Those who served

Town Crier Correspondent

The American Legion casts its influence over numerous local events

Day laborers line up along El Camino following closure of worker center

Hundreds of day laborers were lined up back on El Camino Real looking for work last week after St. Joseph the Worker Center shut down Oct. 31. The non-profit center, which trained, counseled and matched day workers with employers over the past five years, was unable to extend its lease at 4898 El Camino Real in Los Altos.

Program Director Steve Pehanich said he attributed higher rent and program costs as well as overcrowding to the center’s closure. Pehanich said the 1,000-square-foot building attracted about 250 workers a day. The landlord had already extended the center’s lease twice earlier this year, he said.

New ordinance would count carports as part of total residential square footage

Los Altos Hills

The Los Altos Hills City Council voted unanimously Thursday to request that the city attorney draft an ordinance that would count carports built during new construction and home additions as part of the allowed floor area.

LA council asks school district to fund traffic control

Town Crier Staff Report

The Los Altos City Council is scheduled to iron out whether the city or the Los Altos School District should bear the cost of the additional traffic controls needed at the Miramonte-Covington intersection to manage the “extreme traffic delays” anticipated during planned school renovations.

News Briefs

State Assemblyman Joe Simitian and Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss were scheduled to meet with the Los Altos City Council at noon today in Room A at the Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillivew Ave., to discuss how future state and county legislation could impact Los Altos.

The agenda included state budget, power and water resource issues, and county annexation policies and transportation and day laborer issues.

Police report

Oct. 30, 9:43 a.m., El Camino Real:

A caller reported 60-75 demonstrators loitering in a parking lot.

Nov. 6 election results posted on Los Altos Online

Town Crier Staff Report

The Nov. 6 election results for the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees and the Measure A proposed hotel tax increase will be posted at losaltosonline.com when the final counts are available. The outcome of Tuesday’s election was unavailable at the time of the Town Crier’s press deadline.

Mayor will commute from new job at the nation’s capital

Town Crier Staff Report

Los Altos Hills Mayor Toni Casey plans to add a few thousand miles to her Town Hall commute this winter.

Assembly members propose legislation to stop ‘backroom’ deals

Santa Clara County

State Assembly members Elaine Alquist and Ron Diaz agreed Oct. 25 to sponsor legislation to prevent the 11th-hour backroom dealings that critics say occurred during the redistricting of Santa Clara County’s voting boundaries last September.

New name for Conner Park is fitting

We’re pleased to know the Los Altos City Council is at least considering the possibility of changing the name of the city park at the downtown’s northern border.

The small, three-quarter acre park at Edith Avenue and San Antonio Road deserves better than its current name, Conner Park. A. Watson Conner may have been our first mayor and a vital force behind the city’s 1952 incorporation, but history shows he was not an appreciator of parks. So why is his name gracing a park?

Letter to the Editor

Recently the third-graders at Santa Rita School visited Redwood Grove on a field trip to learn about the early inhabitants of our area, the Ohlone Indians. We were taken back in time by the resident teacher of Redwood Grove, Keith Guiterrez, who shared with the students his passion for the environment and his respect for the Native Americans who lived in our backyards.

We wish to support Keith in his attempt to become a city employee rather than an independent contractor. We have a treasure in our community in Keith and his ability to bring the history of this area alive for our young people. We are incredibly fortunate to have the nature center complete with a person who cares about perpetuating interest in the past.

When we’re sick and sad, and want to cry

A View from the Hills

When bombs were dropped on Afghanistan, I was already sick over the death of a beloved sister-in-law, who for decades has been another “little sister,” along with my Viola, whose unconditional love has been one of my life’s greatest blessings. The bombs’ unequivocal message was that, however fervently we wished it, the war would not go away.

War on terror: naivete over pragmatism?

Other Voices

“These are the times that try men’s souls.” So begins Thomas Paine’s first crisis paper written in the midst of the American Revolution.What an appropriate thought for our current moment of terror!

Spooky fun still evident at downtown Halloween event

Town Crier Correspondent

Ghosts and goblins trolled for treats along Main and State streets in downtown Los Altos on Halloween, but the annual Spooktacular wasn’t as spooky because the attendance was down from previous years.

Community Briefs

Dee 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 today 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. The business meeting will start at 11 a.m., with a luncheon following. Guests are welcome. For more information, call 948-3553.

Morning Forum speaker concerned over privatization of conservation areas

Dr. Jeff Langholz, of the Monterey Institute of International Studies, spoke to the Morning Forum last week concerning the ever-increasing privatization of conservation areas - both in the United States and around the world.

National parks, he said, are an important part of our lives.

Local artists set open studio dates

Los Altos textile artist Ann Mueller, ceramist Nancy Kramer and sculptor and printmaker Catherine Zander, will showcase their works in Los Altos this weekend in conjunction with Peninsula Open Studios. Mueller and Kramer will exhibit their work at 1125 Miguel Ave. Zander will open her studio at 86 Pine Lane.

Peninsula Open Studios Preview Exhibition is on display 10 a.m to 5 p.m., daily through Nov. 18, at the Gallery at Mountain View City Hall, 500 Castro St. The exhibit features one work by each participating artist.For more information, call 988-1440.

Making words come alive

Jane Seaman has spent more than 10,000 hours recording textbooks for the blind, dyslexic

For Jane Seaman, the decision to become a volunteer reader for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic’s Palo Alto studio 30 years ago was clear-cut.

Ambassador Holbrooke paints grim future at Celebrity Forum

Town Crier Correspondent

Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told the 2,500 people at Flint Center last Tuesday that our immediate future looks grim. Some people in the audience were aghast at the information and views he presented.

LAH residents’ wine-tasting event raises funds for Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped

Some Los Altos Hills residential vintners shared their wines at Westwind and Wineries, an event held Oct. 28 to benefit the Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped.

The benefit, attended by 100 people, has already raised $2,000 for the riding program, which provides weekly riding sessions at Westwind Barn for physically challenged youth, ages 5-19. The program is funded completely by donations.

Two local fund-raisers show ‘Los Altos cares’

Town Crier Correspondent

Shoup Park barbecue for Sept. 11 victims, Follies draw supporters

Pinewood teen puts on benefit to help Mexican orphanage

Town Crier Correspondent

It’s a charity gala to benefit a worthy cause: a gourmet dinner and silent auction. It’s a wonderful event, with a twist - it’s organized by a high school senior.

Town Crier Halloween writing contest results delayed a week

Sorry, but there just too many good entries for our judges to make up their minds. So, in order for us to make decisions all of us can live with, we are holding off for one more week.

The Town Crier is offering first-, second- and third-place prizes for the best entries. Which is too bad, because all of this year’s participants deserve prizes. Thank you for your patience.

Seniors News

The Older Adult Resource Center of El Camino Hospital has scheduled lectures in November and December as part of its Distinguished Speaker series.

A representative of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater San Francisco will speak on “Alzheimer’s - Beginning to Cope (ABC),” 7-9 p.m., Nov. 19, in meeting room M of the Park Pavilion.

LASD reviews on-site child care for Covington elementary

The Los Altos School Board wants to know what you think about before and after-school child care on the district’s seven elementary school campuses, especially at Covington School.

Covington, which has been closed since 1980, is slated to re-open as an elementary school in August, 2002, said Dave McNulty, construction facilities manager for the district.

Letter exchange connects locals to World Trade Center tragedy

LAC students write to peers near ground zero in NYC

Don Parker’s third-grade class at Los Altos Christian School (LACS) has been learning how to write letters. While the students learn about the structure of letter writing, it’s what they are saying in their letters that has become most important.

Schools Briefs

College-bound high school students who want to take the ACT assessment can still register in two ways by the Dec. 8 test date. The late registration postmark deadline is Nov. 15 and students may also register online at www.act.org. The test fee is $24, with an additional fee for late registration. A student’s ACT scores are considered by colleges for admissions.

Former UN official tells Foothill students, ‘No More Sanctions On Iraq’

War is something Hans Von Sponek wants the public to think about. Not just any war - the Gulf War.

The former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations spoke at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills last Friday, about the reason for his resignation last year in protest of the continued United States sanctions against Iraq.

Redwood Grove program brings Ohlone Indian experience alive for students

Making face paint by rubbing two wet rocks together, eating acorn paste and piercing balloons with a bow and arrow are just a few of the ways Keith Gutierrez spends his time.

The resident naturalist at Redwood Grove in Los Altos spent Oct. 23 teaching Colleen Stockwell and Trish Mitchell’s third-grade classes from Santa Rita School about the Ohlone American Indians. Gutierrez has been running programs at Redwood Grove for the past nine years.

On Deck: the local sports lineup for Nov. 7-13

Football

Friday

By a single stroke, St. Francis captures CCS girls golf championship

After capturing last week’s Central Coast Section championship, the St. Francis High girls golf team had a celebration that was more mild than wild.

“We had a nice drive home and went to Subway,” Lancers coach Meredith Loosse said a day after her team’s winning performance at Rancho Cañada Country Club in Carmel. “The girls had homework to do.”

CyberRays to play benefit soccer game

The San Jose CyberRays of the Women’s United Soccer Association will take on the San Diego Spirit Thursday in an exhibition game benefiting the Palo Alto Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Former St. Francis High standout Gina Oceguera is a member of the WUSA champion CyberRays.

Sports On The Side

The Los Altos Tennis Club invites tennis players of all abilities to take part in its fourth annual Turkey Tournament 10 a.m., Sunday, at Los Altos High. The mixed-doubles event costs $15 and also includes lunch, with proceeds benefiting local food banks. Prizes include tickets to the Sybase Open and turkeys. If you don’t have a partner, the club will match you with one. For more information, call Karen Usas at 949-2216.

Call for LAHS alums

Runners from Los Altos, Mtn. View make CCS meet

Fall Sports Roundup

Both Los Altos and Mountain View highs have qualified runners for Saturday’s Central Coast Section cross country championships at Crystal Springs in Belmont.

Lancers limp into WCAL finale

Injuries caught up with the St. Francis High football team Friday night.

Playing without their starting quarterback and standout wide receiver, the Lancers proved no match for visiting Bellarmine, which prevailed 33-13.

Spartans stunned by visiting Mustangs

Town Crier Correspondent

Prep Football Digest

LAHS boys water polo team claims division title

Andy Wiener and Brian Whitlock combined for nine goals Saturday, leading the Los Altos High boys water polo team to an 11-6 win over Palo Alto in the SCVAL De Anza Division Tournament championship.

Wiener scored five goals and Whitlock four in a victory that earned the Eagles an automatic berth in the upcoming Central Coast Section playoffs.

Turnovers prove costly in Owls’ loss to CCSF

The difference between winning and losing last Saturday’s football game against City College of San Francisco came down to just a few plays, according to Foothill College coach Marshall Sperbeck.

“The turnovers took us out of it,” Sperbeck said of the Owls’ 24-7 loss to the No. 1 team in the nation. “We played well other than a few plays.”

Cyclist Armstrong part of panel discussion at Stanford

“Athletes Winning the War Against Cancer,” a panel discussion sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, is set for 7 p.m., Thursday, at Stanford University’s Burnham Pavilion.

The panel will include: Armstrong, three-time Tour de France cycling champion and cancer survivor; Eric Davis, San Francisco Giants outfielder, cancer survivor and founder of The Eric Davis Foundation; and Tom Gullikson, former doubles tennis champion, former coach of the USTA and USA Olympic tennis teams and co-founder of the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation.

St. Francis and Los Altos among local teams in CCS

Prep Volleyball Summary

Proving once again how strong girls volleyball is in the area, five local teams have qualified for the Central Coast Section playoffs.

Going places with Ándale

Los Altos resident Linda Hayes named e-commerce company’s chief operating officer

In a way, one might say Linda Hayes’ life has come full circle.

Market suffers from a 7-year low consumer confidence

Stock Report

y definition, two quarters of declining growth have thrown the country into a recession. The unemployment rate jumped to 5.4 percent last month reflecting the heaviest job losses in 21 years.

Taking ‘Down Time’

Business Profile

Massage therapist emphasizes relaxation, taking care of yourself

Transactions

Los Altos

101 2nd Street #7 - Shurson Trust to K. & A. Graham for $472,000.00

Realtors holding third Casino Night Friday

Hosted by the Los Altos/Mountain View District of the Silicon Valley Realtors, all proceeds will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

This year’s theme is the 1940s Red Cross Canteen and Casino. Period costumes from the 1940s are optional.

Comparing two operating systems you can hold in your hand

Tech Talk

This biweekly column offers solutions to personal technology problems submitted by readers. Neither the author nor this newspaper endorses products or companies mentioned.

Eylar-led CYS to open 50th anniversary season

The California Youth Symphony, led by maestro Leo Eylar, opens its 50th anniversary season with two performances.

The first concert is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Sunday, at Flint Center on 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, and will be repeated 2:30 p.m., Nov. 18, at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 650 N. Delaware Ave.

Checking tire condition in 3 easy steps

In the wake of recent major national tire recalls, people are beginning to realize the importance of tire safety and truly understanding the condition of their vehicles.

Even with the enormous media exposure, still this issue hasn’t reached everyone. Statistics show that more than two million people have yet to get their recalled tires replaced-a dangerous game to be playing.

No good excuse for not buckling up kids

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 4,193 children’s lives were saved from 1975 to 1998 by the use of safety belts and child restraints.

According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, 75 percent of all crashes occur within 25 miles of home. And most of those take place on roads with maximum speed limits of 40 mph or less.

When seeking a repair shop, do your homework

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, a non-profit organization that tests and certifies the competence of individual automotive repair technicians, offers the following tips on choosing a repair facility.

Look for a repair facility before you need one; you can make better decisions when you are not rushed.

Anti-terrorism license plate proposed for California

Three California politicians intend to introduce legislation authorizing the creation of a special state license plate to raise funds for the state’s effort against terrorism, and to memorialize victims of the Sept. 11 tragedy.

Assembly members Herb J. Wesson Jr. and Dave Cox, and Senator Kevin Murray last month announced plans to introduce the legislation Jan. 7, when the Legislature reconvenes in Sacramento.

Air District buys ‘79 and older cars

The Air District has expanded its voluntary program to buy and scrap 1979 and older cars to help reduce air pollution.

Funds are available to purchase almost 1,400 cars by paying individuals $500 for each qualifying 1979 and older car or light-duty truck. To qualify, a vehicle must be in operating condition and have been registered in the nine-county Bay Area for the past two years.

Coasting in style

Driving Passions

Highway 1 proves to be perfect road to test a pair of new luxury sedans

Weddings & Engagements

Rachael Lesley Mudge and Paul John Lester were married Aug. 4 at the Valley Presbyterian Church, Portola Valley. A reception was held at Ladera Oaks, Portola Valley.

The bride is the daughter of John and Mavis Mudge of Los Altos. She graduated from Los Altos High School and earned degrees in mathematics and dance at Scripps College. She is pursuing a master’s degree in mathematics and is employed in Foothill College’s mathematics department.

Service News

Capt. James W. (Jay) Bishop, U.S. Marine Corps, was recently appointed aide to the commanding general of Camp Pendleton.

Bishop is a 1992 graduate of Los Altos High School and the son of former Los Altos residents Jim and Kathy Bishop.

Anniversaries

Retired Rear Adm. William L. Harris Jr. and his wife Jean O., 22-year Los Altos residents, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Oct. 27 at a dinner given by their children at their eldest daughter’s home in the Oakland Hills. The Harrises were married Oct. 27, 1951, in Brighton, Mass.

The Harrises’ children and grandchildren presented them with an album documenting the couple’s first 50 years of marriage. After his retirement from the Navy after 33 years of service, Harris worked at Lockheed for 10 years. Jean O. was a practicing criminal attorney and now volunteers for the Cantor Center For The Arts and the Asian Art Museum.

Obituaries

Clara Wilber, a former longtime Los Altos resident, died Oct. 14 in Mountain View. A native of New York, she was 77.

Mrs. Wilber was an electronics assembler at Applied Technologies.

PYT putting on the ‘Music’ this week

Peninsula Youth Theatre begins its 10th season with Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man,” which opens this week at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.

The musical comedy is about a fast-talking traveling salesman who cons the residents of River City, Iowa.

P.A. Players performing ‘The Herbal Bed’

Palo Alto Players has opened its production of Peter Whelan’s “The Herbal Bed,” which runs through Nov. 18 at Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road.

The modern thriller is part love story and part courtroom drama that draws upon actual events of 1613 in Stratford-Upon-Avon when Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna is publicly accused of adultery.