http://www.paloaltoonline.com If it is local and useful, it is on PaloAltoOnline.com. en-us Stanford roundup
Anderson earns national football honor

Stanford junior goalie Kate Baldoni earned Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Women's Water Polo Player of the Week, it was announced Monday.
]]> A man who was playing soccer is being sought by Palo Alto police after he allegedly punched another player in the back of the head Sunday afternoon, Sgt. Patty Lum said.]]> An old and popular Palo Alto tree nicknamed "George" is meeting his Waterloo this week. The process of taking George down began today, Feb. 6, and will last about four days, according to City Manager James Keene. But George will not go gentle into the good night.]]> A compilation of video content from the Palo Alto Weekly and Palo Alto Online staff.]]> I used to love reading "My Turn" in Newsweek magazine. This was an article submitted by a reader on a topic of choice. The one article I remember over the years was from a new parent about applause.]]> After a false start last spring, when a similar plan was met with resistance, the Palo Alto school board took a major step in the right direction last week when it gave its informal blessing to an updated plan for phasing in graduation requirements that are in sync with what is required to attend state universities.]]> Stanford-bound Alexander Massialas became the first U.S. men's foil fencer to ever medal at the prestigious Paris Foil World Cup when he won a bronze medal in the Olympic qualifying tournament in France last week.]]> Gunn sophomore Cadence Lee and Menlo-Atherton senior Kendra Wiley each pinned down an individual title at the 2012 Central Coast Section Girls' Wrestling Championships on Saturday at Oak Grove High in San Jose.]]> Palo Alto High grad and former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers was named the 2011 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year on Saturday night after leading the Niners to a turnaround season and into the NFC Championship game in only his first season as an NFL head coach.]]> Newly minted Menlo Park Mayor Kirsten Keith on Saturday tossed her name into a crowded field of candidates for a seat on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.]]> Jeremy Lin couldn't find much playing time with the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He didn't stay very long with the Houston Rockets. But now, at least for one night, fans of the New York Knicks love the Palo Alto High grad. For the complete story, as well as sports scores, team pages, schedules, video and more, visit PASportsOnline.com.]]> Poetry: Louise Gluck
Visiting poet Louise Gluck, whose 11 books include "A Village Life" and "Averno," will do a free reading at 8 p.m. tomorrow (Feb. 7). The event is at Stanford University, in the Cemex Auditorium, Zambrano Hall, Knight Management Center.
Theater: 'The Pitmen Painters'
TheatreWorks presents the last week of its production of the Lee Hall play "The Pitmen Painters" tomorrow (Feb. 7) through Feb. 12. Tomorrow's performance is at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.]]> Music: Jazz jam
Vocalist Jackie Gage sings with the Walt Hern Jazz Project tonight (Feb. 6) from 7 to 10 p.m. at Angelica's Bistro, 863 Main St., Redwood City. Dinner seating starts at 6 p.m.
Community: Open-mic night
Red Rock Coffee hosts its weekly open-mic night from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight (Feb. 6), inviting poets, musicians, stand-up comedians and other artists to share their work. The cafe is at 201 Castro St. in downtown Mountain View.]]> Sunday's Stanford roundup

Junior goalie Kate Baldoni helped the top-ranked Stanford women's water polo team win its own invitational for the third consecutive year, as the Cardinal beat fourth-ranked UCLA, 9-5, in the championship game Sunday.]]> When Silicon Valley Community Foundation opened its doors in 2007, it almost immediately faced the Great Recession meltdown. In its first year, the foundation raised $292 million. Donations dropped to $190 million as the economic crisis spread.]]> Saturday's Stanford roundup
Women win twice in water polo

Brad Lawson had eight of his match-high 14 kills in a marathon first set that set the tone for Stanford's 35-33, 25-23, 25-22 victory over BYU on Saturday that enabled the No. 7 Cardinal to complete a weekend sweep of the nation's No. 1-ranked men's volleyball team.]]> Jeremy Lin couldn't find much playing time with the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He didn't stay very long with the Houston Rockets. But now, at least for one night, fans of the New York Knicks love the Palo Alto High grad.]]> Joslyn Tinkle had a career-high 22 points and matched her career best with 11 rebounds, leading five starters in double figures in the Cardinal's 17th win in a row,a 91-51 Pac-12 decision over host Arizona on Saturday. The Cardinal has won the past 21 meetings with Arizona, 39 in a row in the month of February, and 68 straight against conference opponents.
]]> Josh Owens, Aaron Bright and Chasson Randle scored 10 points apiece in Stanford's 56-43 setback to Arizona on Saturday in a Pac-12 Conference contest. The loss wasn't devastating but it was difficult to swallow because it was just the second time in 14 home contests the Cardinal walked off the court losers.]]> Friday's girls' basketball

Only two days after falling out of a first-place tie in a 10-point loss to Gunn, the Palo Alto girls' basketball team moved back into a three-way tie for the top spot in the SCVAL De Anza Division with a thrilling 47-46 victory over visiting Wilcox on Friday night. ]]> A "seismic shift" at Palo Alto High School -- the switch to the block schedule that began last year -- has rippled across the campus in areas as diverse as student mental health, homework loads and teacher collaboration, according to principal Phil Winston.]]> Friday's boys basketball

Senior center Solomone Wolfgramm led all scorers with 22 points and hit the game-winning shot to lead Pinewood to a 72-71 West Bay Athletic League boys' basketball win over host Sacred Heart Prep Friday night.]]> Saturday's Stanford roundup

Brian Cook recorded 20 kills, Brad Lawson added 15 and the seventh-ranked Stanford men's volleyball team went on the road to upset top-ranked BYU, 25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 25-17, in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match Friday night.
]]> The Fresh Market, a North Carolina-based, European-style specialty market will open its first West Coast store at Edgewood Plaza Shopping Center in Palo Alto, a source close to the deal said Friday.]]> With "Big Miracle," the new PG "Save the Whales" drama starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski, perhaps the title sets an expectation that Ken Kwapis' movie can't quite deliver. The original title was "Everybody Loves Whales," which suggests a sitcom nobody wants to see. -- PC]]> This chilling adaptation of Susan Hill's 1983 novel offers British actor Daniel Radcliffe a chance to shed his "Harry Potter" persona. Radcliffe plays it somber and stoic in "The Woman in Black," his understated performance complementing the film's spooky atmosphere. -- TH]]> ML Gordon, the soft-spoken East Palo Alto city manager, has announced he will retire on March 2 or 3. Gordon, who has been in public service for 37 years, has spent the last 19 months as city manager after previously serving as assistant city manager.]]> A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week.]]> A revised proposal to redevelop the Edgewood Plaza Shopping Center and to build 10 homes at the Eichler-style plaza took a major step forward when Palo Alto's Architectural Review Board voted to approve the project Thursday morning.]]> Thursday's prep roundup

The Menlo School girls' soccer team opened up a five-point lead in the West Bay Athletic League (Foothill Division) with a very big 1-0 victory over visiting Priory on Thursday. The Knights improved to 8-1 in league for 24 points and 10-4-2 overall while the Panthers fell to 6-2 (18 points) and 9-4-2 overall.]]> Palo Alto's quest to bring a cafe to the soon-to-be-completed Mitchell Park Library and Community Center has attracted an unusual amount of interest from the community.]]> Tim Hanretty has resigned from his position as superintendent of the Portola Valley School District while an investigation is conducted into suspected "financial irregularities" in the accounts of the Woodside School District, which he previously worked for, according to district officials.]]> Benefit concert: Colbie Caillat
The Children's Health Council (CHC) will present a benefit concert with singer/guitarist Colbie Caillat on Saturday (Feb. 4) at 8:15 p.m at the Fox Theatre, 2223 Broadway, Redwood City. The Palo Alto-based CHC helps children with autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, developmental delays and other challenges.
Dance: 'Red Shift'
The Chocolate Heads Movement Band will perform "Red Shift" at the Roble Gym at Stanford on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 3 and 4) at 8 p.m. The troupe is a "movement-driven band" composed of dancers, musicians, visual artists, writers and performance poets. The performances are free.
Festival: Lunar New Year
Redwood City will host a Lunar New Year celebration for the year of the dragon on Sunday (Feb. 4) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Courthouse Square. The celebration will include lion dancers, Red Panda Acrobats, martial arts, kids arts, zodiac-themed crafts, food and an inflatable playland.]]> Music: Chris Cucuzza
Morocco's Restaurant will host a performance by Chris Cucuzza, a flamenco guitarist with 15 years of experience, today (Feb. 3) at 6 p.m. Cucuzza will perform all original work at the event at 873 Castro St. in Mountain View.
Music: 'The Magic of Asian Zithers'
The opening concert of this year's Pan-Asian Music Festival today (Feb. 3) at 8 p.m. features three musicians who traveled to the U.S. for the festival. Chinese gu-zheng master Yuan Sha, Japanese koto master Kazue Sawai, and Korean gayageum master Ji Aeri will play at Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 551 Serra Mall, Stanford.]]> For many of Chinese descent, the Chinese New Year is the most important holiday of the year -- a bit like Christmas and New Year's Eve rolled into one. Festivities for the holiday last two weeks, from the first new moon to the first full moon (from Jan. 23 to Feb. 6 this year). Photos by Veronica Weber/Palo Alto Online.]]> College men's basketball

Aaron Bright found his range, Chasson Randle found his groove and the Stanford men's basketball team overcame a sluggish start to beat visiting Arizona State, 68-44, in a Pac-12 Conference contest Thursday night.]]> The Ogwumike sisters, Nnemkadi and Chiney, combined for 42 points and 32 rebounds as the fourth-ranked Stanford women's basketball team downed host Arizona State, 62-49, in a Pac-12 Conference affair Thursday night.
]]> Cardinal corner

Stanford freshman soccer forward Chi Ubogagu joined the United States women's Under-20 National Team and will compete with at the Four Nations Tournament, which begins Friday in La Manga, Spain.]]> The challenges continue for the nationally No. 3-ranked Stanford men's swimming and diving team this weekend when the Cardinal heads south for a two-day, top-six showdown featuring Stanford, No. 5 USC and No. 6 California.]]> City and school leaders have engaged architects to do informal, preliminary work on ideas for the Cubberley Community Center, Palo Alto school district Superintendent Kevin Skelly said Tuesday, Jan. 31.]]> College tennis

Senior Ryan Thacher has filled an important role for the sixth-ranked Stanford men's tennis team through its first four matches, all victories. He played at the top of the singles ladder, taking over for his injured friend and doubles partner Bradley Klahn. Now comes the hard part.]]> Wednesday's prep soccer

Menlo-Atherton had to settle for a 1-1 boys' soccer deadlock with host Woodside on Wednesday evening in PAL Bay Division action. The Bears got their goal from junior Alexei Lopes on an assist from senior Alan Propp.]]> Wednesday's prep basketball

The Gunn girls' basketball team pulled off its second straight upset and moved into a tie for second place in the SCVAL De Anza Division by toppling rival Palo Alto, 52-42, on Wednesday night.]]> Music: Chris Cucuzza)
Morocco's Restaurant will host a performance by Chris Cucuzza, a flamenco guitarist with 15 years of experience, tomorrow (Feb. 3) at 6 p.m. Cucuzza will perform all original work at the event at 873 Castro St., Mountain View.
Music: 'The Magic of Asian Zithers'
The opening concert of this year's Pan-Asian Music Festival tomorrow (Feb. 3) at 8 p.m. features three musicians who traveled to the U.S. for the festival. Chinese gu-zheng master Yuan Sha, Japanese koto master Kazue Sawai, and Korean gayageum master Ji Aeri will play at Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 551 Serra Mall, Stanford.]]> Book signing: Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket)
Daniel Handler, also known by the pen name Lemony Snicket, will appear at Kepler's Books and Magazines today (Feb. 2) at 7 p.m. along with Maira Kalman, the illustrator of Handler's newest book, "Why We Broke Up." The event will be held at Kepler's, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park.
Lecture: Martha Nussbaum
Martha Nussbaum will appear at Cubberley Auditorium today (Feb. 2) at 7:30 p.m. for her lecture "Not for Profit: Why Democracy needs the Humanities." She will discuss the dangers of focusing on national economic gain, nations, and their systems of education, while discarding humanities and the arts. Cubberley Auditorium is located at 485 Lasuen Mall, Stanford.]]> This year there was no need for Stanford to artificially hype its football recruiting class for 2012. Once Oklahoma City running back Barry J. Sanders announced his verbal commitment, Cardinal fans began dancing all over campus -- and elsewhere.]]> Facebook Inc. of Menlo Park filed for an initial public offering of $5 billion Wednesday, according to the SEC.]]> Memorial services have been planned for Foothill College football coach and Palo Alto native Doug Boyett, who passed away in his sleep last Friday night at age 52.]]> The defending NCAA champion Stanford women's soccer team has announced its freshman class for the 2012 season that features five Californians, four recruits with youth national team experience, and two sets of club teammates.]]> Stanford roundup
Women's tennis opens with a win

The Stanford men's water polo team went 19-7 and finished fourth in the nation this past season. For Cardinal coach John Vargas, that doesn't quite cut it when the goal is to compete for a national title every year. So, Vargas signed up the nation's top prep player. ]]> When people think of art, they think of man-made mediums -- paintings, prints and sculptures -- but Linda Roark's art form is focused on water-retaining plants called succulents.]]> Tuesday's boys' basketball

The showdown is all set for the West Bay Athletic League boys' basketball title and the contenders appear all set after posting solid victories on Tuesday night.]]> Tuesday's girls' basketball

Since they joined the West Bay Athletic League three seasons ago, the Pinewood and Eastside Prep girls have dominated the Foothill Division in basketball. That domination finally appears over as Mercy-San Francisco appears to be the new queen of the division.]]> Tuesday's girls' soccer

With only four matches left in the regular season, the Menlo School girls' soccer team is sitting atop the West Bay Athletic League (Foothill Division) standings for the first time this late in the season since joining the league in 2009.]]> On screen, Glenn Close may best be known for playing steely independent women, but she's played her share of romantic leads, mothers and all manner of character roles (including a vice president and a First Lady). But, excepting her cameo in Steven Spielberg's "Hook," she had never passed for a man on screen -- until now.]]> To Tim Pham, the difference in quality between tea steeped from a paper bag and tea carefully brewed from loose leaf is broad -- like comparing a Big Mac and mom's pot roast.]]>