Variety the spice of life

Hobbies are channels to our passions. For a hobbyist, a comic book is not merely an amusing throwaway for youngsters - it’s a wonderful fantasy world where the writers and artists become heroes along with the characters they create. For true baseball card and stamp collectors, the possession of a valued card or stamp allows them to pore over every detail and ponder the time when these items were created.

Some hobbies are most definitely not run-of-the-mill, prompting the inspiration for this article. Before we embarked on our search for unusual hobbyists in Los Altos, we never would have guessed local residents collected tea bag labels, created critters out of rocks or engaged in the ancient Middle Eastern art of belly dancing. Diverse hobbies, indeed, but our interviewees all had one thing in common: inspiration and devotion to their unique interests. We salute them all.

LAH wants to rent space at Bullis during town hall construction

The Los Altos Hills City Council plans to ask the Los Altos School District to let it rent 3,000 square feet in the former Bullis-Purissima School for use as temporary office space during construction of the town’s new city hall.

City Clerk Karen Jost and Councilman Breene Kerr said that a quorum of three councilmembers unanimously agreed on the proposal in a special meeting Feb. 10. According to Kerr, the council wants the space for nine to 15 months, starting April 15. Groundbreaking for the new town hall is expected to take place in May or June.

Strong winds cut power to nearly every Los Altos home

Nearly every household in Los Altos lost power - at least briefly - during the 50 mph winds that gusted through the city during last week’s first succession of storms Feb. 17.

Of the city’s 10,462 homes, 7,923 lost electricity at one time or another between 1:30 and 3 p.m., said PG&E spokesman Jeff Smith. Another 554 houses went dark in Los Altos Hills, he added.

Bill Clinton guest of honor at private LAH fund-raiser

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton attended a private dinner reception held by the non-profit organization, Stree: Global Investments in Women, at a Los Altos Hills home Sunday night.

The event was organized to launch Stree’s new initiative “End Violence Against Women and Girls” to benefit the Support Network for Battered Women in Mountain View.

Police nab couple who carjacked Los Altos teacher in East San Jose

Persistence and community outreach paid off in the case of the Los Altos woman carjacked in East San Jose last month.

San Jose police Feb. 11 arrested the couple who allegedly knocked Carol Commendatore to the ground and stole her Volvo from the parking lot of the East San Jose school where she teaches. Police were unable to release their names because both suspects are juveniles. The male suspect arrested is 17 and his girlfriend is 14, according to police.

Task force formed to monitor wireless towers placement

The Los Altos City Council unanimously agreed Feb. 10 to establish a cell phone task force to monitor the placement of wireless towers in town following recent community outrage over the approval of two antennas near residential neighborhoods.

The city has 14 towers in place, with two sites approved for future towers, and city officials anticipate more.

Ted Lempert for state Senate

The two Democrats both boast impressive political careers and similar ideals for the state Senate. However, we are giving the edge to Lempert. He’s arguably better on the environment and education, the two most vital issues for people in District 11; and he promises a fresh start in a legislature humbled by the economy, Gov. Gray Davis and its own actions.

Lempert, 42, also brings youth along with eight years in the State Assembly (1992-2000).

LETTERS OF FEBRUARY 25, 2004

Thank you, Town Crier, for your positive editorial explaining Measure B. If everybody gets out and votes in favor of Measure B, our wonderful prize-winning Los Altos libraries and their sister libraries in the Santa Clara County Library System will be able to continue to serve all of us with excellent services and materials.

OBITUARIES FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 25, 2004

1922-2004, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by family on February 4, 2004, following a lengthy illness. He is survived by Ruth, his beloved wife of 55 years, sons Kevin, Dennis, and Brian, daughter-in -law Barbara, precious granddaughter Elena, and sister, Florence Sperlish of Boston, MA.

David was born the eighth of nine children to Irish immigrant parents, Jeremiah and Hannah Curtin, of modest means in Boston, MA on February 2, 1922 — or “2-2-22″ as he delighted in saying. David grew up the only son surrounded by six sisters. David spent much of his childhood on the basketball courts of the local YMCA and also played football as a teenager. It has been suggested by several of David’s sisters that his interest in sports might have been fueled by a desire to enjoy some male camaraderie that was in short supply at home.

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 office product visionary could become nation’s next ‘Invention Idol’

Not only is Los Altos resident Todd Basche an office product visionary, he is also one step closer to being the nation’s next “Invention Idol.”

Basche is one of 12 finalists selected from more than 8,000 entrants in Staples’ national “Invention Quest” competition to develop a new, cutting-edge office product. Just like on the TV show “American Idol,” people across the country will vote for their favorite product, thus deciding the fates of the 12 finalists and their ideas.

Simitian endorses Safe Routes grant plans

Assemblyman Joe Simitian on Friday endorsed the Safe Routes to School grant plans approved by the cities of Los Altos and Mountain View. The grants could bring a combined $1.55 million to bear on the traffic hazards children face on their way to and from four local schools.

Friday is the deadline for submitting the grant proposals to CalTrans for evaluation and ranking. Simitian said he will send CalTrans a formal letter stating that the plans have his support.

Spartans seize title/span>Mtn. View’s 53-50 win over Saratoga clinches El Camino Division crown

more ] --> Business Diners like i Fratelli’s reduced carbohydrate menu additions The restaurant was crowded for a Thursday night with late arrivals escorted to the balcony. A change in the menu and diners interested in a healthy diet, low in carbohydrates, could have something to do with the increased traffic at i Fratelli. “We were so Italian and pasta-oriented, we needed to make a change to increase our client base,” said Richard Huber, co-owner. “We introduced new salads, expanded the sea foods and added new entrees.” Election Coverage Passage of Measure B will eliminate cuts in library services, experts say The funding for Santa Clara County community libraries is about to expire, leaving a huge economic shortfall in the library system. Voters overwhelmingly passed the library assessment in 1994, and Measure B is now on the ballot to maintain the parcel tax assessment in order to continue library services as they are. County Librarian Melinda S. Cervantes and retired County Librarian Susan Fuller spoke to Los Altos Kiwanis Club members last Tuesday on the necessity to pass the tax March 2. Santa Clara County leaders alienated over Measure A reform of juvenile hall After the Federal Department of Justice alleged abuses were taking place at juvenile hall and made it necessary to increase employee training, the County Board of Supervisors decided to take the responsibility away from the Superior Court and establish a Juvenile Hall Advisory Board from different agencies. The supervisors decided to relieve the Superior Court of the supervision of juvenile hall probation departments and place it on the ballot as Measure A. The action has infuriated many Superior Court judges. Propositions on Tuesday’s ballot could cost taxpayers millions of dollars, Hom says Three propositions on Tuesday’s ballot could cost taxpayers millions of dollars in the future, warned Gloria Hom, dean and economics professor at Mission College, during a political forum hosted by the South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition at Main Street Café and Books last week. “It’s a billion here and a billion there, and not many of us know what a billion dollars is,” Hom said. “But if some of these don’t pass in March, we will see them again in November.” Democratic ballot for 11th senate, 21st assembly provides only contested races The only contested races for the 11th state Senate and 21st Assembly districts on Tuesday’s primary election are on the Democratic ballot. Republican candidate Jon Zellhoefer and Libertarian Allen M. Rice are running unchallenged. The only contest for the Democratic party’s nomination for state senator in District 11 lies with two very similar candidates, Ted Lempert and Joe Simitian. Both are attorneys; both are well-known for their work in this community; both have served as supervisor in their respective counties, San Mateo and Santa Clara; both have represented the district in the state Assembly; and both emphasize their proven support of education and the environment. Your Home The ultimate in luxurious living Situated on a hillside close to Hidden Villa is a new turnkey California mission home built by longtime Los Altos Hills resident Luis Yanez. Yanez combined ideas drawn from his several terms on the Los Altos Hills Planning Commission and his experience in high-tech industry to build a castle fit for any king.

In Our Opinion Editorial Here are our quick takes on recent local news events: