City attorney uncooperative with residents’ open space initiative, supporters say

The Los Altos Hills city attorney and members of the town staff have been “terrifically uncooperative” with and antagonistic toward a residents’ group, Open Space, which hopes to secure their open space initiative on next spring’s special-election ballot, group organizers said.

City attorney Steve Mattas wrote an objective but excessively lengthy title and description of the initiative to confuse likely voters and undermine the group’s work, said one Los Altos Hills Open Space organizer.

Mountain View Firefighters burn agricultural hold over

An old farm house held over from Mountain View’s agricultural days disappeared from the streetscape on Ortega Avenue in a black cloud of smoke Friday after the owners asked firefighters to intentionally burn the structure down.

The dark, conical cloud could be seen in neighboring cities along the Peninsula for most of the afternoon.

Brushing up on Los Altos Grand opening of ‘Paint the Town - Again’ collection

Capturing the flavor of Los Altos - as it was and as it is - the “Paint the Town - Again” collection of more than 50 original paintings is on public display for the first time this week. As part of celebrating Los Altos’ 50th birthday, the artwork is on display for two months at Marjolaine Bakery & Cafe on Main Street.

Kicked off Sept. 14 when dozens of local artists set up their easels throughout Los Altos, the “Paint the Town - Again” project is patterned after a similar program conducted at the turn of the century.

LAH pathways debate should involve fire officials, expert says

The Los Altos Hills City Council should not act on an updated town pathways and easements plan without the full involvement of local and state fire officials, said one regional fire-safety expert.

The 2002 Master Path Plan, an update of the plan last revised in 1981, could be approved by council at its meeting tomorrow; but has been criticized by some residents for omitting dozens of miles of paths and eliminating some existing easements.

Spike in crime as holiday season approaches, FBI says Robbers strike 2 Los Altos banks in 4-day span

Bank robbers struck two Los Altos banks in less than four days last month, just days before the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported an increase in violent crimes, which include murder, rape and robbery, for fiscal 2001 — the first such rise in 10 years.

Despite recent statistics, crime in Los Altos is down this year and last month’s robberies can be attributed to the fast-approaching holiday season and other variables coupled with a sagging economy, police said.

Reported bank robberies

1994 1995 2001

23 18 5

Walgreen’s set to break ground on new store

Walgreen’s Drug Stores could clear the final hurdle today to break ground on the Second Street site in downtown Los Altos slated for its next pharmacy location.

The Los Altos Architectural and Site Control Committee is scheduled to review the pharmacy’s final design plans tonight before sending them to the council for the final go-ahead.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Our Los Altos Pathways System, by clever sleight of hand, is being replaced by a multitude of cul-de-sac paths (more properly called dead ends by hikers) and some roadside additions.

The proper response to this is the ballot box, and the present council should refrain from removing these town assets until the population votes in the election. At that time it is to be hoped that the NAMPL (Not Along My Property Lines) will be found to be in the minority.

Editorial Negative campaigning in LAH

This is going to sound like a broken record, but here we are, once again subjected to a nasty city council campaign filled with distortions of one another’s records.

We’ve been through this all before: some on endorsement lists say they didn’t actually endorse; those putting up signs on property did so without permission; mailers point out what’s wrong with the other guy instead of sticking to the candidates’ issues.

Editorial Kudos to the League of Women Voters

In addition to the usual election forums, the league has recently sponsored an informative talk on school financing that involved superintendents from three local districts. The league also will sponsor a forum on community college funding this coming Tuesday. And league members are co-sponsoring a Nov. 17 forum on how citizens can get involved in the protection of open space.

Their determination to provide fair and unbiased information through their Web site, smartvoter.org, along with helpful candidate forums makes them an important group we should thank and not take for granted.

Weddings

Send your wedding and engagement announcements to Richard Billings at the Los Altos Town Crier, 138 Main St., Los Altos 94022.

Photos are welcome. If you want your photo returned, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. For more information, call 948-9000, ext. 318, or e-mail

OBITUARY POLICY

WITH PHOTOS - Wednesday prior to next week’s publication.

LAH photographer documents 40 years of rhythm and harmony in new exhibit

William Carter’s work as a fine arts photographer isn’t tied to a particular fashion or time period. He prefers to focus his lens on timeless matters — the laughing smiles of an elderly couple, the lines and shapes of classic nudes, the enduring beauty of forests and seashores.

Carter is currently enjoying a 40-year retrospective exhibition of his work at the Anita Seipp Gallery of Castilleja School, 1311 Emerson St., Palo Alto. A reception for the artist, a Los Altos Hills resident, is scheduled 6-8 p.m., Friday, in the gallery.

New coordinator keeps teens busy — and safe

Three months on the job and Lindsay Brown is hard at work trying to bring Los Altos teens together in a safe environment.

The Los Altos Recreation Department hired Brown as the new Teen Program coordinator in August. She was formerly employed by the Newark Unified School District as a site director for after-school programs.

LAHS Marching band paints the town pink

Pink flamingos may soon take over the town — thanks to the Los Altos High School Marching Band.

This week kicks off the band’s “Flamingo Flocking” fund-raiser. The LAHS Instrumental Music Boosters has rented three 24-bird flocks of plastic pink flamingos which will migrate to designated yards within the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District boundaries.

Getting even St. Francis avenges loss to Mitty

The St. Francis High girls volleyball team is back atop the national rankings, and coach Kim Oden probably couldn’t care less.

“We’re not focused on being No. 1 now — it doesn’t matter,” the Lancers’ first-year coach said. “We just want to be No. 1 at the end of the season, and we’re working toward that goal.”

Web-based business offers picture frames

If you’re a creative person, the sky’s the limit when it comes to design. Jill Angle’s canvas for creativity is paper photo frames.

Under the name Lily Luna Paper Frames, the Los Altos resident has started a Web-based business to market her unique picture frames. They offer a fun way to display snapshots and photos.