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Archives » 2002 » Volume 55 , Issue 36, Published on Wednesday, September 4, 2002NewsOff and running
Local football teams enter season with something to prove Every one of the area’s high school football teams approaches the upcoming season with a chip on its shoulder pads. Car thieves escape arrest in Los AltosFour alleged car thieves escaped arrest Aug. 22 despite a massive manhunt in Los Altos that included K-9 units from the Mountain View and Los Altos police departments. The men drove a stolen vehicle into Los Altos after allegedly shoplifting merchandise at 3:36 p.m. from a Mountain View department store, Mountain View police said. LAH Planning commission to decide fate of suspended ‘Winbigler’ projectThe Los Altos Hills Planning Commission is scheduled to decide the fate of the construction project at the former Winbingler property in Los Altos Hills Sept. 12. The site has remained void of back up bells and power tools since city officials issued a stop work order on the project last month after owners Gordon Campbell and Maria Ligeti allegedly demolished the property’s 1926 landmark home without notifying town hall. The city could slap a $16,500 penalty on Campbell and Ligeti, under a building ordinance that allows the city to collect10 times the normal permit fee from property owners who start work without the proper site development permit. A site development permit typically costs $1,650. RVs remain blackballedLos Altos yards will remain no-parking zones for recreational vehicles and trailers until city hall officials change the language in the city’s blight ordinance. The Los Altos City Council sent a revised blight ordinance back to the drawing board last month, saying the law was still written in a way that prohibited residents from parking their RVs in their yards. News BriefsThe Los Altos City Council is scheduled to look at alternative hotel plans for the city-owned property on First and Main streets Sept. 24 at the request of Councilman King Lear. Los Altos city officials have been negotiating with developer Roxy Rapp behind closed doors since last fall to develop a draft development plan that would place a two-story boutique hotel on the site. Police ReportAug. 29, 7:24 a.m., Grant Road: A caller complained to police about a noisy leaf blower. Accident City council moves forward with Rosita pool planSize constraints and neighborhood protests weren’t enough to stop the Los Altos City Council from plunging forward with a conceptual design for the Rosita pool complex. The council approved plans to place a wading pool, a 20-yard-by-25-yard recreational pool, a 25-meter-by-25-yard competition pool and an adjacent minipark at the end of Rosita Avenue. The council scrapped a concession stand included in the design. New traffic law allows radar enforcementLos Altos motorists will have to drop their speeds by 5 mph along Springer Road. The Los Altos City Council decided to change the posted speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph after a new California law made it legal for police to use radar in the lower speed zone. The council had increased the speed limit on this section of Springer in 1999 in order to legally allow police to use radar. Under the state law at that time, police officers were prohibited from using radar to enforce the speed limit unless the posted speed limit was within 5 mph of what 85 percent of motorists on that particular road traveled. The 85th percentile on Springer between Foothill Expressway and Covington Road was recorded at 33 mph, according to the study conducted by Traffic Data Service. OpinionLetters to the EditorAfter thwarting the theater at First and Main streets last year, the Town Crier Editorial of Aug. 21 is again taking a stand against a downtown theater. Under the guise of “we like a theater, but …,” the editorial proceeds with inaccuracies and biased journalism in attempting to influence our community. The editorial says the theater would face San Antonio Road. As proposed, it would face Third Street. Another inaccuracy is that the city would have to reimburse business owners for the parking plaza land. The business owners did not form the parking plaza assessment district, the property owners did. The property owners turned the plazas over to the city and relinquished all responsibility for them. A View from the HillsI’ve got those billing debacle blues I have panic attacks. I’ve developed a nervous tic. My doctor thinks I’m “overwhelmed” and wants me to see a psychologist. My “take” is, I need an island where I can wear a grass skirt, and a small coconut I can split in two for a bustier to contain my shrinking assets. I attribute my twitching and shrinking to global billing and the time I spend telephoning to correct egregious errors. Other VoicesIntense state lobbying effort needed for more school funds With California offering incentives for academic performance, one might think that the 2001 top-rated Los Altos School District would garner a significant cash bonus from the State. CommunityArtists to celebrate Los Altos’ 50th yearThe 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 to produce images of historic homes, homes and cars of 1952, as well as new and old commercial buildings. Library NewsEvents at the library in September include: Today: Whodunit? mystery readers’ group will discuss “A Broken Vessel” by Kate Ross, 10:15 to 11:30 a.m., in the group study room, and the library will hold a book discussion on “The End of the Affair’ by Graham Greene from 7:30 to 9 p.m., in the small conference room. Community BriefsGet ready for the 14th annual “Rock Back the Clock” family street dance scheduled 6-10 p.m., Friday, at Rancho Shopping Center, Foothill Expressway and Springer Road in Los Altos. The event provides an inexpensive evening for the family, with the kids dancing and hula-hooping their hearts out to 1950s hit songs. LAH city clerk calls it quits after 23 years
Los Altos Hills City Clerk Patricia Dowd is set to retire after 23 years of service. She is scheduled to leave office Nov. 16, shortly after the last election she will ever have to administer. Over the years, she has taken minutes for more than 600 council meetings and seen the inauguration of 21 council members. She has worked closely with eight city managers and has been a pillar of strength for the council, holding local government together as members have come and gone. Gubernatorial candidate Simon vows to address budget deficit at local appearanceGubernatorial Republican candidate Bill Simon stayed on course with his upbeat promises of addressing state budget woes while steering clear of corporate malpractice allegations during a local appearance last Thursday. ** missed drop char **Simon was part of a “Meet the GOP State Slate Night” organized by Los Altos-based South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition. The event at the Quadrus Convention Center in Menlo Park was co-sponsored by the Lincoln Club. Longtime community contributor to be honored with ‘Billy Russell Day’Billy Russell, a member of the Rotary Club of Los Altos since its founding in 1950 and a longtime community contributor, will be honored this Sept. 12 by the Rotary Club with “Billy Russell Day.” Neilson Buchanan, former chief administrator at El Camino Hospital who has known Russell since 1967, put Russell’s impact in perspective. Los Altos to commemorate 1-year anniversary of terrorist attacks with salute to law enforcementThe lyrics to the “Star- Spangled Banner” will be the first powerful words heard by those attending the “Remembering 9/11″ ceremony, set to begin 6:20 p.m. next Wednesday at the Hillview soccer field, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. Sitting or standing next to neighbors and friends beneath the bold red, white and blue, 20-by-40-foot American flag, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents can unite as one as they are led by local High School freshmen Georgia Glaze, Christina Bolognini, Alison Unzelman and Lizzie Chandler in the national anthem. LA Council grants $500 for 9/11 eventThe Los Altos City Council approved city participation by helping to fund next week’s “Remembering 9/11″ communitywide event scheduled for the Hillview Soccer Field. The motion to provide a $500 grant was approved 4-0; Councilman King Lear abstained from the vote because he said he does not believe in memorials. State-of-the-art recordings aid blind and dyslexic studentsLocal students who are blind, visually impaired or with learning disabilities now have unprecedented access to the contents of textbooks and other educational materials with the nationwide release of digitally recorded textbooks on CD from Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. “RFB&D’s AudioPlus books level the playing field for students with disabilities because they offer functionalities that significantly enhance the ability to study and research,” said Jordan Sher, executive director of the Northern California Unit. “Students with disabilities trying to keep pace with their peers in the classroom will now have the same ability to jump immediately across pages and chapters and to bookmark key sections for easy reference later.” Los Altos resident scheduled to be honored as Hometown Hero for her volunteer workJean Taylor is a true believer in volunteering. The 50-year Los Altos resident still remembers the words of her mother, who died when she was 14: “Don’t look too far ahead, don’t look too far behind. Bring kindness to someone’s life every day.” Taylor, 76, has volunteered virtually ever since. Farm life at Hidden Villa a rewarding experience for kids and their guidesVolunteers who lead farm tours at Hidden Villa give as much as they get, and they get a great deal. “We experience just as much out here,” said former tour guide Rick McAulay, “as the kids do.” What they experience at Hidden Villa is a dream of rural yesteryear mixed with a vision of a sustainable tomorrow. McAulay and his fellow volunteers in the Environmental Education Program share the experience with 200 children each day, from all income levels and ages in schools throughout the Bay Area, adding up to 20,000 children each year. Songwriters conference at FoothillMore than 400 songwriters, performers and music industry professionals will meet at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills for the Northern California Songwriters Association’s “Creation: Craft: Connection,” its 22nd Annual Songwriters Summit, Sept. 14 and 15. The conference is open to the public and offers seminars, song screenings, and panels focused on how to write and promote winning songs and break into the industry. Roto-Rooter manager puts resident’s sewer troubles down the drainLongtime Los Altos resident Barbara Carter had just lost her husband when a plugged sewer line Aug. 3 resulted in a flood at her home on Deodora Drive. At first, Los Altos city workers said they couldn’t help. Then they told her she needed new pipes that would cost thousands of dollars that she couldn’t afford. City workers came out the following week and worked three to four hours, but they couldn’t find the source of obstruction. TV crew pays ‘House Calls’ to Los Altos residentsTown Crier Editorial Intern The production crew of Ron Hazelton’s “House Calls” will be rolling into the streets of Los Altos this weekend to film a home improvement project. Senior BriefsThursday: Health & Stress Workshop. Dr. Kathryn Riley and Dr. Lance Strovers will provide information to help minimize stress and to experience more energy, feel more relaxed, sleep better and meet your daily challenges. Monday and Wednesday: AARP 55 Alive Mature Driving classes, 6-10 p.m. To register, come in or mail check made payable to AARP dated the first day of the session. Mail to Mtn. View Senior Center at above address. SchoolsJob market woes affect teen-age students
Town Crier Editorial Intern While adults suffer through the worst job market in years, teen-agers also face difficulty finding suitable employment. As summer winds to a close, students home from college have realized some hard truths - a feeble job market, with competition from high school students and laid-off high-tech workers, results in aggravation and disappointment. Foothill ’s Center for Innovation to openThe word innovation says it all. Foothill College’s Krause Center for Innovation - with its 18,000 square feet of state-of-the-art computer labs, unique furniture, architectural designs, teaching spaces, digital art gallery and cyber cafe - will celebrate its grand opening Sept. 14. New principal at St. Nicholas SchoolJim Realini is no longer jumping out of airplanes as a member of the Army’s Special Forces but he’s getting his thrills out of being the new principal at St. Nicholas School in Los Altos Hills. Realini was hired last March as principal, a post he began this school year. SportsSports On The SideLast week’s sports story on the five Los Altos residents who helped their Airborne Gymnastics team win the NAWGJ Judges Cup Meet included the wrong all-around score for Christina Nilles. She placed ninth with a 31.85. Rec ball LAHS grad Sanford settles in at StanfordFormer QB runs the Cardinal offense Sitting in an office just minutes away from his birthplace, it was clear Mike Sanford was home. Coaching for the love of the gameTown Crier Correspondent Makjavich has run semipro team - without pay - since ‘54 Mtn. View High grad Fong named tennis All-AmericanStephanie Fong of Los Altos recently capped a stellar tennis career at Amherst College in Mass. Fong last spring was named NCAA Division III All-American by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Eagles excited about new girls soccer coach MagellanLos Altos High athletic director Monica Lodge is eagerly anticipating the start of the prep soccer season, even if it is still three months away. “I’m looking forward to that season,” she said. “I think we lucked out.” BusinessWhat else is new? Los Altos homes still among state’s most expensiveAsk Your Realtor Los Altos, with a median home price of $1,117,500, made the list of the 10 communities in the state with the highest median home prices for the second quarter of 2002. Jean on the JobExecutive recruiting: show time to slow time The fascinating work of retained search is suffering a little. As compared to two years ago, when the phones rang incessantly thanks to companies looking for new executives in the skimpy world of the currently unemployed or underemployed, searchers are now straining to find the right executive for the few slots open. Special SectionJazz band String of Pearls to perform in Los AltosString of Pearls, a jazz and swing octet led by Don Conway and featuring Connie Anne Conway of Palo Alto, will perform its first U.S. concert of its China tour program Sunday in Los Altos. Presented by BayLight Church, the Silk Road concert will be held 7-9 p.m., at the Masonic Lodge, 145 Main St. Tips From The Auto BrokersBy Robert Hammer & Stefanie Kelly It’s that time of year again: out with the 2002 models, in with the 2003s. AAA and Parents magazine rank the best family carsThe American Automobile Association and Parents magazine recently teamed up to rate the top 12 family cars on the market. Vehicles selected were rated among the top performers in crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Classic cars to roll into town for Los Altos Fall FestivalFor local car lovers, the Los Altos Fall Festival with its Classic Car Show has become an annual treat to look forward to. Scheduled this year for Oct. 5 and 6, the car show will fill the south parking plaza between First and Second streets in downtown Los Altos with about 30 cars each day. FH-DA district seeking used vehiclesThe Foothill-De Anza Community College District is asking residents to donate their used vehicles to the Foothill-De Anza Foundation, which funds programs and services at both community colleges. Used cars, trucks, RVs, boats and planes may be donated. School safety signs change to lime“Lectric” Lime is the new fall color for the belts and hats of School Safety Patrollers. Lectric Lime replaces orange, which dates back to the 1970s. The switch comes after the Federal Highway Administration authorized use of the fluorescent yellow-green color for warning signs in school zones. CorrectionsLast week’s article about the 8th annual Ben Eckenhoff Memorial Bike Ride contained an incorrect phone number. For information, call 965-8840. Last week’s story about the Los Altos History Museum honoring 50-year residents incorrectly reported that Irwin Martin voted against incorporation. He, in fact, voted in favor of incorporation. WeddingsJulie Marie Nicholas and Steven Michael Wheeler were married June 29 at Los Altos Lutheran Church. A reception followed at the Palo Alto Golf and Country Club. The bride is the daughter of Milton and Marilyn Nicholas of Los Altos. She graduated from Los Altos High School and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Santa Clara University and a master’s degree in human relations and organization development from San Francisco State University. ObituariesA celebration of his life was held on Thursday, August 29, 2002, at 2:00 pm at the Los Altos chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 399 Lyell St, at San Antonio Road. Donations are preferred to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements under the direction of Byrgan & Company of Los Gatos, 408-354-6200. HEFFLEY, William Kenneth, in Mountain View, died August 24, 2002, he was 85. Husband of Roberta Jean Heffley of Los Altos; father of Bob Heffley of Los Altos and Dennis Heffley of Connecticut. He was a native of Alaska. He was a self employed Boiler Maker. Private family services were held. Arrangements were held under the direction of the Los Altos Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 399 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2065 West El Camino Real, Suite C, Mountain View, CA 94040, preferred. Service of reflection and hope on 9/11 anniversaryThe sanctuary will be open during the day for personal prayer. The church is located at 655 Magdalena Ave., at the corner of Foothill Expressway. For more information, call 948-1083, ext. 114, or logon to www.laumc.org. Spiritual Life BriefsCreekside Crossings at Los Altos United Methodist Church will discuss elements of peace on Sunday evenings in September and October. “PeaceMaking” will explore forgiveness, hope, vision, prayer and other actions persons can take to live a life of peace. The church pastors will lead the discussions, designed to reflect on the challenges of our day. The Creekside Worship Band leads the music at the Creekside Crossings services, offering sing-along contemporary Christian music. Dirk Damonte leads the band of 10, featuring guitar and vocal leads. Christ Episcopal Church schedules lunch and dance to welcome new staffChrist Episcopal Church in Los Altos will celebrate the arrival of its new music minister Peter Stoltzfus and new youth minister Holly Hem at its third annual Country Dance and Potluck Lunch Sunday, following the 10:15 a.m. worship service. Stoltzfus holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the Yale University schools of music. His primary choral experience has been with choirs involving children as sopranos. He served as assistant organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Detroit, Mich.; Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven, Conn.; and Saint Thomas Church, New York City. From 1995 to 2002, Stoltzfus served as minister of music and organist at the historic Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn Heights, New York. ‘Ragtime’ ready to open in MVTheatreWorks continues its 33rd season with its production of “Ragtime,” running today through Sept. 29. “Ragtime” will be staged at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. |
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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