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Archives » 2001 » Volume 54 , Issue 33, Published on Wednesday, August 15, 2001NewsCasey at the bat
Town Crier Staff Crier LAH mayor proves an energetic politician and a lightning rod for controversy Sprint PCS conceals cellular phone antenna on flagpole of historic Los Altos Hills churchAlthough Los Altos Hills is a town known for its strict rules against structures that might disturb its residents’ panoramic views and its rural ambiance, some might consider Sprint PCS’s proposal for concealing three cellular phone antennas within a 35-foot-tall flagpole on the grounds of St. Luke’s Chapel as particularly innovative. “I think the idea of putting a cell tower in a flagpole is brilliant, and I’m glad for the new technology,” said Planning Commissioner Eric Clow before the commission approved Sprint’s application Thursday evening. Environmental impacts to be identified in Rosita pools projectAn environmental review of the Los Altos Community Aquatic Center planned for Rosita Park is scheduled to get under way next week. The city-hired consulting team that includes EIP Associates and TJKM Transportation Consultants plans to meet with the swimming pool ad hoc task force Monday to clarify the project’s details and objectives and identify key environmental issues before moving forward with the next phase of the environmental review process. Former nurse starts petition to ban the city from fluoridating its waterMountain View retired Mountain View nurse launched a petition last week that could ban the city from adding fluoride to its drinking water. News BriefsLos Altos voters will have the opportunity to decide this November if the city should collect higher hotel taxes. Measure A, if passed, would allow the Los Altos City Council to increase the city’s transient occupancy tax from 8 percent to an amount not to exceed 11 percent. Incumbents remain on council, no challengers enter raceLos Altos Voters won’t have to wait until the Nov. 6 election to discover who will fill the two empty seats on the Los Altos City Council. Incumbents John Moss and King Lear were the only candidates to enter the race by the filing deadline last Friday, according to Los Altos City Clerk Carol Scharz. Police reportAug. 8, 7:08 p.m., First Street: A caller reported a suspicious person and requested assistance. An officer responded. Telephone offense Horse goes for midnight swim in Los Altos Hills poolA Los Altos Hills horse took a dip in a Dawnridge Drive resident’s lap pool just before midnight Thursday, but it wasn’t intentional. According to the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department Westside substation’s log, the horse got “spooked” and escaped while its owner was placing food in its corral. The frightened animal became entangled in the narrow lap pool’s cover and was trapped because the pool had no steps. Fortunately, the pool was sufficiently shallow that the horse could stand upright. Sloppy upkeep irks neighbors
Town Crier Editorial Intern Police remind residents of laws concerning idle cars, storage, vegetation CommentDon’t let safe-street Halloween dieOrange Avenue’s safe-street Halloween event seemed like a wonderful event for kids. Here was an established, beautiful neighborhood with active residents participating and kids walking the streets, free of oncoming vehicles because a special permit allowed this street and a few others to be blocked off from traffic. It turned out to be too much of a good thing. After some 800 children stormed the neighborhood last Oct. 31, spurring more vocal complaints from neighbors, the council decided July 24 not to issue another Halloween permit for the streets. OpinionLetters to the EditorOne big DSL problem was totally missed by this article: there are regions in Los Altos where there are no practical DSL solutions or alternatives. Where I live, in southeast Los Altos on Fallen Leaf Lane, DSL is not available because of the 20,000-foot distance from the telephone office. Worse yet, there are no adequate alternatives! Answer to reading problem: pure phonicsKallshian’s Corner For those of us who are interested in education, some current headlines are devastating. One of the latest is that in one of our district’s 90 percent of third-graders can’t read. Hurry, hurry, hurry! I have so much to sayReflections Do you ever wish you had more than one mind? I certainly do, or maybe to have one that sends the message “This machine is overloaded. Please call back. Your calls are very important to us!” I realize that’s fantasy and only reality programming gets through these days. Westwind Barn ‘hoedown’ fund-raiser set for Sept. 8The “Hoedown,” known for its entertainment and tasty barbecue, will open with a rousing performance by the barn’s Drill Team strutting to music on horseback. This will be followed by pole-bending and jumping demonstrations by youth members of the Pacific Ridge Pony Club, a display of graceful ballet-like dressage, and an exhibition by young disabled 4-H riders. Dinner at 6:45 p.m. features a choice of barbecued chicken or spareribs. After dinner there will be dancing to live music. CommunityA champ among us, that’s ‘fore’ sureStrictly Candids A CHAMPION GOLFER AMONG US: Ruth Chu started playing golf just three years ago, and has already won the nine and 18-hole tournaments at the Los Altos Country Club when she was invited as a guest! Her husband, Lawrence Chu, said, “Ruth’s desire and determination is very strong, and she also loves the game.” We all wish we could have a hobby that motivates us in the same way! Congrats, Ruth! Pages of the PastAs reported in the Aug. 22, 1973, edition of the Town Crier, the Los Altos Hills Town Council voted to keep its tax rate at 40 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for the third year in a row. The Los Altos City Council approved a tax rate of 83 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. That rate had not been changed for 12 years. The city council also gave its initial OK to an estimated $17,000 expansion of Shoup Park. The plans called for the development of a half-acre of land east of Adobe Creek and south of the Shoup Park boundary. It was planned to use the additional property for group picnics, weddings, birthday parties and other recreational uses. Poulos to head events for LA History MuseumThe Los Altos History Museum, which opened in March, recently named Mary Ann Poulos events coordinator. Poulos, a 17-year Los Altos resident, will oversee marketing events. In addition to the large garden area “under the oaks” and the main floor exhibit hall, the museum has a spacious state-of-the-art caterer’s kitchen. Walking, fund-raising for foundation
Town Crier Editorial Intern Residents offer $100,000 challenge grant to encourage membership Red Cross wine fest may offer clues to ideal matchups of food and wineTown Crier Editorial Intern Not every wine fan can taste a wine, tell where it was made, and what the weather was like on the day the grapes were picked. But wine fans on all levels aspire to do one thing: match the flavors of wine with food. Library NewsThe schedule for book discussions through the end of this year: September 12 - “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent” by Julia Alvarez CalendarLos Altos Senior Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, 97 Hillview Ave. Wednesday Community BriefsAuthor and horticulturist Edward McRae will discuss “A Hybridizer’s View on Growing Gorgeous Lilies” at the Aug. 28 meeting of the Garden Club of Los Altos, Creekside Room, Los Altos United Methodist Church. McRae is a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and is a graduate of the Royal Horticultural School of the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. His career as a lily hybridist has earned him the highest honors and awards from the North American Lily Society, the Royal Horticultural Society and, most recently, the Medal of Honor from the New Zealand Lily Society. He is also active in the Species Lily Preservation Group whose purpose is to help preserve the natural lily species scattered throughout the Northern Hemisphere. ABCs count in Gratiot’s awardThe American Association of University Women, Los Altos-Mountain View Branch, earlier this summer presented the 2001 Status of Women Award to Marge Gratiot, superintendent of the Los Altos School District. The AAUW annually selects an individual who has elevated the status of women through commitment, intelligence and contribution to the community for the award. SchoolsSchools BriefsThe Community Committee for International Students (CCIS), is looking for volunteer families or individuals to provide a temporary 3-5-day stay for newly arriving graduate students admitted to Stanford University. The homestay program is needed during Sept. 13-18. In the fall, approximately 600 students arrive at Stanford University. The Bechtel International Center aids in providing a short orientation week (four days) to familiarize them with the university and surrounding community. Online guidance
Foothill’s academic counseling program may offer answers with the click of a mouse Students at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills no longer have to schedule an appointment with a counselor for an answer to an academic question. All they have to do is log on to the school’s online counseling site where an answer could be a click away. Foothill student receives honor for service as state president of Theta Rho Girls’ club assemblyTown Crier Editorial Intern When Foothill student and Los Altos resident Jodie Brown first joined the Theta Rho Girls’ Club 12 years ago, she was a timid, soft-spoken girl. Since then, Jodie has grown into a confident young woman and has ascended to the president of the Theta Rho Assembly. Sports On The SideLos Altos residents Brent Forsythe, Matt and Tami Richardson and Deborah Kilpatrick will compete in the Hi-Tec Adventure Racing Series Sunday at Folsom Lake in Sacramento. The event starts at 7:30 a.m., with teams of three competing in trail running (5-8 miles), kayaking (1-2 miles) and mountain biking (10-15 miles) in a measure of endurance and teamwork. In addition, eight to 10 “special tests” will be added to further challenge the competitors. For the first time, the series includes races for children 10 and under. For more information, call Kimberly Moran at (818) 707-8866, ext. 18. Croquet classes PA Lightning shows flashes at National Jr. Olympic meetHelped by strong efforts from some Los Altos residents, the Palo Alto Lightning Track & Field Club finished in the top 20 at the National Junior Olympic Championships, held July 24-29 at Sacramento State. Los Altos resident Tori Tyler, who will be a freshman at St. Francis High in the fall, finished second in the Youth Girls division 1,500-meter run. Tyler’s time of 4 minutes, 43.6 seconds was 16 seconds better than her qualifying time. SportsW. Bay goes all the way
Local water polo team captures tourney After more than a month of taking their lumps against older, more experienced players, members of West Bay Water Polo’s 14-and-under boys team finally got a chance to challenge players their own age at the Maui Invitational. Sollers, Jensen win jr. tourneys; Staskus heads to U.S. AmateurLocal Golf Roundup n a span of four days, Adam Sollers won two major junior golf tournaments in July. Community invited to horse around at Red Barn FestivalThe 12th annual Red Barn Festival, titled “A Day On The Farm,” is scheduled for Saturday at the Stanford Equestrian Center, located on Campus Drive at Stanford University. The daylong event is open to the community and children of all ages. This year’s program will feature a variety of horse breeds and riding demonstrations, exhibits, a petting zoo and a live auction. During the evening the festival hosts a buffet barbecue dinner, Western dancing and the live auction of donated items. Tech TalkHome networks come in three flavors This biweekly column offers solutions to personal technology problems submitted by readers. Neither the author nor this newspaper endorses products or companies mentioned. Why are women distinguished for their liabilities on the job?Jean on the Job Women have been at it a shorter time - about 450 years shorter than the men who did the hunting. And we are catching up slowly. Only 12 percent of us are in major positions, 3 percent in boardrooms and five in CEO positions in a public company. BusinessBusiness BriefsThe YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula’s Women Entrepreneurs Program has planned two September courses for women and men interested in starting their own businesses. “Thinking of Becoming an Entrepreneur?” a three-session course that explores the realities of starting a business, is slated for 6-9 p.m., Thursdays, beginning Sept. 6, at the Mid-Peninsula YWCA. The cost is $49. “Business Academy: How to Start Your Own Business,” a 10-week course for entrepreneurs ready to formulate or amend their business plans, is scheduled for 6-9 p.m., Thursdays, beginning Sept. 27, at the Mid-Peninsula YWCA. The cost is $150, including the textbook. Stock market investors in mindset with no buying enthusiasmStock Report The up and down pattern in the stock market will continue several more months. In the past six months every time we had a market uptick, like last Friday, the increase was erased within days. Today’s realtor is tech savvy and more experienced, survey revealsThe high-tech world has entered the real estate market, with realtors increasing their use of the Internet and computers to be more effective at their job. A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the typical realtor has double the experience in real estate of his or her counterpart in the 1970s, and widespread use of technology has become a key factor in serving clients better. The 2001 NAR Member Profile, based on a survey of 40,000 members earlier this year, covers diverse characteristics of member realtors, including demographic data, current business attributes and technology use. While the realtor universe is very diverse, the survey shows the typical member is a 52-year-old married female with a gross personal income of $47,700, who works 43 hours a week. She is a sales agent who has been in the business for 13 years, five of them with the same firm; the firm she is affiliated with operates a single office and is independently owned. ‘Boyfriend’ opening in Los AltosThe Los Altos Youth Theater’s production of “The Boyfriend” opens this weekend at the Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. A musical comedy set in the 1920s, “The Boyfriend” plays 8 p.m., Friday through Sunday, then Aug. 24-26, 30-31 and Sept. 1. There also will be a 2 p.m. matinee Aug. 26. Food and WineQuick and easy seasonal summer recipesGrilled fruit kebabs Calories: 141; 4 grams of fat per serving Food BitesThe California Milk Advisory Board recently released a free brochure that highlights 27 gourmet cheese makers in California who offer tours and cheese tastings. Many of them are small, family-owned operations that specialize in handcrafted artisan and specialty cheeses that are available only at their facilities. FAST hot meals from here to Nepal with solar cooking
San Antonio Hills resident Allart Ligtenberg retired from his job as a Hewlett-Packard engineering manager 10 years ago, but he has not been sitting idle. He said he has been just as busy and fulfilled as ever, promoting a cause he passionately believes in: using solar technologies to create better health and a cleaner environment. Ligtenberg has combined his longtime interest in solar cooking with a concern for the deteriorating environment of developing countries to form FAST - Friendly Appropriate Solar Technologies. He often travels to rural mountain communities in Nepal at his own expense to promote the adoption and local manufacture of solar cookers, food dehydrators and water purification devices. He has promoted the technology in Mongolia, Bolivia and Peru as well. His wife, Ineka, sometimes accompanies him on his travels. Wine auction raises big bucks for the blindTown Crier Correspondent The 19th annual Vintage Affaire on July 14 started with champagne and ended with auctioneer Fritz Hatten asking the audience to “bid till it hurts. Bid till you squirm.” Gourmet paper from your produceFew books provide food recipes that aren’t meant for the kitchen table. And probably even less call for fruit and vegetable scraps in the ingredients. Yet, that’s exactly what you’ll find in Sunnyvale author Ellaraine Lockie’s newest book, “The Gourmet Paper Maker.” Partying in Pienza with friends and familyTwo local residents, friends Bill Hockett and Gary Kalbach, recently celebrated milestone birthdays in Tuscany - in the Renaissance town of Pienza. Pienza is located between the fortified hill towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano and not too far south of Siena. What made this five-day party special were the 50 friends and family, mostly from this area, who joined them. A spectacular luncheon and tasting was arranged for the group at the Poggio Antico Winery in Montalcino. A young Englishwoman led the best tour and tasting I have ever experienced. She arrived at the winery 10 years ago and stayed. She not only conveyed vast amounts of wine knowledge, she laced it with her dry English wit. It kept us interested and transfixed. The five-course, all-afternoon lunch (the best kind), accompanied by Antico wines, was nothing short of superb! Consumers go organic-study says organic foods and goods preferredDespite recent breakthroughs in genetically engineered foods that promise to provide more durable and insect-resistant produce, studies show that more consumers seem to buying foods from the opposite spectrum. Organic foods seem to be growing in popularity. Nearly half of American consumers say they buy organic products, according to national surveys. Studies show that the market for organic products has grown by at least 20 percent a year for the past decade. Orange juice a good source of calciumQ: Does orange juice labeled “calcium-fortified” have a meaningful amount of calcium, or is this feature a gimmick? A: You’re right to be cautious, because sometimes foods are advertised as having added nutrients that don’t represent a significant amount. The fortified orange juice products, however, really are good sources of calcium. An eight-ounce glass provides about 300 milligrams of calcium, equal to a glass of milk, and in an easily-absorbed form. Just remember that when you get calcium from milk, you also get the vitamin D our bodies need to use calcium. If you’re also drinking two cups of milk a day, you will have all the vitamin D you need until after age 50, when needs increase. The constantly changing restaurant scene in Los AltosTown Crier Correspondent Maybe it’s time to eat in Los Altos again. Changes in the local restaurant scene at the Los Altos Bar and Grill and the peninsula’s newest landmark restaurant named “Z” should keep you in town. PeopleService BriefsArmy Lt. Col. Robert F. Rhodes, son of Robert D. Rhodes of Los Altos, has assumed command of the 56th Signal Battalion at Fort Buchanan, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Rhodes is a 1978 graduate of Homestead High School and received a bachelor’s degree in 1984 from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. EngagementsMelissa Diane Hoban and Shannon Harnan Murphy have announced their engagement to be married Sept. 8 at Ruby Hill Country Club. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Bill and Laurie Hoban of Walnut Creek. She is a graduate of Carondelet High School and has a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She is employed at Microsoft. ObituariesVirginia “Jinny” Leland Sparck died Aug. 7 at Stanford Hospital due to complications from abdominal cancer. A native of Westfield, NJ, she was 72. Mrs. Sparck was a school teacher, church school leader and choir member. She started a 10-year career in Silicon Valley when she was 55. Spiritual LifeNew ministry helps with ‘Transitions’Companion on the Journey The layoffs are everywhere. It seems like everyone knows at least one person who’s lost his or her job. 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 OutChocolate Watchband: music from another timeTown Crier Intern The year: 2001, though it might as well be 1965. BooksBook BeatSan Jose magazine has honored his store with the designation of “The Best Used Book Store in the Valley.” The July 18 issue of the Los Altos Town Crier under the Book Beat section contained a misprint regarding the Triton Museum of Art. |
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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