January 26, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

News Digest

The Public Art Commission is planning to bring Korean artist Kang Seok Hong to Palo Alto for a one-month exhibit in the spring or summer. While in Palo Alto, the artist will publicly create a large mural at a to-be-determined site. It will consist of laminated pages of a Korean phone book with a silkworm in the center of each page.

"It's an extraordinary image," Commission Vice Chair Gerald Brett said. The artwork will combine a traditional Korean style with a pop sensibility, noted Brett, who saw the artist's work during a trip to Seoul in October and then met with him and the Korean consulate about a possible show.

After its creation, the mural will be on display for at least six months, possibly more if it's located inside.

No funds will come from the city. The $10,000 in expenses will be paid by Samsung and possibly another Korean company, according to Brett.

-- Bill D'Agostino

Two plans for Lytton Plaza moving forward

The City of Palo Alto is moving toward a collision regarding the future of downtown's Lytton Plaza. Two plans for the notable but tattered plaza are moving forward, and both sides have argued the two are incompatible.

On one track: the artwork "Digital DNA," a 7-foot-tall, egg-shaped sculpture is scheduled to be installed in the spring. Artist Adriana Varella is rebuilding the artwork, which was destroyed in a fire last May. A few years ago, the city's Public Art Commission approved the sculpture, made of recycled circuit boards and wire, for Lytton Plaza and agreed to spend $9,950 to purchase it.

On the opposite track: real estate developer Roxy Rapp and former Mayor Le Levy are working within the city's planning process to rebuild Lytton Plaza. They hope to add an interactive fountain, new seating and other possible features.

Their rebuild is projected to cost $600,000, with half coming from Rapp and other private developers. According to a city staff report, approximately $140,000 in public funding has been identified to improve Lytton Plaza.

The idea is scheduled to come to the City Council at a future, currently unscheduled meeting along with recommendations.

-- Bill D'Agostino

Man wrecks car, walks home

The driver of a $90,000 Mercedes Benz totaled his car early Sunday morning in the Palo Alto hills off Arastradero Road, then walked home a mile to Los Altos Hills.

He later declined to talk to police or take a breathalyzer test when officers knocked on his door several hours later, said Palo Alto Police Agent Dan Ryan. The man was not identified.

The crash occurred about 2 a.m. Sunday on Arastradero Road between Deer Creek Road and I-280, Ryan said. The car went airborne, clipped two telephone phones and ended up against a 100-year-old oak tree, 40 feet from the roadway. Two arrested on stolen credit card spree

Two people from Los Angles were arrested Sunday in Palo Alto in what was an elaborate shopping spree involving credit cards with stolen account numbers. Police also recovered "a carload" of goods stolen with the bogus cards, said Palo Alto Police Agent Dan Ryan.

The arrests occurred at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Stanford Shopping Center after one of the stolen credit card numbers drew the attention of Macy's security.

Ryan said the two people had been given a shopping list of things to buy, including computers and gift certificates, and were even given maps to stores in this area by an unknown person who had obtained the numbers of about 30 credit cards.

The two purchased about $25,000 of goods and gift certificates at stores here, Ryan said. Palo Alto police will give information to police agencies in Southern California to try to track down who gave the two people the stolen credit card numbers and shopping list.

Keyanisha Evans, 24, and Dameon Brewington, 28, both of Los Angeles, were arrested and charged with using multiple credit cards for burglary, using stolen credit card numbers, and conspiracy. Neither have prior arrest records.

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