Emmy win for local

Elizabeth Thompson’s documentary film ‘Blink’ rewarded for thoughtful look at racism and rage

You won’t find Elizabeth Thompson making predictable, comfortable documentaries with simple narratives and happy endings. What you will find from the Los Altos filmmaker is work that is edgy, challenging and thought-provoking.

Day worker center to close this month

Los Altos

Hundreds of day workers could be back on the streets in Los Altos and Mountain View later this month when St. Joseph the Worker Center is forced to shut its doors after its lease expires Oct. 31.

Los Altos Hills pathway element hits rough patch with residents

An item that Los Altos Hills Mayor Toni Casey belatedly added to the agenda for the Sept. 6 city council meeting led to a heated response from some town residents at the council meeting and the Pathways Committee meeting that took place five days later. The item concerned the pathway element of the town’s General Plan.

Some concerned residents filled council chambers and spoke, sometimes heatedly, during both meetings on the possibility that dedication of property easements for off-road pathways could become voluntary rather than mandatory for residents applying for building permits.

LA police arrest homeless couple for drugs, theft

Three local police departments canvassed a Los Altos neighborhood during last week’s thundershowers to look for a homeless man suspected of a string of recent car burglaries in Los Altos, Mountain View and Palo Alto.

The Mountain View K-9 unit found the man at 11 p.m., Sept. 24, near El Camino Real and San Antonio Road. Los Altos police arrested him on charges of parole violation and possession of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, stolen property and burglary tools.

City targets teachers for housing

The Los Altos City Council gave local school teachers a better chance of qualifying for a condominium in the city’s first exclusively affordable housing complex last week by reclassifying the eight rental units from very-low income to low-income.

Most Los Altos teachers earn more than $39,300 annually, the maximum amount a three-person household may earn in order to qualify financially for a very-low-income housing unit under state law.

News Briefs

The Los Altos City Council created a new police rank last week as part of a city plan to improve department operations.

The new field positions will essentially promote six officers from patrol to agents, a position above officer but below sergeant. The agents will act as supervisors, overseeing the field operations of their particular patrol team in the sergeant’s absence.

Police Report

Sept. 21, 7:57 p.m., Fremont and Oakhurst avenues: An officer arrested a subject on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance.

Traffic hazard

Los Altos man delivers city proclamation honoring victims of the World Trade Center attack to New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani

The council is scheduled to decide whether to place a permanent plaque of the proclamation at the base of the flagpole in the Community Plaza or to rename Conner Park at the corner of Edith Avenue and San Antonio Road to Liberty or Freedom Park and place a plaque at that site near the bronze statue of children playing in the park.

“This is an event we will never forget. We need to relate it to a positive outcome … something significant in remembrance of what happened to those in New York,” said Councilwoman Kris Casto.

Low-flying plane sparks fear

Town Crier Staff Report

Peninsula

Downtown merchants meet with LA police to learn how to fight back against shoplifters

Town Crier Correspondent

The holiday shopping season is around the corner, and with it come retailers’ concerns over shoplifting and employee theft.

Freedom Park: A timely idea

Los Altos has a unique opportunity to make a prompt and lasting expression of this community’s genuine pride in our national heritage and our awareness of the freedoms that Americans have fought to preserve.

At the Los Altos city council meeting Sept. 25, the council drafted an eloquent proclamation of compassion and concern to be sent to the citizens of New York. At the same meeting Councilwoman Kris Casto introduced the possibility of renaming Conner Park, across from city hall, Freedom Park.

Letters to the Editor

An appeal to the Commander-in-Chief and to ALL Christians in our country, whatever be your station.

The last U.S. Census showed there were about 83 percent of us. Now is the time for us to take our stand.

Make the world go away

A View from the Hills

There is an aura of unreality about a disaster of great magnitude, a feeling that since this never should have happened in the first place we can go back, stop time in its flight and prevent the blasting of a world of hopes and dreams that have been lifetimes in the making.

Pages of the Past

25 years ago in the Town Crier: As reported in the Oct. 10, 1973, edition of the Town Crier, both local high schools opened the 1973 football season with outstanding success in their league games. Awalt, now Mountain View High, crushed the defending Santa Clara Valley Athletic League champion, Peterson, in a 41-0 romp. Los Alto High rolled over the Santa Clara Panthers with a 32-7 score.

Los Altan William E. McGlashan was one of 18 White House fellows who had been picked from throughout the United States to spend one year in Washington, D.C., learning how the federal government functioned. An extensive testing and screening process preceded the selection of the fellows and political persuasion was not considered. The main areas of assignment for the fellows were the cabinet and its various departments or the White House staff. McGlashan worked in the office of George Shultz, then Secretary of the Treasury and assistant to the president for economic affairs.

‘Voices’ against domestic violence sound off at fund-raiser

As part of a national campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence, volunteers at the Support Network for Battered Women are turning to the telephone for their annual fund-raiser, Voices Against Violence. This four-day event is scheduled 6-9 p.m., through Thursday at Campi Properties in Los Altos.

Support Network established a goal of $68,000 needed to sustain a variety of critical services. Corporate and individual sponsors have offered challenge grants to make the goal more attainable.

Community Briefs

This month’s Chefs Who Care benefit for the Community Services Agency is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, at Florentine Restaurant, 118 Castro St., Mountain View.

Entrées include stuffed pasta shells, chicken piccata, wild mushroom lasagna and cheese tortellini primavera.

Weather

Click for Los Altos, California ForecastClick for current weather and forecast

Annual Duveneck dinner honors three humanitarians

On Sept. 22, a huge white tent sprouted in the meadow and almost 500 people gathered to salute Hidden Villa’s 2001 Humanitarian Awards honorees. Guests toured the new sustainable Wolken Education Center and Hostel buildings, then festively promenaded to the dinner tent.

Recipients of this year’s Humanitarian Awards were architect William McDonough, a winner of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development and designer of three “green” corporate headquarters on the Peninsula; Mary Curtis Davey, former Hidden Villa Board president and a legendary volunteer for a wide variety of mid-Peninsula organizations; and Marthelia Hargrove, principal of Costano School (grades K-8) in the Ravenswood School District, East Palo Alto, named National Principal of the Year for 2000-2001 by the National Alliance of Black School Educators.

Film ‘Her Majesty’ has local roots

“Her Majesty,” a new family movie that premieres Saturday at the Mill Valley Film Festival, is set in New Zealand in 1953. However, its writer/director and its backers have their roots in Silicon Valley.

The movie was written and directed by Mark J. Gordon, son of Dorothea and Chuck Gordon of Mountain View and a 1979 graduate of Awalt (now Mountain View) High School. His sister, Lisa of Los Altos, and her friend, Susan Hailey of Menlo Park, raised the funds for the independent film from individual Silicon Valley venture capitalists.

Celebrate Los Altos Fall Festival this weekend

Town Crier Correspondent

The 10th annual Celebrate Los Altos Fall Festival will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, in the Plaza South parking lot between First and Third streets.

Los Altos restaurants, foundations working to raise money for the Sept. 11 relief efforts

Town Crier Staff Report

Several San Francisco Giants players were eating at Jocco’s restaurant in Los Altos during the week all baseball games were suspended following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. A few diners starting talking about the attacks. In a short time, the entire restaurant was yelling “USA, USA, USA.”

Westwind Barn plans hair-raising Halloween races

Westwind Barn in Los Altos Hills has scheduled its 9th annual Halloween Horse Show, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 21. Young riders and their mounts can race in games like the Apple Bob Relay, the Gobble-And-Go Race and Musical Pumpkins.

The show will also feature the hair-raising Phantom Gambler Stakes, where the rider who clears the highest and spookiest jumps earns the most points.

League schedules forum for November candidates

The League of Women Voters of the Los Altos-Mountain View Area has scheduled a forum for candidates running in the Nov. 6 election, 7-9 p.m., Oct. 17, in the Los Altos Library Program Room, 13 S. San Antonio Road.

Marcia Allen will moderate the program which is divided into three distinct sections: Los Altos City Council, Los Altos School District Board, and the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.

Library News

Craft programs for children 7 and up have resumed this fall at the Los Altos Library. The drop-in programs run 3:45-4:30 p.m. in the Program Room. The schedule includes potato stamps on Oct. 17 and doorhangers on Nov. 14.

For more information, call the Children’s Reference Desk at 948-7683, ext. 3525.

Calendar

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

Today

Red Cross teaches children how to respond to an emergency

Your 10-year old wants to be left alone at home while you go to the pharmacy. But if the smoke alarm begins to buzz, will she know what to do?

Your 11-year old is invited to a pool party with a dozen other classmates. He’s a good swimmer, but does he know how to play safe in the water?

Superintendent reports state of the district to Kiwanis Club

Los Altos School District Superintendent Marge Gratiot gave a state of the district address to the Los Altos Kiwanis Club at its weekly meeting, Sept. 25, at the Garden House at Shoup Park.

Gratiot first discussed the events of Sept. 11 and their effect on the district.

Oak School joins international Walk-to-School movement

Something’s afoot at Los Altos schools. Walking to school is a trend again.

Yesterday, in a citywide demonstration of pedestrian and pedal power, Los Altos students took to the streets by foot, bike, walking school bus - anything but single-passenger car - and got themselves to school. They were part of International Walk-to-School Day, a global effort to encourage children to get more active and urge communities to take back neighborhoods for people on foot.

LATA goes political

Teachers back incumbents

The Los Altos Teachers Association (LATA) is putting its support behind the incumbents in the Nov. 6 Los Altos School Board election, as reported to the Board of Trustees at its Sept. 24 meeting.

Homecoming celebrations set for MV-LA high schools

Los Altos High School has scheduled its annual homecoming parade 1:30 p.m., Friday, on Main Street in Los Altos. The theme for this year’s parade is “L.A. Get Your Game On.” Many clubs and sports teams will be marching alongside student floats.

The Los Altos Eagles play the Homestead Mustangs following the parade, with kickoff at 5:15 p.m. for junior varsity and 7:15 p.m. for varsity, at Foothill College, Los Altos Hills. General admission tickets are $5; $3 for Associated Student Body (ASB) card holders from other schools, with free admission for Los Altos High and Homestead High ASB card holders. The homecoming dance is scheduled from 8-11 p.m., Saturday in the gym. For more information, call 960-8811.

Schools Briefs

CEEF 2001 hosts gala and silent auction

The Cupertino Educational Endowment Foundation has scheduled its 2001 gala dinner and silent auction 6 p.m., Oct. 27, at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel. Tickets are $135 per person. For more information, call (408) 446-2333.

College and Career Centers help students make life’s decisions

Town Crier Editorial Intern

At 17, most high school seniors don’t have a specific plan on what they will do after graduation. Some intend to begin working, and others are already beginning to fill out college applications. Luckily, Mountain View and Los Altos high schools provide College and Career Centers to help students apply for college and prepare for life outside of high school.

Schools encourage contributions for disaster relief and support

Almond School

“The teachers are doing many things in their classrooms to support (the victims of) what has happened, from grade level appropriate discussions to singing,” said Principal Jeff Baier. “The sixth-graders made and are selling red, white and blue ribbons. They made over $1,000, which they will be sending to the New York City schools for children affected by the tragedy.” The donation will be sent to the World Trade Center School Relief Fund. Students will also write letters to students in Manhattan schools, Baier said.

Ballet lessons keep you on your toes in Mountain View

Town Crier Editorial Intern

Every little girl has, at one point or another, wanted to become a ballerina. She sees the beautiful costumes, the elegance of the dance and the graceful leaps and coordination that a ballerina executes with ease. In actuality, ballet is an intense, athletic form of dance that teaches its students how to excel in both physical choreography and mental concentration.

2001 election essentials

To register to vote in the state of California you must be:

- At least 18 years old by election day

Stanford, SCU coaches to speak at CCSA clinic on Saturday

Calcagno Consulting Service Association presents two coaching clinics Saturday at Mountain View High.

The Basketball Clinic of Champions and the Soccer Clinic of Champions will each start at 11:30 a.m. with registration and end at approximately 5 p.m.

On Deck: the local sports lineup for Oct. 3-9

Football

Friday

Sports On The Side

Sunday is Golden State Warriors Day at the Jewish Community Center of Palo Alto. Al Attles, Warriors vice president and former coach and player for the NBA team, will appear at the JCC’s basketball facility 1-3 p.m. He will put on a demonstration and basketball clinic. The event is free, but reservations are encouraged because space is limited. For more information, call 493 9400, ext. 228, or send an e-mail to Arnold2r@hotmail.com.

Coach kudos

Lancers roll in girls tennis

Prep Sports Roundup

Cross country

Mtn. View runs over Gunn

If you think the Mountain View High football team is dangerous now, just imagine how good the offense will be when its starting receivers return to the lineup.

“We’re the most diversified team (in the division) when we’re healthy,” coach Dan Navarro said.

After early loss, Lancers rise to the ‘Challenge’

Prep Volleyball Summary

Eagles soaring

Matadors ground Eagles

Town Crier Correspondent

Prep Football Digest

Local gymnast Hicks headed for Indianapolis

Erica Hicks, a fourth-grader at Almond School, has been invited to compete in a national test to find girls ages 9-11 who have the potential to become world-caliber gymnasts.

Put on by the USA Gymnastics Federation’s Talent Opportunity Program, the test is scheduled for Friday through Sunday in Indianapolis.

Transactions

Cupertino

11743 Trinity Spring Court - Patterson-Dozer Trust to T. & R. Ho for $810,000.00

A look back at Seville

By Clyde Noel

Town Crier Correspondent

Is bin Laden a big factor in the stock market?

Stock Report

Last week’s rally helped the Dow Jones industrials recover nearly half the losses from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but get ready for a volatile week and month. Remember, it’s October.

W. Opera Theater coming to Stanford Saturday

Western Opera Theater brings its production of Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” to Stanford’s Memorial Auditorium on Saturday. The 8 p.m. performance is presented by Stanford Lively Arts.

Composed in 1790, Mozart’s masterpiece is a tale of love and deception. The story starts with a scandalous bet by Don Alfonso, a cynical old man who believes that women cannot be trusted. He challenges his two young friends, Ferrando and Guglielmo, saying that their fiancees will betray them given the opportunity. Enraged at his slur, the men accept the wager and agree to attempt to seduce the other’s beloved.

Batmobile, 1948 Tucker highlight this weekend’s Classic Car Show

Batman isn’t expected to make an appearance at this weekend’s Celebrate Los Altos Fall Festival, but his car should be there.

The Batmobile is among the vintage cars that are scheduled to be on display at the annual festival’s Classic Car Show. The car, from the 1960s television series “Batman,” will appear both Saturday and Sunday in downtown Los Altos.

Tips for saving fuel and money

By paying attention to how and where you drive on a regular basis, and maintaining solid car care, drivers can reduce the amount of fuel used annually by more than 25 percent, according to Clint Bland, vice president, automotive, of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. He encouraged consumers to try these fuel-saving tips:

Use fuel-system cleaners/additives which can increase gas mileage up to 15 percent.

Report: online shoppers favor Hondas and Fords

InvoiceDealers, an automotive Internet marketing company, on Sept. 19 released the favorite cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans of online comparison shoppers in August 2001.

The Honda Accord reclaimed its position as the favorite car and overall most requested vehicle for the first time since May. The Accord had placed second to the Honda Civic for two straight months.

On the stick

Road Test

4 manual transmission performance cars that come through in the clutch

Clearing up new-model-year confusion

By Robert Hammer and Stefanie Kelly

Around August of each year, new-model-year vehicles begin trickling into the marketplace. Some do not arrive until the calendar actually changes, but for the most part, by November, last year’s models are no longer available.

Weddings & Engagements

Amy Guthrie and Donald Wickham Jr. were married May 5 at the United Methodist Church in Los Altos.

The bride is the daughter of Tom and Barbara Guthrie of Los Altos. She graduated from Oak Grove High School and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and administration of justice from San Jose State University. She is employed by the County of Santa Clara as a pretrial release officer.

Anniversaries

Bill and Ruth Savin of Los Altos Hills celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 16 with a reception at the Creekside Center, Los Altos Methodist Church. The reception was hosted by their son Michael, his wife Lisa and grandchildren, Claire and Scott.

Bill’s niece and nephew, Ann and Bob Herronen came from Denver, Colo. Ann announced the news of the Savin wedding 50 years ago by distributing the front page of her father’s weekly newspaper where it was featured. Also in attendance were Gene and Tish Selk. Gene was the ring-bearer at the wedding.

Obituaries

John Francis Hughes died Sept. 14 in Los Altos, four days before his 82nd birthday. He was a native of Brooklyn. Mr. Hughes was a longtime Los Altos-Los Altos Hills resident. He graduated from Fordham University and received his master’s in business from Harvard University. During World War II, he served as a captain in the United States Army. He was founder and first president of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the Financial Executives Institute. He was a member of the Los Altos Golf & Country Club, Sons in Retirement and St. Nicholas Catholic Church. Mr. Hughes is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rita A. Hughes; children, John F. Hughes Jr., William C. Hughes and his wife Donna, Kenneth M, Brian E. and his wife Molly, and Marie Chan and her husband Frank; and grandchildren, Lisa, Jack, Ryan and Sarah Hughes, Meagan and Ashley Chan; and his brother, Charles E. Hughes.

Else Kool

Foothills Congregational celebrates 40 years

Foothills Congregational Church, 461 Orange Ave., Los Altos, held services Sunday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the church’s charter by 176 founding members.

Founders and past ministers shared in the services with the present pastor, Matt Broadbent.

New rector, though young, is well seasoned

Clergy Profile

The Rev. Malcolm Young, 34, has received plenty of ribbing about his youth at his new church, Christ Episcopal. “My age always comes up,” he said with a rueful grin. “But this is one problem that will definitely go away with time.”

Religion is about relationships

Companion on the Journey

We were talking about going to church. The young mother said, looking at her 1-year-old son, “My husband and I are starting to think about finding a church. Maybe our son needs it.”

Red Jade opening free concert series

The Community School of Music and Arts opens its 2001-2002 series of free family concerts Sunday at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, SecondStage, 500 Castro St.

The Red Jade Arts Ensemble kicks off the series with contemporary Asian music and dance performances at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.