Mountain View Voice 01.29.2010 - Section 1

By Daniel DeBolt

In 2005, Mountain View native Jona-than Lustig came to the City Council with a seemingly radical proposal:

Let him open a medical marijuana dis-pensary somewhere in the city. “I believe that all patients should be entitled to safe and affordable and practi-

cal means for obtaining their medicine,” he said at the time. The idea was short-lived, however, after the council rejected Lustig’s proposal in a 4-3 vote after a great deal of contention — and what some felt to be intimidation from the federal DEA agents present at the meeting. Council member Laura Macias explained her no vote by saying,

“We’re in the most awkward of positions because the federal government has taken a very firm position here.” With that the issue seemed to die, but recent shifts in policy at the federal and state level have led to a resurgence in requests to open medical marijuana dispensaries in Mountain View. So many requests are coming in, in fact, that

the city manager is putting the topic of regulating such operations on the council’s to-do list this spring. Among the new crop of requesters is Brian David, whose family ran Eddy’s Sport Shop from 1950 to 2002. David says his “Shoreline Wellness Collective”

GOINGS ON 28 | MARKETPLACE 30 | MOVIES 26 | REAL ESTATE 32 | VIEWPOINT 18 INSIDE

JANUARY 29, 2010 VOLUME 18, NO. 4 MountainViewOnline.comINSIDE: WEEKEND | PAGE 23

SHE’S A RAINBOW:Bethani Semple takes cover under her Cirque du Soleil rainbow umbrella Tuesday as she walks down Castro Street on her way to Book Buyers. Semple says she enjoys the rain, which had been falling steadily for more than a week.

MICHELLE LE

Navy renews vow to strip Hangar OneTO SAVE LANDMARK STRUCTURE, ‘THERE NEEDS

TO BE A PLAN’ FOR REUSE, ESHOO SAYS

By Daniel DeBolt

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo said Tuesday that a serious plan for reusing

Hangar One must be in place if Congress is likely to fund resto-ration of the historic landmark at Moffett Field. “If part of the partnership is the Congress of the United States, they are going to want to know what we want to do with the money,” Eshoo told the Voice. “They are going to want to know if it makes sense. Is it going to be used for a museum or used by others in the community? There needs to be a plan.” Concern over Hangar One has reached new heights since Jan. 14, when Navy spokesperson Kathryn Stewart told the Mof-fett Restoration Advisory Board that the Navy plans to tear off Hangar One’s siding in Novem-ber of this year. With no plan or funding in place to re-skin it, local elected officials have unanimously opposed the idea

of leaving the historic structure as a steel skeleton. To address the problem, Eshoo said she would be meeting “as soon as possible” with NASA, which owns Hangar One, and the Navy, which is responsible for cleaning up the toxic asbestos and PCBs embedded in Han-

gar One’s sid-ing. The White House Office of Manage-ment and Bud-get, which has been arbitrating an agreement between the Navy and NASA on Hangar One’s restoration, has

also requested to be a part of the meeting, she said. The comments from Stewart on Jan. 14 appear to contradict previous comments from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who had said in a letter to Eshoo that it was his “intention” to wait for a decision from the OMB before removing Hangar One’s siding. When asked if she was sur-prised about Stewart’s comments

See HANGAR, page 12

Downrightdreamy‘Daddy Long Legs’ARTS & EVENTS | P.21

Many hope to open pot dispensaries in city; others make house calls

See MARIJUANA, page 14

Council gets early start on this year’s budgetBy Daniel DeBolt

It’s only January, but the City Council and interested resi-dents spent nearly five hours

in a public meeting Tuesday night wrestling with how to fix an estimated $5 million general fund deficit in 2010-11. The general consensus dur-

ing the meeting, one of several meant to prepare everyone for June’s budget decision, seemed to be that “incremental” and “nickel and dime” cuts to city services would no longer suffice following the cuts already made last year to fill a similar deficit. This year, many agreed, major, consequential changes will have

to be made. These might include having the county run the city’s Fire Department and library, which council members seemed to believe would reduce costs. Finance director Patty Kong estimates that without a way to reduce growing costs, the gap

See COUNCIL, page 16

“Is it going to be

used for a museum

or used by others in

the community?”REP. ANNA ESHOO

2 ■ MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE ■ JANUARY 29, 2010

Open House February 4, 2010

2:00-5:00 Campus Tours 5:00 Afternoon Program

7:00-8:30 Evening Program and Campus Tours

HERITAGE ACADEMY Relationship ~ Responsibility ~ Readiness

K-6 Offerings 2010-2011

Christ-Centered Education

12:1 Student Teacher Ratio

Individualized Attention

Core Knowledge Curriculum

Highly Qualified Teachers

Hands-on Science Labs

Latin 1 and 2

Music Theory

Gymnastics

Mobile Technology Lab

Part Time Programs

After School Care

858 University Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94024 650.641.0280 www. heritageacademyK-6.org

A R O U N D T O W NAsked in Downtown Mountain View. Pictures and interviews by Dana Sherne

“I love playing soccer in the rain.

It makes it more fun.”

Kelly Villavicencio, San Jose

“I don’t really enjoy the rain. I just

like to stay warm inside and have

warm food, coffee and cocoa.”

Dallanny Gonzalez, San Jose

“I like to bake. Mainly desserts.

And watch TV.”

Haley Bridges, Mountain View

“I like to have coffee and read.”

Kelly Shieh, San Francisco

“Make music.”

Alex Borello, San Jose

What is your favorite thing to

do on a rainy day?

Have a question for Voices Around Town? E-mail it to [email protected] 29, 2010 ■ MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE ■ 3

FREE EXAMNEW PATIENTS ONLY

INCLUDES EXAM & DIGITAL X-RAYS!

SECOND OPINIONS WELCOMECall for details.

Some restrictions may apply. Offer Good for 60 Days.

Are you past due for your check-up and cleaning?

w w w. S m i l e s D e n t a l . c o m

· Service – At smiles dental, we believe in treating our patients to the best of dentistry and technology with fi rst class personal service.

· Passionate – Our skilled team is passionate about helping our patients maintain healthy beautiful smiles.

· Smiles – Our offi ce is equipped with the latest technology to help you achieve the smile you deserve.

Dr. William Hall & Dr. Peri Eilers

Health & Beauty

100 W. El Camino Real, Suite 63AMountain View

(Corner of El Camino and Calderon)650.964.2626

MID-PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL

no rsvp necessary 1340 Williow Road, Menlo Park

(650) 321-1991 www.mid-pen.com

INFORMATION SESSION with Doug Thompson, Ph.D, Head of School

Thursday, February 4, 7-8pm

ACCEPTING TRANSFER STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12 FOR THIS YEAR

Does your student think outside of the box?

Could he or she be happier in a different setting?

Consider making a change mid-year if your child’s school is not a good match, because a year is a long time in the life of a child.


BATTERY200 Block Mariposa Ave., 1/181800 Block California St., 1/192600 Block California St., 1/20500 Block Central Ave., 1/23400 Block Castro St., 1/25Mountain View High School, 1/25San Veron Park, 1/25

ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON200 Block South Rengstorff Ave., 1/22Rite Aid - Grant Road, 1/25

COMMERCIAL BURGLARY2500 Block Grant Rd., 1/18600 Block West El Camino Real, 1/18

AUTO BURGLARY100 Block Wentworth St., 1/192500 Block West El Camino Real, 1/202100 Block West El Camino Real, 1/211500 Block North Shoreline Blvd., 1/21300 Block Easy St., 1/23500 Block West Middlefield Rd., 1/23700 Block Continental Cir., 1/241900 Block Colony St., 1/241800 Block Miramonte Ave., 1/25

OBSCENE/ANNOYING PHONE CALLS2300 Block Rock St., 1/25

DISTURBANCE200 Block North Whisman Rd., 1/18600 Block Hans Ave., 1/212000 Block Latham St., 1/24

DISORDERLY CONDUCT: ALCOHOL200 Block Castro St., 1/232600 Block West El Camino Real, 1/23200 Block Castro St., 1/24Central Ave. & Stierlin Rd., 1/24

TERRORIST THREAT2200 Block Rock St., 1/18

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCECalifornia St. & Chiquita Ave., 1/25

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHENALIABentley Sq. & Grant Rd., 1/22100 Block East El Camino Real, 1/23

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA - LESS THAN ONE OUNCEEast Middlefield Rd. & North Whis-man Rd., 1/22Devonshire Ave. & North Whisman Rd., 1/22

ROBBERY800 Block East El Camino Real, 1/191900 Block Old Middlefield Way, 1/21Jewell Pl. & North Rengstorff Ave., 1/25

GRAND THEFT1 Block West El Camino Real, 1/18200 Block East Dana St., 1/23300 Block West Evelyn Ave., 1/242400 Block West El Camino Real, 1/24200 Block South Rengstorff Ave., 1/24400 Block Del Medio Ave., 1/242500 Block Charleston Rd., 1/241400 Block Crittenden Ln., 1/24

PETTY THEFT200 Block Andsbury Ave., 1/18500 Block Walker Dr., 1/19700 Block East El Camino Real, 1/221000 Block Crestview Dr., 1/241600 Block Alison Ave., 1/241600 Block Fordham Way, 1/24200 Block Pamela Dr., 1/24Mountain View High School, 1/24

POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTYWest Dana St. & Houghton St., 1/18

P O L I C E L O G

The Mountain View Voice is published every Friday by Embarcadero Publishing Co. 450 Cambridge Ave, Palo Alto CA 94306 (650) 964-6300. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending at Palo Alto, CA and additional mailing offices. The Mountain View Voice is mailed free to homes and apartments in Mountain View. Subscription rate of $60 per year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mountain View Voice, 450 Cambridge Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306.

Photo of Max Nartker at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit Michigan, just before a game against the dreaded Anaheim Ducks.

Take a photo with the Mountain View Voice on your next trip

and email to [email protected]

Last week’s story on the Minton’s development traffic study, “Report: Minton’s project would decrease traffic,” incorrectly stated that the parking garage occupancy is estimated at 85 percent. It is actually estimated at 97.7 percent.

A clarification is needed on how the report concluded that a Minton’s development would

decrease traffic. The report’s authors compared a theoreti-cal full use of the Minton’s and nearby commercial properties — not the actual current use — to the predicted traffic generated by the housing development. It concluded that a fully function-ing commercial space would generate more traffic than the development.

C O R R E C T I O N A N D C L A R I F I C AT I O N

JOIN NOW!ENROLLMENT$20.10 First month dues

$2O.1O

Earth Resources Technology, Science Applications International Corporation, Eagle Applied Sciences

Coming Soon!

Watch for UpdatesEqual Opportunity Employers

www.ertcorp.com.

■ CITY COUNCIL UPDATES

■ COMMUNITY

■ FEATURES

MOUNTAIN VIEWVOICE

JANUARY 29, 2010 ■ MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE ■ 5

Trustees finally make special ed

cutsVOTE BY MOUNTAIN

VIEW WHISMAN BOARD REDUCES HOURS FOR

10 EMPLOYEESBy Kelsey Mesher

After two months of union negotiations, trustees of the Mountain View Whis-

man School District last week voted 3-2 to reduce the hours of 10 full-time instructional assistants in the district’s autism program. The vote, made during the board’s regular meeting late Thursday evening, effectively reduced nine of the full-time employees from eight hours per day to six-and-a-half hours per day, and one from eight to seven hours per day, due to “lack of work.” The cuts will go into effect March 31, though the instruc-tional assistants will keep their current benefit package through the end of the school year. The proposal first appeared on a Nov. 19 board agenda, but was pulled from two meeting agendas because of ongoing negotiations to “mitigate impact.” The original proposal called for cuts to 11 indi-viduals, and would have reduced all aides’ hours to six per day and adjusted benefits to 75 percent. Administrators said at the time that a change in the special educa-tion program eliminated the need for aides after school hours. Though the California School Employees Association, the union representing the aides, had agreed to the proposed cuts, some trustees pushed to main-tain their hours until the end of the school year. “I don’t feel the savings here are significant,” said trustee Phil Palmer, referring to the $20,000 the cuts will save the district. “With these sorts of dedicated, caring adults, we should find a way to have them be with our kids.” “I’m wondering if it would be more palatable for everyone if we ... gave everyone notice that with the new school year we would

See SPECIAL ED, page 8

Council picks goose-inspired art for fire station

‘GEESE ARE THE VIGILANT BIRDS REPRESENTING THE SPIRIT OF PUBLIC SERVICE’

By Daniel DeBolt

Canada geese might be a nuisance for golfers and a headache for staff

at Shoreline Park, but the City Council put that aside during last week’s meeting when it chose some goose-inspired artwork for the new Shoreline fire station. At its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19, the council selected a proposal from artist Vadim Goretsky over 20 others for art to be installed outside the soon-to-be-rebuilt Fire Station Five across the street from Shoreline Amphithe-atre. Goretsky’s submission is an eight-foot-tall bronze sculp-ture of several geese in flight, which will be commissioned at a cost of $50,000 to $60,000. Another $8,000 to $12,000 would go to a wind vane to go on top of the fire station, which features two more fly-ing geese. “As a golfer I have to admit a strong bias against the

geese,” said council member Tom Means, who eventually approved the geese sculpture. There are more than 800 geese at Shoreline Park, which has caused the city to try all sorts of measures to ward them off. Council member Marga-ret Abe-Koga said the piece reminded her of another art installation of birds in flight which the council approved in 2008 for Shoreline Park. The council nearly chose a second favorite picked by the Visual Arts Committee, a bronze statue of a kneeling firefighter and a boy wear-ing a firefighter hat designed by artist Adam Reeder. But the geese sculpture is some-thing drivers on Shoreline Boulevard would more easily notice, council members said. City staffers said Reeder’s piece would more likely be noticed by pedestrians at Fire Station Three, where it could be installed during a planned renovation which is coming in under budget.

Firefighters said they were pleased with both art propos-als. A city staff report says that as part of the flying geese sculp-ture, a plaque will explain the legend of how geese in Rome “saved the ancient city from the great fire started by invaders and that geese are the vigilant birds representing the spirit of public service.” The city has a policy of putting 1 percent of the cost of major projects towards art. In this case the budget is $67,000. V

From theEditor’s

Desk

Death of a writer

By Don Frances

READERS OF THE Jan. 15 print edition of the Voice might

have noticed an unusual obituary. “Mark Zamen, an author and longtime Mountain View resident, died Jan. 3 after a 19-year battle with cancer. He was 58.” Zamen’s passing is unusu-al in several ways. For one, he died fairly young, and following a very long strug-gle with chronic lympho-cytic leukemia. And then there was Zamen himself, a Vietnam veteran, man of letters and 35-year resident of Mountain View. Not long before his death, Zamen had approached us about doing a piece on him, especially in light of the 2009 release of his novel, “Broken Saint,” about a Vietnam vet struggling with his demons. A press release he sent us describes the book as a “penetrating, fictionalized account of a real man torn asunder by forces beyond his control.” It also notes that “Mark E. Zamen met the man upon whose life this novel is based on their first day in the Army. Mark was inspired to tell Tom’s story after witnessing what he has gone through over the course of their nearly four decades-long friendship.” It was not long after he sent Voice writer Kelsey Mesher an e-mail that Zamen passed away. Here’s part of what he wrote:

Dear Ms. Mesher, Attached is the press release for my recently pub-lished biographical novel, “Broken Saint.” I noted

See EDITOR’S DESK, page 15


S E E N A R O U N D T O W N

Yellow Spider

Jim Evans of Todd Street sent in this photo, which he said he took in his “California native plant-landscaped front yard.” If you have a photo taken around town which you’d like published in the Voice, please send it (as a jpg attachment) to [email protected].

OPEN HOUSESunday

January 31, 2010

Tours10:00am - 12:30pm

Pre-School

Presentation10:15am - 10:45am

Kindergarten

Presentation1:00pm - 1:45pm

J

Tours

Strong Catholic Values

Pre-School - 8th Grade

State of the Art Science Lab

Extendend Care from 7am-6pm

Accredited by WASC/WCEA

1840 Grant Road, Los Altoswww.stsimon.org

For more information:Call 650.968.9952 x43 or

Email [email protected]

anuary 31J

Strong C CatholicPre-School - 8th

Bienvenidos Casa Lupe

SERVING BREAKFASTStarting January 26, 2010Tues-Fri 7:30am-11amSat & Sun 8am-Noon

SPECIAL LUNCH MENUMon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm

TRADITIONAL DINNER MENUServed Mon-Sat 5pm-10pm

and Sun 4pm-9pm

Omelettes, Breakfast Burritos& Breakfast Combinations

Wine, Beer and Tequila Margaritas

We offer Corporate & Private Party Catering

Casa Lupe459 CASTRO STREET MOUNTAIN VIEW

(650) 965-2944Family run business since 1974

OFF COUPONMon-Thur 8pm-10pm20 %

✁ With Coupon — Excluding Specials — Expires 2/21/10

Police: Would-be burglars tried to run down cop

MEN FLEEING RITE AID IN GETAWAY CAR MISSED OFFICER BY ‘ABOUT A FOOT,’ POLICE SAY

By Kelsey Mesher

Police say a group of men tried to run over a police officer in their getaway car

after attempting to steal liquor from a Mountain View Rite Aide store Monday evening. Officers have arrested one suspect, but are still tracking down five others. At approximately 7:21 p.m., police received a call from employees at the Rite Aide store at 1040 Grant Rd. claiming that a group of five men had gone “into the store and back into the stock room and started putting the booze down their pants and in their pockets,” according to police spokesperson Liz Wylie. Wylie said an officer, who was in the neighborhood, responded to the call, and “As the suspects are exiting the store they see the officer approaching.” The men then “run back inside and start ditching the liquor bottles.” The five men then split up,

Wylie said, and one exited the main door while the others head-ed back through the stock room. The officer followed the main group though the store yelling “stop” and identifying himself as a police officer, she said. Wylie said the four suspects exited through the stock room and jumped in a waiting vehicle, described as a large light-colored sport utility vehicle. A sixth sus-pect was reportedly driving the getaway car. “They basically slam on the gas and the officer estimated they were going 40 miles per hour,” Wylie said. The car sped directly toward the officer on the wrong side of the road, she said. “He had to jump out of the way,” she said, and “the SUV missed him by about a foot, and then they kept going.” Soon after, the suspect who had broken off from the group was found at a nearby Shell gas station, Wylie said. Rite Aide

employees identified him and he was arrested. “We detained him; he gave us a false identity,” she said. “He was arrested under this false identity for assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and ultimately also (giving) false information to police officers.” After fingerprinting the sus-pect, they discovered his real name to be Richard McGregory, 37, from Oakland. McGregory had two warrants out for his arrest totaling $15,500, from Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. Both warrants were for traffic-related incidents, Wylie said. The remaining five suspects are still at large. They are described as black male adults wearing blue jeans and dark clothing. V

E-mail Kelsey Mesher at [email protected]


A Guide to the Spiritual Community

To include your Church in InspirationsPlease call Blanca Yoc at 650-326-8210 ext. 6596

or e-mail [email protected]

Los AltosLutheranChurchELCA

Pastor David K. BondeOutreach Pastor Gary Berkland9:00 am Worship

10:30 am EducationNursery Care Provided

Alpha Courses

650-948-3012460 S. El Monte Ave., Los Altos

www.losaltoslutheran.org

MOUNTAIN VIEW CENTRAL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

Saturday Services, Worship 10:50 a.m. Sabbath School, 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday Study Groups, 10:00 a.m. 1425 Springer Rd., Mtn. View Office Hours 9-1 Tues - Fri

650-967-2189

Los Altos Union Presbyterian Church

858 University Ave 650-948-4361WWW.UNIONPC.ORGTurn East on University

off El Monte Ave.between I-280 and Foothill Expwy

8:00 am Worship and buffet breakfast

9:30 am Worship and buffet breakfast

9:30 am Sunday school adults and children

11:00 am Worship in the Sanctuary,

Club Sunday for Children, Nursery

We Invite You to Learn and Worship with Us.

1667 Miramonte (Cuesta at Miramonte) 650.968.4473

www.fpcmv.org

FPCMV welcomes our new Pastor Timothy R. Boyer.

Biblically based Sermons and Worship Service 10:30 AM.

Going green on campus‘PARTY KIT BOXES’ AMONG IDEAS STUDENTS

SHARE AT GREEN SCHOOLS SUMMIT

By Dana Sherne

Students from third grade through college found common ground

as they gathered at Los Altos High School last week for a Green Schools Summit to discuss strategies for helping the environment. “If there’s one place that really needs to be think-ing about being green, it’s schools, because that’s where the students are and the stu-dents are the ones who will bring about change,” said Naomi Cohen, vice president of the Mountain View High School Environmental Club. While the summit was organized to celebrate green initiatives taking place in Mountain View and Los Altos schools, it had the additional goal of inspiring students to increase their activities by providing ideas from other schools. “It showed the community and our students that creat-ing a sustainable environ-ment is something we all need to be involved in and that everybody, no matter your role in this educational enterprise, can make a dif-ference,” said Barry Groves, superintendent of the Moun-tain View-Los Altos High School District. At the summit, students representing seven elemen-tary schools, two middle schools, three high schools and a community college gave presentations about a unique action their school is taking to promote sustain-ability. The prevalence of elemen-tary school students was encouraging for KellyAnne Tang, president of the Moun-tain View High School envi-ronmental club, who is accus-tomed to seeing her peers throw trash on the ground. “When I saw the kids at the summit, they were super excited about going green. Which was great because kids my age don’t even care, so I think it’s exciting that kids are starting to appreciate the environment,” she said. Kenneth and Naomi, two students from Springer Ele-mentary School in Los Altos, presented their classrooms’

“party kit boxes” of reusable cups, plates and napkins to reduce waste. Cramer said that after the summit, three schools contacted her to express interest in developing this idea. Almond Elementary School in Los Altos has a program to reduce carbon dioxide emis-sions by encouraging stu-dents to bike or walk to class. When students arrive on foot or on a bike, they can swipe a personalized barcode that keeps track of their trips. Stu-dents get prizes each month for their effort. Mountain View and Los Altos high schools have a similar incentive program for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Members of the Environmental Club award students who walk or bike to school with candy or hot choc-olate. Environmental clubs in both high schools also use recycling as a green fundraiser by sending in cell phones and ink cartridges. This money can in turn fund other envi-ronmental initiatives. “Even though we have a long way to go, we’re sort of in the forefront of integrat-ing environmental values into our curriculum, and that’s definitely a value we want to instill in our kids,” said Groves. For example, many Los Altos and Moun-tain View schools now use gardens to interactively teach science, math and social studies. The final presentation of the summit focused on a pos-sible school bond on the June ballot. The bond would pay for solar panels on the roofs of Mountain View and Los Altos high schools, as well as other energy-saving improve-ments. According to Groves, these changes would save at least $40,000 in energy costs that could then be spent on students and staff. “Nothing would make me feel prouder,” said Cramer about the potential solar pan-els. “We’re going in the right direction to create a greener, and healthier, and happier environment for our students and our community.” V

E-mail Dana Sherne at [email protected]


implement these hours,” said trustee Ellen Wheeler, the other trustee who, along with Palmer, voted against the cuts. Assistant Superintendent Stephanie Totter maintained her recommendation to reduce the hours, emphasizing a lack of needed work, and reiterating that the union had agreed to the proposal. “We together verified that there was a lack of work,” she said, adding that in negotiations they exam-ined each individual’s schedule one by one. “CSEA has agreed that this is an appropriate reduction,” agreed trustee Fiona Walter at the meeting, after empathizing with the affected employees. Chris Pederson, a labor rela-tions representative for the union, told the Voice that “It’s a done deal, there’s no more con-flict. We’ll continue to monitor if these people’s hours return.” “From the union perspective,”

he explained, “the district has the right under the law to designate the need for services in hours and the number of people that they need for those services. If they don’t need the services anymore, we have the right to negotiate the impact on the affected employees.” A lengthy discussion before Thursday’s vote included input

from Steve Gingras, the district’s director of special education, as well as comments from a par-ent and two aides. One of those aides, Melanie Gray, who has worked in the district for 10 years, said after the meeting that she would probably be leaving Mountain View Whisman due to the cuts.

New PTA forming The cuts come at a time when parents are expressing frustra-tion with larger changes in spe-

cial ed services in the district. Some are mobilizing to form a Special Education PTA, or SEPTA, to support special ed students in the district. Nan Recker, who has one special needs child in middle school, is heading up the orga-nizational efforts. “I’ve wanted to do this for

quite some time,” she said, “but it seems like now is the time to do it because now we have a lot more parent interest.” She said a group of six par-ents has already met once. The SEPTA will focus on bet-ter communication between parents and the district, help-ing to coordinate after-school activities, play groups, support groups for parents and educa-tion for parents and teachers. “We’re kind of copying what they’re doing over in Los Altos”

where parents have had a SEPTA for three years, she said. Los Altos SEPTA president Gita Gopal said the group was set up as a forum for people to talk about how to improve ser-vices. They have done fundrais-ing, as well as organized special events, like a talent show, for special needs students, she

said. Gopal said most recently the SEPTA has formed a special ed lead-ership commit-tee, a group of parents, adminis-trators, therapists and school psy-chologists to talk about issues like “mainstreaming”

special needs students, and how to improve science and social studies education. “The idea is to ease the burden on the school district,” Recker said. “If there are things we can do outside of school hours to help our kids ... and get it paid for with PTA money, then it wouldn’t put such a huge bur-den on the district.” V

E-mail Kelsey Mesher at [email protected]

Choose multi-focal lens implants &say goodbye to your eyeglasses!

ADVANCED CATARACT SURGERYChoose multi-focal lens implants &say goodbye to your eyeglasses!

ADVANCED CATARACT SURGERY

Shobha Tandon, MD PhDTrained at Stanford UniversityBoard Certified OphthalmologistCertified LASIK Surgeon

2 Union Square, 1st FloorUnion City, CA 94587510-431-5511

2490 Hospital Drive #209Mountain View, CA 94040

650-962-4626

1-877-NEOVISIONwww.NeoVisionEyeCenter.com

EYE CENTER

Use your flexible account money wisely. Medicare and PPO Plans Accepted!

Premium Multi-focal Lens

OFFEACH EYE

Saturday & Evening AppointmentsSe Habla Español

Read, use a computer, or drive a car without any glasses.

REGAIN VISION BEYOND

IMAGINATION!

SPECIAL ED Continued from page 5

The cuts come at a time when parents are expressing

frustration with larger changes in special ed services

in the district. Some are mobilizing to form a

Special Education PTA, or SEPTA, to support

special ed students in the district.

Who’s Who in Business 2010

New Administrator for Los-Altos Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Center

McNair Ezzard is licensed as a Nursing Home Administrator in the State of California and North Carolina. He has served in the health care fi eld for twenty-seven years, beginning his career in Denver, Colorado where he worked as the Director of Pastoral Care at a fi fty-bed in-patient hospice, the Hospice of St. John. Af-ter four years in hospice he moved to Beth Israel Hospital where he underwent an administrator-in-training program. Since that time he has served as an administrator in the long term care fi eld, both in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, with the majority of his time spent in skilled nursing. McNair received his BA degree from the University of North Carolina and Masters degree from The Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.

McNair believes in skilled nursing health care characterized by un-surpassed quality and professionalism, compassion, respect and by going the ‘extra mile’ to ensure the comfort and well-being of residents and families. He sees long-term care as one point in the continuum of care and seeks to work with the larger health care community to pro-vide the best in care to those in need.

Los Altos Sub-Acute & Rehabilitation Center provides the most com-prehensive Rehabilitation & Nursing Programs available.

Los Altos Sub-Acute & Rehab is dedicated to providing quality health care to those in need.

Our emphasis is on living. Our goal is to help individuals achieve their highest possible functioning level and to assist them in returning home whenever practical.

The facility also holds “the Regional Outpatient Clinic” which offers the community therapy on an outpatient basis to anyone in need.

McNair EzzardMcNair Ezzard pictured with “Jasper” his “assistant “

Jasper is part of Los Altos Sub Acute on a daily basis offering smiles and assistance whenever needed.

890 Fremont Ave, Los Altos650.941.5255 www.covenantcare.com


Who’s Who in Business ■ 2010

Importance of FuneralsSince the beginning of time, funerals have been a way for families and

friends to come together to celebrate a life, create a sense of community, share memories, tears and even laughter. Experts agree these comforting rituals help bring acceptance and closure, allowing those left behind to move on.

We are the Peninsula’s premier funeral home and cremation service dedicated to serving all faiths. We have been in Palo Alto for over 110 years – family owned and operated for four generations. We are independent – answering only to our community.

When a death occurs, you and your family will be involved in making many important and personal decisions. You are not alone. We can answer your questions and help you understand your options – funerals, cremations, memorials, tributes, and receptions. We also offer pre-planning services.

Our facilities include a large non-denominational chapel, viewing rooms, a large reception room with catering options, ample parking and unique architectural features, including our indoor atrium.

WE OFFER ON-LINE OBITUARIESFor more information, visit our website at: rollerhapgoodtinney.com. Please

feel free to call, schedule an arrangement conference, or visit our facilities at 980 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto.

Quiet Beauty and a Peaceful AtmosphereRoller Hapgood & Tinney had been at its present location at the corner

of Middlefield Road and Addison Avenue in Palo Alto, California since 1951. Designed by local architect Leslie I. Nichols, our remarkable funeral home features a unique masonry wall constructed of stone from a quarry near Santa Cruz.

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FOR FOUR GENERATIONSThe family business was established in 1899 when Josiah Roller organized

his first funeral. As a retired cabinet maker who was often called upon to craft coffins, (he) agreed to organize a funeral for a friend whose father had died in Palo Alto.

In those days, bodies had to be transported by horse and buggy either to San Francisco or San Jose for burial. Josiah agreed to make the arrangements in exchange for help in establishing a funeral home in Palo Alto, something he thought was long overdue. As the only funeral home this side of San Francisco, Roller’s business quickly grew.

In 1906, Josiah Roller’s son, Arthur, took over the burgeoning business, and in 1912 Frank Hapgood joined as a partner. In 1951, they moved the business to its current location at the corner of Addison and Middlefield streets.

GOOD EMPLOYEES ARE ESSENTIAL TO A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSIn keeping with the belief of our founders, our staff of professionals is

knowledgeable, caring and sincere; qualities that are invaluable during your time of need. Palo Alto is a community rich in religious and cultural diversity, and our staff is well trained in the traditions and faiths that surround us.

What To Do First When Someone DiesACKNOWLEDGE YOUR LOSSWhen a loved one dies, give yourself, your family and friends adequate

time to experience and acknowledge your loss. Call your clergy or spiritual advisor, family members, or friends to be with you during the first few hours immediately after the death.

CONTACT YOUR FUNERAL HOMEAs soon as possible, call your funeral home. The professionals at Roller

Hapgood & Tinney are available day or night to answer your questions, provide guidance, and arrange for transportation of the body. Call us at (650) 328-1360.

If death occurs away from home or out-of-state, we’ll make the necessary arrangements to prepare and transport the body to our funeral home. If the person who has died must be transported out-of-state, we can make necessary travel arrangements and coordinate services with the destination funeral home.

The Staff, clockwise from above: Jenna Moerk, General Manager, Funeral Director and Embalmer; Donavon Dilworth, Funeral Director and Embalmer; Benjamin Bilbro, Funeral Counselor; and Avisha Nair, Office Manager.

Roller Hapgood Tinney, Palo Alto ■ 650.328.1360 ■ www.rollerhapgoodtinney.com



Benton Medical (DBA Palo Alto Orthopedic Company) is the community’s leading provider of advanced prosthetic and orthotic services today and has been for more than fi fty-four years. We are a family owned company who is proud to introduce Barry McMills, son of the original owners of Palo Alto Orthopedic Company. As the certifi ed prosthetist and orthotist of Benton Medical, Barry began his profession in 1965. He is also knowledgeable and experienced in manufacturing all styles of metal bracing as well as old style wooden prostheses. Barry maintains the industry’s highest training and compliance standards, ensuring that our patients will receive expert and quality care. Our family understands your home health needs. At Benton Medical we give our clients old-fashioned attention and treat each individual’s custom needs.

BARRY McMILLSABC Prosthetist/Orthotist

Benton Medical Equipment Inc. 2601 Garcia Avenue, Mountain View

(650) 625-1000 ■ www.bentonmedical.com

Life comes full circle for Palo Alto native


Dianne Vernon named in top 8% of Coldwell Banker agents Nationwide!

I work in Residential Real Estate both as a buyer’s and seller’s agent. I embrace the latest technology and techniques ensuring that you have the most successful and effi cient transactions possible. In addition I work with system-built, sustainable and affordable* housing solutions.

I represent the most successful pre-fab/”system- built” home builders in the world. These homes are targeted at under $200 per square foot completed*. To add value I earned the EcoBroker™ designation signifying that I have been trained in the most current and innovative energy, environmental, and green technologies.

My sales region is the Peninsula, South Bay, the Beach Communities, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. I look forward to working with you! - Dianne

Dianne VernonColdwell Banker

Valley Home Development

Dianne Vernon, Coldwell Banker

1.877.630.7732 ■ www.DianneVernon.com


Sereno Group was conceived and formed on the ideal of redefi ning real estate practice. We believe it is our social responsibility to set in mo-tion a self-sustaining process of continuous improvement and continually look at ways to have a deeper accountability to and connection with our community. Our efforts include our Green Certifi cation, our Environmental and Social Responsibility Committees, the in-offi ce recycling campaign, our use of paper reduction software, and use of eco-friendly products and appliances in our offi ces. We also value the importance of being commu-nity sponsors and are very proud to be the top fundraising team for the Los Altos Relay for Life, 2009. We look forward to another year of progress, both within our industry and our community.

Sereno Group

Sereno Group650.947.2900 ■ www.SerenoGroup.com

PHOTO BY ELLIOT BURR


Alice began her real estate career in 1974 and by 1979 Alice and her

two partners created a premier real estate company Seville Properties,

which grew to three offi ces and 110 agents before its sale in 1997. She is

currently a founding member of Sereno Group Real Estate in Los Altos.

Alice has sold real estate on the Peninsula for 35 years. She has re-

ceived the Award for Outstanding Sales Production every year she has

been in the business and the Silicon Valley Association of Realtor’s Presi-

dent’s Award in 2007. She is a board member for Family and Children

Services and received the 2009 Silicon Valley Philanthropy Distinguished

Fundraiser award.

Alice NuzzoSereno Group Realtor

Alice Nuzzo, Sereno Group

650.947.2988 www.AliceNuzzo.com



As an international finance manager for 10 yrs., then a business admin-istration teacher in Senegal, Africa, I never imagined how life- changing it would be to start a real estate career here in the Bay Area, in 1985.

Bringing together all my knowledge and expertise in the fields of fi-nance, organization, construction, legal, psychology & marketing, I had then an opportunity to help people go through one of the scariest experi-ences of their lives in a safe and intelligent way, while educating them & explaining what was going on.

I only hope that I have brought to the table as much as I have received in the process, which includes so many friends and rich relationships. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all the wonderful people who used my services. A bientôt!

Francis C. RollandColdwell Banker

Serving you Since 1985

Francis Rolland, Coldwell Banker

650.947.2259 ■ [email protected]


Jeanne MacVicar was raised in small Kansas towns and even briefl y attended a 1 room school house with a teacher who had 1 arm. She fl ed Kansas to at-tend Colorado Women’s College in Denver for a BA in History followed by a graduate degree in Education at the University of Kansas. Jeanne taught Span-ish in Livermore on the junior high level for 10 years. Assessment at the Palo Alto Resource Center for Women revealed a variety of aptitudes from litigation to ministry. Jeanne chose real estate and has enjoyed a successful 30 year career assisting clients achieve their goals. Strong negotiating skills, knowledge, hard work, counseling and attention to detail are important traits she and Bryn bring to the table when serving clients. Bryn graduated from the University of San Diego with a BA in Humanities and is also an artist. She enjoys sharing her artistic talents by volunteering in public schools. The MacVicar Team’s determination to exceed expectations results in satisfi ed clients, repeat business and appreciated referrals.

Jeanne MacVicar & Bryn MacVicar Pennington

The MacVicar Team

The MacVicar Team, Sereno Group Los Altos650.947.2979 DRE# 00764179

[email protected] www.MacVicarTeam.com


Campi Properties, Inc is a locally owned residential real estate company established in 1989 by owners Gary and Karen Campi. Campi Properties is one of the strongest independently owned residential real estate fi rms on the Peninsula. Their goal is to deliver the best possible personalized service with the highest level of integrity. When you select Campi Properties, you’ve chosen a proven leader in real estate sales.

Whether you are buying or selling, you can count on Campi Properties to take you through a successful transaction.

Visit www.campi.com to view a complete list of their properties and agents.

Campi Properties195 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos

Campi Properties650.941.4300 www.Campi.com


No one knows your neighborhood like your Neighbor.A native to the Bay Area, Kim as has lived and worked in Mountain View

since 1994. Over the years, she has owned not one, not two, but three homes in Downtown Mountain View, where she currently resides with her husband. She just can’t seem to move away from the neighborhood she enjoys so much!

Kim’s passion for her neighborhood is represented in her community involvement with her local Neighborhood Association, as a member of the Downtown Committee (an advisory group to the Mountain View City Coun-cil), her Rotarian work at the local high school and in her volunteer efforts during the Chamber’s Art & Wine Festival.

With over 20 years experience in sales negotiations and customer service -- 16 of those years in Mountain View -- Kim offers a wealth of local and pro-fessional expertise to her real estate clients. Kim’s success is attributed to her knowledge of the local market, boundless energy, tireless work ethic, dedica-tion, enthusiasm and genuine care for her clients and neighbors.

When you have questions about your real estate needs...just call Kim!

Kim CopherColdwell Banker

Kim Copher, Coldwell Banker

650.917.7995 ■ www.justcallkim.com


to the contrary, Eshoo said, “The person that speaks for the Navy is the secretary of the Navy. I did receive a letter from Secretary Mabus a while back assuring me the Navy would not take down the siding before the OMB renders its decision. My understanding is that his position hasn’t changed.” Eshoo was also pressed about what she would do to “prepare for the worst” if there was not a good plan for reusing Hangar One. “I am not thinking that way,” she said. “I don’t build on the negative. I work on a posi-tive viewpoint. This by no means is over.”

Meeting site to be scrapped Building 943, located just outside the main gate at Moffett Field, has been the ideal meeting location for the Moffett Field Restoration Advisory Board, or RAB, for years. But it is now set to be demolished in March. Kathryn Stewart, Navy co-chair for the RAB, said she would be looking for another location for the group’s next meeting, possibly within Moffett’s main security gate. As the battle to save historic Hangar One heats up, preservationists are con-cerned about how any location change

could affect turnout for future RAB meet-ings. RAB member Steve Williams said that forcing people to come through the Moffett main gate, where a security guard requires valid government identification, would have a “chilling effect” on future meetings. He said it was appropriate to have the meeting at Moffett, and called for the Navy to demand that NASA allow people to pass through the gate for the meeting without being checked. That spurred a discussion in which most said the gate was an unnecessary security measure. Recent discussions by the RAB about Hangar One have included concerns about what will happen to the windows, which are an important part of the hangar’s character, members say. The hangar’s interior structures, scheduled to be demolished in late March, are also a concern. NASA spokesperson Rachel Prucy said Building 943 was being torn down as part of a NASA program to demolish non-his-toric buildings at Moffett that are no longer feasible to maintain. The gift shop inside would be moved to the tent next door. The location and time of the next Mof-fett RAB meeting will be announced on the Navy’s Base Realignment and Closure Web site, www.bracpmo.navy.mil. V

E-mail Daniel DeBolt at [email protected]

HANGAR Continued from page 1


Elena Talis is an accomplished real estate agent in the San Francisco Peninsula/Silicon Valley region. She is one of the hardest working realtors in the area and has a reputation for being among the most knowledgeable, honest, and intelligent professionals in the business.

Elena Talis offers unparalleled service to all of her customers. She serves the entire San Francisco Peninsula/Silicon Valley real estate market including Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Saratoga, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Mateo. Whether you are considering buying a home, selling a home or both, Elena knows this area inside and out!

Elena TalisRealtor®, MBA

Elena Talis, Coldwell Banker650.714.4784 ■ www.TalisRealEstate.com

NANCY ADELE STUHREXPERIENCE DEPENDABILITY

tel: 650.575.8300 email: [email protected] web: www.nancystuhr.com

California DRE 00963170

Now includes a provision for

Move-Up Buyers!

Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended through April 30, 2010.

Contact me for details or any other Real Estate questions!

By Daniel DeBolt

The Environmental Protection Agency has released a new report concluding that TCE — or trichlo-

roethylene, a pollutant found in much of Mountain View’s groundwater — is definitely a carcinogen, a finding which could lead the agency to propose tougher cleanup standards. “Many people across the country are exposed to TCE in their air and their water under current standards that would not be allowable under these (potential) new standards,” explained Lenny Siegel, director of the Center for Public Envi-ronmental Oversight, a Mountain View-based nonprofit that helps in cleanup efforts at Superfund sites around the country. But EPA toxicologist Dan Stralka noted that the report only makes conclusions on TCE’s toxicity, and that no new standards have been proposed yet. The report in question is a “toxicologi-cal review” released in December by the EPA, marking the most voluminous study to date of the human health effects of TCE, a solvent left behind by early Silicon Valley electronic manufacturers. Siegel points out that the report con-cludes, on page 995, that “TCE is carcino-genic to humans by all routes of exposure” without qualifying that with “probably”

or “highly likely.” Human health effects include kidney and liver cancer, lym-phoma and various other reproductive, developmental and neurological effects, Stralka said in a presentation to the Mof-fett Field Restoration Advisory Board on Jan. 14. For years now, the presence of trichlo-roethylene in the soil and groundwater has spurred Superfund cleanup efforts at Moffett Field and in a part of northeast-ern Mountain View called “the MEW” (an area bordered by Middlefield, Ellis and Whisman roads), among various other sites scattered around Mountain View and Silicon Valley. EPA project manager Alana Lee acknowledged that the size and scope of those cleanup areas could widen if the EPA proposes lowering drinking water standards for TCE. Current maps are drawn according to the 5 parts per bil-lion standard (see page 13), although Mountain View residents get their drink-ing water from the Hetch Hetchy water system, rather than local water tables. The recent EPA report does not explic-itly propose new standards for drink-ing water. But it does propose new standards for indoor air levels of TCE vapors, expressed in ranges which allow

See TCE, next page

CONCLUSIONS COULD LEAD EPA TO PROPOSE TOUGHER REGULATIONS

Study says TCE is worse than thought





650-962-4626


EYE CENTER


SEE BEYOND

YOURIMAGINATION!Call today to schedule a free

consultation with your LASIK surgeon!

$6,550 - $1,800 = $4,750 Both Eyes

OFFBOTH EYES

Use your flexible account money wisely.

BAYSHORE 101FAIRCHILD DR

N. W

HIS

MA

N R

D

E. MIDDLEFIELD RD

10-30 InchesSlimmerIn About an Hour$129Slender Tone Body WrapNot valid with any other discount

Bay AreaHealth Spa

Los Altos650.390.9727bayareahealthspa.com

environmental advocates to call for heightened cleanup efforts. For residential areas, indoor air standards could go from 1 microgram per cubic meter to a range between 0.24 and 0.96 micrograms per cubic meter. Standards for business could go from 5 micrograms per cubic meter to a range between 2.5 and 9.8 micrograms per cubic meter. The difference between the stan-dards for homes and businesses is partly due to the effects TCE has on children, Stralka said. The new standards are simi-lar to those created by the EPA and abandoned by the Bush administration in 2001. Siegel said he had not done an analy-sis of whether any homes or businesses in Mountain View could be called unsafe if cleanup standards changed as proposed.

The cost of new mitigations on indoor air pollution would likely fall on the polluter for “existing” buildings, he said. The vapors can emanate from groundwater as deep as 25 feet underground and into build-ings that lack slab foundations or vapor intrusion membranes. Siegel believes that the toxi-cology review of TCE was qui-etly worked on under the Bush administration, but political pressures kept it from being released. He says EPA scientists were told they would lose their jobs if they pushed for increased cleanup standards, which are a financial burden to polluters, including the U.S. military. There is reportedly an effort by NASA and Office of Manage-ment and Budget officials to delay the new standards by send-ing the toxicology review to the National Academy of Sciences. Meanwhile, EPA administrator Lisa Jackson has received a letter

opposing any further delays and signed by 29 people representing communities exposed to TCE across the country — including Mountain View resident Jane Horton, whose Whisman Road home was found to have unsafe levels of TCE. “As the Government Account-ability Office has repeatedly pointed out, delays ‘can result in substantial harm to human health, safety and the environ-ment,’” the letter states. “That is, we don’t want our families and our communities to be guin-ea pigs in permanent research experiment.” The TCE toxicology review and other updates on the subject can be found on the EPA’s Web site by going to www.epa.gov and doing a search for “TCE.” Public comments on the recent review are due by Feb. 1. V


TCE Continued from previous page

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE EPA

This map of the “MEW” Superfund site in Mountain View shows in purple where a TCE plume in the groundwater reaches 5 parts per billion.

would sell medical marijuana to those with a prescription out of an industrial building in the Shoreline area, and donate all excess profits to local service organizations.

Changes in policy Lustig said a local dispensary today is “more realistic than it was in 2005, certainly,” because in October the Obama administra-tion instructed federal prosecutors to ignore those who use and sell marijuana in compliance with state laws, such as the medical marijuana law California voters passed in 1996. As a result, dozens of medi-cal marijuana dispensaries have sprung up in the Bay Area without the blessings of local governments, a trend that recently led Gilroy to ban the operations and for San Jose to say it will order dozens to shut down or face fines of up to $2,500 a day. Another recent regulatory change helping those in the medi-pot business is a state Supreme Court decision made last Thursday which lifts specific limits on the amount of medical marijuana that can be possessed by patients. The decision allows patients to have as much marijuana as is found to be “rea-sonably necessary” for treatment, making it harder to prosecute them. Santa Clara County’s own limits — six mature plants and eight ounces of harvested marijuana per patient — were nullified as well, said Amy Cornell, spokesperson for the Dis-trict Attorney’s office. “The quantity limits in the (county’s health and safety) code do not apply any longer, and addi-tional information provided by a treating physician will now factor into our decisions when charging and prosecuting marijuana cases,” Cornell said in an e-mail. There are no policies specifi-cally supporting or opposing a marijuana dispensary in Mountain View, but a handful of potential operators have found that a lack of appropriate zoning in the city still makes it difficult to open one without a zoning administrator- or City Council-approved variance.

Special delivery The competition is not limited to those hoping to set up medi-pot dispensaries. An online search finds several groups already operating in Mountain View that will deliver medical marijuana straight to your door. They include one operation run by none other than Jonathan Lustig, undeterred by the council’s 2005 rejection of his dispensary propos-al. Lustig described his operation as a “collective” consisting of “myself and a group of patients who lack

access to their medication. I drive around and accommodate them.” Lustig’s delivery service, Seventh Heaven, is one of at least five such services listed at www.medicalm-arijuanapatient.com that serve the city and the surrounding area. He says he started the collective in 2006, and that today his array of customers includes CEOs of Silicon Valley companies and many who are confined to their homes or their beds. The list of ailments Lustig encounters is long, including mul-tiple sclerosis, cancer, arthritis, epilepsy, insomnia, Tourette syn-drome, chronic pain and glaucoma. There are at least 200 illnesses which can qualify someone for medical marijuana. Lustig says he spends lots of time with each of his “patients” to discuss their medical conditions, and makes recommendations to new patients about what type of marijuana to use. He himself is a medical marijuana card holder who uses it to treat chronic migraine headaches. “I probably see seven to 15 patients a day and get three to five phone calls a day from new patients I am incapable of accommodating,” he said. Lustig said his patients spend anywhere from $40 to $300 each during his weekly visits, and pay-ment is in the form of a “dona-tion.” “It’s a nonprofit, compassionate organization,” he said. Instead of raking in a profit, Lustig said, he works to keep his prices well below his competition — for example, an ounce of a particular strain of pot that might otherwise sell for $450 is available through Seventh Heaven for $300. Cornell, the spokesperson for the DA’s office, said that only patients and “designated primary caregiv-ers” can legally transport medical marijuana. A primary caregiver is defined as someone who “has consistently assumed responsibil-ity for housing, health or safety of a patient.”

Local concerns One thing that appears to make council members nervous is the neighborhood opposition sure to come whenever a marijuana dis-pensary is proposed. That’s why David believes it would be best to locate one near Shoreline Amphi-theatre, away from residential neighborhoods and schools. “There has to be community sup-port,” said council member John Inks, who added he would have to know more about a given proposal and the group behind it before deciding whether to support it. During the 2005 debate, council member Tom Means said he and other council members feared a dispensary would be repeatedly


Peninsula Open Space Trust222 High Street, Palo Alto, California 94301(650) 854-7696 www.openspacetrust.orgPOST

Richard PrestonNew York Times

The Wild Trees

Monday, February 8 8:00 p.m.

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

500 Castro Street, Mountain View

Series subscriptions

(650) 854-7696 x316

SERIES SPONSORS

Ambassador Bill and Mrs. Jean Lane

LECTURE SPONSORS

Noble and Lorraine Hancock

Jobst Brandt

MEDIA SPONSOR

2010 Wallace Stegner Lecture Series

V E N T U R E SINTO THE NATURAL WORLD

Single tickets

(650) 903-6000

All proceeds benefit POST.




650-962-4626


EYE CENTER


SEE BEYOND YOUR

IMAGINATION!We Accept Medicare, PPO’s, VSP, MES, EyeMed, etc.

MARIJUANA Continued from page 1

See MARIJUANA, next page

targeted for robbery, as they have in other cities, or turn nearby areas into sites for drug dealing. Lustig said strict rules could prevent problematic people from obtaining membership at a medi-pot club, and David said he doesn’t believe the businesses would be any more

prone to being robbed than certain others, such as his own family’s gun store. David says the security methods used by other dispensaries include vaults and metal detectors, and he also says he’s considering using an armored car service. In an unusual twist, David is a Republican and a staunch advo-cate of the right to bear arms. He has voted for every Republican

presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan, and was ranked best com-petitive outdoor pistol shooter in the state in 2003 and 2004, he says. David actually thinks marijuana should remain generally illegal. If it were legalized, he said, “It would be just like alcohol is today — people dying from drinking and driving. There would be a lot of DUIs for marijuana.” Even so, David has been using medical marijuana for over 10 years

to treat chronic lower back pain. He says the alternative would be pain-killers like Vicodin, which he fears would wreck his liver. While stories abound about drug users trying to game the system, and Lustig’s phone message tells those without documentation to “hang up now,” Lustig insists that he “never once came across some-one who sounded illegitimate or had illegitimate documentation.”

Lustig said his operation does not require a business license of any sort because “It isn’t a business, it’s a collective,” adding that “There are (dispensaries) out there every-where that don’t require a business license.” City officials did not know that the delivery services were operat-ing in Mountain View and said they were not certain about Lustig’s claim that a business license is unnecessary.

“Any business organization that does business in Mountain View should have a business license,” said finance director Patty Kong. But she and city attorney Jannie Quinn said they would have to research Lustig’s claim that his collective was not a business. V



In a tough situation?

Turn to Avenidas for help:

· Information & Assistance· Family consultations on aging issues· Support Groups· Counseling

Visit www.avenidas.org or call (650) 289-5433 for your appointment today.

Where age is just a number

MARIJUANA Continued from previous page

MICHELLE LE

Brian David is among those hoping to open a marijuana dispensary in Mountain View.

Partners for New Generations

You can make a difference ...

...by being a mentor or tutor for the Los Altos and Mountain View schools and Child Advocates in

Silicon Valley.

We need more volunteer tutors and mentors to assist our

community‘s children. Our motto is: “You‘re only young once

but you can make a difference forever.” Please help us make a

difference by volunteering today.

Please Contact:Linda Waud, Psy.D

[email protected]

Mentor Quotes:

“After our weekly meetings I am bubbling over with wanting to talk about how interesting and fun it is to a mentor.”

“We really have a wonderful time together. There is lots of give and take.”

In an unusual twist, David is a Republican and a staunch

advocate of the right to bear arms. He has voted for every

Republican presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan. David

actually thinks marijuana should remain generally illegal.

your article on Ms. Reddington’s new novel in the Oct. 30 issue of the Voice and it naturally occurred to me that you may also find my book of interest,

as I too am a Mountain View resident and have been since 1975; I also was vice-chair of the Citizens Communication Com-mittee and wrote numerous pieces for The View, including the “Crimestoppers” series.

We regret missing the chance to meet Mark Zamen.

To learn more about “Broken Saint” or obtain a copy, visit www.eloquentbooks.com/brokensaint.html, or www.authorautobahn.webs.com/bookpeek.htm, or try Amazon or Barnes & Noble. V

Don Frances can be reached at [email protected].

EDITOR’S DESK Continued from previous page

between city general fund revenues and expenditures would increase to $7 million and $9 million in 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively, even if the city fixes the deficit this year without reserves. The biggest

reason for the budget gap is grow-ing employee compensation costs, officials said. Council member Ronit Bryant said that if voters are ever expected to support a tax measure to help fund services, the city would have to have “its own house in order,” which would likely mean major cuts to employee compensation. City staff proposed filling $1 mil-lion of the gap with cuts to employee compensation. Another $3.5 mil-lion to $4 million could come from cuts to city services, which council members took to mean employee layoffs. Another $500,000 to $1 mil-

lion could come from new revenue sources, such as recreation fees. Specific proposals are expected in the coming months. The city’s Senior Center was cited as an example of how fees could be generated. By having one entrance and exit, the city could start collecting fees, especially for non-residents, or start charging for

parking or rental of the building on weekends. Council member Mike Kasper-zak and others said residents would likely balk at paying more fees for less services in a recession, while city employees get compensation increases. Council members Laura Macias and Margaret Abe-Koga continued to press the council to find ways to increase revenue, how-ever, though most seemed to favor cutting services instead. V



*Requires new service activation on approved credit and $35 activation fee. Retail buyers pay $35 activation fee upon purchase of phone. Phone price after instant rebate applied at time of purchase. Certain models are free

beyond activation fee. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Phones are limited to stock on hand. Terms and Conditions subject to change. †If you’re not satisfied within 30 days or

30 minutes of usage, whichever comes first, cancel and pay nothing, no questions asked.

Call 1.888.206.6554 Online www.ConsumerCellular.com/SearsLOCATION NEAR YOU!

ALSO AVAILABLE AT A

Affordable, Simple PlansRates as low as $10 per month

Consumer Cellular is proud to be the exclusive provider of the Doro PhoneEasy® 345 GSM. We also offer a complete line of full-featured phones from Motorola and Nokia, along with our simple, affordable plans on a nationwide network.

AARP® members ask for your special discount when starting new service!

No contracts on any Consumer Cellular plans!

N O C O N T R A C T S

30 days or 30 minutes, money-back guarantee†.

G U A R A N T E E D

Doro PhoneEasy Large, bright screens

and text Big, raised buttons Emergency call feature

< BOOMER FRIENDLYDoro PhoneEasy

345GSM

$40 Phone*and

FREE Shipping

Motorola

EM 330

$40 Phone*and

FREE Shipping

FREEPhone*

and FREEShipping

Motorola w259

COUNCIL Continued from page 1 Where credit is due

Below are some recent excerpts from extra!credit, a blog on the Voice’s Web site dedicated to giving students in our commu-

nity the recognition they deserve. To read more extra!credit, visit www.mv-voice.com. If you know a local student who deserves some credit, e-mail [email protected]. Help for Haiti: Bubb teacher Adria Flores reported that the elementary students have donat-ed over $1,500 to the Red Cross after only four days of fundraising. She credited the fifth graders for spearheading the campaign and collecting the money. Mountain View High students have raised nearly $3,000 to donate to relief efforts in Haiti, reported Ambika Bist, president of the MVHS Red Cross Club. She said donations have come from boys and girls basketball games, as well as donation boxes at school.

DemandTec champions: After weeks of preparing, and a win at a regional competition, Mountain View High seniors Jody Zhang and Elise Sugarman took first place in DemandTec’s annual Retail Challenge finals. The competition gives high school seniors challenges that simulate real-life scenarios in mar-keting and merchandising. The girls flew to New York, completing the final round of the competition in the NASDAQ building. The two students split a $10,000 grand prize, in addition to a $10,000 prize for their regional win,

which was awarded to them at the closing bell ceremonies on Jan. 12. They beat out nearly 50 local students and six other finalist teams from around the country. Zhang and Sugarman will use the scholarship mon-

ey next year at college, though neither knows yet where they will be heading post-graduation.

January students of the month: The Mountain View-Los Altos district board honored three out-standing students for the month of January. Alta Vista senior Ivan Joshua Henriquez-Nunez was recognized for his academic growth and leader-ship. He helped organize a food drive at his campus, collecting over 350 pounds of food for families in Silicon Valley. He paints original logos, decals and scenes on plain Converse sneakers and is consider-ing designing his own line of shoes. Mountain View student Julien Roth was honored for his outstanding academic achievement and vol-unteer work. He has volunteered over 1,600 hours of service at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto. In addition Roth has played competitive club soccer and basket-ball and participated in a few triathlons. Los Altos High student Mark Levin-Gesundheit is the entertainment editor at the school’s newspaper, The Talon. Levin is an avid writer, who describes his fiction short stories as “quirky, humorous and kind of ridiculous.”

Council member Mike Kasperzak and others

said residents would likely balk at paying more

fees for less services in a recession, while city

employees get compensation increases.


450 Cambridge Avenue | Palo Alto CA 94306 | 650.326.8210 | PaloAltoOnline.com | TheAlmanacOnline.com | MountainViewOnline.com

For more information, contact your advertising rep or call Walter Kupiec, Vice President, Sales & Marketing at 650.223.6570

or e-mail: [email protected]

Beauty,Health &FitnessDon’t miss this

opportunity to reach this market with your multi-media message!

PUBLICATION DATES:

THE ALMANACWednesday, February 24, 2010

PALO ALTO WEEKLY & MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE Friday, February 26, 2010

DEADLINE: All ads/ad copy due February 1, 2010

Reach Midpeninsula BEAUTY, HEALTH

& FITNESSActive Enthusiasts

THE PENINSULA’S GUIDE TO HEALTHY LIVING

COMING IN FEBRUARY!

Multimedia Advertising Sales RepresentativesEmbarcadero Media is a multimedia company with websites, email news digests (Express) and community newspapers on the Peninsula, in the East Bay and in Marin.

We are the leader in community news and local advertising solutions in the markets we serve. More residents in our communities turn to our websites, email news digests and print media as the primary choice for local news and information.

We are looking for aggressive, sophisticated Outside Sales Representatives for our Real Estate and Retail Sales Teams. Experience in online, electronic, and print media sales is a plus, but not required. Familiarity with the advertising industry and selling solutions to local and regional businesses is a huge plus.

We offer salary, commission, bonus plan, health benefi ts, paid time off and an environment where success and achievement is rewarded.

Most importantly, the successful candidate must have a drive to be a top performer and enjoy working with clients who are looking to our company to provide them with cost effective and effi cient advertising solutions. Consultative selling approaches are key to success in this position.

If you have the passion to achieve great success in your career and believe you can contribute signifi cantly to our leadership position in the market, please send your resume and a brief summary as to why you believe you are the right candidate for this outstanding opportunity.

Qualifi ed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Please submit your resume and cover letter to:

Walter Kupiec, Vice President Sales and Marketing

[email protected]

450 Cambridge Avenue | Palo Alto, CA 94306 | 650.326.8210PaloAltoOnline.com | TheAlmanacOnline.com | MountainViewOnline.com

A pitch for our team.

WOMAN MUGGED WHILE WALKING TO WORK A Mountain View woman talk-ing on her cell phone while walk-ing to work Monday morning was attacked by a man who slapped her and took the phone, police reported. At approximately 8:40 a.m., the man approached the 49-year-old woman as she walked to work near Jewell Place and Rengstorff Avenue, according to spokesperson Liz Wylie. She said the victim was talking on her cell phone when the man grabbed her by the shoulders, shook her, and then slapped her twice across the face. He then grabbed the cell phone from her hands and took off on foot. Wylie said a witness who had seen the incident called police “because they thought it was domestic violence.” The woman also called police from her office, though Wylie said officers were already responding from the anonymous tip. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his mid-30s, 5-foot-10 and about 150 pounds. He wore all-black clothing, includ-ing a black beanie cap.

— Kelsey Mesher

ARMED ROBBERS HIT CHECK CASHING FRANCHISE Police are looking for three men who robbed a check cashing busi-ness on El Camino Real near Dale Avenue last Tuesday, Jan. 19. Police got a call at 10:21 a.m. after three men, one with a hand-gun, entered the Check Into Cash at 805 E. El Camino Real and told the two employees present to open the cash register. The employees complied and were not injured as the suspects made off with the cash. There were no other wit-nesses present. Police say all three suspects had similar description: African-American males in their late teens to early 20s, slim, 5-foot-10 to over 6 feet tall, and wearing dark cloth-ing with their faces covered. The direction or manner in which the suspects got away is unknown. Anonymous tips about the crime can be made to Mountain View police at (650) 903-6344.

— Daniel DeBolt

N E W S B R I E F S


PublisherTom Gibboney

EditorialManaging Editor Don Frances

Staff Writers Daniel DeBolt, Kelsey Mesher

Intern Dana Sherne

Photographer Michelle Le

Photo Intern James Tensuan

Contributors Dale Bentson, Angela Hey, Sheila Himmel, Jennifer Pence, Monica Schreiber

Design & ProductionDesign Director Raul Perez

Designers Linda Atilano, Laura Don, Gary Vennarucci

Advertising Advertising Representatives Anna Mirsky, Dianna Prather

Real Estate Account Executive Rosemary Lewkowitz

Real Estate Advertising Coordinator Diane Martin

Published every Friday at 450 Cambridge Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 964-6300 fax (650) 964-0294

E-mail news and photos to: [email protected] E-mail letters to: [email protected]

News/Editorial Department (650) 964-6300 fax (650) 964-0294

Display Advertising Sales (650) 964-6300

Classified Advertising Sales

E-mail Classified [email protected]

E-mail Circulation [email protected]

The Voice is published weekly by Embarcadero Media Co. and distributed free to residences and businesses in Mountain View. If you are not currently receiving the paper, you may request free delivery by calling 964-6300. Subscriptions for

Company. All rights reserved.

Member, Mountain View Chamber of Commerce

Founding Editor, Kate Wakerly

S TA F F

WHAT’S YOUR VIEW?All views must include a home address and contact phone number. Published letters will also appear on the web site, www.MountainViewOnline.com, and occasionally on the Town Square forum.

TOWN SQUARE FORUM POST your views on the

Town Square forum at www.MountainViewOnline.com

E-MAIL your views to [email protected]. Indicate if it is a letter to be published.

MAIL to: Editor Mountain View Voice, P.O. Box 405 Mountain View, CA 94042-0405

CALL the Viewpoint desk at 964-6300

FISHY FIGURES ON MINTON’S STUDYEditor: Your headline last week trum-pets the conclusion from the Aecom study that the Minton’s project would actually reduce traffic in the area (“Report: Minton’s project would decrease traffic”). But the conclusion is based on an estimate, from ITE handbook values, for a building materials store, of 1,503 car trips per day into the Minton’s lum-beryard. Those of us who have actually shopped at Minton’s have typi-cally found ourselves the only customers in the place, or one of very few. I would guess that the actual number of car trips into Minton’s each day is more of the order of 100; the number of 1,500 might even be too high for Lowe’s in Sunnyvale. If you use a number of 100 per day for Minton’s, the estimate then is that the project would increase traffic by a factor of 400 percent, a lot different from the decrease of 33 percent as claimed in your article for the hypotheti-cal estimate. One significant caveat here — if Minton’s were replaced by a thriving commercial business as probably allowed by current zoning, there might also be a large increase in traffic over what

local residents see now. Thus a more appropriate comparison for traffic might be between the various possible future uses of this property, and not the current situation.

David LewisOak Street

HOME LOAN PERK IS JUST TOO MUCHEditor: I am outraged! The $2 million allotted by the City Council to fund low inter-est home loans for city employ-ees should have been used to improve services such as police protection, more firefighters, and better parks and recreation (“City workers get home loan perk,” Jan. 22). We overpay city employees, give them benefits that industry cannot afford, give them pen-sions so they can double dip, and then the city manager com-plains about budget problems. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see what the real problem is. If Mountain View has so much money, why don’t you send some my way?

Konrad M. SosnowTrophy Drive

Despite the economic downturn, donations to the Voice Holiday Fund remained strong this year, nearly matching the record-setting total contributions in 2008-09.

In fact, broken down by category, readers gave more this year than ever before: 145 Voice readers contributed nearly $49,000, up from just over $40,000 last year. With an additional $20,000 from the Wakerly family, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, the total raised this year is $68,897 — or $9,842 for each of the seven participating nonprofit organizations supported by the Holiday Fund. The top donations this year included one for $2,700, two for $2,100 and another for $2,000, and a number of others of $1,000 or more. The Mountain View Mom’s Cookie Party continued its longtime support of the Holiday Fund with a donation of $710. The Holiday Fund is a partnership of the Voice, the foundation donors and Silicon Valley Community Foundation, which processes all contributions. No fees or other charges are assessed to any Holiday Fund donation; 100 percent of all funds raised go directly to the participating nonprofit organizations. Next month, thanks to your generous support, each of the following agencies will receive checks for $9,842:

Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos

CSA assists homeless families and seniors with short-term housing, medical care and more. The nonprofit is a cooperative effort of 17 faith-based communities in Mountain View and Los Altos.

Community Health Awareness Council CHAC serves Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and seven school districts. Among other things, it offers school-based programs to protect students from high-risk behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse.

Mountain View RotaCare Clinic The RotaCare Clinic provides uninsured local residents with medical care and medications and is frequently the last resort for this underserved demographic.

Day Worker Center of Mountain View The Day Worker Center provides a secure place for workers and employers to negotiate wages. It serves 50 or more workers per day with jobs, English lessons and guidance.

Support Network for Battered Women This group operates a 24-hour bilingual hotline and a safe shelter for women and their children. It also offers counseling and other services for families dealing with domestic violence.

Community School of Music and Arts CSMA provides hands-on arts and music projects in the classrooms of the Mountain View Whisman School District. Nearly 40 percent of the students are low-income, and 28 percent have limited English proficiency.

Partners for New Generations Partners for New Generations matches adult volunteer mentors with at-risk youth in the Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills area.

Readers opened their hearts and wallets

■ EDITORIAL

■ YOUR LETTERS

■ GUEST OPINIONS

E D I T O R I A LT H E O P I N I O N O F T H E V O I C E

L E T T E R SV O I C E S F R O M T H E C O M M U N I T Y

See LETTERS, page 19


WHAT’S WRONG WITH CITY WORKERS RENTING?Editor: I’m disappointed that the City Council decided to reward city workers with housing “loans” of up to $100,000 despite overwhelm-ing evidence that they should be doing just the opposite. What’s wrong with city workers renting? Why is it the city’s responsibility to provide homes to city workers? Kudos to John Inks for having enough fiscal sense to realize that this is a bad idea and vote against the measure. I think that it’s time for the council to realize that the direct and indirect costs of city workers is bankrupting Mountain View. It’s time for some courage to say “no” to the police and firefight-ers unions with respect to salary and pension increases — they’re already consuming over half the city’s budget.

Dan WaylonisStierlin Road

BUDGET APPROVAL PROCESS IS NOT THE PROBLEMEditor: I support the measure to block the state’s efforts to grab funds from local communities. But I could not disagree more with your assertion that the state’s problem is the two-thirds rule to approve a budget (“Cities should stop next money grab,” Jan. 22). The problem, simply put, is that Sacramento is addicted to spend-ing. Instead of feeding the state’s spending habit, we need to cut off its drug supply. The measure to keep the state from robbing cities will help, but so will the two-thirds rule that keeps the state from robbing taxpayers. When I moved here 40 years ago, California was the greatest state in the union — the best jobs, the best schools, and the best roads. Since then, all Sacramento has built is a monstrous bureau-cracy, while services have largely gone down the drain. Our tax rates are already among the highest in the land, and employers and wealthy retirees are fleeing the state. Raising the tax rate will only feed the spend-ing habit. California needs to go cold turkey for there to be any hope of reform.

Maarten KorringaEldora Drive

Tel: 408.735.8333

1055 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Rd., Sunnyvale

CHAMPION KINDER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

A Mandarin Immersion Preschool bringing a world of opportunities to your child.

Come to CKIS, see our

differences and unique values.

First 50 full-time students receive

10-30% Off for Grand Opening Promotion;

2 free keyboard piano lessons per week

Daily Walk-In Tour & Open House: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-6pm

Open House Every Saturday, 11am-3:00pm

A 40,000sf New Preschool Site

play area; 12,000sf indoor facility equipped with:

A dance/kung fu studio;

An enrichment center for arts & crafts,

science, group music;

A private piano and music practice rooms;

A children’s library & computer room.

www.championyes.comLOOKING for a Preschool Teacher who speaks native English with the ability to teach phonics.

We’re

ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT LOCAL CHARITIES

on Saturday, January 30, 2010Serving 4:30pm - 7:30pm

at The Mountain View Buddhist Temple575 Shoreline Blvd. (Across from Safeway)

Donation: $45 per person / $17 kids 3-10 yrs

All you can eatFresh Dungeness Crab...

Field Greens and Gorgonzola Cheese with Vinaigrette DressingPenne Pasta with Marinara Sauce, Fresh Fruit Salad & French Bread

Tickets Available Online At:www.mountainviewrotary.org

OR FROM ANY MOUNTAIN VIEW ROTARIAN

Mountain View Rotary Club 2 0 1 0 C r a b F e e d & R a f f l e

Live

Variety

Show!

Kinder Info Site Visits and Open Housesthroughout the month of January

MVWSD offers Choice ProgramsStevenson PACT (parent participation)Castro DI (Dual Immerson)

More information:650.526.3500, ext. 1001

www.mvwsd.org (Enrollment Info)

Mountain View Whisman School District

(K-8) ENROLLMENT2010-2011 BEGINS FEBRUARY 1DISTRICT OFFICE8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Find a movie.Find a restaurant.

Find a date.Find eternal happiness.

3 out of 4 ispretty good.

Get your news delivered in a new weekday

e-news digest!

FREE.Stay current on your local weekly

news & community activitiesSign up today at —

MountainViewOnline.com

P.O. Box 405Mountain View, CA 94041

or fax at650-964-0294

Mountain View Voice 01.29.2010 - Section 1

Documents

Transcript of Mountain View Voice 01.29.2010 - Section 1