MVHS debates honors

A year after controversial open enrollment, school mixed on program impact

What about LAHS?

City aims to rid neighborhoods of front-yard rubbish

Los Altos

A new ordinance intended to clean up Los Altos neighborhoods could soon banish whatever the city considers front yard rubbish. The Los Altos City Council is in the process of drafting a law that would expand the types of clutter that the city can abate.

Council considers redevelopment district to invigorate ‘decaying’ triangle area

The Los Altos City Council agreed last week to consider bringing in a redevelopment agency to invigorate the triangle-area near the city’s North gateway allegedly plagued by economic and physical decay.

City staff is scheduled within the next two months to bring back to council a cost and feasibility analysis of establishing a redevelopment or assessment district to address the area’s blight issues as part of the city’s budget process, said Community Development Director James Walgren.

Zoning ordinance changes delayed

City Attorney Sandy Sloan requested a postponement at the April 5 meeting, so she and Planning Director Carl Cahill would have adequate time to prepare a new negative environmental impact statement that more accurately reflects the scope of the proposed project. The delay was also necessary to fulfill the legal requirement for posting a new declaration for public review before the revised ordinance returns to the council.

-Town Crier Staff Report

News Briefs

The Los Altos City Council agreed last week to move forward with plans to install a sidewalk along Fremont Avenue between the Los Altos Sub-Acute & Rehabilitation Center and Manor Way.

The city applied for a $27,999 Transportation Development Act last week to fund most of the project. If approved, the city would need to kick in $9,000.

Police Report

April 13, 9:12 a.m., 201 Almond Ave. : Police said there possibly was a juvenile with a controlled substance at Los Altos High School.

Disturbance

El Camino Hospital divided on union dues for all employees

Contract negotiations between El Camino Hospital District and Service Employees International Union Local 715 appear to be at an impasse.

The dispute over whether service employees should be required to pay for union dues involves not only union representatives and management, but also hospital employees.

Landmark development ideal for First-Main, expert says

A landmark building with mixed-uses that would draw a variety of people to downtown Los Altos would best fit the .78-acre city-owned lot at the corner of First and Main streets, urban designer David Gates told the Los Altos City Council last week.

Gates, who developed the city’s Downtown Urban Design Plan, said the ideal development would include an outside public plaza at the corner of First and Main, a 12-foot sidewalk along Main Street, ground-level retail space fronting First Street and underground parking.

Letters to the Editor

As a member of Los Altos Masonic Lodge No. 712, Free and Accepted Masons, I was very pleased with the excellent article in your April 4 edition, reporting on the 50th birthday celebration of the Lodge. I must, however, nitpick just a little with some of your terminology.

The title “Grand Master” is reserved for the man who presides over all of the Masonic Lodges in the entire state of California. The presiding officer of a single Lodge, for example Bill Malmstrom in Los Altos Lodge, is known simply as Master of the Lodge.

Line between editorial, advertising more blurred than ever

Media Watch

“DAILY NEWS STAFF FEEDING FRENZY happens regularly at Cafe ____ [name deleted] and you should go there too. They have great pizza, salad and lots of other good stuff. Try it, and you’ll become a repeat customer too.”

The Last Passover

Reflections

No, no, that title does not mean to set up a parallel to The Last Supper, though Passover and Easter celebrations often follow one another. What I wanted to share is my decision not to spend an entire week planning, shopping and cooking a special dinner for guests who may savor the meal but roll their eyes at the yearly repetition of the Exodus story. It’s a magnificent story told in a book called the Haggadah, a proud recall of the struggle for freedom emphasized in the words, “Once we were slaves in Egypt.”

Event ushers in ‘Cherry Blossom Time’

The 18th annual Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled 10 a.m to 5 p.m, Saturday and Sunday, in Memorial Park on Stevens Creek Boulevard across from De Anza College.

The empowering and vibrant sounds of three Taiko drum groups, including the world-famous San Jose Taiko (Saturday, noon and 3:35 p.m.) will highlight the daylong entertainment which includes martial arts demonstrations, classical dance, Ruth Mun’s Silken Treasure fashion show and many other musical groups.

League tackles subject of affordable housing

Representatives from the Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Mountain View City Councils will update the public on the General Plan housing element and affordable housing 2-4 p.m., April 28. The League of Women Voters of the Los Altos-Mountain View Area sponsors the program at Mountain View Public Library, Community Room, 585 Franklin St.

General Plans, by law, deal with land-use regulations and are the major tools by which communities shape their future.

Audrey Bates honored for staying cool under fire for 25 years

Police dispatcher extraordinaire

A police dispatcher’s hours are long, the workload is unpredictable and the responsibilities are great, but even after 25 years, Audrey Bates said she still loves her career.

Local weather

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

Hidden Villa celebrates Earth Day Saturday with family activities

Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills will be the ideal place to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday: visitors can enjoy traditional farm animals and activities and also learn about today’s latest earth-saving, energy-saving ideas.

All Los Altos-area residents are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy farm animal visits, maypole dancing, rail-splitting, butter churning, garden fun and guided tours of two new, earth-friendly buildings.

Third-graders to learn local history on field trip to new Los Altos museum

Third-graders in the Los Altos School District will go on a history field trip weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon, April 24 through May 18, as part of the study of their community.

The tour will be in three parts. First, they will visit the History House, Gilbert Smith’s home, which is restored as a Depression home of the 1930s. The second part of their tour will be a visit to see pictures of early Los Altos painted by Annie Knapp Fitz.

Former state assemblyman Ted Lempert continues focus on education with EdVoice

Town Crier Correspondent

Ted Lempert was forced out of the 21st Assembly District because of term limits, but he didn’t leave politics. The Silicon Valley legislator now focuses on school reform. Lempert explained to Los Altos Rotarians April 5 how his new lobby group called EdVoice will change education.

Pages of the Past

28 years ago in the Los Altos Town Crier

As reported in the Town Crier 25 years ago, the success of 50 Covington Junior High School students in raising funds during a United Cerebral Palsy “Happiness Walk” totaled $1,608 - more than any other school in the county - during the walk-a-thon.

YMCA annual community campaign tops $100,000 mark

The El Camino YMCA’s annual community campaign has surpassed $100,000, well on the way toward meeting a $120,000 fund-raising goal.

According to Executive Director Ron Markillie, Y supporters raised “just over $101,000,” as of last week. The total comes from funds raised among board members and Y membership and corporate gifts. Another $10,000 is expected through two phone drives, set for April 23 and 24.

New voting technology to be focus of upcoming League event

The evening will feature Kathyrn Ferguson, the Santa Clara County registrar of voters. For more information, call the League office at 941-4846.

Library News

Children age 7 and up are invited to make beady buddies in the Program Room of the Los Altos Library from 3:45-4:30 p.m. Thursday.

For more information, call the Children’s Reference Desk at 948-7683, ext. 3525.

Goodall explains passion for chimpanzees at forum

Town Crier Correspondent

Forty years ago, the world knew very little about chimpanzees, but thanks to Jane Goodall, we now know they are almost human and, sadly, almost extinct. While we are human beings, Goodall calls them chimpanzee beings.

Calendar

Los Altos Senior Center, 9-3 p.m., Monday through Friday, 97 Hillview Ave.

Wednesday

Community Briefs

Max Diehn, a Stanford researcher, will outline the science behind the current work in genetics during a free lecture and discussion scheduled for 11:30 a.m., May 6, in the Parish Hall of Foothills Congregational Church, 461 Orange Ave., Los Altos.

Diehn is currently working at Stanford in the area of “functional genomics,” with the goal of better diagnostics and therapeutics for human cancers.

LASD budget committee grapples with $3 million deficit, staffing cuts

The Los Altos School District projects a $3 million deficit for the 2001-2002 school year. With that in mind, the Budget Review Committee went to work at its April 9 meeting with its recommendations for budget cuts.

Site-specific cuts itemized in the list ranged from copiers to art, speech and library aides.

MV-LA HS Foundation reaches $200,000 goal

The Mountain View-Los Altos High School Foundation reached its 2000-2001 fund-raising goal of more than $200,000. Parents and residents donated to the fund.

The gift will be given to the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District in May, said Superintendent Rich Fischer.

In Brief

The second annual Rose Resnick Lighthouse for the Blind Benefit is scheduled at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, in the Stent Hall Ballroom at Menlo School.

Donations are $10.

Students find their own voices in AVID

Glen Singleton, of Pacific Educational Group, asked, “How many of you think you will go to college?”

The majority of students in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program at Los Altos High School attending the 10th annual AVID leadership conference Friday raised their hands. AVID is a secondary college preparatory elective program for students underrepresented in the higher level high school courses.

LAHS chili cook-off gets a warm reception

Annual contest inspires tasty culinary efforts

The students of the Los Altos High School Culinary Arts Program held their fourth annual chili cook-off Friday. Beef, chicken, pork, vegetarian and everything in between could be found in the 13 entries and 19 gallons of chili this year.

On Deck: the local sports lineup for April 18-24

Baseball

Today

Sports On The Side

A Mountain View-Los Altos Class I under-16 boys soccer team needs experienced players to round out its roster. Players must be born between Aug. 1, 1985, and July 31, 1986. For more information, call Juan Mayora at 493-4890 or send an e-mail to juan_mayora@cohr.com.

Water world

MV boys volleyball team making progress

The Mountain View High boys volleyball team isn’t in contention for the league title and is a long shot to make the playoffs.

Yet coach Peter Kim said the program has made great strides in this, its second year.

Mustangs on track to make playoffs

Prep Softball Report

omestead High has established a tradition for succeeding in a number of girls sports, including basketball, soccer and swimming.

Dallas burns Cannon, Quakes with early goal

San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon, a Los Altos Hills resident, allowed only one goal last Saturday night, but that’s all the Dallas Burn needed to spoil the Quakes’ Major League Soccer home opener.

Dallas jumped on the board in the 19th minute, as Bobby Rhine drove an 18-yard shot past Cannon.

Titans trounce Lancers

Town Crier Correspondent

Eagles earn split

Dyson claims Level 8 state title

Lauren Dyson, a seventh-grader at Blach Junior High, captured the Level 8 all-around title March 31 at the California State Gymnastics Championships in Rancho Cordova.

Dyson posted an all-around score of 36.55 and won the uneven bars with a 9.55. The Los Altos resident also earned medals in three other events at the three-day meet.

Mtn. View girls hurdle another opponent

Around The Track

n convincing fashion, the Mountain View High girls track and field team last Thursday capped off its second straight undefeated league season.

Los Altos, St. Francis tennis teams are on the upswing

Spring Sports Summary

he playoff-bound boys tennis teams from Los Altos and St. Francis highs finished off regular-season play with victories last week.

Mooring shares Rambus status with Rotarians

Town Crier Correspondent

Dave Mooring, president of Rambus Inc., personifies the description, “local man makes good.”

Immature responses to job feedback

Jean on the Job

It takes courage to give you feedback. Most people have an easier time talking about you than talking to you. When we sit, eye to eye, that terrible behavior we were wailing about last week seems suddenly less offensive.

Business Briefs

group meets

The SPAUG ( Stanford Palo Alto Users Group for the PC ) regular monthly meeting will be 7:15 p.m. on April 25 at the Elks Lodge (Lodge Room), 4249 El Camino Real, in Palo Alto. Regular monthly meetings are on the last Wednesday of the month.

Chamber sends out annual directory, a guide to local living

The 2001 Chamber of Commerce Community Guide and Membership Directory was hand-delivered to 16,000 residents and businesses in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills during the last two weeks of March.

The 72-page four-color directory is a complete guide to living and doing business in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. It includes information about city government, area attractions, public services, shopping in Los Altos, clubs and organizations, city history, schools and higher education, hospital and medical services, parks and recreational facilities, housing, places of worship, public art, and an economic profile of the city.

Rising tech stocks provide a good start for the 2nd quarter

The second quarter is off to a good financial start. Investors gave a positive spin to the four-day trading week and provided the Nasdaq composite index to have its best week of the year.

The economic news on corporate earnings increased suggestions that the economy may slide into recession, but investors are now looking for an interim rate cut before the next Federal Reserve meeting. At this point, investors would rather see signs the economy is beginning to mend.

Southern and Northern California realtors foresee a different market future

Town Crier Correspondent

According to a first quarter survey published March 19 by the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.), Southern California realtors are more optimistic about the future of the state’s housing market than their Northern California counterparts.

Transactions

Cupertino

10825 Alderbrook Lane - R. & F. Abel to K. Gholamy for $675,000.00

Home sales and refinancing predicted up for this year

Town Crier Correspondent

Ask Gregory Lopez, senior mortgage consultant at Diversified Capital, how his mortgage lending business is and he’ll raise his eyebrows and say things couldn’t be better.

Author creates new ‘Eloise’ - on a transatlantic liner

Town Crier Correspondent

They say that a difficult childhood either makes you or breaks you.

Museum opening will go down in Los Altos’ history

Strictly candids

“ONE OF THE BEST” SMALL MUSEUMS: The grand opening on March 18 of the modern barn-look three-level 8,200-square-foot Los Altos History Museum was an incredible and special day to remember. This Silicon Valley history museum is one of the best small museums in the state of California. So many wonderful stories have been written about this “one of its kind” museum. It was remarkably put together by a team of 50 devoted and hard working people. Visit the museum for a special treat! It is open to the public Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call 948-4042.

Weddings & Engagements

Michelle Earhart and Andrew Leeson have announced their engagement to be married June 18 on Catalina Island. The reception will be held at the Wrigley Museum.

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Joan and Alan Earhart of Los Altos. She attended Sacred Heart Preparatory in Atherton and will graduate in June from Cal State San Marcus with a degree in liberal studies and communication.

Obituaries

Robert A. Marietta, a 44-year Los Altos resident, died April 6. A native of Michigan, he was 75. Mr. Marietta was a an electronic engineer. He served in Okinawa in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Mr. Marietta is survived by his wife, Eleanor; children, Mark Marietta and Lisa Burich; and grandchildren, William Marietta and Anna Liese Burich.

Juan Carlos Dawson

Today’s real estate dollars and sense create promising home buyers market

Town Crier Correspondent

Ask any Los Altos realtor and he or she will tell you the real estate marketplace has changed from a sellers to a buyers market.

Forgetful but helpful mother finds the key to performing a good deed

Companion on the Journey

“Have you found those keys yet?” my husband called from the kitchen.

Spiritual Life Briefs

Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, Los Altos, will host the Alpha-Omega program from April 21- May 19.

Alpha Omega provides a structured program for needy residents that includes case management, emotional support, resume writing, job search assistance, counseling services and a warm supportive atmosphere created by Community Services Agency staff and church volunteers.

Nohan’s ‘Memento’ gives film noir a new twist

Film Vitals :

Movie Review

Bentley to solo this Saturday at PACO’s Jr. Orchestra finale

The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra’s Junior Orchestra will perform its season finale at 8 p.m., Saturday, at Spangenberg Theatre in Palo Alto.

William Whitson, PACO’s founder and co-conductor, will conduct the concert, and violinist Karen Bentley will be the featured soloist.

Roberts riding ‘Yellow Bus’ into Los Altos

A free family concert featuring Justin Roberts is scheduled for noon, Saturday, at Linden Tree Children’s Records & Books, 170 State St., Los Altos.

Roberts will perform songs from his latest recording, “Yellow Bus,” and his first recording, “Great Big Sun.”

Hills resident Archibeque to lead SJSU Concert Choir

Under the direction of Los Altos Hills resident Dr. Charlene Archibeque, the San Jose State University Concert Choir and Choraliers will present their 31st annual Spring Benefit concert on Saturday

The concert is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. in the newly renovated Concert Hall at San Jose State.

Book Beat

Marina Lighthouse of Los Altos, who was born Marina Marinovich, is a regional television producer, concert promoter, bandleader, booking agent and performance and recording artist. Her new CD, “Feng Shui Tune Up,” is a collaboration with Feng Shui Grand Master Lin Yun Rinpoche and features flutes, drums, strings and chants. It blends new age music, I Ching philosophy and Buddhist spiritual practice. The CD can be purchased at The East West Bookstore in downtown Mountain View and online at www.fengshui.nu and www.amazon.com.

Linden Tree Children’s Records and Books on State Street has scheduled the following events: From 9:30 a.m. to noon today, Robert SanSouci, award-winning author of more than 80 books, including Caldecott Honor Books, “Talking Eggs” and “Faithful Friends,” will appear.

Health Briefs

Andrew Epstein, M.D., will discuss the different types of urinary incontinence, 2:30-4 p.m., today, at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto.

Admission is free, but preregistration is required. For information or to register, call 853-4873.

Massage offers relaxation in a stressful world

Business Profile

When ringing telephones, busy schedules and the other pressures of 21st century living become too much, Los Altos massage therapist Sherri Odelson is always first to help take the sting out of life.

Excellent material available on managing chronic pain

Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability in the United States and one of the most common medical problems people face. Pain organizations estimate that close to 50 million Americans - perhaps even more - live with chronic pain. You, a family member or a friend may be one of them.

Living with chronic pain takes its toll on the sufferer and oftentimes her family and job as well. And while resources that make it easier to live with a chronic condition are available, even the effort of going to the library or a bookstore may seem like an insurmountable task when you are coping with chronic pain. Now The Health Library’s e-book collection has several wonderful books on living with and managing chronic pain. These books are available online from the Library’s web site at http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu, and cost the user absolutely nothing to check out and read from home.

Author reveals how sufferers can find release from ‘asthma triggers’

The shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing that asthmatics experience during an attack can be frustrating, frightening and occasionally even life-threatening. Chronic sufferers can sometimes feel their asthma has taken control of their lives.

In his new book, “Asthma Triggers,” retired allergist Stephen Astor offers practical advice on how sufferers can gain control of their condition.

Young and blue

Expert: depression can strike as early as 3 years old and is often difficult to diagnose

When a child or a teen seems unhappy or angry or has difficulty coping with everyday life for an extended period of time, parents often wonder whether he or she might just be going through a stage. They may also feel uncertain about when to seek professional help. Could it be possible that the child is suffering from depression?

Seeking skin-deep beauty: Cosmetic dermatology

House Calls

The skin is the body’s largest organ - and the most visible. Because our skin’s health and beauty often translate into how attractive we appear, cosmetic dermatology is growing in popularity.