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Archives » 2002 » Volume 55 , Issue 31, Published on Wednesday, July 31, 2002NewsScared over stocks
Local investors lick wounds after market tumble Even though you may not have any equity in the stock market, sooner or later the results of the bear market trickle down to everyone. Schwab survey reveals mixed emotions for stocksA Harris Poll conducted for Charles Schwab & Co., during the week of July 15 revealed two-thirds of investors (67 percent) are optimistic about the future and 79 percent vow to wait out the market’s turbulence. At the same time, more than half of all respondents (55 percent) agreed with the description of their investment strategy as “being on the sidelines.” Asked what would bring them actively back into the market again, those sidelined agreed they would need to see evidence the economy is strengthening and corporate earnings are showing improvements. Council targets Bandera parking lot for possible movie theater complexLos Altos The Los Altos City Council last week targeted the city-owned parking lot adjacent to Bandera Restaurant in downtown Los Altos as the best site to place a movie theater. City officials plan to conduct parking and legal studies over the next few months as the city moves closer to preparing a detailed plan. Incumbents won’t seek re-election to LAH council raceFive residents have taken out papers but have yet to file for two open seats on the Los Altos Hills City Council. So far, potential candidates include Janet Vitu, currently a town planning commissioner; Bill Kerns; Steve Hubbell; Breene Kerr; and Dean Warshawsky. Pool proponents focus on business plan, but Los Altos residents want more detailsTown Crier Editorial Intern Los Altos city officials met with skeptical residents last week to discuss a business plan for an aquatic center designed to fill swim needs while potentially overwhelming the neighborhood with traffic and noise. Gunman at Los Altos party is convicted of his second strikeThe 24-year-old East Palo Alto man who threatened to shoot a guest during a birthday party at the American Legion Hall in Los Altos last month will spend four years in prison, a judge decided July 22. Israel Aguilar pleaded guilty to threatening to kill another partygoer after an argument broke out between the two. He was charged with terrorist threats, assault with a deadly weapon and giving false information to police. This is Aguilar’s second strike. If convicted of a violent crime again, he could face 25 years to life in prison. News BriefsThe Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District was scheduled to conduct a controlled burn sometime between Thursday and the end of this week at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve adjacent to Skyline Boulevard. The one- to two-day burn was dependent on weather conditions. Police ReportJuly 22, 10:04 a.m., Carlton Avenue: Police said someone stole a mail box Medical call Ordinance intended to protect creeks could take away residents’ property
A proposed ordinance to protect local creeks has residents concerned about losing portions of their property. A Creekside Protection Ordinance aims to reduce residents’ property lines from the middle of the creek to the top of the creek bank. City officials said the ordinance is intended to protect creek habitats from overdevelopment of bordering properties and so creek repair projects can go forward without legal entanglements. No 7th school: Covington to house one of existing six elementariesThe Los Altos School District’s Board of Trustees will be asking voters again for a $333 increase in the current parcel tax of $264 per parcel per year, in the general election Nov. 5. If the parcel tax doesn’t pass, the district will be looking at closing schools. Even if it does pass, the district is not opening a seventh elementary school. While the increase is the same amount which failed to pass in a special election April 9, it is not enough to allow the district to open a seventh school. OpinionSix the right number for districtBurdened by a ballooning state budget deficit and rising costs, the district’s board of trustees began a process last week that will result in the closure of a currently operating school. With no turning back on the district’s facilities renovation program, that school will be one where construction work has not yet begun. There will be a lengthy period for study and public input, with a decision not coming before voters decide on another attempt at a district parcel tax increase. The board last week also decided to ask for a $333 increase to $597 annually, the same as the April measure that voters narrowly defeated. Letters to the EditorCalifornia is reported to be now facing a $50 billion deficit just two short years after a period of surpluses. When the good times roll the politicians spend! But our state highways are ranked No. 48 in maintenance. Our schools are broke. There is little to show for the spending except the near constant reports of corruption. Now the city council of Los Altos Hills is following suit! We are in a recession and the end is not in sight. Yet the city council persists in building an extravagant, unnecessary edifice to themselves in the form of a new town hall. It will allow them to have “small parties” and an expanded council chamber. The proposed structure is being crammed down the throats of neighbors. All for their own self aggrandizement! Is there so much in the coffers they can’t find anything worthwhile to do with it? Beware of a man with a mustacheA View from the Hills When our big, genial bear of a neighbor with the guileless look of a Raphael cherub grew a mustache to satisfy his wife’s curiosity as to how it would look, it set off a chain reaction from Los Altos Hills to St. Petersburg, Alaska, where two of their children earn a living off fishing boats. CommunityFoothill Music Theater founder Manley provides insights, history of musicalsAt a time when most community colleges in California have closed their theaters, Foothill College maintains active drama and musical theater programs for the community. “Foothill is unique because we have the inspiration to keep things going in the musical theater,” said Jay Manley, founder of the Foothill Music Theater. Course grooming future ‘LEADers’ in Los AltosThe eight month course meets the fourth Monday from 7-9 p.m., starting September 24, through May, except in December. Meetings are held in community locations relating to the topic of the month, and appropriate guest speakers will lead discussions. Topics to be covered include local government, commerce, education, the library and history museum, social services and health, recreation, youth activities and the arts, and community service organizations. 21st MacArthur Park wine festival has guests anticipating an array of vintages, fine foodTown Crier Editorial Intern In a little more than a week, the American Red Cross will kick off its well-anticipated wine festival with the help of MacArthur Park restaurant and sponsor winecountry.com. Seniors BriefsThe next classes for AARP’s 55 Alive Mature Driving are scheduled for Aug. 6 and 8. The time for these classes is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Cost for the class is $10 per person. Classes are limited to 30 people, and fill up quickly. You may send your check payable to AARP, and dated for the first day of the class for which you are registering, to the Los Altos Senior Center, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos 94022. Community BriefsAmerican Association of University Women is hosting an informal gathering 9:30-11:30 a.m., Aug. 10. Invitations to the “Coffee and Conversation” are extended to new and prospective members. AAUW works to encourage education and equity for women. It offers local activities as well as national and state programs. The association programs focus on personal and professional development, community involvement and the scope to form new ties. Los Altos Hills family working to fight rare, devastating diseaseTown Crier Editorial Intern Do you know of anyone who died before the age of 2? Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the number one killer in children under 2, could have been the cause. One in 40 people is a carrier, and one in 6,000 live births is affected by the disease. Geological wonders explored courtesy Environmental VolunteersWhat is plate tectonics? Why do we have earthquakes? This week Environmental Volunteers are exploring with their campers the wonders of geology. Learning stations take place at Keys School in Palo Alto, with field trips to the U.S. Geological Survey, the California Academy of Sciences and the Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, where visitors can straddle both the Pacific and the American plate. Pastor of burned-down Los Altos church delivers opening prayers before CongressTown Crier Editorial Intern Following the fire at the Antiochian Orthodox Church of the Redeemer that occurred on April 7, Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo, who represents Los Altos in the 14th district, invited Father Samer Youssef to deliver the opening prayers before the House of Representatives in Washington last week. SchoolsSenior parcel tax exemptionTown Crier Staff Report A general election is scheduled for Nov. 5, for voters in the Los Altos School District to decide on an increase in the parcel tax from $264 a year to $597 per year, beginning July 1, 2003, on parcels of land within the district. The district includes most of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, and parts of Mountain View and Palo Alto. There is, however, a senior exemption. A look at Los Altos School District fundingIt has been a rough year financially for the Los Altos School District. Earlier in the year the district faced a $4.5 million deficit, but it restored $2.6 million through fund-raising efforts by the Los Altos Educational Foundation and Save Our Staff. However, the district is still cutting $1.9 million from its budget for the 2002-03 school year. Partners for New Generations looking for more volunteersEditorial Intern While many students can be found volunteering at local hospitals, lifeguarding and bagging groceries, older Los Altos and Mountain View residents are lending their hands to the community as well. Official ballot language for the Los Altos School District parcel taxThe following is the ballot language for the Los Altos School District parcel tax, approved at the district’s board of trustees meeting July 22, as it will appear before voters on the ballot of the Nov. 5 special election, to raise the parcel tax from $264 a year to $597 per year, beginning July 1, 2003. Ballot Question SportsSports On The SideSt. Francis High’s Class of 1982 is planning a golf tournament as part of its 20-year reunion. The tournament will be held the weekend of Aug. 9. For more information, logon to www.sfhs.com or www.classmates.com. Cycling along Mtn. View Bobby Sox teams headed for national tourneyTown Crier Editorial Intern Practices were intense last week at Stevenson Park for the local Bobby Sox softball teams as they prepared to travel to Nationals in Los Angeles on Thursday. Local all-stars go all outTown Crier Correspondent National Football League, take note: To see how an all-star game is meant to be played, you might want to attend Santa Clara County’s annual Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game. Venus Williams powers past Clijsters to win Bank of the West
Conventional wisdom held serve at Stanford University last Sunday. And it was the serves that told the story. That should have come as no surprise to anyone watching the singles finals of the Bank of the West Classic, with two of the tournament’s three fastest server - top-seeded Venus Williams and fourth seed Kim Clijsters - facing off in a battle of the last two Bank of the West champions. BusinessOn Mane Street has new ownerOn Mane Street has a new owner and a new name. Albert Anhar has purchased the beauty salon from Linda Fioretti, and the new name will be Albert on Mane Street. Years ago, Anhar’s family sent him to Germany to become an engineer, and he hated it. He called his father and said he wanted to do something else. Hairstyling appealed to him, so he entered the School of Cosmetology in San Jose. Nominations being accepted for MV chamber awardsThe Chamber of Commerce Mountain View is accepting nominations for the 2002 Celebration of Leaders Awards. The chamber’s annual Celebration of Leaders Awards reception and ceremony recognizes exceptional contributions and service to the Mountain View community. The chamber invites its non-profit members to nominate an outstanding volunteer. The Celebration of Leaders Awards will be presented at the Crowne Plaza Cabana 6 p.m., Nov. 21. Image-making boxIT may help Mac salesTown Crier Editorial Intern After 15 years of working at a Macintosh consulting firm, Ken Easterby was determined to change the negative view of Macs in the business world. Collecting stock dividends becoming fashionable againThere was a time during the 1990s when stock dividends were scorned. They were considered about as exciting as collecting stamps, and the reward was considered minimal. Today, with investors counting their losses and nursing tech-stock hangovers, companies with good earnings and paying dividends have become desired investments. Time to give plunging stocks another lookStock Report What should investors do in this roller-coaster stock market? The future is still unpredictable and the suggestion is to wait; but last week’s sudden turnaround could mean the big indexes have hit bottom for the short run. Small businesses using creativity to lower expensesFor small and mid-sized manufacturers with revenues under $100 million, the threat of global competition is looming stronger every day. These companies’ livelihood depends on steady relationships with their customers, which are typically much larger companies for whom they supply critical parts. Many of these companies are being forced to look for creative and cost-effective ways to reduce their operating expenses in order to compete more effectively for customers. Chamber golf tourney scheduled for Aug. 19The 13th annual Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is scheduled for Aug. 19, with a sold-out field of 144 golfers playing at the Los Altos Golf and Country Club. A modified scramble will be the tournament format. “This is the seventh straight year that we have had an early sellout for this great event, and we owe a special thanks to our generous sponsors who help make this event such an outstanding success,” said Steve Shepherd, golf tournament co-chairman. Your HomeCustom tailor a cabinet for any room in the houseBusiness Profile When Kurt Widstrand lived in Los Altos, he played around sculpting objects and making furniture and eventually turned a perfectly good hobby into a full-time business. Foothill Garden Club blossoms to include all ages - and sexesTown Crier Editorial Intern What started as a club for men who shared an interest in gardening has now blossomed into a group with 44 members from such cities as Palo Alto, Cupertino and Los Altos. Gardening is good for the soul and the tableLos Altos resident William “Bill” C. Henderson, a World War II veteran - he is a Pearl Harbor survivor and also survived the sinking of the USS Helena - spends a lot of time in his back yard these days. He is a gardener, like many other area residents, because it gives him joy and satisfaction. Protecting your furniture investmentWear and tear on furniture that is enjoyed everyday can be expected. However, there are some things that you can do to prevent “daily lounging” from causing permanent damage. With a little attention and know-how, you can keep your furniture beautiful. To stop damage before it starts, Furniture Medic suggests these tips: LAH couple convert run-down house into ‘perfect family home’If you’re looking for the typical Los Altos family, Dan and Mary Lenehan are perfect candidates. Dan, an engineer from New Jersey, and Mary, a Las Vegas native, met at Intel Corp. 16 years ago and just celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. They have two children - Sean, 12, and Maureen, 10 - and Molly, the 2-year-old golden retriever who keeps the family constantly on their toes. Mary doesn’t work for Intel anymore. Today she takes care of her two children and the family home in Los Altos Hills. Dan is an engineer-director and still works with Intel. Good lighting fundamental for the kitchen, expert saysThe kitchen is the most lived-in space in most homes. The traditional kitchen of the past was a place for the family to gather. In the modern kitchen, little has changed. Removing mattress mites is key allergy reliefTown Crier Editorial Intern Most people are concerned with what they eat and drink and even the quality of air they breathe. Hanging clothes out to dry can be riskySide of Clyde Most people in Los Altos dry their clothes inside their house, in a clothes dryer. The machine spins the garments in vicious cycles, pumping heated air on them. As the clothes tumble, odd sounds come from the machine until they are dry, and then the machine stops automatically and gives out a signal so you can take them out and place them neatly in your bedroom armoire. |
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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