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Archives » 2002 » Volume 55 , Issue 33, Published on Wednesday, August 14, 2002NewsChanges over crime
Tech-related offenses offer challenges for Los Altos Police With the proliferation of computer technology over the last few years, the face of crime in Los Altos has slowly changed. While crime rates have remained low and steady for more than a decade, there has been a marked change in the types of crimes committed. New technologies allow police to fight certain crimes effectively, while at the same time new ways to break laws have been discovered and slowly have risen in number. State appoints sheriff to new ‘Police Conduct’ commissionSanta Clara County’s top cop, Laurie Smith, will have a say in how police statewide should conduct themselves. The state Assembly earlier this month handpicked Smith to serve on the newly formed Speaker’s Commission on Police Conduct that Assemblyman Herb J. Wesson of Los Angeles created in July following release of the videotaped beating of a handcuffed youth in Southern California. Homeless camp blamed for 3-alarm fire near hwy.Mountain View Ahomeless encampment preparing dinner more than likely ignited the three-alarm brush fire near Highway 101 that shut down the Moffett Boulevard offramp for approximately two hours last week, Mountain View fire investigators said. Commute route through Mtn. View rated ‘2nd rudest’Commuters passing through Mountain View on Highway 101 are among the rudest drivers in the greater Bay Area, according to a AAA survey released last week. Survey results show that the stretch of Highway 101 between San Francisco and San Jose was rated the second-rudest-driving route in the Sacramento-San Francisco area. Three out of four people surveyed said aggressive driving is a moderate to big problem in this region. Wild owls flying high againTown Crier Editorial Intern The Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley released two great horned owls into the wild at San Antonio Park, July 31. News BriefsThe Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District extended the public comment period for the San Mateo Coastal Annexation Draft Environmental Impact Report to 5 p.m., Aug. 30. The proposed annexation would extend the district’s boundary and sphere of influence to include coastal San Mateo County from the southern boundary of the city of Pacifica south to the boundary of San Mateo/ Santa Cruz County and from the district’s current boundary west to the Pacific Ocean. LAH Council urged to preserve open space, resident group looks down the roadTown Crier Intern The Los Altos Hills Planning Commission nudged the city council back from its proposal to sell the Westwind Barn and Byrne Preserve property last Thursday. However, Los Altos Hills Open Space, a group backing the preservation of the property, said the steps taken were not decisive enough. OpinionLos Altos residents up a creek?Los Altos residents recently gave the planning commission an earful when addressing the subject of a proposed Creekside Protection Ordinance. Contrary to some beliefs, the city was not out to take resident properties, nor were officials working with the Santa Clara Valley Water District on a “land grab” in order for the district to proceed with creek restoration work. The intentions were noble: establishing a better buffer zone between creekside residents and the creeks to protect the riparian habitats from development right up to and beyond the creek bank. The ordinance revised easements from the middle of the creek to the top of the creek bank, and changed set backs to 25 feet into back yards from the creek bank and 10 feet into side yards. Letters to the EditorThe Town Crier article of Aug. 7, regarding the City Environmental Committee’s recommendation to the planning comission discussing the newly proposed property setbacks and easements for creekside owners, misses the bottom line - the cost. The takingof a setback or easement to a property according to the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and its subsequent interpretation by the U.S. Supreme Court, subject to just compensation payable to the property owner. If the City of Los Altos intends to take setbacks and easements, and declare properties non-compliant to city code, the net result will be a loss if property vcalue to nearly 500 Los Altos creekside property owners. for these individuals, this has roughly been estimated at $120 million. Are the tax payers of Los Altos willing to reimburse these individuals for their loss or willing to endure a law-suit with that size of number attached? Our home will be 7 feet within the proposed setback. it will be declared noncompliant. If 50 percent of our house os destroyed for any reason or if it exceeds its useful life (confusing city codes seem to declare that to be 50 years, which is 15 years from now), we will have to demolish 500 square feet or rebuild all but that 500 square fee of our home. Others are in a more difficult position as their homes will be entirely within the seback due to the way “top of bank” is defined bu the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Imagine what that homeowner will say to a prospective buyer when they go to sell their house: “Oh by the way, in 15 or less years, the City hasdeclared this property will become open space.” Are men and women different? Oh yeahThe Living Experiment “Oh, look at that tiny lizard,” I said to my husband “Isn’t it cute’? It can’t be more than 2 inches long.” CommunityResidents’ network results in recovery of lost petA good Samaritan’s tireless efforts to help a lost dog find its owner resulted in an extraordinarily happy reunion in Los Altos Hills last Thursday. Sassi, a small 6-year-old Yorkshire terrier, was found in the middle of Page Mill Road the night before. The woman who found Sassi saw no identification on the dog. “She was a little dehydrated and she smelled of skunk,” said the woman, who declined to be identified. The woman took Sassi to Kindness Pet Hospital in Los Altos for observation, then contacted pet hospitals, the Humane Society and other authorities to find the owner. Senior BriefsThe Los Altos Senior Center, 97 Hillview Ave., has several assistance programs for seniors to help them get tax credits and hold on to their money. The senior center has City of Los Altos Library Tax and Utility Users Tax Exemption request forms available. Income guidelines must be met to qualify for these exemptions. Artists scheduled to “Paint the Town - Again”The successful effort by local artists in 1999 to capture “the look of Los Altos the last year of the 20th century” will be repeated this fall with a new focus: Los Altos on its 50th birthday. Called “Paint the Town - Again,” the effort will be launched Sept. 14 when dozens of local artists set up their easels throughout town. Foothill drama coach to lead London theater tourFoothill College drama coach Jay Manley, who has led theater tours to New York and London for the last 24 years, is leading a theater tour to London Nov. 22 to Dec. 3. As a special salute to the holidays there will be a Thanksgiving feast at Rules, London’s oldest restaurant, founded in 1798. Orchestra seats will be reserved for seven theater productions, including “Breath of Life,” featuring Judy Dench and Maggie Smith; “Fuddy Meers,” featuring Jane Krakowski (of “Ally McBeal”); and the highly anticipated restaging of “Gypsy,” starring Bernadette Peters. Time capsule dedication scheduled next weekThe Los Altos and Los Altos Hills Time Capsule Committee has announced the dedication of the capsule is scheduled for 12:45 p.m., Aug. 25, on the grounds of the Los Altos History Museum. The capsule will be buried just outside the water tank beneath a natural local river rock from nearby Adobe Creek. The interment is one of the events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the city of Los Altos’ incorporation. ‘Remembering 9/11′ a community wide, family eventAll Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents are encouraged to save the evening of Sept. 11 for a special commemoration of last year’s tragedy. “Remembering 9/11″ will be a one-hour community wide gathering scheduled for 6:30- 7:30 p.m., on the Hillview Soccer Field. Additional demands for services this summer strains CHAC’s capacityTown Crier Editorial Intern Light summer staff pressed to handle increased need Westwind’s friends celebrate 25th anniversaryTown Crier Staff Report The historic Westwind Barn in Los Altos Hills invites the public to its festive “Hoedown” 5 - 10 p.m., Sept. 7. Looking for LEADers in Los AltosLeadership Education ADvancement is accepting applications for the 2001-2002 series. LEAD is a community involvement education course aimed at Los Altos area residents interested in learning more about their community and how to become involved. The course is sponsored by the Los Altos Community Foundation and organized by three volunteers from the Foundation board. Library to hold special events throughout AugustAugust is a busy month at the Los Altos library, with summer reading programs and other events for children, pre-readers and teens, and special activities for the city’s 50th birthday celebration. Teen movie nights will be held 7-9:30 p.m., Friday and Aug. 23. For titles, call the library. Community BriefsGolf croquet lessons will begin today and continue for several weeks, 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays. Lessons will be held at Little League Field 2 in Los Altos Hills. Reservations are required. For more information, call Jeanne Strong at 493-3322. Group leaving to Syktyvkar Los Altos resident notes changes since city’s incorporationTown Crier Editorial Intern One of the founding residents of Los Altos, Irwin Martin has seen the community’s transition during its 50 years from slow and rural to bustling and commercially developed. SchoolsNoteworthiesKenneth John Schweifler, son of Edwin and Kathy Schweifler of Los Altos, earned a doctorate in dental surgery with honors from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco. Sharon Siegel has been named the Older Adult Learner of the Year for 2001-02 by the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District. Schools BriefsState Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin announced the postponement of the release of the 2002 STAR test results. Originally scheduled for release Aug. 15, the complete results of this year’s STAR tests, including data by school, district, county and state, will be available Aug. 29. The Los Angeles Unified School District recently informed the California Department of Education of its delay in the return of approximately 250,000 STAR test documents to the state’s scoring contractor. Southbay Christian School closes its doors after 40 years“It’s sad to close Southbay. We (the parents) all really grew in our relationships with our children, with each other and in our relationships with God.” - Donna McCord Parents have nothing but praise for Springer teacher Michele KibbleTown Crier Editorial Intern In August 1997, when Michele Kibble walked into Covington Elementary School for her interview with the Los Altos School District, she had a bachelor’s degree in human development and teaching credentials from the University of California at Davis but no prior teaching experience. SportsRemember the TitansAAU team has memorable season with 2nd-place finish at national Members of the West Bay Titans may spend the rest of the summer pondering what could have been; how they came so close - just one win, to be exact - to a national championship. Sports On The SideLos Altos resident Lindsay Mibach has been selected as the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame’s Special Olympic Athlete of the Year. She will be honored at an induction dinner in November at the Compaq Center in San Jose. Mibach, 19, graduated from Lynbrook High last spring and will attend De Anza College in the fall. Guiding golfers Local AYSO hosting Major League Soccer Camp next weekAYSO Region 43, Los Altos, hosts a Major League Soccer Camp Monday through Aug. 23 at Santa Rita School in Los Altos. Programs for ages 6-9 run 9 a.m. to noon; ages 10-18 run 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The mighty Oaks fall to YankeesTown Crier Correspondent The Palo Alto Oaks were on the wrong end of the broomstick last Sunday. Quakes goalie Cannon proves worthy of all-star statusTown Crier Staff Report Here’s how professional athletes from the area and their teams performed in recent weeks: Dixit does it
Los Altos resident wins division at Alpine Hills tennis tourney The girls 16-and-under division final of the Alpine Hills Junior Classic featured patience vs. power. Roche brothers make their mark in Junior Olympic track seriesDouglas Roche won the Intermediate Boys Decathlon and his younger brother Casey placed second in the Youth Boys Pentathlon in last month’s Region 14 Junior Olympic series. This marked the second year in a row that Douglas - who’s entering his sophomore year at Los Altos High School - has won the Intermediate Boys (ages 15-16) Decathlon at the regional, which includes competitors from Northern and Central California. BusinessWhat a thrill - to be appreciatedJean on the Job When I limped into the doctor’s reception room someone jumped up and greeted me with, “Oh, hello. I know you. You are Jean Hollands. I know all about you.” She introduced me to her significant other and proceeded to explain that she reads the Town Crier, and my column first! Also scolded me for not having anything published for a while. Village Pantry owner bids Los Altos and customers a reluctant goodbye
Town Crier Editorial Intern Isun “Candy” Gehrke, owner of the Village Pantry in downtown Los Altos, said her customers have been like a family to her - so it’s hard for her to say goodbye. She recently sold the coffee shop after having owned it for six years. Look for some stocks to tankStock Report Consider last week’s stock rally the “eye of the storm” because volatility will begin again this week. Startup aids emerging companiesTown Crier Editorial Intern EscapeVelocity, a recently launched management consulting company located off San Antonio Road in Los Altos, has escaped the startup demise by doing what they do best: help other companies become successful. Transactions6733 Clifford Drive - Meadows Trust to M. Norman for $519,000.00 1188 Crestline Drive - Parson Trust to U. & S. Mandlekar for $745,000.00 Real estate - a high-touch businessA new term has been coined to describe the real estate industry - high-touch. Cathy Whatley, president-elect of the National Association of Realtors, said real estate will remain a high-touch business even as the industry embraces the latest in technology changes. That’s what consumers want and that’s the forecast Whatley made to technology vendors and real estate industry leaders at a recent technology conference, Real Estate Connect, held in San Francisco. “I predict that the real estate industry will adopt emerging new technologies that support the underlying premise of the market, which is one-to-one marketing. And despite technology, real estate will remain a very high-touch business,” Whatley told the general session. Resist bad advice - protect financial futureSound financial advice doesn’t change much from year to year. Bad money management ideas, however, seem to flourish and grow with each passing season. “Ultimately it’s up to you to resist bad advice and protect your own financial future,” says CNBC on MSN Money personal finance columnist Liz Pulliam Weston. Special Section‘Fame’ awaits in Palo AltoTTC (The Talent Crew) Encore Productions, a theater group comprising mostly Los Altos and Mountain View youths aged 13-22, is performing “Fame” Thursday through Sunday at the Palo Alto High School theater. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Sunday. Brewing unique spiritsTown Crier Editorial Intern MV distillery finds niche as sole U.S. producer of European liquor Making life more deliciousLayoff leads one local worker to open his own specialty food store Something for everyone Diet drinks aren’t higher in sodium than regular soft drinksQ: Is it true that diet soft drinks are high in sodium? A: No. The sodium content of diet soft drinks sweetened with NutraSweet is generally in the same range as regular soft drinks - 10 to 30 milligrams of sodium per eight-ounce serving. Soft drinks sweetened with sodium saccharin are slightly higher - about 37 milligrams in eight ounces - yet this even falls within the legal classification of a “low-sodium” food; the cutoff is 140 milligrams a serving. Food BitesMeekk’s Kitchen is scheduled to move from the Four Species Garden at the Jewish Community Center on Arastradero Road to the former Original Joe’s restaurant site in Palo Alto next month. Meekk’s is one of several tennants forced to relocate due to the closure of the community center. The strictly-kosher kitchen specializes in vegan and parve menus, which contain no animal or dairy products. Fusion cooking blends Mexican and Asian spices in salsa dishAsian Salsa Most people would never think of combining ingredients from assorted cultures. This “fusion cooking” can be laughable when it goes to excess, like pizza topped with duck and pineapple, or captivating when it succeeds, like French vichyssoise with a Mexican jalapeno kick. Still, fusion cooking has created a growing acceptance of new ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations. Grapes are a fruit, so wine is foodWhen dining out or having a meal at home that includes wine, an effort should be made to ensure that the foods (one of the foods being the wine) complement each other. How many times have you had the experience where you know the food and wine are both great; but combined, neither tastes very good? Flaky white fish makes a big red wine taste like the inside of an old tin can. A savory steak can turn a good white wine into a bottle of Perrier. WeddingsSimeon Neff and Jos Bols were married July 13 at Chaminade in Santa Cruz. A reception and dinner followed at Chaminade. Eleven friends and family came from Holland to attend the festivities. The bride is the daughter of Howard and Sheri Neff of Palo Alto. She attended Gunn High School in Palo Alto and received a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. She is employed at Enterprise. ObituariesMrs. Trinchero is survived by her children, Donna Vocke and Paul Trinchero; grandchildren, Paul and Andrea; and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Alexander. She was the widow of Henry Trinchero. MCNEELY, the Rev. George Gardiner died July 26. A native of New Jersey, he was 85. PYT’s version of ‘The Wiz’ proves to be just plain funTheater review A lot of kids. A lot of talent. A lot of fun. That’s the best way to describe Peninsula Youth Theatre’s recent production of “The Wiz” at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Kids or no, it was great show. |
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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