Thank you for your work. As the parent of a dyslexic, I’m really grateful for what you accomplished.

I’d like to ask when someone is going to make technical books for dyslexics! Most work pretty well with text now but not math physics or engineering. I’m hoping you know of a resource or might consider developing it.

I’m also glad to know at least one company did something worthwhile there. It wasn’t just a coincidence that the longtime resident serving businesses were squeezed out when residents couldn’t get to their favorite businesses on Cal Ave when it became filled with office workers…

Thanks, @SilverLinings! And your question is a good one. Technical books are the hardest to make accessible, especially compared to a novel.

Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic) worked on this challenge with technical volunteers, basically getting humans to help with this. I know the Bookshare team is working on applying AI technology to this, and hope they make some progress on this. The other thing Bookshare is doing is working with the publishers themselves to make their ebooks more accessible, which also should help.

What a lovely article. My dad had his law offices on California Avenue for many years (near Mollie Stone and The Keystone). I miss going down California and seeing his offices--and also that yummy Mexican place just off California. And the German/Swiss place from the 70's. So many memories!

That is a nice article. I wish the "mastermind(s)" behind the numerous eyesores (most notably the miniature golf installation at the El Camino end of the avenue) had as positive a view of Cal Ave. Removing the trees was a lousy idea and there must surely be a more attractive approach to blocking off the street than what has been chosen. Palo Alto is lucky to be an attractive place, but recent decisions are chipping away at that. City Council: please put someone with an appreciation for Palo Alto in charge of our cityscape.

I grew up here since the 1970s and yes, California Avenue was never vibrant, nor was University Avenue, they were both sleepy. I feel more safe at CA Avenue than downtwon and love that the street is blocked off. MJ Sushi on the next street over (Cambridge/El Camino) has outstanding food, the best around.

Per the first posting on dyslexia, my child had dyslexia and we tried tutors, etc. but found visual therapy at an optometrist in San Carlos and it solved the issue.

I got bagels and go to the Farmer's market on weekends. Eat in Mediterranean Wraps with friends.

That small Mexican restaurant off California the Liz mentioned was the Bobby Kennedy headquarters in June 1968. I biked over after school the day after the shooting - he was still alive, improbably - and every door in the place was wide open, not a soul there, and the wind had blown the flyers, bumper stickers and posters all in a jumble.

Perhaps I'm looking in a nostalgia-tinted rear view mirror, but the old Cal Ave seemed pretty cool. I saw fantastic shows at the Keystone like James Brown, Chris Isaak, and the Ramones (not on the same night - too bad!). I hung out at the corner bookstore, and the natural food store stayed open past 6pm. It was funky and fun.

As the first person in the country to request digital files 'at scale' from textbook publishers for disabled students (I worked for the California Community College system from 2002 to 2007), I visited Jim at Bookshare a few times and went out to lunch with some of the staff (I'm pretty sure I was the first person to suggest Bookshare hire someone from the publishing industry, which they did). I'm glad I was able to contribute to their early success.

Yes, California Ave at the turn of the last century seemed like a friendlier place and time. The signs may come down but the memories will linger.
Ps. How come I can't select Cubberley High School?! Erasure...