Palo Vol. XXVIII, Number 47 • Wednesday, March 21, 2007 ■ 50¢ Alto Weekly launches online restaurant feature Page 5 www.PaloAltoOnline.com READY TO RACK ‘N’ ROLL High school students test their skills in regional robotics competition Page 19 Sam Tenney Sam Talk about the news at Town Square, www.PaloAltoOnline.com QUpfront Mayor calls for environmental commission Page 3 QAt School Fostering resilience in families Page 23 QSports Stanford women upset in NCAA second round Page 26 In Business apr.com It's just one click to a complete list of virtually all homes for sale in the Bay Area. WOODSIDE Extraordinary estate on 4.5+/- acres. This five bedroom home combines contemporary appointments with expanses of glass windows that seamlessly bring the outdoor settings indoors. Two separate wings, each offering 2 bedroom arrangements. 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Many wonderful amenities which include maple wood floors with walnut wood decorative inlay, extensive crown molding throughout, grand marble foyer with spiral staircase, marble gas fireplace with wooden mantle. $1,899,000 apr.com | PALO ALTO OFFICE 578 University Avenue 650.323.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Page 2 • Wednesday, March 21, 2007 • Palo Alto Weekly UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis Palo Alto’s big environmental, economic challenges Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto calls for an Environmental Commission and zero new traffic in State of the City speech by Becky Trout formidable challenge, Kishimoto ple suit and a sheer golden scarf, roads, a focus on private-public eeming Palo Alto “robust and resilient,” Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto said. Kishimoto gave her remarks before partnerships, and her twin goals of nonetheless said there are major environmental and economic chal- “The path I propose tonight is a room packed with Palo Alto insid- protecting the environment while D lenges facing Palo Alto in the annual State of the City address Mon- through partnerships and collabo- ers and current and former elected boosting the economy. day evening. center of the knowledge economy, a ration and a focus on innovation. leaders. Kishimoto also emphasized her “Palo Alto today is a symbol of global center for innovation.” “The path I propose is also a Many of her remarks addressed support for the creation of a high- the future and has the promise to The city’s commitment to slash- walking path,” Kishimoto said. issues she and the council have speed broadband network, an in- continue to be the model of what ing its greenhouse gas emissions “Let a ‘walkable community’ be previously discussed, including the crease in the tax charged on over- our global democracy can evolve and accommodating additional resi- one symbol of the next level of our need for an additional $3 million night hotel stays and the need for a into,” Kishimoto said to a full City dents and workers without jamming green economy.” this year to support maintenance (continued on page 10) Council chambers. “We are at the already packed roadways poses a Clad in a slightly shimmery pur- and repairs for city buildings and LAND USE Save the trees, board says Palo Alto architectural board directs Toll Brothers to conserve arbors at proposed Mayfield development by Molly Tanenbaum ifty trees may disappear from the Palo Alto side of the for- F mer Mayfield Mall site as a result of the Toll Brothers’ propos- al to build 43 townhouses there. “I think the trees have gotten short shrift here,” said Architec- tural Review Board member Ju- dith Wasserman during a meeting on the project last week. “It is the most striking aspect of the site now. Keep as many as you can.” Norbert von der Groeben The board conducted a prelimi- nary review of the Palo Alto portion of Toll Brothers’ plans to replace the 25-acre Mayfield Mall site at San Antonio Road and Central Ex- pressway — now vacant Hewlett- Packard offices — with 562 con- dominiums: 519 in Mountain View Protesting for peace and 43 in Palo Alto. About 500 people march down University Avenue in Palo Alto Saturday to protest the war in Iraq, two days short of the fourth anniversary The loss of mature trees caused of the United States invasion. The Palo Alto demonstration started at noon with a rally in Civic Center Plaza and was one of about 1,000 the most concern among the board. happening across the country Saturday. Speakers from local peace organizations criticized President George W. Bush’s administration and Toll Brothers is proposing to retain held placards calling for an end to the war. 20 mature trees. Because the rows of attached BUSINESS body concerned — for residents, for “The only ones we’ll consider townhouses are lined up close to- businesses on the street, for farmers. (are) the ones we think are going to gether, City Planner Russ Reich Everybody’s excited about it,” Forte be fantastic,” he said. said insufficient open space is Farmers’ Market likely said, noting he hasn’t heard of any- And California Avenue has the available in the current plan to fit one opposing the new market. potential to host a great market, he large replacement trees. for California Avenue The market would be operated said. Urban Village has turned down “It makes for a little less efficien- by Urban Village, a non-profit or- offers to operate about 12 markets in cy [to keep more trees], but I think With city approval, market could open by late May ganization that manages farmers’ the last few years, he added. Toll Brothers can afford it and Palo markets in cities throughout the “There are certain communities Alto deserves it,” board member by Becky Trout Bay Area, including Los Altos and that have sophisticated palates and Heather Trossman said. n Sunday mornings beginning in May or June, it is quite likely Sunnyvale. It was selected follow- know what’s good. They appreciate Members of the Architectural that California Avenue will be packed with stands brimming with ing a presentation to the California fresh, quality food, and this is one Review Board expressed dismay O peaches, eggplant, avocados and basil. Perhaps a local fiddler will Avenue Area Development Associa- of those communities that I'm sure over Toll Brothers’ method for fit- be grooving away as kids with shin guards ogle the Danishes offered by tion, the company’s executive direc- will embrace the market as long as ting the townhouse rows onto the a community bakery and neighbors catch up with each other, all enjoying tor Ron Pardini said. we bring the best for them,” Pardini 4-acre Palo Alto side of the site, the glorious weather and fresh, high-quality produce. Urban Village is interested in said. which project architect David Sen- That’s the scene envisioned by tion and Sanford Forte, a longtime California Avenue, but as a rule, it He said the market would have 25 den of KTGY Group, Inc. described market organizers, including the participant in community affairs. isn’t in the market for establishing to 30 farmers, 10 to 15 food vendors, by saying they “extrude them like new markets, Pardini said. California Avenue business associa- “It’s a great opportunity for every- (continued on page 10) (continued on page 9) Palo Alto Weekly • Wednesday, March 21, 2007 • Page 3 )&)43./4).4()36!5,4 )43./43!&% 703 HIGH STREET, PALO ALTO, CA 94302 (650) 326-8210 PUBLISHER Our William S. Johnson EDITORIAL Jay Thorwaldson, Editor Jocelyn Dong, Managing Editor Allen Clapp, Carol Blitzer, Assistant Editors Keith Peters, Sports Editor Town Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor by Don Kazak Rebecca Wallace, Arts & Entertainment Editor Don Kazak, Senior Staff Writer Molly Tanenbaum, Becky Trout, Staff Writers Norbert von der Groeben, Chief Photographer A fight for America’s soul Marjan Sadoughi, Staff Photographer Sam Tenney, Photo Intern Tyler Hanley, Assistant to the Editor & t was like watching an old, fa- Online Editor ,/3!,4/36!5,43!&% Sue Dremann, Staff Writer, Special Sections Editor miliar movie when hundreds of Cammie Farmer, Calendar Editor I people, many carrying placards, ‘The question isn’t Jeanne Aufmuth, Dale Bentson, gathered in front of Palo Alto City $%0/3)4#/ Lynn Comeskey, Kit Davey, Tim Goode, Jack whether America McKinnon, Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, Hall on Saturday to protest as the !PRIVATEDEPOSITORY Contributors war in Iraq enters its fifth year. 7 Ê, Ê£t Susan Hong, Editorial Intern will lose the war, it’s Caitlin Berka, Arts & Entertainment Intern Protesting the war has become 3AFEDEPOSITBOXESOFALLSIZES / iÀiÊÃÊ ÊÓ an annual local event. Even though DESIGN whether it will lose 3TRICTANDTOTALCONlDENTIALITY 6 Ê/t Carol Hubenthal, Design Director the sun was shining, it is still March Diane Haas, Sue Peck, Senior Designers; and it’s always chilly in the shade, its soul.’ 3ECUREDANDAMPLEPARKING Nathan Hammer, Dana James, Paul Llewellyn, Charmaine Mirsky, Scott Peterson, Designers every year. – Rev. John Butcher &ORYOUROWNSAKEWESHOULDHAVEYOURBUSINESS “Sorry we’re still here,” local PRODUCTION 6ISITOURFACILITIESANDJUDGEFORYOURSELF Jennifer Lindberg, Production Manager filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman re- Dorothy Hassett, Blanca Yoc, plied with a smile when asked how But it is happening to all of us $ATABANKFORIMPORTANTANDCONlDENTIALRECORDS Sales & Production Coordinators she was. because the soldiers who are dy- ADVERTISING David Payne of Menlo Park came ing are from towns and cities all &IRST3TREET ,OS!LTOS #! Vern Ingraham, Advertising Manager Cathy Norfleet, Display Advertising Sales Asst.