| 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
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Opal'z is looking for retail, party and soap making help -- make-up experience a plus! Part time (flexible days preferred but will consider fixed days for the right person) from 10AM-4PM. Are you or do you know a student, senior, empty-nester looking for a fun place to be? Opal'z is a lot of fun, and we are growing. Contact Annie@opalzoap.com
RSVP: Free Home Services for Senior & the Homebound
RSVP is an annual week-long community outreach program that takes place in May. The program provides free assistance to qualified seniors who cannot otherwise perform certain household task due to physical or financial constraints. Some common services performed are washing windows, changing furnace filters, turning mattresses, vacuuming, changing light bulbs, replacing smoke detectors batteries and other similar household tasks. These are just a few chores that keep a home in good order. Unfortunately, these jobs may seem simple to some people, but they can be taxing and insurmountable to many seniors and disable adults.
The REALTOR Service Volunteer Program (RSVP), which operates through your local Association of Realtors, promotes safety in the home and assistance to the elderly. The program is one way Realtors and Affiliates can give back to their communities and perhaps help seniors and the homebound maintain their independence and stay in their homes longer. This year the program runs from May 5 to May 10.
For more information on the program or to get an application, contact John St. Clair at 740-8363 or Lydia Kou at 996-0028. Application Deadline is April 1st, 2008.
APRIL 3: Come give input to potential changes on Oregon Expressway. Community Meeting at Dance Studio Room at Jordan Middle School from 7-9 PM for the upcoming Oregon Expressway Improvement Project. (The 2003 Expressway Planning Study page is http://209.35.171.214/expressways2/default.htm)
Come share your experiences using or crossing Oregon Expressway. Your input will assist the County Roads and Airports Department in determining necessary operational improvements on the corridor.
For more contact : Roads and Airports Department, County of Santa Clara at 408-494-2700 or Oregon-improvements@rda.sccgov.org.
The County Roads website is www.countyroads.org.
Please note the increased burglaries in Midtown
I hope everyone received and is paying attention to the note from PAPD: Recently an increasing number of thefts from unlocked vehicles have been reported to the Police. The majority of the thefts took place during the late evening and overnight hours. Thieves seem to be looking for small electronic devices such as I-Pods and portable GPS units.
The Palo Alto Police Department advises citizens to lock and secure all parked vehicles.
Additionally, citizens are encouraged to remove valuable items from their vehicles or at least remove them from sight.
Jeff adds: " Another theft report: Auto burglary, 3200 block of Maddux (at Loma Verde), Thursday night/Friday morning March 20/21. The thieves tried to open the rear passenger door, but ended up smashing the driver's window to get in. Unknown contents taken. Also, there was a construction material theft from the Classic Communities site over the last weekend (3/15-16). There were additional suspicious circumstances on Saturday, 3/22. Police were called and one suspect was interviewed. Please keep your eyes open and do not hesitate to call police any time you think that anything seems out of place.
The non-emergency number for Palo Alto is: 329-2413 You should add this number to your cell phone and not feel shy about using it."
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
VACANCIES on the Human Relations & Public Arts Commission: Two 3-year terms on the Human Relations Commission. Four 3-year terms for the Public Art 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.
San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (JPA) is seeking input on an Early Implementation Project to reduce the risk of flooding along San Francisquito Creek. See Weekly article at http://www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/story.php?story_id=8082
Local partners are conducting an alternatives analysis to determine if a viable project exists that: 1) Provides flood damage reduction elements in the near future; 2)Can be built using local funding available, 3) Does not increase flooding downstream or to other areas of the community, and 4) Is likely to be eligible for Section 104 Federal credit. The Project Management Team has developed a DRAFT Project Plan, which contains the Preliminary Alternatives, Evaluation Criteria, and Public Process for determining the most cost-effective alternative for early implementation.
See http://tinyurl.com/ytoduu.
Please send any comments or suggested additional alternatives to Kevin Murray, kmurray@menlopark.org by Wed, April 9, 2008.
UPCOMING COUNCIL-COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
MARCH 31: Anti-harassment training 6-8PM.
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, Approval of a Consultant to Prepare the Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
UPCOMING ARB MEETINGS
APRIL 3: 8:30AM. Topics include Alma Plaza, Site and Design Review; Study Session on draft design guidelines for Stanford Medical Center Modernization and Expansion Project.
UPCOMING PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION MEETINGS
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.
MARCH 29 & APRIL 6: COMPOST Giveaway at Palo Alto Landfill at 2380 Embarcadero. 1 cubic yard free (6 full garbage cans).
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 .
To volunteer to help or be on the Planning Committee, please contact Wendy Hediger at wendy.hediger@cityofpaloalto.org
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.
OLD: APRIL 1: GREEN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
Presentations & discussions regarding the establishment of mandatory green building requirements for private development within the City of Palo Alto. The April 1st meeting will address requirements for commercial development.
Time 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers.
Contact Amy French for questions at 329-2336 or Amy.French@cityofpaloalto.org.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
MARCH Earth Month 2008: GREEN BUSINESS CONFERENCE:
For more information, call 815-5479 or go to www.CityofPaloAlto.org/EarthMonth.
WEEK II FORGET FOSSIL FUELS March 30 - April 5
Sign Up for Palo Alto Green, Cut Your Energy Use 10%.
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!
APRIL 2: Learn All There Is to Know about Camel Camellia Culture and Care with Marilee Rossi.
Now that the blooms are almost gone, it is time to learn how to care for our camellias. Camellia culture, site placement, and renovation will be covered as well as a demonstration of pruning techniques.
The event will be held on Wednesday, 4/2, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Location: Gamble Garden Carriage House.
Fee: $20 members, $25 non-members.
To register, see www.gamblegarden.org or call 329-1356 x 201
APRIL 2: Volunteer to be a Weed Warrior! Weed Warriors help clear out non-natives at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve every Wednesday night starting April 2, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Enjoy this early-evening activity, now that spring is here! For more, email Miriam Sachs Martín at arastradero@acterra.org. No registration necessary.
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: MARCH 29: Women and Leadership Forum sponsored by PALO ALTO AAUW. From 10 AN - noon at Mitchell Park Community Center. FREE.
OLD: MARCH 29: STARTING YOUR SPRING GARDEN at Common Ground demonstration Center from 10:30 - 12:30. FEE: $25
For more see http://www.commongroundinpaloalto.org
Also on March 29: GROWING TERRIFIC TOMATOES with Nancy Garrison from 2:00-4:00 FEE: $25
OLD: APRIL 1: Amateur Radio ("Ham") License & Communications Course Study. Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9 PM: April 1, 8, 15 & 22 (April 22 is exam night).
Location: Menlo Park Fire Sta. 77: 1467 Chilco St. FEE: $40.
REGISTER: Ken Dueker: kdueker@powerflare.com. This course is open to the public but is designed for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Red Cross, & other emergency volunteers, including first responders.
OLD APRIL 3: Mental training in sports for athletes and Coaches. 7:45 PM. Place: Cubberley Community Center, H-1. Healthy refreshments provided. RSVP, please call 967.2484 or email info@camelotcenter.net
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. 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.
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.
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.
More at http://rgoldman.org/morris/mayday.htm#PaloAlto or call Ric Goldman (650-DAM-FOOL)
TIPS
'Skimmer' devices threaten area ATM users' funds:
Copying devices found at California Avenue Wells Fargo in Palo Alto, and elsewhere. Cash machines can harbor an illegal credit- or bank-card copying device, known as a "skimmer."
See full Weekly article at http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=7541.
A skimmer looks like: http://www.utexas.edu/police/alerts/atm_scam.
Mary adds: " I have read and heard that some of the biggest skimming risks are via hand-held skimmers used by unscrupulous waiters in restaurants. They are paid by the 'skim' by another crook. I know that it is inconvenient to take cash to a restaurant. Nevertheless, it is important to save all credit card receipts and check the receipts against the bill each month. Pay particular attention to gas stations receipts and restaurants. Usually in a restaurant, the waiter takes the credit card and disappears briefly and brings back the receipt to sign. "
LOST PETS from Pat: The 3/22 issue of San Francisco Chronicle has an article on pet detectives. http://tinyurl.com/yo7yuw. Keep the following information on file in case you ever need it. If you see Lost Pet signs in your neighborhood, call the people who lost the pet and give them this info. The pet detective featured in the article is: Donna Holsten; Pet Detective (510) 333-9321 (Vallejo); donna@findingpaws.com; www.findingpaws.com.
For a US directory of pet detectives: http://missingpetpartnership.org/petdetective-listing.php.
INFORMATION ON MICROCHIPS from www.findingpaws.com: All pets should be microchipped. This is a tiny bead, about the size of a grain of rice, put under the skin between the shoulder blades. Each chip has a unique number which you register with the chip's company. Shelters have scanners, and when an animal comes in, the first thing they do is scan for a microchip. If the animal has one, the scanner gives the number, the shelter calls the company and gets your name, address, and phone number. NOTE: There has been some concern recently about microchips causing cancer. The tumors which were found were in 1% of a group of lab-mice which had been specifically bred to be prone to cancer. The materials used in microchips are inert in the same way that a rod placed on a broken bone is inert. There is always a chance that the body will react to something foreign, but the risks of your pet being euthanized in a shelter after being lost is MUCH greater than the chance of your pet getting cancer from a microchip.
TIPS ON PUMPING GAS FOR GASOLINE ECONOMY
TIPS from Tom: Here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon. Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening...your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role. A one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.
When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.
One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.
Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope this will help you get the most value for your money.
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS:
PLEASE SEND YOUR NEWS IN AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU WANT IT PUBLISHED
Apartment for rent: 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment for rent in Sunnyvale. Clean, quiet complex on a tree-lined street with 2 assigned parking spaces plus plenty of on-street parking. Newly remodeled, inside washer/dryer, hardwood floors, walking distance to downtown Sunnyvale. Asking $1950. Please call Dena at (650) 731-6261 for more details (pictures available).
Midtown artist Naomi Mindelzun is having an exhibit of selected paintings, mixed media and encaustics at Gallery 9 in Los Altos (143 Main Street) from March 4-30. Gallery hours are: Tues.-Sat: 11 AM - 5 PM; Sun.: 12-4 PM.
APRIL 3: Come give input to potential changes on Oregon Expressway. Community Meeting at Dance Studio Room at Jordan Middle School from 7-9 PM for the upcoming Oregon Expressway Improvement Project. Come share your experiences using or crossing Oregon Expressway. Your input will assist the County Roads and Airports Department in determining necessary operational improvements on the corridor. For more contact : Roads and Airports Department, County of Santa Clara at 408-494-2700 or Oregon-improvements@rda.sccgov.org or www.countyroads.org.
The County Roads website is www.countyroads.org.
The 2003 Expressway Planning Study page is http://209.35.171.214/expressways2/default.htm
Please note the increased burglaries in Midtown; Joel writes, "Attempted auto break-in: On or about 6 March, while parked on the street in front of the house, the car door lock was tampered with. The lock mechanism was dislodged by force but the door remained locked. Property damage amounted to ~$150 in repair costs. Perhaps beefed-up neighbor presence out and about our homes would make a difference. I rarely see a police cruiser presence." Another suggestion that every block needs eyes and ears. Become a Block Preparedness coordinator, contact epvolunteer@paneighborhoods.org.
OLD: The Midtown Garden, currently run by the non-profit organization, Conexions, has two plots available. The larger plot available is 75 sq. feet and costs $11.62/month. The other plot is 35.5 sq. feet and costs $5.50/month. The gardeners involved are friendly and knowledgeable, and everything at the garden is grown organically. The garden is located directly behind Baskin-Robbins in the Midtown Shopping center.
OLD: MARCH 28: Midtown MYGYM holds Parents Night Out from 5:30-8:30PM.
Fee: Contact mygympa@sbcglobal.net or 330-1760.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
Color of Palo Alto Wrap to cover City Hall: from the Weekly http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=7517
Statewide Library Survey Wants to Know How You Search For Information: The Palo Alto Library is assisting the California State Library in surveying how Californians find and use information. Your help is needed in shaping the future of how reference service is delivered by libraries across the state. Library users are encouraged to take a simple anonymous on-line survey. The link to the "Statewide Survey on Information Finding" will be available through March 2008 on the Library's website, www.cityofpaloalto.org/library. All survey responses go directly to Zogby International, a leading public opinion research firm, who is conducting the survey and evaluating the results for the State Library.
COMPOST GIVEAWAY DATES: Saturday, March 29; Sunday, April 6; Saturday, June 28; Saturday, September 27; Sunday, October 5.
OLD: Become a Volunteer Mediator for the City of Palo Alto. Application due April 18. Apply now to become a volunteer mediator. Download the application at www.paloaltomediation.org or call the program coordinator at 856-4062.
UPCOMING COUNCIL-COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
MARCH 24: 7PM. Approve Ideal Candidate Profile for City Manager Position, Direction of Anderson Honda/Animal Sheler, Public Hearing tentative map to divide the Elks property.
MARCH 31: Anti-harassment training 6-8PM.
APRIL 7: Study session on Revenue & Expense options for Public Safety Building, recommendation to Implement Phase 2 of trial of Charleston-Arastradero Corridor
MARCH 25 and APRIL 1: GREEN BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
Presentations & discussions regarding the establishment of mandatory green building requirements for private development within the City of Palo Alto. The March 25th meeting will address requirements for residential development, and the April 1st meeting will address requirements for commercial development.
The discussion will include an overview of green building systems and City goals, and review of proposed green building criteria to include thresholds of development, applicable green building levels and verification processes. Staff reports presented to the Architectural Review Board and Planning and Transportation Commission from their March 6 and March 12 study sessions, respectively, are available on the City's website (click Agendas/Minutes/Report on home page). The Planning and Transportation Commission will consider a draft ordinance at 6:00 PM on April 9, and any interested persons may also appear and be heard at that meeting.
Both dates: Time 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers.
Contact Amy French for questions at 329-2336 or Amy.French@cityofpaloalto.org.
MARCH 25: Upcoming Composting Workshops (Also held on April 26, May 20, July 20, June 28).
Learn to use compost by attending a backyard composting workshop. Learn what compost is, what you can compost and how to compost. Palo Alto residents attending a workshop will receive a voucher for a reduced-cost Biostack compost bin (a $99 value) for $27.
Tuesday workshops will be held from 7:00 - 8:30 PM on March 25, May 20 and July 20.
Saturday workshops will be held from 10- 11:30 AM on April 26 and June 28.
For more information, please call 496-5910 or email recycling@cityofpaloalto.org.
Kickoff for Earthday see below.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
MARCH 20, APRIL 5, APRIL 23: Audition for Children's Theatre Summer Conservatory 2008: Are your children interested in theatre? They can audition for six weeks of intensive training and participation in a production. The conservatory will be held from 6/17 through 7/25.
Auditions will be held for children ages 10 through high school on: Thursday, 3/20, at 3:45 PM. 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. For tickets to productions, please call 463-4970 from Tuesday through Saturday, 1:30 - 6:00 PM.
TIDBIT: The legal documentation re: donations to the Children's Theater Defense Fund is on the website: www.childrenstheaterdefensefund.com
MARCH 21: KICKOFF for Earth Month 2008: GREEN BUSINESS CONFERENCE:
Environmental Values at Work from 8:30 AM 1 PM, Roche Palo Alto, 3431 Hillview: Information: 408.282.3166 or www.ReduceWaste.org.
Note:
WEEK I - BUSINESS GOES GREEN March 23 March 29 Become a Certified Green Business.
WEEK II FORGET FOSSIL FUELS March 30 April 5 Sign Up for Palo Alto Green, Cut Your Energy Use 10%. 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!
For more information, call 815-5479 or go to www.CityofPaloAlto.org/EarthMonth.
MARCH 29: Women and Leadership Forum sponsored by PALO ALTO AAUW.
From 10 AN - noon at Mitchell Park Community Center. FREE.
Professor Deborah L. Rhode of Stanford Law School will be the principal speaker. She will be joined by local women leaders in several fields for a discussion of the issue. Another speaker will be Dr. Jane E. Shaw, retired Chairman of the Board and CEO, Aerogen, Inc.; Audrey C. Rust, President, Peninsula Open Space Trust; & Lynne Johnson, Chief and Department Director, Palo Alto Police Department. Prof. Rhode is one of the nation's leading scholars in the fields of legal ethics and gender, law, and public policy. She is the Ernest W. McFarland Professor of Law and founding Director of the Center on Ethics at Stanford and co-author of a recent book "Women and Leadership: the State of Play and Strategies for Change."
APRIL 3: Mental training in sports for athletes and Coaches.
Presented by Dr. Rubi Shalev Coach, Israeli National Swim Team, Teacher, and Therapist since 1985. Time 7:45 PM. Place: Cubberley Community Center, H-1. Healthy refreshments provided.
This special event is designed for athletes of all levels -- professional, collegiate, and recreational -- as well as for coaches, who would like to improve the level of their personal or group performance. Our ability to mentally prepare for important tasks is a significant and valuable skill to have, both inside and outside of the athletic arena. Join Dr. Rubi Shalev as he discusses the importance of mental training in sports, while introducing a powerful approach in which science meets mind and spirit. The event will include non-conventional techniques such as guided imagery, the power of thought, and manifestation, as well as the more conventional approach of planning and assessing. Combining these approaches reveals new possibilities and powerful ways to fulfill your potential.
Admission: $10 in advance/$20 at the door. Free with a valid student ID.
For more info and RSVP, please call 967.2484 or email info@camelotcenter.net.
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, residents are invited to the 2008 House Tour of innovative remodels of local homes. Tickets are tax-deductible. Advance tickets are $30 each; after 3/28 or at the door, $35.
For ticket and tour information, please call 325-2990. This tour is sponsored by the Palo Alto Area Mills College Club to benefit the students of Mills College.
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.)
A hands-on workshop to give you the skills needed to grow a delicious and bountiful 'home farm' in your yard. Based on the techniques of Biointensive farming, this sustainable form of raising organic food is simple enough for the new gardener while introducing new techniques for the experienced gardener. Taught as a cohesive and complete method, the workshop equips you to handle everything necessary to raise food, even with your busy schedule. The workshop covers garden design, compost, seed propagation, bed preparation, plant care, soil fertility and other topics. Margaret Lloyd worked for 2 years under John Jeavons and Carol Cox at Ecology Action Sustainable Mini-Farm Research and Education Headquarters. She directs Home Farming International, working in homes around the Bay Area, setting up home farms and training new farmers.
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. We dance to wake up the Sun and keep it coming back up for a whole year! Besides being a great deal of fun, does this show dedication or what?! You may have noticed that it works, too. Be a part of it. Show up while it's dark and watch the Sun make its grand entrance. See the spectacle! Watch the magic! Cheer the dancers! Join in the celebration! Wonder why you're up at this hour!
Wear whatever you want, but bring layers - it may be cold this early in the morning. Start at 5:30 AM on the Palo Alto Baylands for this 23rd annual gathering. 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.
More at http://rgoldman.org/morris/mayday.htm#PaloAlto or find out more about this wonderful tradition (and just what is morris dancing?) or call Ric Goldman (650-DAM-FOOL)
OLD: MARCH 20: Acterra sponsors "Reproductive Health & the Environment"lecture series.
Topic: Early Puberty at 6:30 PM at Palo Alto Art Center. For more information contact Debbie Mytels at debbiem@acterra.org.
OLD: MARCH 27:USGS Lecture series at 7PM : Wetland Revival: Restoring San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds to Wetlands Habitat at USGS, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, Conference Room A, Bldg 3.
See the Public Lecture website: http://online.wr.usgs.gov/calendar or call Amelia at 329-5135.
OLD: MARCH 29: STARTING YOUR SPRING GARDEN at Common Ground demonstration Center from 10:30 - 12:30. FEE: $25
For more see http://www.commongroundinpaloalto.org.
OLD: APRIL 1: Amateur Radio ("Ham") License & Communications Course Study to pass a 35-question, multiple-choice FCC exam (no Morse code) to get a radio license to use certain frequencies in a disaster, etc. Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9 PM: April 1, 8, 15 & 22 (April 22 is exam night).
Location: Menlo Park Fire Sta. 77: 1467 Chilco St. FEE: $40.
REGISTER: Ken Dueker: kdueker@powerflare.com. This course is open to the public but is designed for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Red Cross, & other emergency volunteers, including first responders.
OLD: APRIL 5: "Recipe for Recovery". From 11AM to 2PM at Cubberley Community Center. 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.
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.
LUCILE PACKARD HEALTHY CLASSES SERIES
This series of classes "Your Child's Health University" is designed to foster good health and help parents and children. Upcoming classes include:
Sibling Preparation April 5
Heart to Heart Seminar on Growing up (For boys March 13 & 18) (For girls April 5 & 12)
The Young and the Restless: Bullying and the Social Lives of our Children: April 15
Call 723-4600 or visit www.lpch.org to register or obtain more information on times, locations and fees for these courses.
STANFORD CONTINUING EDUCATION
Spring Classes Begin March 31: Register now for Stanford Continuing Studies classes that begin the week of 3/31. New business-related offerings are available!
For a complete listing and to register online, visit http://continuingstudies.stanford.edu.
Here's a list of several new classes:
Building software products: from strategy to sales
Marketing for non-marketing professionals
Strategic off-shoring
Doing business in the new Russia
Principles of Invention and Innovation Stock market savvy
Assertiveness skills for business professionals
Selling and buying companies
Public speaking.
VOLUNTEER FOR ENGLISH IN ACTION
Bechtel International Center, Stanford University. English in Action (EIA) We are looking for volunteers! EIA is a conversational English program that matches a volunteer with an International graduate student, visiting scholar or their spouse, to meet once a week for an hour of casual conversation and cultural exchange. The match is intended to last for one year. Each year 300 Internationals register to be matched with an American EIA partner, so there is an ongoing need for many volunteers. The Internationals are among the best and brightest from their country and are incredibly grateful for the help and experience. They return to their country with good will and understanding and often a good friend.
To volunteer for this rewarding program, please contact CCIS at the Bechtel International Center, 498-5252 or eia@CCISstanfordU.org. See http://ccisstanfordu.org.
TIPS: SPRING CLEANING IN PALO ALTO thanks to the College Terrace enews!
The Clean-up Day is a service for Palo Alto residents to dispose of extra debris and unwanted household items that may be filling garages, attics or backyards. The Clean-up Day is designed to meet your needs and your schedule. Palo Alto residents living in single family homes and housing complexes of four units or less can schedule one Clean-up Day each year (Single family homes are individual, detached dwellings. Service is not available for mobile homes or complexes of townhouses, condominiums, or apartments greater than four units.).
This is how it works:
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS:
PLEASE SEND YOUR NEWS IN AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU WANT IT PUBLISHED
SAVE THE DATE: MRA General Meeting - March 18 "Plans for Cubberley". Meeting start 7:15PM at Friends Meeting Hall, 957 Colorado. Presented by Steve Emslie, Director of Planning City of Palo Alto, Judy Minor, PhD, President of Foothill College, Bruce Swenson, President of the Board FHDA. See Weekly article on this topic http://www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/story.php?story_id=7965. Come early we will have the popular dot survey. The first lucky folks will receive a BYOB cloth bag from the City for your groceries. For more see Tips.
The Midtown Garden, currently run by the non-profit organization, Conexions, has two plots available. The larger plot available is 75 sq. feet and costs $11.62/month. The other plot is 35.5 sq. feet and costs $5.50/month. The gardeners involved are friendly and knowledgeable, and everything at the garden is grown organically. The garden is located directly behind Baskin-Robbins in the Midtown Shopping center.
March 17: CELTIC ROSE at O'Flaherty's, San Jose, 4:00-6:00 PM.
Concert by two Midtownies, Doris Williams and Caroline Garbarino:
Hoist a tankard to the Good Saint Pat at O'laherty's Irish Pub, 25 North San Pedro, 408-947-8007. Hear CELTIC ROSE--Doris Williams and Caroline Garbarino--play your favorite rousing songs of the British Isles with lute, guitar, tin whistle, and bodhran. Contact Caroline for more information at Yogabear23@aol.com or call 322-6297.
Midtown therapist has appointments available in downtown office: I have been a therapist for 37 years. The areas in which I help individuals are: self-esteem, self image, depression, anxiety, conflict resolution; couples: marriage issues, sexuality, communications. I work with Infertility--helping persons decide whether they should adopt, go thorough medical procedures such as IVF, or remain child free. I also coach clients who have concerns such as changing employment, household management, losing weight and other issues to improve their lives, and gain more satisfaction and happiness in their relationships and everyday lives. I plan to start an infertility group with both individuals and couples who are wanting support for what they are currently experiencing. If you are interested in discussing if my services would be helpful, please contact me at my office to set an appointment. There is a fee. I can use a sliding scale when necessary. Faith W. Brigel, LCSW PHONE 326-2336.
Please note the increased burglaries in Midtown and take this good advice.
Sally writes: We just had a car burglary on Morris Drive early this morning. Please keep all computer equipment out of the cars because this seems to be the target.
David writes: A house on Kipling was broken into last Friday. The owners were told there are up to two burglaries a day in the Midtown area. The only unusual thing noticed by neighbors home at the time of the burglary was some kids cruising slowly through the neighborhood on small motorcycles or scooters, maybe the mini-motorcycle type. My wife said they were noisier than normal motorcycles. We are on a cul-de-sac so there isn't much reason to be here unless one is a resident or visiting a resident. There may be no connection between the kids on motorcycles and the burglary but it was a school day.
Perhaps residents should be aware of kids cruising slowly through a neighborhood on small motorcycles or scooters. NOTE: The house was locked. They used a ladder on the property to get on the roof and went in through a small bathroom window. That is a problem because I think most people leave a small window open for ventilation. We will have to make sure ours are only open to the security stop.
CANOPY IN MIDTOWN: MARCH 15 from 9 AM -noon. To restore urban canopy to South Palo Alto, Canopy, the local urban forestry organization will be planting 3 trees on South Court and 1 tree on Bryant. The planting will be fun and foster neighborly relationships. Please come and join in on the fun and help plant a tree. We will provide tools, warm beverages and instruction. Meet at 3624 Bryant Street at 9 AM.
MARCH 28: Midtown MYGYM holds Parents Night Out from 5:30-8:30PM.
Fee: Contact mygympa@sbcglobal.net or 330-1760.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
MARCH 15: Become an environmental volunteer: Teach kids to love nature and learning! In the classroom, the Environmental Volunteers work with small groups of children and involve them in hands-on, discovery-based learning. Using our innovative teaching materials, we teach children about Bay Area environments. On field trips, we explore local ecosystems as we reinforce concepts introduced in the classroom. Our requirements are simple; all you need is a love of children, nature, and learning! Many of our volunteers have no teaching experience or background in natural science when they first join us. Our training and mentoring programs provide you with all the skills and materials that you need to become a natural science educator.
Our next training will take place on Saturday, March 15 and the following Saturday, March 22 from 9:00 AM -1:30 PM at the Baylands Interpretive Center in Palo Alto (attendance at both sessions is required). This course is designed for volunteers interested in working at the Baylands Interpretive Center and helping with our weekend programs, such as Birthdays at the Bay. It also will qualify you to teach Bay Ecology in our school program. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.evols.org. If you are interested in volunteering with the Environmental Volunteers, please call Nicole at 961-0545.
Please click on the link below to view the Planning Department's Summary Report for March:
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/pln/news/details.asp?NewsID=613&TargetID=85
OLD: Become a Volunteer Mediator for the City of Palo Alto. Application due April 18. The City, under the auspices of the Human Relations Commission, offers free and confidential mediation services to its citizens to help them resolve disputes confidentially, and without going to court. Typical cases include neighbor-to-neighbor, landlord/tenant, and consumer issues. Apply now to become a volunteer mediator. Download the application at www.paloaltomediation.org or call the program coordinator at 856-4062.
UPCOMING COUNCIL-COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
MARCH 17: Joint meeting with Senator Joe Simitian (6PM).
Regular 7 PM City Council to discuss council priority milestones including civic engagement and discussion on Public/Private Partnership for Family Resources Center.
UPCOMING ARB MEETING
At its meeting on Thursday, 3/20 at 8:30 AM the ARB will review draft design guidelines for the proposed Stanford Shopping Center expansion project, including 240,000 square feet of new retail/restaurant space & the addition of a 120-room hotel. Other agenda items regarding properties on Arastradero Road and University Avenue will be heard. Where: Council Chambers.
UPCOMING HR COMMITTEE MEETING
MARCH 13 at 7PM: The Human Relations Commission plans to discuss the mandatory response program and its ordinance, community engagement and the Human Services Resource Allocation Process for this year. Location: Council Conference Room.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
MARCH 13: Guided Imagery: RSVP required (Michal at 967.2484 or michal@camelotcenter.net) from 7:45-9:15 PM at Camelot, 258 Thompson Avenue, Mountain View.
Start with a short introduction (recommended if this is the first time you attend); then the guided meditation at 8 PM. Both regular & meditation chairs are be available. It is recommended that you bring some additional cushions and/or a blanket to make sure you are comfortable. This is an open and free event for people to try and experience this modality. If you have attended the weekly meditation before, there is a $10 charge to maintain this service. No experience required. Since these sessions are more about the experience itself, you're more than welcome to stay after the meditation for any questions and/or more information.
OLD: MARCH 13-14: "Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine" stars 31 fourth and fifth graders at El Carmelo School (3024 Bryant ). FEE: (Ticket prices: Adult - $8, Youth under 18 years of age - $4).
THREE SHOWTIMES: Thurs., March 13, 7:00 PM; Fri., March 14, 7:00 PM; Sat., March 15, 2:00 PM. at the El Carmelo School.
Tickets may be ordered in advance using forms available in the El Carmelo School Office or downloaded from the El Carmelo PTA website www.elcarmelo.paloaltopta.org.
OLD: MARCH 13: Beyond Us and Them: Confronting Hidden Bias in Our Community. Workshop at the Art Center from noon till 5:30PM. Free and includes lunch. For more see http://tinyurl.com/38u725.
OLD: MARCH 18: Midpeninsula Professional Alliance presents "Knowing What to Expect in 2008", Lecture by Mitchell Levy from 7:30 - 9:00AMat Scotts Seafood Restaurant, Town and Country.
FEE: $31.95 advance reg; $34.95 at the door. https://www.123signup.com/register?id=ttqqg.
For more check http://www.midpeninsulaprofessionalalliance.com or call Tom Pencek at 799-7261.
OLD: MARCH 18: Get the Scoop on Long Term Care: Public Health Specialist Marlene Siebert will be at Avenidas at 10am to discuss how the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program of Santa Clara County advocates for residents in nursing homes and residential care facilities for the elderly/assisted living. FREE.
OLD: MARCH 19: Oh my aching back: If you've ever complained about back aches, you'll want to learn the 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back. Esther Gokhale, L.Ac, will present "Sit, Sleep, and Walk Your Way to a Pain-Free Back" at Avenidas at 2 PM. FREE.
OLD: MARCH 19: Acterra Sponsors: Greening Your Career: from 5:30 - 8:30 PM.
FEE: $5 for Acterra members, $10 for general public. Green Building Exchange, located at 305 Main St., Redwood City. See http://www.greenbuildingexchange.com.
RSVP to Ellen Wilkinson by March 17th: Email to ellenw@acterra.org or 962-9876 x306.
OLD: MARCH 20: Acterra sponsors "Reproductive Health & the Environment"lecture series.
Topic: Early Puberty at 6:30 PM at Palo Alto Art Center. For more information contact Debbie Mytels at debbiem@acterra.org.
OLD: MARCH 27:USGS Lecture series at 7PM : Wetland Revival: Restoring San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds to Wetlands Habitat at USGS, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, Conference Room A, Bldg 3.
See the Public Lecture website: http://online.wr.usgs.gov/calendar or call Amelia at 329-5135.
OLD: MARCH 28: STARTING YOUR SPRING GARDEN at Common Ground demonstration Center from 10:30 - 12:30. FEE: $25
For more see http://www.commongroundinpaloalto.org.
APRIL 1: Amateur Radio ("Ham") License & Communications Course Study to pass a 35-question, multiple-choice FCC exam (no Morse code) to get a radio license to use certain frequencies in a disaster, etc. Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9 PM: April 1, 8, 15 & 22 (April 22 is exam night).
There will be a special Emergency Communications Training Class (ideal for new radio operators or those wishing to learn about ARES/RACES).
Location: Menlo Park Fire Sta. 77: 1467 Chilco St. FEE: $40. The ARRL Ham Radio License book will be provided for this class.
REGISTER: Ken Dueker: kdueker@powerflare.com. Let him know if you wish to attend the Emergency Comm class. This course is open to the public but is designed for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Red Cross, & other emergency volunteers, including first responders.
OLD: APRIL 5: "Recipe for Recovery". From 11AM to 2PM at Cubberley Community Center. 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.
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.
APRIL 27: The Stanford Historical Society will be showing four grand old houses built between 1905 and the mid-1920s. Three of these were built by members of the university's founding faculty, while the fourth was built by a member of the first graduating class who returned to teach. 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. Tickets will be distributed on the day of the tour at 607 Cabrillo Avenue (entrance on Santa Ynez Street).
Parking available at Tresidder Union lot, with shuttle service from the front of the nearby Stanford Faculty Club.
For more call 324-1653 or 725-3332, or email susan.sweeney@stanford.edu or cglasser@stanford.edu.
TIPS
Earth Month - The Five week Solution. Note: Palo Alto has declared the five weeks (March 21 to April 25) "Palo Alto Earth Month 2008."
From the Weekly: http://www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/story.php?story_id=7954. See highlights for the month.
Midtown residents may qualify for a rebate from the Santa Clara Valley Water District for installing new water saving landscaping. Reports say this is an excellent program, so check out the link below if you've been wanting to "lose the lawn."
If you qualify, you may receive up to a $10,000 rebate, or $75 per 100 sq./ft, whichever is lower. Funds are limited, so don't delay.
http://www.valleywater.org/Water/Water_conservation/Landscaping/_Water_Efficient_Landscape_Rebate.shtm
Lori shares her tips on carbon free nuclear free energy. See: http://peacecast.us/2008/01/arjun-makhijani-on-carbon-free-nuclear-free-energy.html.
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS:
PLEASE SEND YOUR NEWS IN AT LEAST ONE WEEK BEFORE YOU WANT IT PUBLISHED
SAVE THE DATE: MRA General Meeting - March 18 "Plans for Cubberley". Meeting start 7:15PM at Friends Meeting Hall, 957 Colorado. Presented by Steve Emslie, Director of Planning City of Palo Alto, Judy Minor, PhD, President of Foothill College, Bruce Swenson, President of the Board FHDA.
REMINDER: Residents encouraged to respond to short online survey to explore civic participation. Survey results will be presented to the city council at the March 17th meeting; survey will be cut off the Friday before this. Survey at http://perennialsurvey.com/s.cgi?12415.
Julie writes: "I am interested in making contact with people who are opposed to maintaining five libraries in Palo Alto and thus are opposed to the proposed bond measure for libraries. I favor supporting fewer libraries and I would like to explore an opposition campaign. If you are interested, please email palibraryfan@gmail.com.
Please note the increased burglaries in Midtown. "You are the Eyes & Ears of your Neighborhood" article in this week's Midtown hard copy news. Also a MRA steering member suggested that you should get to know the dog watchers. They are excellent ears and ears, since they walk-about and can see changes or strange activities in the neighborhood.
Midtown artist Naomi Mindelzun is having an exhibit of selected paintings, mixed media and encaustics at Gallery 9 in Los Altos (143 Main street) from March 4-30. Gallery hours are: Tues.-Sat: 11 AM - 5 PM; Sun.: 12-4 PM.
Midtown artist Judy Gittelsohn tells us that you can still see an exhibition of portraits by the artists of Art For Well Beings on display now through the end of March at the Emerson Gallery (open by appointment 776 - 8297) that were painted by an amazing group of adults, kids, and young people with developmental disabilities. The long list of classes offered by art for well being can be seen at http://www.artforwellbeings.org.
The UPS Store Midtown Centre is a sponsor for the "TOYS FOR TOTS LITERACY INITIATIVE". This new initiative will offer the most economically disadvantaged children, the ability to compete academically & to succeed in life by providing them direct access to books and educational resources to enhance their ability to read & communicate effectively. Throughout March, The UPS Store will be selling $1 donation cards, and for every dollar donated,a book will be placed into the hands of a deserving child in the area.
For more information, please visit www.ToysforTotsLiteracy.org or visit the UPS Store - next to Baskin Robbins in Midtown Centre.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
Please click on the link below to view the Department's Summary Report for March:
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/pln/news/details.asp?NewsID=613&TargetID=85
OLD: MARCH 12: Two free programs at the Library
* What Teens and Tweens Are Really Doing Online at Palo Alto High School's Haymarket Theater at 50 Embarcadero Road at 7:30PM.
* The Historic New York Times - Searching Over a Century of News. Time: 10:30 AM - noon at the Main Library at 1213 Newell Road.
Registration is requested for this series. To register or find out more about any library program, visit the News and Info section of the Library homepage at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/library.
OLD: Become a Volunteer Mediator for the City of Palo Alto. Application due April 18. The City, under the auspices of the Human Relations Commission, offers free and confidential mediation services to its citizens to help them resolve disputes confidentially, and without going to court. Typical cases include neighbor-to-neighbor, landlord/tenant, and consumer issues. Apply now to become a volunteer mediator. Download the application at www.paloaltomediation.org or call the program coordinator at 856-4062.
UPCOMING COUNCIL-COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
MARCH 10: Council will discuss planning for staff retirement & training as well as the BMR (Below Market Rate) ordinance. 7 PM.
MARCH 17: Joint meeting with Senator Joe Simitian (6PM). City Council to discuss council priority milestones including civic engagement.
Council will approve profile of ideal City manager, plus discussion on Public/Private Partnership for Family Resources Center.
UPCOMING PAUSD MEETINGS
MARCH 11: The board is scheduled to hear updates on the Strategic Plan, district budget, food services and protocols for staff implementation of board recommendations. It will vote on which science books to buy and discuss tenure recommendations. The meeting will begin at 6:30 PM in the Board Room at the District Office (25 Churchill Ave.).
UPCOMING PTC MEETINGS
MARCH 12: 6:00 PM Study Session on the proposed green building criteria for use in a mandatory green building program for private developments 7PM: Construction of New Wastewater Treatment Facility at 2501 Embarcadero Way (new 3,600 square foot ultraviolet wastewater treatment facility to replace the old treatment system.)
UPCOMING ARB MEETING
At its meeting on Thursday, 3/20 at 8:30 AM the ARB will review draft design guidelines for the proposed Stanford Shopping Center expansion project, including 240,000 square feet of new retail/restaurant space & the addition of a 120-room hotel. Other agenda items regarding properties on Arastradero Road and University Avenue will be heard. Where: Council Chambers.
UPCOMING HR COMMITTEE MEETING
MARCH 13 at 7PM: The Human Relations Commission plans to discuss the mandatory response program and its ordinance, community engagement and the Human Services Resource Allocation Process for this year. Location: Council Conference Room.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
Free passes (each for two people) at http://www.ContemporaryCraftsMarket.com to the Contemporary Crafts Market this weekend at the Fort Mason Pavilion in San Francisco this weekend. Hours are 10-5 on Sat and Sunday (March 8 & 9).
MARCH 7: Ethics at Noon: "Developing Affordable Housing: Ethical Issues and Other Challenges" The challenges of designing, financing and developing affordable housing are many and complex. As participants in the 2007 Bank of America Low Income Housing Challenge (a real estate case competition), our team set out to create an innovative, sustainable and viable proposal for an affordable housing development in San Francisco. Come hear about the challenges we encountered along the way, ranging from NIMBYism and local politics to zoning and land use considerations. Stanford Graduate School of Business, Bldg 110, 1st floor Seminar Room. From noon till 1PM.
MARCH 8: Free Trader Joe's Gift Certificate for Comments on California Ave Biz District. Come participate in a focus group of California Avenue (the section of shops and stores between El Camino Real and Caltrain) street users, held as part of dissertation research that Joe Kott is undertaking on the effects of street design and other street characteristics on those who use a street on a regular basis. As a token of thanks, every participant will be given a $10 Trader Joe's Gift Certificate. Refreshments (juice, coffee, water, and bagels) will be available during the session. If interested, please email Joe at joekott@pacbell.net for more details. Joe Kott was with the Planning Department of the City of Palo Alto. He left last year but continues his studies of the California Avenue business district.
MARCH 8: Habitat Restoration at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve. Want to enjoy the great outdoors and help out at the same time? Participate in Saturday's habitat restoration project at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve. This event will be held on Sat. March 8, from 9 AM to1 PM RSVP at http://www.acterra.org/arastradero/events.html.
MARCH 8-9: Friends of the Library Book Sale Weekend at Cubberley: Get a head start on this weekend's sale with our shelf preview pictures at http://www.friendspaloaltolib.org/bookshelves.aspx from many different sections of the Main Room.
OLD: MARCH 8: Palo Alto Philharmonic Orchestra Concert at 8 PM at Arts Center Auditorium, 1313 Newell Road. Tickets available on the web: http://www.paphil.org; also at the door. FEE: $17 General, $15 Senior, $8.
OLD: MARCH 9: "The Challenge of Climate Change: What We Can Do" sponsor the Cool Planet Working Group at First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Cowper and Lincoln. This is the second in a series of talks from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Lounge. "Our Food Choices" Laura Stec, activist, chef, author of The Global Warming Diet.
MONDAY, MARCH 10: The Red Cross Palo Alto Chapter, the Peninsula Chapter of the World Affairs Council of Northern California, and the Los Altos Public Library will have a panel discussion on the topic, "International Humanitarian Law, Humanity, and Torture". Cost: Free.
Location: Los Altos Public Library, 13 South San Antonio Road, Los Altos. Time: Refreshments at 6:30 PM. Program from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
For more information call Jessica Sundin, Director of Emergency Services, Red Cross Palo Alto Area Chapter at 688-0423.
OLD: MARCH 13-14: "Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine" stars 31 fourth and fifth graders at El Carmelo School (3024 Bryant ). FEE: (Ticket prices: Adult - $8, Youth under 18 years of age - $4).
THREE SHOWTIMES: Thurs., March 13, 7:00 PM; Fri., March 14, 7:00 PM; Sat., March 15, 2:00 PM. at the El Carmelo School.
Tickets may be ordered in advance using forms available in the El Carmelo School Office or downloaded from the El Carmelo PTA website www.elcarmelo.paloaltopta.org.
MARCH 13: Beyond Us and Them: Confronting Hidden Bias in Our Community. Workshop at the Art Center from noon till 5:30PM. Free and includes lunch. For more see http://tinyurl.com/38u725.
OLD: MARCH 18: Midpeninsula Professional Alliance presents "Knowing What to Expect in 2008", Lecture by Mitchell Levy from 7:30 - 9:00AMat Scotts Seafood Restaurant, Town and Country.
FEE: $31.95 advance reg; $34.95 at the door. https://www.123signup.com/register?id=ttqqg.
For more check http://www.midpeninsulaprofessionalalliance.com or call Tom Pencek at 799-7261.
MARCH 18: Get the Scoop on Long Term Care: Public Health Specialist Marlene Siebert will be at Avenidas at 10am to discuss how the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program of Santa Clara County advocates for residents in nursing homes and residential care facilities for the elderly/assisted living. FREE.
MARCH 19: Oh my aching back: If you've ever complained about back aches, you'll want to learn the 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back. Esther Gokhale, L.Ac, will present "Sit, Sleep, and Walk Your Way to a Pain-Free Back" at Avenidas at 2 PM. Esther has been involved in integrative therapies all her life. As a young girl growing up in India, she helped her mother, a registered nurse, treat abandoned babies waiting to be adopted. This early interest led her to study biochemistry at Harvard and Princeton and, later acupuncture at the San Francisco School of Oriental Medicine. FREE.
MARCH 19: Acterra Sponsors: Greening Your Career: from 5:30 - 8:30 PM. Come learn about "green jobs" -- and how you can get one! A panel from a variety of industries as they talk about how they found meaningful green careers. Find out more about the green economy and the new work opportunities opening up in almost every field imaginable. You'll also hear strategies you can adapt to your particular interests.
Light refreshments and reception at 5:30. Program begins at 6:15.
FEE: $5 for Acterra members, $10 for general public. Green Building Exchange, located at 305 Main St., Redwood City see http://www.greenbuildingexchange.com.
RSVP to Ellen Wilkinson by March 17th: Email to ellenw@acterra.org or 962-9876 x306.
MARCH 20: Acterra sponsors "Reproductive Health & the Environment"lecture series. Topic: Early Puberty at 6:30 PM at Palo Alto Art Center. For more information contact Debbie Mytels at debbiem@acterra.org.
MARCH 27:USGS Lecture series at 7PM : Wetland Revival: Restoring San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds to Wetlands Habitat at USGS, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, Conference Room A, Bldg 3.
See the Public Lecture website: http://online.wr.usgs.gov/calendar or call Amelia at 329-5135.
MARCH 28: STARTING YOUR SPRING GARDEN at Common Ground demonstration Center from 10:30 - 12:30. FEE: $25
For more see http://www.commongroundinpaloalto.org.
APRIL 1: Amateur Radio ("Ham") License & Communications Course Study to pass a 35-question, multiple-choice FCC exam (no Morse code) to get a radio license to use certain frequencies in a disaster, etc. Tuesdays: 6:30 - 9 PM: April 1, 8, 15 & 22 (April 22 is exam night).
There will be a special Emergency Communications Training Class (ideal for new radio operators or those wishing to learn about ARES/RACES).
Location: Menlo Park Fire Sta. 77: 1467 Chilco St. FEE: $40. The ARRL Ham Radio License book will be provided for this class.
REGISTER: Ken Dueker: kdueker@powerflare.com. Let him know if you wish to attend the Emergency Comm class. This course is open to the public but is designed for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Red Cross, & other emergency volunteers, including first responders.
OLD: APRIL 5: "Recipe for Recovery". From 11AM to 2PM at Cubberley Community Center. 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.
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.
LUCILE PACKARD HEALTH CLASSES SERIES "YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH UNIVERSITY"
These classes are designed to foster good health and help parents and children. Upcoming classes include:
Heart to Heart Seminar on Growing up For boys: 3/13 and 3/18; For girls: 4/5 and 4/12
Newborn Care 101: 3/15
Sibling Preparation: 4/5
The Young and the Restless: Bullying and the Social Lives of our Children: 4/15
Call 723-4600 or visit www.lpch.org to register or obtain more information on times, locations and fees for these and other courses.
TIPS
On the topic of Burglaries: Clarification from last week's tip about watching unknown kids on bikes from the author of that tip: If you see two people, juveniles of any age or adults whom you don't know cruising through your neighborhood on one bicycle and by the end of the block they are on two bicycles, odds are they stole a bike from a yard or garage. If you see this and know someone farther down the block, call and ask that neighbor to check on 'how many are on that bike' . OR take your own car and follow. We have caught 'quite a few bike thieves that way on Walter Hays.
Editorial comment: Hope this is more understandable.
BYOBag - it's easy and effective. Bring your own bags when you go shopping. It's a simple way to make a difference. Almost every time we go shopping, we come out of the store with our merchandise in a paper or plastic bag. It may be more convenient to use them instead of remembering to bring our own, but what price do we pay for that convenience? Both paper and plastic bags create air, land and water pollution during resource extraction, manufacturing, transportation and ultimately in their disposal (even recycling them consumes energy and causes pollution).
According to The Wall Street Journal, 12 million barrels of oil are required to make the 100 billion plastic shopping bags used annually in the U.S. In 1999, 14 million trees were cut to produce the 10 billion paper grocery bags used by Americans that year alone. You may reuse some of the paper or plastic bags you get from the store for things around the house such as garbage can liners or picking up pet droppings, but can you use all of them?
The average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in only four trips to the grocery store. Ask your retailer to pack your merchandise in the number of paper or plastic bags that you need and then have the rest packed in your cloth bags.
Each cloth bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime. It will even pay for itself if your grocery store offers a $.05 or $.10 credit per bag for bringing your own bags.
Two more scams described:
* This explains how to avoid junk mail, and if you have it, what to do about it. http://support.churchserve.com/warnings/spam.html
* Problem with Online Security from MacWorld: http://www.macworld.com/article/132285/2008/02/paypal.html?lsrc=mwweek
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