What’s a mom to wear The Voice introduces its new style section PEN STYLE | P.29 SEPTEMBER 29, 2006 VOLUME 14 NO. 40 INSIDE: WEEKEND | PAGE 18 650.964.6300 mv-voice.com New Effort begins to friend, save the farm RESIDENTS FUND STUDY is still the same R-8 zoning as the OF ALTERNATIVE FOR surrounding neighborhood. The Farmland Group com- new GRANT ROAD SITE pares its plan to that of developer By Daniel DeBolt Summerhill Homes, saying its plan boasts a little bit more liv- ing space — 165,000 square feet eyes n the face of skepticism from versus 162,800. The Summerhill city officials, a small group of plan has 55 homes on 15 acres, MICHELLE MCGREW’S Iresidents have come up with while the alternative has 50 larger a plan to save a third of the Grant homes on 10 acres, Moore said GUIDE DOG GARVEY Road farm from development, — all made possible by more effi- HELPS HER NAVIGATE and will present the results to the public this weekend. See FARM, page 8 LOCAL STREETS The popular farm’s owners, Pau- By Amber Cleave line King and Betty Moore, already have agreed with a developer to arvey is just one of convert the 15-acre property to the family as far as the single-family homes. The owners Another GMcGrews are concerned. say economic realities forced them The 2-year-old male yellow to pursue sale of the working farm, Labrador retriever loves all the which is an island surrounded by same activities as the rest of the residential property. The sisters building family — which is a good thing, have so far not come out in support since he’s Michelle McGrew’s of saving any portion of the farm, guide dog, and accompanies her which is worth an estimated $30 proposal everywhere. million to developers. He’s with McGrew as she The Mountain View Farm- navigates populated streets and lands Group, however, says there COMMISSION OKS busy intersections. He stands by is a way to build a housing devel- PLAN TO DISPLACE her side as she figures out a bus VERONICA WEBER opment that is just as lucrative, route or a train stop. He waits at After training together for three weeks at a guide dog training while at the same time saving five 250 ON EVANDALE center in San Rafael, Michelle McGrew, who is blind, finally got to take her feet as she attends meetings acres of the farm. By Daniel DeBolt or church services, and he even Garvey home to her house in Mountain View. “If they are opposing it because accompanies her to chiropractic they think it would make their new housing devel- appointments. The Mountain View resident When Garvey wears his har- development less profitable, we opment on Evan- McGrew has had a guide dog cites several reasons for being ness, it means that he is on duty, have taken away that reason for the Adale Avenue got the by her side since she graduated an advocate of guide dogs. The and when McGrew holds on opposition,” said member Vicki stamp of approval from from high school in 1982. Over- first is that the dogs can be to his harness, it means that Moore, referring to the group’s the Environmental Plan- all she has had four guide dogs, taken anywhere. Due to the fact Garvey is in the lead. Following newly released feasibility studies. ning Commission recently, all from the nonprofit organiza- that guide dogs are service dogs, the dog takes a lot of pressure Moore showed the Voice rough starting a process that tion Guide Dogs for the Blind. they are allowed to go wherever off McGrew because Garvey plans that use a portion of Levin could leave several resi- McGrew, who was born with humans go. McGrew is pleased does the majority of navigation. Avenue to make more room for dents of a large apartment an impairment to her retina, to have the protection and com- Although McGrew must know the development; make use of nar- building there looking for originally used a cane until she pany of Garvey in all situations, the directions and give Garvey rower, shorter streets; and bank on new homes. made the adventurous switch to and she feels safe knowing that signals, Garvey navigates the the city allowing 10 percent larger The 64-unit apartment the world of guide dogs. When he is constantly by her side. streets by avoiding people and homes on the 8,000-square-foot complex at 291 Evandale she thinks back to her life before Another advantage is that the other obstacles in their way. He is parcels. Ave. houses about 250 peo- getting a guide dog, she wonders dogs are able to share responsi- also a secondary safety measure. The end result is a plan that ple who pay rents of $800 to how she ever managed. “Life bility with her. “With the guide “Cars these days are becoming manages to do everything right, $900 a month. But a devel- without dogs? I don’t think so,” dog there is a lot less that I have according to Moore. The devel- she says now. to concentrate on,” she said. See GUIDE DOG, page 7 oper will profit the same amount See EVANDALE, page 12 from the homes, and the density INSIDE GOINGS ON 25 | MARKETPLACE 34 | MOVIES 22 | REAL ESTATE 41 | VIEWPOINT 16 apr.com REDEFINING QUALITY SINCE 1990 Reading between the emotional line makes the difference between finding a house and a home. Betty Rooker Marcia Newton Jack Earl M OUNTAIN VIEW ■ Very luxurious, spa- P ALO ALTO ■ A white picket fence, roses S ANTA CLARA ■ 3bd/2.5ba town home cious 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath Mediterranean-style and lavender welcome you into this charm- with no common walls. 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Pictures and interviews by Amber Cleave. Do you think Mountain View is lacking in any recreational or extracurricular areas? SLIP INTO A BEAUTIFUL SMILE! “ I would like to see more Rutner Dental is now offering LUMINEERS Find out just how easy it can be live music downtown.” BY CERINATE, the latest in porcelain to slip into a beautiful smile. Eddie Lastra, Mountain View veneer technology. Incredibly thin, they can correct chips, stains, and most other Call today for a $500 cosmetic problems in as little as two visits. discount on LUMINEERS! 866.57.SMILE They slide right over your own teeth, in most cases without any shots, Rutner Dental, for beautiful grinding, or drilling! smiles that work. “ I’m not too familiar with the area, but I bet everything I want is here. I always like to see more places of leisure, such as parks and coffee shops.” 1040 Grant Road, Suite 103, Mountain View, CA 94040 650.314.0100 • www.rutnerdental.com Matt Willis, San Jose “ I believe the city has a great selection. There are lots of parks and a number of bars. I am satisfied with the city of Mountain View.” Lance Szely, Sunnyvale “ I like that there are a lot of parks here. There can never be too many parks. I think the city should be careful not to add too much nightlife because that would take away from the small-town feeling of downtown Mountain View.” Mayon Sespene, Santa Clara “ The recreation is great here. I like all the parks and I like swimming, so I swim at the park in Mountain View.” Bruce Bauer Lumber & Supply Rediet Tesfaye, Ethiopia 134 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View, CA 94040 (650) 948-1089 • www.brucebauer.com Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:00pm • Sat 8:00am-4:30pm • Sun 9:00am-4:30pm Have a question for Voices Around Town? 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