Palo Vol. XXXVI, Number 24 Q March 20, 2015 Alto Doctors give advice on teen mental health Page 5 PaloAltoOnline.comP a l o AltoO n l i n e. c o m Under investigation and facing student protests, Stanford readies reforms on sexual assault PAGE 19 Transitions 15 Pulse 16 Spectrum 18 Eating Out 28 Movies 31 Puzzles 59 QArts Menlowe Ballet: the courage to improvise Page 24 QHome Is your home safe and sustainable? Page 32 QSports Basketball milestones for Stanford women Page 61 MARCH IS COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH What You Need to Know Routine screenings and genetic testing are the key to detecting colon cancer early, when it is most likely to be cured. If you’re over 50 or have a family history, a colonoscopy can reduce your risk of developing colon cancer. Thanks to an increased number of colorectal cancer screenings, improved diagnostics and advanced treatments, there are more survivors of colorectal cancer than ever before. To learn more, call 650.736.5555 or visit stanfordhealthcare.org/colonhealth Page 2 • March 20, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com Open House | Sat. & Sun. | 1:30 – 4:30 800 High Street #115, Palo Alto $ 1,555,000 Beds 2 | Baths 2 | Home ~ 1,270 sq. ft. | HOA $460/month | Built 2006 video tour | www.schoelerman.com Call Jackie and Richard to Sell Your Home Sold Over $220,000,000 of Homes Jackie Richard 650-855-9700 650-566-8033 [email protected] [email protected] BRE # 01092400 BRE # 01413607 www.schoelerman.com www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • March 20, 2015 • Page 3 Open House Saturday & Sunday 1-5pm www.LoreneCourt.com Offered at $1,895,000 Derk Brill E-PRO, CERTIFIED RELOCATION SPECIALIST Alain Pinel Realtors CELL 650.814.0478 [email protected] CalBRE# 01256035 www.DerkBrill.com Page 4 • March 20, 2015 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis PAMF doctors issue advice on youth mental health Following recent teen death by suicide, pediatricians we see students who are stressed, about students’ lives — in a dif- half hours per night, compared to the anxious, and depressed. Depres- ferent way from the schools, they nine hours of sleep it has been shown unite to offer recommendations sion is a significant factor in teen said — the group of pediatricians that teenagers need to function well, by Elena Kadvany suicide. But what is causing the decided to address several of according to the doctors’ letter. depression? What are the factors these factors that affect teens and The statement also references he Palo Alto Medical Foun- this newspaper and signed by all 18 putting our youth at such high risk? that they are most familiar with: a recent American Academy of dation pediatrics depart- of the department’s pediatricians, “I think that there are factors sleep, electronics, academic pres- Pediatrics (AAP) policy that rec- Tment took an unprecedented with the goal of asking both them- out there that we’ve come to ac- sure and home and family. ommends that middle and high step into the community debate on selves and the community: What cept as normal that are very stress- The letter urges later school-start school students start school no ear- teen well-being this week, offer- can be done differently to address producing and aren’t so normal,” times, citing the strong correla- lier than 8:30 a.m. At Gunn High ing strong recommendations on Palo Alto teens’ mental health and pediatrician Linda Strain said in tion between inadequate sleep and School, the day starts at 8:25 a.m., several factors they see as key to well-being? (See letter on page 18.) an interview with the Weekly. mood disorders, poor cognitive re- though just under 300 students are bolstering students’ mental health. “Although many teens in the area As medical professionals who tention and increased distractibility. enrolled in both physical education This step came in the form of are doing well, many are not,” the see multiple teenagers on a daily Surveys have shown that Palo Alto a letter to the editor, submitted to letter states. “Each day in the office basis and are intimately informed teens sleep an average of six and a (continued on page 10) DEVELOPMENT Google opposes limit on Palo Alto office growth Local tech firms clash with slow-growth proponents over ways to curb traffic, parking woes by Gennady Sheyner ith debate over com- be. Council members Liz Kniss, mercial growth in Palo Greg Scharff, Cory Wolbach and W Alto set to reignite on Marc Berman all opposed a new Monday night, Google has joined cap and said the city should focus the growing ranks of tech titans, on the negative consequences of small businesses and architects development, rather than develop- opposing an annual cap on new ment itself. office and research space. “I don’t think the cap would Veronica Weber The City Council will consid- make any difference in these nega- er on Monday its next steps for tive impacts, frankly,” Scharff said managing commercial growth. on March 2. “Or such minimal im- Among the most controversial pacts that you really won’t notice.” Anjulie Dharna pours coffee into a boiling pot of water as she makes siphon coffee at Blue Bottle proposals on the table is a 35,000- Now, Google has joined firms Coffee in the HanaHaus on March 17. to 50,000-square-foot annual such as HP, VMWare, Palantir limit on new office and research- and SurveyMonkey in arguing and-development space. Residents against the restriction. Speaking and several council members have as a “corporate citizen of the city BUSINESS lauded the cap as a great tool to of Palo Alto,” where it owns and temporarily slow down commer- leases numerous properties, the cial growth while the city works Mountain View-based search gi- SAP launches tech cafe at historic theater to solve its growing parking and ant advised the council to “take traffic problems. Critics — in- actions to limit traffic and allow HanaHaus prepares to serve up Blue Bottle Coffee to local innovators cluding Stanford University, the corporations to prove that they by Gennady Sheyner Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce can grow while meeting the city’s and the citizens group Palo Alto traffic-reduction goals.” eeking to breathe new life A brainchild of SAP co- cafe is geared toward the innovation Forward — have slammed the “Setting up a proactive approach into a venerable down- founder Hasso Plattner, the venue community, it is open for everyone. proposal as a blunt tool that does to traffic concerns that rewards in- S town Palo Alto landmark, seeks to pair the culture of cafes Councilman Pat Burt recalled not address the core problems. novation and effective solutions is software giant SAP on Tuesday with the area’s culture of innova- the history of the building as a At the council’s March 2 discus- far preferable to a blanket policy unveiled a product guaranteed tion. Blue Bottle Coffee has set theater and a nightclub before it sion, Vice Mayor Greg Schmid that affects everyone regardless of to generate some buzz: a cafe up shop in the large lobby, which was refurbished as a bookstore. and Councilman Eric Filseth both their location and ability to grow geared toward local innovators also features rows of tables and “It went from being a social favored going forward with the responsibly,” wrote John Igoe, in the historic Varsity Theatre. chairs for individuals and groups. and cultural center for the com- cap, though after a long discussion Google’s real estate director. The cafe, which opened to the A sprawling space on the open munity to one that was intellec- the council agreed to defer a deci- “Without new projects, companies public Thursday, is taking over a floor centers around a stage, tual and social,” Burt said. “Now sion until March 23. While balk- would not be participating in new 1927 building at 456 University which SAP wants to see used we’re merging all those together ing at taking action, several other traffic management measures or cre- Ave. that has been largely de- for musical events, TED-style — cultural, social, creative, in- members expressed support for re- ating innovative solutions to existing serted since Borders bookstore talks, poetry slams and lectures, tellectual. All those things are stricting office growth, noting their parking concerns,” he stated. shuttered its operation three and Shirolé said during the ceremo- going to come together in one concern that offices are pricing out Furthermore, a growth cap may a half years ago. ny. Work spaces are scattered place and really have this beau- and displacing long-time retailers. “hinder development in areas Sanjay Shirolé, global head of throughout the 15,000-square- tiful building be born again.” Mayor Karen Holman said the where development would ben- HanaHaus, said the vision of the foot space, which also includes The new cafe is, in itself, a pi- “council can’t sit here and not act.” efit the community,” such as near venue is to go “beyond a great two small conference rooms on lot project. Shirolé said Plattner’s Other council members were transit or major highways and in cafe,” creating a place where one side and a larger conference vision is ultimately to open simi- less adamant about taking imme- areas that have vacant, underuti- people can “work, learn and play” room on the other. lar cafes in other cities, including diate action. Councilman Pat Burt lized or out-of-date spaces. The with a “focus on innovation.” Shirolé stressed that while the Berlin and London.