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Today: Ormondale Turkey Trot
Yes, it's time for the Ormondale Turkey Trot. The family fun run is set for Saturday, Nov. 21, at Ormondale School, 200 Shawnee Pass Road in Portola Valley. (Saturday, 12:15 AM)

Friday, November 20, 2009
Preuss to close; Safeway buys business
Preuss Pharmacy, a fixture in downtown Menlo Park since 1947, is closing. The store at 844 Santa Cruz Ave. will shut down soon and the phone lines and prescription files transferred to the Safeway pharmacy at 525 El Camino Real in Menlo Park the morning of Friday, Nov. 20. (Friday, 2:24 PM)

Portola Valley: Spring Ridge winery would add buildings to scenic pasture
Spring Ridge winery in Portola Valley proposes to add 23,000 square feet of floor area that would include a greenhouse, an entertainment/cabana building, a guest house/art studio, a barn and an "agricultural building." The town's Architecture and Site Control Commission will hold an on-site public meeting at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23. The review will continue later that night at the ASCC's regular meeting. (Friday, 11:42 AM)

There's more at stake in Big Game than the Axe
There have been stranger weeks leading up to the Big Game than this one, but they would be difficult to find. (Friday, 11:10 AM)

Siegel appointed to fill vacant Las Lomitas seat
Jay Siegel, who has a child at La Entrada School and has been an active volunteer on the Las Lomitas Education Foundation, has been appointed to the five-member Las Lomitas School District board.
(Friday, 10:55 AM)

Sunday: Christmas concert at Memorial Church
Peninsula Symphony will perform selections from Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" and Reicha's (a colleague of Beethoven) "Requiem" from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Stanford Memorial Church. (Friday, 12:47 AM)

Today: 'Alice in Wonderland' at Woodside Priory
High school and middle school students at Woodside Priory will present "Alice in Wonderland on Saturday, Nov. 21, in Rothrock Performance Hall at the school, 302 Portola Road in Portola Valley. (Friday, 12:32 AM)

Sunday: Adriana, friends stage benefit concert at Menlo School in memory of her father
Adriana Kwicinski, a senior at Menlo School, will present — with her musical friends — a "Songs for Life" pop and jazz benefit concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, in Florence Moore Auditorium at Menlo School in Atherton. The concert benefits the Larry Kwicinski Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Research Fund, which she established in honor of her father, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2006 at age 57. (Friday, 12:16 AM)

Thursday, November 19, 2009
PV superintendent to run for county post
Anne Campbell, the superintendent of the Portola Valley School District, announced her plans to run for the post of San Mateo County superintendent of schools in 2010. Ms. Campbell's candidacy has been endorsed by Superintendent of Schools Jean Holbrook, who is retiring at the end of her term. (Thursday, 11:41 AM)

Palo Alto, SHP girls reach CCS volleyball finals
The seniors on the Palo Alto and Sacred Heart Prep girls' volleyball teams are venturing into unknown territory, which includes playing for Central Coast Section titles and qualifying for the NorCal playoffs for the first time following impressive semifinal victories on Wednesday. (Thursday, 10:52 AM)

1940s fashion exhibit at Little House
Sketches of 1940s women's couture designs, photos of women from that era, and actual clothing items are on display in an exhibit at the Little House Activity Center in Menlo Park. (Thursday, 10:50 AM)

Sprinkler douses office fire in Woodside home
An interior sprinkler system extinguished a home-office fire on Buck Court in Woodside before firefighters arrived and before the fire had a chance to do any damage to the house itself Wednesday night. (Thursday, 10:44 AM)

Caltrain offers special service for the Big Game
Few things on the Peninsula have been around as long as Caltrain, but one of the closest competitors is the Big Game. Caltrain will provide special service to the 112th game when Stanford faces California on Saturday in Stanford Stadium.
■ Caltrain changes schedule for Thanksgiving.
(Thursday, 7:48 AM)

Caltrain changes schedule for Thanksgiving
Caltrain will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving and run a modified Saturday schedule the day after, traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year. (Thursday, 7:44 AM)

Longtime community activist moving
Elizabeth Lasensky, who has been involved in a variety of community groups and activities during her 19 years in Menlo Park, is moving to San Carlos. (Thursday, 7:31 AM)

SamTrans seeks comment on 10-year plan
The San Mateo County Transit District is preparing a 10-year plan in the context of a $28.4 million shortfall and a structural deficit and is seeking comment from members of the public on a draft of the plan. (Thursday, 7:30 AM)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
LOCAL WEB SITES
Links to local organizations, community resources
■ Have a suggestion for a link? Send it to us
(Wednesday, 11:36 PM)

High-speed rail planners ramp up communication spending; locals skeptical
Critics see the new $9 million public relations contract as an effort to stifle dissent, rather than promote dialogue. (Wednesday, 11:33 PM)

Sunday: Portola Valley celebrates Bill Lane's birthday
Portola Valley is celebrating Sunday the 90th birthday of Bill Lane, Portola Valley's first mayor and a major force in sustaining the town's quality of life and culture of environmental conservation. Photo: Mr. Lane received a proclamation at the Nov. 11 Town Council meeting in honor of his recent 90th birthday. Mayor Ann Wengert, right, congratulates Mr. Lane's wife, Jean Lane. (Wednesday, 6:32 PM)

Saturday: Sacred Heart Prep, Menlo School meet in boys' CCS Division II water polo final
For the past 12 years, either Menlo or Sacred Heart Prep (or both) have played in the Central Coast Section Division II boys' water polo finals. That number jumps to 13 this week now that the Knights and Gators have reached the championship match once again. (Wednesday, 11:52 AM)

Portola Valley Town Center wins the highest green-building rating: platinum
The results are in. As green buildings go, Portola Valley's new complex of library, Town Hall and community hall join a select few municipal buildings awarded the top rating by the green building community. (Wednesday, 11:49 AM)

Bohannon office/hotel project too big? Not necessarily, Menlo Park City Council says
Menlo Park's City Council has directed the city to enter negotiations on a major office/hotel project, setting the stage for a final vote in spring 2010.
■ Touchy debate over polarizing Bohannon project.
■ Dreams of revitalization in Belle Haven.
■ Perceived benefits a fantasy, critics say. (Wednesday, 11:05 AM)

Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Menlo Country Club faces uphill battle
The Menlo Country Club on Woodside Road predates the high school across the street and the town of Woodside. The club is appealing a decision tonight by the town planning director that denies the club a zoning change that could allow it to expand. (Tuesday, 6:57 PM)

Police calls
The weekly crime and accident report for Atherton, Menlo Park, Woodside, Portola Valley and the unincorporated areas of Ladera, West Menlo Park, Los Trancos Woods and Vista Verde. (Tuesday, 6:55 PM)

Expert: Officer May shot in the head first
A gunshot-trajectory expert attempted to demolish assertions on Tuesday morning that Alberto Alvarez, 26, murdered East Palo Alto Police officer Richard May in January 2006 in an execution-style shooting. (Tuesday, 6:55 PM)

Tonight: Atherton may drop road impact fee
Tonight's Atherton City Council meeting at Holbrook-Palmer Park could signal the end of the town's road impact fee. Town staff is recommending that the fee, charged to builders to compensate the town for construction-related wear and tear on its roads, be rescinded. (Tuesday, 11:29 AM)

Bursting at the seams
If closing a school is the hardest decision a school board ever has to make, then the second most difficult is deciding whether to open a new school. Next month, the Menlo Park City School District's board of trustees is going to have to decide if growing student enrollment justifies the expense and difficulty of opening an elementary school at the old O'Connor site. It's a decision with far-reaching implications. (Tuesday, 11:25 AM)

POST to sell 4,262 acres near Montara and Moss Beach to National Park Service
The Peninsula Open Space Trust plans to sell Rancho Corral de Tierra, a large tract of land surrounding Montara and Moss Beach, to the National Park Service. The 4,262-acre area is one of the largest undeveloped properties on the San Mateo County coast, according to POST spokeswoman Nina Nowak. (Tuesday, 10:03 AM)

Monday, November 16, 2009
Armed men invade, rob Menlo Park home
Two men armed with semiautomatic handguns confronted a resident outside his home in the 700 block of Pierce Road at around 6:30 p.m. Monday night (Nov. 16), forced him inside the home, and held him and his girlfriend at gunpoint while they looted "several electronic items and an undisclosed amount of cash," according to Menlo Park police. (Monday, 11:26 PM)

Laurel student, 6, dies in hit-and-run crash
The 6-year-old Menlo Park girl who died after a hit-and-run accident Thursday has been identified as Lisa Xaiver, a student at Laurel school in Atherton.
■ To view pictures of Shannon Fox, whom police are "actively searching for," click here and here. These pictures are from the Menlo Park Police Department. (Monday, 5:21 PM)

M-A boys hope to join local teams in finals
The Menlo-Atherton boys will take on defending Central Coast Section water polo champ St. Francis on Tuesday in a Division I playoff semifinal at Lynbrook High. Photo: M-A senior Eric Wright, being defended here by Gunn's Ben Hendricks, scored two goals in the Bears' 12-4 CCS Division I quarterfinal victory Saturday. Photo by Forrest Carmichael. (Monday, 4:18 PM)

Tonight: Key meeting on Bohannon project
Menlo Park's City Council is expected to give general guidance Tuesday (Nov. 17) on negotiations with the Bohannon Development Co. over the proposed "Menlo Gateway" project. (Monday, 10:54 AM)

Touchy debate over polarizing Bohannon project
City's divided history, Bohannon family's Menlo Park ties complicate debate over huge office/hotel project.
■ Dreams of revitalization in Belle Haven.
■ Perceived benefits a fantasy, critics say.
(Monday, 10:33 AM)

Dreams of revitalization in Belle Haven
Belle Haven residents explain support for Bohannon project. (Monday, 10:33 AM)

Perceived benefits a fantasy, critics say
Critics have argued that perceived benefits associated with the Bohannon project are based on wishful thinking. (Monday, 10:32 AM)

Sunday, November 15, 2009
Recognize anyone here?
This early 1920s photograph shows a group of young adults relaxing at an unknown location in Atherton. The Atherton Heritage Association would like to know more about this group, and invites anyone with information about the photo to call 688-6540. Photo courtesy of the Atherton Heritage Association. (Sunday, 11:15 PM)

Saturday, November 14, 2009
Menlo gains some revenge with Valpo Bowl win
Menlo quarterback Danny Diekroeger runs away from Sacred Heart Prep's Sean Joy while scoring one of his two touchdowns on Friday in the seventh annual Valparaiso Bowl. He also threw for two more in a 27-21 victory over the Gators. Photo by Keith Peters/Palo Alto Online.
● Prep scores, game details from PA Online Sports.
(Saturday, November 14, 2009, 7:40 AM)

Friday, November 13, 2009
E-BULLETIN ALERT: Six-year-old Menlo Park girl dies from injuries in hit-and-run street race
The 6-year-old Menlo Park girl injured in a hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Willow Road and Bayfront Expressway on Thursday died at 4:05 p.m. today at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, the San Mateo County coroner's office reported. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 7:07 PM)
To sign up for e-bulletins from Almanac, follow this link.

Saturday: St. Raymond 'Havana Nights'
Cuban music and mojitos will put guests in a festive mood at "Havana Nights," St. Raymond School's annual auction, to be held Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton. Photo: Bob Vanhoy, Draeger's wine specialist, is shown with St. Raymond parents, from left, Deana Berquist, Stacey Anstead and Betsy Tripaldi. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 4:12 PM)

Defense expert: Officer May broke rules
A use-of-force expert for Alberto Alvarez, who is on trial for the murder of East Palo Alto Police Officer Richard May, testified Thursday there was no justifiable reason for May to stop Alvarez on Jan. 7, 2006. Related story: • Alberto Alvarez testifies
(Friday, November 13, 2009, 12:51 PM)

Gun battle erupts in East Palo Alto
Twenty-five to 30 shots were fired in a gun battle in East Palo Alto Thursday evening, injuring two men, according to an East Palo Alto detective. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 12:49 PM)

Pitching in for kids in Menlo Park, East Palo Alto
Two foundations have organized to raise support for public school children in east Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 12:01 PM)

Police: Sexual assault victim 'very uncooperative'
The victim of a Nov. 12 sexual assault by two men near the footbridge to Palo Alto at the southern end of Alma Street in Menlo Park is being "very, very uncooperative" with investigators from the Menlo Park Police Department, police said. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 11:31 AM)

Laurel student, 6, dies in hit-and-run crash
The 6-year-old Menlo Park girl who died after a hit-and-run accident Thursday has been identified as Lisa Xaiver, a student at Laurel school in Atherton.
■ To view pictures of Shannon Fox, whom police are "actively searching for," click here and here. These pictures are from the Menlo Park Police Department. (Friday, November 13, 2009, 11:17 AM)

Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tonight: New clothing boutique holds fundraiser
Menlo Park clothing boutique Pink & Harmony will hold an event to benefit cancer victims Friday, Nov. 13, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 4:14 PM)

Monday: Ladera meditation group
A Ladera meditation group, called Ladera Sunday Morning Mindfulness Meditation Sangha, will hold a free introduction to its program from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at a home in Ladera. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 2:37 PM)

Fleet Feet recognized for 'green' renovation
Six other companies, residents recognized in Menlo Park's annual environmental awards. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 2:33 PM)

Family: Drowned man was a loving son, brother,
The 21-year-old man found dead in a Redwood City swimming pool last week was a loving son and brother who always gave without reserve, family members said. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 11:51 AM)

Community invited to party for Bill Lane
The public is invited to a Sunday, Nov. 22, celebration of the 90th birthday of Bill Lane, Portola Valley's first mayor, the former publisher of Sunset Magazine, and a town benefactor many times over. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 11:17 AM)

Willows burglaries: police on alert; four arrested
Menlo Park police report they are on "heightened alert" following what the police department has characterized as a recent increase in burglaries in the city's Willows neighborhood. Officers tracked down and arrested one adult and three adolescents following a burglary Nov. 10. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:47 AM)

ELECTION RESULTS
■ Sequoia Union High School District. (Elect two to board.)
■ Menlo Park Fire Protection District. (Elect three to board.)
■ Atherton tax measures S & T (Measure S renews town's parcel tax at existing rate. Measure T allows town to raise appropriation limit to spend revenue from tax. Two-thirds' majority required for passage.)
■ Portola Valley tax measures P, Q & R ((Simple majority required for passage. See story explaining these measures.)
■ For all results, click here and search for the results you are interested in.
(Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:28 AM)

LOCAL WEB SITES
Links to local organizations, community resources
■ Have a suggestion for a link? Send it to us
(Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:23 AM)

InnVision kicks off holiday gift drive
InnVision, which provides services for homeless and at-risk families, including in Menlo Park, has kicked off its drive for donations and volunteers for the holiday season. (Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:08 AM)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Preuss Pharmacy in downtown Menlo Park to close; business sold to Safeway
Preuss Pharmacy, in business in downtown Menlo Park since 1947, will close Nov. 19, owner and chief pharmacist John Celedon announced Wednesday. (Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 11:51 PM)

Teens get rare inside view of Google, Facebook
About 30 teenagers from lower-income families in Menlo Park and East Palo Alto will get a rare insider's look at Silicon Valley giants such as Google and Facebook this Friday, while others will tour NASA Ames and a half-dozen other sites. (Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 10:44 PM)

City joins appeal of 'unfunded mandate'
In a unanimous closed session vote at its Nov. 10 meeting, Menlo Park's City Council opted to join an appeal of new regulations related to storm water pollution that could cost the city $300,000 per year. (Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 10:42 PM)

Menlo's Bekowies is Cal Pac Player of the Year
Menlo College middle blocker Deborah Bekowies was named California Pacific Conference Player of the Year for the second consecutive season as the all-conference team was announced Wednesday. (Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 10:39 PM)

There's more than meets the eye in Woodside Community Theatre's production of 'Fiddler'
If done right, a theatrical production, such as the current Woodside Community Theatre production of "Fiddler on the Roof," appears effortless. The actors move seamlessly from scene to scene; the stage sets change without being noticed; the orchestra, hidden, is a pleasant backdrop. Photo: Part of the cast of 50 ready to take their bows. Photo by Barbara Wood. (Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 4:53 PM)

Today: Menlo Park to hold special meeting
The city of Menlo Park has scheduled an additional closed session meeting to discuss negotiations with its non-police employee unions. (Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 4:50 PM)

Mountain lion spotted in Emerald Hills
A mountain lion sighting was reported in Redwood City's Emerald Hills neighborhood this afternoon, according to the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services. (Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 4:35 PM)

Portola Valley: Rat trips circuit breaker, leaves The Sequoias without power for 26 hours
A tenacious Portola Valley rat, now deceased, shut down electrical service at The Sequoias retirement community on the morning of Monday, Nov. 9, when it managed to get into a rodent-proofed electrical facility on the grounds and place itself across the main circuit breaker. (Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 12:27 PM)

Menlo Park asks for underground rail system
After some wrangling, Menlo Park's City Council approved the text of a letter to the High-Speed Rail Authority at its meeting Tuesday, Nov. 10, stating the city's preference for the high-speed rail to run below ground. (Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 11:44 AM)

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