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Archives » 2001 » Volume 54 , Issue 31, Published on Wednesday, August 1, 2001NewsVolunteer flower power
Town Crier Correspondent Mary McLanathan’s bouquets celebrate weeks and seasons at local churches Lot area definitions, utilities on Los Altos Hills city agendaDevelopment area The council scheduled a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would revise the definition of net lot area. Orange Avenue neighbors ask council to ban Halloween celebrationLos Altos The Los Altos City Council last week put an end to the annual Oct. 31 Halloween festivities on Orange Avenue after neighbors complained about hordes of out-of-town trick or treaters invading their streets in recent years. News BriefsThe Los Altos City Council last week turned down a policy that would have lifted the temporary ban on shoulder paving put in place in April 2000 after the Environmental Committee expressed concerns over the amount of asphalt shoulder paving, the appearance of residential streetscapes and the impact on storm water infiltration caused by paving the shoulder areas. City staff last week recommended that the council adopt an interim policy for one year that would set guidelines for paving areas in the public-right-of-way along side streets. Police ReportJuly 26, 2:29 a.m., Tyndall Street: A caller reported someone banging on an outside door. Telephone Harassment San Antonio Hills pushes again for Los Altos Hills annexationFor the past 10 years, San Antonio Hills homeowners living west of Interstate 280 have sought annexation to Los Altos Hills, without success. Now homeowners - from a major portion of the area and a smaller subdivision - have once again requested prezoning, the first legal step to annexation. Both groups say the requests are necessary in order to construct a sewer extension. Downtown movie theater still an option, council saysTown Crier Staff Report A movie theater in downtown Los Altos isn’t completely out of the picture despite it losing out to a hotel on the city-owned lot on First and Main streets last spring. CommentA tip for nail polish users and a sticky law in IdahoThe Pinhead Chronicles The Governor’s Palace in Santa Fe, New Mexico, built by the Spanish in 1609, is the oldest surviving building of non-Indian design in the United States. OpinionLetters to the EditorI agree with your editorial of July 18 criticizing the Loyola Corners development, but I do not understand why you did not print the votes cast by the city council. The best way to improve the performance of the council is to show their voting records and let the voters decide who is serving the people of Los Altos and who is serving the local real estate developers and the ideologues in Sacramento. Jim BleakleyLos Altos Nice shirt - what does it say …?A Side of Clyde My friends know I enjoy a glass of red wine before dinner, so the other day they gave me a nice white T-shirt splattered with the words on the chest, “Forgive Me - for I have Zinned.” Sense and sensitivityA View from the Hills Emotion and emotionalism? What do the words conjure up for you? Instability/ Weakness? Excessiveness, or even mental aberration? Art docents strive to keep art alive in schoolsAll About Art John Quincy Adams, this nation’s sixth president, is reputed to have said, “Art and music are a sinful and foolish waste of time.” Be this a true quote or not, the fact that it is repeated bears out America’s ambivalence toward its arts. CommunityLos Altos theaters of old turned into social eventsLooking Back, Moving Forward OK, so we’re getting a hotel instead of a theater. There are certainly reasons for the decision, but we may have missed a chance to make our town more of a home rather than a town that’s a nice place to stay in during a business trip. We know that Los Altos once had its own theater. Quite a place, so they say. Bill Simon, gubernatorial candidate, to speak at SPARC meetingThe South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition (SPARC) has scheduled William E. Simon Jr. to speak 6-8:30 p.m., Aug. 21, in the Lanai Room of the Elks Lodge, 4249 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. Simon, who favors tax cuts and proposes solutions to California’s water and power shortages, has declared his intention to seek the Republican party nomination for governor in the 2002 gubernatorial. Vertical wine tasting proves an uplifting experienceTown Crier Editorial Intern Despite its name, vertical wine tasting has absolutely nothing to do with how you drink wine. It does not require standing or jumping up, nor does it involve a very tall glass. The key to vertical wine tasting is in the selection and order of wines to be tasted. Library NewsZunZun will present music of the Americas to children ages 5 and up 3-3:45 p.m., today, at the Los Altos main library. Children who joined the Summer Reading Club and read 10 or more books may come anytime between Aug. 8 and Sept. 30 to pick up their free book. CalendarLos Altos Senior Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, 97 Hillview Ave. Wednesay Community BriefsMembers of the Los Altos Recreation Department are offering a summer trip Aug. 15 to Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo. This trip is also open to students entering grades 7-10. Six Flags Marine World offers an array of wildlife and wild rides, including some of the top coasters in Northern California, such as the new Vertical Velocity or Medusa. Los Altans add bovine twist to Shark Byte exhibitionTown Crier Editorial Intern What has fins, large teeth, brown spots, a brand and wears a cowbell? Weather- The Weather Underground Inc. Click for Los Altos, California ForecastClick for current weather and forecast State Legislature approves funding for underfunded school districtsThe California State Assembly voted unanimously July 23 to approve Assembly Bill 441, Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s bill authorizing $40 million to equalize funding in school districts throughout the state. Simitian’s bill also states the legislature’s intention to provide additional equalization funding in subsequent years. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every youngster in the state is supported at the 90th percentile of school funding. Simitian’s goal in pursuing equalization legislation has been to “help level the playing field for underfunded districts and the children they serve. This is a fundamental issue of fairness,” said Simitian, who represents the 21st Assembly District, which includes Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. “School districts in my area and around the state receive disparate levels of funding and that means disparate opportunities for student success. Assembly Bill 441 is a significant first step in addressing this issue.” SchoolsLASD keeps options open for needed facilities funding for new constructionLos Altos School District officials are waiting for the Santa Rita and Oak elementary site plans to be completed before deciding on how and when the board of trustees will raise additional funding beyond its $94.7 million bond measure, to complete the desired renovation of their six campuses. At issue is how money for “Phase II” construction will be obtained. Schools BriefsAn art exhibit featuring the works of Gunn High School students is on display in the Los Altos Hills Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, through Aug. 31. For more information, call 941-7222. Little Acorn School celebrates anniversary Foothill’s instructional pilot program takes teachers high-techLearning how to make a Web page, create an iMovie and complete a multimedia teaching project are just some of the skills 21 teachers from Santa Clara and San Mateo counties learned this month at the “Earn While You Learn” program at the Center of Innovation at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. The three-week instructional technology pilot program chose kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers of all backgrounds, disciplines and financial status to participate. NoteworthiesKevin Feaster, April Harnett, Kenneth Hendersen, Joshua McGee and Kelley Paulick have been awarded scholarships from the City of Mountain View to attend the Space Academy at Space Camp in Mountain View. John Chen, Hadar Belkin and Jeff Pao of Los Altos Hills graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Chen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science; Belkin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts magna cum laude; and Pao with a master’s degree in engineering. Sports On The SideStudents who plan to go out for sports at Los Altos High and have not already taken a physical are asked to do so between 6-8 p.m., Aug. 13, at the Chiropractic Clinic, 2290 W. El Camino Real, Suite 8, Mountain View. Athletes cannot participate in a sport without a physical, according to Los Altos athletic director Monica Lodge. For more information, call Lodge at 960-8857. Lacrosse camp SportsDefense leads North to 24-17 victory in annual prep all-star football gameIt turns out defense not only wins football championships, but also all-star games. At least that was the case last week when the North beat the South 24-17 in the 27th Annual Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game. Played at Independence High in San Jose, the contest featured 80 of Santa Clara County’s top prep players from the class of 2001. Los Altos Majors ousted from sectionalThe Los Altos Majors All-Stars made a quick exit from the Section 5 Tournament, losing their initial two games of the double-elimination event. The team of 11- and 12-year-olds lost 6-1 to King City on Sunday, then fell 6-0 to Aptos the next day in Santa Clara. Cannon injured in all-star gameJoe Cannon of Los Altos Hills got off to a good start in Saturday’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game at Spartan Stadium in San Jose. At the midway point of the first half, the San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper had a shutout going and his West team led 3-0. Cannon even assisted on the first goal, a shot by Quakes teammate Landon Donovan. A battle of the ages at StanfordClijsters, 18, stuns Davenport for title The runner-up in three Women’s Tennis Association tournaments since March, including the French Open, it seemed like only a matter of time before Kim Clijsters won one. Elchert fences his way to 3rd at national championshipsNathan Elchert of Los Altos recently competed in the National Fencing Championships, tying for third in the Division III Men’s Foil Division. Elchert, who graduated from Los Altos High in June, tied with James Gillispie for third in a division consisting of 183 fencers. Behind the scenes at ‘Good Morning America’Jean on the Job I have just returned from New York and my meeting with Diane Sawyer for our first promotion of my new book, “Same Game, Different Rules: How to Get Ahead Without Being a Bully Broad, Ice Queen or Other Ms. Understood.” Readers tell me they are curious about how this all works. BusinessWide choice of input devices for handheldsTech Talk This biweekly column offers solutions to personal technology problems submitted by readers. Neither the author nor this newspaper endorses products or companies mentioned. Business BriefsJoe Irvin, communications manager for the California Fuel Cell Partnership, is scheduled to speak at the Technology and Society Committee luncheon, 11:45 a.m., Aug. 7, at the Golden Wok, 895 Villa St., Mountain View. Luncheon is $7.50 for members, $8.50 for nonmembers. For more information, call Bob Kirby at 969-7215. What to do about the suddenly unglamorous stock market? NothingStock Report The glamour is gone and boredom has set in. When it comes to the stock market, it’s a good time to sit and do nothing. Heritage provides promising 2nd quarterHeritage Commerce Corp, the parent of Bank of Los Altos, reported favorable consolidated operating results for the 2001 second quarter. Net income was $1,890,000 or $0.17 per diluted share. This increased from last year’s second quarter $1,489,000 or $0.13 per diluted share. Compared with the same period in 2000, net interest income increased from $10,380,000 to $10,620,000, an increase of $240,000, slightly over 2 percent. This increase is attributable to the growth in earning assets, primarily loans, and offset by a decline in interest rates earned. Transactions21070 Canyon Oak Way - The O’Brien Group to B. & D. Lawrence for $1,768,000.00 991 Cranberry Drive - F. & A. Mamaril to A. & F. Naguib for $860,000.00 Demand for office space is downWhat a difference a year makes. Last year office space was at a premium in the Los Altos area. This year it is available and the price of a square foot of commercial office space has dropped between 30 percent and 40 percent. Space Station Los Altos, published by the City of Los Altos each quarter, lists triple the number of entries for the current third quarter. Bridge Bank hoping to fill community nicheWith many Silicon Valley businesses facing layoffs or even bankruptcy within the past year, as well as a nationwide economic slowdown, it would seem a less than opportune time to open a full-service bank. Despite the economic climate, Los Altos entrepreneur Allan Kramer, a retired physician, said he and several other former bankers and banking consultants recognized a banking niche that needed to be filled. ‘The Chairs’ in place at StanfordThe Stanford Summer Theater presents Eugene Ionesco’s comedy “The Chairs” through Aug. 12 at the refurbished Pigott Theater next to Memorial Auditorium on the Stanford University Campus. Directed by Aleksandra Wolska and featuring Geoff Hoyle, Jarek Truszcynski and Rush Rehm, “The Chairs” setting is an island in the provinces. An old married couple prepare for the evening of their lives: an Orator will deliver the Old Man’s message to posterity. A horde of guests, both invited and unexpected, overwhelm the couple’s home, as society gathers to hear the revelations of a lifetime. On the RoadJag shouldn’t lag behind the competitionRoad Test Is there room in the automobile market for another $35,000 sports sedan? CHP cracking down on unsafe trucksIn response to an increase in truck-related and truck-at-fault collisions statewide, California Highway Patrol commissioner Spike Helmick recently launched an aggressive enforcement effort targeting unsafe truckers. “A record number of commercial trucks are traveling on our roads and highways,” Helmick said. “The shortage of professional drivers has also led to a larger number of inexperienced drivers. We are very concerned about these factors and will do everything necessary to ensure the safety of the motoring public.” FH-DA Community College District asks for used carsThe Foothill-De Anza Community College District is asking area residents to donate their vehicles to the Foothill-De Anza Foundation, which funds programs and services at both community colleges. Used cars, trucks, RVs, boats and planes may be donated. PeopleWeddings & EngagementsKarin Emma Killermann and Jonathan Day Lucas announced their engagement to be married Aug. 11 at the Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Janie Killermann of San Diego. ObituariesBruce Royal Robertson died July 3. A native of Minnesota, he was 81. Mr. Robertson served as a pilot and officer in the Army Air Force in the North African and Pacific theaters. After the war Mr. Robertson joined Trans World Airlines, where he retired as captain in 1980. Mr. Robertson was the widower of Claire Adamson. He is survived by his sons, Jim and his wife, Jerry, and John and his wife, Heather; daughters, Ann Barnett and her husband, Bruce, and Gail Sutton and her husband, Mark; and grandchildren, Kevin, Danny, Kelly, Elsa, Brendan, Casey, Kyle, Grant, Tracy and Brett. A celebration of Mr. Robertson’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at Valley Presbyterian Church, 945 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Spiritual LifeDifficult to find the right name for God, especially for some womenAlong the Spiritual Path At our church’s meditation and prayer group meeting, one member told us she is looking for a non-gender-specific way to address God when she prays, and is trying out “Encompassing Spirit.” Thinking this over, I looked at how I address God myself - and came up with some unexpected realizations. Spiritual Life BriefsLos Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Ave., at Foothill Expressway, continues its contemporary worship service, Creekside Crossings, at 6 p.m. every Sunday this summer. The series, running through Sept. 2, will explore “The Ten Commandments or the 10 Suggestions?” The Creekside Worship Band, led by Dirk Damonte, will lead the services with sing-along music from today’s top artists. Stepping OutLos Altos resident in CMT’s ‘West Side Story’Nick Spangler of Los Altos has been cast in “West Side Story,” a Children’s Musical Theater production running through Sunday at the Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose. Spangler plays Riff of the New York gang the Jets. PYT puts on ‘Grease’ in MVPeninsula Youth Theater’s production of “Grease” runs through Sunday at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. Cast members from Los Altos include Lori Ann Bibat, Doreen Bloch, Angela Chen, Michelle DeLateur, Gregory and Jennifer Guedj, Scott Hayman, Janel Healy, Daniel Hurst, Nana Kanzaveli, A.J. McGillis, Justin Stegner, Anna Stern and Stefany Wilcox. Bus Barn presenting ‘Comedy’ in the parkTown Crier Intern The Wild West is as far away from Shakespeare’s England as it could get. Special SectionCareer move: IT degrees give professionals leg up in the job marketIn the proverbial new economy, an old situation exists — there are jobs to be had, but they require the right education. A study recently released by the Information Technology Association of America found that companies hope to hire 900,000 workers this year. Of that, 425,000 positions will go unfilled because of a lack of qualified applicants. Variety name of the game for Stanford Cont. StudiesStanford University provides a comprehensive Continuing Studies Program, staffed by Stanford professors and lecturers and tailored to the adult community. Class sessions, scheduled Monday through Thursday evenings, with a few Saturday courses, are conducted on the Stanford campus. Fall 2001 class offerings range from “Archaeology and Art of the Celts” taught by Dr. Patrick Hunt, author of several publications in the field and lecturer in humanities, through “Introduction to Modern Physical Cosmology” taught by Kathleen Thompson, a physicist at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Continuing EducationMastering e-commerceTown Crier Editorial Intern Golden Gate University specializes in Internet business degrees |
In Our OpinionLetters to the Editor
Leo Long earns local honorsIn the April 30 issue of the Town Crier, you were right to congratulate and thank Dick Henning from Foothill College for four decades of service to the community. I met him at Foothill as student body president more years ago than I’ll admit. Great guy. |
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