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Archives » 2001 » Volume 54 , Issue 44, Published on Wednesday, October 31, 2001NewsLocal writers spooked
Halloween contest inspires this selection of haunting tales God bless the gorillas Local writers spooked
Halloween contest inspires this selection of haunting tales God bless the gorillas Local drug arrests tied to statewide crackdownLos Altos The Drug Enforcement Administration raided a Los Altos home on Fallen Leaf Avenue Oct. 18 during a statewide drug bust that resulted in the arrest of two local men. Los Altos council seeks park site to remember Sept. 11 victimsThe Los Altos City Council could change the name of the downtown park, currently named to honor a man who publicly detested such open space, to Freedom, Liberty or Allegiance as a permanent memorial to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The council asked the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission last week to search for a park where they could dedicate a plaque with a proclamation honoring last month’s victims and the community could be reminded of the virtues of freedom. Planning Commission considers increase in building height limitsLos Altos Hills Two local architects presented ideas to the Los Altos Hills Planning Commission Thursday night on how height maximums on two-story homes might be increased to encourage architectural diversity without compromising view corridors for neighboring properties. News BriefsCupertino broke ground last week on a 24-unit affordable housing complex that Los Altos helped fund. The $7 million, 22,000-square-foot project, called Hearts of Cupertino, will add to the city the final units needed for Cupertino to reach its state goal for affordable housing when completed in October 2002. Police reportOct. 22, 6:32 p.m., Main Street: A caller reported a possible hit and run to a vehicle. The suspect placed a note, listing only a name, on the vehicle. Police were unable to find a listing of the suspect’s address and phone number. Juvenile disturbance LA council OKs 3-story hotel with height limitThe Los Altos City Council agreed to allow developer Roxy Rapp to add a third story to his hotel planned for First and Main streets if he keeps the building within the city’s 30-foot height limit. The 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. CommentCouncil decision correct on hotel planThe Los Altos City Council made the right decision last week when members, by a 4-1 vote, approved plans for a three-story Apricot Inn hotel at the corner of First and Main streets. Council members remained focused, approving the concept of a three-story hotel despite the request of another developer who wanted the council to reconsider the movie theater and condominiums plan. The issue of hotel vs. theater had been decided back in June. OpinionLetters to the EditorSomeone in your organization should enlighten Mort Levine to the effect that if one is going to write a review of an opera (LATC Oct. 31, Page 45), he should at least take pains to ensure that he gets the name of the composer correct. Poor ol’ Chuck Gounod must be rotating wildly in his sarcophagus to learn that his most famous opera, “Faust,” has been attributed to Camile Saint-Saens by your reporter. Note that Mort even left out the hyphen, which is tantamount to misspelling the name completely. Halloween? Bah, humbug!Other Voices I appreciate Thanksgiving, Christmas and Labor Day because a day off is allowed for roasting the turkey, trimming the tree and cranking up the barbecue. Halloween, however, remains a much ado event without time off for your troubles. Los Altos hotel tax, school board race before the voters on Tuesday’s ballotTown Crier Staff Report Voters in the Los Altos area face two questions when they go to the polls Tuesday: Are they in favor of a tax increase on local hotels and who will fill three seats on the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees? CommunityJeff Skoll creates fund to help local non-profits through recessionSkoll also contributed $20 million to the Skoll Community Fund, Community Foundation Silicon Valley’s largest supporting foundation, bringing its assets to $100 million. On the heels of Skoll’s gifts, foundation president Peter Hero announced at the Oct. 23 annual meeting that Los Altos Hills resident Steve Kirsch will be “making a commitment to the fund to help local nonprofits as well.” Los Altos Post Office prepares to issue warning about deadly mailTown Crier Correspondent What to watch for Book signing and jewelry show offer community gift ideasThe Museum, newly decorated in a festive Christmas theme, will provide an opportunity to obtain personal Christmas gifts with local and traditional themes. The Los Altos History Museum is located at 51 South San Antonio Road (near Edith and Hillview avenues in the Civic Center between Hillview Community Center and the Library.) Community BriefsDee Ann Draper, a research assistant with the Gorilla Foundation, will be the guest speaker at the Federated Woman’s Club of Los Altos’ luncheon meeting Nov. 7 at Michael’s Restaurant at Shoreline. With illustrations and photos, she will talk about the history of the foundation and the care and training of Ko-Ko and Michael, two gorillas who can communicate with sign language and perform works of art. Geschke, Warnock honored for philanthropy at Community Foundation Silicon Valley meetingThe Community Foundation Silicon Valley honored Adobe Systems founders and Los Altos residents Charles (Chuck) M. Geschke and John E. Warnock with its annual Corporate Community Involvement Award at the foundation’s 47th annual meeting, Oct. 23. Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen also shared in the honor. Trick-or-treating begins today at noon downtownTown Crier Staff Report The annual downtown Los Altos Halloween Spooktacular, sponsored by the Los Altos Village Association, will begin at noon, today, at the Community Plaza, Main and State streets. The event features free entertainment, trick-or-treating, contests and a performance by Egan Intermediate School’s music department. ‘Strengthening partnerships’ focus of Los Altos foundation brunchTown Crier Correspondent Nadinne Cruz, director of the Haas Center for Public Service, offered her philosophy on “Strengthening Community Partnerships” at the 10th annual brunch and report to the community by the Los Altos Community Foundation. High schools maintains streak of above-national-average SAT scoresThe Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District continued to score above the state and national averages on the Scholastic Assessment/Aptitude Tests (SAT). “We tested very strong. That’s not new for us,” said Brigitta Sarraf, assistant superintendent of educational services. “The scores tend to go up and down within 10 points from one year to the next.” SchoolsHave a safe and spook-tacular HalloweenCostume contests, parades and haunted houses help put local schools in the Halloween spirit. Here’s what some of the local schools have scheduled. Almond School celebrated on Oct. 26 with a carnival. Students can dress up on Halloween. Schools BriefsCollege-bound high school students who want to take the ACT assessment can register in two ways - by mail or online - before the Dec. 8 test date. The registration postmark deadline is Nov. 2, and the late registration postmark deadline is Nov. 15. The test fee is $24, with an additional fee for late registration. For more information logon to www.act.org. Talks for parents and teachers MV-Whisman district releases Superintendent BubenikThree months ago The Mountain View-Whisman School District Board gave Superintendent Patricia Bubenik a $16,000-a-year raise, but now she will receive her yearly salary of $122,000 in the form of a severance check. The school board voted unanimously at their Oct. 22 meeting to dismiss Bubenik from her post as superintendent. SportsSports On The SideThe Los Altos High School Pumpkin Patch runs through today in the parking lot of the school, 201 Almond Ave. Proceeds go toward the Eagles’ athletic programs. Pumpkin patch hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PONY up for baseball Owls face toughest test of the season SaturdayFoothill College Sports Roundup The Foothill College football team better hope it didn’t play its best game of the year last Saturday in a 41-7 rout of host Cabrillo. St. Francis tennis team in the hunt for CCS titleLynn Horiye won’t go as far as saying his St. Francis High girls tennis team will be crowned champion of the Central Coast Section this year. Although the Lancers are undefeated, the coach points out that Leland and Pinewood are unbeaten as well. And Horiye believes the defending CCS champion Menlo Knights, whose lone loss came against a formidable team from Southern California, are probably the best squad in the section. St. Francis girls claim league title in golf, qualify for CCSFall Sports Roundup Going into last week’s Peninsula Athletic League Championship, Meredith Loosse set one goal for her St. Francis High girls golf team. Spartans thump LynbrookWith his team at Lynbrook’s 20-yard line with 18 seconds left in the first half, Mountain View High football coach Dan Navarro didn’t take any chances. Not wanting to run up the score in a game the Spartans led 41-0, the merciful coach called the only play guaranteed to keep his red-hot offense out of the end zone. He had quarterback Sean Manson take a knee to run out the clock. Eagles’ performance even surprises coachPrep Volleyball Summary Entering this week alone in second place in the ultra-competitive SCVAL De Anza Division, the Los Altos High girls volleyball team has exceeded expectations. Lancers making run at WCAL; Eagles still seeking first victoryTown Crier Correspondent Prep Football Digest Under a new coach, volleyball is making a comeback at FoothillThere is another sports comeback in progress, but this one has no fanfare and doesn’t involve Michael Jordan. The Foothill College women’s volleyball team, which went from glory to obscurity in just two years, is attempting to re-establish itself after having to abandon the program last year. Businesses leaving RanchoTown Crier Correspondent All Horizons Travel relocates to new downtown location BusinessLook for better days ahead in the stock marketStock Report Investors had a lot to worry about last week with a weakening economy, dismal corporate earnings and the beginning of military reversals in Afghanistan. But even with these worries, the stock market managed to post some healthy gains. Rancho Video closing doors today due to increase in rentBecause of an increase in rent with no opportunity to negotiate, Rancho Video and TV Associates closed its doors Monday. The owner, Mark Zarzycki, will continue to do television and VCR repairs from another location. He will also continue with satellite sales and installation for DIRECTV. Realtors help homeless through Housing Industry FoundationThe Silicon Valley Association of Realtors and affiliate members raised more than $40,000 at the fourth annual Home for the Holidays auction to benefit the Housing Industry Foundation, an organization providing assistance to the homeless in the Bay Area. “We can’t thank the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors enough for this generous gift,” said Debbie Wade, executive director of the Housing Industry Foundation. “This is a significant contribution that allows us to help individuals and families faced with a housing crisis get back on their feet.” In today’s world where timing is everything, check your mortgage for a better dealTown Crier Correspondent Every homeowner should look at his mortgage because available rates are as close to the lowest as they can get. Present timing is unique because we don’t know the future, or how soon interest rates will increase. JFK University honors Julie PackardJohn F. Kennedy University honored Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and trustee of the Packard Foundation, for her community service at the Jacqueline Kennedy Awards Dinner Sunday at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. Proceeds from this event contributed to scholarships for women students at JFK University, with priority for women at the Campbell campus. Weddings & EngagementsKristen Lee Cushman and Kevin Hall were married Oct. 20 in Huntington Beach. The bride is the daughter of Joe and Grace Cushman of Huntington Beach. She is a graduate of Albuquerque High School, Albuquerque, N.M., and Arizona State University. She is co-owner of Eva Creations, a pet furniture company. ObituariesElizabeth Foster, a former Los Altos resident, died Sept. 30. She was a native of Indiana. Mrs. Foster graduated from Ball State College in Indiana. She later became a high school business teacher. Spiritual LifeSpiritual Life BriefsThe Los Altos United Methodist Church has designated Nov. 11 as a day to “Celebrate the Gift,” rejoicing in the gifts we have been blessed with and in God’s gifts of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Retreat at San Damiano Learning symptoms of trauma helps fight it, psychologist advisesTransitions If you’ve lost your job recently, and if the circumstances were particularly painful, you may be feeling more than just stress. You may actually be suffering from trauma. Stepping OutHolt shines in TheatreWorks’ latest dramaTheater review Rebecca Gilman’s thought-provoking drama “Spinning Into Butter” hits its semicomic, semidramatic pace when it opens with the romantic breakup of dean Sarah Daniel (Lorri Holt) and teacher Ross Collins (Dan Hiatt). Nova Vista Symphony opens season SaturdaySeven works, each of which tells a story in music, make up the program for Nova Vista Symphony’s opening concert 8 p.m., Saturday, at Foothill College’s Smithwick Theater. Nuvi Mehta, the orchestra’s new music director, will be conducting the concert. Foothill offering two plays by DurangStudents enrolled in the Foothill College Drama Department are staging “Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All To You” and “The Actor’s Nightmare” in the Studio Theater at Foothill College. The production, which opened last week, runs through Nov. 11. Remaining show times are 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m., Sunday; 8 p.m., Nov. 8-10; and 2 p.m., Nov. 11. Choirs combining efforts to help Sept. 11 victimsIn remembrance of the victims of Sept. 11, 10 major South Bay community choirs will come together Saturday at Stanford University’s Memorial Church for a performance of Fauré’s “Requiem.” Proceeds from the 8 p.m. concert will benefit the Liberty Disaster Relief Fund of the American Red Cross. Special SectionA new garage door can reduce utility billsTown Crier Correspondent It used to be a simple decision to replace your old wooden garage door after it became warped and faded. With today’s technology advances and the overall energy efficiency of the house, when you buy a new garage door today, you have a lot to choose from. It’s that time of year - check your drivewayTown Crier Correspondent In Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, the driveway is one of the most common features of a new house and must to conform to city building specifications. Say something meaningful? ‘Say it with flowers’ from your gardenA Side of Clyde The aroma around the Town Crier hasn’t been the same for more than a month. Once a week, at times more often, you could find a tussie mussie on the counter providing a fragrance that permeated the entire office. Your HomeBold hues make statement in today’s designer kitchens across the countryBright, bold colors are making their way into kitchens in the United States. Homeowners are painting over the whites and beiges that once were the kitchen trend and making a statement with cobalt blue, pink, turquoise, orange, red and even lime green. In many cases, white has been relegated to a small role as accent or trim. “Neutral colors in the kitchen are not the goal anymore,” said Sharon Hanby-Robie, interior designer and author of “My Name Isn’t Martha, But I Can Decorate My Home.” “Today, it’s OK to be expressive, and it’s OK to use bright, bold colors to complement or totally create the look you want. Why not use the colors that you want to live with, instead of the ones you think your home’s next owner will settle for?” Hanby-Robie asked. Conquering the kitchen clutter monsterProfessional organizers offer suggestions, classes and services to help you organize You have six partial sets of everyday china, two sets of stainless steel silverware, all kinds of souvenir mugs and glasses from London to Armadillo Village in Texas, and so many spices you can never find the red pepper flakes for your pizza. Your kitchen cabinets are overflowing - but you don’t know where to begin. Several area professional organizers offered their advice on this surprisingly common kitchen problem. Home BriefsCommon Ground Organic Gardening Supply and Education Center has scheduled two November Saturday classes at its new storefront, 559 College Ave., Palo Alto. Mike Shannon, a former Ecology Action Research Garden apprentice, is slated to lead “Garden Planning,” 10:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday. Shannon will assist participants in planning next season’s garden and show how to determine space needed and plant yield. Bring a pencil and calculator. Worksheets will be provided. Cost is $17. Advance registration is required. A haven in Los AltosTown Crier Correspondent Former NFL player Bob Adams enjoys quiet life in house he remodeled himself Fresh ideas herald fall decoratingARA News Service Looking for a room with a view when there is none? Can’t afford to move or renovate? Check out the latest in affordable decorating trends.It’s easy to change accent elements in a room to make the transition to fall decor. If your larger pieces of furniture are covered in solid or tone-on-tone fabrics, you can add flair with pillows, throws and even area rugs. Residents can plan a garden to attract wildlife - or keep it awayTown Crier Editorial Intern Facts to keep in mind when garden planning: |
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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