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Uploaded: Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 11:30 AM                                             

Neighborhoods  

Posted by Wanda Dill-Slaven, a resident of the Community Center neighborhood, on Mar 2, 2009 at 1:57 pm

I knew Arden Anderson when we were teenagers. He was a sensitive young man then, and now that I read his story, and so impressed and glad to call him friend.

Posted by Tracey Chen, a resident of the Fairmeadow neighborhood, on Jun 25, 2009 at 1:18 pm

Do any of the people who have supported the changes to Arastradero/Charleston actually drive it every day? I do. And I do not understand their support of it. I agree that far too many people speed here (and in many other places around the city), but this road is essential for many, many people to get through this area of town, and all the change has done has made the commute even harder. However, that does not eliminate the need for people to drive it (not everyone is capable of riding a bike or walking every day; and for many this segment of the commute is only a small part of a total that is way to far to bike or walk). Now, it can take half an hour to get from ECR to Alma on A/C at certain times of the day. Then, once I get across Alma, I need to make that first left-hand turn, which comes just at the point where I have to merge right (into the new silly single lane) before getting into the turn pocket, where I can wait another 5 minutes before the unending stream of cars (because they have all been forced into one lane) never breaks. This was never a problem when there were two lanes. My uncle has changed his work route to avoid that section. Now he goes along East Meadow. So some traffic has been forced over to another school-lined, residential street. And, oh - my - God, if any of you knew what the insane parents do in the morning to get their kids to JLS: We've seen passing at high speed in the bike lane (right in front of the school, where kids are riding to get there too, 98% with their helmets hanging from their handlebars), parking half on the sidewalk, and constant speeding along South Court. The JLS traffic mess is why I never go out the East Meadow way in the morning. Also, just getting in and out of our local grocery store has become a much greater challenge/danger because of the ridiculous smooshing of two lanes to one. Anyway, it's getting to the point where it's not at all pleasant to live here anymore because it's too hard to get anywhere when i leave the house. My mother had to move from a home and neighborhood she loved (in FL) for exactly the same reason: when it takes an hour of sitting in a traffic jam every time you need to get to a store, it's just not a good place to live. Thanks for letting me vent. P.S. I always drive the speed limit on all these roads. Other drivers hate me for it, but I'd rather do that than have the roads changed so that it takes twice as long (if not longer) to get out of my neighborhood. P.P.S. And I can't stand all the bikers (adult and child) who are moronic enough to be riding in the wrong direction in the bike lane. They are asking for an accident. P.P.P.S. I think it would be better to leave A/C all two lanes (with turn pockets)-- that means restoring the one already removed--And then turn East Meadow into a road for bikes only unless you're a resident who has to get to their home on it somehow (maybe like parts of Bryant), and then shift all the bikers on A/C over there, where it would be safer (if that change were made).

Posted by tracey Chen, a resident of the Fairmeadow neighborhood, on Jun 25, 2009 at 1:21 pm

Oh, and I am not exaggerating about how long it takes to go those few short blocks between ECR and Alma on A/C at certain times of the day (God forbid a train comes and makes it take even longer). Every time I hit that segment of road at the wrong time, I can count on seeing at least three cars make illegal U-turns to get out of it and head back to ECR.

Posted by Rebecca Kieler, a resident of another community, on Jul 17, 2009 at 9:56 am

I want to say to Nancy (who was a clasemate of mine at Paly High) the world needs you! I will be passing your books on to several teachers I know. Please keep writing, our hope is with our children. Hope to see you at the reunion!

Great work!

Rebecca

Posted by Jim, a resident of the University South neighborhood, on Sep 23, 2009 at 1:59 pm

I didn't have time to read all the comments above, but I am sure that 99% are negative. It is time people are held accountable for this fiasco. I have lived in PA on and off for 60 years and this screw-up takes the cake. Someone or someones need to be fired. The responsible persons are making excess of $100,000 and if they were in private business and pulled such a dumb stunt they would be gone the next day.

Posted by steven harnack, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Nov 13, 2009 at 11:35 am

Don't they know it's only acceptable to shoot up Iraqi and Afghani neighborhoods?

Posted by Keith Leal, a resident of another community, on Nov 30, 2009 at 1:45 pm

Sit down with the kids and have them tell you what they think of "the state of the universe". Let them do the talking and you listen. I think you'll soon learn where your society has gone wrong.

Keith Leal - Canada

Posted by janisw, a resident of the Charleston Meadows neighborhood, on Dec 18, 2009 at 11:32 am

When I was in school (many years ago)in Fremont & Hayward it was common for the teacher to ask a student in the class to help with grading papers. I also helped grade papers for my children's teachers all through Primary school & Jr. High. But I do understand the concerns raised about the subjective criteria used when grading written work. Will be interesting to hear what the District Policy is regading this- and if there even is one!

Posted by MR. T, a resident of the Evergreen Park neighborhood, on Jul 29, 2010 at 7:42 am

God's hand is at work, because the referee was bias against the Africans but as you can see God is on the African side and they carry the day.

Posted by musical, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Nov 28, 2010 at 3:57 pm

This thread looks scrambled.

Should be purged of comments and start over.

Posted by George Mudrovich, a resident of Atherton, on Jan 27, 2011 at 2:37 am

The question must be asked -- is he related to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?

Posted by Ralphc, a resident of the The Greenhouse neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2011 at 2:46 pm

I lived on North California for 20+ years and though I've moved I often shop on California Ave -- parking on the street or in a lot and walking the 3 short blocks of it from El Camino to Park and back. It seems quite pedestrian friendly to me as it is. It's easy to drive to, park on, walk along, shop or eat there now. Isn't University Avenue the main street that should be like Santa Cruz in M.P. and Castro in M.V.? If I need one or two things on California Ave., it's easy to get them and leave (or not). Maybe we don't need to have special "experiences" or "feelings like Town & Country Village" provided on every street. There's something nice about a well-stored, low-key, practical (more-than-a) neighborhood (attracts-lots-of-people) street like California Avenue. It's the mix of stores and other shops that make the area. Trees were cut down, it happened. New ones will grow. This transformation isn't needed. Palo Alto doesn't have the funds to complete half-finished projects they've promised (San Antonio to 101 for example). The library plans don't meet the goals promised in the bond measure we approved. I'm being positive here: I like pedestrian-friendly California Avenue the way it is -- it doesn't need this much fixing.

Posted by Warren A. Jacobs, a resident of another community, on Mar 11, 2011 at 4:48 pm

Chad; I'm glad to hear that you are involved in education. Hope all is well. Warren. From perkiomenville PA.

Posted by janet grace parks, a resident of Stanford, on May 29, 2011 at 2:20 pm

Hi--I am also second generation Palo Altan. My second home was in Los Altos Hills. We spent a lot of time in the creeks, meadows, sliding down hay hills on cardboard, hiking, some very very scary rope swings, apricot wars ...all of the above. Consequently I have a great affinity for the hills etc. There were tiny tiny frogs, not much bigger than your pinkie fingernail, when we were out in the hay, we would always find a tarantula. The mustard grew so high, it was taller than me, and we made great forts in the stuff,veritable caves. There were tiny fish in the creeks, worms and blue-belly lizards, that we could snare with a stalk of hay. I think those experiences made me acclimatized to my surroundings. Please please please read Wallace Stegners' Wilderness Letter. Everyone who drinks water in California should read his book. I have it (FOR FREE 2 YOU) in audio disk, please contact me, I urge everyone to listen.

In response to Mr. Stegner, I've seen coyotes and wolves and deer that EAT everything, grasshoppers and crickets, real black widows (her name was Agatha, she returned home) Mediterranean brown spiders (came via ship), bugs and ants. I have seen cats, rattlers, wild dogs, wild boar, gopher snakes, that were in abundance. Star Thistle is non-native; needs to be eradicated. I've also seen falcons red tails and red foxes, all you need to do is spend some time alone, outdoors, listen to the wind and the cicada's....Send your kids out with knee high socks and very long pants, give 'em a water bottle, and TELL THEM TO GO PLAY OUTSIDE !

They will be fine, I promise

Janet Parks Swanson

Oak Creek, Palo Alto

Posted by Cindy Smart, a resident of the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood, on Aug 9, 2011 at 4:28 pm

Manus is calling for McKeithen's resignation huh. How about her hiring practices that she was resently fined for in Hawaii? Any comment?

Posted by A Berr, a resident of Atherton, on Aug 22, 2011 at 10:14 am

How have past situations of oppressive actions have been handled and their outcomes.

Do we have to have a war?

I don't remember anything in history resembling smart meters being forced on the world population...Do you?

Governments force taxes on the people...and they keep adding more and more taxes.

But forcing a contraption that more than 2000 studies have shown alter cell biology is like a science fiction horror show.

Posted by Michele, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Aug 25, 2011 at 2:47 pm

The trampolines on corner of El Camino Real and California Ave. Bishop's Creamery, Ben Frank's 5 an 10. Pool Bros., Purity grocery stores. Palo Alto Square was once fields with a couple of houses and horses. Stanford View restaurant. The S burger ( I think that was the name) on El Camino. The cherry trees on Arastradero where Alta Mesa is. The cannery on Park Blvd. then changed to Maximart. Dick's hamburger's on El Camino was Ernie's. The totem pole and hobby shop on El Camino and Olive. A house that was a Mexican restaurant owned by Madeline Mellor. Coca Cola on Lambert cokes at 5 cent each. Poppycock, Magoo's. Paul Butterfield. Maples Pavilion. My grandparents house on the corner of ash and Page mill which was tore down because of the Oregon Expressway.

Posted by maria Ivanova, a resident of Stanford, on Oct 31, 2011 at 12:02 am

Hello. My name is Maria Ivanova.I am Russian and I am 22 years old. I am here because I want to ask for help. Few days ago, it was October 28/2011 around 4pm I was in the restaurant in Stanford shopping center in Palo Alto,CA. Then I don’t remember what happened because I was blacked out (I suddenly felt bad and I was blacked out) than waiter called to 911 and ambulance came to that restaurant and took me to Stanford Hospital. I know it is sounds strange but I fell in love with the guy from ambulance.I need to find this guy but I don’t know another way how I can find him.Thats why I am asking people to help me. Please help me!!! I am sure that this guy still remember me. I am not very tall and I have long blonde hairs and blue eyes. that day I were grey jeans and black leather jacket with pink shoes, pink purse and I had iPhone 4 the color was white but the case was pink.Please help me to find this guy.I am sure that he remember me. after few hours after he bring me to the hospital he came back to visit me and he asked how I feel.I know that he remember me because he came back after few hours to ask how I feel. Please help me to find this guy!!!

This is my email address mariska1218@yahoo.com.I f you can help me PLEASE contact me. Please, I really need to find this guy. I am not crazy I just fell in love with this guy and I don’t know another way how I can find him.I really hope that somebody will read this and help me!!!

Thank you.Maria

Posted by Malissa, a resident of another community, on Nov 22, 2011 at 1:24 pm

I have worked as a Guidance Counselor in a high-achieving school and district for over 10 years and it is astounding to me that everyone feels more comfortable blaming someone else for what seems to me a problem we need to own collectively. In this economy, there is no doubt that parents are stressed out and nervous about the ability for their child(ren) to get into a good college and find a job. What I see one of the problems to be, both in our student and parent population, is a narrowed view of 'success' and 'good college.' Year after year, we see the same 15-20 colleges appear on the college lists of the students we work with, especially those in the top 1/3 of the class. Oftentimes, the reason students provide for wanting to apply to theses colleges is that the college is 'ranked,' 'have a top xx program,' or 'it's been my dream...' I have worked with families who become upset and sometimes offended that I suggest they look more broadly, perhaps to include colleges such as Arizona State University, Cal State Monterey Bay, or the University of Oregon, to round out their list and provide the student with options. This is a battle that we continue to battle and will most likely continue to lose until families and communities begin to re-define 'success.' It is true that AP curriculum rigor may vary from school to school, but this is not unusual and is true of non-AP and even courses at college as well. I cannot tell you how often I personally heard when in college to take ‘this professor’ instead of ‘that professor’ because there was less homework. Though some AP teachers may take ‘rigor’ a bit far, keep in mind that AP = College Level work and should be more demanding than non-AP courses. We advise our students/parents to allow 1.5-2 hours per AP course, per evening for homework, reading, and studying and I believe that this is not an unreasonable amount of time given that it is a college-level course. Success at our school, sometimes comes down to time-management and math; 4 AP courses x 1.5 hours = more time than I realistically have in my schedule. We advise parents to not allow their student to push themselves too hard, and to consider the balance between academic rigor, extracurricular involvements, and personal interests (i.e. being able to read a book, just for fun), but we cannot quantify the exact number of AP and honors courses a student ‘should’ take because each student is different. When parents, students, and school staff begin to work together to identify goals and find a college that fits a student’s interests and strengths, regardless of ranking or selectivity, there can be a happy balance of challenge, preparedness, and purpose.

Posted by bob, a resident of another community, on Jan 7, 2012 at 6:01 pm

Do you have neighborhood maps for East Palo Alto? You have Palo Alto and Menlo Park; why no East Palo Alto? Thanks