| Midtown News Updates |
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MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
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ARE YOU PREPARED: Tuesday June 30: Next Introduction to Block Preparedness Program training will start at 6PM at PAMF. If you are attending the communications class, please RSVP to me. It would be helpful for attendees to bring an FRS radio to this class. See flyer at http://www.mimi.com/mra/pan/ep/BPC0630.pdf.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
State Senator Joe Simitian Sidewalk Office Hours - Saturday, June 27th 10 AM - noon; Palo Alto Farmers’ Market; Behind the Post Office, at Hamilton and Gilman.
OPEN CITY HALL: tongoing topics are the Financial Forecast and High Speed Rail. http://paloalto.opencityhall.com/
MEET THE POLICE CHIEF: June 20 at Scott’s Seafood at 9:00 AM. Interim Police Chief, Dennis Burns, and other members of PAPD will talk about what's going on in the community, what the department has been doing and a question and answer session. FREE. July 21 at the Garden Court Hotel at 7PM. Refreshments will be served.
LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMISSION VACANCIES: Regular meetings will be held at 7 PM on the fourth Thursday of each month.Applications due June 17 at 5:30PM. Appointment information & application forms are available in the City Clerk's Office 329-2571) or may be obtained on the website at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/knowzone/agendas/library.asp.
CITY COUNCIL:
Tentative Agendas at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=15920
JUNE 1: Comp Plan Changes re airport, Levy of Proposed Assessments in Connection with the Palo Alto Downtown Business Improvement District. Colleagues Memo - Living Local- Shop Palo Alto, Public Safety Building
JUNE 2: Finance Committee - Business Licence Tax
JUNE 8: Study Session at 6:30 PM on Status Update on the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority’s Initial Capital Project, City Council at 7PM: Budget Review and Public Hearing, Assessment for California Avenue Area Parking Bonds; review of excavation & grading permits for basements and below grade parking structures
JUNE 15: Budget Adoption
ARB (Architectural Review Board) 8 AM meeting in City Council Chambers
JUNE 4: 195 Page Mill Road. Harold Hobach is back with a request for a 157,387 building
JUNE 23 "Cal Avenue" area (which has been expanded to include the area around Fry's). The meeting was scheduled for May 19 at Lucie Stern. It has been rescheduled to June 23 at Lucie Stern.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
TONIGHT: High-speed rail meeting at 'Pavilion.' in Holbrook-Palmer Park in Atherton at 7:00 PM. The park is on Watkins, on the right side when you turn off El Camino, or the left side if you're coming from Middlefield. Speakers include:
Join the JCC (Jewish Community Center) before May 30 with $0 registration fee, see http://tinyurl.com/o5f8u6.
Free concerts by the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra youth musicians are coming up. This is a great low-cost way to introduce your child to concert-going etiquette and music appreciation.
Friday, May 29, 7:30 PM at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 670 Meadow Dr., Palo Alto, by Superstrings, the youngest PACO musicians
Friday, June 5, 7:30 PM at Cubberly Theatre, by the Preparatory Ensemble
Saturday, June 6, 8 PM at Cubberly Theatre, by the Debut Ensemble
MAY 30-31: Madame Butterfly at the West Bay Opera at Lucie Stern Theatre. Fee $20-55. WBOpera.org; Box Office at 424-9999
MAY 30-31: California Pops Orchestra and Flying Karamazov Brothers together.
May 30th at Time: 7:30 PM at Spangenberg Theater on the Gunn High School Campus, 780 Arastradero Road.
May 31 in San Jose. See www.californiapops.org or call 856-8432. Fee: Adults $30; kids $10
TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES STARTS JUNE 19. BROWN BAG CONCERTS starting July 9. Thursdays, 12-1 PM at Cogwell Plaza - Lytton and Ramona
STANFORD JAZZ FESTIVAL June 26- August 8. See www.stanfordjazz.org
Cantor Art Museum at Stanford off Campus Drive;
FREE: Exhibit "Pop to Present" through August 16. museum.stanford.edu
JUNE 2: Mayor Drekmeier informs us: CAL FIRE and the Resource Conservation Districts of Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties are heading up an effort to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). A CWPP is a plan that addresses how communities will reduce the risk of wildfire through cooperation and collaboration between emergency response agencies and the community. All stakeholders are encouraged to be involved in the process and to provide input regarding wildfire issues and the ways that our communities can address these concerns. You are invited to the first public meeting to begin developing the CWPP. Time: 7:00 PM at Coastside Fire Protection District; 1191 Main Street; Half Moon Bay
JUNE 4: Antique Appraisal: $10 at Allied Arts Guild, 10 AM - 3 PM. Appointments recommended.
aagantiques@aol.com or 325-3259 Register at www.alliedartsguild.org.
JUNE 6: Common Ground Classes (559 College Ave)
To register call 493-6072 http://www.commongroundinpaloalto.org
GREY WATER IRRIGATION with Sherri Osaka and John Russell from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. FEE: $30.Drought conditions and water rationing are constantly in the news. Learn how you can irrigate even during water shortages by using grey water. This class describes what grey water is, how to use it safely in your garden, and which types of grey water systems are available, from home-grown to professionally designed and installed. State regulations and permitting will also be covered.
JUNE 10: Annual meeting of Palo Alto Historical Association (PAHA) will feature speaker Carolyn Caddes, author and photographer of Silicon Valley luminaries at the Palo Alto Sheraton, 625 El Camino Real. The social hour is at 6:00 PM with dinner at 7:00 PM. The event is open to the public. Reservations ($42) are required by June 3, P.O. Box 192 , Palo Alto , 94303.
JUNE 18: One-Block Diet: The Ultimate Way to Eat Local, Sunset Magazine and Backyard Farming With Katie Tamony, Editor-in-Chief, Sunset Magazine.
Cubberley Community Theater 6:30 PM check-in, 7 PM program. FEE: $10 members, $15 non-members.
Tamony has taken eating local to a whole new level with the "one-block" diet. You can't get much more local than your own backyard. In an area about the size of a medium suburban backyard, Sunset magazine grew 30 different crops for an end-of-summer feast. To round out the menu, staff raised chickens for eggs and bees for honey, made their own wine, beer, cheese and vinegar, and pressed olives for oil. They even made salt. What began as an experiment became an article in the magazine, a web site channel, a passionate blog, and an experience in team building that continues two years later. Come hear about this amazing journey. This event is co-sponsored by the Commonweal Institute and the Commonwealth Club. For reservations call 408-280-5530 and reference the code "Commonweal".
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** MAY 28: Peninsula Stroke Association's "Victory Over Stroke" lecture from 4:00 - 7:30 PM at the Garden Court Hotel. Fee: $35 for dinner and lecture. www.psastroke.org
** MAY 28: City of Palo Alto Art Commission Invites you to a Lecture as three artists discuss making art in the public realm in Palo Alto as well as their current projects. 7PM. Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell. Artists Jennifer Madden, Joey Piziali, and Michael Szaboe. FREE
** MAY 28: USGS May Evening Public Lecture at 345 Middlefield Road, Conference Room A, Bldg 3, Menlo Park at 7:00 PM International "Volcano Diplomacy" -- Rapid response team prevents crises from becoming disasters. See http://online.wr.usgs.gov/calendar
** MAY 30: Santa Clara Chorale and the Symphony Silicon Valley with a Mozart Requiem, FEE: $25, $20 seniors, $20 SCU Faculty/Staff, $10 students. Questions: (408)535-8636, or visit the website, www.scc.org.
** MAY 30: South Bay Young Writers Workshop '09 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at West Valley Presbyterian Church, 6191 Bollinger Road, at Miller Ave., Cupertino. Register www.southbaywriters.com.
** JUNE 3: Citizen Police Academy Graduates next class: K-9s Canine Unit 6-8:30 PM, Municipal Service Center, 3201 E. Bayshore Rd. RSVP to Susie Ord at susie.ord@cityofpaloalto.org.
** JUNE 6: Citywide Yard Sale from 8 AM to 1 PM. Visit http://www.paloaltozerowaste.org/yardsale to register. It’s free. They will send you a yard sale kit to help you get started.
** JUNE 6: "Red Meets Green" Community Day at Stevenson House at 455 E Charleston Road from 11 AM till 2PM. For more information go to www.stevensonhouse.org or contact Beth@StevensonHouse.org
**JUNE 20: The Grand Boulevard Initiative collaboration of 19 cities united to improve the performance, safety &d aesthetics of El Camino Real, http://design.migcom.com/GBI_evite from 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM, Fox Theater; 2223 Broadway, Redwood City.
** JUNE 21: World Music Day on Sunday June 21 from 5-8 PM.. Over 30 different musical groups will perform live music on the streets of downtown Palo Alto. For more information, see http://www.pamusicday.org.
TIP: GET INVOLVED: VOLUNTEER
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
ARE YOU PREPARED:
Tuesday June 30: Next Introduction to Block Preparedness Program see flyer at http://www.mimi.com/mra/pan/ep/BPC0630.pdf.
Training will start at 6PM at PAMF. If you are attending the communications class, please RSVP to me. It would be helpful for attendees to bring an FRS radio to this class.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
State Senator Joe Simitian
- Sidewalk Office Hours: more than a dozen this year, details coming soon.
- Education Update in Palo Alto: June 13, 10 am -noon. www.senatorsimitian.com
www.senatorsimitian.com
OPEN CITY HALL: tongoing topics are the financial forecast and High Speed Rail. http://paloalto.opencityhall.com/
Openings on the Utilities Advisory Commission. Deadline for receipt of applications in the City Clerk's Office is 5:30 PM, May 20. In the event no incumbents apply, the final deadline for non-incumbents will be Tuesday May 26 at 5:30 PM.
MEET THE POLICE CHIEF: Interim Police Chief, Dennis Burns, and other members of PAPD will talk about what's going on in the community, what the department has been doing and a question and answer session. Dates scheduled for 7:00 PM, unless noted differently:
May 26 Garden Court Hotel at 7PM
June 20 Scott's Seafood (Sat. 9:00 AM)
CITY COUNCIL:
MAY 25: No City Council
MAY 26 Finance Committee Special Meeting - Municipal Fee Schedule, Contracts Greater than $85k ; Q&A on Recommendation to City Council to Change the Methodology Used to Calculate the Equity Transfer from Utilities Funds to the General Fund
JUNE 1: Comp Plan Changes re airport, Levy of Proposed Assessments in Connection with the Palo Alto Downtown Business Improvement District. New Procedures regarding Alarm Penalty, Colleagues Memo - “Living Local- Shop Palo Alto
JUNE 2: Finance Committee - Business Licence Tax
JUNE 8: City Council: Budget Review and Public Hearing, Assessment for California Avenue Area Parking Bonds
JUNE 15: Budget Adoption
JUNE 23 "Cal Avenue" area (which has been expanded to include the area around Fry's). The meeting was scheduled for May 19 at Lucie Stern. It has been rescheduled to June 23 at Lucie Stern.
College Terrace initiation will not be heard by Council on June 1, due to a heavy Council calendar on that date. It will be rescheduled to June 22 or 29 (to be determined).
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
Join the JCC (Jewish Community Center) before May 30 with $0 registration fee, see http://tinyurl.com/o5f8u6.
MAY 23: Common Ground Classes (559 College Ave) To register call 493-6072
Gardening is For the Birds: Transform your yard into a thriving native ecosystem and bird sanctuary. Learn how simple and inexpensive it can be to create a destination for birds and beneficial insects, while conserving water, protecting the environment, and making your neighbors jealous of how green and progressive you've become. From 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Fee: $29
MAY 25: Acterra presents "Healing Creation: A Celtic Way of Harmony with the Earth, the Spirit, and the Human Soul" with J. Philip Newell, a leader from Scotland’s Iona Community. Newell is an internationally recognized interpreter of Celtic thought and a leader in bringing an environmental ethic to religious communities. Newell will introduce a Celtic spiritual approach to sustain us for the challenging work of healing the planet and enhance our commitment to all humanity. His presentation includes Celtic music and dance followed by a book signing and reception. From 4:00 to 6:30 PM at the Martin Family Hall; Menlo School; 50 Valparaiso Avenue, Atherton. Fee: $10/$5 students
MAY 28: City of Palo Alto Art Commission Invites you to a Lecture as three artists discuss making art in the public realm in Palo Alto as well as their current projects. 7PM Palo Alto Art Center 1313 Newell. Artists Jennifer Madden, Joey Piziali, and Michael Szaboe. FREE
MAY 28: USGS May Evening Public Lecture at 345 Middlefield Road, Conference Room A, Bldg 3, Menlo Park at 7:00 PM International "Volcano Diplomacy" -- Rapid response team prevents crises from becoming disasters. Details at http://online.wr.usgs.gov/calendar.
JUNE 6: "Red Meets Green" Community Day at Stevenson House at 455 E Charleston Road from 11 AM till 2PM.. This fun outdoor faire will focus on emergency preparedness and environmental awareness. Learn more abut what you can do to make our community a safer and more sustainable place to live. For more information go to www.stevensonhouse.org or contact Beth@StevensonHouse.org.
JUNE 20: The Grand Boulevard Initiative is a collaboration of 19 cities (including Palo Alto), San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, and local and regional agencies united to improve the performance, safety and aesthetics of El Camino Real. http://design.migcom.com/GBI_evite/
TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES STARTS JUNE 19. BROWN BAG CONCERTS starting July 9. Thursdays, 12-1 PM at Cogwell Plaza - Lytton and Ramona
STANFORD JAZZ FESTIVAL June 26- August 8. See www.stanfordjazz.org
Don't forget: Palo Alto has 3 Farmers Markets: City Hall Organic Produce on Wednesday afternoons from 4 - 6 at City Hall Plaza, Downtown on Saturday, Cal Ave on Sunday.
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** MAY 28: Peninsula Stroke Association's "Victory Over Stroke" lecture from 4:00 - 7:30 PM at the Garden Court Hotel. Fee: $35 for dinner and lecture. www.psastroke.org
** MAY 30: Santa Clara Chorale and the Symphony Silicon Valley with a Mozart Requiem, FEE: $25, $20 seniors, $20 SCU Faculty/Staff, $10 students. Questions: (408)535-8636, or visit the website, www.scc.org.
** MAY 30: South Bay Young Writers Workshop '09 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at West Valley Presbyterian Church, 6191 Bollinger Road, at Miller Ave., Cupertino. Register www.southbaywriters.com.
** JUNE 3: Citizen Police Academy Graduates next class: K-9s Canine Unit 6-8:30 PM, Municipal Service Center, 3201 E. Bayshore Rd. RSVP to Susie Ord at susie.ord@cityofpaloalto.org.
** JUNE 6: Citywide Yard Sale from 8 AM to 1 PM. Visit http://www.paloaltozerowaste.org/yardsale to register. It’s free. They will send you a yard sale kit to help you get started.
** JUNE 21: World Music Day on Sunday June 21 from 5-8 PM.. Over 30 different musical groups will perform live music on the streets of downtown Palo Alto. For more information, see http://www.pamusicday.org.
TIP
Don't Toss Money out the Window: Windows let the sunshine in, but in many cases they also let the heat in (or out, in the winter).
According to the Department of Energy, heat transfer through windows can account for 10 to 25 percent of your heating and air conditioning costs. Older, single-paned windows are the biggest energy wasters. Replacing older windows with energy-efficient ones can be expensive, but will save you money in the long run by reducing your energy use as much as 30 percent. Energy Star-rated windows are twice as efficient as typical models sold just 10 years ago. A variety of factors determine a window's energy efficiency:
a) Solar heat. A window's solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), a value ranging from 0 to 1, indicates the fraction of incoming solar radiation admitted through a window. The higher the number, the more heat will be transmitted, so you want a high value in colder climates (to take advantage of free heat provided by sunlight) and a low value in warmer climates (to keep heat out and lower cooling costs).
b) Heat transfer. The rate of heat transfer between the inside and outside of a home (unrelated to solar radiation) is known as a window's U-factor, which generally ranges from 0.2 to 1.2. The lower the value, the less heat is lost from your home-especially helpful during the winter. Some double- or triple-paned windows also contain argon, an inert gas, between the panes to minimize heat transfer.
c) Glazing. Most energy-efficient windows are coated to help reduce heat transfer. Low-emissivity (or "Low-E") coatings, composed of microscopic metal particles, reduce heat transfer by 40 to 70 percent while still allowing most light through. Tinted and reflective glass are also available, but they block some incoming sunlight as well.
d) Framing. Aluminum is a poor choice for window frames because it conducts heat readily.
e) Cost Considerations: Windows purchased in 2009 or 2010 that meet specific efficiency criteria are eligible for a federal tax credit equal to 30 percent of the purchase price (up to a maximum of $1,500 for all qualifying home improvements). See the Related Resources for information on eligibility criteria. If you can't replace your old windows now, there are other steps you can take:
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
ARE YOU PREPARED: LAST CALL
MAY 19: Palo Alto Neighborhoods Awards Ceremony and Lecture for Emergency Preparedness. Note the first 50 families will receive a free gift.
Where: Channing House, 850 Webster.
When 7PM Sharp.
What: Update on Swine Flu Pandemic; Keynote speaker Tom Brocher Chief Scientist, Earthquake Hazards Division, USGS speaking on "What to expect from the next big Bay Area Earthquake". All this will be followed by a reception ceremony with an opportunity to talk with Council Members and Key City Officials.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
OPEN CITY HALL topic is the financial forecast. http://paloalto.opencityhall.com/
Openings on the Utilities Advisory Commission. Deadline for receipt of applications in the City Clerk's Office is 5:30 PM, May 20. In the event no incumbents apply, the final deadline for non-incumbents will be Tuesday May 26 at 5:30 PM.
MEET THE POLICE CHIEF: Interim Police Chief, Dennis Burns, and other members of PAPD will talk about what's going on in the community, what the department has been doing and a question and answer session. Dates scheduled for 7:00 PM, unless noted differently:
May 26 Garden Court Hotel
CITY COUNCIL:
MAY 18: MAY 18: 7PM. Direction to Implement Recommendations of Website Advisory Committee; Adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Foothills Fire Management Plan: Discussion on Termination of Option Agreements Between the City and Essex Park Boulevard, LLC and Brown-Fairchild Park Investment Company, L.P. for the Purchase of the Properties Located at 2785 Park Boulevard and 2747 Park Boulevard, Respectively and Direction to Pursue Alternative Land Banking Options for Public Safety Building; Council Direction to High Speed Rail Ad Hoc Committee and Report and Update on High Speed Rail Activities
MAY 19: 7 PM City Council Finance Committee will discuss budget for Public Works, Utilities and feedback on Business License Tax
JUNE 15: Budget Adoption
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
USGS 2009 Open House: What/When: The public is invited to an open house at the USGS Menlo Park Center THIS Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Don't miss this special event! This only comes by every 3 years! http://openhouse.wr.usgs.gov
TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES STARTS JUNE 19. BROWN BAG CONCERTS starting July 9. Thursdays, 12-1 PM at Cogwell Plaza - Lytton and Ramona
Don't forget: Palo Alto has 3 Farmers Markets: City Hall Organic Produce on Wednesday afternoons from 4 - 6 at City Hall Plaza, Downtown on Saturday, Cal Ave on Sunday.
MAY 16: Hannah Montana Extravaganza Party at Town and Country Village from 11:30 AM - 1 PM.
MAY 16: Common Ground class (559 College Avenue).
To register, call 493-6072. http://www.commongroundinpaloalto.org
STARTING YOUR SUMMER GARDEN from 10:30 - 12:30. FEE: $29.
This popular class will inspire you to grow vegetables and herbs. Learn exactly what plants thrive now and how to grow them. Basil, chard, cucumbers, tomatoes and much more can all be transplanted now. Corn, lettuce, squash, bean, and carrot seeds are among the many seed varieties eager to germinate at this time of year. You will get plenty of ideas and instructions for direct sowing, transplanting, creating healthy soil and harvesting.
MAY 19: Compost Workshop from 7 - 8:30 PM. Learn how home composting can: improve soil structure; lower water consumption; decrease pesticide and fertilizer use; and reduce waste. Palo Alto residents receive a voucher for a Biostack compost bin at a reduced cost (a $129 value for $35). To enroll in the workshop or for questions, call 496-5910.
MAY 21: Smart Life Forum presents: "Human Regenerative Engineering" from 7 - 9:30 PM at Cubberley Community Center (Room H1)COST & REGISTRATION: $10 -- limited seating -- RSVP: events@smartlifeforum.org. See http://smartlifeforum.org
If aging is a disease, can there be a cure? Biomedical gerontologist Dr. Aubrey de Grey thinks so, and has pioneered an approach to do just that. Called SENS (Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence), de Grey's approach proposes to repair, remove, replace, or render harmless the molecular and cellular lesions of aging to restore human tissues to youthful levels. De Grey's talk will discuss: types of damage that cause aging; biotechnologies required to repair that damage; and the work of the SENS Foundation.
MAY 21:(NEW date!!): Stanford Historical Society 33rd Annual Meeting & Reception: Join your fellow Stanford Historical Society members, volunteers and friends of the Society, to celebrate another year of accomplishments at the Historical Society's Annual Meeting & Reception from 4:15 to 6:45 PM at Stanford - Room 40 at Jordan Hall, followed by a reception in the Math Courtyard outside. Jordan Hall is in the Main Quad facing the Oval. Dean Philip Pizzo, the Carl and Elizabeth Naumann Dean, School of Medicine, will give a talk on "One Hundred Years of Medicine at Stanford". RSVP to Charlotte Glasser at 725-3332 or cglasser@stanford.edu.
JUNE 3: Citizen Police Academy Graduates next class: K-9s Canine Unit will talk about their specialty, how and when the dogs are used and the specialized training dogs receive for tracking. 6-8:30 PM, Municipal Service Center, 3201 E. Bayshore Rd. RSVP to Susie Ord at susie.ord@cityofpaloalto.org.
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** MAY 14: Ohlone Neighborhood Meeting at 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Ohlone Elementary School Multi-Purpose Building to provide an update on the Renovations and Additions to the Ohlone School Campus.
** MAY 15: Open House for Conexions. Friday May 15 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at 1023 Corporation Way. Refreshments, course catalog, discounts on courses, tour the facility. Full schedule of classes at http://www.conexions.org/wordpress/?page_id=105
** MAY 16: Woman's Club Kitchen Tour. Two-hour tours, from 10 AM - 4 PM, of 5 fabulous Palo Alto kitchens. Reserve by May 9 - $30; after May 9 - $35 payable to The Woman's Club. Mail to Julie Jerome 726 Greer Road, PA 94303 or springkitchentour@gmail.com.
** MAY 16-17: USGS Triennial Open House from 10AM-4PM each day: For more see http://openhouse.wr.usgs.gov or 888-275-8747.
** MAY 17: Russian Dance & Music Festival at Terman School Auditorium from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. FEE
** MAY 19: "Greening Your Career" Forum from 5:30 - 9:00 PM at Symantec VCafe, 350 Ellis Street, Mtn View. FEE: $20 for Acterra members, $30 with advance registration, $40 at the door. For more, contact Pat Martin patm@acterra.org.
** MAY 28: Peninsula Stroke Association's "Victory Over Stroke" lecture from 4:00 - 7:30 PM at the Garden Court Hotel. Fee: $35 for dinner and lecture. www.psastroke.org
** MAY 30: Santa Clara Chorale and the Symphony Silicon Valley with a Mozart Requiem, FEE: $25, $20 seniors, $20 SCU Faculty/Staff, $10 students. Questions: (408)535-8636, or visit the website, www.scc.org.
** MAY 30: South Bay Young Writers Workshop '09 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at West Valley Presbyterian Church, 6191 Bollinger Road, at Miller Ave., Cupertino. Register www.southbaywriters.com.
** JUNE 6: Citywide Yard Sale from 8 AM to 1 PM. Visit http://www.paloaltozerowaste.org/yardsale to register. It’s free. They will send you a yard sale kit to help you get started.
** JUNE 21: World Music Day on Sunday June 21 from 5-8 PM.. Over 30 different musical groups will perform live music on the streets of downtown Palo Alto. For more information, see http://www.pamusicday.org.
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
Mitchell Park News: From Greg Betts, Acting Director Community Services. This week 6 stone pine trees will be removed for safety reasons. These trees are near the Pine Grove area. The collapse last week of a very large limb off one of the trees is the third incident with the Stone Pines in the past two years, and a catastrophic incident was narrowly avoided. Throughout the past couple of decades many large limbs have been removed in an attempt to minimize the risks involved with managing these trees. Even with these mitigation measures, suspect conditions still exist. At fifty years of age, the trees have sadly reached the end of their life. The tree crew will naturally replace the trees around this popular picnic area and playground, but will wait until fall when conditions are better for getting new trees established.
ARE YOU PREPARED: REMINDER OF TWO EVENTS
** MAY 9: BLOCK PREPAREDNESS COORDINATOR TRAINING
10: 00 AM "Introduction to the Palo Alto Neighborhoods Block Preparedness Coordinator Program (BPC)" See overview of BPC program at www.paneighborhoods.org/ep. This program is sponsored by the Palo Alto Neighborhoods and the City of Palo Alto.
11:15 AM. - 1:00 PM. "Communications during an Emergency Disaster": This class will discuss the use of FRS radios during anemergency/disaster. Instruction and practice in the units will be given. Please bring a FRS radio if possible. RSVPs are strongly requested for the class due to the need for sufficient materials and units for training.
RSVP or questions to epvolunteer@paneighborhoods.org.
Both training sessions will be held at the Foothill Middlefield Campus (at Cubberley) Building "Eye", Auditorium, Rm IA. Please note it is building "EYE" not a "one". This auditorium is at the back of the site and almost in the middle of the property. Building "EYE" is between Gym A and Building J. See map at http://www.foothill.edu/mid/map.php.
** MAY 19: Palo Alto Neighborhoods Awards Ceremony and Lecture for Emergency Preparedness. Note the first 50 families will receive a free gift.
Where: Channing House, 850 Webster.
When 7PM Sharp.
What: Update on Swine Flu Pandemic; Keynote speaker Tom Brocher Chief Scientist, Earthquake Hazards Division, USGS speaking on "What to expect from the next big Bay Area Earthquake". All this will be followed by a reception ceremony with an opportunity to talk with Council Members and Key City Officials.
If you are concerned about swine flu, check out this "game" to see how infection could be spread. Then come to the May 9th Class. www.routesgame.com/games/?challengeId=2
Please note that many scammers are using the swine flu outbreak to infect computers and steal personal information. Oregon Attorney General John Kroger says emails from cyber-crooks may include links to bogus health web sites talking about vitamins to protect against swine flu. He said what they really want is information about your bank accounts or social security number or credit card numbers. Some of the scam emails contain attachments with a different kind of virus that cause malicious software. The advice is when email arrives that mentions swine flu, don't open the attachments.
Aditi sends us this interesting link http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/may6/med-fluresearch-050609.html?view=print on what Stanford is doing to develop new tools for future pandemics.
Congratulations to Midtown resident Geri Spieler for her book, "Taking Aim at the President": She is the Winner in the "Wild Card" division in the 2009 San Francisco Book Festival. What is Wild Card? It is a category for books that don't quite fit one just one: She chose it because the book fits several categories: It is non-fiction, biography, history and politics--all categories included in the contest. She would have diluted my chances by picking one, so she chose Wild Card. History you won't find anywhere else. www.TakingAimAtThePresident.com
Midtown Resident Judy Gittelsohn announces that Art For Well Beings has moved to a new Location at 2460 Park Boulevard, Number Three, tucked in behind. Art For Well Beings offers classes and workshops specially geared toward people with special needs. Expression is the goal. Respectful positive play is the method. An encouraging safe collective society is the forum. We Welcome You to Join Us for Art. Daily. For more call 776 8297 or www.artforwellbeings.org.
Doug sends notice of this scam: Seniors in Palo Alto are currently being called re the "Grandson Scam". Please alert seniors that you know. Best current info the Weekly online article: http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=12227.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
OPEN CITY HALL topic is the financial forecast. http://paloalto.opencityhall.com/
CITY BUDGET: Excellent narration by our city manager, Jim Keene, on the Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets, the Budget Hearing schedule and an email address where people can send in their thoughts, feedback and advice. See http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/mgr/community_budget_forum.asp. Budget hearing TONIGHT on the Fire and Police components.
For more hearing dates see http://tinyurl.com/dlll7c.
Openings on the Utilities Advisory Commission. Application forms and appointment information are available in the City Clerk's Office, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto - 329-2571 or may be obtained on the website at http://www.pafd.org/depts/news. Deadline for receipt of applications in the City Clerk's Office is 5:30 PM, May 20. In the event no incumbents apply, the final deadline for non-incumbents will be Tuesday May 26 at 5:30 PM.
MEET THE POLICE CHIEF: Interim Police Chief, Dennis Burns, and other members of PAPD will talk about what's going on in the community, what the department has been doing and a question and answer session. Dates scheduled for 7:00 PM, unless noted differently:
May 26 Garden Court Hotel
June 20 Scott's Seafood (Sat. 9:00 AM)
July 21 or 28 TBA
Curtis Williams, Planning & Transportation Director send us the latest monthly summary of Planning and Transportation Division projects http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/pln/news/details.asp?NewsID=613&TargetID=85.
CITY COUNCIL:
MAY 11: DRAFT 5:30 PM: Joint meeting with Congresswoman Eshoo concerning Federal and Local Issues.
6:30 PM or as soon as possible thereafter Joint Meeting with the Utilities Advisory Commission regarding the Smart Grid.
7:30 PM or as soon as possible thereafter Council meeting. Second reading: (Floor Area Bonuses) of Title 18 & Polystyrene and Non-Recyclable Food Service Containers. Public Hearing on Ordinance (Requirements to Divert Construction and Demolition Waste from Landfill) to Increase Diversion Rate and Expand Applicability to Projects in Excess of $25,000; Environmental Assessment: Categorically Exempt Pursuant to Section 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines & Direction to Ad Hoc High Speed Rail Committee regarding speaking on behalf of the City
JUNE 8: Budget Review & Public Hearing
JUNE 15: Budget Adoption
SCHOOL NEWS
MAY 12: School Boundaries: Boundary discussions are ongoing and will be up for discussion at the next regular School Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30pm at the School District Office, Boardroom 25. This is a great time to be heard directly by the Board and to give input on school boundary concerns. Remember that the final decision is expected in early June. The following link will provide instruction on how to address the board: http://pausd.org/community/board/address.shtml.
MAY 13: Palo Alto Unified School District ? The Palo Alto Unified School District will hold a Garland Community meeting to present schematic design plans and elevations for Garland Elementary and listen to community input. The Garland Community meeting is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, May 13 at the Jordan Middle School Library. (750 N. California Ave.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES STARTS JUNE 19. For complete schedule see http://tinyurl.com/deb5pb.
BROWN BAG CONCERTS starting July 9. Thursdays, 12-1 PM at Cogwell Plaza - Lytton and Ramona
MAY 9: Common Ground Class (559 College Ave). To register call 493-6072.
DRIP IRRIGATION: Taught by Frank Niccoli from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. FEE:$29
MAY 9: Celebrate California Lawn Bowling Day from 10 AM - 3PM. Palo Alto Lawn Bowls Open House. Corner of Embarcadero and Cowper, next to Gamble Gardens. Come & try your hand, Please wear flat soled shoes. For more, 323-2575 or www.palbc.org.
MAY 14: Ohlone Neighborhood Meeting at 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Ohlone Elementary School Multi-Purpose Building to provide an update on the Renovations and Additions to the Ohlone School Campus.
MAY 15: Open House for Conexions. Friday May 15 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at 1023 Corporation Way. Refreshments, course catalog, discounts on courses, tour the facility. Full schedule of classes at http://www.conexions.org/wordpress/?page_id=105.
MAY 28: Peninsula Stroke Association's annual "Victory Over Stroke" lecture. Stroke is a medical emergency, everyone needs to know.When 4:00 - 7:30 PM; Where - Garden Court Hotel, 520 Cowper Street. Fee: $35 for dinner and lecture. Make a $10 or more donation to Peninsula Stroke Association and receive a "Victory Over Stroke" discount card to be used May 7 - 31 for discounts around Santana Row. See http://tinyurl.com/d3vzw6. Ken Wayne of KTVU 2 is Emcee, Speakers David C. Tong, MD of California Pacific Medical Center, "New Technologies to Enhance Acute Stroke Care" and Anne Burleigh Jacobs, PT, PhD, SensoMotor Neurological Rehabilitation.
MAY 30: Santa Clara Chorale and the Symphony Silicon Valley with a Mozart Requiem. FEE: $25, $20 seniors, $20 SCU Faculty/Staff, $10 students. Questions: (408)535-8636, or visit the website,www.scc.org.
JUNE 21: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for World Music Day sent by Council Member Yoriko Kishimoto: Join us on Sunday June 21 from 5-8 PM, as Palo Alto celebrates World Music Day. Over 30 different musical groups will perform live music on the streets of downtown Palo Alto. Be part of the volunteer team that brings this event to life! Email info@pamusicday.org to sign up today to volunteer. Needed Event Coordinators and Photographers and Videographers. For more information, see http://www.pamusicday.org.
OLD
** MAY 7: Community Environmental Action Partnership (CEAP) Meeting - This initiative engages various segments of our community to identify opportunities to create/implement sustainable environmental solutions) from 7 - 9 PM at Lucie Stern Community Center
** MAY 9: Friends of Palo Alto Library. Saturday, May 9, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Sunday May 10, 10 AM to 4 PM at Cubberley.
** MAY 9: Japanese Fest at Stanford at the Bechtel International Center. Food, Art, Music. Free. For more info, japanfestival59@yahoo.co.jp.
** MAY 10: E.O. Wilson: Biodiversity and Our Future: Healing Mother Earth - A benefit lecture for Canopy. at 4 PM. at Spangenberg Theater (Gunn High School), 780 Arastradero Rd. More at http://www.canopy.org/
** MAY 16: Woman's Club Kitchen Tour. Two-hour tours, from 10 AM - 4 PM, of 5 fabulous Palo Alto kitchens. Reserve by May 9 - $30; after May 9 - $35 payable to The Woman's Club. Mail to Julie Jerome 726 Greer Road, PA 94303 or springkitchentour@gmail.com.
** MAY 16-17: USGS Triennial Open House from 10AM-4PM each day: For more see http://openhouse.wr.usgs.gov or 888-275-8747.
** MAY 19: "Greening Your Career" Forum from 5:30 - 9:00 PM at Symantec VCafe, 350 Ellis Street, Mtn View. FEE: $20 for Acterra members, $30 with advance registration, $40 at the door. For more, contact Pat Martin patm@acterra.org.
** MAY 30: South Bay Young Writers Workshop '09 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at West Valley Presbyterian Church, 6191 Bollinger Road, at Miller Ave., Cupertino. Register www.southbaywriters.com.
** JUNE 6: Citywide Yard Sale from 8 AM to 1 PM. Visit http://www.paloaltozerowaste.org/yardsale to register. It’s free. They will send you a yard sale kit to help you get started.
TIPS
13 WAYS TO SLASH YOUR UTILITY BILL: Big energy leaks are often hiding in plain sight, and many of them are easy to fix - you may not even need tools. Here's how to get started.
ELECTION NEWS
For those of you who vote by mail, ballots are due in next Monday, May 11th. If you aren't ready by Monday, you can drop your ballot off at any polling place in Santa Clara County on election day, May 19th. If you need help understanding the ballot measures, here are some impartial presentations:
David Greene writes: If anyone is looking for landscaping services - design, installation, specialty maintenance - I'd like to recommend EarthCare for your consideration. We've worked with them over a period of years and been consistently impressed with the people, the quality of their work, and their reasonable prices. They are very environmentally-conscious and go out of their way to provide customized service. See http://www.earthcareland.com/.
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