By Clyde Noel

Town Crier Correspondent

Rancho Shopping Center rocks when the music starts for “Rock Back the Clock.” For many Los Altos and Mountain View youngsters, it’s one of the social events of the year.

Last Friday night, kids arrived with their parents before the music started and sat on the grass holding their hula hoops. When Disc Jockey Rens Boorsma spun his first disc, the evening’s action began.

Hula Hoops were $5 each. Pretty soon, participants were practicing to big early rock hits like “Tequila.”

“I come to Rock Back the Clock to see my friends from school.” said Danielle Larson of Blach Intermediate School. “I also get a chance to talk to my friends who haven’t seen since last year.”

“I like to see the different faces and watch the kids,” said Erica Santos, of Mountain View High School. “And I keep a look out for cute boys.”

Rock Back the Clock is run by volunteers. The evening’s receipts help produce the Festival of Lights parade, held every Sunday night after Thanksgiving. With 1,500 to 2,000 people attending, a good take provides $5,000 for the festival.

Kevin Sawyer coordinates the Rancho merchants who volunteer their time after their stores close. Disc Jockey Boorsma also volunteers his time to make the event a profitable one.

“We have a good looking crowd this year. It’s the essence of small town USA,” Sawyer said. “When money gets short, kids come here for $5 because it’s cheaper than the movies.”

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the ragamuffin Leland Stanford University Marching band and accompanying Stanford Dollies performed in front of the Rancho gas station. Boorsma yells, “They got a new dance and it goes like this. The name of the dance is the Peppermint Twist.” Kids twist till they fall. And Boorsma then spins “Hand Jive” and the hula hoops go into action.

“It’s fun dancing and being with my friends,” said Summer Reeves of Blach School.

“This is tradition. It’s fun and the spirit is great. There’s a fun buzz going on here.” said Jackie Sloane of Mountain View High School.

Dan O’Donnell, and wife Patricia came for the first time to the event. “We never knew there was anything like this in Los Altos,”

said the long time residents as they listened to “Louie,Louie.”

Volunteer Jim Flynn of State Farm Insurance on El Camino Real, took in the cash and said. “We haven’t counted up the take, but it looks like its another big night for the Festival of Lights parade.”