Vol. XXIX, Number 36 • Friday, February 8, 2008 ■ 50¢ Vaughn’s new comedy Check out the Weekly’s quest online classifieds at fogster.com WeeklyWeekend Edition Page 18 www.PaloAltoOnline.com ALL GONE TO LOOK FOR AMERICA Idyllic art from the elegant age of tourism Page 8 Norbert von der Goreben Worth A Look 12 Eating Out 13 Movie Times 19 Goings On 21 ■ Upfront Litfin's estate to benefit Children's Theatre Page 3 ■ Sports Woodside Priory boys work on winning streak Page 23 ■ Home & Real Estate The native garden: a microcosm Section 2 MILES YOUNGEST PERSON TO RECEIVE LIFE SAVING HEART PUMP. CURRENTLY: BUNDLE OF ENERGY JUST ANOTHER REMARKABLE DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD Miles Coulson is defi nitely a force to be reckoned with. When he was just four months old he needed a heart. And the clock was ticking. So a team of doctors at Lucile Packard © 2007 Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Children’s Hospital came up with a bold plan – use a Berlin Heart, an artifi cial pump, until a transplant could be found. That the device had only been used a few times in the U.S. didn’t daunt them. They developed a protocol just for Miles. It was more than successful, it was groundbreaking for other pediatric heart patients. It’s this kind of innovative thinking, Lucile Packard combined with sensitive, nurturing care, that makes Packard Children’s a world-class Children’s Hospital hospital and Miles a world-class bundle of energy. Visit www.lpch.org for more information. AT STANFORD Page 2 • Friday, February 8, 2008 • Home & Real Estate 1778_LPCH_PAWeeklyindd.indd 1 2/21/07 2:57:56 PM UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis Litfin’s estate to benefit Friends of Children’s Theatre Mourning, celebration of theater’s Simitian, who has been involved Briggs — speaking through her Litfin, who some called a “bril- with the theater since his days play- attorney Diane de Seve of Nolan, liant curmudgeon,” was born in assistant director continues ing Theseus in “A Midsummer Armstrong & Barton, LLP — com- Minnesota and worked at the Palo by Becky Trout Night’s Dream,” said he knew Lit- mented on the death of her longtime Alto theater from 1976 until his fin quite well but is reserving com- friend and colleague. death. He was also an accomplished tate Sen. Joe Simitian, the “He knew I would understand and ments for Litfin’s Feb. 17 memorial “Michael was extraordinarily tal- playwright and lauded for his dedi- executor of Michael Litfin’s honor that wish,” Simitian said. service. ented and gifted,” Briggs said. “He cation to Palo Alto’s youth. S will, said Thursday that the Simitian said he could not say One week after Litfin’s untimely was a beloved friend, a valuable co- Litfin’s death came one week longtime Children’s Theatre assis- how much money was involved. death, his many supporters and worker, and someone who dedicat- after the abrupt Jan. 24 closure of tant director had planned to leave the Litfin died Feb. 1 at age 63, af- friends continue to grieve and re- ed his life to helping young people the Palo Alto institution, which is bulk of his estate to the Friends of ter he was recently diagnosed with flect on his many contributions. achieve their potential. Michael will undergoing a police investigation the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre. cancer. For the first time, Director Pat be missed by thousands.” (continued on page 4) SPORTS Local cyclists gear up Race fans to volunteer for Amgen Tour of California by Sue Dremann little danger and lots of thrill — that’s how local biking A enthusiasts describe the Am- gen Tour of California cycling road race, whose prologue will be held in Palo Alto on Feb. 17. Some of the world’s top racers will compete in the demanding, 650-mile, eight-day run from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasade- na. This is the first year Palo Alto is participating in the competition. “The Amgen race is exciting. It’s like watching the Tour de France,” Norbert von der Groeben said Ricky McGlashan of the West- ern Wheeler, an 800-member Palo Alto club of recreational cyclists. Like many members of local bike clubs, she plans to volunteer next week, pitching in wherever needed to get the final race preparations completed. Governor: ‘We’re not just sitting around’ The students, professors and busi- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Palo Alto Thursday morning to shake hands with carpenters and construction workers who are building ness people of the Stanford Univer- a 56-unit apartment complex for very-low-income seniors. The Bridge Housing Inc. project on Fabian Way is being funded by $5.25 million in sity Cycling Club plan to volunteer funds from Proposition 1C, passed by state voters in November 2006. The bond money, he said, will help rebuild California. “We’re not just sitting while having front seats at the race, around,” Schwarzenegger said. “We’re doing something to turn the economy around.” according to Sasha Richey, the team’s road captain and endowment director. ELECTION ’08 ers overwhelmed polling places — pus, more students had voted by Most team members will be leaving some residents angry. noon than voted in the entire 2004 course marshals in the Palo Alto As in cities statewide, locals hop- election, senior Charlie Davis said. prologue — standing along the 2.1- High voter turnout causes ing to vote with Democratic ballots The turnout forced one polling mile course and ensuring spectators quickly exceeded the number avail- station to call the county for more don’t cross in front of the riders. able at the 678 Arastradero Road ballots as lines stretched down the “We’ll be right on the course polling-place problems polling place, resident Mark Agnew block. when the racers go by. ... It’s so cool Ballot shortage acute in said. And precincts 2046 and 2049 to have pros riding on these roads Agnew, an Obama-campaign in downtown Palo Alto ran out of we go on every day. It’s really in- Democratic precincts in Palo Alto precinct captain for that neighbor- provisional ballots between about spiring. You see them on TV, but by Arden Pennell, Don Kazak, Daniel DeBolt and Casey Weiss hood, said poll volunteers resorted 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., according to in person, it’s incredible to see how to handing out sample ballots for workers. talented they are,” she said. uesday’s election was marked paign volunteers watched election Democratic voters. Only eight sam- In 37 years of volunteering at The Stanford club, which regularly by high voter turnout, a short- returns throughout the evening. ple ballots were left at the 8 p.m. polls, Betty Britton said she couldn’t trains children and teens in bicycle T age of ballots and plenty of Poll workers in Palo Alto scram- close, he said. recall another year when provisional safety, will also have a booth at the nail-biting and cheering as cam- bled to find enough ballots as vot- On the Stanford University cam- (continued on page 7) (continued on page 5) Palo Alto Weekly • Friday, February 8, 2008 • Page 3 Upfront 703 HIGH STREET, PALO ALTO, CA 94302 COMMUNITY (650) 326-8210 The Jean and Bill Lane PUBLISHER Lecture Series William S. Johnson Children’s Theatre 2007–2008 EDITORIAL Jay Thorwaldson, Editor Jocelyn Dong, Managing Editor releases revised schedule Allen Clapp, Carol Blitzer, Associate Editors Keith Peters, Sports Editor Tyler Hanley, Online Editor Only one program cut from theater’s school-year season Rebecca Wallace, Arts & Entertainment Editor Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor by Becky Trout Don Kazak, Senior Staff Writer Arden Pennell, Becky Trout, Staff Writers own two-thirds of its full-time postponed until May. Auditions Lorrie Moore Sue Dremann, Staff Writer, Special Sections Editor staff, the Palo Alto Children’s were held Jan. 22 and 23 but will be Karla Kane, Editorial Assistant Norbert von der Groeben, Chief Photographer D Theatre plans to continue redone in April, James said. Marjan Sadoughi, Veronica Weber, Staff productions by scraping together He said previously the staff who Photographers Jeanne Aufmuth, Dale Bentson, the contributions of part-timers, conducted the auditions were no Reading Lynn Comeskey, Kit Davey, Jack McKinnon, contract employees, volunteers, city longer available to share the results. Monday, February 11, 2008 Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, Craig Wentz, employees from other divisions and The new auditions are scheduled Contributors Kresge Auditorium, 8:00 p.m. Alex Papoulias, Veronica Sudekum, Richard To, its two remaining full-time staff for April 15 and 16 at 3:45 p.m. Editorial Interns members, Community Services and are open to children from age Colloquium Danielle Vernon, Photography Intern Director Richard James announced 8 through high school, James said. Tuesday, February 12, 2008 DESIGN Wednesday. The play is now planned for a May Carol Hubenthal, Design Director Terrace Room, Building 460, 11:00 a.m. Diane Haas, Sue Peck, Senior Designers “We’re able to do this for the rela- 16 opening. Dana James, Paul Llewellyn, Charmaine tively short term to get us into sum- No changes were made to “Stu- FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Mirsky, Scott Peterson, Designers mer,” James said. “Certainly with art Little” or the five remaining Information: 650.725.1208 PRODUCTION the loss of key staff it’s not sustain- Outreach productions that are per- Jennifer Lindberg, Production Manager able.” formed in area schools, James said. http://creativewriting.stanford.edu Dorothy Hassett, Blanca Yoc, Sales & Production Coordinators Four staff members — Director On April 15, the theater plans to ADVERTISING Pat Briggs, Assistant Director Mi- announce its summer schedule as Sponsored by Stanford University Creative Writing Program Vern Ingraham, Advertising Director chael Litfin, Costume Supervisor previously planned, Abe said.