Slope law debate

Controversial LAH ordinance has officials cautious

When Los Altos Hills was incorporated as city on Jan. 27, 1956, the chief advocates for incorporation wanted to avoid being a part of the urban sprawl that was beginning to develop in surrounding areas.

Rosita pool subject of city council discussion

The Los Altos City Council is scheduled to decide this Tuesday how to configure the three-pool complex slated for Rosita Park next summer.

The Parks & Recreation Commission has recommended a plan that would place the entire Covington Aquatic Center between the Rosita ball field and Rosita Avenue. This would save the tennis courts from demolition, but would mean the wrecking ball for the existing gymnasium. The gym’s removal was part of the city’s master plan and shouldn’t impact programs, according to the staff report.

Council members debate free speech vs. public perception

Council asks mayor to keep his opinions to himself, under new proposed norms

Los Altos City Council members have asked the mayor essentially to keep his opinions to himself.

News Briefs

The Los Altos City Council gave the First Baptist Church of Los Altos the go-ahead last week to begin the first phase of a massive renovation project planned for the Magdalena Road site.

This first phase will include the addition of a 5,200-square-foot, two-story education wing on the south end of the site’s existing athletic center, where the church plans to house meeting rooms, a child-care center and storage space. The plan also includes the addition of 63 new parking spaces; a play area for the church’s child-care center; and landscaping for the parking areas.

Police Report

April 27, 6:35 p.m., 4000 block of El Camino Real: Police said there was a possible theft of a credit card from a business.

Suspicious circumstances

Council members debate free speech vs. public perception

Council weighs the pros and cons of creating a new set of council guidelines

T he Los Altos City Council is in the process of creating guidelines that would dictate what the mayor could and couldn’t comment on publicly, as part of new set of council norms.

El Camino Hospital negotiators still tackling agency-shop issues

Contract negotiations between El Camino Hospital and Service Employees International Union, Local 715, remain stalled after four months of negotiations. Officials from both sides said it is likely SEIU will request a federal mediator if the two sides are unable to resolve their differences during talks scheduled for Thursday.

Union negotiators and hospital management reported that they were unable come to agreement in two other areas, health benefits and agency shop, an issue which has proved the most difficult to resolve.

A View from the Hills

AMT capital gains spell woe to high tech employees

The story is sad and the future looks bleak for those who purchased houses, cars and furniture with paper profits, only to have all snatched away by last year’s downturn.

Letters to the Editor

Why is the Town of Los Altos Hills being asked to approve an ordinance that will double development limits on its moderate slopes, triple them on steeper slopes and irreversibly undermine its traditional dedication to the preservation of its natural setting? Would you believe it if I told you that it was to cover up a goof in arithmetic?

The ordinance grew out of an effort by the town to liberalize inequities in the treatment of substandard, “grandfather” lots, too small to meet the minimum required by the slope density standards. (The required minimum lot size is one lot unit, or 1 “LUF,” which increases from 1 A for lots under 10 percent average slope to 2 A at 33 percent). The original “constrained-lot” ordinance applied only to these non-conforming lots - those with LUF less than one - probably only 10 or 15 percent of the town (an accurate count has not been made). January versions of this ordinance liberalized standards for this small class of non-conforming (”constrained”) lots with a formula that matched standards for the rest of the town as the lot size approached the town standard (1 LUF).

Editor’s Notebook

Anger at Packard Foundation misdirected

As you’ve been reading in these pages, everyone, it seems, has an opinion on what belongs at the .78-acre city-owned site at First and Main streets.

Pages of the Past

This is a reprint of an Ellen Shaw “Pages of the Past” column that ran in the May 6, 1998 Town Crier.

28 years ago in the Town Crier: According to the May 9, 1973, edition of the Town Crier, more then 3,000 children and their pets of every description were expected to march or ride in the Los Altos Pet Parade in the 26th annual occurrence of this event.

Movie legend Jane Russell to appear at Peninsula Volunteers’ ‘Salute to Stars’

The likes of movie legend Jane Russell, along with Miss California and Miss Los Altos, Rita Ng, will be present at the “Salute to the Stars” fund-raiser benefiting the Peninsula Volunteers this Saturday.

The event, scheduled at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, will feature an 11 a.m. celebrity fashion show, followed by an auction and luncheon. The evening gala featuring Russell begins at 6:30 p.m.

Volunteer girls are bringing ‘Assisteens’ to the community

The example set by these young ladies will forever destroy any shopping-obsessed, self-centered, Britney Spears wannabe stereotypes of the teen girl.

The Assisteens of Santa Clara County are a group of teenage girls who give their time throughout the year to volunteer in the community.

Teen chat turns into thriving Web site

Webmaster survives AOL shutdown to establish online magazines

She stands only 5 feet tall, but she has done battle with giant America Online.

Electronic voting coming to county, registrar reports

Town Crier Publisher

Electronic voting is on its way to Santa Clara County, possibly meaning fewer absentee ballots and quicker vote counts, according to Kathryn Ferguson, Santa Clara County Register of Voters.

‘Singing in the Rain’ featured at Los Altos History Museum

The Los Altos History Museum has scheduled a family matinee of “Singing in the Rain,” with Donald O’Connor, Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, 2 p.m., Sunday, at the museum and History House, 51 S. San Antonio Road.

The special program complements the museum’s changing exhibit, “Red, Hot and Blue: A Salute to the American Musical,” and welcomes kids and their guests to the museum.

Schola Cantorum, Music For Minors combine forces for ‘Voices in Harmony’ concert

Los Altos-based Music for Minors and the local adult professional choir Schola Cantorum has scheduled a choral music concert 3 p.m., May 6 at Gunn High School’s Spangenberg Theatre.

The concert, “Voices in Harmony,” will bring together two organizations that have consistently shown their great commitment to sharing the gift of music with the community. The 60-minute concert will feature approximately 135 Schola Cantorum adult singers along with 45 children from MFM’s children’s choir. Together with special guest performer Charlotte Diamond, they will explore the different ways to create harmonies through song. “It will be a stunning visual as well as aural experience,” claimed Children’s Chorus music director Cathy Humphers Smith, “a great afternoon for the whole family.” All year, children from every elementary school in the Los Altos School District have come together after school to rehearse for this concert.

Library News

The Los Altos main library will hold a book discussion on “Corelli’s Mandolin” by Louis de Bernieres from 7:30 to 9 p.m., May 9, in the small conference room.

During May, the Los Altos main library will display winning art and essays from the 2001 Growing Up Asian in America Contest.

Calendar

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

Wednesday

Winners announced in 17th annual Margaret Thompson historical essay contest

The Los Altos Historical Commission has announced the winners of the 17th annual Margaret Thompson Essay Contest.

The entries, on the theme of “Our Treasured Los Altos Landmarks,” were written in the form of a letter to the editor, or as a newspaper article, recommending the preservation of a variety of landmarks, such as parks, buildings, statues and the Civic Center’s apricot orchard.

Community Briefs

The Palo Alto branch of the American Association of University Women will hold a fundraising event 1-3 p.m., Saturday that will feature lunch with more than 20 local authors.

Award-winning writer Shirley Climo of Los Altos Hills, will be on hand to discuss her twenty-three books as well as her interpretations of folktales. Books from all participating authors will be available for purchase.

PTA helping to improve Egan facilities, brick by brick

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Egan School is thinking about the school’s remodeling process, brick by brick. The PTA is selling commemorative bricks to past, present and future students and families of Egan. The bricks cost $100 and people can have whatever they like engraved on them.

The PTA hopes to raise the necessary funds to spruce up the school in ways that are not covered by the recent bond issue.

Schools Briefs

The Mountain View-Los Altos PTA Council blood drive (in cooperation with the Stanford Blood Bank) is scheduled 3:30-7 p.m., Tuesday, at Slater School, 325 Gladys Ave., Mountain View.

Donors must be between 17 and 74, weigh at least 110 pounds, be well-hydrated, have eaten at least six hours prior to donating and have a photo ID. Donors with allergies and allergy medications are accepted. Donors will be deferred if they have visited or lived in the United Kingdom for a cumulative 6 months or more between 1980 and 1996. This is a recommendation of the FDA as a precaution against Mad Cow Disease.

Junior Olympics produces proud athletes, cheering parents and tired volunteers

Town Crier Correspondent

Dressed in their school colors, more than 1,300 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students from the six Los Altos elementary schools assembled in the Los Altos High School parking lot Saturday, for the 42nd annual Junior Olympics.

Rotarians provide appreciation luncheon for ‘partners’ in schools

Town Crier Correspondent

During the past five years, Los Altos and Mountain View’s Rotary Club’s Partners for New Generations (PNG) has matched more than 200 volunteers with the local schools. Last Thursday, the program held its annual appreciation luncheon to recognize their contributions.

Sports On The Side

Villa Sienna Foundation’s inaugural golf tournament is set for May 11 at Deep Cliff Golf Course in Cupertino. Registration is at 9 a.m., tee-time is 10 a.m. A barbecue and entertainment follow at 5 p.m. at Villa Sienna, 1855 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View. Proceeds benefit residents of Villa Sienna, a non-profit home for the elderly. Cost: $100 for golf/barbecue; $25 for barbecue. For more information, call 961-6484.

Dinner with a ‘Hart’

Los Altos hits it big in Reno

Tournament boosts Eagles’ confidence

Prep Softball Report

Wong rallies to capture De Anza Division singles crown

Spring Sports Summary

os Altos High tennis player Jon Wong didn’t panic after losing the first set of last Friday’s SCVAL De Anza Division singles final to Monta Vista’s Stefan Parker. The setback just made Wong angry.

Locals honored by leagues for play in winter sports

Boys Basketball

SCVAL El Camino Division

Lancers vault toward another CCS title

Gymnastics Roundup

y claiming the crown at last year’s Central Coast Section championships, the St. Francis High gymnastics team broke a seven-year streak of finishing second.

On Deck: the local sports lineup for May 2-8

Baseball

Today

Eagles’ CCS playoff hopes hinge on finishing strong

Town Crier Correspondent

Prep Baseball Wrap Up

Marketing tips for difficult times - and all the OTHER times!

Jean on the Job

Marketing never stops. We need it more than ever in the tough times. What I mean by marketing is just reminding others that you are there. I mean selling yourself in the same way you would sell other worthy causes. I mean believing that you have something precious to share with others - your ideas, your products, your dreams.

eJobShop a hit on the Internet

Home is where the heart is - and the job, too

Business Profile

Los Altos resident named president of Bravanta

Brendan P. Keegan, a resident of Los Altos, was recently appointed president of Bravanta. Bravata, based in San Francisco, is a technology leader in the workforce performance services market.

“Over the last half-century there have been a few major market and technology transitions that have changed the landscape of business,” Keegan said. “Today, we stand on the cusp of the next great transition - recognizing that employees are a company’s single greatest asset in achieving the strategic goals of the organization, he said.

Business Briefs

SPAUG’s ( The Stanford Palo Alto Users Group for the PC ) regular monthly meeting is scheduled 7:15 p.m., May 30, at the Elks Lodge (Lodge room) at 4249 El Camino Real in Palo Alto. Beverly Altman will discuss EXCEL.

Guests are welcome, and the meeting is free to all first-time guests.

Government reports offer hope for a rebounding stock market

Stock Report

When the market opened Monday morning, stocks continued their climb after the latest economic numbers showed American’s income and spending habits were proving resilient, lifting hopes the U.S. economy may avoid a recession.

Coldwell named best of Web

The publication’s editors specifically acknowledged features such as the concierge service and Neighborhood Explorer. Forbes also praised the site for its vast 200,000 national listings and informative Mortgage Center.

Transactions

Cupertino

10445 Brewer Avenue - R. & S. Klemchuk to M. & M. Seaver for $1,140,000.00

Successful EXPO 2001 cheers local exhibitors

Town Crier Correspondent

The 13th annual Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Business EXPO 2001 was held Thursday and exhibitors and visitors were pleased with the results.

Stanford Savoyards putting on ‘Ruddigore’

The Stanford Savoyards, the Mid-Peninsula’s Gilbert & Sullivan company, this week opens its production of the comic operetta “Ruddigore.”

“Ruddigore” plays this weekend and next at Stanford University’s Dinkelspiel Auditorium. Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m., Sunday, plus 8 p.m., May 11 and 12.

ASE offers 11 tips to prepare your car or truck for summer driving

Spring is one of the prime times for auto maintenance. That first wash and wax on a warm Saturday afternoon can be liberating.

Some preparation now will help ensure that your summer driving plans go as smoothly as you envision them.

Ways to keep those gasoline bills down

Last week’s Tosco refinery fire in Carson was just the latest in a series of economic events expected to cause gas prices to rise.

The average price per gallon of regular gas in the Bay Area last week was $2.04. Nationwide, gas prices went up 13 cents to $1.67 - just 4 cents shy of last summer’s all-time high.

Worth the wait

Buyers may get in line for these cars

New Mini by BMW

Hope Rehabilitation seeking cars

Your old car can be a source of “Hope” for thousands of Bay Area residents with developmental disabilities.

By donating your old car to HOPE Rehabilitation Services and St. Vincent De Paul, you will help provide services to improve the quality of life for Bay Area residents with disabilities, including mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy and brain trauma.

AARP to offer auto safety classes

The American Association of Retired Persons’ 55 Alive Driver Safety Program classes are scheduled for 6-10 p.m., Monday and May 9, at the Mountain View Senior Center.

Classes will also be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 17 and 24, at Avenidas, a senior center in Palo Alto.

Car Buying Tips

By Robert Hammer and Stefanie Kelly

In an age when the Internet makes seemingly limitless information available to the general public, shopping for a new car has become slightly less mystifying.

Engagements

Suzanne Rose and David Bennett have announced their engagement to be married Oct. 20 at Foothills Congregational Church, Los Altos.

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Julie Rose of Mountain View and Mike Rose of Portland, Ore. She graduated from Los Altos High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is employed as a conference coordinator at Stanford University.

Obituaries

John Francis “Jack” Lawler died March 14. A native of Ohio, he was 82.

Mr. Lawler was a patent attorney for GTE. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University, he was a longtime former member of the Mountain View Rotary Club. He served as a lieutenant in the US Army during World War II.

Spiritual Life Briefs

Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, Los Altos, will host the Alpha-Omega program through 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, church and volunteers.

Empty Bowls, a fund raising event benefiting Alpha Omega, is scheduled for 6 p.m., Sunday, at Mountain View Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1425 Springer Road, Mountain View. The meal consists of soups, salads, bread and beverages donated by several local restaurants. Pottery artists created and donated individual soup bowls, which diners can take home. A donation of $12 covers the meal and the bowl.

Rev. Mike Clark of Union Presbyterian blazing trails in church life, personal life

Meet the Clergy

The Rev. Mike Clark, a descendant of William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, is following in his ancestor’s footsteps. In his church’s transitions and in his own free time, Clark, 47, likes blazing new trails. Clark was ordained in 1980 and served in churches in Pennsylvania and in Morgan Hill before coming to Union Presbyterian Church in 1994.

Transcending the inner voice of vengeance to inner peace

Along the Spiritual Path

A note from Ruth Polata, Spiritual Life columnist: This year I am doing something new for my column space by sharing it occasionally with guest writers. Carl Goldman’s article is the third one so far, with more to come. Enjoy!

PYT opening two plays this week

This is a busy week for Peninsula Youth Theatre, which is set to open two productions: “The Importance of Being Earnest” and “Once On This Island.”

“Earnest” plays Thursday through Sunday at PYT studios, 2500 Middlefield Way, Mountain View, while “Island” runs Friday through May 13 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts., 500 Castro St.

Moreno to perform with SuperPops! at Flint Center

Rita Moreno, the only female performer to win the four most prestigious show business awards - the Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy - makes her debut with the San Jose Symphony’s SuperPops! this weekend at Flint Center in Cupertino.

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m., Saturday, and 2:30 p.m., Sunday.

Mtn. View High updating ‘Romeo & Juliet’

The Mountain View High School Drama Department presents its updated version of “Romeo and Juliet” at 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, at the school, 3535 Truman Ave.

Mountain View residents Matt Griffin and Katie Vroom take on the title roles.