Boutique shopping has its limits

I totally agree that downtown Los Altos needs an anchor store to boost sales.

The city can advertise all it wants, it can beautify the streets, but let’s face it: There’s just so much boutique shopping a person can do in Los Altos.

When you need to make a major purchase, you’re going to go to a major store.

Jo McNichols

(No address given)

Westwind looks great in lights

As a longtime resident (31 years) in the vicinity of our beautiful town asset, Westwind Barn and Byrne Preserve, I must “tell the world” about the beauty and joy the seasonal decorations bring each time I look out and see the Advent wreaths and cherry lights adorning the “E”- shaped horse facility.

The committee responsible for these decorations had no idea, I’m sure, how uplifting to the spirit they are when you come along Altamont and see their bright welcome to the spent shopper or the weary traveler coming home for the holidays.

This is truly a wonderful spectacle for all. Thank you all, and merry holidays from your neighbors.

Thomas Conlon

Los Altos Hills

Rick Bell also had robust faith

The Town Crier obituary reporting the tragic death of attorney Richard (Rick) Bell mentioned his long and varied community service but not the base from which that service sprang - his robust faith.

In 1997, I had what I described at the time as “an engaging conversation” with Rick when I interviewed him for an ‘Along the Spiritual Path’ column. Rick told me that in the eighth grade, from taking part in a class outreach program, he had developed the concept that: “What you do with your faith is important.”

Two quotations from the column:

“Rick’s choice of profession came about because of his love for the Constitution: ‘a living, breathing document, still vital today.’ Also, he wanted to be able to use his oral skills to help people.

“‘One way Rick nurtures his own faith is by participating in retreats for the legal profession. These were started by a group of judges. ‘The retreats have had a profound influence on me. It’s good to be with men and women seeking spiritual nourishment, who seek to live up to the highest ethical standards, personally and professionally.’ ”

Rick embodied those standards himself and, today, my heart goes out to his family at this time of stunning loss.

Ruth Polata

Mountain View

Thanks to TC from CHAC

Thank you very much for the wonderful support that you’ve given to our agency, the Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC).

Throughout the year, you’ve written about our programs, advertised for us, given us the use of your conference room for some of our trainings and additionally you’ve given to us through your holiday fund.

Your continued support this year and over the many years helps the community to learn about us and lends support to CHAC in continuing to provide counseling and related services to many of the children, youth and families in our community. We very much appreciate your support.

Monique Kane

Executive Director,

Community Health

Awareness Council

Mountain View