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Archives » 2002 » Volume 55 , Issue 18, Published on Wednesday, May 1, 2002NewsNeighborhood coalition files suit demanding EIR for pool complexA group of residents filed a lawsuit against Los Alots last Thursday to force the city to prepare a more intensive environmental study for the three-pool complex planned for Rosita Park. The suit alleges that the city did not follow the proper process when conducting an Initial Environmental Study of the pool site as mandated by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Medians to replace roundabout in revised Los Altos traffic planNew plans The Los Altos City Council scrapped the 92-foot roundabout from its list of street improvements last month after consultant reports revealed that there would be a conflict between the traffic device and one driveway in the intersection. Town hall drawings up for final approvalTown Crier Staff Report Los Altos Hills City Council members are asking their architect to go back to the drawing board for minor changes to plans for a new Town Hall. Council slates two Nov. electionsVoters will decide who will fill Ambra’s seat as well as three open seats during a special election Town Crier Staff Report News BriefsLos Altos Police Sgt. Bob Lacey was named captain April 14 after an extensive recruitment process. He fills the vacancy left by Cliff Balch who retired last year. Lacey has worked for the Los Altos Police Department for the past 22 years, where he has served as patrol officer, sergeant and detective on several high-profile cases. Day workers file petition to suspend enforcement of Los Altos’ no-solicitation ordinance pending lawsuitA group of local day laborers asked a federal court last week to prohibit the city of Los Altos from enforcing its no vehicle solicitation law until a lawsuit challenging the ordinance is settled. Attorneys from Morrison & Foerster and the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund representing the Workers Commission and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul filed the motion April 23, claiming the workers are likely to win their case against the city and that the continued enforcement of the ordinance during the pending lawsuit has caused workers irreparable harm. The threat of a citation has scared away some potential employers looking to hire day laborers, attorneys claimed. Parishioners find God’s message amid ruinsParishioners from the Antiochian Orthodox Church of the Redeemer say God left a message amid the ruins from the three-alarm fire that destroyed their Los Altos sanctuary April 7, telling them to peacefully move forward. A Bible passage about tolerance lay unharmed under a pile of ashes on the scorched altar. OpinionLessons learned for LAH Mayor Casey?The bickering in Los Altos Hills is once more building to a fever pitch, and once again, Mayor Toni Casey appears to be at the center of the conflicts. Two weeks ago, tempers came to a head at town meetings over an alleged coup - two co-chairwomen of the town’s pathways committee, considered pro-pathways, lost their titles to two others considered more “objective” or anti-pathways, depending on whom you ask. Several residents stormed the April 18 council meeting decrying the action, saying these women were forced out of their chairwomenship by the “anti-pathways” majority now on the committee. Letters to the EditorI’m writing in response to Yvonne Baker’s letter in the April 24 Town Crier. Yvonne says, “I would venture to guess 90 percent of Los Altos residents would vote against two-story homes in obvious residential areas.” I hope that through the mistakes of my neighborhood on Solana Drive, we may be able to help Yvonne and others who have similar questions and concerns. Three main points I want to emphasize. If you want to protect your privacy and your neighborhood, you must: The arms of mercy are longA View from the Hills “Embattled Bishop,” “Egregious errors,” “the depth of crisis in the American church,” are the words in which leading publications, such as Newsweek, report the current “scandal” that besets the Catholic church. And the question of the church’s ability to withstand the formidable and understandable outcry that rains upon it is raised, anxiously in the hearts of the faithful, scornfully in those who scoff at its failure to prevent the heinous abuse that took place within its hallowed walls. CommunityFarmers’ Market opens tomorrow on State St.Town Crier Correspondent It’s the time of year when the smell of garlic braids and cut flowers permeates downtown Los Altos. Starting tomorrow, the Farmers’ Market will be open 4-8 p.m., Thursdays until Sept. 26, on State Street, between Second and Third streets. Red Cross empowering kids with safety tipsThe American Red Cross is working toward teaching children how to respond in a disaster or emergency situation. Its program “Kid Power” is specially designed to teach children in third, fourth and fifth grades how to prevent and respond to emergencies. The program is scheduled 1:30-4:30 p.m., Saturday, at the American Red Cross office, 400 Mitchell Lane, Palo Alto. LAH 5K run-walk event to benefit town recreation programsLos Altos Hills Parks and Recreation is putting on a benefit 5K LAH Pathways Run/Walk and one-mile Fun Run on May 11. The event is a benefit for the Los Altos Hills recreation programs. The 5K run/walk starts at 9 a.m., and the children’s Fun Run starts at 10:30 a.m. Both events start and finish at Westwind Barn, 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills. Community BriefsThe Therapy Sisters are scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, to benefit the Global Fund for Women. Known for their hilarious antics and off-the-wall song lyrics, these Austin-based divas of dysfunction demonstrate that music and laughter really are the best medicine. Packard gives speech and ‘horseplay’ carries on at Hidden Villa ranch in LAHLos Altos - Celebrating 50 Years 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. The following items appeared in the weekly Los Altos News of May 9 & 16, 1952: Record number of entries for history essay contestTown Crier Staff Report T he Los Altos Historical Commission announced winners of the 18th annual Margaret Thompson Essay Contest. GOP hopeful Simon says we’re out of cash but promises not to raise taxesSurvey says focus on education GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon steered clear of income tax questions that had hounded him the past week, instead reveling in a pep rally put on for him April 24 by members of the South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition (SPARC). Los Altos’ architectural heritage on full display“Homes and Gardens of Los Altos: The Architectural Heritage Show” is scheduled May 9 through Aug. 18 at the Los Altos History Museum. This exhibit features the history of the Orange, University and Palm avenues neighborhood, the first to be settled in Los Altos. The focus will be on various styles of architecture found in Northern California, including Craftsman, Victorian, Ranch and California Mission. SchoolsBoettcher replacing Liewer as LASD assistant ’super’Dick Liewer wears a size 8, but he will leave some even bigger shoes to fill as he steps down from his post as assistant superintendent of curriculum of the Los Altos School District on July 1. Patricia Boettcher, current principal at Bullis-Purissima School in Los Altos Hills, is up to the challenge. She was selected by the district’s board of trustees from over 40 applicants earlier this month to replace Liewer. Schools BriefsCynthia Klein, a parent guidance specialist from The Children’s Health Council in Palo Alto, and the Oak Avenue School Parent-Teacher Association have scheduled “Helping your kids solve their own problems,” 7-8:30 p.m., today, in the Oak School multipurpose room. Admission is free and open to parents, staff and the community. Participants will practice effective listening and sharing skills that can help keep lines of communication open. Oak School is located at 1501 Oak Ave. LAHS senior to perform in NY with SFJAZZLos Altos High School senior Ashley DuVal will be tooting her own horn - her trumpet, actually - as a member of the San Francisco Jazz All-Star High School Ensemble. The ensemble will be competing in the Seventh Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival, May 11-13, at Lincoln Center in New York City. The SFJAZZ All-Star High School Ensemble was chosen as one of 15 finalists for the competition from 149 high school jazz bands across the United States and Canada. Bands will compete for a cash prize to go toward enhancing their jazz programs, and special awards will be presented to outstanding soloists and sections. LASD to rely on fund-raising to mitigate 2002-03 budget cutsFacing a $4 million deficit for the 2002-03 school year, the Los Altos School District board, staff, teachers, parents and community members are scrambling to figure out a plan of action to sustain the district’s educational program at its current level. A key factor in the deficit facing the district was the failure to pass a parcel tax increase, also known as Measure A, which would have provided the district approximately $4 million in revenue, said Randy Kenyon, assistant superintendent of business services. SportsSports On The SideThe inaugural Los Altos Hills Pathways Run/Walk is scheduled for May 11 at Westwind Barn, 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills. The 5-kilometer run will start at 9 a.m, and the mile fun run is slated for 10:30 a.m. Registration cost: $10-$22. For more information, call 941-7222, ext. 306. Soccer sign-ups Leagues hand out honors to top athletesAll-league honors were recently handed out to high school athletes who excelled in winter sports. Local players earning such accolades are listed below, divided by school, sport and league. St. Francis honors alums, coaches at annual dinnerSt. Francis High honored alumni and coaches last Saturday at the school’s annual Hall of Fame/Hall of Merit Dinner and Social in Malcolm Center. Athletes, coaches and teams honored are listed below. League meet may put LAHS in a better placePrep Swimming Summary Neither of Los Altos High’s swim teams will win an SCVAL De Anza Division title this season, conceded coach Dan Dye. LAHS searching for experienced volleyball coachFew, if any, public high schools in the Central Coast Section can match Los Altos High’s recent success in girls volleyball. The Eagles have reached the CCS finals the past four seasons, claiming the championship in 1999. BusinessDow hits lowest level since Sept. 11Stock Report Investors nervously scan the horizon for signs the market is ready to move upward again. Instead, investors just experienced the worst week for stocks since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Chamber expo a hit despite quiet economyTown Crier Correspondent TC survey tests readers on local news Special SectionKottke coming to CubberleyGuitarist and singer-songwriter Leo Kottke is set to perform at 8 p.m., Saturday, at the Cubberley Community Center in Palo Alto. Kottke’s solo concert, presented by UpWest Arts, will rely largely on the six- and 12-string guitars which brought him his initial success on John Fahey’s independent label, Takoma Records, in 1969. Arthritis Foundation seeking carsThe Arthritis Foundation asks people to donate vehicles to its Auto Round-Up. The foundation works to find a cure for arthritis and provides information to more than a million people who suffer from this disease. Suggestions for saving gas this summerWith warm weather and vacations on the horizon, the American Automobile Association offers drivers 10 tips for cutting down their gasoline costs and increasing fuel efficiency. Buy higher-priced fuel only when called for by the owner’s manual. Most of today’s cars are designed to operate on regular, unleaded gasoline. AARP offering driving courseThe American Association of Retired Persons offers its 55-Alive Mature Driving Class next week at the Mountain View Senior Center. The class is scheduled for 6-10 p.m., Monday and May 6. The center is located at 266 Escuela Ave. The cost for the eight-hour classroom driving instruction session is $10. How brokers are different from dealersBy Robert Hammer & Stefanie Kelly In an effort to demystify the auto brokerage business, we want to share some of our clients’ most frequently asked questions: Weddings & EngagementsPaige Friesen and Edward Poulson have announced their engagement to be married Sept. 29 at the Wente Vineyards, Livermore, with a reception following the ceremony. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Harold Friesen of Mountain View and Virginia Stewart of San Jose. She graduated from Los Altos High School and is currently an officer with the Oakland Police Department. ObituariesGrace M. Tuttle Grace M. Tuttle died March 19 in Los Altos after a brief illness. She was 83. Celtic group Broceliande to perform Friday nightBroceliande is scheduled to perform a concert of Celtic and early music at 8 p.m., Friday, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto. Broceliande (pronounced “bro-SAY-lee-ond”) delivers a musical blend of Celtic and European folk tunes combined with Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque sounds. Nguyen, Chene to solo with ECYS Saturday eveningThe El Camino Youth Symphony Flute Ensemble and the Galbraith Honor Strings are set to perform at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, at the Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. The concert will feature soloists Rochelle Nguyen, violin, and Sue-Ting Chene, flute. |
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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