Adventure leads to success

Silicon Valley could use more savvy executives like Kevin Mosher to wake it from its economic slumber. Mosher stands out as a man who has built a career and raised a family by understanding and embracing uncertainty.

In business, as in life, uncertainty and expectations about the future shape our choices. To be successful, we try to reduce our risks and weigh the benefits and costs of our decisions before we make them. For many people, this is easier said than done — for Mosher, it’s an adventure.

A man for all seasons: Writer Leonard Koppett remembered

Family, friends and colleagues gathered at Temple Beth Am in Los Altos Hills July 7 to commemorate the life of Leonard Koppett of Palo Alto, who died June 22.

Mr. Koppett’s family immigrated from Russia when he was 5 and settled in New York City only a block away from Yankee Stadium. That circumstance and a love of music brought from Russia and nourished here colored his life.

Proposed parking permit fee lowered

The Los Altos City Council last week decided to drop a proposed annual parking fee of $36 to $12 rather than rescind a permit parking plan scheduled to go into effect this fall after some merchants expressed concerns that the plan unfairly targeted those least able to afford the fee. Quarterly permits will be available for $4. The fees will cover program costs only.

The city had intended to use the estimated $17,000 profit generated from the higher fees to help fund downtown maintenance costs, which exceed other commercial areas by about $120,000 annually, according to a city report.

Los Altos police could pay for own medical benefits under new one-year labor contract proposal from city

Los Altos police last Friday rejected a new labor contract that would have required them to pay a portion of their medical expenses out of their own pockets, saying such a deal would dull the department’s competitive edge with other local agencies. The police department’s contract expired June 30.

The Los Altos City Council’s proposed one-year contract would have provided police employees a 5 percent increase in health costs to offset escalating medical premiums, city officials said. City research shows that most providers anticipate premium increases of about 18 percent over the next year. Police would be left to pay about 13 percent out of pocket for health insurance.

LETTERS OF JULY 16, 2003

compromise

Resident involvement crucial for creek restoration

Councilmembers and residents felt the district’s plan for addressing a 100-year flood was too concrete laden, with adverse impacts on the environment. The district’s plan, for instance, called for more than 140 trees to be removed. Further, district officials appeared, in the town’s view, unable to compromise on the size and scope of their plan. As one resident put it, “It’s either their way, or the highway.”

Presumably, the district took to the highway after the council rejection. Residents opposing the district’s plan were relieved, but still far from satisfied. Erosion problems and flooding potential remain at Adobe Creek. With the district gone, the residents faced the prospect of no Reach 5 creek channel improvements at all. Reach 5 extends a quarter-mile downstream of West Edith Park, with the proposed renovation work running roughly parallel to Fremont Road.

Weddings

Send your wedding, engagement or anniversary announcements to Avinell Johnson 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. 335, or e-mail

OBITUARIES FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 16

primarily known as Arturo Toscanini’s principal clarinetist in the NBC Symphony from 1948 to 1955, passed away on June 13 in his home in Los Altos. He was 96. Before playing with the NBC Symphony, he held positions in the New York Philharmonic and the New York Symphony. In addition to Toscanini, he played with Bernstein, Maazel, Munch, Ormandy, Reiner, Stokowski, Bruno Walther and others. He retired to Los Altos in 1972, where he has enjoyed a blessed and happy life.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Frances Blaisdell Williams, daughter Alexandra Hawley and son John Williams, grandchildren Alison Johnston, Pamela Hawley and Alexander Williams, and great grandchildren Will, Connor and Lindsey Johnston.

Los Altos “Glorious Fourth” Celebration

We celebrate today– the American spirit. We celebrate it on the day of our independence. It is the spirit of Americans, this spirit of our individual independence.

Los Altos police officers and firefighters celebrate 50 years of contributions to safety

Retired and present members of the Los Altos Police and Fire departments gathered June 21 at the Los Altos Youth Center to celebrate 50 years of providing public safety.

Retired LAPD officer Lee Lera, chairman and master of ceremonies, thanked the attendees who had traveled from Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and as far away as Florida to attend.

Five elementary schools are on the move this summer in Los Altos School District

Even though the school year ended in June, it has been a whirlwind summer in the Los Altos School District, moving five schools.

Springer School is moving from Covington School back to its original site on Rose Avenue in Mountain View; Almond School is moving from Egan Camp School back to its original site on Almond Ave.; Santa Rita School is moving from its location on Los Altos Avenue to Egan Camp School; Loyola School is moving from its location on Berry Avenue to Blach Camp School; and Bullis School is moving permanently to Covington School.

Catching Z

By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

Chad Ziemendorf could be preparing for his senior year at UC Santa Barbara, where he emerged as a baseball star last season. Maybe he’d be living near the beach, spending his free time hanging out with friends and catching some rays.

Locals preparing for high school all-star football game

Despite graduating in the spring, eight area athletes will get one more chance to play high school football.

The local contingent– Mountain View High’s Sean Manson, St. Francis’ J.P. Bellotti, Mike Manoukian, Matt Richards and Tony Sackman, Homestead’s Will Faules and Ramont Thomas, and Gunn’s Phil Ghilarducci — will play for the North All-Stars in the Silicon Valley Youth Classic.

AuctionDrop opens branch in Los Altos to help people sell their items on eBay

AuctionDrop, which recently opened a branch in downtown Los Altos, may give local residents inspiration to rummage through their closets, garages and attics.

Community members can deliver their unwanted goods at AuctionDrop, a company that sells customers’ items on eBay for a variable commission of 20 percent to 38 percent.

Silvert’s garments are designed especially for the elderly

“Easy wear-easy care” appears to be the motto for Silvert’s, a specialty line of clothing for the elderly. Silvert’s precisely designed clothing ensures that clients are able to dress in an effortless manner.

“A huge difference with these clothes, compared to ‘normal’ clothes, is that they are easy to put on. They’re pretty and comfortable,” said Darlene Haynes, a Redwood City resident who recently modeled a Silvert’s outfit at the Los Altos Senior Center.

Showing they care

For the residents of Sunny View Lutheran Home’s special care unit, the days are packed with activities. A typical Tuesday schedule includes Betty’s Bridge Gang, Bingo with June, Senior Hoops, Tuesday Trivia, Balloon Volleyball, a film festival and a sing-along.

Residents of the special care unit are seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory loss afflictions. Yet, as the schedule from Susan Raye, the unit’s activity director, proves, they are busy, active and very much involved in daily life.