Category Archives: Feature Stories

By Benjamin Custer
Palo Alto Weekly (Published August 2014)

Intensity in his eyes, Alan Eagleton pulled the bowstring to his cheek and focused on a paper target dozens of yards below. Shot after shot, his arrows zipped beneath the tree canopy, consistently landing within a couple of inches of the bull’s-eye. He was just warming up.

An East Palo Alto resident, Eagleton routinely finds himself at Kings Mountain Archers in Woodside, where he often practices for hours. As a competitor, he has enjoyed success on local, national and international levels. Next week, the world champion will compete in Croatia as a member of the U.S. Team at the World Archery Field Championships.

But for Eagleton, archery is more significant than records and titles. Through the sport, he has forged fond family memories.

By Benjamin Custer
Peninsula Press (Published May 2014)

Normally teachers are the ones educating students. But in “Conserving Energy For Dummies Teachers,” four Palo Alto High School students from Margo Wixsom’s beginning photography class seized the opportunity to turn that relationship on its head.

Daniella and Elena, freshmen, and Nikhil and Ronak, sophomores, teamed up to explore energy conservation through artistic avenues. They collaborated with one another to write a script, act out scenes and produce an entertaining — yet educational — video.

By Benjamin Custer and Matt Hansen
Peninsula Press (Published April 2014)

Nearly 20 years ago, Gary Doss set out to sell computers from his small Burlingame store. A lifelong PEZ enthusiast, he decided one day to exhibit his candy dispenser collection.

As customers expressed more interest in PEZ dispensers than computer equipment, Doss decided to turn his shop into a shrine to the Austrian toy phenomenon.

By Benjamin Custer
Peninsula Press (Published February 2014)

Palo Alto Unified School District is reducing its carbon footprint and beginning to save money a few years into its most ambitious effort to operate its campuses in a more sustainable manner.

Palo Alto’s schools are trading in sprinkler-reliant lawns for native plants accustomed to natural cycles of rainfall. Students and staff are adopting more energy-conscious practices. Composting and recycling are standard across school sites. And the district is exploring the possibility of powering newly constructed buildings with solar energy.