Sampling of Los Altos residents reveals dicontent for Davis’ recall

A recall election of Gray Davis could be the worse of two evils, according to several local residents interviewed in downtown Los Altos last week. The comment followed the announcement July 23 that a special election will be held Oct. 7 to decide whether California’s governor will remain in office.

Seven out of eight people said they would prefer to keep Davis in office rather than spend an estimated $30 to $35 million of taxpayers’ money to hold a special election. Of the 15 residents interviewed, two said they supported the recall; 13 said they didn’t.

She did it all for ‘Love’

For 17 years, longtime Los Altos resident John Brodie was one of pro football’s top quarterbacks, lending his golden arm to a triumphant career with the San Francisco 49ers from 1957 to 1973.

Three decades later, his daughter showed her family and everyone else watching the July 7 finale of NBC’s “For Love or Money” that her football hero father wasn’t the only one who had game.

El Camino unveils breakthrough tumor treatment technique

This month El Camino Hospital joined an elite group of medical institutions that use a 3-D laser technique to treat cancer patients. The breakthrough treatment, offered at fewer than 10 percent of the nation’s radiation oncology facilities, delivers precisely focused, high-energy doses of radiation to better destroy tumors, while minimizing side effects.

Hospital officials Tuesday unveiled the $5 million, 18,700-pound Varian Clinic-21-EX linear accelerator used to administer the treatments Tuesday. The accelerator is housed in a lead and concrete-lined vault under the hospital’s emergency entrance. Department staff are scheduled to begin treating patients with the accelerator Aug. 14.

Day workers march for improved labor laws

Local day workers seeking legal rights took to the streets Friday evening as part of a nationwide march staged to coincide with the introduction of the Day Laborer Fairness and Protection Act to the House of Representatives. The act, introduced by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, would hold those who hire day laborers accountable to federal employment standards applied to normal employers.

Maria Marroquin, director of St. Joseph the Worker Center in Mountain View, an agency that helps match employers with day laborers, said the workers are susceptible to labor abuses, especially since many wait on street corners for work and are paid in cash for daily jobs. Most in the Los Altos area are hired for garden or construction work.

LETTERS OF JULY 23, 2003

Following up on John Rossi’s recent letter to the editor, we want to express our frustration over the Los Altos City Council’s total lack of opposition regarding Mountain View’s proposed water reservoir project to be built in our Los Altos neighborhood.

U.S. soldier recalls Los Altos while stationed in Iraq

Recently I received a package from my mother, Diane Lillibridge. In and amongst the candy and baby wipes was the May 21 issue of the Los Altos Town Crier. I read about the 56th Pet Parade and about a soldier, David Scott, serving in the 101st Airborne Division. I’m glad I’m not the only “Los Altan” over here in Iraq.

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 30

age 83, died peacefully at home of natural causes on July 22, 2003. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Andy was born April 3, 1920 in the town of Aberdeen, WA to William and Òeila Lindsell. He attended Lake Washington High School and the University of Washington. He was first married in 1941 to Margaret Ann Maryatt with whom he had four children. That same year he joined the Navy and fought in World War II, piloting a B-24 Bomber in the South Pacific. He rose to the rank of First Lieutenant.

Do-it-yourself television: Real people make their own shows at KMVT station

Approximately seven years ago, Wendy Fleet walked into the KMVT 15 (Mountain View’s Community Television Channel) studio to learn about “making television.” Today, she has produced over 50 shows in the facility without spending a red cent and is employed by KMVT to train others to do the same.

Anyone over 11-years-old is welcome to learn the basics of studio production and editing, and for the past three years, Los Altos residents have been able to watch their shows on cable channel 26 courtesy of KMVT.

New principal at St. Nicholas School looking forward to year

Matt Komar is having a busy summer moving into his new office — the principal’s office at St. Nicholas School in Los Altos Hills.

Komar, a native of San Jose, was recently hired to replace principal Jim Realini at the start of this school year.

What a break

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.

Instead, the Los Altos native is chasing his dream.

Brothers dominate decathlon

Brothers Douglas and Casey Roche of Los Altos moved up in age classes and still placed first in their respective divisions at last month’s Junior Olympic Regional Decathlon Championship in Santa Rosa.

Douglas, undefeated in the decathlon the last three years, easily captured the Young Men’s Division (ages 17-18) and qualified for the Junior Olympic National Championships in Miami, Fla. His regional score of 4,797 set a new personal record. Douglas also established personal bests in the 100-meter sprint, shot put, 400 run, 110 high hurdles, discus, javelin and 1,500 run.

Five Paw Bakery caters to canines

The dogs that visit Five Paw Bakery may sit up and beg for more when they get a taste and whiff of the posh-life at the specialty dog treat store, which opened Tuesday in downtown Los Altos.

Paul Callary, owner, head pastry chef and self-proclaimed “lead sled dog,” said the bakery is “a whimsical, fun-loving place,” which enables a “healthy pet indulgence” with all natural freshly baked treats and gift products.

A bit of Norway in Los Altos Hills

A visit to Margie and Bill Utzinger’s home in Los Altos Hills is like a visit to Norway. The cheerfully decorated home has Norwegian rosemaling and traditional craftsmanship throughout.

“This house has everything I need, plus a fantastic view,” Bill said. “After practicing surgery and teaching at Stanford Medical School for 44 years, I’m very content living here.”