Gas prices remain stable

Despite reports of local price gauging and panic buying, the nation’s gas supply has not been impacted by the attack on America, according to a statement released by the American Automobile Association of Northern California.

“Any concerns regarding gasoline shortages are artificial and rumor-driven,” said spokesman Atle Erlingsson.

Town Crier employee arrives home aboard first Swiss Air flight to land at SFO since terrorist attacks

When Town Crier employee Janice Fabella saw the World Trade Center collapse, she was in a small beach resort near Lisbon, Portugal, preparing for her return home the next day.

The terrorist attacks Sept. 11, which used commercial planes as weapons to destroy the World Trade Center and a portion of the Pentagon, shut down all American airports. Fabella was left stranded in Europe for four days.

What they said

-Mario Ambra,

Mountain View mayor

Los Altos searching for information on loved ones

Los Altos was not immune from the shock and disbelief that spread across the nation Sept. 11 after terrorists obliterated the World Trade Center towers from New York’s skyline and destroyed a portion of the Pentagon.

The recurrent stories of families and friends waiting to hear from loved ones in the disaster, the church vigils and long lines of blood bank donors echoed nationwide were the same in Los Altos just hours after the attack. Many residents knew someone in the attack or of someone who knew someone involved.

LAHS students, staff display patriotism at Friday assembly

Los Altos High School’s Wind Ensemble’s performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” set a decidedly patriotic mood at a campuswide memorial assembly last Friday for the victims of last week’s terrorist attacks. The assembly was part of a national day of prayer and remembrance.

“The president declared today as a day of honor and prayer for the people of New York,” said Principal George Perez. “We hold this assembly to honor them.”

Los Altos residents gather to pray at community vigil

Town Crier Correspondent

As many local churches did throughout last week, the Los Altos United Methodist Church invited residents last Thursday to help them cope with the shock and horror of recent events and to pray for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

How you can help

The United Way Silicon Valley has established a 9/11 Response Fund to provide immediate support and assistance for those individuals, families and communities hurt during the terrorists attacks. The long-term purpose of the fund will be to support public safety personnel, such as firefighters, police officers and emergency medical staff who are hurt or killed in the line of duty. For more information, logon to www.uwsv.org, call (408) 247-1200, e-mail: UW911@uwsv.org, or send a contribution to United Way 9/11 Fund, 1922 The Alameda, San Jose 95126-1430.

The Mountain View Professional Firefighters Association has established a fund to provide financial support to the families of firefighters who lost their lives last week. “All firefighters in Santa Clara County have expressed interest in supporting this case,” according to the association, which plans to contact firefighters throughout the state to participate. The association plans to give 100 percent of collected donations to the families of New York City firefighters. Checks should be made payable to: Families of Fallen NYC Firefighters Fund, c/o Mountain View Fire Department, 1000 Villa St., Mountain View 94041.

Los Altos residents seek prayers for missing relative

I am writing about Steve Canjialosi because I would like to have the prayers of all of our wonderful neighbors in Los Altos, and I want him to remembered amongst the others missing in this horrific event and honor his memory. He was a loving husband, a dedicated father and adored son.

My husband, Steve DiFranco, has been stuck in England this week and unable to return for this family crisis. By the time you read this, my husband and I hope to be in New Jersey with family to support Steve Canjialosi’s wife, children and parents in this most difficult time.

Terrorist acts cause reconsideration in business and investing

Town Crier Correspondent

The terrorist acts in the United States last Tuesday have completely changed strategy for business and the stock market. The impact will be broad, experts say, because people will spend less money.

Local residents offer support for one another and the nation

From church sanctuaries to school assemblies and impromptu noontime gatherings, Los Altos-area residents of all ages, religions and ethnic backgrounds gathered together all last week to show love and unity in the wake of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.

After the Sept. 11 airplane hijacking disasters that leveled New York’s World Trade Center and ripped open a hole in the Pentagon, residents shared stories of relatives and friends who worked at both ill-fated institutions. They related fears and showed relief when word came through of their safety.

Local high school sports schedule slightly impacted last week

Town Crier Sports Editor

Professional baseball, football, soccer and golf organizations canceled sporting events after the terrorist attacks; but for the most part, the games went on at local high schools.

Local companies and residents come out in strength to help victims of terrorist attack

The American Red Cross offices saw an outpouring of support from local businesses and residents as they sought for ways to contribute and help the victims of the terrorist attacks in Washington, D.C., and New York.

“It was overwhelming,” said Pilar Furlong, interim executive director, American Red Cross, Palo Alto Area Chapter. The chapter covers the cities of Palo Alto, Los Altos, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, Stanford and Moffett Field.

County board considers 2-story ban on flag lots

Town Crier Staff Report

A pending county zoning ordinance could ban two-story homes from a greater number of lots in unincorporated Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.

Pedestrian safety top traffic issue

Speeding and pedestrian and bike safety were the three top traffic concerns that emerged from last week’s intensive community transportation study in Los Altos.

About 30-40 residents participated in the four-day study, which officials intend to use as a blueprint for the city’s future transportation plan.

School car wash violates clean water rules

When Pinewood student Ashley Wright set out to have a three-hour car wash as a fund-raiser for the Interact Club at her school, she did not know she would be getting an education in law.

The city of Los Altos deniedWright’s permit application to hold the fund-raiser at the El Camino 76 Station on Los Altos Avenue Sept. 27, she said.

LA reviews woodburning ban

The Los Altos City Council is poised to add two new laws to the books intended to reduce pollution. One will restrict wood burning, the other demolition and construction waste.

The council last week approved the initial reading of a woodburning fireplace ordinance that would prohibit woodburning fireplaces in new homes. The ordinance would not affect homes with existing fireplaces or future additions or remodels on such homes.

LA police start ‘relief fund’

The Los Altos Peace Officer’s Association created a relief fund last week to help assist the families of police officers, firefighters and other community members killed or injured during the collapse of New York’s World Trade Center following terrorist attacks Sept. 11. More than 300 rescue workers were reportedly killed while saving the lives of those trapped in the rubble.

Los Altos police will send relief funds as a community donation from Los Altos to one of the following organizations: The New York Police Survivors Fund, the International Association of Firefighters-New York Firefighters 9-11 Relief Fund and the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

News Briefs

The Santa Clara County Fire Department is scheduled to hold a ceremony for the opening of the new Cupertino fire station at 10 a.m., Oct. 4, at 20215 Stevens Creek Boulevard.

Construction of the new station began in June 1999 adjacent to the old station, which was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.

Police Report

Sept. 13, 11:19 a.m., Main Street: A business owner reported a customer who was causing a disturbance. The customer left the business.

Malicious mischief

Developer asks Los Altos to reconsider 3-story hotel

Hotel negotiations between developer Roxy Rapp and the city of Los Altos were on hold last week until Oct. 23, when Rapp is scheduled to bring an alternative plan for a three-story hotel to the table.

The Los Altos City Council selected Rapp last June over three other developers to build a two-story boutique hotel with 75 public parking spaces on the .78-acre, city-owned site on the corner of First and Main streets.

Editorial

Carnage. Horror. Death. Destruction. We’ve heard enough of these words in the past week to last us a lifetime. We are not waking up from this nightmare: the World Trade Center is no more. The Pentagon is partially destroyed. Thousands upon thousands of innocent people are dead.

Amid the constant barrage of these events over TV, radio and the Internet, we walked around dazed, unable to focus on work. Then came sorrow, followed by anger. Who is to blame for this? How soon can we get our revenge?

Letters to the Editor

About the generation “that knew no wars.” The generation that was being bored by the evidence of the Holocaust and certain facts of World War II being dropped from Japanese history books. Now they know. Never again will they be innocents.

Viewing the attack on New York and Washington, D.C., has made them kin to the rest of us. The rest of us, who still remember the wars and interventions of the last 50 years. The trauma they feel is the trauma we felt. The fear they feel is the fear we felt. The convictions that we will survive and learn from this are the convictions we felt.

Hate as a destroyer

Reflections

How can hate exist in a world where my beautiful hummingbirds frolic around our feeder? The irony is that the birds were not frolicking but fighting to defend their right to have exclusive sipping privileges. I waved them away as I avoided their dips and dives and heard the wild whirring of their wings. One out of 10 may have gained the feeder in time to drink. But it was easy to see that he was on the alert for the attack he probably knew was coming.

Benefit for Bus Barn, ‘Los Altos Follies,’ may lighten residents’ moods

Strictly Candids

THE BUS BARN STAGE COMPANY BENEFIT, LOS ALTOS FOLLIES”: The unique stage company event, held in the big, white tent with a black-tie optional “Gala Opening Night” performance and party, is scheduled Oct. 12, including “pre- and post-” receptions, and Oct. 13 when two regular performances will be held, with a continuous reception before, during and after both performances.

Zyt Gallery presents ‘A Life in Oils’

“A Life in Oils,” an exhibit of original fine artworks by artist Michael Joseph, is scheduled Thursday through Oct. 9 at Zyt Gallery in Los Altos.

A reception with the artist will be held 6-9 p.m. at the Sept. 20 opening. Designed as a celebration of West Coast living, the subject of much of the artist’s work, the evening will include live music by Bay Area blues favorites, Second Cuzins (a preferred opening act for the late John Lee Hooker), hors d’oeuvres and a special commemorative beer brewed exclusively for the occasion in partnership with Fermentation Frenzy of Los Altos.

Evilsizer celebrates 25 years as LAH building technician

In 25 years, Los Altos Hills has seen 12 city managers and four building officials, but just one part-time building technician - Jeanne Evilsizer. Thursday evening, the city council presented her with a plaque to honor her quarter-century of service to the town.

Being a building technician was not Evilsizer’s original career plan, but taking the job is not something she regretted.

Celebrate Los Altos Fall Festival brings classic cars, fun for 10th year

The 10th annual Celebrate Los Altos Fall Festival is scheduled 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 6 and 7 in the Plaza South parking lot between First and Third streets.

More than 160 artisans will offer paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, textiles and other decorative holiday items for sale in this year’s fund-raiser for the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce.

Speaker at Garden Club

The program starts at approximately 1:30 p.m. and visitors may attend for a $5 fee.

Community Briefs

The 38th Annual Halloween Window Painting Contest, sponsored by the City of Los Altos Recreation Department, in cooperation with the Los Altos Village Association, will be held Oct. 25-27. The contest is open to all fourth- through eighth-grade students. Applications can be obtained from the Los Altos Recreation Department, 97 Hillview Ave. Completed application forms must be received by 5 p.m., Oct. 17.

For full contest details call the Recreation Department at 941-0950.

League of Women Voters’ forum addresses energy issues

At a public forum scheduled for Saturday, a panel of experts will shed some light on California’s power shortage and what lies ahead. The countywide event is sponsored by the Leagues of Women Voters of Palo Alto, Los Altos-Mountain View Area, Cupertino-Sunnyvale and Southwest Santa Clara County.

In March 1998, three investor-owned electric utilities in California were deregulated, leading to a selloff of more than half of the fossil fuel generating capacity. Management of transmission lines was delegated to a new Independent System Operator and power was to be bought and sold on a Power Exchange. Consumers would be free to select a provider other than their local utility.

Humanitarian Awards dinner set for Saturday at Hidden Villa

Hidden Villa, the Peninsula’s historic educational farm and 1,600-acre wilderness preserve in Los Altos Hills, will present three Duveneck Humanitarian Awards at a dinner under the stars Saturday.

The public is invited to celebrate the contributions of this year’s award winners who share the humanitarian values that are the legacy of Josephine and Frank Duveneck, Hidden Villa’s founders.

Homeschooling gaining in popularity for families in Los Altos and state

Living in Los Altos affords families access to one of the top school districts in the state. But some families are choosing another option - homeschooling.

There are a variety of ways to homeschool. Some families choose home study programs and charter schools.

LAHS ‘Back to school night’coupled with Red Cross fund drive for NYC

Town Crier Editorial Intern

Regardless of the undertone of recent violence, life went on at Los Altos High School as it hosted its Back-to-School Night for parents on Sept. 13.

LASD reports enrollment increase

The Los Altos School District saw an increase in enrollment when the school year began Aug. 27, Superintendent Marge Gratiot reported at the Sept. 10 school board meeting.

“Our enrollment for the start of the year was 3,978 students,” said Gratiot. “It’s an increase of 60 students over last year but still 25 students less than our projection.”

Schools Briefs

A garage sale to benefit Mountain View High School’s music program is scheduled 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sept. 29, at the Truman and Bryant avenues parking lot. Donations are welcome; drop off 5-9 p.m., Friday. For more information, call 964-5881.

Office of Education honors educators

Creators combine to preserve murals at Covington and Blach schools

A picture is worth more than a thousand words to Chris Halmo and Ruth Williams. So much so, that they and others who have been involved with the Los Altos mural project during the last 29 years are working to save the 100-plus murals on walls at Blach, Egan and Covington schools from demolition.

During initial construction projects at the school sites, construction officials said only a few murals would have to be demolished. That has changed since work began on seismic upgrades.

Sports On The Side

The second annual Cardinal Women’s Classic Golf Tournament is set for Monday at the Stanford Golf Course. Proceeds benefit women’s sports programs at Stanford University. The tournament begins at 10 a.m. and ends with an awards dinner and cocktail party. For more information, call 723-1997.

Sports grants

Los Altos High grad Woo qualifies for Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii

With a strong performance in Ironman Canada, Los Altos High graduate Steven Woo has qualified for next month’s Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii.

Woo placed 13th in his age group (25-29) and 99th overall out of 1,985 triathletes participating in Ironman Canada. The race, - which included a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run - was held Aug. 26 in Pentiction, British Columbia.

Mtn. View tennis team looking to improve

Prep Sports Roundup

he Mountain View High girls tennis team last year suffered through one of the worst seasons in school history, finishing at the bottom of the SCVAL El Camino Division with a 1-11 record.

Fumbles, flags prove costly in Lancers’ defeat

Two turnovers and 10 penalties proved too much for the St. Francis High football team to overcome last Friday night at Los Gatos.

“We shot ourselves in the foot,” St. Francis coach Mike Mitchell said of his team’s 21-6 loss. “You can’t do that against a team like Los Gatos.”

Eagles (8-0) beat Woodside Priory; Seniors lead Spartans over Prospect

Prep Volleyball Report

he Los Altos High volleyball team remained perfect last week, running its record to 8-0 with a straight-game win over Woodside Priory.

Brennan to be inducted into Stanford Sports Hall of Fame

Frank Brennan of Los Altos is scheduled to be inducted into the Stanford University Sports Hall of Fame this Friday.

Brennan coached Stanford’s women’s tennis team for 21 years (1980-2000). During his tenure, Brennan guided the Cardinal to 10 NCAA championships, including four in the 1980s, and posted a record of 510-50 (.911). Four of his teams went undefeated.

On Deck: the local sports lineup for Sept. 19-25

Football

Friday

Nelson leads Mtn. View over Saratoga; Cupertino stuns Gunn

Town Crier Correspondent

Prep Football Digest

Survey: One out of 4 Americans now listed as ‘free agents’

American workers are continuing to punch out from the traditional 9-to-5 job scene in favor of becoming “free agent” workers, a new study shows.

A survey of 1,000 working adults, sponsored by staffing leader Kelly Services, indicates that 26 percent of the American workforce is composed of temporary/contract workers, or “free agents,” with another 17 percent considering joining them.

Business Briefs

The new tax bill creates enhanced opportunities for estate planning. El Camino Hospital presents a free seminar titled “Estate Planning after the 2001 Tax Act” at 7-8:30 p.m., Sept. 26, at the Park Pavilion, Room N, YMCA, 2400 Grant Road, Mountain View.

To register, call (800) 216-5556.

Financial markets in turmoil after the Dow’s greatest loss

Stock Report

From a historical standpoint, stock market averages typically perform poorly after a major shock. The market has had a considerable period of time to digest the news and formulate plans to offset the early waves of selling when the market opened Monday, but it wound up with the greatest loss ever.

Knowing the lingo

Language Quest offers instructional materials

for more than 100 languages

Transactions

Cupertino

10128 East Estates Drive - Carney Trust to P. Venkatesh for $600,000.00

Keep home’s resale value in mind when you go to do your remodeling

As the market changes, many people are deciding to stay put. Remodeling is one option that makes sense. No matter what type of remodeling project you select, it’s important to make certain the improvements not only provide comfort and convenience but also increase your home’s resale value.

It’s not a good idea to assume that the money spent on sprucing up a home will automatically be recovered. To maximize the return on investment, it’s necessary to consider how long you’re likely to live in your home. If it’s going to be just a year or two, it’s wise to limit remodeling to relatively inexpensive touch-up projects that homeowners can do on their own. Cosmetic improvements give a home a fresh, clean look, add to its market value and create a favorable impression that will make a home easier to sell.

Coldwell Banker absorbs Seville/Contempo companies

Town Crier Correspondent

After days of speculation it is now official. Coldwell Banker Northern California and Seville/ Contempo are merging. Both organizations are part of the NRT (National Realty Trust Co.) families of companies that are owned by Cendant Corporation.

The business of ‘no business’

Jean on the Job

We are supposed to do business as usual this week. Our president asked us to. But there is no business. Restaurants are not crowded, companies want no coaching, travelers do not want to travel, people don’t want to buy things, fix things or exchange things. We seem to be in a bit of a stupor, paralyzed by the devastation, the ambiguity of the enemy and the new, cold war of terrorism.

Anniversaries

Thomas Martin and Laurel Strother Olsen, who have resided in Los Altos since 1986, celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary Aug. 10. Sharing in their joy were their children, Gary Olsen and Robin Mullins; son-in-law, Keith Mullins; and granddaughter, Mackenzie.

Obituaries

Warren H. Ramsey died Sept. 10. A native of California, he was 75.

Mr. Ramsey is survived by his friend, Carolyn Hobbs; former wife, Shirley Ramsey; children, David Ramsey, Juley Ramsey, Jennifer and her husband Jim Maruca, and Mark Ramsey and his wife Sandy; and grandchildren, Travis, Brittany, Christopher and Taylor.

Noteworthies

Coombes suffered third-degree burns on her arms and legs in April 2000. After undergoing skin grafts, she was able to play volleyball her final year at the academy and pass the rigorous physical test for flight school because of her determined commitment to physical therapy and exercising.

Coombes’ dream of becoming a pilot, begun as a young child watching the Blue Angels’ air shows at Moffett Field, is now closer to reality.

Engagements

Rifka Taylor and Taylor Greathead have announced their engagement to be married June 1.

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Harvey Taylor of Salinas and Diane Shapiro Jager of Sun City, Ariz.

Last week’s tragedy marked the end of our innocence - now what can we do?

Commentators have repeatedly spoken of Sept. 11 as a seminal event in our history, a moment of the loss of innocence.

Certainly we will not forget the images of large airliners deliberately lining up the World Trade Center towers as targets, and the ball of flame bursting from all sides; people choosing 100-story death falls to the hot death of fire; the blizzard of ash showering down on everything choking firefighters, police and the streets of Manhattan; the massive implosion of concrete and steel; a hole in rural Pennsylvania marking selfless heroic sacrifice; children, men and women in another land rejoicing in death; and the empty skies for three days over the 3,000-mile breadth of the United States. No, we are no longer innocent.

Spiritual Life Briefs

Los Altos Union Presbyterian Church, 858 University Ave., is offering the Alpha Course, a non-sectarian look at Christianity, starting today from 6-8:30 p.m., and continuing for seven weeks plus one weekend day.

The course is free and includes a free light dinner. For reservation and information contact Brian Person at the church: 948-4361.

GrooveCamp serves at soul at MV Art & Wine Festival

Patrons of the Mountain View Art & Wine Festival Sept. 8-9 got more than art and wine when they rounded the corner of Castro and Dana Street. The percussion group GrooveCamp served up the rhythm of bongos, congas, djembe, ashiko, and other instruments with an extra helping of soul.

“Who are these guys?” fairgoers asked. One listener saw the band’s Australian didjeridu and asked, “Where are they from?”

History museum show scheduled for this Sunday

The Los Altos History Museum’s next Music & Memories show is scheduled for 2 p.m., Sunday.

The free show, titled “Local Heroes of the Open Space Movement,” will feature Nonette Hanko and Wallace Stegner’s “Wilderness Letter.”

P.A. Players get ‘Personal’ with season-opening show

The Palo Alto Players’ 71st season opened last week with the Northern California premiere of “Personals,” a comedy-musical by the creators of the hit TV series “Friends.”

The collection of comic scenes, monologues and songs explores the perils and pleasures of blind dating as six lonely hearts look for love in New York’s personal ads.

Fight-or-flight reaction still combats stress

Author Brian Seaward defines the condition of our harried lives in the preface of his book, “Managing Stress,” “Originally, the word stress was a term used in physics, primarily to describe enough tension or force placed on an object to bend or break it. Relaxation, on the other hand, was defined as any nonwork activity done during the evenings or on Sunday afternoons when all the stores were closed. On rare occasion, if one could afford it, relaxation meant a vacation or holiday at some faraway place. Today, the word stress is frequently used to describe the level of tension people feel is placed on their minds and souls by the demands of their jobs, relationships, and responsibilities in their personal lives. Relaxation, meanwhile, has been transformed from an American value to a luxury many people find they just don’t have enough time for.”

For those who feel stressed, anxious and chronically overwhelmed, this book, while not a panacea, is a good place to begin to understand the role stress plays in our lives.

Health Briefs

A team of El Camino Hospital cardiologists are the first in the United States to treat patients using cryoplasty, a new procedure in which physicians cool the arteries during angioplasty and arterial stent placement to reduce the chances of arteries becoming clogged again (restenosis).

CryoVascular Systems Inc. of Los Gatos designed and developed the investigational medical device used in the procedure.

Alternative ways of dealing with emotional trauma

The Corner Pharmacist

Dear Mary: Like many of my friends, I travel quite a bit for business. All the news from back East has been very troubling to me. Maybe I shouldn’t be watching the TV and reading ever newspaper article on the subject, but I can’t seem to stop. I’m feeling edgy and have even had difficulty sleeping at night. Is there something I could buy over-the-counter (OTC) that would help settle my nerves?

Alternatives available to avoid or alleviate low back pain

House Calls

Each year, more than 65 million Americans suffer from low back pain. It can take many forms from a persistent ache in the lower back to shooting pain down the legs. For some, the pain is so intense and the muscles so tight that it’s difficult even to stand up straight.

Five tips for helping a friend with cancer

Helping a friend with cancer can feel awkward. You may want to help but don’t know just how to do it. You don’t want to do something wrong but aren’t sure what will be well received. We offer the following tips, culled from our 23 years experience as a medical oncologist and clinical psychologist team working with patients and their caregivers.

1. Don’t make assumptions. Find out what is needed by asking or observing. Though you may feel more comfortable with a plan of what you’re going to do or say before you call or visit your friend, don’t let that plan blind you to what is needed at that moment. The circumstances may be different from what you expected. Be flexible and open to what your friend wants. If you are comfortable being spontaneous, come without an agenda.

Back in the swing

New golf program targets players with joint, muscular problems

As PGA golf tournaments resumed around the world this week, big-name golfers as well as recreational players are once more practicing their swings and putting on courses in Silicon Valley. For some of these players, getting back to golf means a little more than just a practice round or two with their favorite foursome.