By Editorial
We’ve talked often about what went wrong in 2001, from power shortages to state budget deficits to Sept. 11, the recession and on and on.
But good stories were still plentiful this year if one bothered to look. So, focusing on our local area, here are our favorite good news stories to start the new millennium (not necessarily in order of importance):
Opening of the Los Altos History Museum. This tremendous gift to our town, brought forth by a handful of committed residents, provides a destination for history buffs of all ages. The three-level, 8,200-square-foot building features as its permanent exhibit a strong overview of local history from orchards to Silicon Valley. What’s more, admission is free.
High school district renovation plans. The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District not only remains on target for a fall 2002 completion of its facilities renovations - the district had nearly $5 million left over for additional projects, such as upgrading the high schools’ athletic fields. The project has been helped by athletic boosters’ efforts to add fixtures to the Los Altos High pool, and another grass-roots fundraising campaign to add equipment to both high school theaters.
The Los Altos City Council’s decision to go with a hotel at First and Main streets. Yes, this decision was bad news for some residents, most notably those who favored a theater at the site. But for us, the hotel means sizable tax revenues for the city, an attractive downtown gateway structure that gives visitors a place to stay and a development that offers the least traffic impacts.
Unsung volunteers honored for efforts. Among them was Judy Van Dyck, recognized for her longtime volunteerism at El Camino Hospital with this year’s Community Service Award from local realtors. Other honorees included Judy Marcus (”Hometown Hero” award from the Community Services Agency); Mary Davey (Humanitarian Award from Hidden Villa); Jan Fenwick (honored for 25 years of service with Environmental Volunteers); and Los Altos-Los Altos Hills volunteer award winners Irene Grenier, Cindy Luedtke, Barbara Bryson, Ethel Blank, Sandy Humphries, Scott Vanderlip,Tatiana Granoff and Bill Crook.
Best test scores. The Los Altos School District received the top API scores in the state for the fourth straight year.
El Camino Real development. It continued to flourish with the opening of the new Rambus building, the Marriott Residence Inn and construction on another Marriott Courtyard Hotel.
50 years and counting. The Los Altos Chamber of Commerce and Rancho Shopping Center both enjoyed 50th year milestones, as did the local Masons.
Hidden Villa’s new hostel. The evironmentally sound structure served an estimated 920 children attending its multicultural summer camp.
The outpouring of donations from Los Altos-Los Altos Hills residents. This community came through with tremendous support in the wake of the Sept. 11 horrors, then came through again to help local non-profits through outlets like the Town Crier’s Holiday Fund. From high-tech entrepreuners like Jeff Skoll and Steve Kirsch to local Girl Scouts, the giving reaffirmed Los Altos’ status as a community that cares.
An unpublished good news story is the fact that while our large metropolitan newspapers announced massive layoffs due to the economic slup. The Town Crier made it through the year with no cutbacks - thanks to you readers and advertisers.
Here’s looking forward to more good news in 2002.
