Vol. XXXVIII, Number 17 Q January 27, 2017 Kniss defends campaign-finance report Page 5 www.PaloAltoOnline.com TROUBLE IN Palo Alto survey shows growing pessimism about traffic, retirement Page 7 Transitions 14 Spectrum 16 Arts 18 Eating Out 19 Shop Talk 20 Movies 21 Puzzles 40 Q Books Local author pens memoir on hope after tragedy Page 23 Q Home City encourages homeowners to salvage before demo Page 25 Q Sports Stanford swimmers at home this weekend Page 42 Page 2 • January 27, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com Coldwell Banker You’re Invited Previews International Open House Sat. | Sun. 1:30 – 4:30pm $ 2,450,000 3 Beds | 2 Baths Home ~ 1,588 SF Lot ~ 6,026 SF Video Tour www.schoelerman.com The Fine Art of Luxury Real Estate 37593 Redwood Circle, Palo Alto Looking for a Proven and Trusted Advisor? 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It’s unclear whether administers the Political Reform were listed on Kniss’ Jan. 11 cam- the other donations of more than Act, as to whether it violated the eeks before Election disclosed until earlier this month. paign filing actually made their $1,000 — from the Thoits Broth- law. Last week, Collins called the Day, incumbent Palo At least one of those checks ex- contributions in the weeks before ers, Hatco Associates LLC (which FPPC advice hotline and then W Alto City Council can- ceeded $1,000 and was made pri- the Nov. 8 election. The late con- is affiliated with Thoits), Palo Alto documented his inquiry in an didate Liz Kniss pivoted from or to Nov. 8, which means, under tributions totaled $19,340, and the Improvement Company (also af- email to the advice staff. her campaign’s earlier policy the Political Reform Act, it should list of developers and property filiated with Thoits) and Joseph “I told her (the FPPC advice ho- when she decided to accept cash have been disclosed to the public managers includes — among oth- Martignetti Jr. — were sent in be- tline employee) that after Oct. 22 from more than a dozen builders, within 24 hours. The reason it was ers — Charles Keenan, Jim Baer, fore Election Day. deadline for reporting, I did not developers and property manag- not logged until after Nov. 18, ac- Premier Properties and employees In response to the Weekly’s ers — contributions that weren’t cording to Kniss’ campaign, is of Keenan Land Company. questions about the contributions, (continued on page 9) TRANSPORTATION Driver at fault in car-versus-train crash Car passengers were inches away from catastrophe as train struck by Sue Dremann he collision of a commuter hugging each other. train and an SUV in Palo The guard said he witnesses 20 T Alto on Jan. 19 could have to 30 cars stuck in the Caltrain resulted in catastrophe, but in- right-of-way or partially on the stead the out-of-town car driver tracks every day during his eight- and his three passengers got away hour shift. He spoke on the condi- with only a close shave. tion of anonymity. Veronica Weber The incident occurred at 4:16 Two cars can fit in the space p.m. at the East Meadow Drive between the light at Alma Street railroad crossing. The driver and the tracks, he said, but if and passengers were from New there are two large trucks or Jersey and in a rented SUV, Cal- SUVs, then one usually is stuck in Painted with light and water train spokeswoman Tasha Bar- the right-of-way, where it can get Sunset gazers take in the colorful skies while atop Kite Hill at Stanford University on Jan. 25. tholomew said Tuesday. caught under the crossing gate. “The vehicle was sitting on the The light at Alma is timed to tracks when the gates started to turn green before a train comes come down. The driver then tried into the intersection to let traffic EDUCATION to reverse the SUV but could not clear, he said. do so in time before the train made Caltrain asks that all motor- impact,” she said in an email. ists and pedestrians take note of Gunn staff address conflicts The northbound train clipped crossings and approach cautious- the front of the Cadillac XT5, ly. Drivers should be at least 15 shearing off the car’s bumper and feet away from the tracks to avoid following MLK Day talk fender. No one was hurt. getting stuck, Bartholomew said. The accident was most likely Caltrain reaches speeds of 79 Assembly raises questions about how schools foster understanding, safeguard free speech caused by the poor judgment of mph, at which point it covers the by Elena Kadvany the driver, who was cited by po- length of a football field in less lice, Bartholomew said. than three seconds, according to ast Friday, Jan. 20, at Gunn spread quickly on social media, safely and respectfully heard. About 30,000 train passengers Caltrain safety guidelines. High School, students from triggering strong backlash, debate “We worked really hard during were affected by the incident Motorists should never drive L all grades gathered in the and upset, students said, before it the election cycle as well as now to after Caltrain Transit Police or- onto a railroad crossing until they gym for a belated Martin Luther was taken down on Sunday. One have the school be a neutral place dered that no trains pass through are sure the traffic ahead has left King, Jr. Day event: listening to student penned a lengthy, pas- where students can receive and the crossing during the investiga- enough space for them to cross one of their peers and a Gunn sionate blog post in response. The share ideas without fear,” Gunn tion. Train service was able to without getting boxed in. Drivers mother talk about their experi- male student who made the video Principal Denise Herrmann said . resume within the hour. should not shift gears while driving ences as African Americans. The said in a separate video that some “I look at this particular exchange A track security guard, one of across the tracks, Caltrain states. mother, Julie Lythcott-Haims, a of his peers blocked him on social as something we’re going to have many stationed at East Meadow Drivers and pedestrians should well-known writer and speaker, media as a result and expressed to get better at — being able to talk throughout the day and night to also beware a second train may read excerpts from her upcoming “hate” toward him, while others about this in a thoughtful way, be- monitor the tracks, witnessed the be approaching. memoir on race, “Real American.” responded positively. ing able to listen and receive views collision and said the driver was “When you see the last car of At least one student left feel- The fallout from the assembly that might be different from us and turning right from Alma Street, a passing train, don’t cross until ing upset that his school had al- demonstrated the complexities knowing it’s not the school’s job to heading west across the tracks. you’re sure that no other trains are lowed Lythcott-Haims to make schools wrestle with — perhaps say (something is) right or wrong, He could not see the collision be- coming on either track. A train explicit political references on more than ever in today’s politi- but it is the school’s job to help cause the train blocked his view, will be through a crossing in less Inauguration Day. He went home cal climate — to protect students’ students get better at the ability to but when he ran over to see what than a minute. It is better to lose and recorded a YouTube video de- free speech and create an envi- happened, he found the car oc- scribing his criticisms. The video ronment in which all opinions are (continued on page 10) cupants outside of the Cadillac (continued on page 13) www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • January 27, 2017 • Page 5 Healthy Teeth and Gums Upfront That Last a Lifetime! 450 Cambridge Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306 QUOTE OF THE WEEK • New Patients Welcome! (650) 326-8210 • Free Consultations and PUBLISHER Second Opinions William S. 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