State lawmakers to decide whether to extend Megan’s Law before it expires this December

State lawmakers were expected to reconvene this week during a special session to consider extending a law permitting California residents to view a registry of nearly 99,000 registered sex offenders, including 3,561 in Santa Clara County, according to the Attorney General’s office.

The state Assembly wrapped up its legislative session Sept. 13 without extending Megan’s Law, which is set to expire Dec. 31. Without the extension, police statewide would continue to keep registries, but the public would not have access to information about possible sex offenders living in their neighborhoods, including an offender’s name, town residency, violation details, photo or description.

Casey draws endorsements from LAH supporters

If most Californians don’t know about Toni Casey now, they may by the time of the March 2004 primary election.

Casey, who made a controversial splash during her 12 years on the Los Altos Hills City Council, is challenging Barbara Boxer on the Republican ticket for U.S. senator.

Water crisis for LAH?

When it comes to taking care of her garden, Los Altos Hills resident Pat Ley pays special mind to one thing in particular: water.

For the past 20 years, the British-born Ley has tended to her English garden with what she describes as “a conservative approach.” Using such features as drought-resistant plants and a soft spray sprinkler system, Ley manages to maintain her salvias and asters while still keeping her monthly water bill reasonably low.

Los Altos residents to use electronic voting machines in November

Los Altos residents this November will be among the first voters in Santa Clara County to use the new electronic voting machines, the key roadblocks in last week’s controversial court decision to delay California’s gubernatorial recall election.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors said it plans to replace the county’s punch-card voting system with touch-screen voting at the polls in Los Altos, Cupertino, Gilroy, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale during the November consolidated election. It will give voters an opportunity to test the new system before putting the devices in place at all county polls by the March 2004 presidential primary election. Federal law required all California counties to replace their systems by 2004 following the debacle of Florida’s punch-card count during the 2000 presidential election. A three-member panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco last week ruled against the use of punch cards, postponing the Oct. 7 statewide recall election until next March, when the punch-card system will be eradicated from all California counties. The final decision is pending judgement by an 11-member panel and possible further appeals.

Demolished 1908 farmhouse prompts LA to red-flag older homes during permit process

Los Altos recently put in place a better process to review the possible demolition of historic homes, but not before losing a 1908 farmhouse on University Avenue last week.

The yellow, shingled house that allegedly belonged to city founder Paul Shoup’s silent partner was one of those homes that fell through the cracks, said Randall Hull, vice chairman of the city’s historical commission.

LETTERS OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2003

possible on charter

No shoes, please

I enforce a strict, no-shoes-in-the-house policy in my home. Everyone in our family walks around bare- or stocking-footed. If my kids are playing outside, and need a quick bathroom break, but don’t want to go to the trouble of untying and retying their shoelaces, they need special dispensation from me, and have to wipe the bottoms of their sneakers vigorously on the outdoor mat before entering, which is why I often catch my son tip-toeing into the house, trying to bypass all the red tape.

Parker, the family dog, has use of the outdoor facilities, so he doesn’t normally have to sneak back in, but on the other hand, he gets paw-checked when he’s been playing in mud or sand. He hates the delay because he desperately needs to rush into the house to check if his empty dog dish erupted any food while he was away.

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 24

born April 20, 1915, died peacefully at home on September 15, 2003, attended by her children and her long-time caregivers, following a series of strokes. She was born in Berryessa, California and graduated from Fremont High School. She married Paul Yamada in 1943 and subsequently accompanied him from Colorado to Minnesota, then Oregon, and finally to California as he completed his U.S. Army service, graduate school, medical school, internship, and residency training. She had two children, Kenneth and Joyce, and finally settled in Los Altos, California where she was a resident for more than 30 years. She loved music and for many years was the lead soprano in her church choir. She was a skilled student of Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging). She set high standards for her children for achievement and character, giving them a firm grounding as she launched them into adulthood. She will be remembered not only for her accomplishments but also for her love of family and friends, and for her vivacious, warm, and generous personality.

Following her husband’s death in 1975, Masaye became an enthusiastic amateur photographer, went back to college, and in her late 60s graduated from San Francisco State with a B.A. degree in Japanese language and culture. She was a second mother to many of her fellow students, enjoying photography field trips and their friendship and fellowship. She subsequently tutored students in English as a second language and mentored students from Japan. She studied brush painting, tea ceremony, koto, and Ikebana. She also enjoyed gardening and attending the opera.

Gen. Shelton shocks Celebrity Forum, says he won’t support Clark for president

Retired General H. Hugh Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 9/11, shared his recollection of that day and his views of the war against terrorism with the Foothill College Celebrity Forum audience at Flint Center, Sept. 11 and 12.

His review of that historic event and his 38 years in the military kept the audience’s rapt attention throughout. But it was his answer to a question from the audience at the end that shocked his listeners.

New Los Altos group is dedicated to world peace

Los Altos residents may be hearing more from a newly formed, still somewhat informal group dedicated to the cause of peace.

The group, Los Altos Voices For Peace, formed this year as a direct result of the war in Iraq, said member Ray Schuster.

Institute offers a Saturday symposium on women and girls with attention disorder Saturday

The Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute has scheduled its annual symposium 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The symposium, presented by Dr. Patricia Quinn and Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., will focus on women and girls with ADHD.

Discussion topics will include the diagnostic challenges involved in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders and Learning Differences (ADD/LD) and their high-risk connection with drug abuse, neurocognitive therapy, challenges faced by young women, why symptoms increase with puberty and the social and physiological differences between males and females with ADHD.

Los Altos School District students score well on CST and CAT/6 tests

The Los Altos School District students scored highly on both the California Achievement Test (CAT/6) and the California Standards Tests (CST), the two components of the State Testing and Reporting (STAR) program, according to Assistant Superintendent Patricia Boettcher.

The CAT/6 is a nationally normed achievement test that replaced the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition (SAT 9) this year. Because the two tests are so different, the district was unable to compare 2002 to 2003 test scores.

Lancers snap Wildcats’ winning streak

One down, one to go. One streak came to an end Friday night when the St. Francis High football team snapped host Los Gatos’ 40-game unbeaten string with a grinding 17-7 win.

St. Francis can break another streak — the granddaddy of high school winning streaks — Friday night when it plays a 7:30 p.m. game at De La Salle of Concord. The Spartans, ranked No. 1 in the nation, have won a national record 140 games in a row.

Game over

Don’t feel too sorry for Callie Withers, who lost her job last week when the Women’s United Soccer Association folded.

While the Los Altos Hills native was excited about returning for a second season as a midfielder for the Atlanta Beat, she isn’t crushed by the fall of the professional league.

Hula Networks offers high-tech equipment at bargain prices

When budgets are tight and high-tech corporations expand, they consider purchasing pre-owned network equipment to save capital. Having seen the recent tough economic times, corporations are conscious of how they spend their money — and when they need office equipment they contact Hula Networks.

Eighteen months ago, three enterprising friends launched Hula Networks in a 2,000-square-foot building in Mountain View. Recently they expanded into a 5,500-square-foot building because the business had grown so fast they needed more space.

Fit for a French king

The newly built two-story chateau on the banks of Adobe Creek is grand even by Los Altos Hills standards.

Tailored after French castles in the Loire Valley’s chateau country, the 6,495-square-foot house emulates the grandeur associated with French royalty during the 16th century.

Classic country living near the country club

Homes over 50 years of age that are well maintained retain their charm and beauty and can be a joy to live in.

Ken Mallon, Sudha Dhandapani and their two children have such a home on Oakridge Drive in Los Altos.

Casto Roofing has local housing, businesses covered

Casto Roofing of Mountain View celebrated its 30th year in business last year, long enough to have covered over old roofs their crews first installed 25 or more years ago - the average life of a shake roof.

“Often homeowners wait until the rains begin and the roof starts to leak. Then they want a roofer to come out right away and put on a new roof,” said Kris Casto, co-owner with her husband Harold. “It’s too dangerous to go on the roof when it’s wet so we recommend early spring as the best time to do a roof. Think about replacing your roof on Groundhog Day.”