or convicted of any misconduct, programs, and who recently vol- respondence Lavery shared on a church announced it had put Ruth Hutchins, a church mem- according to a spokesperson for unteered as a leader for young website dedicated to the matter. Ortberg on a “restoration plan,” ber and parent who has been the family who asked not to women, told HuffPost that she Lavery said he told the board a faith-based process in which chronicling the church’s state- be named. The Almanac’s own was not contacted during the that his brother said that he had he worked with the church’s staff ments to parishioners and writ- investigation also failed to turn up initial investigation. disclosed the same information and board members to rebuild ing her opinions about them on any police reports or accusations. As alleged omissions in the 16 months prior, in July 2018, to trust. He was reinstated as senior her personal blog, gave her own The younger son was removed initial investigation became pub- his parents, John and Nancy Ort- pastor on Jan. 24, and returned suggestions on how the church from his volunteer role immedi- lic, the church’s Elder Board berg. Since then, Lavery said, his to the pulpit the week of March should have handled the situation: ately after the Elder Board learned announced on July 11 that it father had allowed his brother to 7, as previously reported in The “If your son attended the Menlo of Lavery’s initial concerns and would launch a supplemental continue to work, unsupervised, Almanac. Park middle school or high school church staff has put “safeguards investigation; form a new com- with youth at Menlo Church. During a March 8 sermon, Ort- youth program over the past 10 in place” to prevent any future mittee with church elders, staff, The younger son volunteered berg said he had had 80 meetings years, and if his group leader was volunteer involvement by him, parents and volunteers to provide with the church for several with individuals or small groups someone close to John Ortberg, according to Heather Holliday, oversight over the investigation; years, on and off, until mid-2019, to listen to the church commu- I think the church owes you senior director of marketing and and conduct a full audit of “poli- according to the spokesperson for nity’s input. communications at the church. cies, practices and training related the Ortberg family. Then, on June 28, Lavery See MENLO CHURCH, page 19 But the revelation of the son’s to child and youth safety” that Lavery said he also raised identity raised questions among would be led by an expert, inde- concerns that his brother had some members of the church’s pendent outside organization. traveled a number of times on faith community about the ade- The policies will be audited regu- mission trips to Mexico where quacy of the initial investigation. larly, the board announced. he may have been with children To start, the pastor’s younger The church announced July 29 unsupervised. According to the son, who Lavery said was 30 that the supplemental investiga- Ortberg’s spokesperson, the travel years old in his November 2019 tion is moving forward and that was supervised. statement to the church, was not it was in the process of creat- The day after Lavery went to the asked to be interviewed during ing an “Investigative Advisory Elder Board, on Nov. 22, church AmiCare To advertise, the investigation, according to the Committee” with staff, volunteer, elders suspended Pastor Ortberg. SERVICES INCORPORATED call 650.223.6597 family’s spokesperson. parent, elder and denomination And by Nov. 24, the board had Quality and affordable or email digitalads@ He “believes that his work with representatives to vet and recom- retained an independent investi- caregiving services paweekly.com. right at the comfort of the church has helped the com- mend a new firm with expertise gator, Fred W. Alvarez, whose bio your home. munity in many ways, and he has in child safety and sexual abuse to says he specializes in employment always acted and behaved with lead the investigation into the pas- law, to look into the matter. CALL FOR A FREE NURSE the highest levels of responsibility tor’s son’s involvement in Menlo The investigator did not find ASSESSMENT and commitment,” the Ortberg’s Church or church-sponsored any misconduct in the Menlo Sign up today at spokesperson said in an email. activities involving minors. Church community, board chair (650) 709-8900 AlmanacNews.com/ Religion News Service, The church’s youth program Beth Seabolt reported in a Janu- express a respected 86-year-old news works with more than 1,000 ary statement to the church.

July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ17 Virtual Open House and By Appointment | Saturday & Sunday | –Ú““
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49 LOWERY DRIVE, ATHERTON Scan with your camera to join the Virtual Open House or Call us to schedule an In-Person Showing

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GLORIA DARKE CAITLIN DARKE ™˜“à–››à›——œ ™˜“à–››à›——œ [email protected] [email protected] may be made without notice. No statement No statement may be made without notice. Compass is the brand name used for services provided by on by provided services for name used Compass is the brand _WKObpOM
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18QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 NEWS

MENLO CHURCH son) worked, but also (his son).” during a pandemic — in-person Public Notices continued from page 17 Mountain View resident Mad- services are on hold — it has been eleine Lux, who attended the difficult to interview a larger 995 Fictitious Name secured by the property to be sold and answers. Menlo Church should church for about a year and a half number of parishioners. reasonable estimated costs, expenses have given you a copy of their in 2017 and 2018, said before the Anyone in the Menlo Church Statement and advances at the time of the initial VANADA ROAD COACHING & CONSULTING publication of this Notice of Trustee’s Sale investigation report. In fact, you July 29 announcement that she community who wishes to report FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT is estimated to be $195,156.79 (Estimated). should have been interviewed,” would like to see Ortberg fired abuse or misconduct can con- File No.: 284679 However, prepayment premiums, accrued she wrote on her blog. and for members of the church’s tact the church’s Elder Board by The following person (persons) is (are) interest and advances will increase this doing business as: figure prior to sale. Beneficiary’s bid at Morehead, the church parent board to turn over. “What they email at [email protected] or Vanada Road Coaching & Consulting, said sale may include all or part of said and volunteer who said she was did was neglectful and harmful contact a campus pastor. People located at 75 El Vanada Road, Redwood amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee City, CA 94062, San Mateo County. will accept a cashier’s check drawn on a not contacted during the initial to the community,” she said. should also contact law enforce- Registered owner(s): state or national bank, a check drawn by investigation, told The Almanac Tiger Bachler, an Atherton ment if appropriate, said Holliday, MARY M. SCHMIDT that church volunteers have rules resident who was married at the the church spokesperson. 75 El Vanada Road a state or federal credit union or a check Redwood City, CA 94062 drawn by a state or federal savings and they are expected to follow while church, volunteered regularly The church board released a This business is conducted by: An loan association, savings association or working with youth. Volunteers with youth and baptized her chil- document providing additional Individual. savings bank specified in Section 5102 undergo background checks, dren there, but hasn’t attended answers to parishioner questions The registrant commenced to transact of the California Financial Code and business under the fictitious business authorized to do business in California, or provide personal references and regularly for a number of years, on July 29, which is available name(s) listed above on July 1, 2020 (N/A). other such funds as may be acceptable to attend regular training, she said. also called for a supplemental online at is.gd/menloquestions. A This statement was filed with the County the Trustee. In the event tender other than They are taught about being a investigation and said that Ort- Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold Email Kate Bradshaw at July 14, 2020. the issuance of the Trustee’s Deed Upon mandated reporter and said there berg should resign or be fired. “It [email protected] (ALM July 31; Aug. 7, 14, 21, 2020) Sale until funds become available to the are rules in place for the type of seems so clear to me that what he THE ALMANAC payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The physical contact volunteers are did was wrong,” she said. “The ALMANACNEWS.COM property offered for sale excludes all funds FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT held on account by the property receiver, permitted with children — side children are the most vulnerable Editor’s note: The Almanac File No.: 284753 if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to hugs are OK, front-to-front hugs of his flock and he failed them.” has chosen not to name Pastor The following person (persons) is (are) convey title for any reason, the successful are not. Volunteers are trained to The Almanac has attempted to doing business as: bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall John Ortberg’s son in this story 1.) The Almanac, 2.) Almanacnews.com, be the return of monies paid to the Trustee be supportive and to be involved reach church community mem- because our reporting has not located at 3525 Alameda De Las Pulgas, and the successful bidder shall have in children’s lives by attending bers who may feel differently, but uncovered any accusation of Menlo Park, CA 94025, San Mateo County. no further recourse. Notice to Potential sports games or performances. due to the size of the congregation Registered owner(s): Bidders If you are considering bidding on improper or criminal behavior. EMBARCADERO MEDIA this property lien, you should understand Many work with the same cohort and the constraints of reporting 450 Cambridge Ave. that there are risks involved in bidding at Palo Alto, CA 94306 of students through middle and a Trustee auction. You will be bidding on a California high school. This business is conducted by: A lien, not on the property itself. Placing the Morehead said she wants the Corporation. highest bid at a Trustee auction does not church to take responsibility and The registrant commenced to transact automatically entitle you to free and clear business under the fictitious business ownership of the property. You should also say, “’This was a horrible violation name(s) listed above on 02/15/2009. be aware that the lien being auctioned off of trust on the part of the church This statement was filed with the County may be a junior lien. If you are the highest Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County on bidder at the auction, you are or may be by John. We are going to make July 22, 2020. responsible for paying off all liens senior sure this absolutely never happens (ALM July 31; Aug. 7, 14, 21, 2020) to the lien being auctioned off, before again.’” 997 All Other Legals you can receive clear title to the property. “If you substitute school for You are encouraged to investigate the APN: 061-382-270-3467 TS No: existence, priority, and size of outstanding church, principal for pastor, and CA01000329-19-1 TO No: 95312671 liens that may exist on this property by school board for elder board, NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE YOU ARE contacting the county recorder’s office or there would be no room for IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST a title insurance company, either of which DATED March 17, 2008. UNLESS YOU TAKE may charge you a fee for this information. debate,” she said. “I’ve tried to ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, If you consult either of these resources, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF put myself in John’s position, and you should be aware that the same Lender YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE may hold more than one mortgage or what I don’t understand is how he NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST could continue to put at risk not YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. Deed of Trust on the property. Notice to On August 21, 2020 at 01:00 PM, At the Property Owner The sale date shown on only the children with whom (his Marshall Street entrance to the Hall of this Notice of Sale may be postponed Justice and Records, 400 County Center, one or more times by the Mortgagee, SPRING DOWN Redwood City CA 94063, Special Default Beneficiary, Trustee, or a court, pursuant to Services, Inc., as the duly Appointed Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. continued from page 8 Trustee, under and pursuant to the power The law requires that information about of sale contained in that certain Deed Trustee Sale postponements be made to ride on the A circuit, or had a of Trust Recorded on March 26, 2008 as available to you and to the public, as a Instrument No. 2008-032502 of official courtesy to those not present at the sale. family of their own who are now records in the Office of the Recorder of If you wish to learn whether your sale date back riding at the barn. ... Spring San Mateo County, California, executed by has been postponed, and, if applicable, the Down has been a safe haven for Alexander Gabovich and Natalie Gabovich, rescheduled time and date for the sale of husband and wife, as Community Property this property, you may call In Source Logic riders young and not so young.” with rights of survivorship,, as Trustor(s), AT 702-659-7766 for information regarding in favor of David R. Hall and Doranne M. It’s not clear what the equestrian the Special Default Services, Inc. or visit Fleury, Husband and Wife, as Joint Tenants the Internet Web site address listed below center parcel would be used for if as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC the town acquired it. ZOOM AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in for information regarding the sale of this A council-formed committee lawful money of the United States, all property, using the file number assigned payable at the time of sale, that certain to this case, CA01000329-19. Information convened last year to research property situated in said County, California about postponements that are very short using town-owned property for describing the land therein as: AS MORE in duration or that occur close in time to FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST the scheduled sale may not immediately affordable housing — including LIKE A PRO The property heretofore described is being be reflected in the telephone information a small plot at the south end of sold “as is”. The street address and other or on the Internet Web site. The best way the Town Center property. It common designation, if any, of the real to verify postponement information is to narrowed down the choices to property described above is purported to attend the scheduled sale. Date: July 14, be: 1070 Pine St., Menlo Park, CA 94025. 2020 Special Default Services, Inc. TS No. four sites out of more than 30 Senior Planet’s free classes help The undersigned Trustee disclaims any CA01000329-19 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, that the town owns and found liability for any incorrectness of the street CA 92614 (949) 225-5945 TDD: 866-660- that those properties had draw- [QWWUG

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ACADEMICS ARTS, CULTURE, OTHER CAMPS ATHLETICS Early Learning Palo Alto Castilleja Summer Camp Kim Grant Tennis Palo Alto Institute Pleasanton for Girls Palo Alto Palo Alto Summer Camps Monterey Bay Improve your student’s writing skills this summer at Emerson Castilleja Summer Camp for Girls Palo Alto Casti Camp offers Fun and specialized Junior Camps for Mini (3-5), Beginner, School of Palo Alto and Hacienda School of Pleasanton. Courses girls entering grades 2-6 a range of age-appropriate activities Intermediate, Advanced, High Performance and Elite tennis this year are Expository Writing, Creative Writing and Presentation including athletics, art, science, computers, writing, crafts, cooking, levels. Weekly programs designed by Kim Grant to improve Skills. drama and music classes each day along with weekly field trips. player technique, fitness, agility, mental toughness and all headsup.org Emerson: (650) 424-1267 Leadership program available for girls entering grades 7-9. around game. Weekly camps in Palo Alto and Sleep-Away Camps Hacienda: (925) 485-5750 castilleja.org/summercamp (650) 470-7833 in Monterey Bay. SO MUCH FUN! KimGrantTennis.com Text: (650) 690-0678 Harker Summer Programs San Jose Community School of Music Mountain View Call: (650) 752-8061 The Harker School’s summer programs for children K - grade 12 Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) Mountain View offer the perfect balance of learning and fun! Programs are led by 50+ creative camps for grades K-12! Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Nike Tennis Camps Stanford University dedicated faculty and staff who are experts at combining summer Sculpture, Musical Theater, Summer Music Workshops and Junior Overnight and Day Camps for boys & girls, ages 9-18 offered fun and learning. Strong academics and inspiring enrichment more! One and two-week sessions; full and half-day enrollment. throughout June, July and August. Adult Weekend Clinics (June & Extended care from 8:30am-5:30pm. Financial aid offered. programs are offered in full day, partial and morning only sessions. Aug). Camps directed by Head Men’s Coach, Paul Goldstein, Head harker.org/summer (408) 553-5737 arts4all.org (650) 917-6800 ext. 0 Women’s Coach, Lele Forood, and Associate Men’s and Women’s Coaches, Brandon Coupe and Frankie Brennan. Come join the fun i2 Camp at Castilleja School Palo Alto Let’s Go Crafting Palo Alto Let’s Go Crafting’s Studio is where your child will have fun while and get better this summer! i2 Camp offers week-long immersion programs that engage learning many different fiber related arts. We teach sewing, ussportscamps.com (800) NIKE-CAMP middle school girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering knitting, crochet, weaving and jewelry making to children ages (800) 645-3226 and math (STEM). The fun and intimate hands-on activities 8 to 15 years. AM or PM camps $275/week. Full day camps $550/ of the courses strive to excite and inspire participants about week. 5 student minimum for all sessions; 10 student maximum. Run for Fun Camps Bay Area STEM, creating enthusiasm that will hopefully spill over to their letsgocrafting.org (650) 814-4183 Run for Fun’s mission is to provide creative and engaging play for schoolwork and school choices in future years. all youth by getting kids active in an inclusive community centered castilleja.org/i2camp (650) 470-7833 Oshman Family JCC Camps Palo Alto around outdoor fun! We pride ourselves on hiring an enthusiastic, Camps at the OFJCC introduce your child to new experiences highly trained staff who love what they do. Summer 2020 features STANFORD EXPLORE: A Lecture Series while creating friendships in a fun and safe environment. We four weeks of Adventure Day Camp and two weeks of Overnight on Biomedical Research Stanford work to build confidence, stretch imaginations and teach new Camp High Five. Adventure Day Camp is a new discovery every EXPLORE biomedical science at Stanford. Stanford EXPLORE skills. day filled with sports, crafts and nature, including explorations to offers high school students the unique opportunity to learn from paloaltojcc.org/Camps (650) 223-8622 Camp Jones Gulch, Capitola Beach, Foothills Park, Shoreline Lake Stanford professors and graduate students about diverse topics Palo Alto Community and Great America. Camp High Five is six days and five nights in biomedical science, including bioengineering, neurobiology, of traditional overnight camp mixed with challenge-by-choice immunology and many others. Child Care (PACCC) Palo Alto PACCC summer camps offer campers, grades 1st to 6th, a wide activities, campfires, friendships and lots of laughter. explore.stanford.edu [email protected] variety of engaging opportunities. We are excited to announce runforfuncamps.com/summer-camps-and-school- Summer@Stratford Palo Alto/Bay Area all of your returning favorites: Leaders in Training (L.I.T.), Camp holiday-camps/camp-overview (650) 823-5167 YOUnique, F.A.M.E. (Fine Arts, Music and Entertainment), J.V. Stratford infuses its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Spartans Sports Camp Mountain View Arts, and Math) curriculum into an innovative and enriching Sports, Operation: Chef and Chef Jr.! Periodic field trips, special Spartans Sports Camp offers a wide variety of sports, performing summer camp experience. Younger campers learn, explore, and visitors and many engaging camp activities, songs and skits round out the variety of offerings at PACCC Summer Camps. arts, and academic enrichment camps for kids entering grades engage in hands-on learning projects, while Elementary-age Open to campers from all communities. Register online. 1-9. Experienced staff ensures everyone has fun. Daily on-site students collaborate to tackle real-world problems by utilizing swimming is offered for all camps. The camp is run by MVHS academic principles and concepts in a fun and engaging way. At paccc.org (650) 493-2361 coaches and student-athletes and all proceeds benefit the MVHS the Middle School level, individual subject-based enrichment ATHLETICS Athletic Department. Lunch and extended care are available for classes are offered and tailored for each grade level. your convenience. Flexible cancellation policies. stratfordschools.com/summer Dance Connection Palo Alto Palo Alto spartanssportscamp.com (650) 479-5906 [email protected] (650) 493-1141 Share the joy of dance with us! Our studio is an extended family and a “home away from home” for our community of children YMCA of Silicon Valley and teens. At Dance Connection, we value the positive energy ARTS, CULTURE, OTHER CAMPS Summer Camps Silicon Valley and atmosphere that we continuously strive to provide. Summer Art and Soul Camp Palo Alto Dance Camps include all styles of dance for ages 4 and up and At the Y, children and teens of all abilities acquire new skills, make Art, cooking, tinkering, yoga and mindfulness. We celebrate features our new “This is Me!” Empowerment Camp along with friends, and feel that they belong. With hundreds of Summer Day multiple perspectives and recognize the many ways for our children Teen Jazz and Hip Hop Camps. Camps plus Overnight Camps, you will find a camp that’s right for to interpret their world. Summer Unplugged! is appropriate for danceconnectionpaloalto.com/dance-connection- your family. Sign up today, camps are filling up! Financial assistance ages 6-11 years. Located at Walter Hays School. event-calendar/summer-dance-camps is available. artandsoulpa.com (650) 269-0423 (650) 852-0418 or (650) 322-7032 ymcasv.org/summercamp (408) 351-6473

20QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 ?E8Y8BY>=B8C4Y
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July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ21 Viewpoint IDEAS, THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ABOUT LOCAL ISSUESISSUES Stepping back from the brink Five steps that the U.S. can take to reduce the risk of nuclear war

By Judy Adams and Richard Duda GUEST OPINION should have the power to start a nuclear actually make us less safe. Neither we war. nor our adversaries can afford to engage n May 26, Menlo Park Mayor 3. Take ICBMs off hair-trigger alert: in an arms race when we have to con- Cecilia Taylor joined Los Ange- idealistic and unrealistic — perhaps This is a legacy of a bygone day and front the challenges of pandemics, eco- Oles, Santa Barbara, and 44 other even dangerously naive. But, these pro- fears of a devastating first strike. With nomic upheaval, climate change, health U.S. cities and signed a proclamation posed steps could dramatically reduce more than 1,000 nuclear warheads care and huge budget deficits. endorsing a call to reduce the risk of the chances of blundering into a catas- hidden on submarine-based missiles, 5. Actively pursue a verifiable agree- nuclear war. Entitled the “Back From trophe. How problematic are they? ment to eliminate nuclear arsenals: The Brink Call to Prevent Nuclear 1. No first use: Our nation’s official This is admittedly the hardest of the War,” the proclamation asks our nuclear policy is that the highest five steps — but there are reasons for nation’s federal government to lead a priority is to deter potential adver- No single individual should hope. One is the 1968 Non-Proliferation global effort to prevent nuclear war by saries from mounting an attack of have the power to start a Treaty (NPT), under which the total taking five concrete steps: any kind — nuclear or non-nuclear. number of nuclear weapons came down 1.Renounce the option of using But the United States has unmatched nuclear war. from more than 70,000 to around 14,000 nuclear weapons first. conventional military power, and can today. Another is the Treaty on the Pro- 2. End the president’s unchecked defend against any non-nuclear attack. we now have ample time to respond to hibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), authority to launch a nuclear A simple “no-first-use” policy would an attack, or to warnings of an attack. which, though not signed by the U.S., attack. maintain deterrence capability while The risk of false alarms can be greatly was passed by the UN General Assembly 3. Take U.S. intercontinental bal- significantly reducing the danger that reduced simply by taking our land- in 2017. listic missiles (ICBMs) off hair- a conflict could rapidly escalate out of based ICBMs off hair-trigger alert. Or We will not get to a world free of trigger alert. control, or that a false alarm could trig- better yet — as advocated by former nuclear weapons overnight. But an arms 4. Cancel the plan to replace our ger a nuclear war. Secretary of Defense William Perry — race has no winners, only losers. Taylor entire nuclear arsenal with 2. Limiting the president: Currently, by completely eliminating them. has taken a step toward reducing the enhanced weapons. no one can lawfully prevent the presi- 4. Cancel nuclear modernization: The nuclear danger by endorsing The Call, 5. Actively pursue a verifiable dent from ordering a nuclear attack. current plans call for developing new and deserves our thanks. Add your voice agreement among nuclear-armed This outdated Cold War era policy is warheads and new delivery systems at by writing a letter or sending an email to states to eliminate their nuclear extraordinarily dangerous and unnec- a staggering cost — at least $2 trillion Taylor, your representative in Congress, arsenals. essary. During the Obama administra- over the next 30 years. In their new and to our senators saying that you too To people concerned about nuclear tion, Congressman Ted Lieu and Sen. book “The Button,” Perry and his co- recognize and support the Back From war, most of these steps seem to be just Ed Markey proposed legislation for author Tom Collina argue that spend- The Brink Call. Every step counts. common sense — perhaps even insuffi- much less dangerous command-and- ing on this vast scale would not only Judy Adams and Richard Duda are ciently ambitious. To others, they seem control policy. No single individual be a colossal waste of money but would Menlo Park residents.

to send militarized troops into even when you lose. If you have wildland fire protection, repair- of top corporations would finally LETTERS American cities over the objec- ever thought of participating in ing our highways, resolving our pay their fair share. Our readers write tions of the mayor and the gover- action, now is the time. All that is water crisis, building high speed Simply put, we can’t afford nor means something. It is a dress needed for evil to triumph is for mass transit to get people to corporate tax loopholes at the rehearsal for keeping Trump in good men to do nothing. affordable housing, and address- expense of our schools and local Now is the time to act power no matter what. Gail Sredanovic ing runaway public pension fund services anymore. As a longtime At Saturday’s Wall of Moms Thousands of duly registered Ashton Avenue, Menlo Park costs. resident of Mountain View, this rally in Palo Alto, I considered voters have been purged from Ed Kahl change is vital to our schools and what it means when an American the rolls, polling places have High-speed rail isn’t high Woodside Road, Woodside the health and development of president gloats to see the mayor been removed to make it nearly priority our community. Please vote in of an American city tear-gassed. impossible to vote, unfounded Close corporate tax November for this very reason- It means that these stormtroops According to a letter in The fears about the legitimacy of a loopholes able and just proposition. are not coming to protect us but mail-in vote are being inflamed. Almanac from two state senators Margaret Davidson to threaten us. Wasting resources Now the equivalent of a private (“Guest opinion: Recognize the Although we’re fortunate Mountain View in the time of a pandemic in order army shows how to stay in power progress of high-speed rail proj- to have Gov. Newsom and all ect,” July 17), there is “progress” those on the frontlines leading on the high-speed rail infra- us through the COVID crisis, What’s on structure project from Modesto we must continue to face other to Bakersfield. They characterize important issues as well. your mind? the $20 billion spending as a test The Schools & Communities From City Hall politics and Employment of the high-speed rail. First initiative, now Proposition the schools to transportation There is simply no need to 15 on the November ballot, gar- and other pressing issues, spend hundreds of billions on a nered a record 1.7 million signa- the Almanac aims to keep high-speed rail system when one tures of support. It would close readers informed about their community. But we also The Almanac offers advertising can fly to Los Angeles in an hour corporate property tax loopholes want to hear from you. for far less than a high-speed rail to bring back $12 billion locally for Employment, as well as train ticket. No one knows if a for our schools, essential work- Tell us what’s on your mind by sending your letters to Home and Business Services. tunnel can even be built through ers, and critical local services [email protected]. the fault-riddled Tehachapi while protecting homeowners Or snail-mail them to: The If you wish to learn more about Mountains, let alone what it and renters, small businesses, Almanac, 450 Cambridge would cost. Finally, high-speed and agriculture. What’s more, Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306. these advertising options, rail would require huge annual research has shown that only 10% Letters should be no please call 650.223.6582 or email subsidies due to low ridership. of the biggest, wealthiest com- longer than 300 words. Other higher priority proj- mercial and industrial properties Questions? Email editor@ [email protected]. ects include spending on under- would generate 92% of the new AlmanacNews.com, or performing schools, increasing revenue — meaning a fraction call 650-223-6537.

22QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 Food&Drink

A new gelato shop, plans for a Thai restaurant and the departure of a Palo Alto favorite

By Elena Kadvany everything — including curry meals Saengsawang would cook paste and oyster sauce — from in Thailand for the entire family. espite the hardships of scratch. He recalled taking early Saengsawang said his restau- the pandemic, plans morning motorcycle trips with rant sales dropped to 40% the are in the works to open them to local produce markets. first two weeks of the pandemic D Elena Kadvany Farmhouse Kitchen, a After moving to the United shutdown. With the shift toward Sweet Orchid, a gelato and pastry shop, opened recently in Menlo Thai restaurant, in a big Menlo States to attend City College of takeout, he told his team that Park’s Allied Arts neighborhood. Park location, and a new outpost San Francisco in his early 20s, they had to think of it as open- of Sweet Orchid gelato shop just Saengsawang started working in ing a brand new business geared Leslie Wong opened the Fremont the country, the impact of the opened its doors on El Camino restaurants to make ends meet. toward to-go. They created new shop in 2009, inspired by gelato COVID-19 virus and the subse- Real. At Palo Alto’s Town & He rose up from dishwasher to menu items, including a D.I.Y. she had tried in Rome, Italy. quent shelter-in-place orders have Country shopping center, May- line cook and eventually opened a pad thai kit and the “mini Lao The Fremont location serves reduced revenues to an unsus- field Bakery & Cafe has closed Japanese restaurant in San Mateo, table,” a chef’s choice meal set for more than 60 flavors of gelato tainable level,” Tim Stannard, down for good. Read more about which he later sold before open- two to three people that includes that change daily, from almond founding partner of Bacchus the latest news from the Midpen- ing Farmhouse Kitchen. numerous dishes and drinks. and lavender to durian, lychee Management Group, which owns insula dining scene. Saengsawang now runs five Farmhouse Kitchen also now and chocolate-cayenne. There Mayfield, said in a statement. “I restaurants, including one in sells a kit with the ingredients to are also gelato buns (a scoop of would like to share a heartfelt Farmhouse Kitchen Portland, Oregon. make the restaurant’s blue rice, gelato inside a flat, warm bun), thank you to all of our team The Menlo Park Farmhouse which gets its color from anchan, gelato sandwiches, gelato cakes members, as well as our loyal Farmhouse Kitchen, a San Kitchen will serve the same menu or butterfly pea flower. Saeng- and gelato milkshakes. guests, for 11 wonderful years.” Francisco-born string of Thai as the San Francisco original sawang recorded home cooking Sweet Orchid also makes sorbet Signs announcing the clo- restaurants, is opening its new- but with more “formal” service, videos, posted to the Farmhouse and a variety of baked goods, sure appeared in the restaurant’s est location at 1165 Merrill St. in including a wine program and Kitchen Instagram. including taro-vanilla sponge windows this week. On Tues- Menlo Park this fall. cocktails, he said. The restaurant Saengsawang said he’s requir- cake, tiramisu, German choco- day afternoon, Mayfield’s dining The 4,000-square-foot space will be open for takeout and out- ing his employees to get tested for late cake, hand-piped macarons room sat empty while a man space across from the Caltrain door dining only. Given the din- the coronavirus every two weeks. and mochi, plus coffee and tea. filled a moving truck with carts station has been vacant since ing room’s massive size, Saeng- New precautions for outdoor din- Customers can add boba pearls of baking trays and other items 2017, when chef Bradley Ogden sawang isn’t worried about creat- ing at Farmhouse Kitchen in San to any iced drink. from the next-door bakery. closed his eponymous Bradley’s ing a socially distanced layout Francisco include checking cus- Bacchus Management Group, Fine Diner. A new restaurant when indoor dining is allowed. tomers’ temperatures and limit- Mayfield Bakery & Cafe which also owns The Village Pub called Starfish was slated to open Saengsawang described his ing their time at the restaurant to and The Village Bakery in Wood- there but never did. style of cooking as contemporary. 90 minutes. The owners of Mayfield Bak- side and Selby’s in Redwood City, Kasem Saengsawang, a native The Farmhouse Kitchen menu “It’s a lot of pain,” Saengsawang ery & Cafe in Palo Alto, unable opened Mayfield in 2009. of Thailand, opened his first includes dishes such as Bangkok- said. But, “it turns out that people to sustain the business due to Mayfield temporarily closed Farmhouse Kitchen in San Fran- style herb rice in a tamarind understand and are appreciating the coronavirus shutdown, have after the Bay Area’s shelter-in- cisco in 2015. The restaurant was dressing; grilled Wagyu flank us.” closed the Town & Country Vil- place order took effect but soon created in the image of the food steak with broccolini and sticky The Menlo Park location is also lage restaurant for good. became a pickup location for he ate growing up in Loei, a rural rice; and slow-braised, bone-in personal for Saengsawang: He’s “Like many restaurants province in northeast Thailand. short rib served with panang cur- moving to the city with his wife throughout the area and across See DINING SCENE, page 24 He learned to cook from his ry, a dish the menu says is “remi- and young child. grandparents, who made nearly niscent” of the large childhood “It’s going to be a real chapter Farmhouse (for) Farmhouse Kitchen,” he said. “I’m going to be there all the Kitchen, time.” a San He said he hopes to open the Francisco- restaurant in early September. born string of Thai restaurants, Sweet Orchid is opening Sweet Orchid, a Fremont gelato its newest and pastry shop, is now scooping location in dozens of flavors of gelato from a Menlo Park. new location in Menlo Park. Sweet Orchid opened on Sat- urday, July 25, at 403 El Camino Real, according to a Facebook post. The space was last the long- time home of Yogurt Stop, which closed in 2018 after more than 30 years of business. Sweet Orchid did not respond Magali Gauthier to several interview requests. Mayfield Bakery & Cafe in Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village Courtesy Farmhouse Kitchen According to the website, owner has closed for good.

July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ23 Artscene PEOPLE AND PERFORMANCES IN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Release of live album from Thelonious Monk’s 1968 Palo Alto High School concert, set for July 31, now on hold By Yoshi Kato facto mentors at the time: the “So if no one shows up, at least late Herb Wong, jazz scholar/ there’s enough money to pay an Francisco and Hacken- educator/producer and a long- Monk,” he explained. A physical sack, New Jersey, are two time Menlo Park resident, and copy of the program was set to locations immortalized by Darlene Chan, founder and be included in the CD and vinyl the late jazz pianist/com- inaugural director of the Berke- versions of the release, and its poser/innovator Theloni- ley Jazz Festival. cover was also featured on a mug S ous Monk. Palo Alto could “And I said to one of them, in the online Monk Store. have joined that elite list ‘You know, my two idols are The forward-thinking upper- with the release of Monk’s live Monk and Duke (Ellington),” classman also reckoned it would “Palo Alto” album, which was Scher recalled, by phone from be wise to expand his potential originally supposed to come his home in the East Bay. “And audience beyond the city limits. out Friday, July 31, on Impulse! they said, ‘Why don’t you call “I get posters made by the high- Records. Unfortunately for jazz Monk? He’s coming to town.’” school graphics arts department, fans, a dispute between Monk’s (Scher would present Ellington and I’m putting them up in East Courtesy Impulse! Records previous label and his estate in concert in collaboration with Palo Alto. And the police are The cover art for Thelonious Monk’s “Palo Alto” album, recorded has left the release indefinitely the California Youth Symphony, telling me, ‘Hey, kid! You bet- live at Palo Alto High School in 1968. delayed as of this week. in which he was the principal ter get out of here. It’s not safe The source of the record- timpanist and percussionist, for you,’” he recalled. “This is a digitized at the now-closed Fan- high school, would get this much ing is a concert produced by soon after.) few months after Martin Luther tasy Studios in Berkeley, and publicity? ... But I suppose it’s Palo Alto native Danny Scher Scher contacted Jules Colomby, King and Robert Kennedy got had been negotiating with T.S. nice to have a feel-good story, back in 1968. The music, per- Monk’s manager, and secured a shot, and there was a lot of ten- Monk, Thelonious’ son and the especially given the times.” formed by the working quartet contract for an afternoon con- sion between Palo Alto and East manager of his father’s estate, But the fairytale ending has of Monk, tenor saxophonist cert at Palo Alto High School Palo Alto,” he said. “And I told about its release. They came to been suspended — for now, at Charlie Rouse, double bassist while the bandleader was in San them, ‘You know what? I’m an agreement on Monk’s Cen- least. Larry Gales and drummer Ben Francisco for a run at the Jazz going to be in bigger trouble if tenary in 2017 — 10 days before “I received word that there was Riley, is magical. Workshop club in North Beach. the show doesn’t do well.’” the 49th anniversary of the a dispute between the estate and “They were on the road for He enlisted the services of his Some potential audience mem- concert. Monk’s previous label,” Scher years, and they were just a great older brother Les, whose love of bers were skeptical that Monk With his concert-promoting said during a phone conversa- band,” said Zev Feldman, a co- jazz was his own gateway to the would actually show up to play instincts already honed in his tion on Monday, July 27. So the producer of the album. American art form, to serve as at a high school not known mid-teens, Scher would go on to release has been taken off of the The backstory for both the the band’s driver. for its diverse student body. So rise to the rank of vice president schedule indefinitely “due to live event — and the subsequent “The ticket price was $2 for Scher told them to just come to at Bill Graham Presents. In addi- circumstances beyond the label’s album — is both charming and general admission and $1.50 for campus and buy a ticket when tion to developing and launch- control,” according to a state- inspirational. students. And even then, that they saw Monk enter the venue. ing the Shoreline Amphitheatre, ment by Impulse! Records. Co- Now a music industry veteran was really cheap,” Scher said. As Les Scher drove into the Paly he also created and produced the producer Feldman was unable to of renown, at the time of the Worried about having an empty parking lot with the top of Larry New Orleans by the Bay festival provide any further information Monk concert, Scher was 16 and house — or, in his case, school Gales’ contrabass sticking out of at that Mountain View venue at this time. an ambitious Palo Alto High auditorium — he knew he had a rear window, “everyone who before retiring in 1999 after 24 “They’re not saying it’s delayed. School student who had already to diversify his offerings. was waiting lines up and buys years with BGP and would go They’re saying we’ll let you know presented performances at his He created a concert program their ticket, and the show is on to co-found DanSun Produc- if it’s being released, not when,” school by pianist/composer and sold advertising slots to great,’’ Scher said. tions (go to AlmanacNews.com/ Scher said. “I’ve held onto this Vince Guaraldi (“Linus & Lucy”) local businesses such as Dana One of the school’s janitors arts for more on Scher’s local recording for 50 years. So I can and vocalist Jon Hendricks (for- Morgan’s Music Store, the local offered to record the concert ties). hold onto it for another two or merly of Lambert, Hendricks & travel agency his parents patron- in exchange for the honor of “I’ve produced thousands of three decades.” A Ross) as well as vibraphonist/ ized, and the florist from whom tuning the piano Monk would concerts,” Scher mused. “Who Email Yoshi Kato at bandleader Cal Tjader. he’d buy flowers for his mother’s be playing. Scher has held onto would’ve thought something I [email protected] Scher already had two de birthday. the cassette tape, which he got did 52 years ago, when I was in

DINING SCENE said Bacchus Management extend rent abatement. majority of its tenants, including the prominent corner space with continued from page 23 communicated to him that “We were informed that that coming to dozens of rent abate- a large indoor dining room. the cost of doing business in just wouldn’t solve the problem ment or deferral agreements. “To be completely honest, I Bacchus Management’s “fam- Palo Alto — including utility for them. Not having to pay The shopping center also helped think that the communities all ily meals” program, ready-to-eat rates, minimum wage and labor rent basically didn’t close the Town & Country Village res- over the Bay Area are really takeout meals with proceeds requirements — compounded gap enough for them to justify taurants build parklets “at our going to have to make a con- going to support the restaurant by the shutdown and ongoing continuing the operation,” Ellis own cost,” Ellis said, to expand scious effort to give their local group’s employees. Mayfield later lack of indoor dining made it said. outdoor dining areas. businesses business,” he said. offered its own menu for takeout impossible for the full-service He described the closure as Ellis said he hopes the space “They need the community sup- and delivery and reopened for restaurant to stay open. He said a “huge loss” for the shopping will be occupied by another res- port and the customer support outdoor dining in June. they were not currently paying center. taurant and bakery but is “fear- to survive this period.” A Jim Ellis of Ellis Partners, rent on the 5,300-square-foot Ellis said Town & Country ful” about how long it will take Email Elena Kadvany at which owns Town & Country, space and were in discussions to has provided rent relief to the to find an operator able to afford [email protected]

24QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ25 26QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020 July 31, 2020QAlmanacNews.comQThe AlmanacQ27 Artist’s Rendering

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28QThe AlmanacQAlmanacNews.comQJuly 31, 2020