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Archives » 2002 » Volume 55 , Issue 20, Published on Wednesday, May 15, 2002NewsLASD’s critical decisions
Los Altos school officials face hard choices in wake of $4.4 million deficit he dust has settled and now the dirty work begins.The Los Altos School District Board of Trustees at its May 6 meeting approved its Budget Review Committee’s recommendations for cutting $4.4 million from the district budget to offset the projected deficit for the coming school year. District librarian Barbara Waight, 16 aides face job terminationWhen Barbara Waight began working as a volunteer librarian at Springer School in 1988, little did she know, she would end up as the district librarian. Her position has the possibility of getting cut, along with 16 library aide positions. New RV storage law irks residentsA recent change in the city’s blight ordinance to ban the storage of certain recreational vehicles in side yards has some Los Altos residents so irked they plan to petition city hall. Penny Johnke said she was shocked when police recently told her that her RV was violating the city’s blight code. Johnke said she had to move the RV to a storage lot in Redwood City. Residents protest $3.5 million town hall
Los Altos Hills The $3.5 million mission-style town hall slated to replace the existing one on Fremont Road is the wrong concept, in the wrong place, for the wrong town, says a group of Los Altos Hills residents who staged a protest at the site last week. City postpones proposed setbacks ordinanceLos Altos Hills Concerned that proposed zoning ordinance amendments on home height and setbacks may not reflect the intent of the Los Altos Hills City Council and may also be too complex for town staff to administer, the planning commission has deferred final recommendations until its first meeting in June. News BriefsThe Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors ended its national search for fire chief this month with the appointment of Benjamin F. Lopes III May 3. Lopes has served as assistant fire chief since 1996 and as acting fire chief since last December when the position became vacant. Police ReportMay 5, 6:07 a.m., Miramonte Avenue and Clinton Road: A resident reported that trees and a barricade had suffered substantial damage, apparently after a vehicle struck them. No one witnessed the accident. Residential alarm Los Altos, MV high schools get set for grand opening of new theatersContrasting the Los Altos School District struggles to make ends meet, the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District will cap a feel-good communitywide fund-raising effort with the official opening of the high schools’ theaters this Friday and Saturday. The high schools’ seemingly good fortune reflects vastly different circumstances from their elementary counterparts. The theater openings are coming at the end of a successful facilities renovation project funded by a $58 million bond measure in 1995. The yearlong community campaign to supplement theater construction came well before the elementary school district’s budget crisis and subsequent Save Our Staff campaign. LA postpones $1 million in projectsThe Los Altos City Council plans to reduce $1 million worth of projects from its current capital projects plan due to an anticipated $397,000 shortfall in the city’s budget. A dip in the economy and accelerated funding for the city-owned gymnasium on the Egan Intermediate School campus will affect the scope of capital projects that can be funded, said Assistant City Manager Starla Jerome-Robinson. Jewel thief capitalizing on unguarded LA-area homesSanta Clara County Sheriff’s deputies are looking for a stealthy and apparently brazen jewel thief who has taken advantage of local residents who have let down their guard. The thief, who is linked to similar crimes from Los Altos Hills to Saratoga, has not been seen or heard, yet has managed to make off with tens of thousands of dollars in expensive jewelry, and only jewelry. Sheriff’s Detective John Spagnola, assigned to the case, said the thief apparently had strong upper body strength, showing the ability to scale trellises to reach open second-story windows or doors. In virtually all cases, the thief is entering through an open window or door, and often while the residents are at home. The thief also has been able to break into homes while the alarm systems were shut off. Bandera parking lot targeted for downtown movie theaterLA Council scheduled to look at possible theater locations this month Finding a suitable location for a downtown movie theater is back on the city council’s agenda. OpinionParcel tax supporters, pay up nowThe current SOS (Save Our Staff) campaign in the Los Altos School District shows tremendous commitment and desire by parents to do what Measure A failed to do last month: fund district needs, particularly teachers’ salaries, to maintain the level of educational programs that have made the district one of the strongest in the state. The goal of $1,300 per child, however, is unrealistic and certainly discouraging to supporters who are falling short of these enormous funding expectations. Letters to the EditorAn open letter to the Los Altos Hills City Council: Agitated neighbors recently met to review expansion plans for town hall and we wish to express concerns about both the process and the substance of what we saw. ReflectionsDaffodils and mama Our daffodils bloomed and too soon died. I miss them. Their shining beauty rose up with graceful dignity and reflected the bright sun that touched their distinctive shapes with gold. Wordsworth’s poem has kept their special effect alive: CommunityKids, critters take ‘Main’ stage at Saturday’s 55th Pet ParadeIn a world of flip-flopping economies and receding hairlines, it is a consolation to know that some things never change. The time-weathered Kiwanis Pet Parade, perhaps Los Altos’ best-loved tradition, is one of them. Like clockwork, the parade is set to get under way at its usual time, 10 a.m., Saturday. The parade begins at First Street and circles around Main and State streets before ending, approximately 50 minutes later, with a group of prancing horses and city street sweepers wiping clean any potential pet messes. Mtn. View -Whisman schools present districtwide choral concert at ShorelineShoreline Amphitheatre, the Los Altos/Mountain View PTA Council and the Community School of Music and Arts have scheduled a Choral Fest Monday featuring children from all the elementary and middle school choruses in the Mountain View-Whisman School District. The concert will provide an opportunity for the schools in the recently merged Mountain View-Whisman School District to work together for the first time. The event is part of the 2002 Shoreline-CSMA Partnership in Commitment to Arts Education. The concert, free and open to the public, will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the Main Stage at Shoreline Amphitheatre, One Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View. LA couple honored as Cantor Center volunteersTown Crier Editorial Intern Venture into the exhibit halls of Stanford University’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts or stroll through the university’s sprawling collection of outdoor art, and you may be lucky enough to encounter Melitta and Rex Vaughan. Community BriefsEnjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres when officials at the Los Altos senior center hold an open house 4-7 p.m., Thursday, to celebrate facility renovations at the center. Alice Putman, senior center director, advised making reservations for the event. Kirby entertains Morning Forum with ragtimeToes were tapping, fingers snapping, heads nodding with joyful abandon at the irresistible rhythm the audience heard at Morning Forum last Tuesday. The music they were listening to was once called depraved, vulgar “devil’s music,” which would lead to criminal behavior and brain damage. The music was ragtime. And the performer and lecturer was Scott Kirby, hailed by critics as “one of the best interpreters of ragtime music on the scene today.” Guess who came to Flint CenterTown Crier Correspondent Before the speaker had an opportunity to say hello, the Flint Center audience stood and gave Sidney Poitier a long, standing ovation for his 50 years of personal and professional contributions to the world. Sculptor is featured artist at Fine Art in the ParkFeatured artist Sharon Spencer will join 200 other specially selected artists for the 27th annual Los Altos Rotary Fine Art in the Park 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, in Lincoln Park near downtown Los Altos. Spencer’s bronze sculpture, “To Life,” was chosen for the official 2002 Fine Art in the Park poster and is representative of the exquisite figures, animals and spirit-guides she creates in bronze and stone. SchoolsHigh school group helps promote the environmentStudents from all over the peninsula, including Los Altos and Mountain View, are concerned about the environment. So much so, they are taking part in a program based in Palo Alto called Acterra’s High School Group. Acterra, a Bay Area non-profit environmental organization, strives to instill a love of nature into high school students, develop leadership abilities and teach individual responsibility for local resources. Schools BriefsMontessori School of Los Altos is celebrating its 30th anniversary with music, refreshments, balloons, face-painting and a program honoring individuals who have contributed to the school over the past 30 years. The celebration is scheduled 2-5 p.m., May 18, at Montessori School of Los Altos, 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto. Please R.S.V.P. by calling 493-7200 or e-mailing smartkids@sbcglobal.net. Champions for Youth breakfast honors two community membersTown Crier Correspondent The Mountain View-Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Challenge Team supports and creates programs to help youth make positive decisions and live healthy lives. That theme came forward loud and clear at the team’s 2002 Champions for Youth benefit breakfast last Thursday. LASD District Nurse position cut to halftimeNurse faces possibility of leaving Gone are the days when each school had its own school nurse. Diane Gold has been serving as the nurse for the entire Los Altos School District for the last year. She currently serves 4,000 students at 6 elementary and 2 junior high schools. SportsSt. Francis hits the mark in bid for CCS championship berthPrep Boys Golf Playoffs Positive ‘Sines’ for LA Eagles headed to CCS playoffs for the second year in a rowHigh School Baseball Report Lancers take tourney Prep Softball ScoopTown Crier Staff Report Two local softball teams are headed to the Central Coast Section playoffs, as Los Altos and St. Francis highs both earned berths last Saturday. Local tennis club program has members play for CSAThe Los Altos Tennis Club has come up with a way to help the community while playing the game its members love. The club’s board of directors, acknowledging the slowing economy and effects of the Sept. 11 tragedy, saw the steep downturn of donations to local charities. Wilcox continues its domination of GunnTown Crier Correspondent In a regular-season finale that supposedly served to be no more than a tuneup for two teams headed to the Central Coast Section baseball playoffs, Gunn and Wilcox put on a postseason-caliber pitching duel last Friday at Baylands Park. Tong proves them wrong at SCVAL championshipsAround The Track Amy Tong entered the SCVAL championships as perhaps the least likely competitor from Los Altos High to qualify for the Central Coast Section track and field trials. Local swimmers, divers gearing up for CCSPrep Swimming Summary Los Altos High swim coach Dan Dye didn’t pause even a second when asked what he expects from his boys and girls teams at this week’s Central Coast Section meet. A recurring ‘Knight’-mareMenlo once again dominates LAHS By Pete Borello Like trying to hit the jackpot without buying a lottery ticket, facing Menlo School in the Central Coast Section boys tennis playoffs is a no-win situation. BusinessLife after Mac’sTown Crier Correspondent Croatian restaurant, retail to replace longtime watering hole Soothe your headache - clean out the ’spam’ in your e-mail boxTech Talk This column offers solutions to personal technology questions from our readers. Neither the author nor this newspaper endorses products or companies mentioned. Business BriefsSusan K. Black, of Los Altos, has been appointed the president of Greater Bay Bankcorp’s community banking group. She will continue to serve as president and chief executive officer of Mid-Peninsula Bank, a subsidiary of Greater Bay Bankcorp. Black has been an officer of Mid-Peninsula Bank since its formation in 1987. Bridge Bank has successful first quarter Fit and flexible
Callanetics Studio of Los Altos offers techniques to sculpt and strengthen your body through small, subtle movements People resolve to become fitter, but resolutions often fall by the wayside because fitness seekers are uncertain where to begin. They may be concerned about learning proper techniques or worry about aggravating pre-existing medical conditions, such as a bad back or sports injuries caused by jogging or high-impact aerobics. Lack of confidence dogs the marketStock Report here’s an old saying that to be successful on the stock market you should buy on the rumor and sell on the news. The problem is all the news is negative. Realtors lend a helping hand with home repairsThe Silicon Valley Association of Realtors will hold its second annual Realtor Safety and Service Volunteer Program Saturday through May 25, to help those who are advanced in age, disabled or otherwise challenged with repairs and other tasks in their homes. The community outreach program is available for residents of Los Altos and Mountain View this year. In Los Altos and Mountain View, the program will be held Saturday and Sunday. Free IT training offered for small businessesThe North Valley Job Training Consortium (NOVA) offers area small businesses a free training program, TechForce, to upgrade the information technology skills of their employees, from entry-level to management. The training will help businesses in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties that have 100 or fewer employees stay competitive with larger chains, NOVA officials said. Courses, taught at local community colleges, include network management, system administration, Web and Internet systems, engineering, programming languages, and network and security systems. For information, call Julee Dinh at (408) 522-1053 or e-mail to TechForce@novaworks.org. Special SectionA La Carte & Art Festival to feature variety of musicThe Bay Area festival season kicks off this weekend in downtown Mountain View when the sixth annual A La Carte & Art Festival takes over Castro Street. Presented by the Mountain View Central Business Association, the open-air festival will feature two days of attractions including rhythm and blues, jazz, Motown and rock music, a juried art show with 175 crafts people exhibiting their latest wares, ethnic and classic American food, premium wines and microbrews, a farmers’ market and a variety of attractions for kids. A marriage to ‘Chu’ on and CSMA’s wave of successStrictly Candids SYMPHONY IN FLOWERS 13: Mid-Peninsula League of the San Francisco Symphony showcased four beautiful and exciting gardens in Atherton and Woodside last month. Attendees enjoyed the box lunches, table settings, speakers, artists in the garden and musical interludes. Chairwoman Barbara Roberts, and 32 committee members organized this fabulous event. The Los Altos-Los Altos Hills committee members were Mary Britton, Lilian Betters, Jocelyn Blum, Leila Hill and Twila Woods. ObituariesAlice Genevieve Rapley died April 3. A native of Menlo Park, she was 92. Ms. Rapley served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was an air traffic controller in Corpus Christi, Texas, and taught school in Germany for U.S. military dependents. On returning to the state, she taught grade school in the Los Altos School District for 38 years. Begin anew: How you can be the change you want to experienceJoy for the Journey Spring is a time of renewal, of new life, of new beginnings. As long as we are alive, each one of us can choose to begin again - in this moment. What do you want to experience in your life? Are you being that which you want to experience? Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see.” Project that into the world and it comes back to you. Seniors BriefsThe Los Altos Senior Center, at 97 Hillview Ave., has a new look. Seniors are invited 4-7 p.m., Thursday, to see the improvements and enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres. Make reservations to the event by calling 948-7483 or e-mailing alice.putman@ci.los-altos.ca.us. Home Instead helping with chores, companionshipAs one of the world’s largest nonmedical companionship and nonmedical home care services, Home Instead Senior Care brings friendship, restores hope, gives joy and “helps with the day-to-day chores” for the elderly. “Our caregivers provide one-on-one support and interaction that reduce feelings of isolation and depression, and are able to encourage activities that stimulate thinking and promote physical well-being,” said Scott Dingfield, marketing manager for Home Instead. And that’s a good thing, because according to a 1999 report by the National Vital Statistics, 18.8 percent of all suicides are senior citizens. Pleasure with paintsTown Crier Correspondent Seniors find art class provides therapeutic experience, social outlet Please beware: senior scams and frauds are common in the springTown Crier Correspondent Senior homeowners are reminded that spring is in the air, and that means bugs and scam artists. Senior Center volunteer keeps flowers in bloomTown Crier Correspondent Members of senior centers have a lifetime of talents to give to their community. After 23 years of volunteer service, Mary Jane Sawka has given more than her share to the Los Altos Senior Center and is now thinking about retiring. Living, coping with memory loss
Alzheimer’s Association and El Camino join to provide support for patients and caregivers When a physician makes the initial diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, the patient and his or her family may be in shock or denial. Caregivers often wait until a crisis point to seek help - risking the patient’s and their own well-being in the process. Sports On The SideMountain View High freshman Kevin Stanek won the singles title at the SCVAL El Camino Division championship tournament April 26. The Los Altos resident, seeded No. 2, beat top seed Yang Li of Homestead 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. Swim school sign-ups Los Altos student to solo with ECYSLos Altos High School student Alex Kuo and Vincent Niou will perform Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Violas this weekend as part of two concerts by the El Camino Youth Symphony’s Sinfonietta Orchestra. The program also includes Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 (”Scotch”) a medley from “Fiddler on the Roof” and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17, Mvt. 1, which will feature pianist Alison Lee. PACO concert will feature guest cellist HaimivitzPalo Alto Chamber Orchestra will perform its season finale concert at 8 p.m., Saturday, in the Spangenberg Theater at Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Cellist Matt Haimivitz will perform with the orchestra as guest soloist, playing Haydn’s Concerto for Cello in D major. Ives String Quartet launching Spring Series this SundayThe Ives String Quartet opens its 2002 Spring Series at 4 p.m., Sunday, at the First Congregational Church, 1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto. The quartet will perform Thomas Oboe Lee’s “Seven Jazz Studies,” Haydn’s Quartet in C major Op. 20, No. 2 and Britten’s Quartet No. 3. Local violinist Jensen playing with SCU Orchestra SaturdayViolinist Lori Jensen of Los Altos will perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major with the Santa Clara University Orchestra at 8 p.m., Saturday. Under the direction of Emily Ray, the concert will be held at the Santa Clara University Mission, 500 El Camino Real. |
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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