By Clyde Noel

Town Crier Correspondent

TC survey tests readers on local news

They didn’t come from far distances; they didn’t even come from our neighboring cities, but the local Epicureans knew where to go: Business Expo 2002.

Last Thursday evening, the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce’s 14th annual business exposition brought together more than 40 local exhibitors. Exhibit tables represented the seven Los Altos shopping districts as well as several non-profit organizations looking for exposure.

“This is the best business expo we’ve had in years,” said Tracie Murray, president of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce. “More people showed up this year; and most came early, before the food vendors were set up completely.”

Los Altos Sister Cities had a booth where Mike Bruno explained Los Altos’ relationship with the international sister cities. He said Bendigo in Australia is the next city scheduled for a visit. Anyone is welcome to go.

Teresa Chronister, officer manager for eyes optometry, said people had questions on Lasik surgery and what was necessary in eye exams.

Debbie Appler of Touch Poll Survey Solutions conducted a survey for the Town Crier. The survey asked where people shopped in Los Altos and how familiar they were with local events. “I was very impressed with the interest people had in the survey,” Appler said. “The monitor they had to digitally press was always busy.”

“There was more interest in cruises this year, but maybe that’s because there were more people here than the last couple of years,” said Roy Jones of All Horizons Travel.

Good food draws people to any event. A check of the garbage bins showed they were full of empty paper trays and plastic utensils from Armadillo Willy’s, Chef Chu’s, Estrellita, Le Boulanger and other food establishments.

Joseph Farniam, catering captain at Trader Vic’s, was enthusiastic about the interest in their new restaurant in Palo Alto. “People wanted to know about our Sunday brunches and banquet facilities,” he said.

“This was our best-attended expo,” said Julie Rose, chief executive officer of the chamber. “Other chambers are dropping their business expos while we are expanding ours because of increased interest from vendors.” Rose was very impressed with this year’s turnout and looking forward to an even larger crowd next year.