Hidden Villa offers children multicultural summer experience

It’s five minutes before Jaike Martinez’s art class is scheduled to file in. On this day, Martinez has laid out paper, ink and paintbrushes for a lesson in Chinese calligraphy. Already looking one step ahead, Martinez is preparing for his second class of the day when campers will decorate wooden jewelry boxes with mirrors cut from glass.

Martinez is a summer camp counselor and “art guru” at Hidden Villa, a demonstration organic farm, environmental education foundation and 1,600-acre wilderness preserve tucked in the heart of Los Altos Hills.

Winbigler house pending demolition

The unfinished wooden structure on the former Winbigler property in Los Altos Hills that the city has classified as “unsightly and abandoned” is scheduled for demolition the first week of September.

The city gave Pinewood School, the new owner of the 7-acre property, 30 days to tear down the unfinished, deteriorating structure as of Aug. 3. Scott Riches, Pinewood’s president, was notified about the required demolition as part of a city initiated public nuisance abatement proceeding.

Ross to step in as Hidden Villa executive director

The Hidden Villa Board of Directors has named Beth Ross as the non-profit’s new executive director. She comes to the position after 10 years as the founding executive director of Redwood City 2020.

“Beth is a natural for Hidden Villa,” said incoming Chairman Tom Livermore, who headed the board’s search committee. “The values of Hidden Villa are embodied in her already, and she brings a wonderful set of skills to our organization.”

Longtime Los Altos police sergeant retires

Those who know Sgt. Dennis Loucks weren’t surprised when he stepped forward after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to oversee a local police fund for victims in New York City that ultimately raised $100,000. Community outreach was a priority during Loucks’ nearly three decades on the Los Altos Police force.

His was often the face residents would see on the street or at their doorstep. If a news story about a Los Altos crime were to appear in the local newspaper, Loucks would commonly call victims to alert them as a courtesy.

Covington students to contend with roadwork

Covington students riding their bikes the first week of school may be forced to share the roadway with construction crews at one of Los Altos’ busiest intersections. The construction is part of countywide traffic improvements that the city is already talking about removing.

The Santa Clara County Roads and Airports Department last week began reconfiguring the portion of southbound El Monte Avenue between Covington Road and Foothill Expressway to discourage cut-through commuter traffic from using El Monte.

Los Altos maintenance workers to vote on contract

Los Altos maintenance workers were scheduled to vote on the city’s latest labor contract offer early this week following a negotiation session with a state mediator called in to expedite talks after union members declared an impasse.

Department employees have been working without a contract since July 1.

LAH considers ‘private’ funding for new town hall

Although funds have been set aside to pay for the hard and soft costs of constructing Los Altos Hills’ $4.2 million new town hall, the city council considered financing nearly half of the project through a proposed private placement at its July 15 meeting.

The council is examining a private placement to avoid bringing reserves down further than it would be comfortable with, so that it doesn’t limit what future councils can do in terms of projects or in case of an emergency, said Sarah Joiner, administrative services director.

Editorial

As is the situation with residents along Adobe Creek in Los Altos Hills, residents along Hale Creek in Los Altos may not be enthusiastic about Santa Clara Valley Water District plans for flood control and the potential impacts on their neighborhood.

The water district seeks mitigation measures for a 100-year flood, or a flood of such magnitude that one occurs on average once every century. This translates to projects that seem overblown in scope, as was the proposal the district tried, and failed, to get Los Altos Hills councilmembers to pass, not once but four times. Town residents and district officials continue to discuss compromise plans.

Letters to the Editor

Outsourcing cries have ring of irony
W. Bill Rutledge

The frequent cries of dismay over the “outsourcing” of jobs have a ring of irony about them.
As my fellow Californians drive about in their German-built BMWs and Mercedes or the Japanese-built Lexus, Toyota, etc., and visit Costco (and many other stores that have […]

Swimsuit shopping

“I did something today I swore I’d never do,” I confessed to a friend recently. “It’s right up there with saying I’ll never drive a minivan and I’ll never say to my kids, ‘Because I said so.’”

“Uh oh. What did you do?” my friend asked.

Obituaries

REGINALD S. HERBERT
August 11, 1925 - February 19, 2004
It is your birthday Dad. You were taken so suddenly from us there was no time to say goodbye. Today Mom and the family celebrate your life and reflect on how blessed we were to have been loved by such a kind, honorable, […]

Weddings and Engagements

Andrea Gladstone and Stephen Kuzmic
Andrea Gladstone and Stephen Kuzmic were married in a meadow at a friend’s vineyard in Occidental. A reception for the new couple was held at Mixx Restaurant in Santa Rosa.
The bride is the daughter of Jerry and Marcia Gladstone of Santa Rosa. She is a graduate […]

Modern lifestyles increase health risks for Asian Indians, expert tells ECH group

Asian Indians living in the United States should take extra care to keep their weight down and avoid unhealthy lifestyles, health experts warn.

Heart attacks from coronary artery disease (CAD) have been the leading cause of death in the United States for years.

Jewish genealogical society to discuss Red Cross tracking service

The San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society has scheduled an educational meeting 7:30 p.m., Monday, at Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills.

Helen Hausman will discuss the Red Cross International Tracking Service. Admission is free.

Community

MacArthur Park Wine Festival Saturday
The 23rd annual MacArthur Park Wine Festival, benefiting the Palo Alto Area Red Cross, is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, at MacArthur Park Restaurant, 27 University Ave., Palo Alto.
The event will feature more than 50 of California’s finest vineyards and wineries. For the […]

LAH resident honored for job well done

It’s nice when employees get the occasional pat on the back, even a raise, as an affirmation for the job they are doing. Getting a prestigious award for it, however, is another matter altogether.

Such an honor happened to Los Altos Hills resident Lina Broydo when was given a Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) award in May for her 17 years of stellar work as public relations director at the Fairmont hotel in San Jose.

Hidden Villa to honor Byron Sher, the Kirsches

Emmy Award-winning anchorwoman Emerald Yeh of KRON-TV will present the Ninth Annual Josephine and Frank Duveneck Humanitarian Awards, Sept. 18, at Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills.

The fund-raising awards dinner provides Hidden Villa an opportunity to recognize outstanding humanitarians as well as raise funds for its innovative environmental and multicultural education programs.

Stop, look and listen

On June 3, as summer beckoned and high school loomed on the horizon, Egan students prepared to leave junior high behind. It was the school’s 10th annual Portfolio Day, and the freshly minted teens looked back on their two years at Egan with pride in their accomplishments, gratitude toward their teachers and a little regret.

Portfolio Day is a state occasion. It is the time when nattily dressed students, by threes and fours, reflect on their best work for a few adults who volunteer to listen carefully and reflect in turn.

Longtime St. Nicholas first-grade teacher retires

When St. Nicholas students return to school later this month, one person will be missing for the first time in almost two decades. Veteran first-grade teacher Helene Mihalcik has retired after 17 years. Mihalcik came to the El Monte Avenue School in 1987 after years in the Cupertino Union School District.

“Helene was completely dedicated to our first-graders and prepared them well for the challenges of second grade,” said Principal Matt Komar.

Some relatively good budget news for libraries

The budget cuts expected for the Santa Clara County Library won’t be as severe as they were expected to be last month.

The new state budget exempts libraries from a second Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund shift of revenue, and that is “very good news for libraries,” Melinda Cervantes, Santa Clara County Librarian, said Monday.

Schools Briefs

Two MVLA seats to fill in November
Phil Faillace and Susan Sweeley have both filed to run for re-election to their seats on the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District Board of Trustees in November.
LA Parent Preschool seeks all alumni
Los Altos Parent Preschool plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary […]

Noteworthies

Homestead wins four national FBLA firsts

Homestead High School won three of California’s four first-place awards - leading 24 other states - in the national Future Business Leaders of America competition in Denver in July.

Casey at the bar

The pole vault is not an athletic event for those weak of heart or afraid of heights.

Projecting yourself over a bar two to three times your height - aided merely by a bendable pole - takes incredible body control, explosive legs and plenty of upper-body strength.

Local cobblery revives broken soles

As in any village, there’s a shoe cobbler available in Los Altos for critical emergencies - to get a briefcase stitched, a handbag sewn or even a loose heel replaced.

At Paul’s European Cobblery, located at the corner of First and State streets, manager Stephen Oberhauser adjusts his long black leather apron and waits on a steady line of customers.

Oil and no jobs put double whammy on stock market

For the past six weeks the market has been falling over concern about terrorism, interest rates and corporate earnings. Last week an increase in oil prices and a decrease in jobs put a whammy on the market.

Since Jan. 1, the Dow industrials have lost 6.1 percent, the Nasdaq composite is down 11.33 percent, and the Town Crier index is down 17.6 percent. A $50,000 investment in Silicon Valley stocks listed in the Town Crier index on Jan. 1 would have lost $8,800.

Resumes: what to write and what not to

You’re interested in a job, and they want your resume. Now what? We’ll start by building on the stories we discussed last time and then list what to do and, by example, what to avoid - and we’ll have some fun along the way.

Your resume is a marketing tool that enables you to tell a potential employer what you can do for them. Do your homework and tailor your resume to a targeted industry, company and, if possible, reader. It should include memorable stories that retell your accomplishments (quantifiable, if possible) and how you achieved those results. Other resume tips include:

Silicon Valley execs fleeing to non-profit leadership

Some corporate stars will explore good works - beyond the traditional business battlefield. This is very good news. There are a few thousand executives in Silicon Valley who cashed in their stock at the right time a few years ago, then stayed with their companies to see them through the downturn.

Now that the economy has a more cheerful outlook for most business ventures, those loyal execs no longer have to nurse their corporations. They are ready for change. They are young. They are tired of high-tech. They have evolved. They are independently wealthy. They are ready to give back.

Alternative ingredients aid digestion for cancer survivors

For Gisele Barber, it took a life-altering event to find her true calling.

At the age of 42, Barber, a single mother, was suffering from irritable bowel syndrome and a host of other digestive ailments. One day in 1998, while watching a Katie Couric segment on “Dateline NBC” about colon cancer and its symptoms, Barber’s jaw dropped.

Local author publishes business guide based on ‘Bhagavad-Geeta’

Neerja Raman, longtime resident of Los Altos Hills, has published a guide to decision making based on “The Bhagavad-Geeta,” a chapter in the ancient Sanskrit epic poem “Mahabharata.”

Raman’s 89-page guide, “The Practice and Philosophy of Decision Making: A Seven Step Spiritual Guide,” uses the elegant metaphor of the conversation between Prince Arjuna, charged with leading an army into battle, and the god Krishna, who acts as his charioteer and counselor.

Books Briefs

Book discussion tonight
Penelope Fitzgerald’s “The Bookshop” will be discussed at 7:30 p.m. today in the small conference room of the Los Altos main library, 13 S. San Antonio Road.
Daffy Dave coming to Linden Tree
Local clown Daffy Dave will entertain 10 a.m., Aug. 18, at Linden Tree Children’s Recordings & […]

Sparks’ language, characterization disappoint

Note to Nicholas Sparks:

We at Haughty Literati Inc. appreciate the opportunity to bid on your latest book, “The Wedding.” We pass with some regret as we’re certain that this sequel to your bazillion-seller, made-into-a-movie, “The Notebook,” will do very well.

Great Bear Rainforest a spectacular ecotourism destination

The Great Bear Rainforest, famous for its unique kermode or spirit bears, a white-coated genetic variation of the black bear, is one of the most remote spots on the coastline of British Columbia, Canada. Efforts to save the area - the largest intact coastal rain forest in the world - from widespread logging operations have spurred a burgeoning ecotourism industry along British Columbia’s dramatic coast.

From bare-bones camping to luxury comfort, there are numerous ecotourism options for travelers looking to experience the region’s rugged mountains, deep fjords, secluded islands and dramatic waterfalls. Grizzly bears, mountain goats, eagles and gray wolves inhabit the rain forest, which consists of 1,000-year-old cedar, fir and spruce trees. Whales, dolphins and salmon are among the area’s aquatic wildlife. Travelers should not plan on renting a car as the region has few roads. Transportation by ferry or float plane are good alternatives.

Datebook

THEATER

“The Taming of the Shrew.” Bus Barn Stage Company’s Shakespeare in the Park. 3 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, through Aug. 22. Shoup Park, 400 University Ave., Los Altos. Free. 941-0551.