| Midtown News Updates |
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MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS:
PLEASE SEND YOUR NEWS IN AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU WANT IT PUBLISHED
LAST CALL: Calling all blocks: From the previous email.
Meeting on April 28th Monday at 7PM at the Friends Meeting hall - 957 Colorado, back building.
Are you prepared for a quake. Take the test.
http://www.nwcn.com/sharedcontent/features/flash/quake/during.html
Eli writes: We're selling our Midtown Palo Alto home and we'd like to temporary rent housing in the Midtown area from late June to mid-August. If you would consider renting out your home during this period please call us at 856-1958 (evenings). We're long time residents of Midtown and we'd take good care of your home.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
CITY FLUSHING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM: To see a map and a full flushing schedule, please visit the City's web page at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org and click on 'Departments', then 'Utilities', then on the '2008 Water Flushing Schedule' for System Flushing information.
OLD: In preparation for a likely November 2008 bond measure to raise approximately $80 million for library improvements, the city is holding three public meetings:
* Tuesday, April 29 at 7 to 8:30 PM at the Main Library,
* Wednesday, April 30 from 7 to 8:30 PM at the Mitchell Park Community Center, and
* Saturday, May 10 from 10 to 11:30 AM at the Mitchell Park Community Center.
The improvements consist of replacing the existing Mitchell Park Library and Community Center with a single 51,000 square foot building at the same site, remodeling and somewhat enlarging the Main Library, and reconfiguring and updating the Downtown Library. See proposed designs. The city is also producing a nine-minute informational video and will send two to four direct mail pieces to residents.
UPCOMING COUNCIL-COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
APRIL 28: City Council focuses on all things green. starting at 6PM.
MAY 5: : Study session on Stanford Projects.
UPCOMING PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION MEETINGS
APRIL 30: 7:00 PM Council Chambers: Charleston-Arastradero Improvements Update: Review and Recommendation on the Evaluation of Phase 1 Trial Improvements on Charleston Road and Plan for Phase 2 Trial Implementation on Arastradero Road. The staff report will be available on the City's main webpage at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org under Agendas/Minutes/Reports, select Planning and Transportation Commission and follow the links. For additional information, please call Gayle Likens at 329-2136.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
APRIL 24: Acterra presents "Challenged Conceptions - The Impact of Environmental Toxins on Infertility and the Developing Fetus: from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road. A thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Sarah Janssen, Science Fellow with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) about how common chemicals in our everyday life can detrimentally impact pregnancy, fertility and reproductive health disorder.
MAY 3: Acterra Party for the Planet MAY 3: Common Ground (559 College Avenue): Solar Cooking: from 12:00 - 2:00 PM. Led by Assistant Manager Don Larson. Prepare delicious sun-cooked meals using fresh produce from your garden.
MAY 4: PA Historical Association "A Look at Mayfield, the Forgotten Town" will be remembered by Gail Woolley, former Palo Alto Mayor and preservationist Sunday, May 4th, 2pm at Lucie Stern Community Center.
MAY 7: Acterra presents "Pesticides and Playgrounds - Chemicals in Our Children's Everyday Environment: at the Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Charlotte Brody of Commonweal and Renee Sharp from the Environmental Working Group will join Susan Kegley from the http://www.panna.org/ North America to share resources that you can use to protect your family from the harmful effect of pesticides. From food shopping to household cleaning supplies to local pesticide policies, pick up some everyday tips and tools to use and share.
MAY 10: Common Ground (559 College Avenue) presents "INTRO TO GARDEN-BASED HERBALISM" with Darren Huckle from 10:30 - 3:30PM. Herbal medicines abound in your garden. Herbs disguised as ornamentals and "weeds" await your discovery.
MAY 16: the Santa Clara Chorale will perform Johannes Brahms' soul-stirring Ein Deutches Requiem Opus 45, at the Mission Santa Clara at Santa Clara University. FEE: From $5 to $25. For further information about this and upcoming performances, please call (408) 369-1289, or visit the website, www.scc.org.
OLD; APRIL 25/26: Gamble Garden: Annual Gamble Garden Spring Tour, Neighborhood Gardens of Old Palo Alto, Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Visit www.gamblegarden.org or call 329-1356 x 201.
OLD: APRIL 27: The Stanford Historical Society will be showing four grand old houses. FEE: For information call 324-1653 or 725-3332, or email susan.sweeney@stanford.edu or cglasser@stanford.edu.
OLD: APRIL 26/27: Wildflower Show at Mission College from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Visit www.cnps-scv.org, or email cnps_scv@yahoo.com. The Wildflower Show is sponsored by the Mission College Biological Sciences Dept. 941-1068. Free.
OLD: MAY 3rd Children's Fete: Street closings Saturday that day till noon: University all the way to Middlefield, and the blocks perpendicular to University downtown; and Webster St. from University to Kingsley.
OLD: MAY 7: Pesticides and Playgrounds - Chemicals in Our Children's Everyday Environment. At the Palo Alto Art Center 1313 Newell from 6:30 to 8:30 PM
OLD: MAY 11: GAMBLE GARDEN invites you to Celebrate Mother's Day in the most gorgeous garden in Palo Alto with sunshine, jazz, champagne and a sumptuous buffet! Two seatings: 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM FEE: $65.00 per adult ; $50.00 per child (2 to 10 years old). OLD: MAY 22: "When Every Minute Counts: The Future of Emergency Medicine". The forum will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2008, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Palo Art Center at 1313 Newell Road.
TIPS
KEEP TRACK OF WHAT'S WHEN: Check the "Public Agenda" column in the Weekly every Friday, and also the links in the "City Concerns" section of the Midtown Residents' Association website: http://www.mimi.com/mra/.
Walt Hays writes on Choose Green Roses for a Change: U.S. residents spent $8 billion on flowers in 2006, but many of the beautiful blooms we purchased were hiding an ugly past. Flowers sold in the United States are generally grown on large farms and treated with massive amounts of pesticide; this not only endangers the health of farm workers, but also pollutes local air and water supplies.
In addition, many flowers are imported from Asia and Central and South America, where environmental regulations are often less stringent. For example, the International Labor Rights Fund and the U.S. Labor Education in the Americas Project (LEAP) have found that 20 percent of the chemicals applied to flowers in Colombia, a top exporter, are restricted or banned in the United States and Europe.
Transporting these flowers to U.S. stores magnifies their environmental impact, as trucks and airplanes (including the needed refrigeration) contribute to air pollution and global warming. Remember that great book 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth? Well, it's back! And UCS is profiled in a chapter about renewable energy and what we can all do to help America shift away from dirty power and towards clean energy sources like the wind and sun. Find out more and order a copy. Website http://tinyurl.com/6pw728.
Fortunately, the number of eco-friendly flower options is growing. Consider these tips the next time you want to impress that special someone:
Finally from Audubon magazine: A rose is (not) a rose: http://audubonmagazine.org/features0801/organics.html
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS: Calling all blocks: From the previous email.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
CITY LIBRARY CLOSED on April 18 for staff development. Even when the libraries are closed, you can still search the online catalog, submit reference desk questions, access many online resources, and get book recommendations.
OLD: In preparation for a likely November 2008 bond measure to raise approximately $80 million for library improvements, the city is holding three public meetings:
UPCOMING COUNCIL-COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
UPCOMING PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION MEETINGS
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
MARCH Earth Month 2008
APRIL 22: ONE-DAY SPRING FLING EARTH DAY EXTRAVAGANZA BENEFITING PiE -- Dine & shop at participating merchants, and they'll donate 20% to PiE! Events include Special Outdoor Yoga Class led by Susan Fox of Yoga Source (with optional light lunch) and drawings for special prizes including a weekend at Four Seasons! No coupons needed -- just mention SpringFling or PiE! List of participating merchants, http://papie.org/springfling.html. More info on PiE, http://www.papie.org.
APRIL 24: USGS Lecture 7 PM on the Hayward fault.
APRIL 26/27: Wildflower Show at Mission College:
MAY 3rd Children's Fete: Street closings Saturday that day till noon: University all the way to Middlefield, and the blocks perpendicular to University downtown; and Webster St. from University to Kingsley.
MAY 7: Pesticides and Playgrounds - Chemicals in Our Children's Everyday Environment Charlotte Brody of Commonweal and Renee Sharp from the Environmental Working Group will join Susan Kegley from the Pesticide Action Network North America to share resources that you can use to protect your family from the harmful effect of pesticides. From food shopping to household cleaning supplies to local pesticide policies, pick up some everyday tips and tools to use and share. At the Palo Alto Art Center 1313 Newell from 6:30 to 8:30 PM
MAY 11: GAMBLE GARDEN invites you to Celebrate Mother's Day in the most gorgeous garden in Palo Alto with sunshine, jazz, champagne and a sumptuous buffet! Guests can tour the gardens, feast alfresco on the Carriage House Patio, and enjoy jazz and coffee on the Tea House Patio.
MAY 11: Amateur Radio Licence Testing: College of San Mateo from 8 AM - 5PM . FEE: $30. Register wb6zbu@arrl.net. For call Ross Peterson at 349-5349. One day study session for prospective HAMs. Morse Code test will not be given. Study session followed by exam.
OLD: APRIL 19: COMPLETE-DIET MINI-FARMING from 10:30 - 12:30. FEE: $27.
OLD: APRIL 20: Tour of El Palo Alto Park Native Plant Ecosystem from 10 AM - 4 PM. El Palo Alto Park (corner of Alma St. and Palo Alto Ave.), Palo Alto Contact: Ryan@SanFrancisquito.org. Part of the Going Native Garden Tour - http://www.gngt.org.
OLD: APRIL 24: "Challenged conception - The impact of Environmental Chemicals on Fertility and the Developing Fetus". This seminar will be held at the Palo Alto Art Center (1313 Newel) on Thursday April 24th, 7:00 to 8:30 PM..
OLD: APRIL 24 & 27: Jeff Cabili mime show at 7:30 PM at Cubberley Theatre, visit our website at www.gunntheatre.org and click on Mime Show tickets. FEE:
OLD: APRIL 25/26: Gamble Garden:1431 Waverley Street: 23 Annual Gamble Garden Spring Tour, Neighborhood Gardens of Old Palo Alto, Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26.
OLD: APRIL 27: The Stanford Historical Society will be showing four grand old houses. FEE.
OLD: MAY 22: "When Every Minute Counts: The Future of Emergency Medicine". The forum will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2008, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Palo Art Center at 1313 Newell Road. More details are available at http://www.stanfordpackard.org. Sponsored by Stanford.
TIPS
Council Member Drekmeier writes: " There's a great article about water conservation and recycling in the San Mateo County times - http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/ci_8888782.
From Both Roth: I suggest Palo Altans take a hike in Foothills Park right now to see a spectacular display of the wild flower, lupin.
Elaine writes: Everything you wanted to know about Bugs: The Live Oak Tussock Moth Cocoon is reappearing around oak trees. Searching for some information about it I came across a website from the University of Tennessee, www.bugguide.net/node/view/34115. It has clickable pictures and information about countless bugs. If you are very suggestible you may not want to roam around this site, but it is quite a treat if you have any interest.
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS: Winter Lodge's annual ice show will run April 25, 26 & 27 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are now on sale to the public for $12.00 each. The show is titled Dreams of Stardom - One Bear's Story. The show features approximately 200 local skaters ranging in age from 4 to 74 and showcases skaters of all abilities. For tickets, please come to Winter Lodge front desk or call 493-4566 x 0.
APRIL 16: Judy Gittelsohn Reception "Pear and a Yam" from 5:30 - 7:30PM. 2134 Old Middlefield Way, Suite J, Mt View. www.judyg.com
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
CITY LIBRARY CLOSED on April 18 for staff development. Even when the libraries are closed, you can still search the online catalog, submit reference desk questions, access many online resources, and get book recommendations.
In preparation for a likely November 2008 bond measure to raise approximately $80 million for library improvements, the city is holding three public meetings:
APRIL 12: CANOPY WALK: 10AM to Noon: April Tree Walk with arborist John McClenahan in the Gamble Garden neighborhood. Meeting Place: Gamble Garden Carriage House, 1431 Waverley Street.
UPCOMING COUNCIL-COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
APRIL 28: City Council focuses on all things green. starting at 6PM.
UPCOMING PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION MEETINGS
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
MARCH Earth Month 2008
APRIL 12-13: Friends of Palo Alto Book sale.
APRIL 16: Drivers of Change: (A presentation by Hunter Lovins, President and Founder of Natural Capitalism Solutions) 6 PM: Reception - 7 PM: Presentation Palo Alto City Hall. For more contact: rmharman@presidiomba.org.
APRIL 17: From the Media Center "Comcast has been caught blocking BitTorrent, Verizon has been caught blocking text messages, AT&T wants to inspect and filter Web traffic. These big companies' efforts to discriminate online are crushing competition, slowing innovation, and endangering free speech. With so much at stake, it's encouraging that the FCC's first move is to quickly seek public feedback and expert counsel about the future of the Internet. It is rare for all five members of the Federal Communications Commission to leave Washington, D.C. . Now is the time to speak up for an open Internet free from corporate gatekeepers. FCC hearing at Stanford University, and time is allotted for public comment. Come to the Media Center on Sunday, April 13th, 4-6 PM to learn more about the issue, get trained on how to make the best of your 90 seconds, and tape a testimonial in advance. If you would like to come, please RSVP to Danielle@communitymediacenter.net.
APRIL 17: Green Light Film Festival The top finalists' films will be screened for all to see and then awarded their prizes, featuring "previously owned" trophies and $2,000 in cash and gift cards. The festival, co-sponsored by the City of Palo Alto, the Media Center, the Palo Alto Weekly and Hewlett-Packard, emphasized student-produced work in categories from grades 6-8, grades 9-12, and an open category for all others. The Hollywood-style ceremony will be held at 7 PM at Cubberley Theater, located at 4000 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Admission is free.
APRIL 19: CELTIC ROSE at East/West Bookstore, Mountain View, 8:00-10:00pm. FEE: $12 in advance,
$15 at the door. CELTIC ROSE fills your senses with luscious and soulful harmonies, lilting melodies, and elegant stringed accompaniment.
APRIL 19: COMPLETE-DIET MINI-FARMING from 10:30 - 12:30. FEE: $27. Does your desire for better nutrition have you wondering if you could live off your land? This class will show you how to plan a garden or mini-farm that will produce healthy, nutritious food and be highly productive as well as truly sustainable, in the smallest space possible.
APRIL 20: Tour of El Palo Alto Park Native Plant Ecosystem from 10 AM - 4 PM. El Palo Alto Park (corner of Alma St. and Palo Alto Ave.), Palo Alto Contact: Ryan@SanFrancisquito.org. Part of the Going Native Garden Tour - http://www.gngt.org.
APRIL 24: "Challenged conception - The impact of Environmental Chemicals on Fertility and the Developing Fetus". This seminar will be held at the Palo Alto Art Center <1313 Newell> on Thursday April 24th, 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Sponsored by Planned Parenthood.This seminar is given by Sarah Janssen, MD, PhD and MPH, a practicing Physician and a Science Fellow of NRDC.
APRIL 24 & 27: Jeff Cabili, a Barron Park resident, will be performing his wonderful mime show at Gunn High school on April 24th and 27th. Jeff graciously gives all proceeds for refurbishing the Gunn Studio Theatre. The show is a lot of fun and a rare opportunity to experience this great art form. The 1.5 hour show is appropriate for ages 8 & up. BiLi trained in France & has performed internationally and locally. His website is at http://www.bilithemime.com/. To purchase tickets to see "BiLi the Mime" on Thursday April 24 at 7:30 PM or on Sunday April 27 at 7:30 PM at Cubberley Theatre, 4000 Middlefield Rd., please visit our website at www.gunntheatre.org and click on Mime Show tickets. Tickets ($20 each) are being sold at Gunn's Student Activities Center (SAC) & by mail.
APRIL 30: Special Reiki night at the East West bookstore. From 7:30 - 9 PM. Camlot writes "Going back to the favorite bookstore in downtown Mountain View. We'll give free Reiki treatments to the community exactly as we do during our regular open house. This time we'll have more tables, and you can browse and enjoy the store while waiting for your turn!"
MAY 22: "When Every Minute Counts: The Future of Emergency Medicine". The forum will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2008, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Palo Art Center at 1313 Newell Road. More details are available at http://www.stanfordpackard.org. Sponsored by Stanford.
OLD: APRIL 12: Alternatives to Lawns from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM at Common Ground, 559 College Avenue. Call 493.6072 to reserve. http://www.CommonGroundinPaloAlto.org/
OLD: APRIL 18: Earth Day Celebration at Gamble Garden from 2-4 PM. Families with children of all ages are welcome to take part in some simple garden activities including a scavenger hunt throughout the garden and enjoy juice and cookies on the Tea House Patio. It is free! See below for URL and phone contact.:
OLD: APRIL 25/26: Gamble Garden:1431 Waverley Street: 23 Annual Gamble Garden Spring Tour, Neighborhood Gardens of Old Palo Alto, Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Join them as a visitor on the Tour; enjoy the lunch, silent auction, raffle, boutique, or Plant Sale at Gamble; or volunteer in one of the beautiful gardens. FEE:
$30 for members, $40 day of the Tour. Visit www.gamblegarden.org or call 329-1356 x 201
OLD: APRIL 27: The Stanford Historical Society will be showing four grand old houses built between 1905 and the mid-1920s. Proceeds from the tour support the work of the Stanford Historic Houses Project, whose members are documenting pre-1930 campus houses. FEE: before April 18 - $20 per person. After that, tickets cost $25. For more call 324-1653 or 725-3332, or email susan.sweeney@stanford.edu or cglasser@stanford.edu.
OLD: MAY DAY: Wake up the Sun. Palo Alto's English morris dancers gather together with their sticks, ribbons, bells, hankies, and baldrics, for music and dance in our annual May Day celebrations. Palo Alto's morris dance teams, including our own FFL Morris, based here in Midtown, will dance and caper for your enjoyment and delight. We'll even provide you coffee and muffins. Take Embarcadero East to the end, turn left, pass the airport, bear right, past the duck pond and gate B, right again into the parking lots.
VOLUNTEER FOR REBUILDING TOGETHER
National Rebuilding Day on Saturday April 26, 2008. from Matt Sorgenfrei. This volunteer day has traditionally been supported by Palo Altans. Typically, we work on projects in East Palo Alto, but this year, the project is at the home of David, an 89-year-old disabled veteran in Redwood City. This is a simple, one day project - some painting, cleaning and deck repair, with a few other handy man chores. The National Rebuilding Day will begin at 8 in the morning at our project site, and will conclude with a Picnic at 6:00 at Flood Park in Menlo Park. Coffee and lunch will be provided. There are plenty of tasks available no matter what your level of skill or experience may be. Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit organization that builds volunteer partnerships to rehabilitate homes and community facilities for low-income homeowners, seniors, and the disabled.Over 4,000 volunteers repaired 55 homes and 23 community facilities last year.
TIPS
Carroll writes: Run, don't walk, to Mac's Smoke Shop, Walgreen's or where ever you can buy this week's Newsweek. It has the best collection of environmental information that I have seen, including an analysis of the "green" platforms for each of the presidential candidates. Here is an excellent articles about CFLs: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/05/HO8HVM0JV.DTL.
Pat sends this tip regarding last week's note in fireplaces: Re the rebate to replace wood-burning fireplaces, there's a good "handbook" online at: http://www.baaqmd.gov/pio/wood_burning/woodburning_handbook.pdf.
Pat Also writes about spraying for the Brown Apple Moth. From an article in SF Chronicle: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/07/MNROVUMES.DTL&hw=moth&sn=001&sc=1000 .
Spraying plans and maps can be found at the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Web site:
http://links.sfgate.com/ZCLW.
Elizabeth writes about solicitations at home. "I have been quite successful at avoiding solicitors at my home by posting a neat little sign next to my doorbell, "NO ADULT SOLICITORS." That means that Girl Scouts selling cookies and other kids are welcome. Some solicitors have left door hangers, cards or fliers without ringing or knocking. If someone knocks without noticing (or maybe ignoring?) the sign, I gently point to the sign, and I've had no fuss from them."
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS: Midtown artist Judy Gittelsohn announces a new set of classes; Free Time? or not -Now's the time to make Art - it's potent - Art For Well Beings Invites you. See www.artforwellbeings.org for full schedule of classes.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
A few more seats left to become a PANDA: The next classes begin Wednesday, April 9th. There's a morning class of five consecutive Wednesday's from 9:00 AM to Noon and an evening class running five Wednesday's from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Both classes include a hands-on "field day", Saturday May 3 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. PANDA training is available free-of-charge to Palo Alto residents and Palo Alto based employees. Pre-registration is required for PANDA classes and one must attend all 6 modules to graduate.
Rebates for replacing wood fireplaces. These are going to go fast! Starting Monday, application forms for fireplace replacement rebates will be posted on line at www.sparetheair.org/community/changeoutprogram.htm.
Fill out the PAUSD Survey for the Strategic Plan: Deadline 5 PM Friday, April 4.
See the latest issues of interest for April from the Planning & Transportation Division at http://tinyurl.com/5mu74s.
OLD: VACANCIES on the Human Relations & Public Arts Commission: Deadline April 17th at 5PM, extended to April 22 if incumbents do not re-apply. Application available from the City Clerk 329-2571 or the city web site.
UPCOMING COUNCIL-COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
UPCOMING PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION MEETINGS
APRIL 6: COMPOST Giveaway at Palo Alto Landfill at 2380 Embarcadero. 1 cubic yard free (6 full garbage cans).
OLD: APRIL 9: Second meeting of the Community Environmental Action Partnership (CEAP) from 4-6 PM at the Mitchell Park Community Center. The agenda for the meeting is not yet finalized, but the intentions at this time are to bring the adjusted Mission & Goals back to the group, briefly discuss the group's structure and decide on a formulation plan, and start discussing/choosing concrete action items. The Mission & Goals vote data and Action Item Ideas have been uploaded to http://pacool.pbwiki.com .
OLD: APRIL 10: "New Urbanism and the Comprehensive Plan," at 4:00 PM - 6 PM in the Council Chambers. Topics: How the Existing Comprehensive Plan reflects the vision of New Urbanism; and How local governments are integrating New Urbanism into Comprehensive Plans.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
MARCH Earth Month 2008
APRIL 4: Filipina Concert Pianist to Perform Benefit for Neighbors Abroad. The noted Filipina pianist Carmencita Aspiras will present a springtime concert at 7:00 PM at the Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell, under auspices of Neighbors Abroad (NA), Palo Alto's Sister-City organization. This is the seventh year that Aspiras has performed in a benefit for Palo, including this year's recipient, the Children's Library, which NA supports. Her program includes works by Beethoven. FEE: $15.
APRIL 5: Wheels of Wonder. We're asking everybody we know to bring that old bike in the garage--to Gunn High School on Saturday, April 5, between 9 AM and 4 PM. group including the Kiwanis Clubs of Palo Alto and Los Altos and student organizations at Los Altos and Gunn High Schools are working with ONE DOLLAR FOR LIFE (http://odfl.org) to collect used bicycles and send them to students in Africa. The schools students will load them into an ocean-going shipping container and we'll send them to Mombasa, Kenya where high school students will rehabilitate them and use them to cut hours a day off of their school commutes. (This is the same town where students, through ODFL, provided resources to build a new school building.) They want even broken bikes, as long as they can be fixed. Poster at http://odfl.org/pages/index.html or for more call ODFL 856-1017. CO-sponsor Palo Alto Kiwanis Club.
APRIL 5: Gallery House Celebrates its 50th Anniversary. Residents are cordially invited to Gallery House's 50th Anniversary show and gala reception to be held Saturday, 4/5 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the gallery, located at 320 California Avenue (enter through Printer's Café). A short program will be held at 6:30 PM. A special exhibit, running from April 1 to May 3, will feature art from former Gallery House artists as well as current works. For more information, please see http://www.galleryhouse2.com or call 326-1668.
APRIL 6: Tuolumne River Slideshow and Discussion at 11am at the Mitchell Park Community Center. Hosted by the Humanist Community.
APRIL 12: Alternatives to Lawns from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM at Common Ground, 559 College Avenue.
APRIL 18: Earth Day Celebration at Gamble Garden from 2-4 PM. Families with children of all ages are welcome to take part in some simple garden activities including a scavenger hunt throughout the garden and enjoy juice and cookies on the Tea House Patio. It is free! See below for URL and phone contact.
APRIL 25/26: Gamble Garden:1431 Waverley Street: 23 Annual Gamble Garden Spring Tour, Neighborhood Gardens of Old Palo Alto, Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Join them as a visitor on the Tour; enjoy the lunch, silent auction, raffle, boutique, or Plant Sale at Gamble; or volunteer in one of the beautiful gardens. FEE:
$30 for members, $40 day of the Tour. Visit www.gamblegarden.org or call 329-1356 x 201
APRIL 12: Native Plant Sale from 10:30 AM - 3 PM at Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, 2 miles west of Foothill College. The Santa Clara Valley chapter of California Native Plant Society is holding their spring Native Plant Sale. The Acterra Native Plant Nursery will also be participating. In addition to dozens of species of great native plants, you will be able to shop for seeds, bulbs, posters, and cards at the sale.
OLD: APRIL 4-5: Seventeenth Annual "Charming Cottages of Palo Alto" - On Friday and Saturday,
4/4 and 4/5 from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Advance tickets are $30 each; after 3/28 or at the door, $35. For ticket and tour information, please call 325-2990.
OLD: APRIL 4-6: HOME FARMING WORKSHOP with Margaret Lloyd, Time at Common Ground Organic Garden Supply 559 College Avenue from 6:30 - 8 PM. April 5 & 6, 2008, 10 AM - 5 PM. Fee: $145 for 3 days (Fri., Sat., Sun.)
OLD: APRIL 5: "Recipe for Recovery". From 11AM to 2PM at Cubberley Community Center.
OLD: APRIL 5, APRIL 23: Audition for Children's Theatre Summer Conservatory 2008 Auditions will be held for children ages 10 through high school on: Saturday, 4/5, at 10:30 AM, and Wednesday, 4/23, at 3:45 PM. Children's Theatre also offers summer camps from June 16-20, June 23-27, July 7-11, July 14-18, July 21-25 and July 28-August 1. For registration, please visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/enjoy.
OLD: APRIL 12: Native Plant Sale Hidden Villa Ranch, CNPS Nursery, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills from 10 AM to 3 PM. For more information, visit www.cnps-scv.org, email cnps_scv@yahoo.com, or call 941-1068
OLD: APRIL 27: The Stanford Historical Society will be showing four grand old houses built between 1905 and the mid-1920s. Proceeds from the tour support the work of the Stanford Historic Houses Project, whose members are documenting pre-1930 campus houses. FEE: before April 18 - $20 per person. After that , tickets cost $25. For more call 324-1653 or 725-3332, or email susan.sweeney@stanford.edu or cglasser@stanford.edu.
OLD: MAY DAY: Wake up the Sun. Palo Alto's English morris dancers gather together with their sticks, ribbons, bells, hankies, and baldrics, for music and dance in our annual May Day celebrations. Palo Alto's morris dance teams, including our own FFL Morris, based here in Midtown, will dance and caper for your enjoyment and delight. We'll even provide you coffee and muffins. Take Embarcadero East to the end, turn left, pass the airport, bear right, past the duck pond and gate B, right again into the parking lots.
MEDIA CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
Watch programs over the Internet at www.communitymediacenter.net.
Workshops: For more or to register, call 494-8686 x37 or visit www.CommunityMediaCenter.net/digiquest.html.
Classes: For more or to sign up, contact Dave Sorokach at 494-8686 ext.10, or dave@communitymediacenter.net
Programs
TIPS
Toy Safety links from Lori:
Read more on the gap tips from last enews at http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/gastips.asp
Create easy soups, breads, healthy snacks and glorious grain dishes. Modify your favorite recipes for solar ovens. Participate in a hands-on demonstration of aiming, pre-heating, and cooking using the "Global Sun Oven" and "Solar CooKit." Both ovens are available for purchase at Common Ground. Recipes included. Don is knowledgeable and experienced in cooking with a variety of solar ovens. At home he uses a solar water distiller and a solar drier, and generates his electricity using a 2- kilowatt solar photo-voltaic array. FEE: $27. Call 493-6072 to register.
http://www.commongroundinpaloalto.org
By studying the foundations of garden based herbalism, learn how to safely prepare and use garden herbs for preventing and treating common maladies including cuts, burns, colds, indigestion, etc. Learn how to make teas and tinctures from fresh local plants. Smell, feel and taste your way to understanding the uses for dozens of plants from our unique bio-region.
Darren is a fabulous teacher, herbalist, horticulturist, and acupuncturist. He has been growing and using local medicinal plants for over 12 years. FEE: $65. Call 493-6072 to register.
http://gamblegarden.org/events/events.html#mothersDayBrunch
More details are available at http://www.stanfordpackard.org. Sponsored by Stanford.
Midtown News Update - April 17, 2008
PLEASE SEND YOUR NEWS IN AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU WANT IT PUBLISHED
Meeting on April 28th Monday at 7PM at the Friends Meeting hall - 957 Colorado, back building.
Are you prepared for a quake. Take the test.
http://www.nwcn.com/sharedcontent/features/flash/quake/during.html
* Tuesday, April 29 at 7 to 8:30 PM at the Main Library,
* Wednesday, April 30 from 7 to 8:30 PM at the Mitchell Park Community Center, and
* Saturday, May 10 from 10 to 11:30 AM at the Mitchell Park Community Center.
The improvements consist of replacing the existing Mitchell Park Library and Community Center with a single 51,000 square foot building at the same site, remodeling and somewhat enlarging the Main Library, and reconfiguring and updating the Downtown Library. See proposed designs. The city is also producing a
nine-minute informational video and will send two to four direct mail pieces to residents.
APRIL 28: City Council focuses on all things green. starting at 6PM.
MAY 5: : Study session on Stanford Projects.
April 23: Study Session: Stanford University Medical Center and Stanford Center Projects to review the progress of the City's preparation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
For more information, call 815-5479 or go to www.CityofPaloAlto.org/EarthMonth.
Look for the 5 for $1 CFL Offer in Your Palo Alto Municipal Utilities Bill.
WEEK V - 4/20 - 4/26 - Cool your commute!
Building 3, Conference Room A. Featuring USGS prominent scientists David Schwartz, Heather Lackey, Luke Blair and Scott Haefner. See http://online.wr.usgs.gov/calendar
.
The premier botanical and horticultural event of the South Bay and Peninsula, will take from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Visit www.cnps-scv.org, or email cnps_scv@yahoo.com. The Wildflower Show is sponsored by the Mission College Biological Sciences Dept. 941-1068. Free and open to the public.
Reserve an intimate table for two, invite guests or come with a group of friends. You can also join us at a special open table to enjoy lively conversation with other Friends of Gamble Garden.
Two seatings: 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM FEE: $65.00 per adult ; $50.00 per child (2 to 10 years
old). http://gamblegarden.org/events/events.html#mothersDayBrunch
DOUBLE-DIGGING AND BED PREPARATION from 2- 4 PM. FEE: $27.
Both lectures by John is the Executive Director of Ecology Action and the author of our book How to Grow More Vegetables, which has been translated into 7 languages and is used in over 130 countries.
Location: Common Ground Garden Supply and Education Center at 559 College Ave
Visit www.gamblegarden.org or call 329-1356 x 201
For more call 324-1653 or 725-3332, or email susan.sweeney@stanford.edu or cglasser@stanford.edu.
If you're inspired to write a letter to the editor, you can send it to smctletters@sanmateocountytimes.com.
Take the Panorama Trail. It starts at Vista Hill.
The lupin is growing less than one mile east of Vista Hill just under the Fire Station.
Midtown News Update - April 11, 2008
PLEASE SEND YOUR NEWS IN AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU WANT IT PUBLISHED
* Tuesday, April 29 at 7 to 8:30 PM at the Main Library,
* Wednesday, April 30 from 7 to 8:30 PM at the Mitchell Park Community Center, and
* Saturday, May 10 from 10 to 11:30 AM at the Mitchell Park Community Center.
The improvements consist of replacing the existing Mitchell Park Library and Community Center with a single 51,000 square foot building at the same site, remodeling and somewhat enlarging the Main Library, and reconfiguring and updating the Downtown Library. See proposed designs. The city is also producing a
nine-minute informational video and will send two to four direct mail pieces to residents.
APRIL 14: Study session 6-7:00PM with Library Advisory Commission on library matters. 7PM Council General Fund Infrastructure Backlog, Destination Palo Alto, Public hearing on financing for Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School Facilities.
http://www.city.palo-alto.ca.us/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=11677
April 23: Study Session: Stanford University Medical Center and Stanford Center Projects to review the progress of the City's preparation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
For more information, call 815-5479 or go to www.CityofPaloAlto.org/EarthMonth.
Look for the 5 for $1 CFL Offer in Your Palo Alto Municipal Utilities Bill.
WEEK IV - 4/13 - 4/19 - Bag the bags!
WEEK V - 4/20 - 4/26 - Cool your commute!
Shelf Previews at http://www.friendspaloaltolib.org/bookshelves.aspx
Before the festival, filmgoers can visit with local organizations at information tables and learn about ways to reduce their impact on the Earth. The ceremony will be videotaped and broadcast on Media Center Comcast Channel 28.
For more information, please visit http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/environment/greenlight.asp.
Hear Doris Williams on lute and recorder and Caroline Garbarino on guitar and bodhran.
Enjoy sensuous lute songs of Renaissance England, lusty Italian madrigals, soaring Celtic ballads, and inspired originals in a concert entitled "Celtic and Beyond."
Please see http://www.doriswilliams.com. Contact Caroline with questions at 322-6297.
DOUBLE-DIGGING AND BED PREPARATION from 2- 4 PM. FEE: $27.
Double-digging is the first step in a GROW BIOINTENSIVE garden. Learn how easy, fun and productive this method can be. Loosening the soil 24 inches deep will help to build essential soil structure. Plants will grow much better and need less water; weeds will come out easily.
Both lectures by John is the Executive Director of Ecology Action and the author of our book How to Grow More Vegetables, which has been translated into 7 languages and is used in over 130 countries.
Location: Common Ground Garden Supply and Education Center at 559 College Ave
More at http://rgoldman.org/morris/mayday.htm#PaloAlto or call Ric Goldman (650-DAM-FOOL)
For more information on this project or Rebuilding Together contact Matt Sorgenfrei at matt.sorgenfrei@oracle.com.
Midtown News Update - April 4, 2008
PLEASE SEND YOUR NEWS IN AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU WANT IT PUBLISHED
To register, call the Fire Department's Office of Emergency Services at 617-3197 or send an email with "Register for PANDA" in the Subject line to: panda@cityofpaloalto.org.
What is PANDA? Palo Alto Neighborhood Disaster Activity.
For more information, call the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (PAAQMD) at 415-749-4900 Bay Area residents have another chance at a $600 rebate if they replace wood-burning fireplaces with gas stoves or fireplace inserts, and they might it easier to qualify for the money this time. The BAAQMD will begin accepting requests next week for the next round of rebates aimed at reducing unhealthy soot in the air. Applications can be returned electronically or by mail, paid by the district after installation. Consumers will have more opportunity and advance notice than they did in the first round in January, when all $100,000 for rebates were used up in about 30 hours. This time, the district has allocated $400,000 for rebates -- enough for some 666 fireplace changeouts. This time, the district is providing the public advance notice before taking applications. This gives consumers time to visit hearth and home product stores and pick which gas stove or insert they want, Schkolnick said. Once the air district accepts an application, the consumer will have until July 6 to submit proof that the gas stove or insert has been installed.
Then the air pollution district will send out a $600 check. In the last round of rebates, homeowners were given little notice to get to a retailer and pay for the fireplace alternative. The rebate was paid on-the-spot by the retailer.
Also in the last round, no retroactive rebates were given to homeowners who had installed a cleaner fireplace alternative before the program began. But in the next round, people who replaced fireplaces with a gas stove or fireplace insert on or after Jan. 15 will be eligible for rebates.
Only residents of the nine Bay Area counties are eligible for the rebates. For more information, call the BAAQMD at 415-749-4900. Contact Denis Cuff at 925-943-8267 or dcuff@bayareanewsgroup.com .
Please go to http://survey.pausd.org/, and take the survey that's right for you. There is an extra incentive: 5 randomly selected participants will each receive a free iPod Nano! Your responses will help PAUSD evaluate its current and future performance more effectively. Printed copies of the parent survey, in Spanish and English, available at school offices and at the PAUSD Office, 25 Churchill Ave. Questions, 329-3717.
APRIL 7: Study session 6-7:30PM on Revenue & Expense options for Public Safety Building, Adoption of Council “Top 4” Priorities and Milestones for 2008, Review Potential Access from Wilkie Way to SummerHill/Elks Lodge Project, Review the Pros and Cons of Requiring Public vs. Private Streets, Review Potential Changes to the Process for the Architectural Review Board (ARB) Review of Large Projects.
APRIL 9: 6PM, Study Session: Review of Green Building Criteria.
7PM: Ordinance for new chapter of Municipal Code on Green Building Regulations & resolution to adopt green building compliance thresholds, rating systems and compliance verification for private developments.
To volunteer to help or be on the Planning Committee, please contact Wendy Hediger at wendy.hediger@cityofpaloalto.org
For more information, call 815-5479 or go to www.CityofPaloAlto.org/EarthMonth.
Look for the 5 for $1 CFL Offer in Your Palo Alto Municipal Utilities Bill.
WEEK III - 4/6 - 4/12 - Be water-wise
WEEK IV - 4/13 - 4/19 - Bag the bags!
WEEK V - 4/20 - 4/26 - Cool your commute!
Space limited: Call 493.6072 to reserve. Tired of watering, mowing and weeding your lawn but don't know what to put in instead? Replacing your lawn appropriately reduces your water bill and your maintenance costs, encourages habitat for birds and butterflies, and does not contribute to global warming. You'll come away from this inspiring talk with dozens of ideas, illustrated by pictures which say more than a thousand words.
Deva Luna combines her passion for plants with a desire to enhance the environment.
http://www.CommonGroundinPaloAlto.org/
Some highlights: First Aid Demonstrations, Rescue Dogs, Fire & Rescue Vehicles, "Bring the whole family for an exciting day filled with love demonstrations, product vendors, yummy food, and a chance to create your family disaster plan during a workshop.
More at http://rgoldman.org/morris/mayday.htm#PaloAlto or call Ric Goldman (650-DAM-FOOL)
** Finding Non toxic Toys: http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/412/toxins-in-toys.html
PBS's NOW shares advice on how to limit children's exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, such as phthalates.
** Recalled toys: see http://www.uspirg.org/issues/toy-safety/cpsc-recalls?id4=ES
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