Los Altos Town Crier » 2001 » March

Revving up to taxi

LAHS Aero Club resurrects dismembered airplane

If you walk the length of Los Altos High School to the back of Wing 600, East, officially titled “The Industrial Technology Classrooms,” you will find an unusual vehicle with an official authorization sticker: “Los Altos High School Student Parking Permit No. 413.”

Los Altos High School rocked by deaths of students, bomb threat

It was one rough week at Los Altos High School.

First, students were shocked by the deaths of a senior and two former students, all occurring during winter break week. Then a bomb scare Feb. 27 forced the evacuation of the entire 1,400-student body before police and school officials quickly determined the threat was a false alarm.

News Briefs

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously supported a resolution Feb. 26 urging the California Energy Commission to override the San Jose City Council and approve the proposed Calpine/Bechtel Metcalf Energy Center in South San Jose.

Supervisors Liz Kniss, who represents the Mid-peninsula area, and Peter McHugh introduced the resolution last month urging the energy commission to approve the Calpine/Bechtel Metcalf Energy Project site for South San Jose, on unincorporated county land as well as a portion of the city of San Jose.

Police Report

March 2, 5;30 p.m., Summerhill Avenue:

A caller told police that there was a fire in the mailbox.

Los Altos Hills hires a new city manager after 12-month search

Maureen Cassingham began work as the new Los Altos Hills city manager March 1, ending a months-long search by the city council, which voted unanimously to offer her the position at its Feb. 15 meeting.

Los Altos Mayor Steve Finn and councilman Bob Fenwick have publicly expressed their confidence in Cassingham’s abilities.

Theater or hotel? Council still uncertain about Main-First site

The fate of the city-owned lot on the corner of First and Main streets remained in limbo last week after the Los Altos City Council postponed its decision on whether to place a movie theater or hotel on the site, pending further analysis.

During the council meeting Feb. 27, residents threatened a city-wide referendum unless the council ditched the city staff’s recommendation to place a hotel on the site and sought public input for the addition of a movie theater.

Comment

We can have our cake and eat it too

For several years the city has wrestled with the question of what to develop at its .78-acre property at the corner of First and Main streets.

Back in 1995, when the city bought the land, the primary goal appeared to be providing more downtown parking. City staff at the time signed long-term leases with the business owners then functioning on the site. These leases have tied up development of the property until 2006.

Opinion

Letters to the editor

We would like to bring to your attention the disturbing news that funding for the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) class offered by the Los Altos School District is to be withdrawn. This valuable class will not be available to children of Los Altos residents in the foreseeable future and we would like to ask that you make the local community aware of this negative development.

Having our children attend TK this year has been a great experience both for them and for us as parents. Many children, for a variety of reasons, need and benefit from that extra year before entering kindergarten. Pre Kindergarten or TK is not always offered at preschools and if available, it is usually expensive and oversubscribed.

Fifty-five Alive at last

A View from the Hills

For three years I’ve attempted to sign up at the Senior Center for AARP’s 55-Alive class for “mature” drivers. My good intentions, like those in the proverb, seemed destined to pave the way to Hell.

Voucher option would improve the school system

Kallshian’s Corner

A few years ago, circa 1647, public education in the United States was invented by the “town” of Massachusetts. Subsequently education became a responsibility of the states and local government. It was not too long before religious organizations became involved.

League of Women Voters holding annual fund-raiser

Members of the League of Women Voters of the Los Altos-Mountain View area are getting ready to hold their annual League-A-Thon fund-raiser to support various programs.

The League provides voter education through candidate forums, election hotlines, public meetings on issues and publications such as “Facts for Voters” (available at the Mountain View and Los Altos public libraries).

Community

Armstrong dinner raising funds for cancer fight

Rick Hyman, a Los Altos Hills cyclist and cancer survivor, is inviting the community to the third annual Bay Area Peloton Project Dinner, scheduled for March 15 at the Sharon Heights Country Club, 2900 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. The fund-raising event benefits the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which funds testicular cancer research.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation was founded by world-renowned cyclist, two-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong who, after beating testicular cancer, vowed to promote research that might advance the treatment of the disease. Locally, the Peloton Project has raised more than $60,000.

Masonic Lodge celebrating 50th anniversary

Members of the Los Altos Masonic Lodge are celebrating the lodge’s 50th anniversary on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. The celebration is scheduled to take place 3:30 p.m. in the Lodge Room at 146 Main St.

The grand master of masons, David Decker, from Riverside, CA, will conduct a brief rededication ceremony. It is anticipated that the mayor of Los Altos and some of the other city council members will also be in attendance. The event, which is free of charge, is open to the public.

Thankful for the ‘troubles’ we have

Looking Back, Moving Ahead

One of my favorite articles in the Town Crier is the Crime Report. That probably sounds strange, but when I look at the “troubles” we have I am thankful for our Village’s quality of life. Certainly, we’ve had serious problems - but they are not the norm.

You can’t take the farm out of the museum

This is the third in a series of articles leading up to the March 18 dedication of the new Los Altos History Museum building.

The new Los Altos History Museum building sits on property that was once an active orchard. Much of the farm memorabilia and ambiance has been preserved for future generations to enjoy and remember.

Robert Quinlan , consummate professional, beloved city manager, described as a great communicator

Administrator had just finished stint in Los Altos Hills

When Robert Quinlan retired as city manager of Cupertino in January 1989, more than 25 city managers across Northern California attended the ceremony out of respect for the man.

Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit subject of library talk

Payne’s talk is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., March 14, at the Los Altos Main Library. The lecture is free-of-charge and is sponsored by The Friends of the Los Altos Library.

The Legion exhibit extends from Saturday through May 27.

Library News

Youngsters can design a picture frame from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m., March 15, in the Los Altos Library Program Room.

This is the second in a series of crafts programs for children ages 7 and up on Thursday afternoons once a month.

Calendar

Mountain View Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m., City Hall, 500 Castro St.

Monday

Community Briefs

Bill Jones, California’s secretary of state and highest-ranking Republican in the state, will be in Los Altos Thursday evening.

The open forum is sponsored by SPARC, the new South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition, and is open to the public at 6:30 p.m. at Garden House in Shoup Park, 400 University Ave., Los Altos. The evening begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. with wine and hot hors d’oeuvres. At 7:15 p.m., Jones is scheduled to speak.

Weather

Friday and Saturday: Variable cloudiness with showers likely.

Click for Los Altos, California ForecastClick for current weather and forecast

MV students get protection from the rain, thanks to Rotary, child health program

Thanks to the concern of the Schoolchild-Health Program and a $1,000 donation from the Los Altos Rotary Club, 45 low-income Mountain View elementary students have new raincoats and jackets to keep them warm and dry this winter.

Karen Rivers, manager of the Schoolchild-Health Program, said she and school employees were concerned that some students were coming to school without jackets. The program is a project of Healthy Ventures, a collaboration of community groups and agencies, including the El Camino Hospital Foundation, that connects low-income Mountain View and Los Altos school district students with needed health and social services, she said.

Schools

Montesorri parents in desperate effort to help girl stricken with bone cancer

Parents held a fund-raiser last Thursday for Pauline Duprat, who is suffering from a latter-stage bone cancer.

Montessori director Hannelore Engelman said a hospital in New York is offering the treatment, but is demanding the money upfront. Not included would be travel costs from California to New York.

Noteworthies

Finalists are eligible for three sets of scholarships: college, corporation and the National Merit Scholarships, to assist in college funding.

Anne Leavitt, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at the University of Oregon, Eugene, announced that sophomore art major Jacqueline Elise Roux and freshman Travis Ryan Marble of Los Altos and junior anthropology major Katherine Louise Hemmings of Mountain View, were named to the fall deans’ lists for scholastic achievement. To qualify, students must earn a minimum grade-point average of 3.75.

MV-LA district offering a solution for the underachiever

The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District is serious about fulfilling its policy to educate every individual to reach his or her potential.

The district will graduate its eighth class from the Middle College, located at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, this June. This is in addition to Mountain View and Los Altos high schools; the continuation program at Alta Vista High School; the Adult/Alternative Education program administered from the Moffett site; and the new charter school, the Silicon Valley Essential High School.

Schools Briefs

Blach Intermediate School invites parents of current sixth-graders to take a guided tour of the campus during annual Tour Week. The tours will concentrate on the seventh-grade basic and elective programs. Tours are scheduled 9:30-10:30 a.m., today, and 1:15-2:15 p.m., Thursday.

All tours will start at the Blach office.

Pinewood sixth-graders make a difference

Town Crier Staff Report

Sixth-grade students in Shawn Gettins’ current events class at Pinewood School studied India this month as part of the regular curriculum. After Julie Bessin did her class report on the 7.9 earthquake that devastated Gujarat Jan. 26, class discussion led to a determination to help the victims.

On Deck: the local sports lineup for March 7-13

Boys Basketball

Today

Sports

Sports On The Side

St. Francis High senior Troy Bienemann has signed with Washington State to play football. This past season, Bienemann was named West Catholic Athletic League Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year, despite missing three games due to injury. He had 16 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery. Offensively, Bienemann had 27 receptions for 283 yards and a touchdown at tight end.

A ‘FIT’ run

Panthers hit peak in CCS title game

Girls Basketball Playoffs

In last Saturday’s Central Coast Section Division II final, the Pinewood School girls basketball team proved bigger is not always better.

Eagles handle Panthers in boys tennis

Baseball

Homestead edged Los Altos 3-2 last Thursday in the SCVAL El Camino Division opener for both teams.

Titans win first CCS crown

Prep Boys Soccer Playoffs

At the start of the season, Gunn High boys soccer coach Simón Weffer-Elizondo told his players they could win the Central Coast Section championship.

Foothill men’s basketball team headed to state tourney

Foothill College Sports Roundup

For the first time in school history, the Foothill College men’s basketball team is going to the state championships.

Lancers defend CCS title

Boys Basketball Playoffs

St. Francis High boys basketball coach Steve Filios doesn’t arrange his season schedule for wins, but rather to play the toughest competition possible in the regular season to prepare for the playoffs.

St. Francis senior Franciotti takes 7th at state meet

Town Crier Staff Report

With so many talented competitors throughout California, surviving the first day of the state wrestling championships is no easy task.

No longer any help

What’s a retired investor to do when those dividends stop paying?

For millions of seniors and retired people, stock dividends are an important factor in investment decisions. People close to retirement look for a steady income from their investments.

Business

Want to loosen Uncle Sam’s grip on your wallet?

The average person pays more than $6,000 in federal income tax, according to the Congressional Budget Office. If you cringe at sending a big chunk of change like that to Uncle Sam, you may be looking for ways to keep a little more jingle in your pocket. I’ll give you some tips, but, like me, you should consult a tax advisor before taking steps that could affect your tax status.

Maximize deductions

Don’t let economy’s ups and downs drive your portfolio

Financial Advice

You may have heard a lot of talk lately about the ‘r’ word - recession. But economists and other observers often disagree whether or not the economy is in a recession.

Optimism, athletics and business

Jean on the Job

Editor’s note: This is a reprint of an April 1998 column.

Verano appoints Los Altos resident to VP of marketing

Verano, a pre-IPO software infrastructure company, announced last week that Pan Kamal of Los Altos has been appointed marketing vice president. In his new position, Kamal will be responsible for Verano’s corporate marketing, product marketing, and product management functions, and will report directly to the president & CEO Sonia Bhanot.

Kamal has more than 20 years of corporate management and marketing experience in the high-technology arena. Prior to joining Verano, he founded two companies, PowerPO.com and KLEER Industries.

New recycling program may mean cleaner downtown

The new Expanded Business Recycling program in the Los Altos business district has been in place two months and things are looking cleaner.

Loose piles of cardboard and garbage were an eyesore for visitors and business neighbors and complaints were registered at Los Altos City Hall. In response, a new recycling program was started Jan. 1 by the Los Altos Garbage Company (LAGO).

Business Briefs

Beginning this week, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) is temporarily changing the method regularly used to treat the water it supplies to the California Water Service Company’s (Cal Water) Los Altos District.

“For a period of approximately two weeks, SCVWD will switch to free chlorine disinfection as part of its annual water distribution system maintenance.

High-tech stocks take it on the chin again and again

Stock Report

Last week, high-tech stocks took it on the chin again. Economic worries and an interest rate cut that did not materialize were reasons the Nasdaq fell 6.41 percent, plummeting to its lowest close in more than two years.

Transactions

Cupertino

10125 Congress Place - D. & J. Pierce to J. Sirota for $702,000.00

Homes wired for the future

From the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors

There are smart cards, smart phones and now, smart homes. What exactly is a “smart” home? Well, to put it simply, it is a home that is wired for sound, video, phones, PCs, the Internet, remote-controlled devices such as garage doors and security systems, and whatever else the builder and the buyer can load onto the twisted pair cable connecting the home to the rest of the world.

Camping lesson number one: Preparation is key

Camping is your chance to get away from your daily duties and spend a little time relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. For most, it takes a little preparation to get there, but the rewards outweigh the work. The following tips from camping experts Kampgrounds of America will ensure that you’ll be spending more time unwinding than hunting down forgotten items.

Before you hit the road, remember to do a full check on your vehicle.

On the Road

Accord, Camry popular with thieves

If consumers crave a particular car, it’s likely thieves do, too.

A recent study from the National Insurance Crime Bureau found that the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry remain the top cars targeted by thieves, but - much like sales trends - minivans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks have gained popularity among thieves.

Air District expands buy & scrap program

The Air District has expanded its voluntary program to buy and scrap 1979 and older cars to help reduce air pollution.

Funds are available to buy almost 1,400 cars by paying $500 for each qualifying 1979 and older car or light-duty truck. To qualify, a vehicle must be in operating condition and have been registered in the nine-county Bay Area for the past two years.

CHP officers getting trained on safety seats

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers statewide are being trained under a $1.1 million federal grant to instruct parents to secure their children properly in safety seats.

“A national study found that nearly 80 percent of the time, children were improperly secured in safety seats. That’s a tragedy, because for children a safety seat is the next best thing to a guardian angel,” said William Carlson, CHP deputy commissioner .

Park Avenue is quietly sophisticated

Auto Review

After driving the 2001 Buick Park Avenue Ultra for two weeks and 2,300 miles on a trip to Florida and Georgia last month, I feel I really got to know this car.

Arthritis Foundation seeking used cars and trucks

The Arthritis Foundation requests donations of cars, trucks or recreational vehicles to its Auto Round-Up.

The foundation works to find a cure for arthritis and provides helpful information to more than one million men, women and children who face the everyday challenge of this crippling disease.

Triumph and tragedy at Daytona 500

Clyde on Cars

The drive from Daytona Beach, Fla., to Savannah, Ga., a trip my wife and I make each year after I attend the Daytona 500 stock car race, takes only four hours.

Taking a shine to auto care

Regular cleaning and waxing of your vehicle not only helps prevent corrosion and rust, but it may actually increase its future resale value.

So where do you start?

People

Valentines express their love; community party rocks

Strictly Candids

HOW DO YOU KEEP THE ROMANCE ALIVE? HOW DID YOU EXPRESS YOUR LOVE?

Obituaries

Frederick Foster Canham Jr., a 40-year Los Altos resident, died Feb. 16. A native of Oakland, he was 80.

Mr. Canham was an active ham radio operator, past president of the Palo Alto Amateur Radio Association and an organizer of the annual nationwide Field Day event. As a young radio operator, Mr. Canham was part of the crew that flew the China Clipper during the 1940s. While stationed at the Pan Am base on Midway, he was fortunate enough to be rescued as the Japanese were invading another part of the island.

Engagements

Sara Tuttle and Michael Leeder have announced their engagement to be married May 26 at Trinity Episcopal Church, San Francisco. The reception will be held at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Jan and Jack Tuttle of Los Altos Hills. She graduated from Los Altos High School and the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is employed at Conference Planners.

Nancy K. Goodell, a natural organizer deeply involved in community groups

Nancy Langhorne Kerse Goodell, a former Los Altos Hills resident, died Feb. 27 at her home in Menlo Park. She was 81.

Mrs. Goodell was named for her second cousin, Nancy Langhorne Astor, the first woman member of the British House of Commons. She graduated in 1943 from Longwood College in Farmville, Va. In the same year she married U.S. Army Lt. Robert Wood Dailey Guthrie with whom she had conducted a mostly long-distance romance the four years he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. He died in the invasion of Normandy in 1944.

Spiritual Life

Pastor at helm of sesquicentennial

Clergy Profile

Pastor Ken Gammons has been at First Presbyterian Church of Mountain View for only two years, but he’s already celebrating a 150-year anniversary.

Stepping Out

CYS to play Sunday at De Anza’s Flint Center

The award winning California Youth Symphony, conducted by Maestro Leo Eylar, will perform at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, in Flint Center at De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino.

One of the highlights of the program will be the performance of 18-year-old violinist Lana Lee, one of two recent winners of the California Youth Symphony’s Young Artist Competition.

TheatreWorks opens ‘Far East’ this week

TheatreWorks presents the West Coast’s first look at A.R. Gurney’s “Far East,” a comedy of culture clash and a foreshadowing of America’s future.

“Far East” previews at 8 p.m., today through Friday, and opens at 8 p.m., Saturday, at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto.

‘Woods’ isn’t your typical fairy tale

Theater review

Although Foothill Music Theatre’s production of “Into the Woods” began as a seemingly mindless retelling of famous fairy tales, it became an examination of the timeless themes of love, courage, greed and hope.

PACO’s Bach Celebration continues Sunday

The second concert of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra’s three-part series focusing on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Sunday, at the Valley Presbyterian Church in Portola Valley, 945 Portola Road.

The 17th annual Bach Celebration is an opportunity to hear the young musicians of PACO and guest soloists.

Nova Vista performing Saturday

A performance of Liszt’s “Piano Concerto No. 1,” featuring San Francisco pianist Robert Schwartz, highlights Saturday’s program of the Nova Vista Symphony Orchestra.

The concert, which will also include works by Moncayo, Franck, Gershwin and Mozart, will begin at 8 p.m. in the Smithwick Theater at Foothill College.

Special Section

Opting for adoption?

Adoption services offer resources close to home

With a new Immigration and Naturalization Service ruling in effect as of last week, there is bound to be an increase in the number of adults who want to bring adopted children into their homes. And local adoption agencies, service organizations and foundations are up to meeting the challenge of matching families with those children. It is often a costly and time-consuming process, rife with paperwork, but the results are well worth the effort.

Parenting expert to give talk on raising teens

The son or daughter who told you everything is now 11, 12 or 13 years old and has little or nothing to say to you. What’s wrong? Michael Riera, Bay Area developmental psychologist, lecturer and author of several books on parenting adolescents, would tell you your child is probably just being a normal teen.

Riera is slated to give a talk titled “Top 20 Tips for Raising Your Teenager,” part of the Marvin Small Memorial Lecture Series, at 7:30 p.m., March 20, at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St..

Arthritis afflicts young and old

Los Altos girl treated for ailment rarely diagnosed

With her bright light-blue eyes, light-brown wavy hair swept up in a pony tail, and a ready smile that reveals braces, Cody Saal of Los Altos is a pretty and energetic 14-year-old. She has a 3-year-old brother, Jake, and a large black Portuguese water dog, Pilot, that probably outweighs her.

Does your crib measure up?

Regulations from the Consumer Product Safety Commission are required to insure crib safety. Before you purchase a crib be sure the following safety standards are met.

The vertical bars or slats must be no further apart than two and three-eighth inches or 60 mm, to prevent infants from slipping through or becoming stuck between them.

Teaching good home habits has long-term benefits

Tips on assigning responsibility to kids

Rarely does a day go by when negative behavior or violence among today’s youth isn’t covered in the country’s national news reports. Parents come under fire for their child’s actions, although they may be equally concerned and confused.

Forget the mess; kids who cook can develop a lifelong love of good food

Culinary professionals from the Art Institutes said that cooking with kids can be fun for the whole family with a few simple safety rules and basic organization. The payoff? Encouraging children to enjoy cooking can help nurture a lifelong love of good food and eating well.

For Bill Niemer, chef director of the Art Institute International Minnesota, having children in the kitchen can be a fun experience with a little careful planning.

Demanding curricula a hallmark of Harker School

In 1893, David Starr Jordan, president of Stanford University, saw a lack of superior incoming students entering his prestigious college. He thus encouraged some local educators to begin a college-preparatory school, later named Palo Alto Military Academy. At around the same time, Catherine Harker recognized the need for a girls’ preparatory school near Stanford and founded Miss Harker’s School in 1902. In 1972, the two schools merged to form a powerful union of modern education - The Harker School.

Four years ago, The Harker School decided to add a high school, creating a new grade every year, and as a result, the 2001-02 school year will be its first senior class.

New law grants adoptees automatic citizenship

For Susan Lobo of Los Altos, the passage of the federal Child Citizenship Act of 2000 was a godsend.

Last April, she and husband Keith adopted a daughter from Yaroslavl, Russia, a “happy and bright” 17-month-old they named Natalie. However, the Lobos and other parents of overseas adoptees faced the lengthy and cumbersome process of obtaining U.S. citizenship for their children.

The ABC’s of financing a college education

If you are the proud parent of a student who will start college soon, chances are you’ve been trying to figure out how the two of you are going to pay for that college degree. Fortunately, financial help is available. Financial aid can help pay for tuition, books, room and board, and many of the other costs of higher education.

Financial aid to meet a student’s educational expenses is available in four basic categories: scholarships, grants, work-study and education loans. Most students finance their education through a package combining aid from several categories.