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Archives » 2000 » Volume 53 , Issue 35, Published on Wednesday, August 30, 2000NewsWhy go anywhere else?
A simpler life: Lucille Liewer a fixture in Los Altos for 87 years Nashville has country music, Los Angeles has Rodeo Drive, Seattle has expresso bars, and Los Altos has Lucille Liewer. LAH resident wants town to address noisy air conditioners in ordinance
Los Altos Hills resident Roy Woolsey wants the city council to do something about noisy air conditioners. He asked the city council, at its Aug. 17 meeting, to consider expanding the town’s noise ordinance to include guidelines on air conditioners. According to Woolsey, his neighbor’s air conditioners are located too close to the property line, and are “loud enough that they disturb (his) peace and tranquillity.” Road work approved for Hillview connection roadLA council roundup Amid resident concerns, the Los Altos City Council last week approved plans and awarded a construction contract for the Civic Center Connection Road Realignment, from the Los Altos main library to Hillview Community Center. Weed infested home unaffected by ordinance, againSeveral neighbors of a weed-overrun home on Larkellen Lane approached the Los Altos City Council Aug. 22 to raise an old - and new - issue: the disheveled property that was the subject of a weed abatement ordinance two years ago remains as disheveled as ever. Using the Sept. 16, 1998, edition of the Los Altos Town Crier and photographs of 1750 Larkellen Lane taken only last month, the neighbors demonstrated to the councilmembers that there is little discernible difference. News BriefsThe Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is warning Los Altos Hills residents to watch their mailboxes. The department has recently investigated thefts of checks from residential mailboxes in Los Altos Hills and other south county areas. These thefts have involved suspects stealing outgoing mail and then utilizing a process in which the name of the payee is deleted and changed to a new name or business. In addition, the amount of the checks is altered in an amount sometimes thousands of dollars higher than the original amount of the check. Police, city ready for rebuilding task after reaching tentative 3-year dealIn an action heralded as a “commitment to retaining a quality police department,” Los Altos City Council members announced a tentative 3-year agreement Aug. 22 with the Los Altos Peace Officers’ Association. They directed City Manager Phil Rose to “finalize the agreement.” Even before the Aug. 22 roll call was taken, Mayor John Moss removed Item 9, a recommendation to adopt a resolution to implement salary and benefit adjustments for positions represented by the Los Altos Peace Officers’ Association, from the agenda. Los Altos resident fights legal system in a bitter and costly 10-year battle
Court hearings drained Michael Michaelian’s life’s savings Los Altos resident Michael Michaelian has been fighting the justice system for more than 10 years now, and he’s out more than $1 million. But he’s not about to stop now. CommentA ‘doggerel days of August’ competitionCommentary What a great time to be alive! Fish are jumpin’, cotton is high, your mammy’s IPO took off like a rocket and you’ve got a shot at big bucks (relatively speaking) by entering an exciting contest. As for me, I’ve been given the honor of hosting the contest. It’s my 15 minutes of fame. OpinionLetters to the EditorThe approval of the Kerns home in Los Altos Hills shows what politcal support and campaign endorsements by Bill and Betty Kerns will do for the Toni Casey, Steve Finn and Emily Cheng triumvirate on the Los Altos Hills City Council. Thursday, Aug. 22 was payoff time for the Kerns’ application. If one had seen a mock-up of that ridgetop house, it really resembles The Forum North, destroying a pristine ridgetop view for a large part of Los Altos Hills. The side of the ridge will be scarred with a steep driveway and deep cuts and high retaining walls. While other cities touched by Silicon Valley wealth are trying to preserve undeveloped ridge tops, our “New Guard” eagerly encourages development with total disregard for the environment or the aesthetics of our town. The ratings gameMedia Watch Young teens sneaking into R-rated films such as “Scary Movie” this summer is hardly news. Joint responsibility for student behaviorKallshian’s Korner Once upon a time, long ago, something unexpected happened to yours truly. It was in the middle 1970s A.D. Incidentally be careful how you use the letters B.C. and A.D. At one time, B.C. meant “before Christ.” But there is a movement gathering steam. The letters will soon mean “Before Clinton.” Pages of the Past1950 In Los Altos: The Coordinating Committee of the Community Fund set their budget of $13,278, to provide the community’s youth population with scouting, the summer recreation program, camping program and maintaining Scout Hall. The entire youth program in Los Altos, from community recreation activities to scouting, was staffed by volunteer workers. For the third year, J. R. Silverman of Loyola Drive was named the general chairman of the Fund drive, which ran concurrently with Community Chest campaigns. Dave MacKenzie, publisher of the Town Crier, and Don C. Matchan, publisher of the Los Altos News, were named to handle publicity for the annual Community Fund Drive. Twenty-two percent more boys and girls were served this year. Coordinating members representing the Girl Scouts were Mrs. John W. Davis, Mrs. Karl Rohrer and Mrs. Frank Hennessey. Representing the Boy Scouts were Chris Wilder (Wilder, a Los Altos Realtor and ardent friend of scouting, was also elected president of the Stanford Area Council) and Gardner Bullis. Recreation Council members were William Walker, Mrs. Howard Stevens and Ray Skerry. Citizen representatives were Mrs. Robert Young and Ardis Egan. CommunityHappeningsArtists will be displaying their original works in oils and watercolors. Most of the etchings and scenes will be local including a variety of landscapes. Viewpoints is introducing a new potter, Hildy Licht of Los Altos, who will feature her sculpture art. Another potter, Jean Prophet will also have some of her sculptured pieces on display. Library NewsThe Friends of the Los Altos Library maintain an ongoing used book sale in the Los Altos main library, near the circulation desk. The bookshelves are restocked on Mondays and Thursdays. Proceeds benefit the Los Altos and Woodland libraries. CalendarLos Altos Senior Center, 9-3 p.m., Monday through Friday, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. Monday Community BriefsChefs Who Care is scheduled to serve its September benefit dinner 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sept. 11, at Cafe Bombay in Mountain View. The dinner features a choice of several entrees. Reservations must be made for the time of choice. Police ReportAug. 27, 1:04 a.m., Brookmill Road: A caller told police there was a possible prowler. Theft Rebuilt Cantor museum puts the Peninsula back on cultural map
By Jean Packard Stanford’s Cantor Center for Visual Arts offers impressive exhibitions, it’s free and it’s a right next door to us. Casey, new Republican, pro-choice supporter, speaks out as delgate at national convention
With red, white and blue balloons swaying overhead, and delegates swinging Bush-Cheney posters in front of the podium, Toni Casey stepped up to the platform at the Republican National Convention and spoke on a sensitive subject. “I have to say I feel very honored, privileged and humbled to be here today with this outstanding group of party leaders and help represent the pro-choice voice,” Casey said. “It is a voice that has been left out and silenced in the political party, but we will still elect George W. Bush as our next president of the United States.” Upcoming EventsRock Back the Clock, a fund-raiser for the Festival of Lights Parade, at Rancho Shopping Center, Los Altos. Oct. 7 Smooth starts for local elementary, high school districtsTown Crier Staff Report Despite major ongoing construction at Los Altos’ two public school districts, students began classes last week with little disruption, leaving students, parents and educators giddy with optimism. Schools BriefsThe Los Altos-Mountain View Adult School will offer introductory family history and genealogy classes starting 9-11:30 a.m., Sept. 15, at the Community Center on Hillview Avenue. The class is designed for those who have the desire to get a start on tracing their family heritage. The school is also offering an intermediate family history class for those who already have the basic research skills and would like to continue their research. Classes are scheduled to start Monday, Sept. 13 from 12:30-3 p.m. at the Community Center. SchoolsLos Altos Christian School opens with new curriculum, principalThe Los Altos Christian School started its school year last Friday with the goal of providing a quality education in a warm atmosphere for all students. In addition to making some needed physical changes on the campus and introducing a new curriculum for grades 3-6, the students will be introduced to a new principal NoteworthiesKimberly L. Edwards of Los Altos received a degree in business administration and management from Boston University. Renata R. Urban of Los Altos received a bachelor of arts degree in biology, magna cum laude,.from Boston University. Sports On The SideGreg Burns, Olympic gold medalist at the 1992 and 1996 Paralympics, will be the featured speaker at the Federated Woman’s Club meeting Sept. 6 at Michael’s at Shoreline in Mountain View. A swimmer as well as an artist, his paintings hang in numerous corporate and private collections. Burns is now in training for the 2000 Paralympics in Australia and plans to compete in October. The meeting starts at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m. Guests welcomed. For more information, call Helen Foerster at 948-3553. Joining in Sports144 golfers take part in chamber tournamentThe 11th annual Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, held Aug. 21 at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club, attracted 144 local golfers. “Everything worked in our favor to make this an outstanding success,” said chamber president Patsy Ouye, who co-chaired the tournament with Sam Pesner. “We had very generous sponsors, a full field of golfers, and perfect weather.” Local water polo players compete in CroatiaThirteen water polo players in the Stanford National Youth Program spent two weeks of their summer in Croatia participating in a variety of tournaments. The Stanford club team - which competed in major tournaments in Mlini and Debrovinick - boasts several local members. Los Altos resident Jensen makes the cut at California Junior Championship golf tourneyMichael Jensen, a 14-year- old from Los Altos, was among the youngest players invited to the 40th annual California Junior Championship. Eighty top junior golfers - 40 from Northern California and 40 from Southern California - faced off two weeks ago at Belmont Country Club in Fresno. Los Altos cheerleaders get their kicks at training sessionThe fall squads of Los Altos High cheerleaders recently took part in a four-day training session at the Universal Cheerleading Camp, held at U.C. Berkeley. They were joined by coaches Diana Bernbaum (varsity) and C.J. Jones (junior varsity). The session was “long and challenging,” according to Jones. The girls learned cheers, sidelines, dances and stunting. New lingerie store opens on Main StreetBusiness Profile L’Amourette opened at 322 Main Street two weeks ago, with local customers welcoming its presence in downtown Los Altos. Career counseling for CEOsJean on the Job Career counseling happens at every level. I’ve just been interviewed by a major magazine about CEOs and why they would need to come for career counseling. The reasons were from being bored, tired, missing old work or wanting to do what they always wanted to do. BusinessStock indices look good again; Town Crier index excelsIn these last hazy days of summer, stocks on Wall Street are drifting along with the simmering economy and getting close to where they were at the start of the year. The Dow is off only 2 percent since Jan. 1, and the Nasdaq is over 4,000 again. Meanwhile, the Town Crier index is up 19.59 percent for the year. Rambus Inc. is still leading the index with an increase of 410 percent since Jan 1. Other positive performers are: Adobe Systems, up 91.64 percent, BEA Systems, up 70.37; Applied Materials, up 33.9; Coherent, up 176.41; Elantic, up 362.91; Innerdyne, up 100; Intel Corp., up 76; Network Appliance, up 141.46; Nvidia Co., up 206.12; Sun Microsystems, up 61.10; and Varian Semiconductor, up 69.12 percent. Laube, CenterBeam give back to the communityThe folks at CenterBeam feel it’s important that every company becomes a part of its community. That’s why CEO Sheldon Laube and his staff donated over $100,000 of computer and networking equipment and services to the Peninsula Center for the Blind in Palo Alto. Laube, a Los Altos Hills resident, said, “Six months ago we set up a program to work with a charity in each of the 12 cities we’ve opened offices in. We’ve already done this in 11 of them.” Other charities include Huckleberry for Youth and the Humane Society. TransactionsLos Altos 10349 Ainsworth Drive - W. & S. Klingman to E. & A. Brennan for $1,225,000.00 ObituariesGeorge “Bart” Randolph died July 10 at the age of 86. A native of Clarksville, Mo. he was a longtime resident of Los Altos. An aviation pioneer, he was a graduate of the first class of naval aviators from the Pensacola, Florida Naval Flight School. He flew F3F-1 bi-planes from the deck of the aircraft carrier “Ranger.” EngagementsKathryn Traficanti and Jason Holleb have announced their engagement to be married Oct. 22 at the Thomas Fogarty Winery, Woodside. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Nancy and Alexander Traficanti of Los Altos Hills. She graduated from Los Altos High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona, Tucson. She is employed with Dowler-Gruman Architects, Mountain View. Stepping OutBanjo Jubilee set for Sunday in Palo Alto
The Peninsula Banjo Band, featuring Los Altos residents Florence Lewis and Joyce Taylor, hosts the 28th Banjo Jubilee noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, at Hyatt Rickeys, 4219 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Banjo bands from the Bay Area and Sacramento, along with some of the country’s top soloists on the instrument, are scheduled to perform. Local artist to appear at Kings Mountain Art FairJim Mikkelsen, a Los Altos resident since 1973, will make his second appearance this weekend as a professional artist at the Kings Mountain Art Fair in Woodside. Mikkelsen, who started woodworking five years ago after his father took a class in North Carolina, makes wooden bowls. Special SectionGarden of life and love
Reina Diaz’ homeplace pleases four generations Reina Diaz’ garden has been a magnet for children over four generations, a neighborhood and family gathering place for 41 years. Near St. Francis High School, the Diaz property is about one-quarter acre in size and consists of many connected areas, ranging from an open central playground space to a protected, grotto-like meditation corner. Four generations of children have played in its treehouses, nestled in the sitting areas, climbed up and over the huge tractor tire imbedded in the back yard. Plants flourish, most started from cuttings given to Diaz by friends, so that each garden bed tells a story or recalls a favorite town. Unique wall coverings bring Ruth Jacobsen design awardsThe random, yet rhythmic patterns of the earth’s colorations are captured in Ruth Jacobsen’s award-winning wall coverings. A longtime resident of Palo Alto Hills with a background in textiles, weavings and wall coverings, she now teams with partner Rosanne Balla of Foster City to design and create six different hand-painted patterns with names like “Zen,” “Temple Walls,” and “Athena.” “Their wall coverings are the glue that binds a job together,” said Steven Sanborn, a Los Altos architect, who installs Jacobsen & Balla patterns in the high-end local homes he designs. Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet?The rose is the best-known, most beloved flower on earth and probably the one bloom that everyone, no matter how horticulturally-challenged, can identify. It’s no wonder that growers hybridize so many new roses each year, if only to make a wife, husband or favorite movie star immortal. Personally, I get a kick out of planting “Penelope” next to “The Marchioness of Londonderry,” to see how they get along (just fine) and “Madame Alfred Carriere” next to “Just Joey” (they seem to make a good couple). For a private corner of the garden, I might mix “Sexy Rexy,” “Lolita,” “Angel Darling” and “Ave Maria” - a combustible-sounding combination. Your HomeHome BriefsBetsy Clebsch, renowned local salvia expert, will present a 1 p.m. Thursday lecture, slide show and live plant display featuring a wide variety of salvias at the Visitor and Education Center at Filoli in Woodside. Clebsch will focus on salvias as companion plants, suitable for many different styles of garden design. Cost for the program is $20, which includes light refreshments and the opportunity to visit the house and gardens at Filoli. Upcoming September programs at Filoli include a “Decorative Arts - Chairs and Textiles Exhibition and Symposium,” Sept. 13-21; “Advanced Decoupage Techniques with Rob Reinkens,” Sept. 20; and “Personal Flowers with Anne Patrick” (making corsages and boutonnieres), Sept. 27. For more information and registration for all programs, call 364-8300, ext. 508, between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. |
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