OMVNA Newsletter, June 2005

Join Us June 13: Monthly meetings are the second Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 580 Castro Street, and are open to neighborhood residents.

June 25: Sustainable Communities Urban Hike with Matt Neely

Community Success: Resolving Traffic Light Issues on El Camino
By Ronit Bryant

Some of you may have been following a conversation that took place on our neighborhood e-mail list, OMVNAtalk, regarding the dangers faced by pedestrians and bicyclists attempting to cross El Camino at Calderon and Castro,intersections where the pedestrian signal and the left-turn arrow for cars coincided. The issue had surfaced periodically for years, but no progress was made to resolve it because the traffic lights on El Camino, a state route, are controlled by Caltrans (and not the City of Mountain View).

Over the years, City staff tried to convince Caltrans staff that the situation was dangerous and merited attention, but to no avail. Last year, residents brought the issue up again. Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, our neighbor, offered to see if she could help. City Council made contact with higher levels of Caltrans staff and things happened. Suddenly, the problem became one that could be resolved quite easily— and was resolved this year. Today, the pedestrian signal and the left-turn arrow for cars on El Camino intersections in Mountain View no longer coincide.

Another traffic issue that worries many of us and that periodically resurfaces is the right turn against a red light at the intersection of Castro and El Camino. Such right turns are, of course, allowed in California, but, in this case, a potentially dangerous situation is created. Twice a day, many students from Graham Middle School use this crosswalk on their way to the bus station on the Old Mountain View side of El Camino— while many cars are eagerly trying to turn from Castro onto El Camino (and sometimes not watching out for pedestrians in the intersection). The situation seems like an accident waiting to happen.

Residents have proposed several solutions: forbid the right turn against a red light (at all times or at posted times), post warning signs, narrow the intersection. Dennis Belluomini, the City’s traffic engineer, says that Mountain View tried to forbid right turns against a red light in specific intersections in the past, but found that neither judges nor police officers were comfortable with exceptional rules. Narrowing the intersection is likely to make drivers and business owners very unhappy. Additional traffic enforcement by the police force would be helpful, but Mountain View has less staffing for such enforcement than some of our neighboring cities.

This is probably another issue that will take very long to resolve. But, if you’re interested in working on this or other traffic issues, a good place to start is communicating with the City Transportation Committee (Council members Kasperzak, Galiotto, and Perry with Joan Jenkins as the staff liaison).

If you’d like to work on this with a group of neighbors, a good way to go is to express your interest on our neighborhood e-mail list, OMVNAtalk.

The moral of the story? Traffic issues can be resolved; and we have, in our neighborhood, resolved several. The City has both built-in mechanisms for calming traffic, and staff ready to work with residents. But it does take time and effort. And lots of patience.

In the Garden: Growing a Great Window Box
By Gina Thelen, MasterGardener

Window boxes are all about flowers: as many as possible for as long as possible with as little work as possible. Picture flowers mounding over the edge of the box and cascading onto balconies, or adding colorful accents to brighten windows.

Enter reality. A window box can be a harsh location for a flowering plant. The boxes often hold little dirt and in a sunny spot are prone to drying out. However, there is a plant for every location. If you pick plants based on the light your box gets, you can get great results with a minimum of fuss.

Take a look at the spot where you want the box to go. How much sun does it get? In shady areas you will have to do less watering than in sunny ones. Plants such as impatiens, fuchsia and bacopa do well in shade. In sunny spots you’ll need to do more watering and pick plants such as petunias, geraniums and zinnias that are happy in full sun. Annuals tend to flower more freely than perennials. Annuals get one season to reproduce, so you get a lot of flowers. The downside is you will need to replant after the season is over. You can even add plants with no flowers but pretty leaves. Like greenery in a florist’s bouquet,leafy plants can accent your flowers. Asparagus fern and ivy are both nice foliage plants.

There are many different types of boxes available; terra cotta, plastic, and wood are the most common materials. Whichever container you pick, it must provide drainage or your plants are at risk of drowning. A few holes at the bottom of the box will do the trick. If the box is going in a sunny location, the best thing you can do to insure success is to get the widest, deepest box you can. Skinny boxes can dry out in an afternoon, leaving the flowers wilted and the leaves limp.

How are you going to mount the box to the window or balcony? Special brackets are available at most nurseries or some people just balance the box on a wide ledge. Often it is easier to install boxes when they are empty.

Once you have decided on what you’ll be planting, you need the plants and soil. A commercial potting soil is a good start. Adding an inch or two of mulch to the top will also keep the dirt from drying as quickly.

Plant size is important. It’s easier on the plant if you give it some room to grow into the box. I like to use six-pack plants for this, but seeds or four-inch plants also work. Once the plants are in, they need a good soaking and a few days to adapt to their new home. Keep a close watch on them for the first week or so while you figure out the watering schedule. Within a month you should see the plants filling out and thriving.

If you need suggestions for what to plant or help with your flowers, contact the Santa Clara County Master Gardeners at (408) 282-3105 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Monday to Friday or on the web at www.mastergardeners.org/email.html. The service is free.

Downtown Beat: Restaurant Review
The Art of the Latte at Global Blends
By Kelly Rolfs, on the front patio on Sierra Ave.

Specializing in Latte Art, Global Blends is the newest coffee shop on Castro Street. Latte art begins by steaming milk to create a micro-foam, or mixture of milk and foam, that is then poured into a cup of espresso in such a way as to keep the micro-foam on top. Then, using a delicate wrist movement, unique designs are created in the coffee and foam mixture. Like the impermanence of a Tibetan monk’s sand mandela, latte art disappears after a few sips. But the disappearance of the design means you are now enjoying the wonderful aroma and smooth, delicate flavor of the freshly roasted, ground, and steamed espresso. Stop in on a weekend morning and have your latte made by Kelly Price, the owner’s son, who placed 4th in the recent Regional Barista Competition.

Located at 650 Castro St., Suite 130, tucked back near the UPS store and within a block of Starbucks, Global Blends draws in customers who prefer the neighborly feel, friendly staff, and fantastic coffee. Regular customer Quinn Foster, age 9, says they have the "best hot chocolate in town". According to her dad, DK Foster, she should know because she has tried all the hot chocolate in Mountain View. Try your hot chocolate with home made chocolate whipped cream!

It only takes a few visits on weekday mornings before Kyle, the shop manager, has your name and order memorized. He can rattle off the orders of all his regular customers. Kyle’s favorite drink is the Praline Mocha, with flavors of chocolate, caramel, and macadamia nut. He also likes the Firecracker Mocha, with cinnamon and chocolate. If you’re not a coffee fan, there is a large selection of Italian sodas, fruit smoothies, and teas.

Food offerings include pastries, panini, banana bread, biscotti, cranberry/orange loaf, yogurt parfaits, fluffy egg sandwiches, Aussie cheese toasties (like a cheese sandwich for breakfast), and other lunchtime sandwiches. Something that makes Global Blends extra special for a small but growing clientele is their offering of gluten-free foods. Gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley, cannot be eaten by those with an intolerance. (Never heard of Gluten? Don't worry, you wont miss it in these tasty treats.) Owner Patsy Price, gluten intolerant herself, not only offers baked goods made from rice flours such as freshly made muffins and desserts, but also stocks soy milk, rice milk, and sugarfree flavorings for people on restricted diets.

Richard, a permanent fixture on the comfy seat in the window, says he "enjoys the coffee and the people. It’s the best coffee on the street". Stop in and say hi to Richard, pick up a copy of the daily paper, swap a book (they are a member of www.bookcrossing.com), or sit down and use their internet service or wi-fi with your own laptop.

Looking for coffee in a hurry: selfservice coffee is near the door. Just drop a dollar in the bucket. Global Blends also offers discount cards — buy 10 drinks and get one free. The cards are kept in a handy file on the counter so you don’t have to carry it in your wallet.

Discounts are also offered on Tuesdays; $2 for any small or medium espresso or chai, and $2.50 for large or iced drinks. The shop is open Mon.— Fri. 6am-8pm, Sat. 7am-10pm, and Sun. 7am-3pm.

From the Chair: Welcome to Summer
By Velva Rowell

Welcome to one of the busiest times of the year! I don’t know about you, but between weddings, holidays and end of the year school events, things just get a bit crazier in our house during May and June. There are also exciting things happening outside the realm of home and school.

On May 15, with the assistance of the MVPD and their Explorer troop, we held a very successful Bike Safety Fair. Twenty four children and their parents participated, and many of them were at their first OMVNA event. It was good to see friends both old and new and to watch the children as they intently listened to and followed the rules of bike safety. Thanks very much to Officer Lloyd Curns and his team for all their help making this event a success. We will do this again!

In other news, the deadline to submit an application for a Neighborhood Grant is coming up quickly. Please contact me at chair@omvna.org if you have an idea for a way to improve our neighborhood. We’ll have to work quickly, as the application deadline is June 13. For further details, go to the City of Mountain View website at http://www.ci.mtnview.ca.us/citydepts/cd/np/neigh_grants.htm.

Finally, it is time to think about what we are going to do next year. Summer is the time when we choose a new Steering Committee for OMVNA to vote on at the Fall General Meeting. We are going to appoint a nominating committee sometime this month. If you are interested in serving on the OMVNA Steering Committee or helping choose your representatives, please contact me or any member of the Steering Committee.

We’ll keep you posted via this newsletter, the website and the OMVNAtalk mailing list on what is coming up over the next couple of months. Have a great summer!

Livable Communities Tour with Mountain View Mayor Matt Neely

Join the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, the League of Women Voters, and other community organizations in exploring how to build neighborhoods and community spaces that promote walkability, transit use and a more environmentally friendly use of our urban spaces.

Saturday, June 25th, 9am to 1pm
San Antonio Caltrain Station,
Mountain View
Parking available at the HP site at Central & Mayfield

Via foot and train, we'll tour select examples of smart growth and transit-oriented development in Mountain View. "Hike" with friends and learn about housing densities, landscaping, parking requirements, heights and how to create spaces that build community and protect the environment. For more information: http://lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/UrbanHike.html or e-mail loma.prieta.chapter@sierraclub.org RSVP is required: call Wendee Crofoot at 650-390-8411 Light lunch will be provided.

The OMVNA Newsletter
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Last updated: 6/11/05

OMVNA Newsletter

June 2005Volume 17, Number 4

June 2005
Volume 17, Number 4