By Clyde Noel
Rancho Update
Some things never change. And the Rancho Merchants Association is working to keep it that way.
Right on schedule, the next event at Rancho Shopping Center will be the annual Rock Back the Clock dance, set for Sept. 6. The event raises funds for Los Altos’ annual Festival of Lights Parade, scheduled this year for Dec. 1.
The association’s board of directors met recently to discuss and plan this year’s Christmas events. Santa Claus will return the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, and new decorations will be ordered.
“We have a new board that will energize the center and come up with new events,” said Paolo Pecora, president of the Rancho Merchants Association. “To start with, we are working to reorganize the center’s bylaws.”
Not all the expenses are in for the Rancho Roundup from early June, the most recent promotion, but it appears each school that took part in the pancake breakfast will receive more than $2,000.
Many prizes provided by the Rancho merchants were given away at the Rancho Roundup, including a grand prize of $500. That prize was won by Brandon Forrest, a student from Oak School.
Cathi Howell, property manager for De Anza Properties, said the center is beginning to fill up with new tenants.
“Things were quiet for a short time, but they are now picking up again,” Howell said. “Kaman Properties, a real estate brokerage and property management firm, will be moving into the space vacated by the Cruise Loft, and the Gregory’s Pharmacy location (became) available for a new tenant July 1.”
Members appointed to the Rancho Shopping Center Board of Directors are rotated each year. The 2002-03 members are: president, Paolo Pecora, Preziosi Jewelers; vice president, Dan Stevenson, Andronico’s; secretary, Lynn Floth, Just for You Florist; and Jim McLothlin, Rancho Camera Shop.
Pecora said the board meets once a month, and his responsibilities include coordinating the board meetings and helping create good will among the merchants.
Rancho Shopping Center is located at the corner of Springer Road and Foothill Expressway in Los Altos.
