Los Altos High SchoolRSS feed for all messages.MORE ABOUT ZOTTS!<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 24px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); min-height: 29px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><a href="https://www.thesixfifty.com/inside-the-peninsula-landmark-making-100000-tacos-and-burgers-a-year-for-silicon-valley-tech-titans-and-stanford-fans-alike-15388/">https://www.thesixfifty.com/inside-the-peninsula-landmark-making-100000-tacos-and-burgers-a-year-for-silicon-valley-tech-titans-and-stanford-fans-alike-15388/</a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(39, 84, 126);"><span style="color: #5e5e5e"><b>BY </b><a href="https://www.thesixfifty.com/author/sophia-markoulakis/"><span style="color: rgb(39, 84, 126);"><b>SOPHIA MARKOULAKIS</b></span></a><b> JUNE 15, 2023</b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 8px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 24px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); min-height: 29px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17);"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><img alt="pastedGraphic.png" src="blob:https://www.losaltoshigh62.org/e4f2623d-9629-4d41-aaa0-f8cc92bb54d9" /></span>Alpine Inn is the second-longest continuously run tavern in California. Courtesy Alpine Inn.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); min-height: 18px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;">When I was assigned a story on Portola Valley’s historic Alpine Inn, I knew to leave my Cal sweatshirt at home. Stanford’s roots run very deep at this transformed roadhouse and beer garden, especially now that the five new owners either attended the university or have some affiliation with it.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;">“I used to come here every Friday night when I went to school at Stanford,” Lori Hunter said. She and her husband, Deke, are the owners of Alpine Inn, along with Fred and Stephanie Harman and Jim Kohlberg. Hunter brought in Greg St. Claire, managing partner and president of <a href="https://www.avenir-rg.com/">Avenir Restaurant Group</a>, to lead the now-<a href="https://www.almanacnews.com/print/story/2022/03/04/alpine-inn-celebrates-170-years-with-a-party">171-year-old</a> roadhouse’s transformation. They purchased the property and business in 2018 and reopened it in <a href="https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2019/08/07/historic-alpine-inn-reopening-in-portola-valley-on-friday">August 2019</a> following an extensive renovation.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17);"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><img alt="pastedGraphic_1.png" src="blob:https://www.losaltoshigh62.org/9c012ec6-a109-4342-9a30-1c5d9d0dbf99" /></span>Stanford memorabilia can be found throughout the Alpine Inn in Portola Valley. Photo by Sadie Stinson.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); min-height: 18px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">A lot of the vintage memorabilia like bottles, license plates and photos inside the tavern were either removed or spiffed up during the remodel. More Stanford items managed to make their way onto the property, too. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">St. Claire’s father attended the university; some of his college belongings can be found displayed on the property. “My dad passed away recently, and I was going through a trunk of his Stanford stuff,” he said. Lightheartedly, he quickly followed up about what he uncovered: “I also found his academic probation letter from freshman year, so I know he spent a lot of time here.” </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">When Stanford’s lead historian got word that the restaurant had changed hands, he contacted St. Claire and offered him access to the school’s archives. “He opened the vault of historic photographs, and the walls inside the tavern are now filled with items on loan,” he said. “These images are just a great representation of the community and people that supported this place throughout the years.” Alpine Inn was and continues to be a big draw for all Stanford sports fans, especially football.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">The restaurant’s menu ranges from elevated bar bites like garlic herb and parmigiano reggiano fries served with tarragon aioli to entrees including salads, burgers, sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas, plus tavern specialties like ribs and tacos. Cocktails and wine join a selection of bottled beer and beer on tap, available by the pint or pitcher. There’s limited seating in the tavern and a 250-seat beer garden with covered seating, heat lamps and TVs for sports fans. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">Through the years, the tavern has been kept alive by more than just Stanford alumni and fans. Dating back to 1852 and being the second-oldest continually run tavern in California, the place and its lore have attracted a wide cast of characters and fans, from patrons arriving on horseback to tech workers in Teslas and local families looking for a bite to eat after a game at nearby Rossotti Field. Alpine Inn has served generations of families from Portola Valley and nearby communities who treat the establishment as a home away from home. (Before the 2018 ownership change and renovations, it was known as a place where patrons would carve their names into the restaurant’s booths.)<img alt="pastedGraphic_2.png" src="blob:https://www.losaltoshigh62.org/51e4444f-f9c2-4b8b-a3f2-4647f1da50b4" />Hors d’oeurves at the Alpine Inn in Portola Valley. Photo by Sadie Stinson.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">After several ownership changes, some by way of a bad hand or a tragic accident, the place became best known as Zotts, short for Rossotti’s. Even with more recent transfers, the name Zotts stuck. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">“We love the nickname and see it as part of its legacy,” Hunter said. “This place is a piece of Portola Valley history. Rain or shine, people come to be a part of it, from the folks in walkers waiting to get in at 11:30 a.m. to the college kids that occupy the place after 8 p.m.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17);"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><img alt="pastedGraphic_3.png" src="blob:https://www.losaltoshigh62.org/42b04a26-69e0-4b27-92ff-984331996088" /></span>Alpine Inn photographed in 1967 by Joe Melena. Courtesy San Mateo County History Museum Archives.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); min-height: 18px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);"><b>From Casa De Tableta to Alpine Inn</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">Former San Jose mayor Felix Buelna opened his roadhouse, Casa De Tableta, so that he and his countrymen could play cards, drink and dance following San Jose’s passage of an ordinance banning Sunday gambling, according to the <a href="https://www.alpineinnpv.com/history"><span style="color: #27547e">Alpine Inn’s website</span></a>. Casa De Tableta was strategically located on the <a href="https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21520"><span style="color: #27547e">earliest trail</span></a> used by rancheros and American settlers crossing the Peninsula to the coast. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">By 1868, Buelna sold the property to William Stanton. (Buelna’s grandson reportedly believes that his grandfather lost all of his property in a rigged poker game at the Searsville Saloon, according to the Alpine Inn.) Following numerous ownership changes, Charles Schenkel became the property’s primary owner around 1904 and renamed the roadhouse “The Wunder.”</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">In 1907, Portola Valley farmer Walter Jelich bought Schenkel’s lease. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors granted him a liquor license despite opposition from Stanford President David Starr Jordan, who claimed the saloon had the “reputation of being vile, even for a roadhouse,” according to a 2019 <a href="https://inmenlo.com/2019/12/30/the-saga-of-alpine-inn-aka-zotts-over-the-years/"><span style="color: #27547e">InMenlo article</span></a>.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17);"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><img alt="pastedGraphic_4.png" src="blob:https://www.losaltoshigh62.org/8c25f9d0-b3ac-4c90-bbbe-93232447f8ca" /></span>The Wunder Bar sign out front was painted over during Prohibition. Courtesy Alpine Inn.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); min-height: 18px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">From 1919-33, the Wunder Bar sign out front was painted over due to Prohibition, and liquor had to be smuggled into the county. The outdoor area became referred to as Schenkel’s Picnic Park and was advertised to San Franciscans as a place where non-alcoholic drinks were sold, but those in the know could find illicit beverages, according to the Alpine Inn.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">When Prohibition ended in 1933, Enrico Rossotti took over the lease from Schenkel and Jelich, purchasing the land from the Stantons 20 years later. The addition of burgers and grilled food during his tenure drew Stanford fans year-round, and he ran the restaurant, now called Rossotti’s Beer Garden, until 1956. Dan Horther and John Alexander took over in the ‘50s.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">In 1969 the location of the roadhouse, which had been renamed Alpine Inn, was registered as a historic landmark under its original name Casa De Tableta. It made history again in 1976, when scientists from SRI International successfully sent an electronic message from a computer set up at a picnic table in the beer garden. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">Alpine Inn remained in the Alexander family until Alexander’s wife, Molly, died in 2017, and the following year it was sold to the current ownership group.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17);"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><img alt="pastedGraphic_5.png" src="blob:https://www.losaltoshigh62.org/57e19478-5b37-4945-9d11-161fbcc3a805" /></span>Customers fill every outdoor table at Alpine Inn during the restaurant’s 170th anniversary celebration in Portola Valley on Feb. 28, 2022. Photo by Magali Gauthier.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); min-height: 18px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);"><b>What’s old is new again</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">Prior to the ownership change, the place was, as St. Claire described, “a lovable dump.” Once the transfer was complete, the team removed a large office/storage unit that sat at the edge of the property and blocked views of Los Trancos Creek below. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">“Besides being used as housing, that thing had several refrigerators that had all kinds of weird things stored in them,” Hunter said.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); min-height: 18px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17);"><img alt="pastedGraphic_6.png" src="blob:https://www.losaltoshigh62.org/57422cb7-1ad0-42c0-979f-67035a837df4" /></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;">“By the time we got to it, it was really on its last legs.” Alpine Inn was extensively renovated between 2018 and 2019. Photo by Sadie Stinson.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(144, 144, 144); min-height: 17px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">The tavern was leaning and needed extensive structural work. “There wasn’t a direct family member to take the place over after Molly passed away and a trustee was in charge. By the time we got it, it was really on its last legs,” St. Claire added. Other than updating the bathrooms and kitchen to bring them up to code and adding a ramp for accessibility, the footprint of the tavern and beer garden didn’t change.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">Though Hunter and the rest of the team did field concerns from customers about drastic changes to the space, those concerns were quickly squelched when the place reopened and people returned. They found an array of seasonal food, improved infrastructure and a welcoming outdoor space. Opening numbers exceeded expectations, and they rode the wave. Soon after, though, they would have to close as COVID hit them like every other restaurant in the state.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">As difficult as it was to shut down so quickly after opening, the team took the opportunity to redo the beer garden and really make it an elevated place to dine, drink and just hang out. Cornhole games and a kid’s play area were swapped out for more tables. Parents still bring their kids, but they no longer have the luxury of a dedicated space to drop them off. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">“We realized that the beer garden wasn’t always enjoyable for everyone, but we still get kids that climb the trees or try to scale the embankment and swim in the creek,” Hunter said about the changes. “The shutdown allowed us to really refine our vision and define ourselves.”</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Times; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17);"><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><img alt="pastedGraphic_7.png" src="blob:https://www.losaltoshigh62.org/4230fc07-1fbd-4951-9d20-2d49b8ddda40" /></span>Cooks at the Alpine Inn utilize an outdoor kitchen to help make up for the small indoor kitchen space. Photo by Magali Gauthier.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); min-height: 18px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">They also took the opportunity to update the guest-server interaction. “We were the beta launch for Toast’s new contactless ordering system,” St. Claire said. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the launch coincided with the return to outdoor dining. It’s interesting how 47 years ago, a group of scientists from SRI International sent the first internet transmission at one of Alpine Inn’s picnic tables and in 2021, the restaurant was instrumental in launching an app that was a savior for social distancing and dining outdoors.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">St. Claire and his regional operations partner, Michelle Qadri, make frequent visits to the restaurant. There’s a team of six managers, three in the front and three in the kitchen, that keep the place humming. In all, 120 employees keep the beer and burgers flowing in a space that can seat 250 people at a time.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">While St. Claire and the team are hoping to expand the kitchen in the near future, for now, they’ve learned to serve about 100,000 tacos and burgers annually with a kitchen smaller than you’d find in any Portola Valley home. To meet demands, the restaurant takes much of the cooking outside and has two wood-fired pizza ovens, a grill and a large commercial smoker they found in Georgia. tri-tip, bacon, brisket, chicken and ribs all get cooked in the smoker. Even fresh tomatoes and jalapeños get smoked before they are ground as part of the bar’s bloody Mary base.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17);"><img alt="pastedGraphic_8.png" src="blob:https://www.losaltoshigh62.org/4fe43f22-8672-4ce6-a430-cefdbfbfcfd5" /></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;">Alpine Inn has two wood-fired pizza ovens to meet demand. Photo by Sammy Dallal.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); min-height: 18px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">The owners seem to want to hold on to the past more than ever, but admit that some of the quirkiness had to go. “When we first took over we fished out all kinds of things from the creek. There was a crib and several Christmas trees down there,” Hunter laughed. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">She also talked about her favorite tree in the beer garden — a stately redwood.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">“I love that tree, and at some point, someone had attached lights to the trunk and installed a TV antenna on top,” she said. The redwood, along with buckeyes, were tended to. With the addition of sycamores and vegetable beds that define outdoor dining spaces, the beer garden is an enchanting place that is thriving with life.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);">“Restaurants are like public parks: They are essential gathering spots,” St. Claire said. “And Alpine Inn, with its year-round dining, well it’s just magical.”</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(38, 38, 38);"><span style="color: #27547e"><a href="https://www.alpineinnpv.com/">Alpine Inn</a></span>, 3915 Alpine Road, Portola Valley; 650-854-4004, Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/alpineinnpv/"><span style="color: #27547e">alpineinnpv</span></a>. Open 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays. Alpine Inn does not accept reservations or private party requests.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); min-height: 18px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); min-height: 18px;"> </p>
class_forums_messages.cfm?mid=295921&r=1
2023-06-16T13:45:05-04:00MORE ABOUT ZOTTS!2023 American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Overnight Walk<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:14px;">(Posted by Mike Erickson on behalf of Eric and Mary Jeanne Miller)</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">Dear Family and Friends,</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">Fifteen years ago in February 2008 my life was forever changed when my son died by suicide. Jake was 20 years old, a sophomore in college. He had a deeply caring heart, a loving, gentle soul, a playful sense of humor, strong artistic ability and a smile that could light up the room. He deeply loved his family, friends, dogs (especially his new Lab pup, Drake), his car and sports. The SF Giants and SF 49ers were his teams. </span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">We as human beings all carry burdens, have scars - some visible, others hidden. Whatever Jake carried, that darkness brought him to a point where he could no longer stand the pain or fight. </span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">TOO MANY PEOPLE DIE EACH YEAR BY SUICIDE</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">It is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. </span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">130 people die EVERY day</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">45,979 Americans died by suicide in 2020 (the last year of completed statistics) </span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">More than 40 Veterans take their lives EVERY day</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">An estimated 703,000 people worldwide die by suicide EACH year</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">1.2 MILLION people attempted suicide in 2020</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">In many cases, suicide can be prevented. </span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">This June 3rd in Washington D.C., I will be participating in my 7th American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Overnight Walk … a journey of 16-18 miles walked overnight and Out of the Darkness. I will be walking as a member of Team Jake Millertime. All funds raised for the walk benefit the AFSP, an amazing organization that provides research and advocacy for suicide prevention and mental illness. They provide educational programs for grade school through college as well as for the general public and survivors of suicide. The walk not only benefits AFSP, but also those who participate. Sharing of stories about loved ones lost and encouraging those who are struggling enriches each person and gives them hope and strength. It is a truly emotional and uplifting experience.</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">Each year I continue to walk </span></div>
<ul style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica;">
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">To raise awareness about suicide prevention so that NO family, NO individual will EVER experience the devastation our family has</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">To affirm and recognize the dignity and importance of EACH person </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">To open conversations to help bring about changes in attitudes and BREAK THE STIGMA related to suicide </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">To encourage those who need help to REACH OUT without fear or shame</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">To offer HOPE to those struggling and those who have lost someone to suicide</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">To NEVER FORGET those lost and CELEBRATE their uniqueness and value</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">JAKE’S LIFE MATTERED … EVERY LIFE MATTERS … YOU MATTER !!!</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;"> I hope you will consider supporting my participation in this event. My personal fundraising goal is $15,000 and ANY contribution, large or small, will help the work of AFSP. Checks should be made payable to AFSP and are 100% tax deductible. Or visit my Overnight fundraising page if you would like to donate online or see how close I am to reaching my personal goal.</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">With much gratitude and love, </span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">Mary Jeanne</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.theovernight.org/participant/41471" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.theovernight.org/participant/41471</a></span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">Thank you for considering this request for your support. If you have any questions about the Out of the Darkness Overnight or AFSP do not hesitate to contact me ANYTIME!!</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal; min-height: 24px;"> </div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 18.6px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;">If you or anyone you know is in crisis, please call 988 or contact the Crisis Lifeline by texting TALK to 741741</span></div>
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2023-04-29T15:45:16-04:002023 American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Overnight WalkJust Discovered<p>I've found a great new (to me) author and series of books that I highly recommend: it's Mick Herron and his <em>Slough House</em> (Slow Horses) spy/detective/thriller novels. He has a great sense of humor -- I laugh on almost every page -- and nice storytelling skills. Plus, he throws around literary references a lot and it's fun to pick them out. As a bonus, the first two books in the series have been filmed and put out on Apple TV+ (where you can also view the first couple seasons of the award-winning <em>Ted Lasso</em> series). Gary Oldman stars as Jackson Lamb, Herron's main protagonist (can't call him a hero). It's a little bit slow getting into the first book, as he introduces all his main characters (although the prolog starts things off with a bang). There are eight books in the series thus far; give yourself a treat and try them.</p>
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2023-01-31T15:30:14-04:00Just DiscoveredRE: Booster Shot<p>Today I'm scheduled to get my next COVID booster shot. My son and his family came down with Covid last week (probably due to their son starting school with few restrictions) - They were fully vaxxed and boosted, and still the two grownups were quite sick, though the 13-year-old shook it off. </p>
<p>So I'm getting the next shot, hoping to keep dodging the bullet, or at least suffer only a minor wound. Gotta stay in shape for that 60th reunion!</p>
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2022-09-20T10:09:28-04:00Booster ShotRE: Booster Shot<p>Yes I am committed to getting regular vaccinations against COVID-19, as I do against variant of influenza, lupus, pneumonia.... I have some friends, though, who say as they get older they are passing on the pneumonia vaccine, for macabre reasons.</p>
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2022-06-22T13:38:10-04:00Booster ShotRE: Booster Shot<p>Allyson, Are you likewise committed to future #2 booster and more in the future?</p>
<p> </p>
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2022-06-22T12:10:22-04:00Booster ShotAngela's Ashes by Frank McCourt<p>Five Stars!</p>
<p>I had this on my ToBeRead shelf for a long time. I was afraid of it. Afraid that it would be another chronicle of children suffereing incredible hardship. I had had enough of the incredible hardship of children of the Holocaust, children of slavery, female children of Hindu and Islamic extremists, children of drunkards.</p>
<p>I ran out of alternatives, and started “Angela’s Ashes”. So surprised and pleased. Yes, Frank McCourt is the child of a drunkard, but his story doesn’t stop there. It includes the full human story of laughter and weakness and belief and desperation and hope. It’s the laughter that got me. So much of the apocalyptic fiction and speculation, so much of the historic revision, allows no laughter. And without laughter, would we be human?</p>
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2022-03-03T13:18:04-04:00Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourtRE: The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich by William L. Shirer<p>Agree 100 percent, Eric! I read Shirer way back when and loved how he got so much into one book -- a huge book, but still just a large paperback. It's an exciting read, not typically dull history. Like reading Will and Ariel Durant rather than standard world histories (hint, hint).</p>
<p>Makes you wonder if it all could have been avoided too -- if they'd stopped Schicklgruber before he got fully started.</p>
<p>Perhaps a parallel with Putin today? Probably not . . .</p>
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2022-02-22T14:15:43-04:00The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich by William L. ShirerThe Rise and Fall of The Third Reich by William L. Shirer<p>What a great read! Highly recommend.</p>
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2022-02-22T13:27:36-04:00The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich by William L. ShirerMichael Connelly<p>Sharon and I are huge fans of Connelly -- one of the best police proceduralists around. Harry Bosch is a thoroughly realized character; plots are intricate and exceedingly well drawn; all the details feel "right" and on the mark.</p>
<p>We just finished his latest, The Dark Hours, with his third major creation (after Bosch and "The Lincoln Lawyer") -- Det. Renee Ballard. Enjoyed it a lot.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, there's a question I'd like to pose to any and all other Connelly devotees. Have you noticed -- and do you mind -- that Connelly seems bound and determined to include two elements in nearly all his works: first, a strong bent toward (endorsement of?) violence -- not just the murders that typically trigger the stories, but how the denouement almost never means an arrest and coming to trial. Rather, the criminals always seem to get mowed down in one fashion or another.</p>
<p>Second, the corollary of the first: the element of vigilantism is ever-present. It seems to be Bosch's standard modus operandi -- and now we see it in Ballard as well. Anything wrong with this picture?</p>
<p>A final note: just beginning Gary Shteyngardt's Our Country Friends. I've not read any of his previous books, all well-received and/or awarded. He's clever, funny, and engaging. If anyone out there has read any of his earlier works, I'd like to hear your reactions/recommendations. Thnx.</p>
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2022-02-04T12:33:09-04:00Michael ConnellyThe Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt<p>Has anyone else read this book? I would like to hear others' thoughts about it, but there don't seem to be a lot of folks around who like to settle into a 750+ page tome as I do. Lots of echoes of Dickens, but set in modern (though pre-pandemic) times. </p>
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2021-11-04T13:31:57-04:00The Goldfinch, by Donna TarttBooster Shot<p>My husband and I got our Moderna booster shots on Saturday. He was achy the next day, and we both had sore arms - all fine by Monday.</p>
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2021-11-02T10:15:57-04:00Booster ShotRE: The Fiddler by Paulette Jiles<p> </p>
<p>Hi Allison, Glad I can pass on some good reads to you! Hope you like them. See you at next reunion? Good wishes, Diana</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
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2021-09-21T13:47:32-04:00The Fiddler by Paulette Jiles"1876" by Gore Vidal<p>Gore Vidal's acidulous take on American politics in 1876 echoes wierdly in 2021. In the 1876 presidential election Tilden, the Democrat, was one vote short of victory in the electoral college, while Rutherford Hayes was 19 votes behind. 20 votes were contested, from states still controlled by Federal militia enforcing Reconstruction laws and protecting the rights of ex-slaves. </p>
<p>Hmmm. All 20 contested votes ended up in Hayes' column, giving him a one-vote majority in the electoral college, though he had lost the popular vote. Chicanery? Back-room dealings? you bet!</p>
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2021-09-18T17:13:50-04:00"1876" by Gore VidalRE: The Fiddler by Paulette Jiles<p>I love Paulette Jiles' <em>News of the World</em>, and have read some of her other works. Don't know how I missed <em>The Fiddler;</em> now I'll have to search it out at the library.</p>
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2021-09-18T17:09:33-04:00The Fiddler by Paulette JilesA Flash of Green:Memories of World War II<p><em>A Flash of Green</em> is a memoir written by my father, Charles McCandless in the late 1980s. It was meant only for the tamily. Several years after his death, I edited the manuscript and had it publshed. A documentary has also been produced. </p>
<p>Wounded by the first expolsions at Pearl Harbor, Charles McCandless went on to fight in the most imporant battles against Imperial Japan in World War II. Shot down over Midway. Crashed-landed at Guadalcanal. Did reconnaissance off the shores of Iwo Jima to prep the way for invading marines. His family never knew about any of these experiences until he handed them this private memoir. Through his vivid storytelling and unique perspective, McCandless' work brings fresh insight and humanity tooone of the most consequential military struggles in history.</p>
<p>Avalable on Amazon or my websie - www.flashofgreenmemoir.com</p>
<p> </p>
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2021-09-12T14:37:45-04:00A Flash of Green:Memories of World War IIThe Fiddler by Paulette Jiles<p>Historical fiction. Ms. Jiles's novels take place during the mostly aftermath of the Civil War.. Full of adventure, trials and tribulations, good and evil characters, interesting history, views of the landscape and towns of the time, good humor and soul and a nice romance. The fiddler is an admirable fellow. He takes food care of his fiddle and those he loved and is no wimp. Lots of interesting historical references about people and the times. I enjoyed all the books of hers I could find.</p>
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2021-09-01T17:06:39-04:00The Fiddler by Paulette JilesRE: Unsettled by Steven Koonin<p>Thanks for this synopsis/review, Allyson. Sounds like an important and interesting read. I'll suggest it for my book club.</p>
<p>I'm just finishing The Code Breaker, by Walter Isaacson, about Jennifer Doudna, the Nobel Prize winner who helped invent gene editing. She's a fellow alumna of Pomona, so I felt an immediate connection. The book is a hopeful one in these unsettled and scary times -- the author describes how the advancement of science is both a terrific competition AND a wonderful collegial enterprise. We need a lot more of the latter, of course, but Doudna and company show us the way.</p>
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2021-07-29T11:59:13-04:00Unsettled by Steven KooninUnsettled by Steven Koonin<p>A challenge to climate change doomsaters.</p>
<p>Koonin’s thesis is that the “Climate crisis” trumpeted by news headlines and TV specials is overblown. Yes, he agrees that the globe is warming, and that human activities contribute to this warning. But he believes that the data used to support the more apocalyptic predictions related to this waming is incomplete and unreliable, and even in the reports referenced to support statements such as “97 of 100 scientists agree that…” one can find many red flags such as “minimum confidence”, “low confidence”, “additional research needed” which undermine the credibility of the conclusions.</p>
<p>Furthermore, even if the world were magically able to cut off all use of fossil fuels and convert all humans to vegetarianism, there would be no immediate payoff. It will take centuries for the world to absorb the excess carbon. Koonin points out how very bad politicians are at taking drastic measures when the payoff is longterm, though they are often very good at advocating such measures as long as they are to be implemented after their term of office. (Koonin spent some time in the Obama administration as an undersecretary in the Dept of Energy, so he speaks with some experience.)</p>
<p>So what to do? Geo-engineering is an option, but untested, and with possible unforeseeable consequences. Since we do not fully understand what influences the weather naturally, fooling around with possible technical modifications seems dangerous. Better, says Koonin, to explore ways to adapt. Conservation should be the top priority, saving forests as carbon sinks, and using fossil fuels as little as possible without causing economic collapse. It’s pragmatic, it’s not glamourous, but it makes sense.</p>
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2021-07-29T10:30:36-04:00Unsettled by Steven KooninGreen Lion Press<p>For a complete reverse of current topics, I recently was introduced by a former H.S. Class '62 family to the worldsof updated scholarship in the Classics that include Newton's Principia. Maxwell's Equations and Lavoissier chemistry, see Green Lion Press, shared by a married couple who have been leaders in science and math at St. Johns College, Santa Fe NM campus, see:</p>
<p>https://www.greenlion.com/</p>
<p>What fun!</p>
<p>Randy</p>
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2021-05-28T13:06:57-04:00Green Lion Press