Open space gone to waste ?

By Bruce Barton and Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writers

Purissima water district drills for emergency water sources in LAH

The Purissima Hills Water District has completed drilling two test wells in Los Altos Hills in search of an emergency water supply source for firefighting and potable use.

According to Patrick Walter, the water district’s general manager, a well-drilling service conducted two test borings April 8-10, one near the town hall and the second near Foothill College.

Reward for leads on church fire rises to $21,000

The sequence of events

4:45 a.m., April 7:

News Briefs

Los Altos Hills was among the nine Bay Area cities recently surveyed to recycle more than half of their annual garbage over the past two years, surpassing California’s recycling requirements, according to the Integrated Waste Management Board.

The Integrated Waste Management Act’s standards required every California city and county to divert from landfill at least 50 percent of the waste generated within their jurisdiction in 2000. The legislature amended this law in 2000, requiring cities to sustain their waste diversion efforts into the future.

LAH committee chairman election leads to heated debate

Controversy arose at both the Los Altos Hills City Council and Pathways Committee meetings last week. The most heated remarks were not, as expected, over the long-disputed abandonment of an off-road pathway easement, but over the ethics and legality of the election of new pathways committee chairmen.

DuBose Montgomery, a pathways committee member since October, had requested the city clerk place the election of new chairmen on the agenda of a special meeting, apparently without telling the current chairwomen.

Police report

April 15, 11:04 a.m., Springer Road and El Monte Avenue: Police cited an individual for possession of narcotics.

Assault

Communities lend support to Church of the Redeemer

Church donations

While members of the Orthodox Church of the Redeemer were shaken when they lost their sanctuary to arson April 7, they have been heartened by both the response of area communities and the recovery of several icons from the sanctuary, a church member said. Amazingly, the icons were found intact, although covered with soot, in a choir loft closet in the charred ruins of the sanctuary.

Mtn. View Councilman Mario Ambra resigns day before scheduled dismissal

Town Crier Editor

Mountain View City Councilman Mario Ambra, facing dismissal from office last Thursday, submitted his resignation a day early claiming the action was in the best interests of his supporters.

Letters to the Editor

After having spent seven years in the private school realm and 16 years living in the Los Altos community, we are making the move next year to the public school sector. We were very disappointed like everyone else that Measure A failed by such a narrow margin.

However we still believe in the strength of our community, faculty and administration and feel that we can overcome the shortfall in funding by raising the necessary funds privately.

Ice cream still tastes good

Blue Jeans & Jelly Beans

When I was a kid, we’d get together with our extended family every Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving for a feast. Whoever was the host would roast the appropriate meat, and everyone else would contribute traditional side dishes.

Adams of ‘Partners’ gets CSA award

Bob Adams of Los Altos has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Los Altos/Mountain View District of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors’ Community Service Award.

Adams, a longtime member and board member with the El Camino YMCA, also is a member of the Los Altos Rotary Club and perhaps most well-known for his work in Partners for New Generations, a Rotary group that connects adult mentors with troubled youth to ensure positive outcomes.

Almond Avenue residents feared MV annexation

Los Altos - Celebrating 50 Years

The year 2002 marks the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of Los Altos. During the year, this column will cover what our predecessor newspapers reported 50 years ago.

Los Altos librarian Houts ready for new challenges at county’s busiest library

Cheryl Houts projects a cheery, helpful presence as the head of the Los Altos main library.

Houts, the former children’s librarian, became the chief last year when Catherine Fouts retired. The new children’s librarian is Alanna Jones.

Quilt raffle to benefit USART team

All proceeds benefit the Menlo Park Fire Department USART Team which has contributed emergency relief in several major disasters, including the 2001 World Trade Center attack.

2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

GOP’s gubernatorial candidate Simon pays local visit

Making his first public appearance in Silicon Valley since winning the March 5 primary, GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon is scheduled to speak at a meeting at Hyatt Rickeys in Palo Alto this evening.

Sponsored by SPARC, the South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition, the address is part of Simon’s statewide campaign. He will discuss his meeting with President George W. Bush at the White House last week.

History museum to unveil an exhibition and tour of classic Los Altos homes

Next week, the Los Altos History Museum finishes an exhibit on a popular local painter, while gearing for a new exhibition and tour of classic old homes.

An exhibit titled “Anna Knapp Fitz: An Artist’s Legacy,” on the Los Altos primitive artist who gave us a colorful treasury of memories of her childhood and early adulthood, is on through May 5 at the Los Altos History Museum. Created from photographs and memory, this rich collection of paintings transports viewers to our city’s past through vibrant images of people, places and activities.

Barricelli discusses highs and lows of stage life

Marco Barricelli - actor, director, teacher - enthralled Morning Forum members last week with his theatrical insights. Appointed as the first artistic associate of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, he had his first “defining life moment” in high school when asked to read for a part in “The Taming of the Shrew.”

Hoping only for a nonspeaking part, he found himself cast in a major role. That led him - in addition to being noticed by girls - to Juilliard, followed by a varied stage career throughout the country.

Corrections

Apologies to those readers who anticipated a Home & Garden magazine in last week’s Town Crier only to find none. The paper was incorrect in its publication date.The magazine is inserted in this week’s paper.

The road to recovery and beyond

Breast cancer network provides education, support and advocacy

Elaine Dornig had a full life as a wife, mother of three daughters and worker with at-risk students at Los Altos High School. Then, in October 1989, life as she knew it suddenly changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Science fair takes fun look at life in early 19th century

If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten track to do this weekend, you might want to consider attending the second annual Historical Science Fair, put on by the Bay Area English Regency Society (BAERS).

The event is scheduled 1-5 p.m., Sunday, at the Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N. San Antonio Road.

Large contingent of Los Altos area artists participating in ‘Open Studios 2002′

For Los Altos Hills resident Nancie Crowley, art is more than just a career.

“It’s my life,” she said.

Hills resident combines love of jazz, God and helping others in diverse Gospel festival

Town Crier Editorial Intern

In his own words, Los Altos Hills resident Stewart Wobber is “an entrepreneurial jazz aficionado.” He is not simply an admirer of jazz, but a lover; not merely a halfhearted dabbler in his interests, but a devoted leader.

Seniors News

The Los Altos Senior Center, 97 Hillview Ave., has several assistance programs for seniors to help with qualifying for tax credits.

Homeowners/Renters Assistance (rebate program). The year 2000 program based on 2000 income will continue through June 30 at the Los Altos Senior Center.

Gallery 9 schedules Kasle monotypes

Kasle reflects her interest in people in her painting and printmaking, Most of her people come from the glamorous and not-so-glamorous past, and are able to evoke pathos as well as humor.

Community Briefs

The Garden Club of Los Altos in conjunction with the Los Altos Recreation Department is holding a plant exchange 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, in the Hillview Community Center parking lot, 97 Hillview Ave. Visitors can bring extra plants, seedlings, cuttings, bulbs, seeds and small shrubs and trees and take home something new in exchange.

For more information, call 941-0950, ext. 304.

Egan 7th-grade team places second overall in Tech Challenge 2002

Charlie Leon, Keith Loebner and Daniel Pare, seventh-graders at Egan Intermediate School, won second place overall in the seventh-eighth grade age group in Tech Challenge 2002, at the Civic Auditorium in San Jose, April 10. Over 120 teams participated.

Students were instructed to imagine a day in the not-too-distant future when the Olympics come to Silicon Valley. They were then asked to imagine the final runner carrying the torch and placing it high on a pedestal. In this imaginary tale, a robot emerges from the sidelines and, to the sound of cheering from thousands of spectators, lifts the torch. The robot carries the torch for the final few yards and sets it down to light the flame, which will burn throughout the games.

‘Run for Zimbabwe Orphans’ a success

The third Annual Run for Zimbabwe Orphans was a winning success. A total of 243 adults and children participated in the April 14 race at St. Joseph School in Mountain View, raising $9,800, said race director Ellen Clark.

The funds raised will go to the Makumbi Children’s Home in Zimbabwe. Since donations are conducted by electronic transfer, donations can still be made until May 31.

Foundation formed to raise funds for LASD

After Measure A, also known as the parcel tax, failed to pass in a special election April 9, the Los Altos community sprung into action, forming “Save Our Schools,” a non-profit foundation whose aim is to raise funds for the Los Altos School District. SOS, a group of concerned parents, teachers and community members, held its first organizational meeting April 17.

SOS is separate from, and does not want to compete with, the fund-raising efforts of the district’s PTAs and the Los Altos Educational Foundation, another non-profit organization raising funds for the district.

Student artists reap awards at club contest

The Federated Woman’s Club of Los Altos reported a successful ninth annual Student Art Contest with 155 entries. The artwork was presented March 9 at the Loma Prieta District meeting in Redwood City, where local students received first and second place and two honorable mentions. Each first place winner was awarded a $50 savings bond.

The first-place winners are: Tdeen Seyedarer, first grade, Bullis-Purissima School; Devlin Stewart, second grade, Bullis-Purissima; Keldon Godfrey, third grade, Loyola; Tobin Dougherty, fourth grade, Oak; Tony Jim, fifth grade, Santa Rita; and Lisa Kellman, sixth grade, Bullis-Purissima. The annual event offers Los Altos School District students an opportunity to express themselves artistically. The club thanked the teachers who contributed to the large turnout of entries.

Schools Briefs

Foothill College has scheduled a reading by the famed Japanese poet Kazuko Shiraishi to commemorate National Poetry Month. The event is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., today, in Room 1501 at Foothill College. Shiraishi will read her poems in Japanese from her new book, “Let Those Who Appear.” English translations will be read by Samuel Grolmes. Admission is free, and the reading is open to the public. A book-signing follows the reading. Foothill College is located at 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills.

Junior Olympics scheduled

St. Nicholas eighth-grader soars to new heights with physics project

Los Altos resident and St. Nicholas Catholic School eighth-grader Brandon Angelo earned top honors at the Synopsys Santa Clara County Science Fair March 12-13.

He won second place in the physics category; first place honors and a $50 cash prize from Silicon Soft; first place overall from the U.S. Air Force judges; and first place overall from the U.S. Navy judge.

Locals stand out at Top 8 Classic

Spring sports summary

Mountain View and Los Altos highs didn’t send a large quantity of athletes to last Friday’s Central Coast Section Top 8 Classic, but both schools received quality results.

On Deck: the local sports lineup for April 24-30

Baseball

Today

Sports On The Side

Registration for AYSO Region 43’s fall soccer season is scheduled for next month at Santa Rita School in Los Altos. Times: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 11 and 19; and 7-9 p.m., May 15. Region 43 is for boys and girls, kindergarten to high school, who live in north Los Altos, north Mountain View or south Palo Alto. The league also needs volunteer coaches, referees and team coordinators (no experience necessary; training provided). For more information, logon to www.AYSO43.org.

Play ball

Marie’s calendar could include awards dinner

Mtn. View grad up for NCAA honor after stellar swim season at Carleton

When Marie Marsman takes to the water to swim an individual event, she doesn’t worry about competing against those in the lanes around her.

Los Altos residents Brennan, Mansfield earn tennis awards

A pair of Los Altos residents received awards at the United States Tennis Association’s annual luncheon last month in Florida.

Frank Brennan received the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s 2001 Tennis Educational Merit Award, while Ned Mansfield took home the USTA’s Seniors’ Service Award.

Hazard trying to revive struggling Pinewood baseball program

Town Crier Correspondent

As the runner from third base trotted home on a sacrifice fly, the cheering from Pinewood School’s dugout reached a crescendo as if the team had just scored the winning run.

Eagles hoping to vault to the top of the section

Fifth, fifth, fourth and third. Those are the respective places Los Altos High finished in at the last four Central Coast Section gymnastics championships.

At all four meets, Los Altos placed behind two other area schools that own multiple CCS crowns. So it comes as no surprise whom the Eagles want - and will probably need - to defeat this season to claim the championship they covet.

The mind-body connection

Gaya Wellness Center offers chiropractic care, fitness, massage and nutrition

Your life is hectic and stressful. You find you don’t get enough exercise or eat as healthfully as you should. Now your body is starting to reflect your neglect with symptoms of fatigue, body aches, stiffness and muscle tension.

Transactions

26 Fourth Street #14 - E. Haimovitch to D. & D. Wood for $358,000.00

864 Carmel Avenue - K. & C. Nelson to S. & P. Khoo for $628,000.00

Chamber expo hosts variety of exhibitors

Visitors to Business Expo 2002 will have the opportunity to learn not only about the wide variety of businesses in Los Altos, but about other organizations as well. The Los Altos Chamber of Commerce has scheduled the event 4-7 p.m., Thursday, at the Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N. San Antonio Road.

The Business Expo, now in its 14th year, is set to feature 40 exhibitors from all seven Los Altos shopping districts as well as media and non-profit organizations, said Gayle Carter, executive assistant at the chamber of commerce.

P.A. Philharmonic to play Saturday

The Palo Alto Philharmonic, directed by Gideon Grau, will present a symphony concert at 8 p.m., Saturday, in the Spangenberg Auditorium at Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto.

The program will include Cesar Franck’s Symphony in D minor and Variations and Fugue for Orchestra, a world premiere of a new work by assistant conductor Lee Actor.

Local Red Cross volunteers to receive awards from Junior League of San Jose

Karen Duncan and Vinnie Biberdorf, Los Altos residents and American Red Cross volunteers, received the Crystal Bowl Award in recognition of their services to the American Red Cross at the Junior League of San Jose’s 33rd Volunteer Recognition Lunch last Friday.

The annual event celebrates important contributions made by volunteers in the community.

Births

A son was born Nov. 1 to Madeleine and Chris Gerdes of Los Altos at Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.

A daughter was born Nov. 3 to Pamela and James Jacobs of Los Altos.

New Los Altos History Museum receives Outstanding Volunteer Accomplishment Award

The California Parks and Recreation Society District IV awarded their Outstanding Volunteer Accomplishment Award to the Los Altos History Museum.

Bob and Marion Grimm accepted the award on behalf of the Association of the Los Altos History Museum.

Service News

Adcock, a 2001 graduate of Los Altos High School, will report for basic training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Engagements

Darcy Lynn Baggett and Kevin Cameron Miller have announced their engagement to be married at a garden wedding July 14 at the home of the bride’s parents in Prineville, Ore,

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Carolyn and Jerry Baggett of Prineville. She graduated from Madras High School and has completed the pharmacy program at Oregon State University. She is employed as a pharmacist by Safeway in Madras, Ore.

Noteworthies

As part of the Environmental Volunteers’ 30th anniversary celebration this year, several members took a trip recently to Belize with a naturalist. Three of the four couples on the trip were from Los Altos Hills.

“We were there for two weeks,” said EV volunteer Jan Fenwick, one of the participants. “We were in three different jungle camps in both Belize and Guatamala. In Tikal, we saw magnificent excavations and spent three mornings up at 5 a.m. to hike into the temples to experience the sunrise and the canopy come alive with birds. Climbing to the top of the temples put us right in the canopy.

Obituaries

Irene Brooks died March 13 at her Los Altos home. A native of Nevada City, she was 58.

Mrs. Brooks was a product specialist for Amdahl. She cared for her 94-year-old aunt, Helen Rempel.

Orthodox church burning a call to the community

Companion on the Journey

The members of Orthodox Church of the Redeemer lost their home and their history in the April 7 fire that destroyed their sanctuary.

Los Altos Lutheran Church welcomes new pastor David Bonde

The Los Altos Lutheran Church officially welcomed new pastor David Bonde during a Sunday installation service. The move to Los Altos Lutheran marks a homecoming for Bonde, 49, a Peninsula native, who is back after more than 20 years in Michigan.

“I’m very pleased to be back in the area,” said Bonde, who began serving Los Altos Lutheran on Palm Sunday four weeks ago. “This is a very warm and hospitable congregation. I feel very at home here. It’s nice to be back in the California climate and close to my family.”

‘Kept’ is entertaining, but familiar

Theater review

TheatreWorks’ world-premiere production of “Kept,” currently playing at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, is a rousing musical that offers a pulsating disco beat.

Palo Alto Players reviving Webber’s ‘Aspects of Love’

After nearly nine years without a major production in North America, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Aspects of Love” returns in a production by Palo Alto Players at the Lucie Stern Theater.

The show previews Friday, with the opening night gala Saturday. It runs through May 12.