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Alma Place, the 106-unit below-market housing development built in 1998 by the Palo Alto Housing Corporation, has received the Prometheus Prize -- the first "affordable housing architectural award" from the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County.

The prize includes an award of $10,000 -- to be used for services for residents, according to Housing Corporation officials.

Alma Place, at 725 Alma St. in downtown Palo Alto, is populated by people who make less than $26,800 per year, including many employees of downtown stores and businesses. It has a waiting list of more than 100.

The project is "proof that affordable housing can be attractive and high quality," Dianne McKenna, former Santa Clara County supervisor and chair of the panel that made the award. The award will be presented at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Alma Place.

The Housing Trust is nonprofit organization that was initiated by the Silicon Valley Manufacturer's Group and has received financial support from Santa Clara County to help offset the continuing housing crisis.
Molest suspect could face life sentence

A registered sex offender accused of molesting three East Palo Alto boys during a swimming trip now faces a possible life sentence if convicted after the prosecution this week charged him with six additional offenses stemming from the same alleged incident.

Carlitos Saucedo, 43, was first charged last week with three counts of committing a lewd act with a child under 14, as well as failing to inform his employer, Home Depot, of his status as a registered sex offender before undertaking duties that involved teaching woodworking classes to children.

However, prosecutor Rick Good added six more counts of molesting a child to the charges against Saucedo, including two counts alleging the East Palo Alto resident used force in an attempt to molest. Good also added a special allegation that Saucedo molested more than one victim, which carries a sentence of 15 years to life if found true.

Defense attorney Richard Keyes asked for time to review the new charges, and Saucedo was ordered to return to court Sept. 4 to enter a plea and set a preliminary hearing date.

The charges against Saucedo stem from a swimming trip he took with three boys, ages 11, 12 and 13, to Sunol Park on July 16. Shortly after the trip, one of the boys complained to his guardian about Saucedo allegedly touching and fondling them, and the guardian in turn contacted East Palo Alto police.

Investigators learned that Saucedo had three prior child molestation convictions dating from 1988, and was working in a position that included teaching woodworking classes to kids.

Although investigators said the recent alleged incident was not connected to Saucedo's work with Home Depot, they arrested him July 19 after discovering he had allegedly not told his employers about his criminal record.

Saucedo remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail.

-- Bay City News Service
Park to be dedicated

The city of East Palo Alto will dedicate its newest park tomorrow in the name of the city's only police officer slain in the line of duty.

Joel Michael Davis Park is located in the University Square housing development, the new homes that have been built behind the Ravenswood 101 Retail Center.

Davis was shot and killed while pursing a suspect on June 21, 1988.

The 1 p.m. dedication ceremony will include members of his family and a police honor guard.

-- Don Kazak
Controlled burn is delayed

A controlled burn scheduled for this week at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve on Skyline Boulevard has been delayed until at least next week.

The burn has been delayed because it is dependent upon enough fire crews from other agencies being available, notably the California Department of Forestry. That was not the case last week, said a spokeswoman for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

- Don Kazak
Police offer child-safety tips

In light of several highly publicized kidnappings and murders of children, Palo Alto Police Chief Pat Dwyer has issued some tips for parents to keep their children safe.

Dwyer's list comes from state Attorney General Bill Lockyer's office.

Parents should decide at what age it's appropriate to discuss their safety with them, he said. A stranger, he notes, is simply someone a child does not know. It is important for parents to discuss when it's appropriate to seek a stranger's help (such as a clerk in a supermarket when a child is lost) and when it's important to avoid strangers.

Role play and discuss various situations and settings, Dwyer said. Teach children never to take candy, ice cream or money from strangers. Never take a ride from a stranger. Never give their name or address to a stranger. Never tell a stranger they are home alone when answering the telephone.

If a stranger tries to take them by force, create a commotion by yelling and screaming. If confronted, try to get away immediately and tell a parent or trusted adult.
Family report card issued

The Peninsula Partnership for Children, Youth and Families has released a report on children's health and welfare in San Mateo County.

This is the first time the report has been issued in Spanish.

The Peninsula Partnership aims to be a catalyst to provide a solution to address critically important needs in the community, said Sterling Speirn, founder and co-chair of the partnership, and president of the Peninsula Community Foundation.

The Children's Report aims to provide information such as teen births, infant mortality, child abuse, drug, alcohol and tobacco use, high school dropout rates, child-care availability and a wide range of other issues.

Teen births remain the highest among Latina youth in San Mateo County -- 35.4 per 1,000 girls aged 15-17; 116.4 per 1,000 girls aged 18-19. Latino students are among the most likely to drop out of high school, at more than twice the rate of other ethnic minority groups.