Charter fuels debate

The Los Altos School District’s rejection of the Bullis Charter School petition last week marked not the end but the first step in a process that could take several months before the state board of education decides the matter.

Supporters of the charter school effort — coming after Los Altos trustees voted to close Bullis-Purissima School in February — vowed to press on last week, taking their cause to the Santa Clara County Board of Education.

Mailblocks files suit against EarthLink for patent infringement

Los Altos-based Mailblocks announced last Thursday that it has filed suit against EarthLink Inc. for patent infringement of its “Challenge/Response” technology, which eliminates e-mail spam from users’ inboxes.

According to Mailblocks officials, EarthLink initiated discussions with the new e-mail provider in connection with its soon-to-be-launched service a short while ago. Based on information presently available, Mailblocks said it appears that the EarthLink service, as advertised, will infringe patent rights held by Mailblocks.

Sex misconduct charges against St. Francis teacher dropped

Sexual misconduct charges against the St. Francis High School teacher accused of fondling a student in November 2001 have been dismissed. Santa Clara County Assistant District Attorney Pinaki Chakravorty determined there wasn’t enough evidence uncovered during the yearlong investigation to prosecute English teacher Michael Kemp.

“The People’s decision to dismiss the charges in this case is … not a commentary on the truth or untruth of the charges. It only means that at this time, the People have insufficient evidence to proceed within the criminal context. It is unlikely that the People will be able to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt,” Chakravorty told Judge Charles Corey. Kemp was exonerated Jan. 13.

Fire shuts down Los Altos Wells Fargo Bank

An overheated ceiling fan is believed to have been the cause of a fire that ignited inside Wells Fargo Bank on State Street in downtown Los Altos Friday.

The bank remained closed until Monday due to damages.

Group devising new plan to restore creek

In response to the rejection of the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s watershed proposal, a group of creekside residents have launched a new effort to save Adobe Creek.

Days after the Los Altos Hills City Council voted 4-1 against the plan April 3, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents formed the Adobe Creek Watershed Group to address flooding, erosion and habitat loss along the creek’s Edith Park area.

Gas explosion destroys home

Santa Clara County firefighters extinguish flames at a Cupertino home that exploded after utility workers accidentally punctured a gas line while working on a home down the street near the Los Altos border May 6.

Gas from the damaged gas line filled the house and ignited when it came into contact with a lit pilot light, authorities said. The explosion

Homecomings and military news

Landing a C-17 Globemaster loaded with troops and supplies in complete darkness at high enemy threat-level airfields throughout the Middle East was a routine operation for U.S. Air Force reserve pilot Mark Bauknight during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The possibility of enemy attack required pilots and ground crew to wear night-vision goggles for “blackout” landings in order to make military aircraft less noticeable targets. Several aircraft landing in Afghanistan had been fired on during the weeks preceding the war.

The lieutenant colonel was part of the 300th Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina, which transported cargo and passengers in and out of the Middle East in one of the largest airlift operations in history. The Air Mobility Command made as many as 25 flights a day out of some airfields, moving more than 445,000 tons of cargo and 447,000 passengers to Afghanistan before the start of the war, according to reports from Aviation Week.

LETTERS OF MAY 14, 2003

controversial opinions

Hire workers from the Worker Center, not El Camino

While providing a toilet for day workers on El Camino is a humane step to take, it’s not going to address the real environmental impact. Day workers gather on El Camino because it’s profitable to do so.

While some people seeking workers go to the very well organized St. Joseph the Worker Center in Mountain View, there are still many employers and homeowners who pick up workers from El Camino. It is these people who are responsible for the gathering of workers on the street corners.

Weddings

Send your wedding, engagement or anniversary 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

OBITUARIES FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 14

A Memorial Mass and fellowship in honor of Arthur “Art” J. Scott is scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, at St. Simon Catholic Church. Scott, 42, was a prominent realtor who also volunteered in the community. He took his own life April 28. St. Simon Catholic Church is located at 1860 Grant Road, Los Altos.

beloved husband of Pauline DeKraker, died peacefully on May 7, 2003 surrounded by his loving family. Glenn was born in Boulder, CO on February 16, 1926, but spent his youth in Albuquerque, NM. Following his stint in the Navy, he began a wonderful fifty-seven year marriage to the love of his life, Pauline Dittmer and moved to Palo Alto, CA to complete his education at Stanford University. Following graduation, they moved to Springfield, IL, where he joined Sangamo Electric Company, and they started their home in Los Altos Hills. Glenn began an entrepreneurial career that resulted in the founding of several software companies in the media and advertising industry.

Professor details Bush foreign policy for Morning Forum

Morning Forum members were treated last Wednesday to a deeply reasoned, densely documented and brilliantly presented analysis of the foreign policy of the Bush administration.

Ken Jowitt, Robson Professor of Political Science at the University of California at Berkeley and Pres and Maurine Hotchkis Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, discussed “American Foreign Policy: Mission Impossible.”

Our citizen Vinnie

After 36 years of Red Cross affiliation, Los Altos resident Vinnie Biberdorf has been given long overdue recognition as the 40th recipient of the annual Community Service Award. The honor, presented last Wednesday by local realtors, spotlights volunteers like Biberdorf who have made a difference locally.

As an explorer, an adventurer and a Red Cross volunteer, Biberdorf has demonstrated her kinetic energy.

Budget cuts continue, forcing layoffs in Foothill-De Anza district

The Foothill-De Anza Community College District provided details of the 2003-04 budget cuts, which include the elimination of a large contingent of classified employees. With the possibility of bumping rights, last Monday’s meeting turned into an emotional event.

“We are not happy with these cuts. You (district board) have to consider the budget crisis, but we must work together,” said Javier Rveda, chapter chairman for Foothill-De Anza SIEU Local 715. “Don’t forget the contribution we have made to this district. This is no fault of our own, so don’t forget who we are.”

The most frequently asked questions about the Bullis Charter School proposal

What does it take to open and operate a charter school?

A: The application for the establishment of a charter school must be submitted to and approved by the Los Altos School District. The petition must include signatures from the parents or guardians of at least 50 percent of the pupils estimated to be enrolled the first year. The charter must address 16 specific elements relative to the charter school’s proposed educational program, evaluation criteria and reporting requirements. The petition may be denied by the governing board of the district if it finds that the charter petition fails to do any of the following: present a sound educational program; demonstrate its ability to succeed; contain the requisite signatures; contain an affirmation that the school will be nonsectarian, tuition free and non-discriminatory; and provide a comprehensive description of the 16 charter school elements. If denied, an appeal may be made to the Santa Clara County Board of Education.

Los Altos rallies to beat Mtn. View, claims division title

It was a major reversal of fortune in just one inning for the Los Altos and Mountain View baseball teams.

Just six outs away from a crushing defeat, the Eagles’ season-long stranglehold on first place appeared to be over. Just six outs away from their biggest victory of the season, the Spartans’ season-long pursuit of their crosstown rival and first place appeared to be coming to a successful end.

Flower shops combine for better service

Last month, owners Danny Brooke and David Stine moved A Place For Flowers from Main Street to join Debbie Jorgensen, the owner of Patt’s Greenhouse on State Street, to make one big flower shop with three owners.

“It just seemed natural for the two organizations to get together,” said Jorgensen. “Naturally, it’s an economy move for both of us, but we can also offer more items for our customers. Before, if my customer wanted cut flowers I could not provide that service.”

Investors are finally warming up to the market

Investors are slowly warming up to the market again, because better-than-expected corporate earnings are beginning to appear. The Iraq conflict is over, and crude oil is back down to around $27 a barrel — where it was before the war.

Last week the Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.26 percent, the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2 percent, and the Town Crier index was up 2.6 percent because of some favorable action reported by local companies.

Hillview Center hosts yoga classes for seniors

Leslie Sims has been teaching yoga more than 25 years. After completing her yoga class at the Hillview Center last week, she asked her 25 students, “Are you all right? Do your legs hurt? The outcome for each individual has infinite possibilities.”

Yoga is taught year-round at the Hillview Center through Mountain View-Los Altos Adult Education. The same facilities are used by the Los Altos Recreation Department for its yoga classes.

Homecomings and military news

Landing a C-17 Globemaster loaded with troops and supplies in complete darkness at high enemy threat-level airfields throughout the Middle East was a routine operation for U.S. Air Force reserve pilot Mark Bauknight during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The possibility of enemy attack required pilots and ground crew to wear night-vision goggles for “blackout” landings in order to make military aircraft less noticeable targets. Several aircraft landing in Afghanistan had been fired on during the weeks preceding the war.

The lieutenant colonel was part of the 300th Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina, which transported cargo and passengers in and out of the Middle East in one of the largest airlift operations in history. The Air Mobility Command made as many as 25 flights a day out of some airfields, moving more than 445,000 tons of cargo and 447,000 passengers to Afghanistan before the start of the war, according to reports from Aviation Week.