Special graduation for WWII veterans

Alfred Galedrige and Donald Heffelfinger lagged a bit behind their classmates when they picked up their high school diplomas - about 60 years.

The two weren’t buying time to cram for SATs. Instead of walking with their classes, Galedrige and Heffelfinger marched separately into U.S. Navy recruiting offices and enlisted. As young sailors, they fought in the Pacific Theater of World War II. In fact, both men saw the Japanese attack Dec. 7, 1941. On July 14, in a special ceremony for war veterans at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, they finally got their diplomas.

LA council’s decision may have breached Brown Act

The Los Altos City Council may have violated California’s open meeting laws when members declared June 7 Gay Pride Day by adding the item to the regular meeting agenda without prior notice, according to a civil rights watchdog group contacted by a Los Altos resident to review the city’s actions.

The council had substituted “Tolerance Day” for “Gay Pride Day” in a declaration to recognize the gay community when the item came up on the regular city agenda. Gay supporters up and down the Peninsula bombarded the council with angry e-mails when word about the decision made local headlines. At the following regular meeting two weeks later, the council decided to declare June 7 Gay Pride Day, calling the discussion an “emergency item.”

Local Marine receives a warm homecoming

Escorted by a Los Altos police and fire department honor guard, Marine Lance Cpl. Ben Wetzel came home Saturday after two years in Iraq. As the honor guard rounded the corner of Valencia Drive, Wetzel was greeted by rows of cheering friends, family and neighbors, waving hats and flags to the beat of the Marines’ Hymn.

Mountain View Mayor Matt Pear opened the neighborhood’s festivities with a speech proclaiming July 31 Marine Lance Cpl. Ben Wetzel Day on the Los Altos block.

Giffin Road neighbors stuck with cell tower

Eliminating a 45-foot cellular antenna and accessory building from one Los Altos neighborhood may take more than a council vote, residents opposing the equipment learned last week after an attorney for Verizon wireless cut their victory short.

Two hours after the Los Altos City Council told Verizon to place an accessory building planned for the Giffin-Fremont site underground and out of sight from neighbors, Verizon attorney Jim Herd returned to the council podium and informed the council that the city was legally bound to keep the equipment above ground as approved by the council last December. The council had already issued the permits and approval for a monopole design with an above-ground accessory building to house air-conditioning units, he said.

Los Altos Hills’ underground utilities could go to the highest bidder

The Los Altos Hills neighborhood willing to contribute the most money could be the first to end up with its public utilities underground.

The Los Altos Hills City Council is considering a new way to fund a pilot undergrounding project to bury a one-mile section of utility wires under a town road.

Letters to the Editor

TC gave Casey needless publicity
Drew Grewal

Fresh off her humiliating defeat in the Republican Senate primary, Toni Casey is clawing again for publicity in any way she can get it. Unfortunately, the Town Crier provided her with an outlet (”Paths debate winds on,” July 21).
Where did (Lauren) McSherry dig up this […]

Franciscan fathers: unsung heroes of the church

Through years of proximity to the Poor Clare Monastery in Los Altos Hills, I’ve enjoyed many spiritual gifts from the good sisters, the latest being a magazine called The Way of St. Francis. I wondered how, in years of writing, I’d missed this little gem that carries such profound messages!

A sister shared a touching tribute to her mother’s life and love, and the courage with which this singular woman faced her last illness. I read sister’s story first and then turned to the cover story.

Edgar McDowell, 96: Early Los Altos resident was a beloved scoutmaster

Edgar McDowell, whose lucid recollections of early Los Altos included meeting the city’s unofficial founder, Paul Shoup, died July 24 at his home in Palo Alto. Mr. McDowell, who never married, was 96.

Born in 1908 on the Stanford University campus, Mr. McDowell moved to Los Altos with his family in 1920. Mr. McDowell followed his father into a lengthy career with Southern Pacific Railroad, where his path would cross with Shoup’s. In a 1999 interview with Merry Edwardson of the Los Altos History Museum, Mr. McDowell recalled how his father and Shoup became “well acquainted.”

Obituaries

ROSE MARIE GOODWIN
Rose Marie Goodwin in loving memory, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2004, at the age of 97. She was the beloved wife of Melvin Burnell Goodwin, who preceded her in death in 1983.
She was the loving Mother to Jane Ann Scharfen of Los Altos Hills, Burnell Goodwin […]

Weddings

Laura Shinn and Edward Farthing
Laura Shinn and Edward (Ted) Farthing were married June 5 at St. Nicholas Church in Los Altos.
A reception for the newlyweds followed at Kohl Mansion in Burlingame.
The bride is the daughter of John and Patricia Shinn of Los Altos.
She is a graduate of St. […]

Local Irish dance school reels in the medals at dance competition

Christine Maguire of Los Altos is dancing again and loving it. So are “her kids.”

That’s because students in her newly formed Maguire School of Irish Dance just returned from the Silicon Valley Feis Irish dance competition, held July 23-25 in Santa Clara, with 20 first-, second- and third-place medals.

Community Briefs

Stem cell debate topic of forum
Stanford University professors Dr. Paul Berg, a Nobel Laureate in biochemistry and, Henry T. (Hank) Greely, a professor of law, explore the promise and challenges of stem cell research at a free public forum scheduled for 7-9 p.m., Aug. 10, at the Parish Hall of the […]

Young artists up for honors at root beer float reception

“This little animal is really cute,” said art critic and consultant Carol Dabb, describing one of the paintings on display in downtown Los Altos. “Even though it is stylized and we don’t really know what kind of animal it is, the artist has given the little critter a personality,” Dabb said. “The round coal-black eyes have life in them, even though they are just simple circles.”

Such is a sample of the Kids Art on Main Street collection of 30 paintings on display at Main Street Cafe & Books through Saturday. The artwork was produced in the sequential arts education program for elementary school children sponsored by the Community School of Music and Arts.

Senior Center

The Los Altos Senior Center, 97 Hillview Ave., has scheduled a wide variety of activities during August.

“Take the Ferry to Sausalito” is scheduled Aug. 26. Start at the Ferry Building in San Francisco and board the ferry to Sausalito, with lunch at the Spinnaker Restaurant. Return by bus. Cost, $59.

Los Altos native, senior at Cal Poly launches first international convention

Lauren Batchelder, a senior at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo and an alumna of Almond Elementary, Blach Intermediate and Mountain View High schools, just pulled off the first international convention for a group she was the only member on campus a year ago.

The speech communication major wants to make a difference in the world - for the better. After learning about the Student World Assembly from a professor, Batchelder quickly became SWA’s director of public affairs, helping to launch the organization on the Cal Poly campus.

Commission donates $50,000 to Foothill

The Foothill College Commission’s fourth annual summer gala, held July 24, raised funds to support the students and programs at Foothill College.

The evening’s events, arranged by Co-chairpersons Ginny Lear and Steve Acres, included a special showing of “Ragtime” directed by Jay Manley. Manley discussed the history of the musical and the Foothill production with the guests.

Graduates

Maya Rossin graduated from Los Altos High School with a 4.0 grade-point average June 11. Her name was inadvertently left off the list of 4.0 graduates supplied by the school in June.

James Reid Mauss of Los Altos graduated in the 2004 spring semester from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Next stop: New York

Michael Jensen is looking forward to starting school at UC Berkeley, though he may not be there as soon as originally planned. At least, he hopes not.

That’s because the Los Altos resident plans to be on the opposite coast in two weeks playing in the United States Amateur Golf Tournament.

If you’re buying Google, put on your thinking cap

The Google IPO is designed to enable small retail investors to buy shares of Google Inc. on the same footing as big institutional investors, but the experience can leave a bad taste if the average investor doesn’t analyze the long-term consequences.

The market needs some good news, because the sleeping bull has too many burdens on its back. Economic figures are soft, oil prices are going over $43, and mounting interest rates are not helping the bull.

Secondhand shops are big business in Los Altos

Without a doubt, the busiest retail outlets in affluent Los Altos are the stores featuring secondhand clothing, jewelry and dinnerware.

Several years ago people didn’t like to be seen going to a resale clothing store, but today they walk the streets with shopping bags bearing logos of the Discovery Shop, GW of Los Altos and Round Robin on Main Street, and Encore on State Street.

Independent study ranks El Camino among nation’s top hospitals

El Camino Hospital was named one of the four best hospitals in the United States in a July study by the Washington, D.C.,-based Economic and Social Research Institute.

Hospitals across the country are searching for ways to improve quality of care and promote effective quality improvement strategies. El Camino Hospital received high marks in the study.

A car for all reasons

Anticipating a long anniversary weekend on the Mendocino coast, we debated what vehicle would best suit this trip. Our plans included highway and curvy back road driving, vineyard visits (and cases of wine to be purchased), coastal gardens to explore (and plants to purchase) and evenings out to dinner.

The 2004 Mercedes E500 station wagon we selected was perfect on all counts. We believe this may be the best station wagon on the road today.

Advice for better driving on Bay Area’s congested roadways

For PacifiCare Champ Car racer Bruno Junquiera, sudden slowdowns, rapid speed changes and unexpected delays are all part of a day’s work.

While maneuvering through tight turns and narrow lanes, blocking out distractions and staying focused on the track is crucial to winning the race.

Car buffs set to congregate in Monterey

The second weekend of August every year is almost holy for classic car buffs, and the Monterey Peninsula is the site of their pilgrimage.

This year Ferrari will be the featured marque at Honda Raceway Laguna Seca, Concorso Italiano at the old Fort Ord and Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach. Count on glistening scarlet paint and rearing black stallions creating gridlocks at every intersection on the Peninsula.

IRS releases publications pertaining to car donations

The Internal Revenue Service recently released two new publications dealing with car donations as part of an effort to help taxpayers avoid potential pitfalls when they donate automobiles to charities.

The first publication, “A Charity’s Guide to Car Donations,” explains federal tax issues that charities need to know to properly operate car donation programs.

Tips for keeping vehicles running in summer

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offers the following tips on getting your vehicle ready for summer road trips:

• Read the owner’s manual and follow the recommended service schedules.

New book by Sedaris doesn’t deliver

It’s sad when an artist, instead of evolving, tries to recapture former glory by recycling old material: Picture 300-pound Elvis writhing in spangled jumpsuits that fit like sausage casings, or Paul Hogan advertising theme parks on the sides of VTA buses in his “Crocodile Dundee” costume.

A recent addition to the Vainglory Hall of Fame is Dave Sedaris with the release of his book “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim” (Little, Brown and Company, 2004). A more apt title would be “Undress Your Family for the Advance Money.”

Church permits Doubleday to publish ancient document

The 4,000 members of the Los Altos Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have learned that, for the first time since 1830, a trade publisher will handle distribution of the translation of a document they accept as scripture, “The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”

Doubleday and officials of the Mormon church have collaborated for more than a year to ensure the text remains faithful to the authorized edition already in use.

Book Brief

Local author’s book on teaching children to swim now available
The illustrated book “A Gentle Approach to Teaching Children to Swim” by Mountain View resident Berna Bennett is now available on the World Wide Web.
The book offers complete step-by-step instructions for parents and swim instructors. Techniques range from introducing babies to the […]

Subdued colors for start of school

The first day of high school is a game of impressions. How to act, what to say and whom to say it to leave lasting impressions with peers.

Clothing also plays an important role in this equation.

Cupertino district to place local parcel tax initiative on ballot in November

The Cupertino Union School District Board of Education has adopted a resolution that authorizes the placement of a parcel tax initiative on the November 2004 ballot. The approval took place during a special meeting of the board held July 31.

The Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) will seek voter approval for a six-year, $98 per-parcel assessment, with an exemption for seniors.

Scouts work for community safety at Redwood Grove

When Los Altos High School sophomore Daniel Meakin was searching for a project that would move him toward the rank of Eagle Scout, he knocked on the door of Keith Guiterrez, the Park Ranger at Redwood Grove Nature Preserve.

“We do have a project at this time,” Guiterrez said. “A railing along a trail needs to be repaired.”

Schools Briefs

LA Parent Preschool seeks all alumni
Los Altos Parent Preschool plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary with an all-alumni reunion Aug. 21. The school is looking for the more than 500 families that have played together since 1954 to join a fun-filled 1950s theme party.
For more information, logon to www.lapp.coop or […]

Here are 13 important safety tips for back-to-school drivers

As you head back to school later this month, keep yourself and others safe by following these driving tips.

Rule 1. Don’t forget to wipe. Operate the windshield washer system before driving. The windshield wipers should clear the windshield in one full cycle.

Noteworthies

The following local undergraduate students at the University of California at Santa Barbara have been selected for the dean’s honor list with a 3.75 grade point average: Shana Marie Allen, Blair Christine Dematteis, Mark Hyungi Kim, Mark Aidan Scaife and Michelle Stephanie Wohler of Los Altos; Sarah Dorothy Walatka of Los Altos Hills; and Jennifer Marie Herrera, Kristen Jeanne Meier and Gabriel Lee Rotberg of Mountain View.

Los Altos resident Daniel Slate, who will be a senior at Mountain View High School this fall, has been selected to attend LeadAmerica’s 2004 Congressional Student Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The conference is a college-accredited invitational leadership program for academically talented and promising young leaders.

St. Simon Bible School helps Pathways Kids

The children of St. Simon Church Vacation Bible School in Los Altos once again chose to support Pathways Hospice as a Community Outreach Project.

Last year the children raised more than $1,700 in a two-week period to support Hospice families, becoming the first children recognized in the Pathways Circle of Caring.

New preschool learning program on track to open at Loyola Corners

The Bodercks know business. After all, Steve Boderck and Laura MacDonald-Boderck have over 30 years of combined experience in banking, real estate and marketing, among other areas.

“Both of us have had wonderful careers … and this is an opportunity to give back to society in some way or form,” MacDonald-Boderck said.

Make a smooth move to middle school

When leaving the comfort zone of elementary school for the uncharted waters of middle school, both students and their parents may feel the same nervous anticipation.

One key to a smooth transition is to make communication with your child and the new school a priority. Here are some suggestions for parents:

Datebook

THEATER

“Are We Almost There?” Fast-paced musical about traveling. Bus Barn Stage Company. 8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday. Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. $18-$25. 941-0551; www.busbarn.org.