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Archives » 2002 » Volume 55 , Issue 14, Published on Wednesday, April 3, 2002NewsA tax hike for schools?
Measure A asks voters for a $333 annual parcel tax increase to maintain school’s program The way supporters see it, the passage or failure of a proposed 126 percent increase in the current Los Altos School District parcel tax will make or break the district. Seniors can apply for parcel tax exemptionA special election is scheduled for Tuesday, for voters in the Los Altos School District to decide on an increase in the parcel tax from $264 a year to $597 per year, beginning July 1, on land parcels within the district. The district includes most of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, and parts of Mountain View and Palo Alto. There is, however, a senior exemption. Measure A receives wide endorsementIn addition to the League of Women Voters and the city and town councils of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Mountain View, the group received endorsements from all 19 former mayors who still reside in Los Altos. Other legislative representatives endorsing Measure A include Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, State Assemblyman Joe Simitian and Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss. Business and community organizations supporting Measure A include the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, Community Health Awareness Council, Los Altos Cultural Association, Los Altos Rotary, Silicon Valley Realtors and Homeowners PAC, SPLASH and Los Altos Village Association. Day workers find interim center in Mountain ViewLocal day laborers pushed into the streets when St. Joseph the Worker Center shut down in Los Altos last year plan to set up an interim worker center by May 1 at the Calvary Assembly of God church at California and Escuela avenues in Mountain View. The Mountain View City Council gave workers the go- ahead to set up a temporary center in the site’s multipurpose room March 26 until the city can secure a permanent center elsewhere, said John Rinaldi, a Mountain View resident and volunteer attorney with the day workers, who helped negotiate the deal. Rosita residents consider lawsuit to keep pool complex out of their neighborhoodThe Los Altos City Council agreed to move forward last week on the three-pool complex planned for Rosita Park without conducting further environmental studies, despite a pending neighborhood lawsuit that alleges the city must perform a more detailed review under state law. Council members said the city’s draft environmental study satisfactorily addressed environmental issues related to the pool project and agreed in a 3-2 vote to accept a mitigated negative declaration, which requires no further studies under the California Environmental Quality Act. News Briefs
Deputies from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office will have their mugs posted on billboards, on television and in print throughout Northern California as part of a new aggressive recruitment campaign to fill nearly 100 vacant department positions. Sheriff Laurie Smith unveiled the campaign Monday in San Jose. Police reportMarch 25, 3:03 p.m., Lisa Lane: A resident told police there was a wild turkey in the home’s backyard. Malicious mischief Solicitors’ tactics generate complaintsLos Altos Hills The sales tactics used by a team of door-to-door magazine solicitors in Los Altos Hills have generated numerous resident complaints, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. Consultant weighs in on viability of Berry roundaboutThe Florida consultant whose opinion will more than likely determine whether the Los Altos City Council will move forward with final construction drawings for the Berry Avenue traffic roundabout submitted his report to city staff last week. The council plans to discuss the report Tuesday. The council hired roundabout specialist Michael Wallwork last January to give the city a second professional opinion on the 80-foot roundabout planned for the Berry Avenue intersection before approving the plan, which must be in place by September in order to qualify for federal funding. Design consultants Kimley-Horn and Associates recommended and designed the roundabout, intended to replace the four-way stop signs and improve the level of service for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. Council considers noise increase
Los Altos Hills Updated ordinance could temporarily double city’s legal sound levels OpinionYes on Measure A for strong schoolsOn Tuesday, voters will be asked to shell out an additional $333 a year not to better, but just to maintain the quality of educational programs in the Los Altos School District. The proposed increase is a whopper, no question about it. It raises the tax from its current $264 annual rate to $597. There’s no more equating this increase to a pizza party for four - this is more like dinner at Masa’s. There’s no rest in rest homesA View from the Hills My sister Viola and I talk every Saturday - a habit we fell into as soon as we could afford to call long distance-a habit that bridges the miles between New York and California, and enables us to be present in each others’ lives. Jesuit apologizes for ‘betrayal of Gospel’Last week at the Los Altos Rotary Club, the Rev. Bill Rewak, Jesuit Retreat House Director in Los Altos, shared the following message. We asked permission to reprint the message here for all our readers. -P aul Nyberg, Publisher Letters to the EditorI am writing in support of the Measure A parcel tax on the ballot for April 9 because a strong, well-funded school system benefits business owners, parents of school-age children and residents of Los Altos, alike. I also applaud the exceptional efforts of the Los Altos School District, as well as the Keep Los Altos Schools Strong campaign for championing Measure A. As a downtown business owner, I concur with the Chamber of Commerce’s strong endorsement of Measure A. The Chamber of Commerce understands that the continued vitality of the Los Altos business community is intimately tied to the strength of Los Altos as a community and that the continued success of our school system helps keep Los Altos strong. CommunityDeadline extended on nominations for CSA awardDo you know someone who has given time, leadership, experience and heart to help those in the Los Altos, Los Altos Hills or Mountain View communities during the past year? If you do, the Los Altos-Mountain View District of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors invites you to submit a nomination for its annual Community Service Award. The deadline for nominations has been extended to allow more opportunity for nominees. CorrectionsLast week’s story about the new fire station on Grant Road in Mountain View incorrectly reported the station served the western section of town. In fact, the station is located in the southeastern portion of the city. Last week’s story about schools factoring into buying homes needs a clarification. The author, Jean Newton, supports the Keep Los Altos Schools Strong campaign. She wrote the story at the invitation of the Town Crier. Morning Forum speaker JoAnn Levy remembers women of the gold rushWhen most people think of women in the Wild West, images of dance hall girls come to mind. JoAnn Levy has written three books debunking that myth, portraying gold rush-era women as hard-working miners, missionaries, boardinghouse keepers, church builders, schoolteachers, temperance workers and even a Wells Fargo stagecoach driver. Levy, who spent eight years researching her first novel, “They Saw the Elephant: Women in the California Gold Rush,” told the March 19 Morning Forum audience that women in early California had to work: “It was hand-to-hand battle with starvation.” Community BriefsThe “Chefs Who Care” benefit dinner will be held Monday at the Global Village Cafe, 209 Castro St., Mountain View. Global Village will seat up to 30 people per hour, 5-9 p.m. To make a reservation and to make your menu selection, call Global Village at 965-4821. After that, either mail your check, payable to Chefs Who Care, to Community Services Agency, 204 Stierlin Road, Mountain View 94043; or give your credit card (Visa/MasterCard) information over a 24-hour phone line, 961-3584. Charitable venturesSV2 partners invest time, talent and funds to meet community needs Younger Silicon Valley professionals who have achieved success would like to give back to their communities, but with challenging careers and family life, they often don’t have the time or the experience to evaluate charitable causes. Keeping faith after tragedy marks speakers’ themes at Los Altos prayer breakfastTown Crier Correspondent More than 380 people gathered for the eighth annual Los Altos Good Friday Prayer Breakfast last Friday at Rickey’s in Palo Alto. Organized annually by four Los Altos couples, the breakfast draws from all denominations in the south Peninsula to share a meal and hear inspiring speakers each Good Friday morning. Tom Chapin ready to demonstrate the ‘didjeridoo’ at Music For Minors concertThere’s nothing like a Grammy award to help Tom Chapin step out of the moniker of “Harry’s little brother.” Let it be known that Tom has carved a nice long career for himself as an acclaimed children’s entertainer, leaving his late “Cats in the Cradle” brother to the annals of folk rock history. Chapin was previously nominated twice for Grammy awards. But earning one last month for his narrative of Thacher Hurd’s book “Mama Don’t Allow” (best spoken word album for children) capped a successful career that shows no signs of slowing down. SchoolsCamps & SchoolsApplications for all 2002 Los Altos Hills Recreation Programs Summer Camps are available now at Town Hall. Final dates for camp programs are: Ohlone Day Camp, July 8-12, July 15-19 and July 22-26, at Byrne Preserve. Fees are $130 residents, $145 nonresidents. Participants ages 6-12 learn about Ohlone Indians who lived in the area through arts and crafts, and storytelling. LASD offers summer enrichment programsThe Los Altos School District has announced that it will offer summer school enrichment classes this year at Loyola and Oak elementary schools. The enrichment program will feature a wide variety of learning opportunities and challenges for students living within district boundaries. Those entering grades 2 through 7 in the fall of 2002 are invited to enroll in the program. NoteworthiesElizabeth Rippetoe of Los Altos has been chosen to spend the spring 2002 semester studying in London, through Syracuse University’s Division of International Programs Abroad, in Syracuse, N.Y. Jeremy David Bligh of Los Altos has graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Oregon in Eugene. Dustin V. Dawson of Mountain View has graduated from the university with a master’s degree in education. MV woman adds support for Zimbabwe orphans benefit at St. Joseph’sWhen Stephanie Acosta-Mikulasek went to the El Camino branch of the YMCA , she just happened to see a flier for the “Third Annual Run For Zimbabwe Orphans” scheduled for April 14 at St. Joseph School in Mountain View. She thought it was fate. Acosta-Mikulasek, a Mountain View resident, lived in Zimbabwe off and on from 1996 to 2000 and has been nominated for a diplomatic post there. Schools BriefsThe Los Altos High School “Grad Night 2002″ committee has scheduled a fund-raiser today, at Chevy’s Fresh Mex, 2116 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View. Twenty percent of the cost of meals purchased will be donated to “Grad Night 2002.” For more information, call 960-8811. Astronomy lecture at Foothill College Sixth-grade geography buffs may put Los Altos on map in state contestMichael Fagan and Ryan Kelly have a few things in common. Both have a passion for learning, both are in sixth grade and both will be representing Los Altos in the state finals of the 14th annual National Geographic Geography Bee, April 5, in Sacramento. The competition is sponsored by the National Geographic Society. LAHS students inspired during ‘Writers’ Week’
By reading from his love story between two teens in a group home, author Stephen Elliott hoped to inspire students at Los Altos High School to write from their own life experience. Elliott, who spent time in a group home while growing up, read from his book, “A Life Without Consequences,” during the 17th annual writers’ conference at Los Altos High School last week. Elliott was one of 28 writers to participate. SportsSports On The SideOn St. Patrick’s Day, Tyler Martin of Los Altos made his first hole-in-one. The St. Francis High graduate aced the par-3 sixth hole at Rancho La Quinta Golf Course in Palm Desert, where he attends college. Martin made the 206-yard shot with a seven iron. Swim camp sign-ups A ‘Future Star’
Los Altos resident Erin Hicks recently won a spot on this year’s Rhythmic Future Stars National Gymnastics Team, earning the right to train at the Future Stars National Team Camp in Indianapolis this summer. Erin is one of only five 9-year-olds on the team and is the youngest competitor from her region (comprising of California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah). Pinewood girls soccer team wins scholastic awardFor its outstanding work in the classroom, the Pinewood School girls soccer team has earned a 2002 Winter Season Scholastic Championship Team Award from the Central Coast Section. Every season, the CCS honors the varsity team from each sport with the highest collective grade-point average (GPA); the Panthers topped all girls soccer teams with a 3.6788 GPA. Around The Track
Youngsters leading the Lancers (3-1) Roberta Chisam said this season’s St. Francis High girls track and field team is probably the youngest squad she’s coached in her nine years at the helm. Rebuilding Spartans look to contend in ‘03
One might think it would be difficult to motivate a tennis team that’s off to an 0-7 start and already out of playoff contention. Yet that hasn’t been the case at Mountain View High, according to boys coach Frank Smyth. Girls volleyball coach Gambelin leaving St. Francis HighThe most successful coach in the history of St. Francis High athletics is putting down his clipboard to become a stockbroker. Dave Gambelin, who has guided the Lancers to six state championships in his 13 years as girls volleyball coach, resigned last week to pursue his new career. BusinessTech TalkSome options to consider if you want your CD drive to do the writing Q: My current PC doesn’t have a way to write CDs. What should I consider in order to make CDs for backing up data, archiving and, perhaps, music? This community bubbles with high-tech genius and creative juicesJean on the Job I went to the Bus Barn Theater recently to watch “A Streetcar Named Desire.” The audience was peppered with moguls of technology, and the stage was writhing with artistic beauty. Hikes at the pumpTown Crier Correspondent Gasoline prices jump 18 cents in two weeks at most local service stations AAUW offers financial savvy for girlsOn April 10, Sandra Wales, an investment advisor, presents, “Take Charge of Your Finances and Build Financial Security.” On April 17, estate planning attorney Joan LeBlanc talks on “New Estate Tax Rules.” On April 24, Wells Fargo representatives will discuss teaching money management in “Banking On Our Future.” All workshops will be held 5:30-7 p.m. at the Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. Business BriefThe Los Altos Chamber of Commerce’s 14th annual Business EXPO will be held 4-7 p.m., April 25, at the Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N. San Antonio Road. The event will feature businesses from all seven Los Altos shopping districts. Los Altos travel agents surviving without airline commissionsTown Crier Correspondent Travel agents absorbed another setback last week when all major U.S. airlines joined Delta Air Lines in eliminating commissions to agents. Market to move sideways for several weeksStock Report Look for the market to go sideways the next two weeks. One day, we’ll have economic optimism and the next day, profit jitters. It’s earnings season when corporations report their quarterly profits and revenues. Study finds many Silicon Valley youngsters ‘just say no’ to high-tech careersTwo-thirds of Silicon Valley students in grades 8 and 11 do not plan to pursue high-technology careers, according to a survey of 2,500 local students that is part of a study released recently by the management consulting firm A.T. Kearney and Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network. Of students not planning on technology careers, a substantial number have negative perceptions of these professions: 39 percent said that high-tech careers are uninteresting; 25 percent said these jobs are intimidating. Rancho center puts on dancing shoes as Marti’s studio finds new locationTown Crier Correspondent Rancho Hardware shrunk in size when the U.S. Post Office and gift shop were moved from the eastern portion of the building at 1150 Riverside Drive to the Foothill Expressway side. Special SectionHere are wedding day rituals to calm, pamper and prepareWhether you are a young bride, marrying at an older age or walking down the aisle for the second time, every woman wants her wedding day to be perfect. To help you enjoy the day of your dreams, wedding planner Kiyoko Horvath, owner of Absolute Wedding, New York, NY, offers tips to help you relax, rejuvenate and get ready. Air District buying olderTown Crier Staff Report The Air District continues its voluntary program to buy and scrap 1979 and older cars in an effort to reduce air pollution. Jaguar backs up claims of ’sporting elegance’Road Test The 2003 S-Type R boasts power, superior handling What to look for in an auto brokerBy Robert Hammer & Stefanie Kelly For most Americans, buying a car is the second largest purchase - after buying a home - we will make in our lives. AAA launches campaign promoting proper child-restraint systems in carsThe American Automobile Association last month projected that significant lives could be saved and the economic cost of traffic crashes dramatically lowered if all children were buckled properly in a child restraint system. AAA projects that if all children were properly buckled, more than 5,200 children 15 years of age and under would be saved over a 10-year period. Arthritis Foundation seeks used vehiclesThe Arthritis Foundation asks people to donate cars, trucks or recreational vehicles to its Auto Round-Up. The foundation works to find a cure for arthritis and provides helpful information to more than one million men, women and children who face the everyday challenge of this crippling disease. Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary welcomes Los Altos membersThe Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary recently welcomed 13 new active members to the organization as the class of 2001. These women have just completed a provisional year of training and volunteering at the auxiliary-owned Allied Arts Guild and for “Tally Ho,” the group’s annual fund-raiser. The membership welcomed the new actives at their general membership meeting March 15 at Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital. The class of 2001 followed the welcome with the time-honored tradition of presenting an original skit. NoteworthiesSolera has been with Troop 37 since 1995, serving as patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader and Order of the Arrow representative. In addition, he served as patrol leader at the 19th World Jamboree in Chile in 1999 and as senior patrol leader at the National Jamboree last year. Seniors NewsHICAP- the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program is a non-profit consumer advocacy group that helps seniors and the disabled with Medicare, Medicare HMOs, supplemental insurance, long-term care insurance, and other related health insurance issues. HICAP counselor Roy Ito will be available at the Los Altos Senior Center on the third Tuesday of each month. Appointments are required. The Los Altos Senior Center, 97 Hillview Ave., has several assistance programs to help seniors get tax credits and hold onto their money. San Juan dance students going to prestigious VassarThree of the five students are from Los Altos: Tracy Osborn, Ali Blasing and Marianne Rees. The other two are Divya Bugna and Katie Small from Willow Glen in San Jose. The San Juan School of Dance has been in operation for more than 50 years, 41 of them in Los Altos. ObituariesEdith “Alberta” Hyson died Feb. 9 at her Los Altos home. A native of California, she was 77. Mrs. Hyson was a cook manager for the Los Altos School District. CBC pastor Stokes seeks to foster relationships among churchgoersTown Crier Correspondent Clergy Profile CSMA hosting 2 free concertsThe Community School of Music and Arts’ free concert series continues this weekend with the African-American vocal ensemble Street Sounds. Concerts are set for 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., Sunday, at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Seating is first come, first served. Cruise weddings offer smooth sailing with an array of entertaining packagesWant to tie the knot in a beautiful place, with all of your family and friends, but without all of the hassle? Try getting married on a cruise. Cruises offer all kinds of services and can help the bride and groom plan a perfect wedding. Depending on the ship and the package, cruiseline wedding packages can include: a ceremony in a wedding chapel, officiant’s fees, assistance in obtaining a marriage license, music, tuxedo rentals, flowers, a wedding cake, a photographer and food, said Loretta Merry, general manager of A Cruise Loft, the cruise branch of All Horizons Travel in Los Altos. Merry specializes in helping customers pick and plan cruises. Wedding superstitions will have you thinking twiceTown Crier Correspondent Wedding day superstitions have been around as long as there have been weddings. Even if you think they are leftovers from old wives’ tales, when your wedding day comes, you’ll be clutching something old and wearing something blue. Picture-perfect wedding
Finding the right photographer should be a priority for couple A bride wears her wedding dress for only a few hours, and the fresh flowers in her bouquet last for a few days. But photographs preserve that special day for the lifetime of the couple, their families and for future generations. Therefore, it’s important to select a photographer thoughtfully. Rings that last a lifetimeLos Altos jewelers offer advice on engagement and wedding rings Engagement and wedding rings may be among the few pieces of precious jewelry most people purchase during a lifetime. Certainly, they are jewelry that people generally wear every day and that couples should consider carefully before buying. Fiji provides a more affordable alternative to Hawaii, travel expert saysTown Crier Correspondent Tropical weddings Say it with flowers to create a personal weddingFrank Sinatra’s theme song, “My way,” could be the background music for many weddings this season. More couples are expected to depart from tradition to create weddings shaped by their own individuality. This trend may be expressed in simple individualized gestures such as handmade wedding invitations or wedding favors that express a favorite pastime. Director Tom Dey talks up his new movie ‘Showtime’ and its talented castMovie review/interview Tom Dey’s first directorial effort, “Shanghai Noon,” put him on the map as a new filmmaker who can blend action and comedy in a wholesome, entertaining package. His follow-up feature, “Showtime,” continues in the same vein. Los Altos drama students
Town Crier Staff Report Six girls from the advanced acting class at Los Altos High School will perform Robert Harling’s drama “Steel Magnolias” at 7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. |
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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