palo alto weekly 05.17.2013 - section 2
DESCRIPTION
Section 2 of the May 17, 2013 edition of the Palo Alto WeeklyTRANSCRIPT
Cover Story
Put another dime in the jukebox, baby,
for School of Rock kids who keep playing
the classics in the iTunes age
T ime moves on and technology moves forward. There used to be a video store at 2645 Middlefield Road in
Palo Alto, but the video stores are bowing out. Now the Midtown spot houses a shiny new rock-music school, blasting with giant wall photos of head-banging kids.
Still, even the people who get their kicks on Netflix know the saying “Everything
old is new again.” At the School of Rock, where the paint smells fresh after four months, kids learn the classics. The Beat-les, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd keep rocking on. Walk down the hall and you hear familiar guitar licks from decades ago mixed with kids laughing, basses tuning up, a drum-stick clattering on the floor.
When beginners start lessons, they’re
given one of the core tunes that owner and general manager Hansel Lynn picked. Be-fore you know it, you’ve got a 7-year-old warbling “Lean on Me” or wondering why it is, exactly, that we all live in a yellow submarine.
It can take time for kids to get it. Lynn, sporting an affable grin and a “Keep Calm and Rock On” T-shirt, thinks of one 10-
by Rebecca Wallace
year-old boy. “He had no experience, and a guitar takes coordination,” he said. “Ev-ery day I’d say, ‘Show me the G chord.’” Struggles ensued, but Lynn had faith. The kid had long hair and a rocker mentality. He could do it.
Then he did. With practice, the boy found the chords just clicked. Formerly quiet, he even started belting out songs.
Lynn has lots of stories like these, even though the school’s been open only since January. Kids start shy and end up wailing on the guitar, or show up late for every re-hearsal until suddenly they start wanting to do their part, to be a team with their bandmates.
What happens? Lynn smiles. “Rock ‘n’ roll.”
Like people every-where in the music world, from piano teachers to orchestra conductors, the folks at School of Rock will tell you that becom-ing a performing musician helps kids build confidence as well as artistry, and learn cooperation as well as chords. These guys just do it louder.
The Palo Alto venue is one of more than 100 School of Rock locations sprinkled across the country and as far as Canada,
Seven-year-old Jacob Mishaga, top, learns to play the guitar in a beginning guitar private lesson at the School of Rock. Left, Music director Andrew Levin, center, listens as Josh Poblete plays the bass with Gabe Cohen on guitar as the young musicians rehearse together.
(continued on page 35)
Veronica Weber
Veronica Weber
Page 33
In print and online, we’re #1
California Newspaper Publishers Association, 2013Judged by out-of-state journalists as the best large-circulation weekly in California.
FIRST PLACE
GENERAL EXCELLENCE
FIRST PLACE
BEST WEBSITE
www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Looking forward to 2013
…and beyond
Page 3
Puzzles 30
Vol. XXXIV, Number 14 January 4, 2013
w w w . P a l o A l t o O n l i n e . c o m
Goodbye garbage
trucks?Page 3
36 Puzzles 42
Page 31
PaloAltoOnline.com
vies 30 Puzzles 70
Vol. XXXIV, Number 1 October 5, 2012
Page 24
Inside:
Fall Home &
Garden Design
PROGRAM I
United Nations
Film Festival30 Holidays 45
4
w w w . P a l o A l t o O n l i n e . c o m
Palo Alto considers
trash experimentPage 3
Palo Alto
Vol. XXXIV, Number 12 December 14, 2012
Volunteers keep
organizations humming
behind the scenes
Page 41
w w w . P a l o A l t o O n l i n e . c o m
Palo Alto
Teens enthusiastic
over new school
calendar
Page 3
Puzzles 43
Vol. XXXIV, Number 15 January 11, 2013
Greg Scharff,
Nancy Shepherd
to lead City
Council in 2013
PAGE 3
A new day at City Hall
Page 34
Cover Story
Latin America and the Philippines. (Its closest neighbor is up the Peninsula in San Mateo.) The first school opened in 1998 in Philadelphia, found-ed by Paul Green. By 2003 it had inspired a Jack Black movie with the same name, and soon after that new franchises began opening. Thousands of kids are now enrolled at School of Rock, whether they’re beginners in the Rock 101 program or more advanced, in the performance program.
The company also recently started offering some adult classes, and growth doesn’t seem to be slow-ing down. In February, School of Rock won a spot on CNN Money’s “5 Hot Franchises” list.
Students, who are typically aged 7 to 18, study guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and vocals in week-ly private lessons and group band practices. Some kids like to focus on one favorite instrument, but it’s common to see them jumping from one instru-ment to another. Rock is the main focus, of course, but students can also get a healthy helping of punk, alternative, funk, reggae and metal.
If rock is the soul of the program, the perfor-mance-based approach is the heart. We don’t need
no theory education up front, Lynn says. First, teachers emphasize the fun of playing on stage, the joy of the music and the teamwork of working with bandmates. Kids learn by ear, practicing root chords and building on them. Then they realize they’ve been learning music theory.
Beginners’ songs have been chosen because they have straightforward chord structures, easy to grab onto. “In order to teach you theory, we’ll teach you this song,” Lynn says.
S itting in his office at the front of the school, Lynn toys with a piece of paper with the chords from Pink Floyd’s “Vera.” Bits of
music and conversation float down the hall from the rehearsal classrooms, and kids come in the nearby front door for their private music lessons. They pass by the front desk, designed to look like a pile of roadie cases.
It’s hard to imagine that Lynn looked this happy when he worked in corporate high-tech and real estate. After 20 years in that world, he was looking for a change and then spotted an ad in a business magazine about running a School of Rock fran-chise. “The light went on,” he says.
School of Rock students Nick Alfonso and Gabe Cohen rehearse for their performance of Pink Floyd’s album, “The Wall.”
Katie Brigham
Kids wanna rock(continued from page 33)
(continued on next page)
&
&&
Page 35
Cover Story
School of Rock students Julia Louth, Janet Wang, Joshua Poblete, Gabe Cohen and Caley Vaheei rehearse for their performance of Pink Floyd’s album, “The Wall.”
Katie Brigham
A native of Hong Kong who now lives in Palo Alto with his wife and three kids, Lynn had a lot of nostal-gia for his days playing in a punk-pop cover band called Timmy Ra-men with a bunch of other techies.
“I was the lead singer. I was not a very good singer,” he confesses. “We were novices. We were good at marketing and stage presence, so we always had a good crowd.” But the music, he confesses, wasn’t the best. “It was the experience of be-ing on stage. It was so much fun.”
Lynn took those star-studded memories and his love of The Who, Green Day, Linkin Park and Jack Johnson and opened School of Rock Palo Alto. Now his school has 50 students from 7 to 18 and an ar-ray of instructors.
Longtime Palo Altan Andrew Levin, an experienced guitarist and graduate from Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, is the associate music director and an instructor. A Paly graduate, Levin has also taught at Summer Rock Camp of Palo Alto (a separate, seasonal organization), gigged on cruise ships and played the Whisky a Go Go club in Los Angeles.
(continued from previous page)
M O B I L E B A N K I N G : A N Y T I M E , A N Y W H E R E
Bank Securely
De Anza Branch | Cupertino10991 N. De Anza Boulevard
De Anza Blvd & Homestead Rd
El Camino Branch | Palo Alto3903 El Camino Real
El Camino Real & Ventura Ave
Blossom Hill Branch | San Jose1090 Blossom Hill Road
Blossom Hill Rd & Almaden Expy
Stevens Creek Branch | San Jose3136 Stevens Creek BoulevardStevens Creek Blvd & S. Winchester
Enterprise Branch | Sunnyvale1080 Enterprise Way, Ste 150
Enterprise Way & 11th Ave
With Mobile Banking you can make real-time deposits or payments, to
selected accounts and loans. And take advantage of these features:
Find the nearest branch or ATM with our GPS enabled locator
Set up and receive account-triggered text message alerts and personal reminders
View images of previously posted items
View all your Star One memberships in one login
Check balances and view history
(408) 543-5202 | (866) 543-5202
Page 36
Cover Story
These days, many of the teach-ers and students have their eyes on “The Wall.” School of Rock franchises typically perform the Pink Floyd classic album as their first concert, and Palo Alto is following the trend. Sixteen of the more advanced students will rock out on “Comfortably Numb,” “Run Like Hell” and the other tunes on Saturday, May 18, at Club Illusions Palo Alto on California Avenue.
Lynn is already thinking about summer as well. The next big show, probably in late Au-gust, will be themed “Foo Fight-ers vs. Green Day.”
But before the students hit the ‘90s, they’re hanging out in 1979 with Floyd. Josh Poblete, who at 18 will be the oldest musician in the show, is gearing up for his guitar solo in the song “Another
Brick in the Wall Part 2.”“That feeling when you get a
song together is really great,” he says, temporarily taking over Lynn’s desk. He’s quiet but well-spoken, and later when he picks up the guitar the dexterity in his fingers is obvious.
Poblete started on piano as a third-grader, then switched to classical guitar. He liked learn-ing the techniques, but it was a lot more fun to be loud. So here he is on the electric guitar. Even when he doesn’t have class, he’ll sometimes drop by School of Rock to use the amps. His drummer brother Jeremiah, 17, is also enrolled here.
On the other end of the age spectrum is Julia Louth, 7, the
Show director Walt Ziegler, right, leads Jeremiah Poblete in a private bass lesson in preparation for a School of Rock
performance.
(continued on next page) Veronica Weber
Support
Local Business
The online
guide to
Palo Alto
businesses
ShopPaloAlto.com
Give blood for life!
Schedule an appointment:call 888-723-7831
or visitbloodcenter.stanford.edu
Page 37
Cover Story
youngest to perform in the Pink Floyd concert. She’s arrived in the lobby for a private lesson with Levin and is all set to practice her vocal solo in “The Thin Ice.”
“I like it,” she says of the school, flashing a wide-open smile. “I just really like the music.”
Besides singing, the young Taylor Swift fan has played the piano for three years along with some guitar. This will be her first big performance. She’s excited and nervous for the concert, but getting to wear “cool boots” and jeggings should help ease any butterflies. She keeps beaming as she heads into the rehearsal room.
C oncert opportunities can be exciting for the students in the performance program. The most advanced musicians, including
the Poblete brothers, are members of the school’s house band and get to play gigs at community events.
The Pobletes are also in a select school group who will perform at the Summerfest music fes-tival in Wisconsin this summer. School of Rock
has reserved stage time, and Lynn chose six of his students to go. “To even get one minute on a stage like that ... ” Lynn says dreamily.
Another of his dreams is to have some of his stu-dents accepted into School of Rock’s all-star pro-gram. Some of the best young musicians around get to tour in their own bus and play such big-name events as Austin City Limits.
There’s just something special about watching the kids learn to love the stage, Lynn says. “I see the kids get stage fright, but they’re nervous to-gether.”
That camaraderie is clear in a big rehearsal room where the Pobletes join forces with a group of oth-ers from the house band to practice. The students take up their instruments under a giant quote from John Lennon on the wall: “There is nothing more conceptually better than rock and roll.”
Someone suggests The Police’s “Message in a Bottle,” and Zach Chang, in a sideways School of Rock baseball hat, counts off the beat on his drum-sticks. Everyone joins in, and by the end, he’s tear-ing it up with flair.
“Nice warm-up,” Lynn says, and then the play-ers are off and running on Green Day’s “Basket
Veronica Weber
Veronica Weber
Nick Alfonso plays the drums while rehearsing at the School of Rock.
Hansel Lynn, owner of the School of Rock Palo Alto, stands in a hallway beside the school’s music studios.
(continued from previous page)
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND COMPLETION
OF A DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE
EDGEWOOD PLAZA PROJECT
(SCH#2011022030)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Draft Supplemental Environ-mental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared to assess the en-vironmental impacts of the following project:
EDGEWOOD PLAZA PROJECT
LEAD AGENCY: City of Palo Alto, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
2080 Channing Avenue [08PLN-00157/10PLN-0019/13PLN-00197]: The Final Environmental Impact Report for the Edgewood Plaza project (State Clearinghouse #2011022030), certified by the Palo Alto City Council in April 2012, (hereinafter referenced as the Edgewood Plaza Final EIR) evaluated the potential environmental impacts resulting from the redevelopment of the Edgewood Plaza Shopping Center with a mix of retail and residential uses. The proj-ect, approved by the City Council in April 2012, included renova-tion of the three existing commercial buildings and construction of 10 single-family residences and an approximately 9,000-square foot park. The nonhistoric grocery store and historically significant Building 2 were to remain and be renovated in their original loca-tions. Building 1, also identified as historic under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), was proposed to be disas-sembled and reconstructed west of its current location to allow for a reconfiguration of the parking lot. All visible historic building elements from the existing building were to be rehabilitated and installed at the new location. The relocation and reconstruction of historic Building 1 as originally proposed was determined to be a less than significant impact by the City Council.
Implementation of the approved project began in September 2012 at which time Building 1 was demolished. None of the historic building elements were retained after demolition. As a result, the relocation and reconstruction of Building 1 cannot be implemented pursuant to the mitigation measures in the approved project.
The proposed project is a modification of the approved Planned Development Zoning and redevelopment of the Edgewood Plaza Shopping Center. Under the revised project, Building 1 would be reconstructed with all new materials. The location and design of the building would be consistent with the previously approved project. All other aspects of the approved project, including the renovation of Building 2 and the grocery building, the new parking layout and landscape design and development of 10 single-family houses, remain the same as the approved project evaluated in the 2012 Final EIR. This Supplement to the previously certified Final EIR has been prepared to evaluate the modifications to the original project.
Edgewood Plaza (also known as Edgewood Shopping Center) was designed and built by Eichler Homes, Inc. as part of the Edge-wood Tract developed in 1956-57, and appears to be a significant historic resource. The proposed project would have potentially significant effects with regard to historic resources and cumula-tive historic resources. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires this notice to disclose whether any listed toxic sites are present at the project location. The project location is not contained on the Cortese List of toxic sites.
The Draft Supplemental EIR is on file and may be reviewed at the City of Palo Alto’s Development Center, 285 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The EIR will also be available for review on the City’s website-- http://www.cityofpaloalto.org, and at the following public libraries: Palo Alto Main Library (temporary location at the Art Center, 1315 Newell Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303, and Palo Alto Downtown Library, 270 Forest Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301.
The public review for this Draft EIR begins on May 17, 2013 and ends on July 1, 2013. If you wish to provide written comments on the EIR, please submit these to Elena Lee, Department of Plan-ning and Community Environment, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, or [email protected], no later than July 1, 2013, at 5:00 p.m.
If any person challenges this item in court, that person may be limited to raising only those issues the person or someone else raised at the public hearings described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered at, or prior to, the public hearings. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, those requir-ing accommodation for these meetings should notify the City of Palo Alto 24 hours prior to the meetings at (650) 329-2496.
CURTIS WILLIAMS, |DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
Page 38
Cover StoryVeronica W
eber
Case.” Jeremiah Poblete and Caley Va-hedi take the vocals, holding up their phones to read the lyrics. The music reverberates through the red-walled room, resonating in listeners’ skulls and chests. Another musician, Gabe Cohen, switches effortlessly from one stringed instrument to another.
These are songs that came out years — or decades — before the players were born, but there’s no scoffing at the old stuff. Instead, during a break, Vahedi and Cohen riff on their absent friends who don’t know the music.
Vahedi is sporting an Iron Maiden T-shirt, and Cohen asks in a mock-clueless voice, “That’s Iron Man’s wife, right?” They hoot with laughter. Then Cohen has a few choice words about his classmates who think that Nirvana is so cool “for covering that Miley Cyrus song ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.’”
Poblete is quieter, focusing on his guitar, but has just as much enthusi-asm for the music. When he was asked earlier what his dream solo would be, his eyes lit up. Without missing a beat, he immediately said, “’Stairway to Heaven.’”
Katie Brigham
What: School of Rock Palo Alto
plays its first big concert, an all-
ages show of Pink Floyd’s album
“The Wall.”
Where: Club Illusions Palo Alto, 260
S. California Ave., Palo Alto
When: Saturday, May 18, from 2 to
6 p.m.
Cost: Tickets are $15/$13 in
advance ($10/$8 for youth and
seniors).
Info: For more about the club, go
to illusionssuperclub.com or call
650-321-6464. For more about the
school, go to paloalto.schoolofrock.
com.
School of Rock student Rebecca Segars, above, rehearses for a performance of Pink Floyd’s album, “The Wall.” Whitley Smith, 7, far right, plays the drums at the School of Rock.
About the cover: School of Rock student Zach Chang rehearses for a performance of Pink Floyd’s album, “The Wall.” Photo by Katie Brigham.
At Harker’s middle school, our kids
say they love everything from
“going to Washington, D.C.” and
“getting my laptop,” to “dissecting
chicken wings” and “fans cheering
you on at games!” Dozens of arts,
sports and club opportunities,
along with global ed programs,
trips, outstanding faculty, great
friends and more help bring out
the best in every child.
Come join Zach – and all our other
great students – and find out what
makes Harker’s middle school
such a cool place to be!
Loves:
Doesn’t Love:
Trying:
Real students, real stories.
Page 39
Eating Out
H ardbound books with titles like “Dreamers of the American Dream,” “Inside Asia,” “The Pericco-ne Prescription” and “Harvard Classics: English
Poetry, Chaucer to Gray” fill wooden bookcases.Huge canvases hang on the walls, made into col-
lages of images like a Macworld magazine cover, anatomical drawings and quotes from Timothy Leary and Steve Jobs.
You’re not in a college library, nor a burgeoning Silicon Valley startup. You’re in Umami Burger.
Once a Los Angeles grassroots burger spot and now a multi-million-dollar restaurant group, Umami is all about creating, expanding — and localizing. Every Umami Burger’s physical space is designed with its location in mind, as well as the menu, with a signature burger and tailored drink menu.
Owner and founder Adam Fleischman explained the Palo Alto design. “As Palo Alto is a very forward-thinking community, we thought the look of a library or study would work perfectly,” he said. “The decor reflects all of the thought and innovation that’s part of Palo Alto, from the tech community to Stanford University.”
The newest Northern California outpost of Umami Burger opened on March 15 on University Avenue, serving up unusual, higher-end burgers that revolve around the concept of Umami, or the Japanese word for the sought-after fifth taste.
“Umami is a Japanese concept that refers to the savory taste of foods, based on how glutamates in certain foods react with your tastebuds,” Fleischman said. “Our burgers are built around foods with high amounts of umami in them, like mushrooms, par-mesan cheese and roasted tomato, all of which are included in our Original Umami Burger.”
The fifth taste manifests in many forms on the Palo Alto menu, from the “Original” ($11) to the “Truffle Royale” ($15), a beef patty topped with braised short rib and Umami’s own truffle cheese; and starters such as truffle fries ($5.50) and the “smushed potatoes” ($4.50), double-fried, creamed and smashed into small crispy bites.
Any burger can be served “poutine style” — bun-less with Umami gravy or just bunless/meatless — but Palo Alto general manager Patrick Smith said the restaurant frowns upon substitutions.
“Our motto is ‘Trust us,’” Smith explained, point-ing to a binary code, a string of ones and zeros written in white text on the back of servers’ red T-shirts, with the same meaning. “So trust us and believe in us that
we know what we’re doing here, the scientific process behind our Umami flavors, that you’re going to really enjoy what we’ve created for whichever community that we’re in.”
San Francisco’s Union Street location, Umami’s first Northern California outpost, for example, gets a bacon-wrapped scallop burger just right for the city by the Bay.
The Palo Alto kitchen, headed by kitchen manager Cody Shields, serves up an “exclusive” burger that, much like the restaurant decor, is a shout-out to lo-cal students and techies. Order the “All-Nighter” and you’ll get Umami’s beef patty, a freshly ground-to-order blend of three steaks, seasoned with patented Umami Sauce and Umami Dust; topped with maple-glazed slab bacon, cheesy tot hash brown and smoth-ered in a coffee-infused red-eye gravy.
“It’s an homage to diner food — like what you would eat in college at 2 a.m. while up all night cram-ming,” Fleischman said.
Though beef is Umami’s specialty, the buck doesn’t stop there. Under an “Un-Beef” menu section, a few red-meat-free options hide in plain sight: an ahi tuna burger with hand-chopped ahi tuna, sprouts, crushed avocado, gingered carrots, wasabi flakes and wasabi tartar ($13); “The Greenbird,” made with turkey, crushed avocado, green cheese, butter lettuce, sprouts and a special “green goddess” sauce ($12); and a tricked-out “Earth Burger”($12), a mushroom and edamame patty with truffled ricotta, cipollini onions, butter lettuce, roasted tomato and white soy aioli.
Every burger, regardless of what’s inside, comes sandwiched between two compact buns, the top one neatly stamped with an upper-case “U.”
Sides include thin, standard-style fries that custom-ers can enhance (“truffle ‘em,” “make ‘em manly” or “smother ‘em”), tempura onion rings, sweet-potato fries and fried pickles.
Salads are also umami-fied. A truffled beet salad comes with truffled ricotta, smoked almonds, wild baby arugula and truffle dressing ($7); and a Caesar salad, made of kale and butter lettuce, is drizzled in Umami’s Caesar dressing and topped with fresh par-mesan. (Fleischman said in a 2012 interview with Los Angeles Magazine that parmesan has the second-highest umami levels of any ingredient, and the most of any cheese.)
Smith called Umami’s beer and wine menus, wine in particular, Fleischman’s “baby.”
Fleischman, who formerly worked for several L.A.
FOOD FEATURE
debor ah’s palm
may highlightsFOR THIS MONTH:– Movie Night: “Makers: Women Who Make America” – “Around the World” Cooking Party
– Goal Setting Workshop
– Five Qualities of Personal Creativity
– Women’s Support Group
– Monthly Book Club
For further details, visit our website: deborahspalm.org555 Lytton Avenue, Palo Alto650 /473-0664
COMING IN JUNE:
CAREER DEVELOPMENT FAIRSATURDAY JUNE 29 10 AM – 3 PM
SPEAKERS | PANEL | RESOURCES
FREE & OPEN TO ALL! MORE INFO: 650 |473-0664
1064 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View (Located between Castro St. & Shoreline on El Camino)
Open 10am - 6pm Everyday
650.969.2200 • terrapatio.com
Celebrate this Summer with our all new Ventana collections. Natural, comfortable, and designed for California living. Now in stock at Terra Patio and Garden.
Memorial Day Weekend Sale! Up to 40% off selected items!
ExperienceQuality
Also come visit us at the Sunset Celebration
Weekend June 1- 2
Umami on UniversityThe L.A.-based burger chain takes on Silicon Valley
by Elena Kadvany
“Smushed potatoes”: smashed, creamed and double-fried.
The “Earth burger” has a patty made from mushrooms and edamame.
Michelle Le
Page 40
Eating Out
FLEMING’S ON THE MOVE ... Big
plans are on the horizon for Flem-ing’s Steakhouse at Stanford Shop-
ping Center. Construction recently
began for the steakhouse’s new
stand-alone building. “The shopping
center is expanding and asked us to
relocate, because Bloomingdale’s
will be building a new location in
front of our restaurant,” Fleming’s
owner-operator Wayne Hanseth
said. Neither Stanford nor Bloom-
ingdale’s execs were available to
comment on the upscale store’s
plans. Meanwhile, Stanford has
chosen the mall’s parking lot, near
the El Camino Real entrance to the
shopping center, for the new loca-
tion of Fleming’s. When construc-
tion is completed, the restaurant will
measure 7,000 square feet, about
1,800 square feet larger than the
current one. “We’ll be adding anoth-
er dining room, so we’ll have a total
of three private dining rooms and
also three patios,” Hanseth said,
adding that the restaurant’s bar will
also expand to double its current
size to create more of a “lounge
atmosphere.” Other changes for
Fleming’s include a new style for the
interior of the restaurant and a plan
to begin Sunday brunches in Sep-
tember. Hanseth estimates the new
restaurant will begin doing business
on Aug. 9. The current Fleming’s will
remain open throughout the con-
struction of the new facility.
Other changes in the Stanford
Shopping Center include a new dog
boutique. Offering gourmet food,
toys, clothing and accessories for
dogs, Happy Go Lucky Dog Bou-tique and Bakery has taken over
the former site of Häagen-Dazs,
which moved out of the mall in No-
vember 2012. And American Girl is
coming to Stanford. The store will
occupy a large space on the Sand
Hill Road side, next to Pottery Barn
and wrapping around to the former
Talbots location, sources familiar
with the development said. Scaf-
folding is already in place to trans-
form the corner into a two-story
American Girl store, which offers
dolls, accessories and books. The
price tag for an American Girl doll,
which stands 18 inches tall, starts at
about $100.
RAMONA’S PIZZA GONE ... The
small, casual Ramona’s Pizza at
2313 Birch St. in Palo Alto, popular
for its variety of lunchtime slices,
is gone. It surprised would-be din-
ers on May 1, when the restaurant
closed and brown paper went up on
the windows.
COFFEE WITH TEE TIMES ... An-
other Coupa Cafe has opened, this
one on the Stanford Golf Course.
This marks the fifth location for
Coupa at Stanford, in addition to its
original Palo Alto location on Ra-
mona Street. Coupa’s latest coffee
shop opened at 198 Junipero Serra
Blvd. on May 1 and offers a break-
fast and lunch menu. It replaces the
Stanford Grill, which closed after a
12-year run.
NEW MARKET TO OPEN ... Palo
Alto’s newest grocer, The Fresh Market, has announced a June 5
opening in Edgewood Plaza. The
nearly 21,000-square-foot store
comes on the heels of another
grocer, Miki’s Market, which closed
after only six months in Alma Village.
The Fresh Market has big plans,
including offering more than 200 im-
ported and domestic cheeses, and
a bakery that produces 30 freshly
baked breads and 14 pie varieties
daily, according to the company’s
president and CEO, Craig
Carlock.
Heard a rumor about your favorite store or business mov-ing out, or in, down the block or across town? Daryl Savage will check it out. Email [email protected].
ShopTalkby Daryl Savage
Discover the best places to eat this week!
A M E R I C A N
Armadillo Willy’s 941-2922
1031 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altoswww.armadillowillys.com
The Old Pro326-1446
541 Ramona Street, Palo Altowww.oldpropa.com
S T E A K H O U S E
Sundance the Steakhouse 321-6798
1921 El Camino Real, Palo Altowww.sundancethesteakhouse.com
C H I N E S E
Chef Chu’s 948-2696
1067 N. San Antonio Roadwww.chefchu.com
Ming’s856-7700
1700 Embarcadero East, Palo Altowww.mings.com
New Tung Kee Noodle House947-8888
520 Showers Drive, Mountain Viewwww.shopmountainview.com/luunoodlemv
I N D I A N
Janta Indian Restaurant 462-5903
369 Lytton Ave. www.jantaindianrestaurant.com
Thaiphoon323-7700
543 Emerson Ave, Palo Alto www.ThaiphoonRestaurant.com
Read and post reviews, explore restaurant menus, get hours and directions
and more at ShopPaloAlto, ShopMenloPark and ShopMountainView
powered by
P E N I N S U L A
wine retailers and founded and ran some of the city’s first wine bars, said that his company has a few standard beer and wine options at every location, but that he prefers to bring in local spirits whenever possible.
Palo Alto’s whites include a California chardonnay and an African chenin blanc, and reds such as an Argentine malbec and a honoro vera garnacha from Ca-latayud, a wine region in Spain. A French brut called Le Grand Courtâge ($12) that Fleischman “loves” is the only bubbly on the menu.
The small but eclectic beer menu offers two bottles with somewhat local ties: the Full Boar Scotch Ale from Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company in Belmont ($12) and Drake’s Denogginizer IPA from Drake’s Brewing Co. in
San Leandro ($8).For alcohol-free options, Um-
ami also serves Abita root beer, Mexican Sprite and Coke, Or-ange Fanta and Bundaberg gin-ger beer, among others.
So far, Palo Altans seem to like what the Umami concept has to offer. Smith said that five weeks after opening, Palo Alto came in as the third-highest-grossing Umami Burger location, out of its 14 other restaurants. “It’s far exceeded our expectations,” he said.
Info: Umami Burger is at 452
University Ave. in Palo Alto, open
Sunday through Thursday from
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and
Saturday from 11 to 11. Call 650-
321-8626 or go to umami.com/
umami-burger/eats/palo-alto/.
Palo Alto’s Umami Burger location is made to look like a college library.
Mic
helle
Le
Page 41
Page 42
Page 43
Eating Out
1390 Pear Ave., Mountain View(650) 254-1120www.cucinaventi.com
Hours:9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
DINNER BY THE MOVIES AT SHORELINE’S
Cucina Venti
Now accepting reservations
catering available
LIVE MUSICOn the Patio
Wednesday & Thursdays 4-7pm
There is a lot to like about Figo in downtown Palo Alto. The food is a cut above and
the ambiance chic and inviting, with good libations and competi-tive prices. There is a disconnect, though: a variety of miscues I ex-perienced on three of four visits, holding the restaurant back.
Owner Gianni Chiloiro scrubbed his more casual Pasta? concept and rechristened the restaurant in Janu-ary (“Figo” roughly translates to “cool” as in to be cool), reconsti-tuting, remodeling, redefining the space. New chairs, tables, contem-porary lighting, and wood and art-glass partitions were added. An Italian brick oven capable of reach-ing 900 degrees was installed for pizza baking. The space was light-
ened up. The bar and dining rooms are still separate spaces but much more eloquently delineated.
For lunch one day, I ordered the organic greens salad ($8) with cherry tomatoes and house vin-aigrette. Someone in the kitchen must have mixed up proportions; there was so much vinegar my eyes teared and I choked on the first bite. The replacement salad was nearly devoid of dressing.
Fortunately, the meal was saved by the excellent orecchiette with sausages ($14). The ear-shaped pasta evenly held the slightly pi-quant tomato sauce. Fresh parme-san was grated on table-side. The plating was artistic and appetiz-ing.
That day, I was drinking ice tea,
and despite my having an empty glass for most of the meal, the only refill came after I paid the bill and was gathering my belongings to depart.
Dinner appetizers were uni-formly good. Brussels sprouts salad ($9) was a personal favor-ite. The sprouts had been sauteed with crispy pancetta, ricotta, mushrooms, caramelized onions and white balsamic vinegar. The mushrooms added little in flavor or texture, but overall it was an excel-lent starter.
One evening, my companion ordered the sformato di gamberi ($11), a flan of shrimp, asparagus and mascarpone blanketed with a shellfish bisque. Unfortunately, the waiter wrote the wrong item and my dining companion was deliv-ered an excellent shrimp cocktail ($13) instead, with fresh burrata mozzarella, chopped tomatoes and basil dressing.
Realizing his mistake, the waiter offered to bring the correct dish. My companion, though, was happy with the shrimp cocktail and told him so. A half hour later, when we
were three-quarters finished with our entrees, the waiter brought the sformato and plunked it on the ta-ble. We didn’t know what to make of that.
I am happier to report that the sformato patate ($11), a flan of po-tatoes, zucchini and mascarpone cheese with a “truffle parmesan
fondue,” was well-prepared, sa-vory, and gooey-delicious.
The house-made gnocchetti ($19) with duck ragu, parsley pesto and shaved Montasio cheese, a soft cow’s cheese from northeast Italy, was ambrosial. The ragu was meaty-lush and thick, the gnoc-chetti the size of miniature marsh-
Almost coolDespite a capable kitchen, Figo is not quite there yet
by Dale F. Bentson
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Sformato di gamberi.
Katie
Brig
ham
.
Page 44
Eating Out
STANFORD STROKE CENTERCommitted to the highest standards of stroke care
stanfordhospital.org/strokemonth
650.723.6469
WARNING SIGNS OF A STROKE
Sudden numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg (usually on one side)
Sudden trouble speaking or understanding others
Sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
Sudden, severe headache with no apparent cause
Sudden dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination
(especially if associated with any of the above symptoms)
For any sign of stroke CALL 911
HOSPITALS
NATIONALNEUROLOGY &
NEUROSURGERY
For more than 20 years, Stanford has provided the
most advanced patient care available for stroke. The
Stanford Stroke Center is the first program in the nation
to earn comprehensive stroke certification from the Joint
Commission, recognizing our leadership in stroke treatment
and research. Our comprehensive center continues to pioneer medical,
surgical and interventional therapies for treating and preventing stroke.
mallows and just as soft. Mouthwa-tering dish.
The pleasantly aromatic ag-nello scottadito ($28) was a rack of grass-fed Australian lamb with mushrooms and roasted potatoes. The four long-ribbed bones were plump with juicy meat despite their long voyage.
The grilled Mediterranean bran-zino filet ($26), skewered and en-veloped in artichoke hearts, was served with a cake of sauteed farro and vegetables. The fish was fresh and the slightly bitter artichokes coaxed out subtle flavors of the sea bass.
One visit I reserved just for the pizza. With house-made dough, the Figo pizza ($19) was topped with aged Parma prosciutto, house-made burrata mozzarella and wild arugula. When the pizza was deliv-ered, I drooled. Sadly, it was barely warm and cold by the time I got to the second slice. At that hour, there was only a handful of other diners: no reason for cold pizza.
As for desserts, I loved Figo’s take on tiramisu ($8). It was more pudding-like than the traditional cake and was served in a bowl in-stead of on a plate. Even so, all the ingredients were in evidence with a bit of added whimsy: a long lady-finger impaled in the cake.
Not so successful was the pista-chio panna cotta ($8). Panna cotta should be amongst the lightest of desserts. This version could have been cut with a knife and fork. It was dense, rubbery and unappeal-ing.
For libations, Figo boasts a full bar with specialty cocktails. On the wine side, labels are split be-tween the West Coast and Italy ex-cept for one inexplicable Argentine label. Prices are under control with bottles starting at $34. More than two dozen wines are available by the glass.
I am not sure where the dis-connect is at Figo. The kitchen is more than capable, the waitstaff sincere and friendly, the ambiance pleasing. It could be a lack of staff communication, lack of training, lack of restaurant instincts. Diners shouldn’t find experiences flawed on multiple visits. Figo could be one of the best places to dine down-town, but until they tighten up their service, it is just another place to eat on University Avenue.
Figo326 University Ave., Palo Alto
650-321-4075
figopaloalto.com
Lunch: Weekdays 11:30 a.m.-
2:30 p.m. Dinner: Mon.-Thurs.
5-10 p.m.; Fri. 5-11 p.m. Also
open Sat. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
and Sun. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Reservations
Credit cards
Lot parking
Alcohol
Takeout
Highchairs
Wheelchair access
Banquet
Catering
Outdoor seating
Noise level: Moderate
Bathroom Cleanliness: Good
Page 45
G U I D E TO 2013 S U M M E R C A M P S F O R K I D S
Academics
Early Learning Camp Connection listing Palo AltoWrite Now! Summer Writing Camps
Emerson School of Palo Alto and Hacienda School of Pleasanton open
their doors and offer their innovative programs: Expository Writing,
Creative Writing, Presentation Techniques, and (new!) Test-Taking Skills.
Call or visit our website for details.
www.headsup.org Emerson 650-424-1267
Hacienda 925-485-5750
Foothill College Los Altos HillsTwo Six-Week Summer Sessions Beginning June 10. These sessions are
perfect for university students returning from summer break who need
to pick up a class; and high school juniors, seniors and recent graduates
who want to get an early start. 12345 El Monte Rd.
www.foothill.edu 650-949-7362
Harker Summer Programs San JoseK-12 offerings taught by exceptional, experienced faculty and staff.
K-6 morning academics - focusing on math, language arts and sci-
ence - and full spectrum of afternoon recreation. Grades 6-12 for-credit
courses and non-credit enrichment opportunities. Sports programs
also offered.
www.summer.harker.org 408-553-0537
iD Tech Camps - Summer Tech Fun Held at StanfordTake interests further! Ages 7-17 create iPhone apps, video games, C++/
Java programs, movies, and more at weeklong, day and overnight pro-
grams held at Stanford and 60+ universities in 26 states. Also 2-week,
teen-only programs: iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy,
and iD Visual Arts Academy (filmmaking & photography).
www.internalDrive.com 1-888-709-TECH (8324)
iD Teen Academies Gaming, Programming & Visual Arts StanfordGain a competitive edge! Learn different aspects of video game cre-
ation, app development, filmmaking, photography, and more. 2-week
programs where ages 13-18 interact with industry professionals to gain
competitive edge. iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy, and
iD Visual Arts Academy are held at Stanford, and other universities.
www.iDTeenAcademies.com 1-888-709-TECH (8324)
Mathnasium of Palo Alto-Menlo Park Menlo ParkPrevent Summer Brain Drain with Mathnasium Power Math Workouts.
During the summer months, many students lose 2 to 2.5 months of math
skills learned during the school year. Mathnasium of Palo Alto-Menlo Park
is offering 8 and 16-Session Flexible Summer Passes which will keep your
child’s math skills sharp and provide a boost for the school year ahead.
Open to grades 1st - 10th grade. Summer Passes on sale now and expire
Sept. 7, 2013. Center located at 605 A Cambridge Avenue, Menlo Park
(next to the Oasis, one block north of Stanford Shopping Mall).
www.mathnasium.com/paloalto-menlopark 650-321-6284
Professional Tutoring Services of Silicon Valley Los AltosAcademic camps offering Algebra I & II, Geometry, and Spanish I to
III, small groups. Great for review or preview. Three sessions starting
June 24 through August 2. Perfect for junior high students taking high
school level courses. Register online or call us:
www.ptstutor.com 650-948-5137
Stanford EXPLORE Careers in Medicine and Science Series StanfordAre you a high school or college student interested in science, medicine
or healthcare but unsure what degrees or careers are available? Stan-
ford Explore has the answers!
explore.stanford.edu Email: [email protected]
Stratford School - Camp Socrates 17 Bay Area CampusesAcademic enrichment infused with traditional summer camp fun--
that’s what your child will experience at Camp Socrates. Sessions begin
June 24 and end August 9, with the option for campers to attend all
seven weeks, or the first four (June 24-July 19). Full or half-day morning
or afternoon programs are available.
www.StratfordSchools.com/Summer 650-493-1151
Summer at Saint Francis Mountain ViewSummer at Saint Francis provides a broad range of academic and ath-
letic programs for elementary through high school students. It is the
goal of every program to make summer vacation enriching and enjoy-
able!
www.sfhs.com/summer 650-968-1213 x446
TechKnowHow Computer Palo Alto & Lego Camps Menlo Park/SunnyvaleFun and enriching technology classes for students, ages 5-14 Courses
include LEGO and K’NEX Projects with Motors, Electronics, NXT Robot-
ics, 3D Modeling, and Game Design. Many locations, including Palo
Alto, Menlo Park and Sunnyvale. Half and all day options. Early-bird and
multi-session discounts available.
Www.techknowhowkids.com 650-638-0500
YMCA of Silicon Valley PeninsulaWhat makes Y camps different? We believe every child deserves the op-portunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Y camp-ers experience the outdoors, make new friends and have healthy fun in a safe, nurturing environment. They become more confident and grow as individuals, and they learn value in helping others. We offer day, overnight, teen leadership and family camps. Financial assistance is available. Get your summer camp guide at ymcasv.org/summer camp. Youth camps (ages 5 - 17) run June 17 - Aug. 16 . Half-day and full-day options. Fees vary. 1922 The Alameda 3rd Floor, San Josewww.ymcasv.org 408-351-6400
Arts, Culture, Other Camps
Busy Bees & Astro Kids Summer Mountain View Adventure CampsJoin us for these half-day camps designed for 3-8 year olds as we have fun, participate in games and crafts, and go on fun field trips! Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Avenuehttp://mountainview.gov
Community School Mountain View of Music and Arts (CSMA)50+ creative camps for Gr. K-8! Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Musical Theater, School of Rock, Digital Arts, more! One- and two-week sessions; full and half-day enrollment. Extended care available. Financial aid offered. www.arts4all.org 650-917-6800 ext. 0
DHF Wilderness Camps Rancho San Antonio Open Space PreserveChildren ages 6-14 can meet the livestock, help with farm chores, ex-plore a wilderness preserve and have fun with crafts, songs and games. Older campers conclude the week with a sleepover at the Farm. Near the intersection of Hwy 85 and Hwy 280mountainview.gov
Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC) Palo AltoPACCC summer camps offer campers, grades kindergarten to 6th, a wide variety of fun opportunities! K-1 Fun for the youngest campers, Neigh-borhood Adventure Fun and Ultimate Adventure Fun for the more ac-tive and on-the-go campers! New this year: Sports Adventure Camp for those young athletes and Operation Chef for out of this world cooking fun! Swimming twice per week, periodic field trips, special visitors and many engaging camp activities, songs and skits round out the fun offer-ings of PACCC Summer Camps! Registration is online. Open to campers from all communities! Come join the fun in Palo Alto!www.paccc.org 650-493-2361
Theatreworks Summer Camps Palo AltoIn these entertaining camps for grades K-5, students enjoy juggling, clowning, puppetry, playwriting, acting, improvisation, music, and dance - present their own original pieces at the end of each session.www.theatreworks.org/learn/youth/camps 650-493-7146
Western Ballet Mountain View Children’s Summer CampStudents attend ballet class and rehearsal in preparation for the recital of either Peter Pan or The Little Mermaid at the end of the two week ses-sion. Separate Saturday classes are also offered. Ages 4-9. 914 N. Reng-storff Ave, Mountain Viewhttp://westernballet.org/documents/summerchildrens.html
Western Ballet Mountain View Intermediate Summer IntensiveStudents obtain high quality training in ballet, pointe, character, jazz, and modern dance, while learning choreography from the classical bal-let Paquita. The students dance in featured roles in a final performance. Ages 9-12. Audition required 914 N. Rengstorff Ave, Mountain Viewhttp://westernballet.org/documents/summerpre-intermediate.html
Western Ballet Mountain View Advanced Summer IntensiveStudents obtain high quality training in ballet, pointe, character, jazz, and modern dance, while learning choreography from the classical bal-let Paquita. The students dance in featured roles in a final performance. Ages 13-23. Audition required. 914 N. Rengstorff Ave, Mountain Viewhttp://westernballet.org/documents/summer_int_adv.html
Athletics
Alan Margot’s Tennis Camps AthertonAlan Margot’s Tennis Camps provide an enjoyable way for your child to be-gin learning the game of tennis or to continue developing existing skills. Our approach is to create lots of fun with positive feedback and reinforce-ment in a nurturing tennis environment. Building self-esteem and confi-dence through enjoyment on the tennis court is a wonderful gift a child can keep forever! Super Juniors Camps, ages 3-6; Juniors Camps, ages 6-14.www.alanmargot-tennis.net 650-400-0464
City of Mountain View Mountain View Recreation DivisionDiscover fun with us this summer through the many programs available with the City of Mountain View Recreation Division. From sports to tra-ditional day camps, to cooking camps, dance camps and art camps... we have it all! Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Avenuehttp://mountainview.gov
City of Mountain View Swim Lessons Mountain View
Rengstorff and Eagle ParksWe offer swim lessons for ages 6 months to 14 years. Following the
American Red Cross swim lesson program, students are divided into one
of the 11 different levels taught by a certified instructor. Rengstorff Park
Pool, 201 S Rengstorff Ave and Eagle Park Pool,650 Franklin St.
http://mountainview.gov/
Club Rec Juniors & Seniors Mountain ViewClub Rec Juniors and Seniors is open for youth 6-11 years old. These tra-
ditional day camps are filled with fun theme weeks, weekly trips, swim-
ming, games, crafts and more! Monta Loma Elementary School, 490
Thompson Ave.
http://mountainview.gov
Foothills Day Camp Palo AltoWhat will you discover? Foothills Day and Fun Camps, for youth ages
8-10 and 5-7 respectively, includes canoeing, hiking, animal identifica-
tion games, crafts, and more- all for less than $5 an hour. Registration
begins February 15th for residents. (February 22nd for non-residents.)
Hurry, spaces are limited!
cityofpaloalto.org/enjoy 650-463-4900
J-Camp Palo AltoExciting programs for kindergartners through teens include swimming,
field trips, sports and more. Enroll your child in traditional or special
focus camps like Surfing, Archery, Animal Adventure, Circus Camp and
over 50 others! Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way
www.paloaltojcc.org/jcamp 650-223-8622
Kim Grant Tennis Academy Palo Alto
& Summer Camps Menlo Park/Redwood CityFun and Specialized junior camps for Mini (3-5), Beginner, Intermedi-
ate 1&2, Advanced and Elite Players. Weekly programs designed by Kim
Grant to improve players technique, fitness, agility, mental toughness
and all around tennis game. Camps in Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Red-
wood City. Come make new friends and have tons of FUN!!
www.KimGrantTennis.com 650-752-8061
Nike Tennis Camps Stanford UniversityDick Gould’s 43rd Annual Stanford Tennis School offers day camps for
both juniors & adults. Weekly junior overnight & extended day camps
run by John Whitlinger & Lele Forood. Junior Day Camp run by Brandon
Coupe & Frankie Brennan.
www.USSportsCamps.com/tennis 1-800-NIKE-CAMP (645-3226)
Spartans Sports CampSpartans Sports Camp offers multi-sport, week-long sessions for boys
and girls in grades 3-6 as well as sport-specific sessions for grades 6-9.
There are also strength and conditioning camps for grades 6-12. Camps
begin June 10th and run weekly through August 2nd at Mountain View
High School. The camp is run by MVHS coaches and student-athletes
and all proceeds benefit the MVHS Athletic Department. Lunch and ex-
tended care are available for your convenience. Register today!
www. SpartansSportsCamp.com 650-479-5906
Spring Down Camp Equestrian Center Portola ValleySpring Down Camp teaches basic to advanced horsemanship skills.
Ages 6-99 welcome! Daily informative lecture, riding lesson, supervised
hands-on ski-ll practice, safety around horses, tacking/untacking of own
camp horse, and arts/crafts.
www.springdown.com 650-851-1114
Stanford Water Polo Camps StanfordAges 7 and up. New to sport or have experience, we have a camp for
you. Half day or Full day option for boys and girls. All the camps offer
fundamental skill work, position work, scrimmages and games.
StanfordWaterPoloCamps.com 650-725-9016
Summer at Saint Francis Mountain ViewSports & Activity Camp (ages 6-12): This all-sports camp provides group
instruction in a variety of field, water and court games. Saint Francis fac-
ulty and students staff the camp, and the focus is always on fun. The
program is dedicated to teaching teamwork, sportsmanship and posi-
tive self-esteem. After camp care and swim lessons available.
www.sfhs.com/summer 650-968-1213 x650
Summer at Saint Francis Mountain ViewAdvanced Sports Camps (5th-9th grades): We offer a wide selection of
advanced sports camps designed to provide players with the opportu-
nity to improve both their skills and knowledge of a specific sport. Each
camp is run by a Head Varsity Coach at Saint Francis, and is staffed by
members of the coaching staff.
www.sfhs.com/summer 650-968-1213 x650
For more information about these camps, see our online directory of camps at http://paloaltoonline.com/biz/summercamps/
To advertise in a weekly directory, contact 650-326-8210
Page 46
by Elena Kadvany
“One Summer in Arkansas” by Marcia Kemp Sterling; Archelaus Press; 349 pages; $14.95
I n “One Summer in Arkansas,” the world of Silicon Valley — tech firms, the Stanford Dish, Stanford Law School, Woodside Bakery, College
Terrace in Palo Alto — collides and contrasts with that of Riverton, a small town in Arkansas where
humidity, Southern values and lingering remnants of segrega-tion reign.
In Marcia Kemp Sterling’s first novel, the link between these two worlds is Stanford Law School graduate Lee Addison, a small-town Arkansas boy turned Dish-running, type-A personality who returns to his hometown for a summer to spend time with his mother and sister before he moves to San Francisco.
Addison, never one to stand still, works at a Riverton law firm for the summer. His main case is a “racially-charged” one: A young black boy, Dewaine Washington,
drowns at a local swimming reservoir amidst many unanswered questions. Was Dewaine drinking with
Title PagesA monthly section on local books and authors
Book TalkEARLY PALO ALTO JIVES ... Andrew J. Bernstein gives a first-hand account
of the Palo Alto music scene in his new
book, “California Slim: The Music, the
Magic, and the Madness,” which re-
counts his career from 1962 to 1980. As
a teenager, Bernstein studied banjo with
Jerry Garcia and later produced light
shows for Bill Graham at Fillmore West,
where B.B. King, the original Fleetwood
Mac and the Grateful Dead performed.
His own Palo Alto nightclub, Homer’s
Warehouse, was a local music center.
In the late ‘70s he joined the crew bus
of the legendary Willie Nelson and was
at the premier party for the launch of
Nelson’s “Honeysuckle Rose.” Bernstein
was born in San Francisco and raised in
Palo Alto. His book is available locally.
EAT, DRINK, TALK, SWAP ... Kepler’s
hosts a mystery bookswap with food
and wine at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May
18, at 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park.
Bring a favorite mystery to talk about
with others and swap at the end of the
evening. Information: www.keplers.com
MEET THE AUTHORS ... Upcoming au-
thors at Keplers include Jeanne DuPrau,
“City of Ember Deluxe Edition,” (May 17,
7 p.m.); Rachel Hawkins, “School Spir-
its,” (May 18, 4 p.m.); Jennie Shortridge in conversation with Erica Bauermeis-ter, “Love Water Memory” and “The Lost
Art of Mixing” (May 22, 7:30 p.m.); Kevin Smokler, “Practical Classics: 50 Rea-
sons to Reread 50 Books You Haven’t
Touched Since High School,” (May 23,
7:30 p.m.); George Estreich, “The Shape
of the Eye: A Memoir,” (June 1, 2 p.m.);
Karen Kang, “Branding Pays: The 5-Step
System to Reinvent Your Personal
Brand,” (June 5, 7:30 p.m.); Mike Adam-ick, “Dad’s Book of Awesome Projects:
From Stilts and Super-Hero Capes to
Tinker Boxes and Seesaws, 25+ Fun Do-
It-Yourself Projects for Families,” (June 9,
2 p.m.); Elizabeth Scarboro, “My Foreign
Cities: A Memoir,” (June 11, 7:30 p.m.);
and Helene Wrecker, “The Golem and
the Jinni,” (June 12, 7:30 p.m.). Informa-
tion: www.keplers.com
BOOKS INC ... Upcoming authors at
Books Inc. at Town & Country Village in
Palo Alto include Meg Donohue, “All the
Summer Girls” (May 21, 7 p.m.); and Bee Ridgway, “The River of No Return” (May
30, 7 p.m.) Information: www.booksinc.net
MORE TALKS ... Milton Chang, manag-
ing director of Incubic Management LLC
and author of “Toward Entrepreneur-
ship,” will describe a low-risk startup
model based on more than a dozen
companies he has successfully incu-
bated from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on May 30 at
the George E. Pake Auditorium, PARC,
3333 Coyote Hill Road, Palo Alto. In-
formation: www.parc.com/event/1885/
every-startup-can-succeed.html The
“Life Actually Tour” features three au-
thors and their three books: “The Year
of Luminous Love” by Lurlene McDaniel,
“The Things a Brother Knows” by Dana
Reinhardt and “The Running Dream” by
Wendeline Van Draanen. Friday, May
24, at 7:30 p.m. at Kepler’s on 1010 El
Camino Real, Menlo Park.
Items for Book Talk may be sent to Associate Editor Carol Blitzer, Palo Alto Weekly, P.O Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 93202 or emailed to [email protected] by the last Friday of the month. Marcia Kemp Sterling, an Arkansas-transplant who lives in Palo Alto, wrote about both places in her first novel, “One Summer in Arkansas.”
(continued on next page)
Katie Brigham
Page 47
Title Pages
friends (beer bottles were found at the reser-voir)? Had he gotten in a fight with Hispanic kids (who are known to hang out at the river bend “despite of the distaste felt by some about the Bend’s new multiracial and multi-cultural mix”)? Was the city at fault for not replacing warning signs about diving into the reservoir?
Though Addison thinks he’s dedicated to IPOs and Silicon Valley-style law, he be-comes determined to find out what really happened to Dewaine, uncovering layers of racism and corruption along the way.
“The segregated South was so much a part of my childhood,” said Sterling, who grew up in Texarkana, Ark., a small town on the border of Texas and Arkansas, and now lives in Palo Alto. Sterling’s father, a doctor, had a white waiting room in the front of his office and a black one in the back. There were four high schools in Texarkana — two white, two black. Sterling said she never saw the black schools.
A central character in the novel — a black woman named Etta who befriends Addison — was also drawn from Sterling’s childhood. Etta’s character is based on a black woman named Odessa who worked for Sterling’s fa-ther. Odessa, who Sterling described as a “re-sourceful, smart ... community organizer be-fore they existed” once challenged Sterling’s father, informing him that his new wife was calling black patients “boy” and “girl.”
Odessa told him on a Friday and on Mon-day, Sterling’s father called an all-staff meet-ing.
“He said, ‘From now on in this office, we will not call our colored patients boy or girl because they consider that disrespectful.’ Odessa was really proud of that and proud of
my father, who for most purposes was quite conservative.”
Despite the heavy themes of race and jus-tice, “One Summer in Arkansas” is also a tale of summer love. Addison struggles to choose between a relationship with Zoe, a fellow law student back in Palo Alto who often appears via cell phone conversations, and a rekindled love with his high school sweetheart, Annie.
A related and very present theme is that of place, belonging and the feel-ing of being torn between two worlds.
Addison is stuck between the fast-paced, educated, prosperous, health-conscious world of Silicon Valley and “the thick Arkansas humidity, heavy with legions of ances-tors and the guilt-filled his-tory of the South.”
Riverton seems to be a fic-tional version of Sterling’s hometown and Addison a literary reflection, in some ways, of her own life.
Sterling’s grandfather was a lawyer, as is Addison’s (whose legal legacy is brought in for a surprising end twist).
Addison’s mother, Frances, is a function-ing alcoholic whose life philosophy is deeply rooted in Southern social values and acute class consciousness. In Addison’s words: “It didn’t matter how little money you had as long as everyone else thought you were loaded.”
Sterling said her mother’s side of the fam-ily (who were Methodist circuit riders, clergy who rode on horseback around Arkansas to
preach and organize congregations) had some relatives who, like Frances, “overly cared about social status.”
Addison’s father left Frances when he and his younger sister, M.J., were too young to remember. They grew up in a house their maternal grandparents built during the Great Depression: a three-story brick Southern mansion, complete with white columns and a circular driveway — a symbol of their wealth, race and social status.
Sterling left her home in Texarkana for Palo Alto in the ‘60s, mar-rying the “wrong man” and, like Frances, even-tually ending up with two young children to support on her own.
Three days after her ex-husband left, one of Sterling’s Palo Alto neighbors, a University of San Francisco law student, brought her con-solation in the form of an LSAT study book.
“I would wake up in the middle of the night, depressed, thinking,
‘What’s going to become of my kids? What’s going to become of me?’” she recalled. “And I would get out that book and I would say to myself, ‘I may not know how to keep a hus-band, but I can take a test.’”
She said she saw law school and eventual legal career as a way to guarantee financial support for her children.
Sterling aced the LSAT and was accepted to Stanford Law in the late 1960s as a 38-year-old woman. She went on to work at Wil-
son Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, a law firm in Palo Alto that represented many software companies such as Microsoft, Adobe and Au-todesk in their early years.
Sterling served as senior vice president and general counsel for Autodesk until a neuro-logical voice disorder forced her to retire ear-ly. She suddenly developed a rare, localized form of spasmodic dysphonia, which causes tremor and loss of pitch, leaving her voice shaky and sometimes hard to understand. This made running high-profile executive meetings impossible.
“It’s the damndest thing. For a female ex-ecutive, the one thing you cannot afford is to appear scared or upset.”
Addison, too, is forced to confront serious personal issues in his coming-of-age story: his mother’s alcoholism, an absent father and a troubled teen sister who also drinks reck-lessly.
Sterling’s personal struggles — a husband who left her, raising two children on her own, her speech disorder — run parallel to that.
“Part of the theme of the book is that even when bad things happen, something new comes out of it,” she said. “Not that you ask for tragedy or health problems or divorce, but any kind of loss is going to give you some-thing new.”
Sterling believes in silver linings. Because of her divorce, she became a lawyer. Because of her voice disorder, she had to find a new way to express herself and wrote this novel. The cast of characters in “One Summer in Arkansas,” despite any differences in race, class or background, all manage to find their own silver linings, too, right in time for the end of the summer.
Editorial Assistant Elena Kadvany can be emailed at [email protected].
Bouquet T H E S M U I N S P R I N G DANCE S E R I E S
S P R I N G
“THE PERFECT PIECE FOR SPRING!”
ATLANTA MAGAZINE
on PETAL
“ONE OF SMUIN’S LOVELIEST BALLETS”
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
on CHANTS D’AUVERGNE
“THE SMUIN DANCERSARE EXCELLENT.”
THE NEW YORK TIMES
“(SMUIN BALLET)IS NOT TO BE MISSED, WHETHER YOU ARE A DANCE FAN OR NOT.”
7X7 MAGAZINE
MOUNTAIN VIEW
CENTER FOR THE
PERFORMING ARTS
650.903.6000
MAY 22-26
smuinballet.org
A SHOWER OF FRESH AND COLORFUL BALLETS
CHANTS D’AUVERGNE
JAZZIN’ / PETAL
GREAT SEATSARE STILLAVAILABLE!
Dancer: Susan Roemer, Photographer: Keith Sutter
(continued from previous page)
Page 48
BRIDGING THE 30 MILLION WORD GAP
DURING THE MONTHS OF APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE 2013,SERENO GROUP PALO ALTO WILL BE CONTRIBUTING 1% OF THEIR GROSS COMMISSIONS TO BRING ME A BOOK.
PALO ALTO
Learn more about their programs, or how you can get involved at BRINGMEABOOK.ORG
SERENOGROUP.COM/ONEPERCENT
Page 49
erikademma.comDRE# 01230766
ERIKA DEMMA
margotlockwood.comDRE# 01017519
MARGOT LOCKWOOD
l
OPEN SUNDAY, MAY 19
in a
Page 50
Abigail - Call for Private Viewing: Los Altos Office: 650-949-1909 Cell: GreggAnn 415–203-3007 or Abby 650-303-6773
Page 51
Page 52