Recent news headlines from Palo Alto Online
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Dramatic finish goes against Stanford
Toby Gerhart rewrote the Stanford record books with his four-touchdown performance, but no one bothered to ask him about it after Stanford's 34-28 loss to visiting California in the 112th Big Game in front of a record crowd (50,510) at the renovated stadium. "This one hurts," he said. "Everybody takes pride in winning this game. The season has been decent and getting to a bowl game is nice but we had greater goals than that."
(Saturday, 10:00 PM)

Menlo, SHP advance in CCS football playoffs
Menlo School on Saturday won its first-ever Central Coast Section football playoff game. Meanwhile, just down the street and at the same time, Sacred Heart Prep's handiwork on both sides of the ball delivered the Gators a playoff victory. The result of both first-round triumphs is a date next week in the semifinals of the CCS Division IV playoffs at a date and neutral site to be determined. It will be the second time the two teams have met in the CCS playoffs. (Saturday, 7:53 PM)

Guard play impressive in 30-point hoops win
Stanford wins Big Splash in men's water polo

The friendship between Jeremy Green and Jarrett Mann off the court has been just as effective on the court for the Stanford men's basketball team. Green scored 21 points, Mann handled 11 points and six assists and the Cardinal beat Florida A&M, 99-69, on Saturday as part of the Cancun Challenge. (Saturday, 5:59 PM)

Man shot, wounded at Bayfront and University
A 27-year-old man was shot while driving through Menlo Park about 10 p.m. Friday night, near Bayfront Expressway and University Avenue, police reported this morning. (Saturday, 9:59 AM)

Bells run over Paly in CCS football opener, 34-6
Palo Alto head coach Earl Hansen knew Bellarmine would run the ball when his Vikings took on the Bells in the first round of the Central Coast Section Open Division football playoffs on Friday night. Hansen just didn't know how well. (Saturday, 8:21 AM)

Friday, November 20, 2009
Noyola turns free kick into free ride to NCAA soccer quarterfinals
Palo Alto grad Teresa Noyola scored on a free kick late in the first half and it held up for the Stanford women's soccer team, which held on to beat visiting Santa Clara, 1-0, in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament on Friday night. The top-ranked Cardinal (23-0) hosts Boston College next weekend in the quarterfinals.
(Friday, 8:58 PM)

Klineman sets Stanford up for five-set victory
Stanford swimmers lead Toshiba Classic

Alix Klineman recorded 23 kills and 10 digs, but it may have been her one assist that helped save the night for the Stanford women's volleyball team on Friday night. The seventh-ranked Cardinal recovered from a deficit in the fourth set and went on to beat host Arizona, 25-18, 24-26, 21-25, 25-21, 15-7, in a Pac-10 contest. (Friday, 8:38 PM)

Former Paly student competes for Miss California as 'Miss Palo Alto'
Former Palo Alto High School student-body president Amy Rogg will be vying for the crown in this weekend's Miss California USA pageant in Rancho Mirage, which is near Palm Springs. Rogg, 23, is competing as "Miss Palo Alto."

(Friday, 7:21 PM)

Kevin Skelly is 'taking these matters seriously'
"I am taking these matters seriously," Palo Alto schools Superintendent Kevin Skelly told the Weekly Friday relating to allegations of inappropriate methods used by Palo Alto High School administrators pursuing "egg wars" participants. (Friday, 5:52 PM)

Paly hosts event for 'survivors of suicide loss'
Palo Alto High School will be a host site for the "National Survivors of Suicide Loss Day" Saturday starting at 9 a.m. The event is sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (Friday, 3:26 PM)

Under the rainbow
A lone horse chews on grass in a field beside Page Mill Road Friday while a rainbow hangs overhead. Photo by Veronica Weber/Palo Alto Online. (Friday, 3:19 PM)

Sherman Avenue development put on hold
A proposal for a new four-story mixed-use building at 385 Sherman Ave. is on hold after the Palo Alto Architectural Review Board Thursday morning listed several conditions to be met before further review after several nearby residents reiterated concerns about the project. (Friday, 12:16 PM)

Saturday's Big Game will be aired live at the United States Embassy in Toyko
Prison tennis, The Fall League and more

Big Game parties are not confined to the Bay Area, California, or even the United States. The most notable will be taking place 5,000 miles away, in a U.S. Embassy before a head of state. Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will be a guest of U.S. Ambassador John Roos and his wife Susie Roos for a special live telecast in Tokyo of the Big Game over the Armed Forces Network. Why the interest? They all went to Stanford. (Friday, 11:59 AM)

Man, 20, killed in East Palo Alto shooting
A 20-year-old man was killed in an apparent drive-by shooting in East Palo Alto Thursday afternoon, according to police. (Friday, 9:38 AM)

Ho-ho hum?
Low sales and high unemployment numbers in Silicon Valley could signal a poor spending season for already struggling retailers. Owners of some Palo Alto shops are reporting a 10 percent decline in sales over last year and express grave concerns for the bottom lines. Photos by Veronica Weber and Shawn Fender/Palo Alto Online. Related stories:
■ Shoppers look to celebrate holidays on a slimmer budget (Friday, 8:49 AM)

Shoppers look to celebrate holidays on a slimmer budget
When it comes to holiday cheer, more people this year are saying that money doesn't necessarily buy happiness. (Friday, 8:48 AM)

Thursday, November 19, 2009
Movie review: Precious
Of all the films released in 2009, "Precious" is most likely to stick in your craw, pitch a tent and refuse to leave. In adapting Sapphire's novel, screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher and director Lee Daniels put front and center an everyday unsung hero, her horrifying circumstances and her dark, narrow path toward something better. (Thursday, 10:09 PM)

Movie review: Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
"Bad" doesn't even begin to describe the behavior of New Orleans Police Lt. Terence McDonaugh (Nicholas Cage), protagonist of Werner Herzog's "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans." (Thursday, 10:07 PM)

Movie review: The Blind Side
"The Blind Side" is sure-fire popular entertainment, reassuringly warm and cuddly fare for the holiday season. Social blights are faced down and told their place, underdogs become winners, and a black man becomes part of a white family. (Thursday, 10:05 PM)

Pedersen leads Stanford women in a home-opening victory
Kayla Pedersen scored 22 points and had nine rebounds in helping the Stanford women's basketball to a 99-50 victory over visiting Pepperdine in its home opener on Thursday night. Jeanette Pohlen added 20 points as the second-ranked Cardinal (3-0) won its 11th consecutive home opener. Jayne Appel had 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
(Thursday, 9:53 PM)

Stanford wins NCAA men's soccer tournament opener; first appearance in seven years
Bobby Warshaw and Adam Jahn were named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com national teams of the year earlier in the day. They both contributed to Stanford's 3-0 victory over visiting St. Mary's in the first round of the NCAA tournament later Thursday night.

(Thursday, 9:37 PM)

Weekly announces new online 'virtual edition'
A new enhanced digital version of the Palo Alto Weekly will now be available on Palo Alto Online. (Thursday, 5:33 PM)

Menlo boys, M-A girls have good shots at CCS revenge
If this season's Central Coast Section water polo championships are about anything, it would be having a second chance. At least that's how the Menlo School boys and Menlo-Atherton girls likely see it. Both teams lost their respective section championship games last season. Menlo fell to Sacred Heart Prep., 6-3, in the Division II finale and the M-A girls dropped a 7-6 overtime decision to St. Francis in Division I. (Thursday, 5:23 PM)

Stanford's Derrick eyes another run of success at NCAAs
Stanford sophomore Chris Derrick figures to be pretty familiar with the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute, Ind., by now. He's run the course quite a few times, including as a high school senior. He'll be looking to establish personal bests to go with the Cardinal team goal of winning a national title when the final race commences on the dedicated cross-country course on Monday morning. (Thursday, 5:09 PM)

Stanford's bowl game possibilities looking good
Good afternoon and welcome to the college football show we like to call "What Happens If." It's really rather simple. We predict an outcome, say Stanford beating California this Saturday in the Big Game and try to decipher the possible bowl opportunities. (Thursday, 5:01 PM)

There will be more at stake in Big Game than just the Axe
There have been stranger weeks leading up to the Big Game than this one, but it would be difficult to find. Stanford is favored by a touchdown and who would have thought that at the beginning of the season? California was the nationally-ranked team back then, with dreams of Pac-10 titles and the BCS championship series dancing in its heads. Stanford? The Cardinal would have been lucky to win six games and play in a mid-December bowl game. These days it's the Cardinal that is dreaming of a New Year's Day Bowl. (Thursday, 4:37 PM)

As funds fall, Palo Alto cuts managers' benefits
Palo Alto's professional and management workers will give up their bonus payments, receive no salary increases and pay for a greater share of their medical premiums under a new compensation plan the City Council approved this week. (Thursday, 3:59 PM)

At long last, supermarket opens in East Palo Alto
The supermarket chain Mi Pueblo opened a 35,000-square-foot store in East Palo Alto last Saturday, filling a gaping shopping hole that has existed for three decades in the multicultural city. (Thursday, 3:48 PM)

Parents demand probe of 'egg war' investigation
Angry Palo Alto High School parents are calling for a probe by the school board and district superintendent into how Paly officials conducted a two-week investigation of the Oct. 27 "egg wars" fight behind Gunn High School. Related stories:
■ Palo Alto High principal reflects on 'egg wars'
■ Paly delegation apologizes to Gunn for egg fight
■ Paly students face suspensions for egg fight (Thursday, 3:43 PM)

This weekend's events (Nov. 21-22)
Market: East Palo Alto Farmers' Market
Rain or shine, the East Palo Alto Community Farmers' Market is scheduled for Saturday (Nov. 21) from 2 to 5 p.m. The market is set to continue weekly through Dec. 19 at the City Hall and library, 2415 University Ave.
Dance benefit: Party for Global Heritage Fund
On Saturday (Nov. 21), a dance party to benefit the Palo Alto-based Global Heritage Fund takes place at the Illusions Fayrouz Dining & Entertainment club, 260 S. California Ave., Palo Alto. The party is from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and for ages 21 and over, with donations $20 and up accepted at the door.
Art: Open studio
The 19 artists of Cubberley Studios are hosting an open house on Sunday (Nov. 22) from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. (Thursday, 3:38 PM)

Today's events (Nov. 20)
Music: Holiday symphony concert
The Peninsula Symphony performs holiday concerts tonight (Nov. 20) at 8 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 1:30 p.m. at Stanford University's Memorial Church. The program includes selections from Bach's "Christmas Oratorio."
Exhibit: 'Meccano-Mania'
Today (Nov. 20), the Museum of American Heritage at 351 Homer Ave. in Palo Alto opens its new exhibit of metal models by modeler Charlie Pack. Pieces in the free show include a Ferris wheel and a cable-car railway. (Thursday, 3:37 PM)

Paly's next volleyball win could be biggest ever
M-A, SHP and Castilleja all reach CCS finals

The Mitty girls' volleyball team is ranked No. 1 in the nation, with a 35-0 record. The Monarchs have won six straight Central Coast Section titles, failing to do so only once this decade. Palo Alto, however, is not afraid of the Big Bad Wolf. (Thursday, 9:42 AM)

East Palo Alto man shot in knee on way to store
A 51-year-old East Palo Alto resident who said he had just left his home to walk to a store was shot in his left knee Wednesday night in an apparent drive-by shooting, police said. (Thursday, 12:31 AM)

New hotels reserving space in Palo Alto
If Palo Alto is slogging through a recession, hotel developers apparently didn't get the memo. Three new hotel proposals would add 350 rooms, to produce tax revenues for the city. (Thursday, 12:05 AM)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Green busts out for Stanford in losing cause
The Stanford men's basketball team valiantly fought from behind in both halves and yet could only watch as Roderick Pearson's running jumper swished through the net as time expired, giving Oral Roberts an 83-81 victory over the Cardinal as part of the Cancun Classic on Wednesday night. (Wednesday, 10:08 PM)

Tomorrow's events (Nov. 20)
Music: 'Bolcom Meets Strauss'
Music by Richard Strauss and by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer William Bolcom will be featured tomorrow (Nov. 20) in an 8 p.m. concert by the New Century Chamber Orchestra. The performance is at First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto.
Exhibit: 'Meccano-Mania'
Tomorrow (Nov. 20), the Museum of American Heritage at 351 Homer Ave. in Palo Alto opens its new exhibit of metal models by modeler Charlie Pack. Pieces in the free show include a Ferris wheel and a cable-car railway. (Wednesday, 4:49 PM)

Today's events (Nov. 19)
Theater: 'My Sister Eileen'
Two sisters from Ohio move to the '40s big city in "My Sister Eileen," a play being performed at Foothill College's Lohman Theatre tonight (Nov. 19) through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. The play later became the framework for the Leonard Bernstein musical "Wonderful Town."
Author: Susan Van Allen
Tonight (Nov. 19) at 7 p.m., Susan Van Allen gives a free talk on her book "100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go." The event is at Books Inc., 855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto. (Wednesday, 4:48 PM)

What's happening? Enter Chipotle and T-Mobile
A new Chipotle restaurant, with additional commercial space to be rented out to T-Mobile, will open in Palo Alto Friday (Nov. 20) on El Camino Real a block north of Page Mill Road/Oregon Expressway. Photos by Shawn Fender/Palo Alto Online. (Wednesday, 4:13 PM)

Police: Sexual assault victim 'uncooperative'
The victim of a Nov. 12 sexual assault by two men near the footbridge to Palo Alto at the southern end of Alma Street in Menlo Park is being "very, very uncooperative" with investigators from the Menlo Park Police Department, police said. (Wednesday, 12:13 PM)

Dawkins garners top recruiting class
The present may look bleak for the Stanford men's basketball team at this moment in time. The future, however, brings the things that high expectations are made of. While the final results won't be known for five years, the current group of five recruits who signed letters of intent has already been rated as one of the best in the country. (Wednesday, 12:03 PM)

Paly, Gunn to host panel on teen mental health
A panel of physicians and mental health professionals will discuss teen mental health and wellness at Palo Alto High School tonight (Thursday). (Wednesday, 11:20 AM)

Dog owners want more play space for pets
Palo Alto's dog owners Tuesday called on the city to change its leash law so their pets could run off-leash in parks and schools at certain hours of the day when few people were around. The discussion at Jordan Middle School marked the city's first formal step in a process to address recreational opportunities for dog-owners and dogs. (Wednesday, 11:10 AM)

SHP, Menlo meet in boys' CCS water polo final
Menlo-Atherton boys bounced by St. Francis

For the past 12 years, either Menlo or Sacred Heart Prep (or both) have played in the Central Coast Section Division II boys' water polo finals. That number jumps to 13 this week now that the Knights and Gators have reached the championship match once again. (Wednesday, 9:58 AM)

Edgewood meeting mends fences
Neighbors of Edgewood Plaza, the historic yet dilapidated Joseph Eichler shopping center along Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto, met with developer Sand Hill Property to discuss potential plans for redeveloping the center at a community meeting on Tuesday night. (Wednesday, 9:56 AM)

School parcel tax renewal may hit April 6 ballot
Palo Alto School Superintendent Kevin Skelly is recommending an April 6 election to seek renewal and increase of the school district's $493 annual parcel tax. (Wednesday, 9:56 AM)

Palo Alto fights downtown vacancies
Seeking to save downtown Palo Alto from a spreading rash of vacancy signs, city officials have tweaked the zoning rules to give property owners near University Avenue more flexibility in choosing their tenants. (Wednesday, 9:54 AM)

Rapist gets 25 to life for Mountain View attack
San Jose resident Melchor Paredes was sentenced last week to 25 years to life in prison for the 2007 rape of a young woman on Terra Bella Avenue in Mountain View. (Wednesday, 9:22 AM)

Tomorrow's events (Nov. 19)
Theater: 'My Sister Eileen'
Two sisters from Ohio move to the '40s big city in "My Sister Eileen," a play being performed at Foothill College's Lohman Theatre tomorrow (Nov. 19) through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. The play later became the framework for the Leonard Bernstein musical "Wonderful Town."
Author: Susan Van Allen
Tomorrow (Nov. 19) at 7 p.m., Susan Van Allen gives a free talk on her book "100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go." The event is at Books Inc., 855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto. (Wednesday, 8:49 AM)

Today's events (Nov. 18)
Talk: 'After the Fall of the Wall'
Peter Schneider, author of "The Wall Jumper" and "The German Comedy," gives a free talk tonight (Nov. 18) titled "How Happy are the Germans Twenty Years After the Fall of the Wall?" The event is at 5 p.m. in Levinthal Hall at Stanford University's Humanities Center.
Theater: 'Apocalypse Cal'
"Gaities 2009: Apocalypse Cal," a Stanford University student-written and -directed musical, is performed the week of the Big Game against U.C. Berkeley, running tonight (Nov. 18) through Nov. 20 from 8 to 10 p.m. at Stanford's Memorial Auditorium. (Wednesday, 8:48 AM)

Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Godsoe named top swimmer again
The Big Sail goes to Stanford

Stanford senior Eugene Godsoe was named the national collegeswimming.com's swimmer of the week for the second time this season following his triple-distance trifecta at Cal last week. (Tuesday, 5:27 PM)

A move backward became a step forward for Stanford men
Stanford's Simon named Pac-10 Coach of Year

The season started like so many of the previous six years. No goals and a loss and no NCAA tournament berth. Stanford is finishing its men's soccer season with its first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2002, when the Cardinal reached the championship game against UCLA. Should Stanford and the Bruins continue winning, there could be a rematch.
(Tuesday, 3:43 PM)

VIDEO/MULTIMEDIA
A compilation of video content from the Palo Alto Weekly and Palo Alto Online staff. (Tuesday, 3:32 PM)

Armed men invade, rob Menlo Park home
Two men armed with semiautomatic handguns confronted a resident outside his home in the 700 block of Pierce Road at around 6:30 p.m. Monday night, forced him inside the home, and held him and his girlfriend at gunpoint while they looted "several electronic items and an undisclosed amount of cash," according to Menlo Park police. (Tuesday, 3:30 PM)

Expert: Officer May shot in the head first
A gunshot-trajectory expert attempted to demolish assertions on Tuesday morning that Alberto Alvarez, 26, murdered East Palo Alto Police officer Richard May in January 2006 in an execution-style shooting. (Tuesday, 3:25 PM)

REAL ESTATE: Palo Alto house sells for $1.7 million
A home on St. Francis Drive in Palo Alto sold for $1,700,000 on Oct. 29, 2009. The home previously sold for $405,000 in April 1998. Palo Alto Online's real estate website features a listing of homes sold in Palo Alto and surrounding cities. Visit PaloAltoOnline.com/real_estate for a map of homes for sale, real estate stories, neighborhood guides, virtual tours and more. (Tuesday, 3:15 PM)

East Palo Alto police hunt for shooting suspect
Police in East Palo Alto are still looking for the man who apparently shot two people in front of a home Thursday evening, a detective said today. (Tuesday, 3:12 PM)

Caltrain offers special service for the Big Game
Few things on the Peninsula have been around as long as Caltrain, but one of the closest competitors is the Big Game. Caltrain will provide special service to the 112th game when Stanford faces California on Saturday in Stanford Stadium. (Tuesday, 2:18 PM)

Anti-death penalty meeting scheduled for tonight
A meeting to promote ending the death penalty in Santa Clara County will be held tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. at Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills -- sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto and the Americal Civil Liberties Union of Northern California (Tuesday, 12:12 PM)

Tiger Woods back on The Farm for Saturday's annual Big Game
Heisman Trophy also in town

The 112th Big Game just got a lot bigger with the addition of an interesting spectator for Saturday's Pac-10 showdown at Stanford Stadium. Tiger Woods, winner of 14 major golf championships and the top-ranked player in the world, will serve as Stanford's honorary captain for Saturday's game against California. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., with the game being televised on Versus. (Tuesday, 10:55 AM)

Stanford women's NCAA soccer match Friday sold out
The No. 1 Stanford women's soccer team will play host to Santa Clara in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at 7 p.m. at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. The match is sold out. Stanford (22-0), the top seed in the 16-team regional, advanced by beating visiting BYU last Saturday, 2-0. (Tuesday, 10:33 AM)

Carve that turkey with ease
Local stores can help sharpen your blades for Thanksgiving (Tuesday, 10:10 AM)

RECENT HOME SALES
(Tuesday, 10:08 AM)

$5.7 million schools budget gap will get bigger
Palo Alto schools' projected $5.7 million "structural" deficit for next school year is expected to rise to $8 million in 2011-12 and $10 million in 2012-13, Superintendent Kevin Skelly said Monday in an e-mail warning of hard challenges ahead. (Tuesday, 9:50 AM)

25 evacuated after fire in Downtown North
About 25 people had to evacuate an Everett Avenue condominium complex Tuesday morning because of a fire at one of the building's units. There were no reported injuries. (Tuesday, 9:50 AM)

PUBLIC AGENDA: Library Advisory Commission, 2010 goals
The Palo Alto Library Advisory Commission is scheduled to discuss its 2010 goals, priorities for its joint meeting with the City Council and a resolution commending former Chair Susan Thom. (Tuesday, 9:47 AM)

Tomorrow's events (Nov. 18)
Talk: 'After the Fall of the Wall'
Peter Schneider, author of "The Wall Jumper" and "The German Comedy," gives a free talk tomorrow (Nov. 18) titled "How Happy are the Germans Twenty Years After the Fall of the Wall?" The event is at 5 p.m. in Levinthal Hall at Stanford University's Humanities Center.
Theater: 'Apocalypse Cal'
"Gaities 2009: Apocalypse Cal," a Stanford University student-written and -directed musical, is performed the week of the Big Game against U.C. Berkeley, running tomorrow (Nov. 18) through Nov. 20 from 8 to 10 p.m. at Stanford's Memorial Auditorium. (Tuesday, 9:16 AM)

Today's events (Nov. 17)
Music: Contrasts Quartet
Clarinet, violin, cello and piano meet in the music of Contrasts Quartet, which performs a free concert tonight (Nov. 17) at 6 p.m. at the Community School of Music and Arts at 230 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View.
Author: Amy Goodman
Today (Nov. 17) at 4 p.m., radio and television host Amy Goodman will give a free talk about her book "Breaking the Sound Barrier." The event is at Books Inc., 855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto. (Tuesday, 9:15 AM)

Expert assails May case evidence gathering
A former San Mateo County forensics expert on Monday gave scathing testimony criticizing the evidence gathering in the shooting death of East Palo Alto Police Officer Richard May. (Tuesday, 12:12 AM)

Monday, November 16, 2009
Cal Ave to start seeing new trees next month
Palo Alto will have a greener, slightly shadier California Avenue before the end of this winter -- the City Council Monday night unanimously approved a staff proposal to start planting dozens of new trees in December. (Monday, 11:33 PM)

Ogwumike named Pac-10 Player of the Week
Nnemkadi Ogwumike has had an interesting weekend with the Stanford women's basketball team. Thursday she learned her younger sister, Chiney, signed a letter-of-intent to play at Stanford next year. The sophomore forward ended the weekend learning she was named the Pac-10 Player of the Week on Monday.
(Monday, 4:47 PM)

Palo Alto High principal reflects on 'egg wars'
Eleven Palo Alto High School students were suspended and about seven more received "consequences" for participating in an Oct. 27 "egg war" on the Gunn High School campus, Paly Principal Jacquie McEvoy says in an interview looking back on the incident. (Monday, 4:35 PM)

Paly, Bells renew long-dormant football rivalry
When asked about his team's opponent for the opening round of the Central Coast Section football playoffs, Palo Alto coach Earl Hansen commented: "We haven't seen much of Bellarmine, but I have some film to look at." That film, of course, is from this season -- certainly not from the last time Bellarmine and Palo Alto met, which was in 1944. (Monday, 3:03 PM)

A few goals left for Paly girls' volleyball team
After 32 straight victories this season, it would seem that the Palo Alto girls'volleyball team has accomplished just about everything. Well, not quite. (Monday, 1:30 PM)

Immersed in Mandarin
The world's most widely spoken language, Mandarin Chinese, increasingly is being spoken by the children of Palo Alto. Photos by Veronica Weber and Shawn Fender/Palo Alto Online. (Monday, 1:15 PM)

M-A boys hope to join five other local teams in finals
While it appears there is little or no drama in the Central Coast Section water polo playoffs with all the favorites moving closer to the finals, six local water polo teams might argue with that premise as they head into semifinals this week -- despite the fact that five are favored to advance to Saturday's championship matches at Santa Clara University. (Monday, 10:56 AM)

California Avenue trees may be planted next month
Palo Alto's dramatic scramble to replace felled trees along California Avenue is expected to hit a milestone tonight, when the City Council is scheduled to debate a staff proposal to plant dozens of silver lindens, southern live oaks and other leafy species before the end of the year. (Monday, 9:35 AM)

Movie review: Pirate Radio
The 1960s soundtrack can almost float this boat all by itself. And when the DJs on board the British pirate radio ship aren't doing needle drops on vinyl by The Who, The Kinks, Jimi Hendrix and other rock 'n' roll legends, the exuberant performances of the cast keep the comedy by writer-director Richard Curtis ("Love Actually") upbeat. (Monday, 9:24 AM)

Movie review: 2012
An Oscar-caliber cast and dazzling visual effects can't rescue this formulaic disaster flick from a script flooded with generic dialogue and preposterous plot points. Watching "2012" is akin to starting your day with a bowl of Lucky Charms and a glass of chocolate milk -- nutrients and flavor are sacrificed for an impetuous and, ultimately, nauseating sugar rush. (Monday, 9:22 AM)

Tomorrow's events (Nov. 17)
Music: Contrasts Quartet
Clarinet, violin, cello and piano meet in the music of Contrasts Quartet, which performs a free concert tomorrow (Nov. 17) at 6 p.m. at the Community School of Music and Arts at 230 San Antonio Circle in Mountain View.
Author: Amy Goodman
Tomorrow (Nov. 17) at 4 p.m., radio and television host Amy Goodman will give a free talk about her book "Breaking the Sound Barrier." The event is at Books Inc., 855 El Camino Real #74, Palo Alto. (Monday, 9:04 AM)

Today's events (Nov. 16)
Author: Jym Marks
Jazz drummer and writer Jym Marks will give a free reading from his new self-help book, "Wrap This Around Your Head," tonight (Nov. 16) from 6 to 7 p.m. The event is at the East Palo Alto Library at 2415 University Ave.
Exhibition: Rare books and manuscripts
A show of rare books, including an inscribed copy of Frederick Douglass' "My Bondage and My Freedom" and a 1468 illuminated Latin manuscript of Jacob de Voragine's "Golden Legend," is on display in the Peterson Gallery at the Green Library Bing Wing at Stanford University. Exhibit cases for the free show are illuminated Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6, with the show running through Dec. 31. (Monday, 9:03 AM)

SPORTS: Stanford football shocks No. 11 USC, 55-21
It was a victory as complete as the final score as Stanford destroyed nationally ranked No. 11 USC on the Trojans' own field on Saturday, 55-21, in one of the more improbable football victories in Cardinal history. Visit PASportsOnline.com for the complete story, as well as scores, schedules, photos, video and team pages. (Monday, 8:46 AM)

Another home-invasion robbery reported
A man forced his way into a Mountain View woman's apartment through a closed window early Saturday morning, held her at gunpoint and forced her to drive to a bank and withdraw cash for him, police said. Police are unsure if the robbery is connected to a home-invasion robbery in Palo Alto in October or an earlier robbery in Mountain View. (Monday, 8:15 AM)

Weekly launches 16th Holiday Fund campaign
The annual Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund campaign kicks off this week, with the aim of raising more than $260,000 for local, family-oriented nonprofit agencies. Adolescent Counseling Services of Palo Alto is one of 38 agencies supported by the fund this past year. It received $10,000 to provide counseling on local middle- and high-school campuses. (Monday, 6:45 AM)

Sunday, November 15, 2009
Rail authority approves $9 million PR effort
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has just welcomed a new member to assist its admittedly flagging community-outreach effort -- the global firm Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. Ogilvy, which will be paid up to $9 million over five years, is expected to increase the frequency and effectiveness of the rail authority's communications. (Sunday, 10:29 PM)

Palo Alto Utilities changes tests for gas workers
Dogged by a federal investigation and accusations of fraud in its gas division, Palo Alto's Utilities Department has quietly revised the testing procedures for its gas-line operators to make sure they are fully qualified for the work. The department has been in the spotlight since Feb. 6, when a group of federal agents from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seized seven boxes of operator-qualification tests. (Sunday, 10:21 PM)

Fields stands tall, takes the lead for Stanford men's basketball
Landry Fields will have to take a lot of responsibility for the way the Stanford men's basketball team plays this season. The senior forward doesn't mind one bit. In fact he looks forward to the challenge. "I don't mind it," Fields said after scoring 22 points in Stanford's 70-53 victory over visiting Cal Poly on Sunday night. (Sunday, 9:41 PM)

Stanford, Harbaugh close to contract extension
Stanford football coach Jim Harbaugh is close to completing a contract extension with the school. Athletic director Bob Bowlsby said Sunday in an e-mail that a formal announcement of a new deal was expected to come shortly. (Sunday, 7:45 PM)

Menlo opens NAIA playoffs at Point Loma
The Menlo College women's volleyball team travels to Point Loma Nazarene (19-11) at Golden Gymnasium in San Diego on Saturday for a 2 p.m. tipoff in the opening round of the NAIA national championships. (Sunday, 6:50 PM)

Pedersen rises to the occassion
Kayla Pedersen scored 14 of her 22 points in the second half and grabbed eight rebounds as the Stanford women's basketball team downed host Rutgers, 81-66, in a nonconference game on Sunday.
(Sunday, 1:10 PM)

Gunn boys, girls qualify for state meet in cross country
It was just one of those special days for the Gunn cross-country program, which lengthened its season by two weeks following a successful day at the Central Coast Section championships on Saturday at Crystal Springs in Belmont. (Sunday, 9:54 AM)

Saturday, November 14, 2009
Overtime loss sinks Stanford men's water polo
Men's cross country wins Region title

Top-ranked USC topped third-ranked Stanford, 13-12, in overtime Saturday in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men's water polo contest that could help decide who makes the NCAA tournament and who is out.
(Saturday, November 14, 2009, 8:14 PM)

Stanford moves to No. 14 in Top 20 after big win
Gerhart named Player of the Week

It was a victory as complete as the final score as Stanford destroyed nationally ranked No. 11 USC on the Trojans' own field on Saturday, 55-21, in one of the more improbable football victories in Cardinal history. It was so impressive that the Cardinal jumped 11 spots to No. 14 in The Associated Press Top 20 this week. (Saturday, November 14, 2009, 6:13 PM)

Stanford survives a scare to advance in NCAA soccer
Christen Press and Lindsay Taylor each scored a goal, but it was the one Rachel Quon prevented that might have saved the Stanford women's soccer team. Stanford downed BYU, 2-0, in a competitive match that was not decided until Taylor kicked in a rebound with 1:46 remaining to play. (Saturday, November 14, 2009, 2:57 PM)

Stanford field hockey season ends in the NCAA tournament
Stanford's greatest field hockey season came to a close Saturday with its 4-0 loss to host Princeton in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The 15th-ranked Cardinal (17-5) struggled to create scoring chances against the fourth-ranked Tigers, with Midori Uehara getting the only shot on goal. (Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10:27 AM)

(Saturday, November 14, 2009, 9:11 AM)

Palo Alto, Gunn both celebrate football championships
Two games. Two must-win situations. When it was all over, the Palo Alto and Gunn football teams had themselves a league championship, or at least a share of one. Both teams took different routes to get their on Friday night. Palo Alto played to a 14-14 tie with host Wilcox, but wound up capturing the SCVAL De Anza Division crown when Los Gatos was upended by Milpitas, 20-19. Gunn simply blasted its way to a 45-0 victory over visiting Cupertino, thus earning the Titans a co-title in the SCVAL El Camino Division. (Saturday, November 14, 2009, 8:25 AM)

Friday, November 13, 2009
Menlo gains some revenge with Valpo Bowl win over SHP
It was only a year ago that the Menlo School football team finished the season on a five-game losing streak. To make matters worse, the final two losses were to neighborhood rival Sacred Heart Prep. Menlo's seniors wanted to make sure their season didn't end that way again, and it won't -- thanks to a 27-21 victory over the Gators in the seventh annual Valpo Bowl on Friday on the Knights' field. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 10:23 PM)

It was a rough start to Stanford men's basketball season
Landry Fields scored 25 points, grabbed nine rebounds and made five steals but it wasn't enough as the Stanford men's basketball dropped its season opener, 77-64, to host San Diego on Friday night. Jeremy Green added 13 points for the Cardinal, which lost its opener for the first time in four years. Drew Shiller added 10 points.
(Friday, November 13, 2009, 9:18 PM)

Stanford sink the Ducks in three sets
The seventh-ranked Stanford women's volleyball team gritted out a Pac-10 victory Friday night, beating visiting Oregon, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23. Junior Cassidy Lichtman had 16 kills to lead the Cardinal (10-4, 17-7), which remained in third place in the conference, a game behind Pac-10 leader Washington.
(Friday, November 13, 2009, 9:16 PM)

Coroner IDs 6-year-old victim of hit-run crash
The 6-year-old Menlo Park girl who was fatally injured in a hit-and-run "street racing" crash last week has been identified as Lisa Xavier. She died from injuries received when her family's car was hit by a street racer who ran a red light, police reported.
■ To view pictures of Shannon Fox, for whom police are "actively searching," click here and here. These pictures are from the Menlo Park Police Department. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 7:26 PM)

Trio of double-doubles stake the Stanford women to season-opening basketball victory
Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Jayne Appel and Jeanette Pohlen each turned in a double-double as the Stanford women's basketball team opened its season with a convincing 89-56 victory over host Old Dominion on Friday night. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 6:39 PM)

PALO ALTO STORY PROJECT
Seven new Palo Alto Story Project videos have now been posted. Heard the one about the plane that crashed into a family's car on Embarcadero Road? Or a mother's recollection of her daughter's first May Fete Parade? The Palo Alto Story Project is a collection of brief tales, reminiscences and reflections about the city, as told by residents and visitors. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 4:49 PM)

O'Hara invited to U.S. national team camp
It's been a special senior season for forward Kelley O'Hara, named the Pac-10 women's soccer Player of the Year, and named co-Player of the Year, with teammate Christen Press, on the Top Drawer Team of the Season. O'Hara, who will lead the top-ranked Cardinal (21-0) into the second round of the NCAA tournament against BYU on Saturday at 1 p.m., received an official invitation, with 23 others, to attend the full United States' national team December training camp. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 4:23 PM)

'Addictive' culture causes teen substance abuse
Teenagers often begin abusing substances not just by individual choice but as a consequence of an "out of control" American culture, a psychologist said Thursday evening at a community forum at Palo Alto High School. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 3:00 PM)

Stanford's O'Hara headed for U.S. National Team camp
Kelley O'Hara, Stanford's record-setting senior forward, isn't expecting any down time in the near future. First, she's busy with her soccer teammates hoping to reach the final four in the sport. When the season is finally over, O'Hara will head off to a U.S. National Team training camp in December with 23 others players. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 1:50 PM)

HP to acquire 3Com in $2.7 billion deal
In a direct challenge to networking giant Cisco Systems Inc., HP announced this week it will acquire 3Com in a deal worth $2.7 billion. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 10:10 AM)

Defense expert: Officer May broke rules
A use-of-force expert for Alberto Alvarez, who is on trial for the murder of East Palo Alto Police Officer Richard May, testified Thursday there was no justifiable reason for May to stop Alvarez on Jan. 7, 2006. Related story: • Alberto Alvarez testifies
(Friday, November 13, 2009, 9:55 AM)

Palo Alto eyes expanding plastic-bag ban
Palo Alto's crusade against non-reusable bags is expected to spread far and wide next year, when the city plans to expand its ban on plastic bags and possibly start charging a fee for paper bags. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 9:53 AM)

Autumn jog
A student at Palo Alto High School goes for a run along a path beside the tennis courts, where trees on either side are beginning to lose their leaves. Photo by Veronica Weber/Palo Alto Online. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 9:45 AM)

Today's events (Nov. 13)
Comedy: Robber Barons
Stanford sketch comedy troupe Robber Barons present their new show, "The Robber Barons Expose Themselves!", tonight (Nov. 13) at 8 p.m. at Campbell Recital Hal, Stanford University.
Talk: Stephen H. Schneider
Climate scientist Stephen H. Schneider discusses his new book, "Science as a contact sport: Inside the Battle to Save Earth's Climate," with Palo Alto Weekly Editor Jay Thorwaldson, today (Nov. 13) at 1:30 p.m. at Roche Alto, 3431 Hillview Ave., Palo Alto. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 12:35 AM)

This weekend's events (Nov. 14-15)
Author: Wona Miniati
Wona Miniati will prepare food from recipes in and discuss her new book, "The Trader Joe's Companion: A Portable Cookbook," Sunday (Nov. 15) at 2 p.m. at Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park.
Los Altos Fall Finale
The Los Altos High School Marching Band and Color Guard present their performance of "Awaken" Saturday (Nov. 14) at 10:30 a.m. at Tom Burt Field, 201 Almond Ave., Los Altos. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 12:34 AM)

Thursday, November 12, 2009
Stanford has a 'Pressing' engagment against Lumberjacks
Green reinstated for men's hoops

Junior forward Christen Press scored 10 minutes into the second half to break a scoreless tie and help the Stanford women's soccer team beat visiting Northern Arizona, 2-0, Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA tournament. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:58 PM)

Gun battle erupts in East Palo Alto
Twenty-five to 30 shots were fired in a gun battle in East Palo Alto Thursday evening, injuring two men, according to an East Palo Alto detective. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:17 PM)

(Thursday, November 12, 2009, 7:04 PM)

Gerhart a semifinalist for Doak Walker Award
Stanford senior Toby Gerhart has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2009 Doak Walker Award, which honors the nation's top collegiate running back. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 5:35 PM)

Palo Alto faces Wilcox with league title at stake
While a Central Coast Section football playoff berth is wrapped up, Palo Alto still has a little work to do to win the SCVAL De Anza Division football championship. It comes down to just two scenarios, and both of them are good. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 5:25 PM)

Ready or not, Stanford hoop teams set to tip off their seasons
The Stanford basketball season officially gets underway on Friday the 13th. The men's team already has experienced enough bad luck to last the year. The women's team has had a few setbacks, too, but has the ability to overcome a lot of them. Ready or not, both teams will tip off their seasons this weekend. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 5:08 PM)

Stanford's Jenkins hopes to realize her final goal in soccer
Alicia Jenkins still gets a little upset whenever she thinks about the final game of her freshman year at Stanford. The Cardinal thoroughly outplayed Clemson in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA women's soccer tournament, but lost in penalty kicks. A lot has changed since then as Stanford has climbed all the way to No. 1 in the nation this season. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 4:57 PM)

Stanford is in a rush to upset USC this weekend
You don't hear a lot about the guys in the Tunnel Workers Union, or their beanies. Stanford running back Toby Gerhart and quarterback Andrew Luck swear by them though. The members of the union, a.k.a. Stanford's offensive line, include center Chase Beeler, tackles Jonathan Martin and Chris Marinelli, guards Andrew Phillips and David DeCastro. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 4:34 PM)

Craigslist ad leads Palo Alto police to bike thief
Palo Alto police arrested an alleged bike thief Wednesday after he posted an ad on Craigslist for a bicycle that had been stolen from Palo Alto on Nov. 4, Agent Dan Ryan said. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 4:07 PM)

Admitted officer-killer testifies
Sometimes barely audible, soft-spoken 26-year-old Alberto Alvarez Thursday morning described how he often sold drugs in East Palo Alto and always carried a gun for protection. Alvarez, a Redwood City resident, has admitted he shot and killed East Palo Alto Officer Richard May on Jan. 7, 2006. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 3:56 PM)

REAL ESTATE: Dennis Drive home sells for $1 million
A house on Dennis Drive in Palo Alto sold for $1,050,000 on Oct. 20, 2009. The home previously sold for $968,000 in September 2005. Palo Alto Online's real estate website features a listing of homes sold in Palo Alto and surrounding cities. Visit PaloAltoOnline.com/real_estate for a map of homes for sale, real estate stories, neighborhood guides, virtual tours and more. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 3:25 PM)

Residents to weigh in on Edgewood Plaza
Just weeks after a lawsuit regarding Palo Alto's Edgewood Plaza was settled, a public meeting about redeveloping the Joseph Eichler-built shopping center has been scheduled for next Tuesday (Nov. 17) from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Palo Alto Golf Course clubhouse. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 3:22 PM)

Family: Drowned man was a loving son, brother
The 21-year-old man found dead in a Redwood City swimming pool last week was a loving son and brother who always gave without reserve, family members said. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 11:45 AM)

Improvements eyed for Oregon Expressway
A busy stretch of Oregon Expressway in Palo Alto will soon see major renovations, including timed signals, new bike lanes and left-turn lanes. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:51 AM)

O'Hara leads Stanford sweep of Pac-10 honors in soccer
Record-setting senior Kelley O'Hara was named as the Pacific-10 Conference's women's soccer Player of the Year on Wednesday, leading a sweep of individual honors for No. 1-ranked Stanford. Freshman midfielder Mariah Nogueira was named Newcomer of the Year, the third consecutive year Stanford has won the honor, and Paul Ratcliffe repeated as Coach of the Year. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:24 AM)

Jewish family agency wins citizenship grant
A $90,000 government grant to help persons with cognitive problems become U.S. citizens has been received by the Jewish Family and Children Services agency, with offices in Palo Alto and San Mateo. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:15 AM)

Gas prices stay high in Bay Area, drop statewide
The average price for gas remained above $3 in the Bay Area but has dropped below that mark statewide due to high supplies and weak consumer demand, according to an AAA survey released Wednesday. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:14 AM)

Tomorrow's events (Nov. 13)
Comedy: Robber Barons
Stanford sketch comedy troupe Robber Barons present their new show, "The Robber Barons Expose Themselves!", tomorrow (Nov. 13) at 8 p.m. at Campbell Recital Hal, Stanford University.
Talk: Stephen H. Schneider
Climate scientist Stephen H. Schneider discusses his new book, "Science as a contact sport: Inside the Battle to Save Earth's Climate," with Palo Alto Weekly Editor Jay Thorwaldson, tomorrow (Nov. 13) at 1:30 p.m. at Roche Alto, 3431 Hillview Ave., Palo Alto. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:52 AM)

Today's events (Nov. 12)
Theater: "David & Lisa"
St. Francis High School presents its production of "David & Lisa" today (Nov. 12) at 7 p.m. at St. Francis High School Performing Arts Center, 1885 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View.
Film: "al-Turbini" (The Turbine)
Stanford's Middle-Eastern Film Series presents a screening of "al-Turbini" (The Turbine) today (Nov. 12) at 7:30 p.m. at Building 200, Room 303, Stanford. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:51 AM)

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