Poor Clares move back to updated home

The Poor Clares won’t be sliding down the hill now - thanks, they say, to answered prayers and a big boost from the community. Their old convent in Los Altos Hills was in danger of disappearing in the next mudslide, but now a new building is safely anchored in its stead.

Mark Powers coordinated the project for the sisters, acting as their financial advisor. Architect Salvatore Caruso of Design Corp. designed the structure to blend in with the original chapel and novitiate, creamy white in a landscape of soft greens with touches of blue and gray. To achieve this harmony, workers demolished 19,000 square feet of unsafe structures and replaced them with 13,000 square feet of safe space.

Impacts of federal Patriot Act hit home in Los Altos

Fear of losing personal freedoms in the government’s quest for improved homeland security prompted a group of Los Altos residents to dissect the United States Patriot Act and its effect on civil liberties at a public forum earlier this month.

Critics worry that the act was adopted with little discussion and short notice two years ago, and the scope of rights it grants the government and takes away from civil liberties was not immediately recognized.

This holiday’s smallest packages may be banned next year

One of the most dangerous Christmas presents under your tree may be one of the smallest. Packaged innocuously like any music CD in a plastic case with a flashy photo cover, violent video games have insinuated themselves into the gift-wish of many young children to the tune of a $10 billion industry.

The only hint of their danger is a small square rating label on the cover. An M(ature), content suitable for 17 and older; may contain mature sexual themes, more intense violence and/or strong language. The most popular games advertise that players can “satisfy her (the wickedly sexy heroine) passionate lust for human blood” (BloodRayne), “unleash explosive special attacks and shoot holes in foes”(GunGame) and “Wield brute force” (Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter).

Tougher pollution laws may squelch holiday fireplace traditions

Tougher federal pollution standards could mean the end of one Christmas Day holiday tradition for some Santa Clara County residents - air district officials are urging residents to refrain from gathering around the glow of a cozy, crackling fire this season in order to keep air pollution at an acceptable level.

Officials said they anticipate issuing between seven to 10 “Spare the Air Tonight” advisories asking the public to voluntarily refrain from burning wood and driving between now and the end of January to meet the new air quality requirements.

The honeymoon is over for new LA council

The new Los Altos City Council held its first full meeting Dec. 9 and was met not only with a full agenda but a full house. With a new majority of the council, David Casas, Curtis Cole and Ron Packard, fresh from their installation Nov. 25, almost every agenda item brought public comments from residents prepared to present the position of their neighborhoods, frequently different from the proposed ordinance.

I-280 car crash claims one life off Magdalena

A fiery one-car crash on Interstate 280 in Los Altos Hills last week claimed the life of a San Francisco resident, marking the second fatal accident to occur on that particular stretch of highway in just over a month.

Thomas Obenhuber, 48, was driving a 1998 Toyota Dec. 15 when he apparently lost control of the vehicle at around 6:45 p.m. while traveling north on I-280 near Magdalena Ave.

Is the Christmas tree religious?

Is the Christmas tree religious? I am losing sleep, stressing over this question. About two weeks ago I took my kids to their secular private school and the PTA moms were lining the hallway with Christmas decorations. I asked one mom if there would be something for Hanukah and after a momentary blank stare she said, “Uh, yeah, sure, we could put up a menorah.”

Fortunately, the next morning an electric menorah and tinseled Jewish star were hung in the hallway. Though I was relieved, part of me felt uncomfortable about the whole thing. That I had to ask for this took a slight bite out of the latke. It wasn’t until I noticed the Christmas trees in every classroom, did my head spin like a dreidel.

LETTERS OF DECEMBER 24, 2003

The editorial in this week’s paper by Steve Hubbell, “setting the record straight” (Dec. 17 Other Voices) contains an error that perpetuates the misinformation about school finance in California.

OBITUARIES FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 24, 2003

1915-2003. Born to Sidney and Hattie Wynia on March 22, 1915 in Sioux, Township; Plymounth County, Iowa.

Survived by two sisters, Clair Hall and Dolly Bonnema, several nephews and nieces and many grand nephews and nieces survive her. Marie has lived in Los Altos since marrying Orie Meredith in 1940. She enjoyed playing golf with her husband and their friends for many years; also their many vacations to the Islands of Hawaii.

Wedding announcements

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. 335, or e-mail bruceb@latc.com.

Local runner joins effort to raise funds for lymphoma and leukemia research

For years, Los Altos resident Steve Phillips ran purely out of a desire to stay fit, jogging a few times a week, even racing the occasional 10K just for kicks.

That all changed earlier this year when the 42-year-old was given a new motivation to lace up his sneakers and hit the jogging trails - family. Since then, Phillips has stepped up his stride to become a runner on a mission.

Early flights into Los Altos

Airplanes once landed on two empty Los Altos fields where beautiful homes now stand. One of the fields was used a month before the attack on Pearl Harbor, when the Los Altos News reported that Ruth Clifford Hackett and her husband, Donald, had landed their light plane on the Strassburger field.

Ruth later told us that their aluminum-clad two-passenger Luscombe had taken 3.5 hours to fly from Van Nuys. The plane’s side-by-side seating had made it easy for Ruth to serve the fried-chicken sandwiches she’d made. They’d flown up to attend the wedding of her schoolmate Wanda Stern.

Satterwhite to be principal of LAHS next year

Wynne Satterwhite will become principal of Los Altos High School July 1, the superintendent of the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District announced Dec. 15. Satterwhite has been an assistant principal at the school since 1993. George Perez, the current principal, is resigning for health reasons.

“Wynne will continue the fine work that George has put into place,” Superintendent Rich Fischer told the board and the audience of parents, students and educators. “It’s really a pleasure to make this announcement.”

Foothill-De Anza Community College District faces $12 million shortfall

As soon as the new Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees was sworn in and seated last Monday, the trustees were confronted with the 2004-05 budget forecast that projects a $12 million shortfall.

The budget reflects $144 million in available revenue with about $156 million in projected expenses for the district.

Three new members join Foothill-De Anza Community College Board

Chancellor Martha Kanter administered the oath of office to the three newly elected Foothill-De Anza Community College District trustees, incumbent Andrea Leiderman and two newcomers, Betsy Bechtel and Hal Plotkin, at a special board meeting last week.

Leiderman, who was appointed to the board in February 2002 to fill a vacancy, is an adjunct professor of American government at Evergreen Valley College and director of government and corporate relations for Kaiser Permanente’s South Bay service area.

Autistic girl not likely to return to Springer

The autistic third-grader removed from school by her parents will not return to Springer Elementary School before the January placement decision by the state Special Education Hearing Office (SEHO) or some other agreement between the parents and the Los Altos Elementary School District.

Judge Gregory Ward of the Santa Clara County Superior Court also ruled that the child need not be taught privately at Springer, although her parents, Sam and Shifteh Samari, must “take all reasonable steps” to comply with the state law on compulsory education.

Back where they belong

The Los Altos High girls soccer team was clearly out of its element last season when it played in the SCVAL El Camino Division. The Eagles dominated the weak division, winning it without losing a league match.

This year Los Altos is back where it belongs - playing in the challenging SCVAL De Anza Division. The Eagles were a mainstay in the De Anza until a disastrous 2001-02 campaign. A rash of injuries led to a last-place finish and a demotion to the El Camino.

Award-winning card studio opens on Los Altos’ Main Street

People of all ages and backgrounds exchange greeting cards, and the most popular recipients of everyday cards are friends. Last Saturday an upscale greeting card studio opened on Main Street to make it easy for local residents to express their feelings. The store is called Birch.

Co-owners Gwen Francis and Kendra Gjerseth waited for the right storefront to introduce award-winning greeting cards to the Los Altos clientele. They have moved into a vacated art gallery location.