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By Jay Thorwaldson
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About this blog: I was editor of the Palo Alto Weekly from June 2000 to January 2011, capping a more than 50-year career in journalism and writing since Los Gatos High School, where I was editor of the student newspaper and president of the speech... (More)
About this blog: I was editor of the Palo Alto Weekly from June 2000 to January 2011, capping a more than 50-year career in journalism and writing since Los Gatos High School, where I was editor of the student newspaper and president of the speech club. I was a reporter and editor with the erstwhile Palo Alto Times/Peninsula Times Tribune for 15 years, including a stint as the paper's ombudsman prior to retiring in 1979. In February 1970, I drafted an editorial suggesting creation of an open space district to preserve Skyline Ridge lands, which led to creation in 1972 of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. From 1977 to 1982 I taught newswriting, journalistic history, ethics and trends at Stanford University. At Palo Alto Medical Foundation for more than 18 years, I managed public affairs, supported educational programs and in 1994 created one of the first health care websites. I have served on numerous community boards and committees. My three sons are part of an extended family that includes a foster daughter and her family. I enjoy hiking, carpentry, traveling, scuba diving (first certified in 1961) and playing in the Sierra and Southern California desert. (Hide)
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Domestic Violence: Hidden tragedies afflict affluent communities as well, leaving lasting scars
Oct 22, 2015 10:39 am
Comments: 4 | Views: 8,375
A deeply qualified panel of speakers will explore the often hidden tragedies, and crimes, of domestic violence in affluent communities next week.
The tragedies... More
Oct 22, 2015 10:39 am
Comments: 4 | Views: 8,375
A deeply qualified panel of speakers will explore the often hidden tragedies, and crimes, of domestic violence in affluent communities next week.
The tragedies... More
Are TDRs the new 'Planned Community' zoning hot potato?
May 2, 2015 12:15 pm
Comments: 12 | Views: 7,961
In planning shorthand, a TDR is simply a "transfer of development rights" -- wherein a property owner or developer can buy rights from someone building less than... More
May 2, 2015 12:15 pm
Comments: 12 | Views: 7,961
In planning shorthand, a TDR is simply a "transfer of development rights" -- wherein a property owner or developer can buy rights from someone building less than... More
Two creative lights depart Palo Alto, leaving diverse legacies
Sep 25, 2014 2:25 pm
Comments: 2 | Views: 10,101
Palo Alto lost two creative lights this month with the passing of longtime developer/poet Ryland Kelley and widely known muralist Greg Brown.
While vastly different... More
Sep 25, 2014 2:25 pm
Comments: 2 | Views: 10,101
Palo Alto lost two creative lights this month with the passing of longtime developer/poet Ryland Kelley and widely known muralist Greg Brown.
While vastly different... More
Mayor Nancy Shepherd asking: What does 'Our Palo Alto' mean to YOU?
Feb 26, 2014 2:35 pm
Comments: 18 | Views: 9,252
Faced with a significant community revolt relating to "overdevelopment," overflow parking and neighborhood-protection, still-new Mayor Nancy Shepherd is practicing... More
Feb 26, 2014 2:35 pm
Comments: 18 | Views: 9,252
Faced with a significant community revolt relating to "overdevelopment," overflow parking and neighborhood-protection, still-new Mayor Nancy Shepherd is practicing... More
Greg Scharff reviews his 'too short' year as Palo Alto mayor: It was fun
Dec 23, 2013 11:57 am
Comments: 11 | Views: 5,036
Outgoing Palo Alto Mayor Greg Scharff sums up his "too short" term as mayor as a year of accomplishment and moving forward but with a couple of frustrations.
Overall... More
Dec 23, 2013 11:57 am
Comments: 11 | Views: 5,036
Outgoing Palo Alto Mayor Greg Scharff sums up his "too short" term as mayor as a year of accomplishment and moving forward but with a couple of frustrations.
Overall... More
ARCHIVES
Post-election reflections -- and sponges
By Diana Diamond | 13 comments | 1,499 views
Couples: Philosophy of Love
By Chandrama Anderson | 0 comments | 1,178 views
El Camino: Another scheme to increase congestion?
By Douglas Moran | 6 comments | 1,019 views
Trials of My Grandmother
By Aldis Petriceks | 5 comments | 591 views
