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Archives » 2001 » Volume 54 , Issue 50, Published on Wednesday, December 12, 2001NewsCounty fire chief to retire
Under Doug Sporleder’s guidance, local services improved Most residents of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills are fortunate enough to need a firefighter only a few times during a lifetime, but those who have experienced a fire or medical emergency probably recall how grateful and relieved they felt to see the big truck respond just minutes after a call to 911. Packard rejects proposed HP/Compaq mergerTown Crier Staff Report One of the potentially largest technology deals of all time was clouded in uncertainty last week following a meeting at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in Los Altos last week. Neighbors provide emergency supportMountain View Knowing your neighbors could be the best defense during a terrorist attack, Mountain View emergency officials said last week during a speical preparedness forum at the Mountain View Fire and Police Auditorium. City up against deadline for Housing ElementTown Crier Staff Report The Los Altos Planning Commission is scheduled to review an updated draft of the city’s new Housing Element next week that includes strategies for adding a minimum of 162 state-mandated housing units to Los Altos between now and 2006. That plan is scheduled then to go to the Los Altos City Council for review sometime in January. Los Altos police reinstate motorcycle team
Town Crier Staff Report The Los Altos Police Department reinstated its motorcycle traffic team Friday, more than a year after pulling officers from the special unit due to unprecedented employee turnover. All special unit officers were temporarily assigned general patrol positions in order to fill in vacancies until the 33-member department was able to retain more officers. NASA releases environmental report on Moffett Field projectNASA was scheduled to release an environmental impact report on its research campus planned for Moffett Field in Mountain View for public review this week. The plan proposes to add approximately 4 million square feet of mixed-use buildings, including educational, office, research and development space, a museum, a conference center, housing and retail space. Twilight robber invades four homes near El Monte, I-280Los Altos Hills In less than two months, beginning in early September, four Los Altos Hills residences near the El Monte Road and I-280 Freeway intersection fell victim to a bold jewel thief, or thieves, who broke into the rear of the homes, despite residents being there. News BriefsSanta Clara County plans to beef up its annual “Avoid the 13″ drunk driving campaign this holiday season, adding police helicopters, mobile booking units and police chiefs from 15 local agencies to the 17-day crackdown beginning Friday. Organizers expect as many as 30 vehicles, police cruisers, stealth cars, California Highway Patrol motorcycles, helicopters, mobile booking units and rescue rigs to kick off the event at the San Jose Sports Arena before heading to designated sobriety checkpoints. Los Altos and Mountain View police and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office are among those scheduled to participate. CommentLetters to the EditorThanksgiving is a time for getting together with and giving thanks for friends and family. In Los Altos, it is also a rare and precious chance for those who have recently moved away to meet up with those they haven’t talked to since high school. The traditional reunion for Generation Xers has taken place the Wednesday night prior to Thanksgiving at the Los Altos Bar & Grill, the only late night establishment in town. This year was no exception. LABAG was packed and the scene was undeniably noisy. However, the bartenders weren’t frantically pouring drinks, as is typical of college debauchery. For every conversation you had, there were two more you wish you could’ve been involved in. This night was about more than just partying, it was about community. OpinionRain, rain, you’re OKThe Living Experiment Having attended college in Oregon, I know a thing or two about rain. The town of Eugene was a lovely, soggy place during much of the school year. Like my classmates, I mastered the art of dressing to stay dry, a challenge considering that my primary mode of transportation was on foot. Although I joke now that I got great grades in college because - thanks to the constant rain - there was nothing to do but study, the truth is that rain never slows down Oregonians. Instead, we adapted to the elements. They didn’t call us the Oregon Ducks for nothing. Sins of the fatherOther Voices I met Bruce Imai head-on in 1955, shortly after Christmas, when our two brand-new bicycles collided on a Burlingame sidewalk. What ensued was an immediate pushing match, followed by a lifelong friendship. We played football together, hung out together and occasionally drank from the same beer can. Student filmmaker’s documentary airs on HBOTown Crier Editorial Intern Move over, Ken Burns, the future of documentary filmmaking is making its debut. Los Altos Hills resident Christina Frenzel’s second documentary, “Stop and Smell the Sprinkles,” was honored at a special screening at the American Film Institute (AFI) Fest 2001 on Nov. 8. CommunityFund targets charities in direct contact with needySupporters of the Town Crier Holiday Fund appreciate its purpose in targeting lesser known charities that make a big difference in the lives of needy residents throughout Santa Clara County. The fund has on its annual list nine regional groups whose noble goals range from tutoring poor kids to feeding and sheltering the homeless. All money given to these groups goes directly to the needy. Wood fires pose a health riskThe cold and rainy weather of late makes most of us want to settle in our easy chairs and light a fire in the fireplace. The Bay Area Air Quality Board points out that traditional wood fires are a health risk, with one fire emitting almost a half-pound of particulate pollution into a neighborhood in an evening. The very smallest particles can penetrate the air sacs of the lungs, contributing to lung disease, shortness of breath, asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Ecumenical Hunger Program to benefit from raffle for charming collectible dollsTown Crier Editorial Intern When Luanne Malkmus restarted a Stockton tradition of a Holiday Doll Raffle for charity, three dolls with 15 outfits each were raffled off to benefit the Ecumenical Hunger Program. But this year, a fourth doll will be in a special raffle, for the children who are helped by the program. Community BriefsThe League of Women Voters will hold a Local and National Program Planning Discussion and Soup Supper 6 p.m., Thursday, at Barbara Wardenberg’s home, 12143 Hilltop Drive, Los Altos Hills. Soup supper is $2 at the door. Members will select the program agenda for the local and national leagues. For more information, call 941-4846. History museum marks 60th anniversary of Dec. 7 with program full of ‘memories’Town Crier Correspondent The Los Altos History Museum dedicated its Nov. 18 “Music & Memories” program to the 60th anniversary of the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor. The program offered little-known details from veterans and historians surrounding the “date that will live in infamy.” Openings for MV students on Youth Advisory GroupsThe City of Mountain View is now accepting applications for the Youth Advisory Groups (YAG). The application deadline is 5 p.m., Dec. 19. To be eligible, you must attend middle or high school and be a resident of the city of Mountain View. The city is seeking a diverse group of students in terms of gender, academic standing, cultural and socioeconomic background and level of involvement in extracurricular activities to represent Mountain View’s teen community. YAG offers opportunities for teens to hone their leadership and organizational skills while working cooperatively with local government and community officials on issues related to youth. Group members play an integral role in establishing and improving city programs and services for teens. SchoolsOak turns new leaf at literacy festivalStaff, students and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at Oak Avenue School put a new spin on their annual book fair held last week. “We decided not to call it a book fair and called it a literacy festival,” said Principal Leslie Crane. “All week long, we celebrated reading and books and we did it as a way to raise money for our library.” CSMA appoints Angela McConnell executive directorThe board of directors of the Community School of Music and Arts recently announced the appointment of Angela A. McConnell as executive director. McConnell has a long history with the non-profit organization, most recently serving as interim executive director since July of this year. McConnell was vice chairwoman of the board of directors from 1999 until her recent appointment. She also served as the school’s chief development officer from 1992 through 1994. NoteworthiesEunpi Cho, a graduate of Los Altos High School, has enrolled as a freshman at Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Benjamin D. Strock of Los Altos graduated with a bachelor of science degree in economics after completing his fall term at the University of Oregon. 2001. Diplomas were issued Dec. 7. School BriefsArdis Egan Jr. High School has scheduled its Holiday Faire 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, in the multipurpose room at Egan. All gifts, crafts and food items have been created by Egan students. Proceeds benefit Egan’s students and library. Egan is located at 100 W. Portola Ave. For more information, call 941-6174. Foothill College holiday concert Local businesses help raise funds for Los Altos Educational Foundation
The Los Altos Village Association (LAVA) and local merchants teamed up to help the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) raise funds with a downtown shopping day Sunday. A percentage of the sales from 16 downtown stores was donated to the foundation. Fruitcake tradition keeps college trustees delightedTown Crier correspondent Every holiday season, when the Foothill-De Anza Community College District has their annual election of officers, a tradition begun 44 years ago is renewed. College district preparing to fill board vacancyTown Crier Correspondent Although Dolores Sandoval’s resignation does not take place until Jan. 7, the Foothill-De Anza Community College District is actively recruiting to fill the seat by appointment. College Track enjoys ‘monster’ benefitCollege Track, a non-profit organization providing educational opportunities, tutoring and scholarships for at-risk youth in East Palo Alto, raised nearly $72,000 during its Oct. 26 fund-raiser that featured a sneak preview of the Disney/Pixar film “Monsters Inc.” The screening, combined with a Halloween-style party at the Park theater in Menlo Park, drew more than 600 adults and children, said College Track Executive Director Marshal Lott. SportsSports On The SideFormer Los Altos resident Chuck Thompson was inducted into the University of California at Berkeley Hall of Fame during the school’s annual Hall of Fame banquet last month. Thompson and the seven other inductees were also honored at halftime of the Nov. 3 Cal-Arizona football game. Thompson, who graduated from Cal in 1950, was a standout gymnast. The Campbell resident was the NCAA tumbling champion in both 1948 and ‘49. He also placed first in the U.S. National AAU tumbling competition in 1947. Lessons for Los Altos Can the Owls be great with 8? Coach thinks soFoothill College women’s basketball preview Its focus may be on the hardwood, not hardware, but the Foothill College women’s basketball team has been downsized like a Silicon Valley computer company. Spartans crowned champs of King’s tourneyPrep Girls Hoop Scoop Los Altos falls to Monta Vista in OT LA residents power Priory to state final in volleyballTown Crier Intern Winning back-to-back state championships would be regarded as a dream come true for most athletes. Lancers hope to be headed in right directionLos Altos High boys and girls teams both record 3-0 victories High School Soccer Digest Cool gear for Yule includes portable DVD player, wrist camera and cell phone with MP3 playerTech Talk This biweekly column offers solutions to personal technology problems submitted by readers. Neither the author nor this newspaper endorses products or companies mentioned. BusinessGlaze receives the 2001 Broker of the Year AwardRick Glaze of Glaze Capital Management Inc., in Los Altos has received the Registered Representative Magazine’s 2001 Broker of the Year Award. For 21 consecutive years, the publication annually has honored 10 of the finance industry’s finest professionals based on their superior performance at work and in their communities. Glaze is the only recipient of this year’s award to be an independent investment manager. In the nationwide selection, emphasis was given to candidates’ business priorities as well as their interests outside the office. Registered Representative Magazine has received numerous editorial and design excellence awards, including Best Business and Finance Magazine in 1999. Employment reports holding back marketStock Report Despite the worse-than-expected unemployment report last Friday, it was a good week for the markets. The Dow rose 2 percent, the Nasdaq increased 4.7 percent and the Town Crier index was up 8.54 percent. New Los Altos Main Street Gallery specializes in popular art of KinkadeTown Crier Correspondent Business Profile Local musicians coming together Saturday for benefit concertFour musical groups from the Peninsula will come together Saturday for “Star Spangled Bonanza,” a benefit concert for the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Smithwick Theater at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Ave., Los Altos Hills. BooksChristmas stories, old and new
Los Altos library displays 10 books from Carolyn Kuckein’s large collection Charles Dickens wrote in “A Christmas Carol” that after Ebenezer Scrooge underwent his night of ghostly visits, no one kept Christmas better. Dickens never met Carolyn Kuckein. Food and WineMonterey Bay Pie Co., a slice of the American dream
Los Altos native Richard Lampner traded in his 10-year filmmaking career for pie making A simple slice of pie from an out-of-the-way shop after work one day prompted Los Altos native Richard Lampner to make such an epic change in his life that family and friends called him crazy. The Hollywood producer traded in 10 years of filmmaking for pie making, despite his lack of business and baking experience. Champagne adds sparkle to seasonThis will be my sixth Holiday champagne column and I still like Art Buchwald’s quote from my original article. He said he “drank champagne, because it always tastes like my foot is asleep.” I also referred to the originator of champagne as the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon. Back in the 17th century, winemakers always had trouble with secondary fermentation (they still do) that would either blow up the bottle or expel the cork. Dom liked the re-fermented taste and started using stronger bottles and wires to hold the corks in. His efforts still warrant the world’s most famous champagne to be named after him, Moet’s Dom Perignon. I came across a recent paper, presented in October in Rome, questioning Dom’s being the champagne creator. Mario Fregoni, an Italian viticultural professor, found Vatican records that lead one to believe that Montepulciano was the birthplace of sparkling wine. He claims a Jesuit, Rudolfo Acquavita, described the method and called it the “wine for politicians.” He also has records describing a spumante (Italian sparkling wine) from Montepulciano that was served to Caesar and Cleopatra. I think if we wait a few years, we may find that the Portuguese actually made the first sparkling wine and called it Lancers! Edible holiday giftsCheck import and kitchen stores, garage sales and flea markets for decorative glass jars. Wash and dry jars thoroughly before use. Dress up jars by cutting colorful fabric a few inches wider than the jar lid. Use ribbon to tie the fabric in place around the lid. Grapefruit, vinegar are no weight curesQ: Do grapefruit and vinegar really make your body burn more calories? A: No. Both may be helpful in weight control efforts, but not because of some magical ability to melt fat or burn more calories. Vinegar has only a few calories per tablespoon, so using it instead of fat to flavor vegetables will save calories. PeopleWeddings & EngagementsJennifer Sullivan and Adam Vaughan have announced their engagement to be married July 6 in Maui, Hawaii. The reception will be held at a private residence on Maui. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Dianne Sullivan and the late G. Neil Sullivan of Newport Beach. She graduated from Marymount High School, Los Angeles, and from the University of California at Irvine. She is employed as a bankruptcy attorney in Newport Beach. ObituariesRose Levine of Los Altos died Nov. 12 of a blocked blood vessel. She had been recuperating from surgery following a compound ankle fracture. She was 79. Mrs. Levine graduated from Hunter College in New York City in 1942. She spent most of her career as a social worker for the New York Department of Welfare. This experience made her particularly knowledgeable of welfare problems not generally reported in the press. Spiritual LifeLosing your job before it starts - big lies or a sign of the times?Town Crier Correspondent Transitions BLSN infuses business leaders with spiritualityTown Crier Correspondent The long oval table in the library is set as for a board meeting. Spiritual Life BriefsThe Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Ave., will hold a Festival of Carols and Lights 5-7:30 p.m., Saturday. There will also be Christmas music programs 6 p.m., Sunday and Dec. 23, in the Creekside Room. Potluck dinner at Episcopal Church Stepping OutActors stand out in Bus Barn’s production of ‘Farndale Avenue’Theater review I dare you to take a deep breath and say the title of Bus Barn’s new production all in one effort. Local residents set to perform in ‘Nutcracker’Los Altos residents Megan Fair and Emily Gerston will perform several roles in the San Jose Theatre’s 36th annual production of the family classic “The Nutcracker.” The performances are scheduled for 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday, and 1 and 6 p.m., Sunday, at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra to play works by Beethoven & Mozart at Saturday night concert at Gunn High SchoolThe Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra is set to perform at 8 p.m., Saturday, in Spangenberg Theater at Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. The concert program includes two works by Beethoven: “Overture to “Fidelio, Op. 72″ and “Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93.” Also on the program are Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola” and Pablo de Sarasate’s “Navarra for Two Violins and Orchestra.” Schola’s ‘Fireside Christmas’ slated for this weekendMountain View-based community choir Schola Cantorum this weekend presents “A Fireside Christmas,” a concert featuring favorite holiday carols and excerpts from its CD “A Ceremony of Carols.” This annual Christmas offering is set for 8 p.m., Saturday, and 2 p.m., Sunday, at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. |
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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