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Archives » 2000 » Volume 53 , Issue 18, Published on Wednesday, May 3, 2000NewsBank to save lives
Umbilical cord blood being stored, proves useful in fight against cancers iersten Ligeti and her husband Rob had never heard of extracting and storing blood from a newborn’s umbilical cord to fight potential diseases later in a child’s life until she was pregnant with twins nearly three years ago. Los Altos City Council orders mediation for divided arts committee membersLos Altos officials last week told the city’s art volunteers to meet with a mediator or hit the road. The Los Altos City Council April 25 mandated that members of the Los Altos Arts Committee seek mediation services to resolve what one councilman described as “a lot of dissension” within the committee. Members who choose not to participate in mediation services could face removal from the committee, according to council. News BriefsThe Los Altos City Council April 25 selected O’Grady Paving of Mountain View to construct a temporary parking lot at Rosita Park for $43,060. The firm submitted the lowest price of the eight contractors who bid on the project last March. Cell phones go unrestricted on Rancho San Antonio trails
Restaurants have already restricted cell phones from dining tables. Some cities are taking steps toward banning motorists from using them while driving. Now, at least one local resident wants to tell cell phone users on trails at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve to take a hike. Sunnyvale resident Pat Gfraere last month asked the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board of Directors to ban cell phones from district preserves and to slap a $100 fine on those who violate the ban. Los Altos council grants go-ahead for Blach gymSchool renovation plans for Blach Junior High could include the construction of a city-owned gym. The Los Altos City Council gave city staff the go-ahead April 25 to proceed with a standard gym design for the Blach campus. The design could be submitted to the State Architect’s Office before next January as part of the Los Altos School District’s campus renovation package. The city will use $210,000 set aside in the city budget to design such a project. State Street to sprout Thursday evening Farmers’ Market in JuneState Street in downtown Los Altos will be the gathering place for local farmers to sell their goods come this June. The Los Altos City Council April 25 authorized the Los Altos Village Association to produce a seasonal farmers’ market on the portion of State Street located between Second and Third streets. Lynn Bagley of Golden Gate Farmers’ Market Association is slated to coordinate the market. CommentOn a bad dayA View from the Hills My black thoughts encompassed me fully and gave me no peace. Grief for my dearest Cris overwhelmed me, and I felt certain I could not go on living without him. The future seemed a fearsome path along which I found myself too frightened and lonely to take the necessary steps. OpinionLand use swap a good deal for allThe Los Altos City Council and Los Altos School District’s decision to swap land use to accommodate maintenance yard operations and the Covington mini park is a good deal for all of us. In the wake of the council’s April 12 agreement, the school district will relocate its maintenance operations and buildings from the Covington campus to the city’s municipal service center on Fremont Avenue. In return, the city plans to expand use of the mini park site to accommodate two new pools, one for swimming programs, the other for physical rehabilitation. Arts committee treated unfairlyThe Los Altos City Council’s April 25 decision to force mediation upon the remaining members of the Los Altos Arts Committee proved an unpleasant surprise to some members and threatened to dissolve the committee altogether. With committee membership dwindling from 12 down to eight over since January, it’s obvious to us that something’s wrong. We understand that committee members are not getting along. But even to use the term mediation implies adversaries, in which case, the parties to the dispute all agree to mediation. A council decision without prior consultation is just not right. Letters to the EditorGary Cavalli’s Feb. 9 letter in favor of gun control contains several factual errors. First, gun ownership is the norm, and despite the efforts of revisionist historians, it is a Constitutional right. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms there are about 200 million privately-owned firearms in the U.S. On average, every other home has a gun owner. FBI research shows 99.7 percent of guns are not used to commit violent crimes in any given year. So Mr. Cavalli’s statement that “homes with guns are three times more likely to have a shooting as those without guns” is absurd. It’s also a prejudicial slam against responsible people who take steps to provide for their own defense. Save The DateMayfest activities, including the Kiwanis Pet Parade and Rotary Fine Art in the Park, downtown Los Altos. July 8 and 9 CommunityLively crowd applauds statue’s unveiling
Celebrations of youth and art amid clear blue skies culminated in the unveiling of the new “Olympic Wannabes” sculpture during a lively dedication ceremony Friday at Conner Park in Los Altos. Despite the 5:30 p.m. starting time, an enthusiastic crowd was on hand to witness gymnastic feats by Gold Star Gymnastics Academy students and cheerful instrumental accompaniment by members of the Egan Intermediate School band. Pages of the PastIn the News: President Truman travels to Washington State to dedicate the Grand Coulee Dam. In Los Altos: Los Altos resident and local School Board member Richard Bullis, a Palo Alto auto dealer, was arrested this week in the act of leaving messages on the windshields of autos parked on Palo Alto streets. The messages, Bullis contends, were signed communications to owners of the cars, and therefore not “handbills.” The trial of Bullis will test the Palo Alto ordinance controlling distribution of handbills and other advertising matter. Bullis was released on bail. Library NewsThe Friends of the Los Altos Library will hold a used book sale Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday night’s sale, which will run from 7-9 p.m., is for members only. Those interested may pay for membership in advance at the library. will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and from noon to 3 p.m., Sunday. Books will be sold by the bag on Sunday. Checks will not be accepted. Postmaster vows war on long lines
For the last four weeks, acting Postmaster Ohdee Beltran has been sitting in his large office in the downtown Los Altos post office observing and deciding how to improve postal service for Los Altos customers. “The lines in the Main Post Office bother me. I’m working on relieving the problem with backup clerks,” Beltran said. “I have a lot of experience in the postal service. I started at the bottom and spent a lot of window time and I believe in service to the customer.” CalendarLos Altos Senior Center, 9-3 p.m., Monday through Friday, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. Wednesday Community BriefsThe Los Altos Sub-Acute & Rehabilitation Center, 809 Fremont Ave., will hold its 10th annual Cinco de Mayo celebration 12:30-2:30 p.m., Friday. Organizers will serve enchiladas, tostadas, beans and rice, fruit and beverages. Mariachi players and dancers from the Ballet Galindo will entertain. Place reservations to 941-5255 by Thursday. Spring used book sale Police ReportApril 28, 7:07 a.m., 1000 block of Ben Roe Drive: A caller told police someone was sleeping in a vehicle in front of the house, police said. Disturbance Eshoo relates good news about Social Security
Congress historically does little in an election year, but this year members have removed the earnings limit penalty between the ages of 65 and 69 for seniors who choose to work. That, according to Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Atherton, was a big step for Congress to take. Oak students trade stories with TV weathermanSecond-graders at Oak School spent last Wednesday afternoon talking about the weather - with John Farley, the meteorologist from Channel 11 news. The students traded anecdotes about tornadoes and lightning storms with Farley, while showing off what they had learned in their earth science unit. LASD approves mitigation measures for Egan, CovingtonAt a special meeting April 24, the board members of the Los Altos School District took the next step in implementing their facilities construction and renovation plans. Trustees voted 5-0 to adjust their plans by adopting the measures suggested in the Mitigated Negative Declaration for Egan Intermediate School and the Covington school site. SchoolsMontessori founder pitches preschool blueprintMembers of the Los Altos business and residential community gathered around child-sized tables at Montessori School of Los Altos last Wednesday night to hear about a new plan for the future of preschools in the city. Hannelore Engelman, the director and founder of the school, organized the presentation and invited a panel of speakers to address aspects of the plan. Bullis mural displayed downtown at MarjolaineA group of students at Bullis-Purissima School in Los Altos Hills created a mural of Los Altos that is making its way through the city’s downtown. The fourth- and fifth-grade combination class, taught by Rachel Zierdt, painted the mural for the Los Altos Art Docents Student Art Show, which took place last month. Schools BriefsTryouts for next fall’s squad of Los Altos High School cheerleaders will take place 4-6 p.m., May 15-19, in the Los Altos High School dance room. Incoming freshmen are encouraged to try out. Blach gives students a place in the sunBlach Intermediate School students looked straight into the sun April 7 at the Science Department’s Sun Party. Local astronomers visited the school for the day, using their equipment and expertise to allow students to observe the surface of the sun. Sports On The SideNick Testa of Los Altos has qualified for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship, set for Oct. 14 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. About 18,000 triathletes entered a lottery to compete in the event and Testa was among 150 selected on April 17. The Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run, which all must be completed within 17 hours. Seeking soccer players SportsMountain View girls closing in on first swimming title
The Mountain View High girls swimming and diving team can win the SCVAL El Camino Division for the first time with a strong performance at this week’s league meet. The Spartans enter the league meet, which starts with trials today and finishes up with the finals on Friday at either Los Altos High or Cupertino, with a perfect 6-0 dual meet record. With playoffs looming, wins are criticalPrep Baseball Report With only a couple of weeks remaining in the high school baseball regular season, three area teams will need to keep recording wins to reach the Central Coast Section playoffs. High School Athletes Of The Monthy winning the 50- and 100-meter freestyle races last week against Santa Clara, Mountain View High swimmer Marie Marsman capped an undefeated dual-meet career in both events. The senior has rarely been challenged this season, especially during league competition, and figures to be a strong contender at this month’s Central Coast Section championships. FH men’s tennis team playing for NorCal crown todayFoothill Roundup The Foothill College men’s tennis team is two wins away from its 14th state title. Business BriefsCatalytica, Inc. in Mountain View last week reported revenue increases for the first quarter of 2000. The company, which acquired Wyckoff Chemical Co. last September, reported $98.694 million, up from $95.924 million during the same period last year. Net income before taxes also increased to $10,235,000 during the first quarter compared with $7,483,000 in the first quarter of the previous year. Catalytica, Inc. finds new pathways to improve processes to reduce time and costs. BusinessPlaying the stock market is like driving in the rainStock Report Playing the stock market in today’s market place is like driving in the rain with a slow windshield wiper. You have to look closely at where you’re going and make sure your seat belt is hooked. E*Trade’s Levinson to highlight conference on girls’ tech careersKathy Levinson, president and chief operating officer of E*Trade Group Inc., will welcome school girls as well as parents and educators to a mini-conference, “Making Technology Work for Girls,” 12:30-4:45 p.m., May 20, at De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. The conference, presented by the Los Altos-Mountain View branch of the American Association of University Women, De Anza College and the Career Action Center, is designed for girls in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades, and will feature tours of the Advanced Technology Center, Hands-on Workshops and Tech Talk for Girls, LA Chamber EXPO offered wide range of local servicesLast Thursday’s Los Altos Chamber of Commerce EXPO trade fair at the Los Altos Youth Center featured more than 35 vendors from Los Altos business and non-profit organizations, as well as a few hundred browsers. Carol Hanzlik, president of the Chamber of Commerce, presided over the Bay View Bank’s “Wheel of Fortune” game. Irish poets coming to Stanford this ThursdayThe Stanford Humanities Center, the San Francisco Consulate of Ireland and the Irish Arts Foundation present A Day of Irish Poetry and Music at 2 p.m., Thursday, in Kresge Auditorium on the Stanford University campus. Five of Ireland’s top poets will read from their work as part of this kickoff event for “Finnegan’s Awake: A Festival of Irish Writers” that will continue at Golden Gate University in San Francisco May 5-7. SUVs inspire fear & loathing, but people buy themClyde on Cars We love them. When you drive down Main Street in Los Altos you know we love them. They are the vehicular equivalent of a warm blanket It feels good to crawl in them, and they make us feel hip when we get rolling. On the RoadArthritis Foundation wants your used car or truckThe Arthritis Foundation asks people to donate cars, trucks or recreational vehicles to its Auto Round-Up. The foundation works to find a cure for arthritis and provides information to more than one million people who face the everyday challenge of this crippling disease. All donated vehicles are tax-deductible based on their fair market value and will be picked up on a day and time that’s convenient for you. Lessons on shopping for a used vehicleBefore launching your search for a good deal on a used car, spend some time considering many of the same factors that would apply to a new car purchase. How will you use the vehicle? How long do you plan to keep it? What are the features and the appearance you need or prefer? LeGrande limo service has grown in a hurry
Business Profile Al Fortado, operations manager for LeGrande Affaire Limousine Service, said his company has come a long way in 24 years. Survey tests Americans’ love for their carsIn today’s time-starved, convenience-at-any-cost world, are Americans becoming detached from their automobiles? As drivers engage in multi-tasking in stop-and-go traffic, frequent automated car washes and marvel at new cars advertised as so maintenance-free that their hoods could be welded shut, one might think so. Key to future vehicles may be fuel cell technologyExperts estimate that the world’s easily-extractable petroleum resources may last only another 40 years, so automakers already are looking down the road for alternatives, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Engineers are developing alternative powertrains for better fuel economy without increasing cost and emissions, or exhausting natural resources. Free car care advice available on the InternetKnowing how to care for your car is not always simple or obvious. To do a thorough job often requires the knowledge of a mechanic. But such advice usually comes with a price. However, free advice about car care does exist, and some people are turning to the Internet to find it. One such Web site is Consumers Digest Online, an online resource for automobile safety, maintenance and the day-to-day operating of your vehicle. The site provides extensive car care advice backed by a 40-year reputation and includes their “Best Buy” recommendations. Safety tips for driving cars with airbagsRecent statistics show more and more people are getting on the road to safety when it comes to seat belts and airbags. Airbags save lives, but they need to be used in conjunction with seat belts, safety experts say. Intersection safety is no accidentStatistics show that about one-third of all car crashes occur at intersections. Fortunately, most intersection collisions are avoidable. Below are some important dos and don’ts that can put you and your family on the road to safety. Saturn 2000 L is a good buy among mid-size modelsAuto Review My friend Evangelo Gerontinos asked me to check out a car for him. PeopleObituariesRobert L. Nevin, a 32-year resident of Los Altos, died April 27 at The Sequoias in Portola Valley. A native of Berkeley, he was 84. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, at his son’s home at 722 Raymundo Ave., in Los Altos. EngagementsAnne Snedigar and Doug Jensen have announced their engagement to be married July 1 at the Los Altos United Methodist Church. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Gordon and Becky Snedigar of Los Altos. She graduated from Homestead High School and will earn a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University in May. She is employed by Mobile Insights, Inc. Spiritual Life‘Hello From Heaven’ explores after death communicationAlong the Spiritual Path Christians love to tell about the recorded appearances of Jesus to his disciples after his death, and how their lives were completely changed. We are more reluctant to tell our own stories of messages from ordinary people who have died, and their effects. Stepping OutBeamer and Endo team up for ‘Wind in Trees’ concertStanford Lively Arts presents two masters of their respective arts, Keola Beamer (slack key guitar) and Kenny Endo (taiko), in solo and joint performance at 8 p.m., May 10, in Dinkelspiel Auditorium on the Stanford University campus. This is the world premiere of the collaboration, titled “Wind in Trees.” CSMA presents ‘Music from the Andes’ Sunday in MVThe Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) continues its free Family Concert Series at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, with the ensemble Chaskinakuy performing “Music from the Andes.” The concert will be held at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Second Stage, 500 Castro St. EC Hospital putting on talent showPhysicians and staff from El Camino Hospital in Mountain View will cast off their white coats and stethoscopes, set aside their scrubs and sensible shoes and perform Sunday at the second annual Center Stage: An Afternoon of Entertainment. Sponsored by SGI and Bill Graham Presents, the show is scheduled for 4-6:30 p.m. at Cafe Ozone on the SGI campus, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View. |
In Our OpinionEditorialWe’ve recently covered the passing of two of this community’s most involved and committed volunteers, Lee Lynch and Billy Russell. They represented an era when people helped out, not so they could get their name on a building, but because it was simply the right thing to do. There’s a new generation of volunteers hard at work right now in this community who are carrying on their legacy. The level of involvement in the recent Los Altos Relay For Life event bears this out. |
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