City, day workers wait for judge to end 19-month lawsuit

Los Altos officials last week approved a settlement agreement with a group of local day workers suing the city over its anti-solicitation ordinance, according to attorneys representing the day workers. The 19-month legal battle is not over until a federal judge signs off on the agreement next week. Until then, the city is prohibited from commenting on the agreement.

“Council did meet in executive session. They gave direction to the city attorney,” said Los Altos City Manager Phil Rose, following last week’s meeting. He said that an important part of the process is to note that there is no resolution until the lawsuit is settled.

Band gets boot at Foothill after neighbors complain about noise

A marching band rehearsing at the Foothill College stadium last month hit a sour note with some neighboring Los Altos Hills residents, who convinced the school’s president to kill the tunes and send the musicians packing.

The Renegades Association of California, a San Francisco-based adult drum and bugle corp. unaffiliated with Foothill, was holding a series of rehearsals last month when a group of 11 residents sent a written complaint to the school’s athletic department Aug. 22. The neighbors claimed the sounds of the instruments were in violation of the town’s municipal code and that the school wasn’t being “mindful of its neighbors.”

Los Altos prepares for first cable upgrade in 20 years

Los Altos’ archaic cable lines are finally getting a modern boost. City cable provider Comcast launched an aggressive capital campaign last month that will replace 157 miles of copper lines in the city with modern fiber-optic cable capable of transmitting more data at faster speeds.

“The cable system has been in the ground for more than two decades and is extremely outdated,” said Andrew Johnson, vice president of communications for Comcast.

Recreation takes precedence over day care at park

Stepping Stones preschool will have to relocate from Grant Park in two years to make room for recreational programs that neighbors have rallied Los Altos city officials to expand to the four-room facility in the south end of town. Last week the Los Altos City Council turned down the preschool’s request for a 10-year lease in favor of public recreation.

“The city did buy this property for recreation for the public,” Councilman Lou Becker said. “I find (the two-year extension) reasonable for Stepping Stones to make a transition.”

Sept. 11 tragedy, war spur new group to patriotism

Los Altos resident Renata Carico used to be what she calls “a quiet patriot,” someone who appreciated being an American, but essentially kept it to herself.

That all changed with recent events: first, the controversy of the 2000 presidential election; then the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001. Finally, an Iraq war protest rally in March in San Jose provoked her into action. Following some spirited debate with the protesters, a television reporter on the scene asked her why there were no pro-America rallies.

Ready for the big one?

When asked recently how ready for a major disaster the city was two years ago, Los Altos Police Sgt. Dennis Loucks responded by holding up his hand in the shape of a zero and shaking his head in disapproval.

According to Loucks, emergency preparedness in Los Altos was “virtually nonexistent.” Local interest was considerably low; the city’s Emergency Preparedness Committee was scrambling for members; and the initial Community Emergency Response Training program (CERT) was little more than a noble idea.

LASD to decide on charter by mid-October

The Santa Clara County Board of Education conditionally approved the Bullis Charter School petition Sept. 3, by a 6-1 vote.

The charter was approved by the county board, but the Los Altos School District has 40 days from that date to make a decision whether or not it wants to become the sponsoring agency for the charter. The charter school hopes to open its doors in the fall of 2004.

LETTERS OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2003

makes good sense

Just because you can …

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. This is my new mantra. I’m getting fed up with people doing misguided things just because they can or just because it is legal. This is happening everywhere.

We’ve got 18-year-old candidates for the school board and city council whose motives in running are to interest young people in local issues. All well and good, and I’m sure these young men will do great things with their lives — but their candidacies are ill-advised. Within days they’ll be off to college hours away, reason enough for them not to run for local office. Do they truly understand the breadth of responsibilities involved? The school board candidate has told the Mountain View Voice that he now hopes to lose. Holy moly. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

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 SEPTEMBER 10

It is with deepest love and sorrow that we announce the passing of William on Sunday August 24, 2003 at the age of 73, after a courageous but brief battle with lung cancer. Family, friends and the love of many surrounded him. His memory will live on in our hearts forever-until we see him again.

Born June 2, 1930 in Oakland, CA. Bill raised his family and spent most of his extensive career in Mountain View, CA, retiring to Chico, CA 10 years ago.

Peace Corps helper adjusts to life in Ukraine

“But I made it,” e-mails Kari Salmon of her experience in the Ukraine. “Two and a half hours later, I had traveled the 60 kilometers and got off the bus with a smile as though I had just seen a good movie and I was glad that it ended well.”

Kari Salmon, a 23-year-old alumna of Los Altos High School, has worked with the children in Chyhyryn, Ukraine since she joined the Peace Corp last fall.

Bill seeks to modify penalties for schools exceeding class size

There is a bill currently in the state Senate that will be watched closely by the Los Altos School District.

State Sen. Byron D. Sher of Palo Alto, District 11, has authored a bill that, if passed by Gov. Gray Davis, would modify monetary penalties districts could face if they failed to meet the currently required student-teacher ratio of 20-1 per classroom in grades K-3.

Art docents draw students into the arts

Nancy Baronoski, docent coordinator for the Los Altos School District art program, was all smiles when she counted 24 visitors seated to hear about “a day in the life of an art docent.” The program needs volunteers to help teach art lessons in the Los Altos School District.

“I think it’s fabulous to see so many new faces,” said Patty Boettcher, assistant superintendent for curriculum. “This is an opportunity to work with students and teachers and express your talent. It’s a hands-on workshop designed to let students create their own art.”

Community Health Awareness Council provides support services for students

Last Tuesday the Community Health Awareness Council brought in new interns for an orientation session on CHAC programs. The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District and CHAC work together to provide counseling to students.

Lawrie MacMillan, associate director of clinical services at CHAC, told the interns that the council had two primary focuses — Prevention Plus, a program that covers strategies offered on school campuses; and Village Wellness.

Aiming for the top

An aura of urgency surrounds this year’s Los Altos High girls volleyball team.

“We have tremendous experience and we have to harness it,” said Eagles head coach Dave Winn, who has a roster dominated by seniors. “We won’t have it again.”

Lancers air it out in rout of Capuchino

This is not your father’s St. Francis High football team. Heck, it’s not even your older brother’s.

The new-look Lancers proved in last Friday’s season opener that they don’t have to rely on the running game to be successful.

Foothill enters season with young but talented group of football players

If you expect Marshall Sperbeck to make any bold predictions about how well this year’s Foothill College football team will do, then you obviously don’t know the Owls head coach.

Although a preseason poll ranks Foothill ninth in the state among community colleges, Sperbeck is — as always — cautiously optimistic.

Exotic, charming new store opens on Main Street

Last Tuesday, Jane and David Coldoff opened Treasure in downtown Los Altos, a store unlike any other in the immediate area.

“It’s a collection of the items we brought back from our trips to the Far East, Romania and South America,” Jane said. “We like to visit the Far East, especially to see their beautiful and interesting textiles.”

An Orange transformation

With its old trees, sidewalks, alleys and standout houses, the University district of Los Altos is more popular than ever. This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood west of downtown was the first to be settled. Some of its oldest homes date back to 1908.

Joe and Patty LoConte bought one of those old homes on Orange Avenue, tore it down to the footprint and built it anew.

Trading places

Those looking to cut vacation costs in a down economy have come up with a new trend in travel - their homes.

Although swapping homes has been going on for decades, expense-minded voyagers are opting for trading places in increasing numbers. The emergence of the Internet has sparked this trend, creating a clearing house for thousands of swappers who have put security and anxiety issues aside for a rent-free vacation.

Los Altos designers contribute to a classic

Three Los Altos-based interior designers will demonstrate their artistic flair during the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Designer Showcase, Thursdays through Sundays, Sept. 11 through Oct. 5.

This year’s California Peninsula Chapter and Creative Habitat’s Designer Showcase features a 13,000-square-foot Tudor-style estate home in Atherton.

Going solar

Los Altos resident Mark Byington thinks he’s got the home energy system that’s too good to be true — except that it is true.

His photovoltaic system, which generates electrical power from the sun, pays immediate financial dividends for the user, while preserving the environment. Byington estimates current government rebates pay 40 percent to 50 percent of the system cost (between $20,000 and $40,000, depending on the size). The system pays for itself after about five and a half years, Byington said, essentially generating free electricity after that.

Live from The Cellar

Most times, the quiet, cozy Beausejour French restaurant in downtown Los Altos serves diners carefully prepared food in a somewhat formal atmosphere. But every Thursday night, the place gets the blues.

Walk in the State Street eatery and you’ll hear the echoes of a live band coming up from below. Venture downstairs and you may be pleasantly surprised.