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Archives » 2002 » Volume 55 , Issue 23, Published on Wednesday, June 5, 2002NewsTalkin’ sports
Los Altos High grad Mathai anchors NBC3’s sports desk Raj Mathai has come a long way since The Gum Incident. Day workers stage protests against law, LA mayor’s response
The meeting Local day workers were back on the sidewalk last week protesting a ceremony honoring Los Altos Mayor Francis La Poll for his commitment to the business community three days after they say he “callously” dismissed them at a council meeting. City council removes RVs from blight ordinanceThe Los Altos City Council rescinded a pending law that would have essentially eliminated every recreational vehicle in the city if approved, after local RV owners swarmed city hall last week, calling the ordinance a direct assault on their civil liberties. “The ordinance would result in a Soviet police state style invasion of our private property, all for the enforcement of some idiot’s ideas of what is acceptable use of properties,” Charles Forge told the council. Los Altos sex offender convicted on 11 chargesA 34-year-old Los Altos man could spend life in prison for sexually exploiting four teens he met during separate incidents over the Internet last year. A Federal Grand Jury convicted Robert Jay Tashbook last week on 11 counts of sex-related offenses, including rape, the production of child pornography and attempted unlawful sexual conduct. He is scheduled for sentencing Aug. 27 in San Jose. Los Altos mother killed in car accident on Grant RoadA one-car crash on Grant Road in the early hours of May 25 claimed the life of a Los Altos mother and injured three others. Mountain View police declined to give the names of the four people involved, but Sgt. Michael Alexander confirmed there were two couples. News BriefsJim MacKenzie left his 8-year position as senior planner for the city of Los Altos last Friday to move closer to family and friends in San Diego. The city is currently concluding its search to fill his vacancy. MacKenzie joined Los Altos city staff as senior planner in 1994 after working for the cities of Susanville and Seaside. Police ReportMay 27, 12:50 p.m., Orange Avenue; and May 31, 2:04 a.m., Osage Avenue: Police investigated two separate incidents of grand theft from homes. Suspicious person Water district faces increased ground leaseLos Altos Hills Within the next three years, Purissima Hills Water District may face a major increase in the amount it pays the city of Los Altos Hills for its ground lease. OpinionDay worker center, tough law are keysWhile we fully support the formation of a local permanent day worker center locally, we think the current no-solicitation ordinance designed to keep workers off sidewalks doesn’t really accomplish that goal. And it should. The council last week approved amended wording that defined “congregation” as a group of five or more people loitering at a specific place for an unspecified period of time. These places are subject to being deemed no-solicitation zones, meaning motorists cannot stop and offer these workers jobs. Letters to the EditorMy wife and I are perplexed by the conflicting demands our city council has placed on the proposed swimming pool complex on Rosita Ave. On one hand, the council wants this to be be a community-based pool with time for recreational swimming for the community. On the other hand they are expecting the facility to be self-funding. We contend that meeting both of these objectives will be difficult, maybe impossible. For the pool complex to be self-funding, SPLASH and the Los Altos Masters will have to design many activities to generate revenue, such as kayaking, scuba diving, private parties, etc. To fill those classes and events, they will draw many participants from Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto and beyond. This, however, means that the new pool complex will be in competition with several pools in nearby communities, such as the new pool at Fremont High in Sunnyvale. Each of them will compete for customers to stay solvent. What happens if they cannot meet their revenue goals? Two simple choices: give up the already meager recreational swimming times for more classes or have the city pay for the shortfall. Maybe both. Neither of these choices are good for Los Altos residents. Los Altos tax dollars could end up subsidizing a regional pool complex! Are we ready for this? Whither Westwind Barn?A View from the Hills To Nancy and Jitze Couperus, the current dilemma of Westwind Barn recalls baseball’s Yogi Berra’s famous quote “It’s deja vu all over again.” CommunityLos Altan helps women and children in PeruWhile most college graduates are racing toward more money and greater opportunity, one Los Altos woman is putting on the brakes and looking around. Valerie Faillace, Princeton graduate and former Morgan Stanley financial analyst, set her career aside in search of something she said was “emotionally fulfilling, physically draining, intellectually eye opening - and fun.” Faillace became a volunteer. Raised in Los Altos, Faillace graduated from Los Altos High School in 1994, then moved East to attend Princeton. After college, she worked as an investment banking financial analyst at Morgan Stanley for three years, before volunteering with CARE Corps in South America. 23rd Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival featuring salute to city’s 50th birthdayThe Los Altos Village Association has scheduled its 23rd annual Arts & Wine Festival 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., July 13 and 14. This year, the festival joins the citywide celebration of Los Altos’ 50th anniversary of incorporation. The festival annually attracts people from all over the Bay Area. There is usually something for everyone at this free family event. Highlights include works by more than 450 artists, nonstop musical entertainment on three stages, street performers, children’s rides and entertainment, foods from around the world, premium wines from local vintners and a selection of beers from microbreweries. Bicycle valets and festival shuttle service between Los Altos High School and downtown Los Altos are available. CalendarLos Altos Youth Commission, 7 p.m., city hall, 1 N. San Antonio Road. Mountain View Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m., city hall, 500 Castro St. Community BriefsCelebrate Father’s Day, June 16, with the family at a special concert for all ages at Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills. The Slugs spin environmental messages into upbeat, toe-tapping, foot-stomping favorites. Blending music, theater, puppetry and audience participation, the group promises a lively, entertaining show. Art from the heart
Nelleke Demmer creates art, using a variety of styles Nelleke Demmer has always been an artist, even in early childhood. “I realize now there is something in me,” she said. “I paint from my heart. I love it.” A family reunitedSiblings separated for 60 years celebrate at LAH home May 14 was a day Los Altos Hills resident Shirley Pruitt, her older sister and two brothers had waited for most of their lives. The four siblings went to San Jose International Airport to welcome their youngest sister, Carolanne Moore, whom they had last seen 60 years before. Bellarmine’s Pedro Arrupe Award presented to Los AltanGraduating senior Jake Casey of Los Altos received the Pedro Arrupe Award at the Bellarmine College Preparatory graduation ceremony May 25. The award, named for Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the Jesuit Superior General from 1965 to 1981, is presented to “that student who has worked generously and effectively to translate into action Bellarmine’s commitment to the creation of a society at once more Godly and more just, in the San Jose area and the world.” SchoolsLibrary’s summer reading program gets under way for Los Altos youth
Don’t be alarmed if you see a hamster at the Los Altos Library this summer. The summer reading program for children ages 5 and up, “Discover a Hoppin’ Place,” began June 3 and continues until Aug. 8. “The theme this year is based on a book of hamsters who live on a street called Hoppin’ Place and do fun things with books,” said Alanna Jones, Los Altos children’s librarian. NoteworthiesDoris C. Huang of Los Altos, a student at Pinewood School, has been chosen as a 2002 Toyota Community Scholar. She gets a $10,000-$20,000 scholarship toward studying at a four-year college or university, starting in the fall of 2002. Vikram Anand Padmanabhan of Los Altos has been named to the Fall 2001 Dean’s List in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Washington University, St. Louis, Mo. Schools BriefsAt its May 24 meeting the Mountain View-Whisman School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously (with trustee Juan Aranda absent) to lay off or reduce the hours of 14 employees, in an effort to balance the budget of the newly merged school district. Mountain View and Whisman school districts merged about a year ago, making some of these cuts expected. 24th Annual Kiwanis Special Games is a winning success for student athletesSmiles beamed brightly as athletes crossed the finish lines at the 24th Annual Kiwanis Special Games at De Anza College in Cupertino, May 31. About 500 students, 5-22, from all over Santa Clara County participated in the track and field meet. Approximately 200 Kiwanis Club members, including the Los Altos chapter, volunteered along with teachers and members of the community. Blach music students bring home trophiesTown Crier Correspondent Blach Intermediate School’s music students, under the direction of Vivian McNulty and Gail Wade, traveled to festivals this month to gain honors for their school. St. Simon students get a lesson about life and ‘Life Flight’The roar of a helicopter came to a crescendo as Stanford Hospital’s Life Flight landed on the blacktop at St. Simon Catholic School in Los Altos May 29. The BK 117 helicopter participated in an emergency vehicle education day along with a Santa Clara County Fire Department fire engine from Loyola Station, an ambulance from Santa Clara County Emergency Services and the DARE police car from the Los Altos Police Department. SportsFacing elimination, MV High duo wins badminton titleMountain View High’s Tri Tang and Anh Vo emerged from the consolation bracket to capture the boys doubles championship at last month’s Central Coast Section badminton tournament. Tang and Vo entered the double-elimination competition, held May 21-23 at Independence High in San Jose, as the No. 1 seed. In the second round, however, they were stunned by unseeded Zaric Wong and Ali Khan of South San Francisco. Sports On The SideSpecial Olympics, Silicon Valley Region, seeks volunteers to help provide year-round sports training and competition to children and adults with developmental disabilities. No coaching experience is necessary. Over the summer, softball practices will take place at various sites throughout the valley. A new volunteer orientation is set for 7 p.m., Tuesday, at the regional office at 43 East Gish Road, San Jose. For more information, call (408) 392-0170. Fifty-Plus meeting Top seeds dominate Mtn. View OpenThere were few surprises at the 34th annual Mountain View Open, as the top-seeded players in three of the four divisions captured titles. The tennis tournament, featuring several players highly ranked in Northern California by the United States Tennis Association, was held over Memorial Day weekend at Cuesta Park. ‘The Quiet Man’Town Crier Correspondent Roux may not be a vocal leader, but his play speaks volumes Bishop among three locals nominated for swim honorThree girls swimming for area schools have been nominated for consideration in the National Federation Honor Roll based on their times at last month’s Central Coast Section championship meet. The designation honors swimmers who have achieved top 10 times in the nation during the previous school year. Tyler races to stateMiller among the locals to miss the cut She’ll be back. St. Francis High distance runner Tori Tyler didn’t get past the trials of last weekend’s CIF State Track & Field Championships, but there’s always next year. And two more years after that. MV resident competing in U.S. Open track meetMountain View resident Nicole Teter is among those expected to compete at the 2002 Oracle U.S. Open Track & Field meet Saturday at Stanford University’s Cobb Track & Angell Field. Teter will race in the women’s 1,500-meter run, an event in which she is ranked fourth in the world. Teter is also the national indoor champion in the 800 run, ranking No. 1 in the world. Teter trains at Stanford with the Nike Farm Team. BusinessCashing out your 401(k) can be costlyNorth American Precis Syndicate Americans have become increasingly concerned about job security - and with just cause. Unemployment is on the rise, and that means many people will search for additional funds to help them get through a financially uncertain period of time. Some may choose to cash out their retirement accounts early. However, this seemingly easy choice carries a steep price. Longtime Rancho pharmacy owner closes business amid bitternessTown Crier Correspondent Norris Gregory’s posted letters and articles on his pharmacy windows at Rancho Shopping Center indicate the business owner, who has run Gregory’s since 1957, feels forced out of his lease. But others tell a different story. Community oriented Allen takes ‘honors at Chamber galaWyatt Allen, a vice president with the Bank of Los Altos, was honored with the Walter and Marie Singer Award for his community service at the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce’s 19th annual “Salute to the Mayors” banquet Friday in Palo Alto. The award, also called “Order of the Bow,” recognized Allen for his myriad of volunteer activities, including active participation on the Rotary Club of Los Altos. Fellow Rotarian Mel Kahn introduced Allen. Being unemployed hurts from the inside out - but there’s hopeJean on the Job If you are employed or you are independently wealthy, keep reading. Your fellow Americans need you. And if you are unemployed, keep reading too. I have a guaranteed work plan. Bank Of Los Altos appoints new vice presidentThe Bank of Los Altos recently announced the appointment of Yvonne Frechette as vice president/ business banking officer. She will be located in the bank’s Mountain View office. Handy information for state coin collectorsTown Crier Correspondent The United States Mint’s popular state coin production started in 1999, but the slump in the economy over the last year has dampened the demand for the coins. Cashing out your 401(k) can be costlyNorth American Precis Syndicate Americans have become increasingly concerned about job security - and with just cause. Unemployment is on the rise, and that means many people will search for additional funds to help them get through a financially uncertain period of time. Some may choose to cash out their retirement accounts early. However, this seemingly easy choice carries a steep price. And they lived (financially) happily ever afterSteve Zeller The gown, the ceremony, the reception, the flowers, the pictures. There are many elements that make a perfect wedding. If you are about to tie the knot, you know how stressful planning a wedding can be. But amid all the stress, have you taken the time to discuss how you will manage your finances once the honeymoon is over? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about dealing with finances after walking down the aisle. If you’re not in the market now, sit stillStock Report Last June the Dow lost 400 points. Look for the same this year. Anyone who’s not already in the stock market or is squeamish about risk should stay out. Realtors turn out in droves to help seniors through RSSVPMore than 250 realtor and affiliate members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors were out in the community during the week of May 18-25 helping seniors with repairs and other tasks in their homes through RSSVP (Realtor Safety and Service Volunteer Program). The community outreach program served more than 215 homes in the communities of Redwood City, Menlo Park, Atherton, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Woodside, Los Altos, Mountain View, Los Gatos and Saratoga. State home sales increase 18.1 percent in first quarter 2002The California Association of Realtors reported the median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California hit a new record for the first quarter of 2002. Closed escrow sales of existing single-family homes totaled 593,000 in the first quarter of 2002, while the first quarter sales in 2001 totaled 502,530, an 18.1 percent increase. Tech TalkGet your graduate a great PC to go - here are some suggestions Q: This spring our son will graduate from high school and our daughter from college. What technology should we consider as graduation gifts for both? Special SectionExpect ‘chili’ conditions in Mtn. View SaturdayThe thrill of competition and the aroma of chili will be wafting through the air Saturday as the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce presents its inaugural Summer Fest and Chili Cook-off. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Rengstorff Park, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave. The chamber asks those attending not to bring their pets. CCFA seeking used vehiclesThe Greater Bay Area Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is asking people to donate their used cars, trucks and motor homes to help those afflicted with inflammatory bowel diseases. The “Cars For A Cure” program gives the maximum tax deduction as allowed by law, while helping to fight digestive diseases. Debilitating digestive diseases affect approximately 2,000,000 people every year, according to the CCFA. Tips for saving gas this summerAmericans are expected to hit the road in record numbers this summer. It’s a good bet they’d like to save money on gas. Response Insurance Company offers these tips to improve gas mileage: Lighten the load by removing unnecessary items from the trunk. Every 200 pounds of weight reduces gas efficiency by one mile per gallon. Tips From The Auto BrokersBy Stefanie Kelly & Robert Hammer For most of us, the decision to buy a new car is at once an exhilarating and a dreadful one. Young drivers are involved in most fatal crashesYoung drivers are dying at far higher rates in crashes because of a lethal combination of inexperience, risk taking and low percentage of seat belt usage, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA statistics reveal: P.A. Concours d’Elegance set for June 23Since 1967, local automobile enthusiasts have looked forward to the annual Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance. This year’s event, scheduled for June 23, will gather more than 300 of the finest classic cars in the western United States on the fields between Stanford Stadium and El Camino Real. WeddingsPamela Rigney and Joseph O’Sullivan were married Dec. 29 at Our Lady of Angels Church in Burlingame. A reception was held at the Kohl Mansion in Burlingame. The bride is the daughter of David and Barbara Rigney of Mountain View. She graduated from St. Francis High School and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Santa Clara University and a master’s degree in business administration from University of California at Los Angeles. She is employed as director, marketing, at Charles Schwab. NoteworthiesMcCrone, an Alta Vista High School senior who plans to join the U.S. Air Force in June, improved his own campus. He restored tables and benches and renovated the basketball court, including hoops and backboards. McCrone served as senior patrol leader and quartermaster in the troop. Silverman from Mountain View High School chose Graham Middle School for his Eagle service project. An alumnus of the middle school in Mountain View, Silverman planned, built and installed benches funded by the Graham PTA. He served as troop scribe and instructor as well as crew leader at Philmont Scout Ranch. ObituariesGail Trumbull died May 16 in Mountain View. A native of Riverside, she was 48. Mrs. Trumbull is survived by her husband, Tom, of Mountain View; parents, Clinton and Jeanne Thorson; and siblings, Mark and Claire Thorson, Judy Preston and Kerry Behm. CYS closing its season with free concert this SundayAs its season finale, The California Youth Symphony’s Associate Orchestra will perform a free concert at 2 p.m., Sunday. The performance will be held in the Smithwick Theater at Foothill College , 12345 S. El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. Menlo Park Chorus concert set for Saturday at FoothillMichael Gibson will direct the Menlo Park Community Chorus in “POP ‘n Classic Stanzas,” featuring Susan D. Williams, piano, and members of the Silicon Valley Symphony. The concert is scheduled for 8 p.m., Saturday, in Appreciation Hall at Foothill College, 12345 S. El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. Orchestra adds to Bus Barn’s ‘Cabaret’Theater review No matter how many times the satirical musical “Cabaret” returns to the stage, the buildup to the dreaded Nazi era has the same chilling effect. |
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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