| Midtown News Updates |
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MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
Next MRA General Meeting will be Tuesday April 13, at the Friends Meeting Hall. "The City Budget Process and Your Input" with City Manager Jim Keene.
MIDTOWN MERCHANTS:
MYGYM announces New Classes! New Times! "Our schedule has changed for spring classes! Terrific Tots (2 1/2-3 1/4 years): Tuesday 11:45; Waddlers (14 months-22 months): Tuesday 2:00; Siblings (all ages): Tuesday 3:15; Cardio Kids (7-13 years): Tuesday 4:30 (starting April 13th); Check out our new information online at MYGYM.com!
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
HIGH SPEED RAIL: In the next few weeks there are several important meetings related to High Speed Rail. I'm sending out this SAVE THE DATE to get people ready, since the first meeting is critical to get citizens up to speed and it is only in 13 days.
Palo Alto Community Meeting on High Speed Rail - April 1st, 7pm in PA City Council Chambers: This meeting will provide citizens with a general overview of what is happening with the project, where we are in the process, what are some of the things we need to consider as a community as we respond officially to the Authority, etc. CARRD will be giving a short presentation on how citizens can write an effective comment and be involved in the process. general overview, how to write an EIR - how to get involved). CAARD = Californians for Responsible Rail Development
HSR Board Meeting on Thursday, April 8th at 9AM in San Jose - The monthly board meeting for the California High Speed Rail Authority is usually held in Sacramento, but on April 9th the meeting will be held in San Jose. This provides an opportunity for citizens to give public comment during the Board meeting. At this meeting, the Authority will be revealing the latest documents known as the Alternatives Analysis which will give specific information about what the train might look like (whether it is elevated, at-grade, in a trench or in a tunnel).
PA City Council Meeting on HSR April 12th - Council to take action on Program EIR comments.
There is also a Quick Guide that can be downloaded on how to provide comments on this project. http://www.calhsr.com/environmental-review/how-to-write-an-eir-comment. Providing public comment is crucial during this very important period. In addition, CARRD (Californians for Responsible Rail Development) is in the process of gathering resources that interested people can use to find factual data about issues such as Noise, Vibration, Water, etc. If you have any thoughts or suggestions as to sites that might have relevant information - please send them comments, corrections or suggestions for any other part of our website www.calhsr.com. Comments to nadianaik@carrdnet.org. Also note the longer document http://www.calhsr.com/environmental-review/how-to-write-an-eir-comment.
RECYCLING: Recycling and Composting Ordinance: Your Opinion Counts – Complete the Survey By March 22. Please take this brief survey and provide your feedback on the elements of the proposed Recycling and Composting Ordinance. The elements were derived from the ideas generated at the four community meetings held in late January and early February combined with research on similar ordinances from other cities. Results from this survey and the feedback from the four additional public meetings held in early March will help to further refine the ordinance elements and create the draft ordinance. Before taking the survey, please review the Recycling and Composting Ordinance presentation or the more detailed white paperr.
The Palo Alto Mediation Program (PAMP) will have openings for several new volunteer community mediators this year. The City of Palo Alto offers free and confidential mediation services to its citizens to help them resolve disputes confidentially, and without going to court. Typical mediation cases include neighbor-to-neighbor, landlord/tenant, and consumer issues. The only requirement is that you live, work, or own property in Palo Alto or Stanford, and take an applicable mediation training course prior to June 30, 2010. (Two-year term begins July 1.) Applications are due Friday, March 26. To learn more about PAMP & to download the application, go to www.paloaltomediation.org, or call Ric Rudman at 856-4062.
City Council Agenda
APRI 1: HSR COMMITTEE 8:30 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. -- CCR
APRIL 5: Composting options back to council.
APRIL 6: Finance Committee: Review of the CDBG draft Consolidated Plan (the 5 year plan)/Annual Action Plan for FY 10/11 and funding recommendations (PLNG)HSRAP (CSD). Stanford Hospital Fiscal Impact (ASD), Approval of Resolution Amending Utility Rate Schedule D-1 - rate increase, Approval of a Resolution Adopting a Refuse Rate Increase
APRIL 12: Study session City Manager's overview of the proposed budget, Zone change for hotel at Ming's, High Speed Rail.
Planning & Transportation Commission
OTHER FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS WITH TENTATIVE DATES:
MARCH 31: Review of Transportation Element Programs and Policies for the Comp. Plan, Fairmeadow Single Story Overlay Proposal
APRIL 7: High Speed rail
APRIL 21: Stanford Hospital Fiscal Impact
APRIL 28: North Cal. Ave Safe Routes to School/Traffic Calming Project
MAY 12: Cal. Ave. Streetscape Improvements – Phase II
Ira Ruskin, State Assemblyman, plans community meeting for feedback on California's Master Plan for Higher Education. Saturday April 10, from 10AM - 11:30 AM in Council Chambers.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
Canopy says: It's planting season! Plant a tree around your home today and see our tips about how to care for your tree. Check the Canopy Calendar for upcoming volunteer planting opportunities.
Upcoming City sponsored FREE Workshops on Saving Water in your Landscape:
-- March 27, 2010: Irrigation Design and Maintenance from 9:00 AM- noon; Instructor Lori Palmquist; Cubberley Community Center - Room H-6
-- April 17, 2010: Designing Water Efficient Landscaping from 1:30 - 4:30 PM; Instructor Patricia Evans; City of Palo Alto City Hall - Council Chambers
-- May 22, 2010: New Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Elements – Calculations and Standards from 9:00 AM -noon; Instructor - Chris Todd; Cubberley Community Center - Room H-6
APRIL 1: A public panel discussion called, “Growth and the Schools: What Is Palo Alto’s Future?” will address a controversial question for Palo Altans. Can we build more multi-family housing while maintaining the excellence of our schools? The event is free on Thursday, April 1, from 7 to 9 PM at the Channing House Auditorium, 850 Webster Street near downtown Palo Alto. The panelists are: Gail Price, City Council Member; Former PAUSD Board Member; Fran Wagstaff, Former President, Mid-Peninsula Housing Corporation; Dana Tom, Current PAUSD Board Member; Liaison To City/School Committee; Ray Bacchetti, Vice President, Emeritus, Stanford University; Former PAUSD Board Member; John Barton, Moderator; Former City Council and PAUSD Board Member. The event is co-sponsored by A Livable Palo Alto, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, Greenbelt Alliance, the Palo Alto Weekly / Palo Alto Online, Midpeninsula Community Media Center, Palo Alto Housing Corp., and the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club.
APRIL 3: There will be a children's concert in honor of the Month of the Young Child on April 3rd from 10:00 - 11:00 am at the Cubberly Community Center Theater. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by calling PACCC at 493-2361.
APRIL 3: Common Ground Workshops: GROWING GREAT TOMATOES with from10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. FEE: $31. To register call 493-6072 or http://greattomatoes.eventbrite.com 559 College Avenue; 493.6072. www.commongroundinpaloalto.org
BOUNTIFUL SPRING - MEDICINAL PLANTS OF CALIFORNIA; from 10:30 - 5:30 PM. FEE: $65; Register by calling 493-6072 or http://bountifulspring.eventbrite.com. Bring: lunch, water, notebook, camera, warm clothes and hat.
As the rains begin to recede and the days lengthen, we are reminded that spring has arrived. All around, lush carpets of green span the horizon as many plants begin their annual ascent towards the sun. Join us as we explore the diverse array of medicinal plants found growing throughout this vibrant landscape. Roots, barks, and the succulent edible "greens" of the season will be the primary focus of our study. The morning session will consist of a lecture/slide-show highlighting the basic taxonomic and chemical characteristics of selected medicinal plants. After lunch we will carpool to a nearby natural area in order to observe, experience, and discuss many of the medicinal plants found growing there. Medicinal uses, identification tips, preparation methods, harvesting ethics, and botanical safety issues will be addressed on our walk. Anyone curious about the healing potential of our local flora will find this class not only insightful, but self empowering as well.
Tellur is a clinical herbalist/educator and has traveled extensively throughout the U.S while studying, collecting, and using plant medicines from all the major bioregions. He is an herbalist of the "generalist" persuasion, and believes in the importance of an interdisciplinary practice which integrates the study of botany, pharmacy, physiology, and other medical sciences. Tellur is the owner/director of the Blue Wind Botanical Medicine Clinic located in Oakland, CA.
APRIL 4: AT the JCC "Music, Art & Hope' Art Exhibit and Concert " Art Exhibit from 1PM - 2PM; Concert from 2PM - 3:15PM. Art Exhibit: FREE; Concert: $10 Ms, seniors & students, $15 Non-Me, see http://www.paloaltojcc.org/arts. Experience an afternoon of art and song in honor of Yom Ha'shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. "Music, Art & Hope" is an original art exhibition of post-war oil paintings, etchings and drawings by ten local Holocaust survivors who will be on hand to discuss their powerful works. Holocaust-themed artwork and essays from local 7th and 8th grade students will also be displayed. The art exhibit will run April 4 - April 28. Following the reception, music originally composed by Jews living in the ghettos and concentration camps during the Holocaust will be performed. This music provides personal and historical testimonies and embodies creativity and hope.
APRIL 10: "GRAFTING" with James Kern from, 10:30 - 12:30. FEE: $35. Register by calling 493-6072 or http://grafting.eventbrite.com. Scionwood will be available for each student! Learn about grafting and the important role it plays in plant and tree production. In this class we will overview grafting and budding techniques used today and practice grafting that you can use on your own trees There will be several varieties of grafting wood, or scionwood available for you to build your own plum, peach, pear, or heritage apple tree. Rootstocks and grafting knives will be available for purchase. James Kern has a background in botany and works locally as a landscape contractor. He also teaches part-time at Foothill College and is a member of the California Rare Fruit Growers Association.
APRIL 17: Common Ground Workshops "START AN EARTH DAY SALAD GARDEN" with Jody Main from 10:30 - 12:30. Fee: $31 + $5 materials fee . To register call 493-6072 or http://earthdaygarden.eventbrite.com. Celebrate Earth Day by growing bountiful crops of sweet buttery lettuce, spicy scallions, peppery radishes, and other crispy greens throughout the spring and early summer. A small bed can keep a family of four in bountiful salads that can include: Italian misticanza, arugula, radicchio, French mesclun, chervil, endive, frisé, Asian baby greens, bok choy, mizuna and spinach. Create a mix of braising greens by growing kale, chard and spinach together. Class includes easy planting, harvesting and kitchen preparation instructions. A salad and dressing demonstration, snack and recipes will be provided. Jody is a local organic food and garden writer, educator, and consultant. Her specialty is designing gardens that include vegetables, herbs and berry gardens.
APRIL 23/24: Gamble Gardens: Spring Tour from 10AM - 4PM. FEE: $30 M, $35 non-M, $40 day of Tour. http://www.gamblegarden.org/events/springTour.html . The Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, a non-profit community horticultural center, hold the 25th Annual Spring Tour, "Masterful Gardens over Twenty-Five Years including a tour of 6 private Palo Alto gardens, plant sale, silent auction, raffle, boutique, luncheon, garden experts, and self-guided tour of Gamble Garden. Join us for a day of exploring magnificent gardens...some lush, full of color, and robust with blooms and fragrance; as well as those that are water-wise and use water features effectively, provide elegant design elements, and highlight both vegetation and native plants. There is something for everyone to enjoy.
APRIL 24/25: 38th Annual Wildflower Show: This two-day expo showcases the plant bio diversity of Santa Clara, San Mateo and surrounding counties. The region's premier botanical/horticultural event displays over 400 species of wildflowers and native plants, each accurately labeled, many suitable for the home garden. Free classes on native plant identification, gardening with native plants, and fun children’s activities. On sale: native plants, books, posters, seeds, note cards, and wildflower related items. Saturday & Sunday, April 24 & 25, 2010, 10 AM to 4 PM. Mission College, MT Buildings west of Main Building, 3000 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara. Admission free and parking free in Lot C only. Sponsored by California Native Plant Society, Santa Clara Valley Chapter, and the Mission College Biological Sciences Department. For more information, visit www.cnps-scv.org, email cnps_scv@yahoo.com or call 650-260-3450.
APRIL 29: Chamber of Commerce presents 31ST ANNUAL TALL TREE AWARDS from 5:30-9pm at Crown Plaza Cabana Hotel; 4290 El Camino Real. FEE: $110 Member/ $135 Non-Member
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MARCH 28: There will be a French café atmosphere at the California Avenue farmers' market. Left Bank/Rive Gauche will play from 9 AM to 1 PM. Enjoy un café et Le Monde at an outdoor table, or sample the spring vegetables available at the market, and we'll serenade you all morning. See: http://www.urbanvillageonline.com/markets/california.php
APRIL 9: Canopy sponsors SHARING NATURE WITH CHILDREN TALK: 7-8:30 PM, Lecture with Joseph Cornell. Living Wisdom School. Free.
APRIL 9-14: The Fourth Bay Area Senior Games will take place on the Stanford Campus and in neighboring cities. The Games give anyone age 50 and up the opportunity to compete against their peers in 14 sports: Just as important, the Senior Games are helping to build a community of adults who are actively engaged in maintaining their health and modeling an active lifestyle for their children and grandchildren. Stay tuned.
APRIL 11: The Early History of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, at Los Altos History Museum (LAHM) at 3:30 PM at the Los Altos Library. FREE.
APRIL 18: Peninsula Women's Chorus presents: New Music for Treble Voices Festival from 4:00 - 6:00p PM at the All Saints' Episcopal Church at 555 Waverley Street. See http://www.asaints.org. FEE: $20/general admission; $15/student & senior admission; $10/student rush tickets at the door only and subject to availability. http://www.pwchorus.org.
JULY 5-9: An environmentally-themed summer day-camp for children in grades 1- 6 will be offered by the YMCA. Topics include: renewable energy, waste management, the meaning & benefits of 'going green', natural resources conservation & protection. For information, contact the YMCA at 856-9622. Online registration begins on January 25. http://www.paloaltofamilyymca.org
TIPS
Stephanie writes: Here is an excellent reference for a company to help people with plumbing problems. The company's name is Giant Plumbing Inc. contact person is Don Greg ph# #1-408-241-6341. Website: GiantPlumingInc.com
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
Midtown still has many streets that are in need of BPCs. Please consider being a neighbor helping a neighbor during times of need and preparing our neighborhood for whatever comes our way.
Reminder of the upcoming Block Preparedness Coordinator (BPC) Training schedule, this month there are 2, so if you miss one, there is another: RSVP to epvolunteers@paneighborhoods.org
March 18th, Thursday: Clark Building - 1st Floor, Ed Room - right turn from lobby
March 24th, Wednesday: Jamplis Building - 3rd Floor, Ed Room - Conference Room A & F, near Cafe
6:00PM - Introduction to BPC Program
7:00PM - Damage Assessment
8:15PM - Communications for Disasters (if possible, bring a FRS radio)
Parking in underground garage entering via front driveway or back above ground garage. Website directions - http://pamf.org/paloalto.
NEXT MRA General Meeting will be Tuesday April 13, at the Friends Meeting Hall. "The City Budget Process and Your Input" with City Manager Jim Keene.
Please consider coming with your friends & neighbors, to discuss your priorities with Jim.
See Midtown artist Geri McGilvray's reception on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_NgAAoqFBQ
Midtown artists Martha Castillo 2010 Clayprint workshops: Register for a clayprint workshop at Martha Castillo Clayprint Studios, 772 Clara Drive, on April 17. Details at http://www.marthacastillo.net/workshops
MIDTOWN MERCHANTS:
March 26th Parents' Night Out! MyGym Midtown Drop your children off for three hours of fun and games. We also provide pizza and water for your little ones, so you can have a night out on the town. Call, stop by, or respond to this email to reserve your spot today! Spaces are limited, and Parents' Night Out fills up fast. Time: 5:30-8:30 PM. FEE: $30 for members, $40 for non members; 50% off siblings CASH ONLY. Who: Children 20 months to 9 years old. My Gym Palo Alto, 2655 Middlefield Rd. 330-1760
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
HIGH SPEED RAIL: There is also a Quick Guide that can be downloaded on how to provide comments on this project. http://www.calhsr.com/environmental-review/how-to-write-an-eir-comment. Providing public comment is crucial during this very important period. In addition, CARRD (Californians for Responsible Rail Development) is in the process of gathering resources that interested people can use to find factual data about issues such as Noise, Vibration, Water, etc. If you have any thoughts or suggestions as to sites that might have relevant information - please send them comments, corrections or suggestions for any other part of our website www.calhsr.com. Comments to nadianaik@carrdnet.org. Also note the longer document http://www.calhsr.com/environmental-review/how-to-write-an-eir-comment.
RECYCLING: Recycling and Composting Ordinance: Your Opinion Counts – Complete the Survey By March 22. Please take this brief survey and provide your feedback on the elements of the proposed Recycling and Composting Ordinance. The elements were derived from the ideas generated at the four community meetings held in late January and early February combined with research on similar ordinances from other cities. Results from this survey and the feedback from the four additional public meetings held in early March will help to further refine the ordinance elements and create the draft ordinance. Before taking the survey, please review the Recycling and Composting Ordinance presentation or the more detailed white paperr.
The Palo Alto Mediation Program (PAMP) will have openings for several new volunteer community mediators this year. The City of Palo Alto offers free and confidential mediation services to its citizens to help them resolve disputes confidentially, and without going to court. Typical mediation cases include neighbor-to-neighbor, landlord/tenant, and consumer issues. The only requirement is that you live, work, or own property in Palo Alto or Stanford, and take an applicable mediation training course prior to June 30, 2010. (Two-year term begins July 1.) Applications are due Friday, March 26. To learn more about PAMP & to download the application, go to www.paloaltomediation.org, or call Ric Rudman at 856-4062.
City Council Agenda
MARCH 22: Adoption of Council Priorities & Workplan
APRIL 5: Composting options back to council.
APRIL 12: Study session budget, Zone change for hotel at Ming's, High Speed Rail.
Planning & Transportation Commission
OTHER FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS WITH TENTATIVE DATES:
MARCH 24: Discussion of Housing Element, 2500 Embarcadero Road
MARCH 31: Review of Transportation Element Programs and Policies for the Comp. Plan, Fairmeadow Single Story Overlay Proposal
APRIL 28: North Cal. Ave Safe Routes to School/Traffic Calming Project
MARCH 18: Community Meeting on the Library and Community Center Bonds: The Library Facility Projects website has been updated with the latest floor plans for the new Mitchell Park Library and Community Center that will begin construction this July. The former auditorium at the Cubberley Community Center is undergoing renovation to serve as a temporary library. It will open shortly after the current library closes and the furniture, shelving, and books at Mitchell Park are moved into the temporary library. Meeting will be at Cubberley from 7-8:30 PM. Group 4 Architecture and City staff will be there to share information and answer your questions. The infrastructure upgrade to the College Terrace Library and adjoining childcare center is right on schedule. If you take a look at the January 2010 project status report by Nova Partners, Inc., you'll see that a number of infrastructure upgrades are now underway. This historic building will be protected with the addition of a sprinkler system and seismic upgrades. And, an improved HVAC system – with air conditioning – will make the building more comfortable for all.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
STANFORD STUDY ON PREVENTING MEMORY LOSS IN SENIORS SEEKS PARTICIPANTS. Participants in this study must be age 70 or older with a relatively inactive lifestyle. They must be able to travel to Stanford for classes and must not be limited in their ability to participate in light exercise or to write. Adults with dementia are not eligible for the trial. Those interested in volunteering or obtaining more information about the trial should call 721-3308 or email Ace-seniors@stanford.edu.
Upcoming City sponsored FREE Workshops on Saving Water in your Landscape:
-- March 27, 2010: Irrigation Design and Maintenance from 9:00 AM- noon; Instructor Lori Palmquist; Cubberley Community Center - Room H-6
-- April 17, 2010: Designing Water Efficient Landscaping from 1:30 - 4:30 PM; Instructor Patricia Evans; City of Palo Alto City Hall - Council Chambers
-- May 22, 2010: New Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Elements – Calculations and Standards from 9:00 AM -noon; Instructor - Chris Todd; Cubberley Community Center - Room H-6
MARCH 20: Common Ground workshop from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. FEE: $31 + $5 materials fee, To register call 493-6072 or http://herbsgardenkitchen.eventbrite.com/. Plant an organic herb garden! Bring a beautiful diversity to your garden with a variety of culinary and medicinal herbs. Herbs bring harmony and health to us and our gardens with their beauty, fragrance, flowers (that attract beneficial insects), and everlasting qualities that enable them to be brought indoors to share and enjoy. Learn how to grow and harvest perennial and annual herbs, herbs in containers, and essential herbs for the kitchen. Plant lists, recipes and tasty samples will be provided. Everyone will plant herbs to take home. Jody is a local food and garden writer, educator and consultant. Her specialty is creating organic vegetable, herb and berry gardens. 559 College Avenue; 493.6072 www.commongroundinpaloalto.org
MARCH 21: Ruth Gerson: Workshop and Living Room Concert at the JCC. Workshop: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM; Living Room Concert: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. FEE: Workshop: $10 Members & students, $15 Non-Members; Concert: $30r Members & students, $40 Non-Members; Workshop and Concert: $35 Members & students, $45 Non-Members. http://www.paloaltojcc.org/arts. Improve your singing, enjoy an intimate performance, or both! Spend the day with acclaimed performer and vocal coach Ruth Gerson who, according to Stephen Holden of the New York Times, is a cross between Natalie Merchant and Patti Smith with a dash of the youthful Grace Slick thrown in for spice.Gerson has been teaching voice in New York City for eleven years. Her workshop will touch on many aspects of singing, performance issues and songwriting. Later, she'll be performing music from This Can't Be My Life, her newest album full of strong melodies, great vocal prowess and deeply personal lyrics. For more information contact Katie Chapin, at 223-8622 or kchapin@paloaltojcc.org.
MARCH 22: Author Dr. Aaron David Miller, 'The Much Too Promised Land' at the JCC in the Cultural Arts Hall from 7-9 PM. FEE: $10 Members and students, $15 Non-Members. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/85243. For the past two decades, Dr. Aaron David Miller served at the U.S. State Department as an advisor to six secretaries of state. He helped formulate U.S. policy on the Middle East and the Arab-Israel peace process, most recently as the Senior Advisor for Arab-Israeli Negotiations. He also served as the Deputy Special Middle East Coordinator for Arab-Israeli Negotiations. His critically-acclaimed book, "The Much Too Promised Land: America's Elusive Search for Arab-Israeli Peace," is an extraordinary account of 20 years on the front lines of Arab-Israeli peacemaking. Dr. Miller has been featured on CNN, NBC, CBS, Fox and PBS and his articles have appeared in newspapers throughout the world.
MARCH 25: Cafe Scientifique at Stanford Blood Center presents "Mending a Broken Heart: How a Collaboration of Physicians, Scientists and Engineers Has Revolutionized the Care of Children with Congenital Heart Disease". Reflecting knowledge gained over a 24 year span as Professor of Pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine, and a clinician at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Stanford Hospital & Clinics, Daniel Bernstein, M.D., will share the revolutionary improvements in care for newborns who are tragically born with devastating heart defects. Dr. Bernstein is a pioneer in pediatric heart transplantation. His research interests include: the application of gene micro-array methods of cardiac allograft rejection in pediatric patients; assessment of new techniques of immuno suppression in children; and long-term complications in pediatric heart transplant patients. 7 - 9 PM at Stanford Blood Center at 3373 Hillview. FREE.
MARCH 26-27: Charming Cottages of Palo Alto - 19th annual house tour. from 11 AM - 4 PM. FEE: $30 in advance or $35 after 3/19 or at door at 446 Ruthven Palo Alto on tour days. Buy tickets on line at www.charmingcottages.org. Supported by the Palo Alto Area College Club of Mills College to support scholarship for students.
MARCH 27: Common Ground Workshop: GROWING GREAT TOMATOES with from10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. FEE: $31. To register call 493-6072 or http://greattomatoes.eventbrite.com/. Learn which tomatoes have really great flavor and reliable production and are able to hold up under regular garden conditions. You will learn her favorite trellising methods, soil preparation, what NOT to do, and how to avoid the brown crispy foliage blues so a bountiful harvest will be yours until frost. Tomatoes featured will be the result of her 25 years of hands-on tomato research. Nancy is a fabulous teacher and was the past University of California Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor and Master Gardener Program Coordinator, Nancy has been and continues to be involved in tomato variety evaluations. 559 College Avenue; 493.6072. www.commongroundinpaloalto.org.
APRIL 11: The Early History of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, a slide show presentation by Don McDonald and Lisa Robinson, Collections Manager at Los Altos History Museum (LAHM) at 3:30 PM at the Los Altos Library. FREE: It will be followed by books signing, sales, and reception at LAHM (next door to the library). Copies of the book may be pre-ordered at www.losaltoshistory.org. Beginning Thursday, March 18, the Los Altos History Museum will extend its hours to 7 PM on the third Thursday of the month. Enjoy the latest exhibition, Through Thick and Thin: A Tale of Two Sisters, docent-led tours of the Smith House (built in 1905) and the permanent exhibit. Learn more about our local history. Museum store will be open and taking orders for the new publication, Early Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Admission free. www.losaltoshistory.org
APRIL 18: Peninsula Women's Chorus presents: New Music for Treble Voices Festival from 4:00 - 6:00p PM at the All Saints' Episcopal Church at 555 Waverley Street. See http://www.asaints.org. FEE: $20/general admission; $15/student & senior admission; $10/student rush tickets at the door only and subject to availability. http://www.pwchorus.org. This exciting event celebrates the incomparable thrill, soaring beauty and unrivaled power of treble voices united in song. The PWC, under the direction of Dr. Martin Benvenuto, will partner with San Francisco based professional chorus Volti, the Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir Ensemble and Ancora, under the direction of Robert Geary. These choruses will present an afternoon of new music especially created for the unique sound of upper voices. The PWC selections range from a multi-chorus mass piece to a fantastical Spanish fairytale and a song about modern female swashbucklers.
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MARCH 18: Smart Life Forum presents: Ron Rothenberg, MD, Hormone Myths versus Medical Evidence Cubberley Community Center (Room H1) from 7:00 - 9:30 PM. FEE: $10 for nonmembers, first meeting free. http://www.smartlifeforum.org. Dr Rothenberg is an Attending Physician at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas.
MARCH 18: Raising Resilient, Successful, Less-Stressed Kids. This FREE parent education event is brought to you by the Walter Hays & Juana Briones PTAs and is open to EVERYONE! Questions? Contact Hays parents. Jennie Bernheim jjbernheim@yahoo.com or Lisa Waits lisa.waits@nokia.com.
MARCH 18: Mira Leytes in Concert at the JCC Cultural hall from 7:30 - 9:30. Mira Leytes is a locally grown and New York-based vocalist, accordionist, pianist and songwriter. She sings in English, Russian, French, Hebrew & Yiddish, melding her musical cabaret style and Klezmer roots with a glamrock sensibility.FEE: $15 Center Members, $20 Non-Members. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/85245. For more see http://www.paloaltojcc.org.
MARCH 19: Acterra Earthshine Night Hike at Arastradero Preserve. See http://www.acterra.org/programs/stewardship/get_involved.html#hike
MARCH 20: Dr. Aaron David Miller at the JCC Cultural hall. Dr. Miller, U.S. State Department advisor, formulated U.S. policy on the Middle East and the Arab-Israel peace process. His book, The Much Too Promised Land: America's Elusive Search for Arab-Israeli Peace, was published in March 2008; he has been featured on CNN, NBC, CBS, Fox and PBS and his articles have appeared in newspapers throughout the world. Time 7PM. FEE: $10 M and students, $15 NM in advance.
MARCH 20: San Francisco Chamber Orchestra presents: Mandolin Magic with Avi Avital from 8:00 - 10:00 PM at St Mark's Episcopal Church at 600 Colorado Avenue. Noted Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital plays music of Bach and Beethoven, plus a wonderful Corelli Concerto Grosso and Oswaldo Golijov's "Last Round", a simmering tango-infused work for double string quartet and double bass.FREE: No advanced reservations required. Please arrive early to ensure a seat.
MARCH 21 Botanical Patterns on English Transferware at Gamble Garden from 2:00 -4:30 PM. . FEE: $30 member, $40 non-member. See http://www.gamblegarden.org. For more email admin@gamblegarden.org or call 329-1356 x201.
MARCH 24 at Gamble Garden: You are invited to join them for coffee and treats, to learn more about Gamble, and to enjoy a guided tour through our gardens from 10:00 ~ 11:30 AM. 10:15 AM remarks, no RSVP at the Gamble Garden Carriage House.
MARCH 25: Become a Nature Volunteer in Local Schools! Environmental Volunteers (www.evols.org) work with small groups of children and involve them in hands-on, discovery-based learning. The next volunteer training begins on Thursday, March 25. If you want to join the EV, please contact our Education and Training Director at 961-0545. You may also email us at Education@EVols.org.
MARCH 25: USGS monthly lecture. Changing Time -- A Changing Planet! Using phenology to take the pulse of our planet. Jake Weltzin, Executive Director, USA National Phenology Network, will be describing and discussing the emerging science of phenology that uses observations of plants and animals to measure the biological pulse of our planet. For more information and directions, please visit: http://online.wr.usgs.gov/calendar. Time 7PM
MARCH 28: There will be a French café atmosphere at the California Avenue farmers' market. Left Bank/Rive Gauche will play from 9 AM to 1 PM. Enjoy un café et Le Monde at an outdoor table, or sample the spring vegetables available at the market, and we'll serenade you all morning. See: http://www.urbanvillageonline.com/markets/california.php
APRIL 9: Canopy sponsors SHARING NATURE WITH CHILDREN TALK: 7-8:30 PM, Lecture with Joseph Cornell. Living Wisdom School. Free.
APRIL 9-14: The Fourth Bay Area Senior Games will take place on the Stanford Campus and in neighboring cities. The Games give anyone age 50 and up the opportunity to compete against their peers in 14 sports: Just as important, the Senior Games are helping to build a community of adults who are actively engaged in maintaining their health and modeling an active lifestyle for their children and grandchildren. Stay tuned.
JULY 5-9: An environmentally-themed summer day-camp for children in grades 1- 6 will be offered by the YMCA. Topics include: renewable energy, waste management, the meaning & benefits of 'going green', natural resources conservation & protection. For information, contact the YMCA at 856-9622. Online registration begins on January 25. http://www.paloaltofamilyymca.org
TIPS
Fun Stuff: try your hand at this online game to show what goes into garbage, compost or recycling...for school kids http://www.zerowastepaloalto.org/games/ nadianaik@carrdnet.org
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
Midtown still has many streets that are in need of BPCs. Please consider being a neighbor helping a neighbor during times of need and preparing our neighborhood for whatever comes our way.
Reminder of the upcoming Block Preparedness Coordinator (BPC) Training schedule, this month there are 2, so if you miss one, there is another: RSVP to epvolunteers@paneighborhoods.org
March 18th, Thursday: Clark Building - 1st Floor, Ed Room - right turn from lobby
March 24th, Wednesday: Jamplis Building - 3rd Floor, Ed Room - Conference Room A & F, near Cafe
6:00PM - Introduction to BPC Program
7:00PM - Damage Assessment
8:15PM - Communications for Disasters (if possible, bring a FRS radio)
Parking in underground garage entering via front driveway or back above ground garage. Website directions - http://pamf.org/paloalto.
NEXT MRA General Meeting will be Tuesday April 13, at the Friends Meeting Hall. "The City Budget Process and Your Input" with City Manager Jim Keene.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
HIGH SPEED RAIL: There is also a Quick Guide that can be downloaded on how to provide comments on this project. http://www.calhsr.com/environmental-review/how-to-write-an-eir-comment. Providing public comment is crucial during this very important period. In addition, CARRD (Californians for Responsible Rail Development) is in the process of gathering resources that interested people can use to find factual data about issues such as Noise, Vibration, Water, etc. If you have any thoughts or suggestions as to sites that might have relevant information - please send them comments, corrections or suggestions for any other part of our website www.calhsr.com. Comments to nadianaik@carrdnet.org. Also note the longer document http://www.calhsr.com/environmental-review/how-to-write-an-eir-comment.
RECYCLING: Palo Alto has been recycling for over 38 years and has achieved 62 percent diversion of waste from landfills. This is an excellent start. However, Palo Alto has only another 12 years to reach our Zero Waste goal. To get to the goal, we need to reduce our waste by an additional 37 percent. An ordinance is tentatively scheduled to go before City Council in late April or May & go into effect July 1, 2010. It will be an educational tool not a punitive measure, and initially focus on outreach and education about the new requirements, aimed at creating new systems, processes and behaviors to keep recyclables and compostables out of the garbage. The ordinance will apply to the whole community, recognizing that different services are currently offered to the residential and commercial sectors. Questions? See the City's Recycling and Composting Ordinance page at www.cityofpaloalto.org/recyclingordinance.
-- View the presentation at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=19038
-- View the white paper at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=19035
-- Take the Recycling and Composting Ordinance Survey at https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/1a31g4377b
See latest Summary of Planning and Transportation Division projects/activities at: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/pln/news/details.asp?NewsID=613&TargetID=85
The Palo Alto Mediation Program (PAMP) will have openings for several new volunteer community mediators this year. The City of Palo Alto offers free and confidential mediation services to its citizens to help them resolve disputes confidentially, and without going to court. Typical mediation cases include neighbor-to-neighbor, landlord/tenant, and consumer issues. The only requirement is that you live, work, or own property in Palo Alto or Stanford, and take an applicable mediation training course prior to June 30, 2010. (Two-year term begins July 1.) Applications are due Friday, March 26. To learn more about PAMP & to download the application, go to www.paloaltomediation.org, or call Ric Rudman at 856-4062.
City Council Agenda
MARCH 15: 6PM Joint Study Session with the Planning and Transportation Commission to Discuss Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Issues. 7PM Proclamation in honor of the dedication of the Betty Meltzer Memorial Highway. Study Session on High Speed Rail. Public Hearing on water supply assessment to Stanford Medical Center project. See http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=19076
MARCH 22: Adoption of Council Priorities & Workplan
APRIL 5: Composting options back to council.
Planning & Transportation Commission
OTHER FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS WITH TENTATIVE DATES:
MARCH 15: Annual Joint City Council/PTC Study Session
MARCH 24: Discussion of Housing Element, 2500 Embarcadero Road
MARCH 31: Review of Transportation Element Programs and Policies for the Comp. Plan, Fairmeadow Single Story Overlay Proposal
APRIL 28: North Cal. Ave Safe Routes to School/Traffic Calming Project
PAUSD
MARCH 16 & 18: The Palo Alto Unified School District will hold Landscape Master Plan Meetings to discuss the landscape conceptual design for Palo Alto High School and Gunn High School. The meetings will be lead by Deems Lewis McKinley Architecture and landscape architects, Gates and Associates. The meetings are scheduled as follows:
-- Palo Alto High School: 3:30 to 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 16 at the Palo Alto High School Library located at 50 Embarcadero Rd
-- Gunn High School: 3:30 to 5:00 PM on Thursday, March 18,at the Gunn High School Staff Lounge located at 780 Arastradero Road
MARCH 17: The Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) will host a Palo Alto High School Facilities Steering Committee Meeting to discuss the high school's multipurpose field project's bid results and scope details. The meetings will be conducted by Gilbane Building Company, Construction Manager for the PAUSD Strong School Bond Projects. The meeting will be held at the Palo Alto High School Library located at 50 Embarcadero Rd.at 3:15 PM.
MARCH 13/14: Huge Friends of the Library Book sale http://www.friendspaloaltolib.org/index.htm#viaemail
MARCH 16: Public Meeting on the California Avenue Streetscape Project, Phase II. Public meeting to gather input on the remaining streetscape improvements included in the California Avenue Streetscape project. At the meeting, City staff will discuss this next phase of the project (Phase II) and present concept plans. Meeting at 6:30 PM at Escondido School, 890 Escondido Road, Stanford. Phase II of the California Avenue Streetscape Project (from El Camino Real to the Caltrain Depot): This phase of the project includes the replacement and addition of street trees at the "plaza" area near the Caltrain Depot and the replacement of street benches, bicycle racks, news racks, information kiosks and waste receptacles on each side of California Avenue. Additionally, crosswalk improvements and restriping of automobile lanes and parking spaces, potential reduction of travel lanes from four to two, redesign of the Caltrain Plaza area are planned. Public input and comments are sought for this phase of the project. For more information on this project, visit http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/calave. Contact us via email: pwecips@cityofpaloalto.org or call 329-2151.
MARCH 18: Community Meeting on the Library and Community Center Bonds: The Library Facility Projects website has been updated with the latest floor plans for the new Mitchell Park Library and Community Center that will begin construction this July. The former auditorium at the Cubberley Community Center is undergoing renovation to serve as a temporary library. It will open shortly after the current library closes and the furniture, shelving, and books at Mitchell Park are moved into the temporary library. Meeting will be at Cubberley from 7-8:30 PM. Group 4 Architecture and City staff will be there to share information and answer your questions. The infrastructure upgrade to the College Terrace Library and adjoining childcare center is right on schedule. If you take a look at the January 2010 project status report by Nova Partners, Inc., you'll see that a number of infrastructure upgrades are now underway. This historic building will be protected with the addition of a sprinkler system and seismic upgrades. And, an improved HVAC system – with air conditioning – will make the building more comfortable for all.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
Avenidas events for March. See http://tinyurl.com/yguaqoz
Palo Alto Weekly Photo contest - Enter by April 2 at 5:30PM. Entry forms and rules at www.PaloAltoOnline.com or call 223-6508 or photocontest@paweekly.com.
The Hometown Video Awards - Hometown is local cable's largest video awards. Visit www.alliancecm.org for an entry form and complete details. Entries may be given to Media Center Programming Director Becky Sanders and must be received by her prior to the entry deadline. Entries must be received by the sponsoring organization, the Alliance for Community Media, in Olympia, Washington, no later than the March 27 deadline.
Upcoming Workshops on Saving Water in your Landscape: City sponsored.
-- March 27, 2010: Irrigation Design and Maintenance from 9:00 AM- noon; Instructor Lori Palmquist; Cubberley Community Center - Room H-6
-- April 17, 2010: Designing Water Efficient Landscaping from 1:30 - 4:30 PM; Instructor Patricia Evans; City of Palo Alto City Hall - Council Chambers
-- May 22, 2010: New Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Elements – Calculations and Standards from 9:00 AM -noon; Instructor - Chris Todd; Cubberley Community Center - Room H-6
MARCH 11-20: Gunn High School Theatre presents Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Performances are on March 11,12,13,18,19 and 20 at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 students. Matinee on March 17 at 3:30 PM $5 & March 20 2:00 PM, $6. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 students. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala are $20. Join us for an amazing evening of laughs and wonder. For information, call 354-8258 or visit www.gunntheatre.org.
MARCH 13: Celebrate Arbor Day @ Jr. Museum & Zoo, See http://www.canopy.org/calendar.html. The California Arbor Day event will have some very unusual fiction/fact exercises for adults & kids to professors and academia. Dave Dockter, City arborist, will be telling an interactive tale handed down by my ranger father during evening campfire programs in Big Sur State Park when I was little. If you have kids or grand kids, this will be a special event for all. Take an arborist-guided tree walk,at 10am; Plant a tree at 11am; Go on a scavenger hunt; Sing tree songs; Experiment with trees and water; And don't forget... Hug a tree
MARCH 13: See the Folklorico Dancers from 1 to 2 PM at Juana Briones Park (600 Arastradero Rd.), young folks in beautiful traditional costumes, celebrating the birthday of latina pioneer Juana Briones! Palo Alto's own Juana Briones Park is named after the Juana de Miranda Briones, born March 12, 1804. Much of the land we now call Palo Alto was part of a ranch owned and managed by Briones, who was also a widely acclaimed healer and humanitarian. Come help us celebrate Juana Briones' legacy with musical performance by the Raging Grannies and dancing and music courtesy of the Folklorico Dancers. Questions: 279-8761 or Clark Akatiff cakatiff@yahoo.com.
MARCH 15: March 15 at Avenidas and learn how to create your own "Life Strategy." (It's Never too Late!) Ronald B. Schilling, Ph.D., Continuing Studies, Stanford, will impart his wisdom from 2-3 PM. FEE: $3/$5 at the door.
MARCH 16: Author Sara Houghteling, 'Pictures at an Exhibition' at JCC Cultural Hall from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Houghteling's luminous novel is a fictionalized account of art theft in Paris during World War II. According to National Book Award winner Julia Glass, "'Pictures at an Exhibition' is at once an authoritative historical novel, a family saga, a labyrinthine love story, and a sumptuous meditation on the purpose and value of material beauty when war threatens the very fiber of civilization." Houghteling artfully and accurately describes wartime France, the early 20th century Parisian art scene and looting by the Nazi party. The book will pull in anyone interested in art, history, or Jewish literature. FEE: 10 Center Members and Students, $15 Non-Members. See http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/85242.
MARCH 16: ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE: Preparing Palo Alto for Inevitable Impacts from 7 to 9 PM at Lucie Stern. FREE: Doors open at 6:45 PM. Climate change is happening. We must do everything possible to minimize its severity by reducing our use of fossil fuels, but we also should begin preparing ourselves for the changes ahead. In Palo Alto we can expect an increased risk of flooding, water shortages and wildfires in our foothills. How can we prepare for these impacts? Former Mayor Peter Drekmeier will identify some of the challenges ahead and measures we can take to reduce the local impacts of climate change. Following Peter’s talk, attendees will be invited to divide into small groups to discuss the issues presented.
MARCH 17: FREE! WILLS & ESTATES WORKSHOP FOR SINGLES. If you are widowed or single and have questions about your will and estate, you'll find a forum for your questions at Avenidas on Wednesday, March 17, from 10-11:30 AM. Attorney Deborah Radin of Kramer Radin LLP brings her years of experience and expertise to this presentation. This is an informational session only. Call 289-5446 today to register for a space at this free event.
MARCH 18: Smart Life Forum presents: Ron Rothenberg, MD, Hormone Myths versus Medical Evidence Cubberley Community Center (Room H1) from 7:00 - 9:30 PM. FEE: $10 for nonmembers, first meeting free. MORE INFO: http://www.smartlifeforum.org. Dr Rothenberg is an Attending Physician at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas.
MARCH 18: Raising Resilient, Successful, Less-Stressed Kids. Panel discussion followed by a generous Q&A session with distinguished local educators to discuss some of today’s most pressing questions about parenting. This FREE parent education event is brought to you by the Walter Hays & Juana Briones PTAs and is open to EVERYONE!
* What is one of the most powerful tools you can give your child to succeed?
* What do you and your child need to thrive and stay sane in today’s educational environment?
* What can you do to help your child develop good judgment and effective decision-making skills?
Questions? Contact Hays parents. Jennie Bernheim jjbernheim@yahoo.com or Lisa Waits lisa.waits@nokia.com.
MARCH 18: Mira Leytes in Concert at the JCC Cultural hall from 7:30 - 9:30. Mira Leytes is a locally grown and New York-based vocalist, accordionist, pianist and songwriter. She sings in English, Russian, French, Hebrew & Yiddish, melding her musical cabaret style and Klezmer roots with a glamrock sensibility.FEE: $15 Center Members, $20 Non-Members. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/85245. For more see http://www.paloaltojcc.org.
MARCH 19: Acterra Earthshine Night Hike at Arastradero Preserve. See http://www.acterra.org/programs/stewardship/get_involved.html#hike.
MARCH 20: Dr. Aaron David Miller at the JCC Cultural hall. Dr. Miller, U.S. State Department advisor, formulated U.S. policy on the Middle East and the Arab-Israel peace process. His book, The Much Too Promised Land: America's Elusive Search for Arab-Israeli Peace, was published in March 2008; he has been featured on CNN, NBC, CBS, Fox and PBS and his articles have appeared in newspapers throughout the world. Time 7PM. FEE: $10 M and students, $15 NM in advance.
MARCH 20: San Francisco Chamber Orchestra presents: Mandolin Magic with Avi Avital from 8:00 - 10:00 PM at St Mark's Episcopal Church at 600 Colorado Avenue. Noted Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital plays music of Bach and Beethoven, plus a wonderful Corelli Concerto Grosso and Oswaldo Golijov's "Last Round", a simmering tango-infused work for double string quartet and double bass.FREE: No advanced reservations required. Please arrive early to ensure a seat.
MARCH 21 Botanical Patterns on English Transferware at Gamble Garden from 2:00 -4:30 PM. . FEE: $30 member, $40 non-member. See http://www.gamblegarden.org. For more email admin@gamblegarden.org or call 329-1356 x201.
MARCH 24 at Gamble Garden: You are invited to join them for coffee and treats, to learn more about Gamble, and to enjoy a guided tour through our gardens from 10:00 ~ 11:30 AM. 10:15 AM remarks, no RSVP at the Gamble Garden Carriage House.
MARCH 25: Become a Nature Volunteer in Local Schools! Environmental Volunteers (www.evols.org) work with small groups of children and involve them in hands-on, discovery-based learning. The next volunteer training begins on Thursday, March 25. If you want to join the EV, please contact our Education and Training Director at 961-0545. You may also email us at Education@EVols.org.
MARCH 25: USGS monthly lecture. Changing Time -- A Changing Planet! Using phenology to take the pulse of our planet. Jake Weltzin, Executive Director, USA National Phenology Network, will be describing and discussing the emerging science of phenology that uses observations of plants and animals to measure the biological pulse of our planet. For more information and directions, please visit: http://online.wr.usgs.gov/calendar. Time 7PM
MARCH 28: There will be a French café atmosphere at the California Avenue farmers' market. Left Bank/Rive Gauche will play from 9 AM to 1 PM. Enjoy un café et Le Monde at an outdoor table, or sample the spring vegetables available at the market, and we'll serenade you all morning. See: http://www.urbanvillageonline.com/markets/california.php
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 2010 Stanford Track & Field Invitational at COBB TRACK & ANGEL FIELD!!! On Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27, Stanford University will host the 2010 Nike Sponsored Stanford Track & Field Invitational. At the conclusion of the meet, nearly 4000 runners will have competed at Cobb Track and Angel Field, making the Stanford Track & Field Invitational one of the largest track & field events in the United States. We are looking for people interested in volunteering for any amount of time during this 2 day jam-packed, action-filled event!
We need help with the following job responsibilities:
-- Field Events -- Stats, Tape Measure
-- Running Events -- Block Crew and Hurdle Crew
-- Distance Carnival -- Lap Counters, Steeplechase, Finish Line Crew
-- Spotters
-- Programs
-- Results Runner
-- Assistant to the Announcer
If you are able to help out, contact Mary Jo Alexander at stanfordinvite@gmail.com or 626/825/0304 for a form to indicate the days and times that you are available.
As a volunteer you will receive the following:
-- Complimentary tickets
-- An event T-shirt
-- Free Food!
They will send out confirmation letters with schedules by the third week in March. There will be an orientation meeting for volunteers on Wednesday, March 24 at 4:00PM. If you have any questions regarding the Invitational please don’t hesitate to call or email Mary Jo Alexander, Meet Director, at stanfordinvite@gmail.com or 626/825/0304.
APRIL 9: Canopy sponsors SHARING NATURE WITH CHILDREN TALK: 7-8:30 PM, Lecture with Joseph Cornell. Living Wisdom School. Free.
APRIL 9-14: The Fourth Bay Area Senior Games will take place on the Stanford Campus and in neighboring cities. The Games give anyone age 50 and up the opportunity to compete against their peers in 14 sports: Just as important, the Senior Games are helping to build a community of adults who are actively engaged in maintaining their health and modeling an active lifestyle for their children and grandchildren. Stay tuned.
JULY 5-9: An environmentally-themed summer day-camp for children in grades 1- 6 will be offered by the YMCA. Topics include: renewable energy, waste management, the meaning & benefits of 'going green', natural resources conservation & protection. For information, contact the YMCA at 856-9622. Online registration begins on January 25. http://www.paloaltofamilyymca.org
TIPS
NEW and with a new name: Palo Alto Housing List Just published! http://newusnews.blogspot.com -- a new generation of Elaine's List. A list of all multiple housing developments in town that have been approved or built since 1997. The list is in order of number of units and indicates whether it is north or south of Oregon Avenue.
MIDTOWN BUSINESS/NEIGHBOR NEWS
NEXT MRA General Meeting will be Tuesday April 13, at the Friends Meeting Hall. "The City Budget Process and Your Input " with City Manager Jim Keene.
MIDTOWN Events & News:
** March 11 – April 15: Butterfly Life announces: WEIGHT LOSS & STRESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP: Thursdays, March 11 – April 15 -- 7: 7:00 – 8:00PM; $99 (special introductory rate!) -- 6 sessions: Join Jim Ayers for a special six-week workshop on stress management and weight loss based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Learn how to do simple Wu Ming Qigong energy movements, reduce stress and eat for healing. As you learn how to tap into your body's innate healing intelligence, you can lose weight, manage stress, sharpen intuition, feel great and get a new outlook on life! Developed by Dr Nan Lu, OMD, the Dragon's Way® is a program that has helped thousands of people lose weight and improve numerous health problems (for more, see www.tcmworld.org). This will be held at Butterfly Life, Women's Fitness Center, Midtown Center; 2695 Middlefield Road; 566-0100. To register send an email to jameswayers@gmail.com or call Jim for questions 0-224-4388
** MARCH 7: If you like Renaissance music, you'll really enjoy this concert! Lenten Devotions is an highly unusual concert program of a cappella music written for the Lenten season. The first half is devoted to Renaissance works of elaborate counterpoint, which display a range of richly experimental and expressive chromaticism - a rich tapestry of sound which soars and dips as the different voices and themes come and go. In the second half, we sing a set of beautifully lyric motets by the Romantic composer Josef Rheinberger, and finish this extraordinary a cappella concert with Lenten works by two living composers: England's John Tavener and the Bay Area's own Frank Ferko. More info: www.baychoralguild.org
4:30 pm at St. Mark's Episcopal Church; http://www.saint-marks.com; 600 Colorado Ave; 326-3800. Please join us for a preview lecture a half hour before each concert. FEE: Tickets available at the door: $25 general, $20 senior, $6 student.
CITY/COUNTY/SCHOOL EVENTS/NOTES
CHANGES AT CITY HALL: new assistant to the City Manager, New responsibilities (economic development) for Deputy City Manager, Steve Emslie. New responsibilities for Assistant to the City Manager, Kelly Morariu (Community Partnerships) see http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=15965
VACANCY ON THE LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMISSION:
Appointment information and application forms are available in the City Clerk's Office, 329-2571 or may be obtained on the website at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org. Deadline for receipt of applications in the City Clerk's Office is 5:30 PM, Monday, March 8.
See latest Monthly Summary of Planning and Transportation Division projects and activities at: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/pln/news/details.asp?NewsID=613&TargetID=85
The Palo Alto Mediation Program (PAMP) will have openings for several new volunteer community mediators this year. The City of Palo Alto offers free and confidential mediation services to its citizens to help them resolve disputes confidentially, and without going to court. Typical mediation cases include neighbor-to-neighbor, landlord/tenant, and consumer issues. The only requirement is that you live, work, or own property in Palo Alto or Stanford, and take an applicable mediation training course prior to June 30, 2010. (Two-year term begins July 1.) Applications are due Friday, March 26. To learn more about PAMP & to download the application, go to www.paloaltomediation.org, or call Ric Rudman at 856-4062.
City Council Agenda
MARCH 8: Study session on composting, Google Fiber project proposal, Colleague's memo for early council and staff agendas and reports..and amend the policy for late submissions for planning projects. See agenda at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=18999
MARCH 15: Study Session on High Speed Rail. Public Hearing on water supply assessment to Stanford Medical Center project.
MARCH 22: Adoption of Council Priorities & Workplan
Planning & Transportation Commission
MARCH 10, 2010: 805 Los Trancos Road Site and Design & Open Space Zone District - Max. House Size and Basement Regulations
OTHER FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS WITH TENTATIVE DATES:
3/15 Annual Joint City Council/PTC Study Session
3/24 Discussion of Housing Element, 2500 Embarcadero Road
3/31 Review of Transportation Element Programs and Policies for the Comp. Plan, Fairmeadow Single Story Overlay Proposal
4/28 North Cal. Ave Safe Routes to School/Traffic Calming Project
5/12 Cal. Ave. Streetscape Improvements Phase II
MARCH 6 & 9: New Palo Alto Recycling and Composting Ordinance - public meetings to review the Ordinance Outline. Background: Nearly 43% of our ‘garbage’ is actually recyclable. By simply placing items in the appropriate containers, we can further our community goals of Zero Waste by 2021 and 15% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. To address this important issue, the City is creating a new Recycling and Composting Ordinance to restrict recyclables and compostables from the garbage. Public Meetings - Residential: Saturday, March 6 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at Lucie Stern, Ballroom. Tuesday, March 9 from 7 - 8:30 p.m at Lucie Stern, Community Room. More information about the ordinance is available at www.cityofpaloalto.org/zerowaste or call 496-5910.
MARCH 11: The third in our series of forums related to Planning for Sustainable Development, in conjunction with the ongoing Comprehensive Plan update, to occur on Thursday, March 11th at 4:00 PM in the Council Chambers (see flyer at: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=18893). Jeffrey Tumlin is a principal of Nelson/Nygaard Transportation Consultants, an expert in multi-modal transportation planning, and was instrumental in the development of Stanford's Office of Transportation Programs' innovative transportation management strategies. In his presentation, Mr. Tumlin will present several suggestions for how cities can better address traffic studies, environmental review, and transportation and parking management.
MARCH 18: Community Meeting on the Library and Community Center Bonds: The Library Facility Projects website has been updated with the latest floor plans for the new Mitchell Park Library and Community Center that will begin construction this July. The former auditorium at the Cubberley Community Center is undergoing renovation to serve as a temporary library. It will open shortly after the current library closes and the furniture, shelving, and books at Mitchell Park are moved into the temporary library. Meeting will be at Cubberley from 7-8:30 PM. Group 4 Architecture and City staff will be there to share information and answer your questions. The infrastructure upgrade to the College Terrace Library and adjoining childcare center is right on schedule. If you take a look at the January 2010 project status report by Nova Partners, Inc., you'll see that a number of infrastructure upgrades are now underway. This historic building will be protected with the addition of a sprinkler system and seismic upgrades. And, an improved HVAC system – with air conditioning – will make the building more comfortable for all.
LOCAL EVENTS/NEWS
The following message came from Stanford University.Have you ever found it challenging to keep track of all the great offerings available at Stanford for you and your family? If so, the free "Stanford For You" e-newsletter is for you. Each month it provides the latest information about concerts, lectures, sports events, kids' activities, drama and dance performances, art exhibits, health resources and more. All of these events are open to the local community, and many of them are free. The March issue also provides information on a broad array of summer camps. To subscribe and see past newsletters - including the new March Edition, please visit http://s4u.stanford.edu.
Stanford Continuing Studies: Registration now open. Classes start March 29. See http://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/
Avenidas events for March. See http://tinyurl.com/yguaqoz
Palo Alto Weekly Photo contest - Enter by April 2 at 5:30PM. Entry forms and rules at www.PaloAltoOnline.com or call 223-6508 or photocontest@paweekly.com.
The Hometown Video Awards honors and promotes community media and local cable programs that are first distributed on Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) access cable television channels. Awards are presented to creative programs that address community needs, develop diverse community involvement, challenge conventional commercial television formats, and move viewers to experience television in a different way. Hometown is local cable's largest video awards.
With the exception of Website entries, all entries must have had their first airing on a Public, Educational or Governmental access channel between Jan 1st and Dec 31st, 2009. Visit www.alliancecm.org for an entry form and complete details. Entries may be given to Media Center Programming Director Becky Sanders and must be received by her prior to the entry deadline. Entries must be received by the sponsoring organization, the Alliance for Community Media, in Olympia, Washington, no later than the March 27 deadline.
The Talking with Henrietta Television Show: On the current Talking with Henrietta show called "The Race to the Top: Why Should We Try to Get There?" California State Assembly member Ira Ruskin, show host Henrietta J. Burroughs and State Senator Joe Simitian discuss the major features of the education reform bill California's state legislators passed in January. They also discuss the general state of public and higher education in the state and the other reforms they think are needed to improve the educational system. This edition can be seen on Channel 27 on the Midpeninsula from Sunday, February 28, through Saturday, March 13, on Sundays@5 PM., Tuesdays@8 PM, Wednesdays@3 AM & 11 AM, Thursdays@8 PM and Fridays@3 AM & 11 AM. She can be seen on the web at the above days & times at the Media Center's website. Get more information about this edition of Talking with Henrietta at www.epatoday.org, the website for the East Palo Alto Today newspaper.
MARCH 7: PA Historical Association presents "Gamble Garden Celebrates 25 Years " at 2 PM at Lucie Stern Community Center. Speaker, Karen Olson.
COMMON GROUND CLASSES: See more great upcoming classes at the Common Ground website. www.commongroundinpaloalto.org, 493.6072, 559 College Avenue
MARCH 6: Secrets of Drought-Tolerant Landscaping from 10:30 Am - 12:30 PM. FEE: $31. Come learn practical tips to safeguard new and existing landscapes. Plants, soils, compost, irrigation and mulch will be covered. Handouts will be included. The best kept secrets will be revealed to save you money and our precious resources. Deva works for Earth Care Landscape and specializes in water-wise gardens. She is passionate about rainwater harvesting, grey water re-use and using constructed wetlands to clean water.To register call 493-6072 or at http://droughttolerant.eventbrite.com
MARCH 11: World Kidney Day. There will be free screenings for those at risk. For more information see www.kidney.org.
MARCH 11: Olympic Images from Vancouver from 7:00 – 8:30 PM at Haymarket Theater, at Palo Alto High School. Professional Olympic photographers and Peninsula residents Don Feria and Nhat Meyer will present a slide show of their images from the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.  A panel discussion will follow on sports photography and journalism with opening remarks by local Olympians.  Respected Olympic reporter, Elliott Almond, also just returning from Vancouver, will join the panel. Anne Warner Cribbs, 1960 Olympian explains, "˜Everyone has their favorite Olympic memory. This evening is an opportunity for the Palo Alto community to hear the inside stories of what it is like to cover the Olympic Games from a photographic and journalistic perspective." FEE: $10 for the general public, $5 for students (with ID). Attendees should pre-register at www.pavainstitute.com or pay at the door on a space available basis.
MARCH 11: Idan Raichel Project in Concert at the JCC Cultural Arts Hall from 10:00 PM-12:00 AM Come out for a spectacular live show from one of Israel's leading artists! The Idan Raichel Project has become one of the most unexpected success stories in Israeli music history. With an enchanting blend of African, Latin American, Caribbean and Middle Eastern sounds coupled with sophisticated production techniques, the multi cultural collaboration spearheaded by Idan firmly established him as a new type of Israeli pop star. The New York Times selected The Idan Raichel Project album as one of the top world music releases of the year and Billboard Magazine called it a "multi-ethnic tour de force." FEE: $55 Center Members, $60 Non-Members in advance; $60 Center Members, $65 Non-Members at the door. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/77379
MARCH 12: Early Music Singers concert: at 8:00 PM, Stanford Memorial Church. Free admission.
MARCH 13: CANOPY TREE WALKS, 2nd Saturday of every month from 10 AM-12 PM. Rain or shine. Free. March 13: Junior Museum & Zoo. OTHER ACTIVITIES: VOLUNTEER FRUIT TREE PRUNING: March 7, 10 AM-4 PM with nonprofit Magic and Arborist Dave Muffly. Email Dave to sign up. CITY PROCLAMATION FOR BETTY MELTZER HIGHWAY: March 15, 7 PM, The Palo Alto City Council will make a proclamation in honor of the dedication of the Betty Meltzer Memorial Highway. SHARING NATURE WITH CHILDREN TALK: April 9, 7-8:30 PM, Lecture with Joseph Cornell. Living Wisdom School. Free.
MARCH 16: ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE: Preparing Palo Alto for Inevitable Impacts from 7 to 9 PM at Lucie Stern. FREE: Doors open at 6:45 PM. Climate change is happening. We must do everything possible to minimize its severity by reducing our use of fossil fuels, but we also should begin preparing ourselves for the changes ahead. In Palo Alto we can expect an increased risk of flooding, water shortages and wildfires in our foothills. How can we prepare for these impacts? Former Mayor Peter Drekmeier will identify some of the challenges ahead and measures we can take to reduce the local impacts of climate change. Following Peter’s talk, attendees will be invited to divide into small groups to discuss the issues presented.
MARCH 17-20: Volunteers needed: FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is a unique varsity sport of the mind designed to help high-school-aged young people discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and researchers can be. This competition is the largest high school event of its kind developing critical skills in science and technology in a super-charged learning atmosphere. FIRST competitions (all ages) involve 57,200 teachers, mentors and engineers. The FIRST Robotics competition for high school age has with 45,000 students and over 1800 teams across the country competing in regional competitions. To sign up in the FIRST's Volunteer Information & Matching System (VIMS). To access VIMS go to https://my.usfirst.org/vims/. PLEASE NOTE: Make *SURE* you select the "Silicon Valley Regional" on the Volunteer Preferences page, otherwise I won't be able to see you in the system! If you are a new volunteer, click on the red star to the lower left which says "Sign me up!" Proceed as directed. (If you experience problems registering or have additional questions, please contact volunteer@usfirst.org) You will then receive a follow up from me and a confirmation email from FIRST. You may also contact me directly at engelhardte@asme.org or call me at 408-360-0669
MARCH 11-20: Gunn High School Theatre presents Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Performances are on March 11,12,13,18,19 and 20 at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 students. Matinee on March 17 at 3:30 PM $5 & March 20 2:00 PM, $6. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 students. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala are $20. Join us for an amazing evening of laughs and wonder. For information, call 354-8258 or visit www.gunntheatre.org.
MARCH 25: Become a Nature Volunteer in Local Schools! No experience needed! Teach kids to love science and nature! In the classroom, the Environmental Volunteers (www.evols.org) work with small groups of children and involve them in hands-on, discovery-based learning. On field trips, we explore local ecosystems as we reinforce concepts introduced in the classroom. Last year over 12,000 local school children were trained, but hundreds more were refused. You can be the one to say ‘yes’ to kids on our waiting list! How can you become an Environmental Volunteer? Requirements are simple; all you need is a love of children, nature, and learning! The next volunteer training begins on Thursday, March 25,. If you want to join the EV, please contact our Education and Training Director at 961-0545. You may also email us at Education@EVols.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
APRIL 9-14: The Fourth Bay Area Senior Games will take place on the Stanford Campus and in neighboring cities. The Games give anyone age 50 and up the opportunity to compete against their peers in 14 sports: Just as important, the Senior Games are helping to build a community of adults who are actively engaged in maintaining their health and modeling an active lifestyle for their children and grandchildren. Stay tuned.
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Upcoming Workshops on Saving Water in your Landscape: City sponsored.
-- March 27, 2010: Irrigation Design and Maintenance from 9:00 AM- noon; Instructor Lori Palmquist; Cubberley Community Center - Room H-6
-- April 17, 2010: Designing Water Efficient Landscaping from 1:30 - 4:30 PM; Instructor Patricia Evans; City of Palo Alto City Hall - Council Chambers
-- May 22, 2010: New Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Elements – Calculations and Standards from 9:00 AM -noon; Instructor - Chris Todd; Cubberley Community Center - Room H-6
MARCH 6: Avenidas Housing Conference from 8:30 AM - 3 PM. For info & to register see www.avenidas.org or call 289-5445
MARCH 6: Opera San Jose Ensemble at the JCC in the Cultural Arts Hall from 8:00 - 10:00 PM. FEE: $15 Center Members, $20 Non-Members. Register at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/84590.
MARCH 7: Media Center honors Local Heros: Come to a screening & reception in the Studio from 4-6 PM. This kicks off a week of televised screenings honoring these citizens who have had such a positive impact on our community. The screening and reception is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to kadams@midpenmedia.org.
MARCH 10: Springtime Flower Arranging with Carmen Pekelsma at Gamble Garden from 9 - 11:30 AM. FEE: $55 member, $70 non-member. Register online for this class.
MARCH 13, Acterra's rainwater harvesting workshop from noon - 3:00 PM; held in Menlo Park at a private residence Address & directions given on registration. Fee: $30 general public, $20 Acterra members. Contact: Arnie Thompson, 962.9876 x310, arniet@acterra.org. Websites: http://acterra.org/programs/stewardship/get_involved.html#workshops, http://www.acterra.org/stewardship.
MARCH 16: "ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE: Preparing Palo Alto for Inevitable Impacts" from 7-9 PM at Lucie Stern. FREE: Sponsor: Community Environmental Action Partnership (CEAP); Questions? pa.ceap@hotmail.com or 424-9633.
MARCH 21 Botanical Patterns on English Transferware at Gamble Garden from 2:00 -4:30 PM. . FEE: $30 member, $40 non-member. See http://www.gamblegarden.org. For more email admin@gamblegarden.org or call 329-1356 x201.
JULY 5-9: An environmentally-themed summer day-camp for children in grades 1- 6 will be offered by the YMCA. Topics include: renewable energy, waste management, the meaning & benefits of 'going green', natural resources conservation & protection. For information, contact the YMCA at 856-9622. Online registration begins on January 25. http://www.paloaltofamilyymca.org
TIPS
Last week George wrote: The most effective way to save electricity is to turn off the lights when you leave a room. Use your washer/dryer during the weekends of after 6:00PM. In addition here’s a zero-cost way to save on your electrical bill. Almost all appliances have little red ready-to-use lights which continue to burn electricity 24/7 although the use level is low. Therefore, when not in use, unplug the appliances that have this light, e.g. toaster and microwave, which are used only a few minutes a day. Although they are used more frequently – maybe 10 to 12 hours a day – the TV and radio have stand-by lights. Unplug the units instead of just turning them off with your remote. I guess we can leave the clocks on. You may or may not plug your TV and computer(s) into a surge protector. One can turn the protector off, but you may lose the surge protection. So unplug the protector from the wall socket which is even safer. This may be too much trouble for many, but the savings could be $5 to $10/month. And bending over to remove and replug into the low mounted wall sockets gives one a little exercise for the abs.
He now adds: My first paragraph was somewhat misleading. Palo Alto’s Utility Dept. charges the same rate 24/7. However, by delaying electricity usage until after 6:00 PM or until the weekend, the load on the system will be less. Occasionally during the hot summer daylight hours the Utility’s electrical system is close to capacity. This is often because a large number of air conditioners are in use during the work week.
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