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Vol. XXVI, Number 63 • Friday, May 6, 2005 ■ 50¢ ‘Prom’ of the dead Page 11 Check out the Weekly’s new online classifieds at fogster.com WeWeekend eEdition k l y www.PaloAltoOnline.com Music lessons for young children a valuable tool for life Page 9 Kevin Hagen Worth A Look 14 Movie Times 16 Eating Out 21 Goings On 25 Crossword Puzzle 43 ■ Upfront Alma merchants wait for next shoe to fall Page 3 ■ Sports Local prep tennis teams open CCS tournament Page 31 ■ Home & Real Estate Living in Palo Verde Section 2 Award-winning service from an award-winning hotel! RESIDENCE INN PALO ALTO–LOS ALTOS. Combining the conveniences of home with the services of a hotel. Guest Suites Feature: Facilities / Services • One or two bedroom suites include fully equipped kitchens with stove, • 156 tastefully appointed suites refrigerator, microwave oven, dishwasher and utensils • Free wireless high-speed Internet access in lobby, meeting rooms & pool areas • Large work desk with desk-level outlets and adjustable lighting • Complimentary buffet breakfast & evening social (Monday-Thursday) •Cable/satellite TV with in-room movies and all-news channel • Manager’s weekly barbecues (summer season) • Granite kitchen countertops and Corian vanities • Dinner delivery service from local restaurants • Coffee maker with complimentary coffee • Express check-out • Separate sleeping and living areas • Complimentary business services (faxing & copying) • Hair dryer, iron and ironing board • Plenty of space for entertaining or meetings • Free high-speed Internet access • Fitness center, Sport Court,® pool and whirlpool Residence Inn by Marriott 4460 El Camino Real Los Altos, California 94022 Reservations: (800) 331-3131 Tel: (650) 559-7890 Fax: (650) 559-7891 www.losaltosresidenceinn.com DARREN MCCLUNG ESTATE & PRECIOUS JEWELRY Remember The Historic Stanford Barn Mother’s Day… 700 Welch Road, Suite 102, th Palo Alto May 8 (behind Andronico’s) (650) 321-5994 • Downtown 231 Hamilton Avenue, (between Emerson & Ramona) Palo Alto (650) 321-1680 • Tues-Fri: 11-6 Sat: 11-4:30 Page 2 • Friday, May 6, 2005 • Palo Alto Weekly UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis Survey confirms student stress, but next step is unclear Students wonder if problem will ever be solved the most pressure to achieve high firmed that reality. Since then, var- thing because they always make us by Alexandria Rocha grades and get into top colleges. ious groups of youth experts, par- take tests and they don’t do any- Adding to their homework frustra- ents, students and teachers have thing about it,” said senior Josh ith about five hours of Paly students took an online survey tions, students said their teachers banded together to tackle the is- Gordon. “I think it was kind of homework a night and about stress. It took them about 15 rarely indicate how much time as- sue. pointless.” W overlapping projects and minutes to complete, and the re- signments should take, nor do they While Paly administrators are Senior Jean Choi and junior Vi- tests, most Palo Alto High School sults — made public this week — check in to see how long the proj- confident the survey’s results will vian Nguyen agreed with Gordon, students say their stress levels are do not reveal anything all that sur- ects actually took. help conquer the ever-growing but also recognized the survey as too high. The teenagers also realize prising. For the last few years, it has be- problem of student stress — or at valuable if school officials take it parents and teachers are con- Most students said large amounts come public knowledge that stu- least point out the most blatant red seriously and make some visible cerned, but remain skeptical that of homework cause them the most dents here struggle to make it flags — the teens say they’ve heard changes. Nguyen, however, blames anything will change. stress, and that parents — as well through high school. The recent it all before. Three weeks ago, about 1,450 as the teens themselves — dole out suicides of two teens grimly con- “Honestly, I didn’t like the whole (continued on page 7) BUDGET The face of layoffs Finance Committee hears from workers proposed to lose jobs by Bill D’Agostino n Tuesday night, the Palo Alto Finance Committee came face Oto face with city employees who could be laid off. Four senior technologists came to the year’s first budget hearing to plead for their jobs. Two said they were only one year away from being “vested” in the city’s retiree-benefit program, including a cancer survivor who said he would have a hard time finding health insurance if he lost his job. All four professionals said the city’s operations would suffer with- out their expertise. Originally from India, Sree Kolavennu has worked for Palo Alto for four years, supporting the city’s financial systems. “My value is real- ly crucial to the city,” she told the Norbert von der Groeben committee. There are more than 30 employees in the city’s information technology division. Laying off the four tech- nologists will save the city $540,000, including the cost of their salaries and benefits, according to city fig- ures. Technology Manager Ron Light at the end of the tunnel Fong is the highest-paid worker tar- Dr. David Druker, president and CEO of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, chats with Palo Alto City Councilman Vic Ojakian after the beleaguered geted; cutting his salary and bene- Homer Avenue tunnel was finally unveiled on Thursday. fits would save nearly $150,000. City leaders are trying to balance a projected $5.2 million deficit, pri- ow Drive, which was sold in Febru- middle of her restaurant, awaiting de- marily due to tax revenues not in- BUSINESS ary. Despite flinging the doors of her livery. creasing to meet exploding employ- restaurant wide open, business has Paying for a health-inspection per- ee-benefit costs. The city has given been off by 50 percent since the mit and farmers’ market registration notices to 18 employees that they are Dead mall walking mall’s Albertsons closed in March, fees are straining her wallet, she said. potential targets. It would be the first With the end near, Alma Plaza tenants look she said. “I’ve got to spend $1,000 before I layoffs in the city since the early By mid-afternoon Wednesday, Za- can sell a cup of coffee,” she said, 1990s. to developer for help canti had earned $100 for the day. frowning. “Certainly all of these are tough “I’m just trying to pay my utilities,” Loyal customers continue to trick- decisions and we have carefully an- by Jocelyn Dong only bright spot at the decaying mall. said the older woman, who has asked le in to the center to visit the Man- alyzed them,” said Carl Yeats, the di- arcie Zacanti, owner of B.J. Even the weather was gloomy. for a reduction in her rent from the darin Gourmet restaurant, Jacquie’s rector of the city’s Administrative Bull in Alma Plaza, sat out- “This is deadsville,” she twanged, mall owner. Sew and Sew tailoring shop, the Services Department, which over- Mside her eatery this week her southern roots showing. Zacanti is relying on sales at local Alma Shoe Repair, Fandango Pizza, sees the budget and the information wearing a blue short-sleeve blouse, Zacanti is one of five merchants farmers’ markets as the mainstay of and B.J. Bull. technology divisions “None of those white cotton skirt and red tennis left in the shopping center near the in- her business now. Crates of freshly One shoe-shop customer took such are easy decisions. None of those are shoes. The sneakers were about the tersection of Alma Street and Mead- baked fruit pies sat on dollies in the (continued on page 7) (continued on page 5) Palo Alto Weekly • Friday, May 6, 2005 • Page 3 703 HIGH STREET, PALO ALTO, CA 94302 (650) 326-8210 PUBLISHER William S. Johnson EDITORIAL ReaderWireReader comments via e-mail, voice mail and U.S. mail Jay Thorwaldson, Editor Marc Burkhardt, Managing Editor Jennifer Aquino, Associate Editor Walking with a purpose and trellises to replace termite-ridden Allen Clapp, Carol Blitzer, Assistant Editors Artists in Action and the Community structures. Keith Peters, Sports Editor Breast Health Project (CBHP), based right Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor Now all the lights are working and in Robyn Israel, Arts & Entertainment Editor here in Palo Alto, invite you to walk with good condition again, making the park a Don Kazak, Jocelyn Dong, Senior Staff Writers us in the May Fete Parade this coming more pleasant evening destination. It Bill D’Agostino, Alexandria Rocha, Staff Writers Saturday morning (May 7). looks as though the concert-bowl area is Norbert von der Groeben, Chief Photographer Nicholas Wright, Staff Photographer Our group will be called “For the Love now more accessible and more attrac- Kevin Hagen, Photo Intern of Mom” and welcomes any families that tive. The new walking paths are much Tyler Hanley, Assistant to the Editor have been touched by breast cancer (or better — no more puddles blocking our & Online Editor Sue Dremann, Staff Writer, Special Sections any willing to join us in support) to walk school route. with us and help raise awareness for this Jeanne Aufmuth, Dale Benson, Lynn We are very excited to see all of the Comeskey, Tim Goode, Jim Shelby, fabulous support organization. If you can beautiful new trees and plants shading Jill Slater, Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, let me know you are joining us, I will try Contributors and beautifying the upgraded walkways, to get CBHP T-shirts and balloons for Tai Khandaker, Carol Palinkas, Editorial Interns sitting areas and play equipment.