Superintendent Julie Haff Credits "Our Wonderful Community" at Library Dedication

As the SLV Cafeteria filled up with community members, students, teachers and staff, the buzz in the room was about the previous weeks windstorm that blew trees and branches down and knocked out power for days from Big Basin to Paradise Park. Neighbors compared damage estimates, or the height of debris piles or when the electricity came back on and shared unique SLV experiences like the packed dinner celebration to honor the angels of the Valley Churches United at Scopazzi’s on Thursday night, lit by lanterns and candlelight or the opening night production of Our Town at Park Hall on Friday where the actors carried flashlights for illumination.

Then SLVUSD Superintendent Julie Haff stepped to the podium and the overflow gatherings attention quickly turned to the present.

Haff expressed surprise and pleasure at the size of the turnout as she began the proceedings to dedicate the stunning 13,500 sq ft, two story, library and tech center building which is neatly positioned between the High School and elementary school and connected to the Middle School campus by a bridge entrance to the upper floor.

Haff recalled the shock the community felt when it was discovered that vandals set fire to a garbage can that ignited the high school library on a winter’s night five years ago destroying the contents and leaving a gaping scar in the middle of the campus. She paid tribute to the Felton and Zayante fire departments who contained the blaze and she spoke about the efforts of her staff in fashioning a temporary library while a permanent solution was sought.

After introducing the school board members, Haff was quick to credit “our wonderful community” and spoke of the tremendous amount of input and encouragement she received as individuals and groups came together on behalf of our students.

Haff introduced and paid tribute to the contributions of architect Beverly Prior, consultant Nancy Litvak and the construction crew from Barry Swenson Builders. (On behalf of the students she accepted a stack of books on design, construction and sustainable energy as a gift from the builders.)

The Superintendent expressed her appreciation for the assistance the district received from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, State Senator Joe Simitian and his staff as well as County Supervisor Mark Stone.

The district eventually proposed an 18.7 million bond measure to fund construction of a new library, additional elementary classrooms on two campuses, an upgrade and renovation of the performing arts center at the High School and a variety of other infrastructure improvements. Voters overwhelmingly approved the measure in 2008.

After acknowledging the effort that so many made to ensure passage of Measure O, Haff asked members of the bond oversight committee to stand and be recognized. Haff then introduced board member and the director of the Measure O campaign drive, George Wylie, who declared that we were at the scene of the “brightest spot in education in the entire state of California”

Wylie predicted that both current and future generations of students would walk into the building and say “It’s really cool.”

Wylie thanked all the people who helped to pass the bond measure and especially members of the oversight committee who he said worked tirelessly on the communities’ behalf to make sure that “every dime that was spent went towards what the voters intended.”

“The building was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. How many times have you heard that?” Wylie asked. Adding that “Without Julie Haff this would not have happened.”

Haff then introduced board president Lea Dakota who presented a commendation to district project manager Erik Slaughter in recognition of his contribution to “the crown jewel of the projects.”

Next up was SLV High School principal Mike Arredondo who read from the plaque affixed to the entrance to the building dedicating it to “The Students of San Lorenzo Valley”. Arredondo echoed the overwhelming sentiment of all the speakers in their appreciation of the San Lorenzo Valley community by saying that “Whenever there is an identified need, the adults of this community step forward to meet it.”

SLV Middle School principal Michael Calden noted that the building was the first “real” library for his school and that the upgraded collection of books and materials brought us into the 21st century. After laying down the rules: “no food or drinks, no gum and no greasy fingerprints on the windows or computer monitors” Calden invited everyone to choose between the ground floor or upper level entrances for a simultaneous ribbon cutting.

Then the assembled streamed into the building.

As attractive as the exterior is, with multiple pathways heading in all directions, wide windows and the distinctive beacon tower in the center, the subtle landscaping and the near perfect footprint; it is the interior that takes your breathe away.

The High School library is on the ground floor and is entered from the center across a lawn from the cafeteria building. Above, is the middle school library which is entered from the opposite side via a bridge from near the middle school gym. Both floors feature a vestibule which houses lavatories and elevator and from which you can access the computer labs or the main library rooms. The beacon tower protrudes from this area and allows sunlight to splash though during the day and provides a guiding light at night.

Each floor has a dedicated technology center complete with brand new wide screen Apple computers, a projection system and comfortable, roomy workstations. You get the feeling that you’ve walked into a NASA control room or a Silicon Valley startup.

The main library rooms on each floor are distinctive from one another. Nearly 10,000 brand new volumes fill stacks that are strategically positioned to provide a variety of private and shareable work spaces. It feels almost as if these are two completely different buildings, each with it’s own special ambiance. There is a definite academic, almost collegiate, aesthetic at work on the ground floor while the upper level, still very much a first class library, manages to evoke a certain whimsy.

The combination is a noble edifice that will not only serve and inspire generations of learners but will stand for decades to come as convincing evidence of the values this community has for education and for our youth.

Whenever SLV residents recall the recent windstorm or that library fire five years ago, we will likely remember most how we responded, how, as a community we came together and how, as a result, life got better. And then we will remember, with pride, why we live here.

Valley Women's Club of SLV Holds General Meeting

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo was among a dozen elected officials on hand as the Valley Women’s Club of San Lorenzo Valley held their annual meeting Sunday at the Senior Center in Highlands Park.  Eshoo, who has been a member of the organization since she was first elected to Congress in 1993 was warmly received by the packed house.

In spite of a steady light rain that fell all day the 33rd General Meeting of the VWC was well attended.  Over 100 members and guests gathered to share a gourmet potluck brunch, connect with neighbors and discuss issues affecting the Valley, the County, the State, the Nation and the planet.

Newly elected Co-President Nancy Gerdt introduced the other officers for 2011: Co-president Dixie Mitchell-Clow,  VP Michele Mosher, Treasurer Sheila DeLany, Secretary Karen Burman, Budget Officer Vince Waskell; and board members: Jody Bruce, Jim Coffis, Dusty Gipson, Mary Hammer, Nancy Macy, Lynn McKibbin, Laura Whaley, and Donna Ziel.

Reports on progress and plans from Club committees were presented and then Cabrillo College Trustee and VWC Board member Donna Ziel introduced Congresswoman Anna Eshoo.

Eshoo spoke for 25 minutes and was interrupted by applause several times.  She acknowledged at one point  that she was  “speaking to the choir here.”

She described what life was like in view of the “new majority” in the House of Representatives and urged everyone to read the recently released report from the Phil Angelides chaired Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.  She said the report shows how the financial crisis was man made.  

While acknowledging a need for spending cuts, Eshoo warned  about how “the new majority” was attempting to “cripple” programs under the guise of making cuts.  As an example she called the cuts proposed for Planned Parenthood  “a wholesale attack on women’s health” and “a threat to all of us.”

“We need a whole new narrative. it’s not just a choice between cutting and spending.  We have to continue to invest responsibly in our future.  Unfortunately the rhetoric sticks and the facts just walk away.”

While saying we have our work cut out for us Eshoo remains optimistic.  “Listening to your reports inspires me. “ she said  I am continually impressed by the enormous capacity of my constituents.”  

She spoke with pride about the passage of Affordabale Healthcare Act saying that since Teddy Roosevelt  congresses have tried to address the issue without success.  She warned against a return to the “capricious nature of the health insurance companies”  who would like nothing better than return to lifetime caps and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.   

The ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, which has jurisdiction over technology, the Internet, and telecommunications legislation and the founding member and Co-Chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus, Eshoo told the audience of plans by Republicans to block the Federal Communications Commission's proposed Net neutrality rules and predicted a “revolution” if they succeed.  “The Internet must remain free and open, with consumers not corporations in the drivers seat.” she said.

State Senator Joe Simitian followed the Congresswoman and discussed the imperative of getting a tax extension initiative on the June ballot and getting it passed in order to avoid devastating cuts to state services.   He discussed California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard Program and said that the goal set to move to 20% renewable energy would be me this year and that he has introduced legislation to set a new goal of 33% by 2020.

Mark Stone was among first to arrive & last to leave. The 5th District County Supervisor made himself available to constituents as they filed in and throughout the potluck brunch  Stone heard from individuals on all manner of issues affecting the area.

Stone discussed budget concerns and pending County legislation including the ban on plastic bags that he believes will withstand potential industry attacks and become law soon.  He asked for input on the proposed county wide vacation rental ordinance that he said was meant to address a beach area problem. He said he wanted to avoid unintended consequences of a law written for a densely populated urban area being applied countywide. He reiterated his position in support of maintaining local branch libraries and said that reports that a special subcommittee of the Library Joint Powers Board was leaning toward one or another of the service models previously proposed was premature.  (The subcommittee will report tonight to the Library Joint Powers Board on their deliberations to date and Stone believes they’ve yet to gather all the information necessary to make any recommendations.)

Stone touched on how the California budget process could impact the local First 5 Commission and the RSA’s of Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond and Felton.  He also discussed the purchase of the rail line between Davenport and Watsonville and how a proposed trail system could be extended into Felton.

In response to questions he said that the County had posted notices which had essentially closed the Brookdale Lodge.  He said residents should report to the County if they observed any further non-compliance with those orders.  He said the County was moving forward with both civil and criminal actions against the owner.  He also said that a neighborhood meeting was in the works to discuss the situation involving the residence on Felton Empire Grade where numerous drug arrests have been made over the last several weeks.

Earlier in the program Supervisor Stone  was praised by Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and State Senator Joe Simitian as a trusted partner and strong advocate.  Eshoo told the audience how important and valuable it was that Stone, Simitian and Assemblyman Bill Monning “shared values” which made working  together to represent the area that much more effective.

Congresswoman Eshoo Throws a Party in Ben Lomond

Member of Congress the Honorable Anna Eshoo brought a cake (from Ben Lomond Market) to the Senior Center at Highlands Park to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the enactment of the Social Security Act.  Before leading the assembled in a round of Happy Birthday the congresswoman sang the praises of what she called "our nation's greatest social program".  She warned against attempts by some in Congress to "turn Social Security over to Wall Street."

She noted that 401(k)s and IRAs lost 32% of their value during the 2008 financial collapse and that the overhead and administrative costs of Social Security were only 4%.

Eshoo was introduced by Supervisor Mark Stone who praised her efforts on behalf of the14th district  constituents.  He told of her efforts to secure legislation on behalf of residents in Felton Grove.  For her part Eshoo praised the "teamwork" exhibited between her office, Stone's and State Senator Joe Simitian.

Alerted to the accident that closed Highway 17,  Eshoo and her staff drove over Highway 9 from Saratoga.  She said the views along that route convinced her she represented the most beautiful district in the state.  She said "in many ways this is like the crown jewel of the district."

Valley Women's Club Annual Meeting March 14 at Highlands Park

32nd Annual Meeting of Valley Women's Club 

The community is invited to hear comments on the state of the State, by State Senator Joe Simitian, and on the state of the 5th District, by Supervisor Mark Stone, at the Valley Women’s Club’s Annual General Meeting, to be held on Sunday, March 14th, from 11:30AM to 2:00PM at the Highlands Park Senior Center in Ben Lomond.