Long lines, high voter turnout in Los Altos precincts

Many local residents who stopped by the voting booth on their noon break during last week’s General Election unexpectedly discovered they had little time left over for lunch. Voter lines were reportedly long and slow in most Los Altos and Los Altos Hills precincts due to a higher-than-average voter turnout. Some residents said they waited in line nearly an hour to cast their ballots.

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters did not have the number of registered voters in both cities who participated in the Nov. 2 election. Those numbers will not be available until all provisional and absentee ballots are tallied. There were approximately 207,000 uncounted ballots Friday afternoon.

O’Malley, Jones, Mordo win LAH

Candidates for the Los Altos Hills City Council Craig Jones, Jean Mordo and incumbent Mike O’Malley won the three open seats on the town council Nov. 2. As of the Town Crier’s press deadline, Mayor O’Malley had received the most votes, followed closely by Jones; Mordo barely edged out competitor Colette Cranston by 106 votes. The new council will be sworn in Dec. 2.

The council race went fairly smoothly this year until an anonymous hit piece bearing the Civic Association masthead was released two weeks before Election Day. The newsletter slammed candidates Cranston and Carol Gottlieb alleging they were “pro-property rights,” and residents have speculated the mailer may have contributed to the demise of their campaigns.

Poizner finally concedes to Ruskin

Candidate Steve Poizner waited until Monday to concede to Ira Ruskin for the state Assembly seat in District 21, bringing a close to a race that proved extremely close and generated interest statewide.

The two candidates were about 6,200 votes apart last Saturday following the Nov. 2 General Election. Poizner consistently trailed but held out last week as tens of thousands of Santa Clara County ballots remained uncounted. Poizner, who positioned himself as a moderate with widespread Democratic support, conceded after waiting in vain for the vote tally from Santa Clara County to break his way.

Police release sketch of intruder wanted for assault

Keep your doors locked and windows shut at night, police warned area residents Monday evening during a community meeting addressing a string of recent late-night break-ins in Mountain View and Los Altos, one of which involved an attempted sexual assault.

While that advice may seem like something people already do, many in the Los Altos area, who feel relaxed in what they consider the idyllic, small town setting, don’t, Los Altos police said.

Santa Clara County voters support Kerry, Poizner

If Santa Clara County voters had their way, John Kerry would be U.S. president and Steve Poizner, state assemblyman for District 21.

Local voters overwhelmingly cast their ballots for the Democratic presidential candidate Kerry during last week’s General Election. The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Office said 343,731 voters, or 63.83 percent of those who cast ballots, selected Kerry compared to the 186,411 voters, or 34.62 percent, who voted for George W. Bush.

Editorial

What does one make of last week’s local election returns? Based on two of our local races, Los Altos Hills City Council and the 21st state Assembly district, one could successfully argue that questionable political mailers and heavily-funded campaigns may or may not sway voters.

In Los Altos Hills, a last-minute hit-piece mailer under the banner of the Los Altos Civic Association singled out candidates Colette Cranston and Carol Gottlieb as being anti-property rights.

Letters to the Editor

Overhead lines pose real danger
Mark Starr

This morning while driving on San Antonio Road, I passed by the scene of a terrible accident. A Los Altos firetruck had crashed into a power pole in the central divider. I do not know yet the details of this accident, but there was obviously enormous […]

Moral issues at center of Dems loss

As many are doing these days, I’m struggling with the notion that “moral issues” divided the nation and ultimately doomed the Democratic ticket. I am a Democrat, consider myself a moral person and am perplexed by the suggestion that the positions of the evangelical religious right are more moral than those of the Democratic Party.

My particular moral beliefs are what drove me to the Democratic Party to begin with. I have long believed that it is a moral imperative for a society to do what it can to bring up its most disadvantaged citizens through adequate wages, social services and health care.

Scouting News

Five young men in our community will be presented the Eagle Scout Award 3 p.m., Nov. 21, at Christ Episcopal Church of Los Altos. They are all high school seniors from Troop 30, sponsored by Christ Church.

The Eagle Award is the highest rank in Scouting. A scout achieves this award through hard work and determination, demonstrated leadership and skill, and a commitment to moral character by upholding the Scout Law and Oath. The extensive requirements include the planning and execution of a community service project.

Births

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford
Devan Patel Reynard, a baby boy, was born June 28 to
Brian and Nima Reynard of Los Altos.
A baby girl was born Aug. 7 to Flor and Alberto Sanchez, Mountain View.
A baby girl was born Aug. 17 to Kaori and Jeffrey Rector of Los Altos […]

Noteworthies

Beth Ross, Hidden Villa’s new executive director, was introduced to community leaders and supporters at a reception Oct. 19 at the historic Duveneck House at Hidden Villa.

Tom Livermore, board chairman and head of the search committee for Hidden Villa’s new executive director, noted that after reviewing a field of 300 applicants, the search committee and the board unanimously agreed that Ross was the right person to build on Hidden Villa’s current strengths and future promise.

Professor to discuss science behind black holes

UC Berkeley astronomy professor Eliot Quataert is scheduled to present an illustrated, nontechnical talk, “Black Holes: The Science Behind the Science Fiction,” 7-8:30 p.m. today, in the Smithwick Theatre, Foothill College. Admission is free, and the public is invited.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free, but parking costs $2 in quarters. Foothill College is located at 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. For more information, call 949-7888 or logon to www.foothill.edu.

Ted Lempert welcomed in LAH as new chief of Children Now

Don’t look now, but Ted Lempert is back in the public spotlight.

The former state Assemblyman, who in March lost to Joe Simitian for a chance at the 11th state Senate seat, is the new leader of an Oakland-based non-profit group, Children Now.

Pet of the Week

Paddington is a 3-year-old neutered male available for adoption at Palo Alto Animal Services. Paddington, who was hit by a car, suffered a severely broken jaw. His jaw was repaired by the city veterinarian, and even though it isn’t straight, Paddington is perfect in every other way.Paddington has excellent kitty manners, loves other cats and people of all ages. To adopt Paddington, contact Palo Alto Animal Services, 3281 E. Bayshore Road, at 496-5971.

Calendar

Ongoing
Los Altos Senior Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, 97 Hillview Ave.
Today
Los Altos Hills Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m., town hall, 25890 Fremont Road.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board of directors, 7:30 p.m., district offices, 330 Distel Drive, Los Altos.
Mountain View Parks and Recreation Commission, […]

Hidden Villa accepting car donations

Hidden Villa is accepting car donations. All proceeds provide scholarships for summer camp and the Hidden Villa Environmental Education programs for K-6 grade classes. Hidden Villa receives 50 percent of the proceeds - much higher than other donation programs, and the transaction is made relatively easy.

For more information, call Shannon McEntee at 949-8659, contact Donation Liaison at www.DonationLiaison.org or call (408) 733-1000.

United States an empire in denial, says historian Ferguson at Morning Forum

On Election Day, Morning Forum members heard an incisive, but very discouraging, message about American government. It came from a nonresident alien, Niall Ferguson.

His talk, “The United States: An Empire in Search of an Emperor,” was an analysis given on the same day Americans had to make a choice, a stark choice, he said, between empire and republic.

Attendance dip prompts Flint Center to make changes

Flint Center for the Performing Arts, located on the De Anza College campus is heading for change after the economic downturn and smaller audiences have resulted in a year-end loss of $36,000 for the theater.

Executive Director Paula Davis made a presentation of Flint Center operations to the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees Nov. 1 explaining the current status as an information item on the agenda.

Veterans Day concert features stars, stripes and John Philip Sousa

The Los Altos High School will present a concert commemorating Veterans Day, 8 p.m., Nov. 11, at the high school’s Eagle Theater, 201 Almond Ave.

The event will feature the talents of the Los Altos High School Wind Ensemble, directed by Ted Ferrucci.

New outdoors sculptures grace Los Altos

At top and above right, San Francisco-based artist Pamela Blottner prepares “Water Birds” for installation on Oct. 22 at Lincoln Park with the help of Public Works employee Todd Perotti (right). The sculpture was inspired by her visits to Thailand spirit houses and the Bay Area’s efforts to bring back the wetlands. The installation, follows the placement of another outdoor sculpture, “Dancers.” That sculpture, by Michele M. Alcantra, was installed Oct. 2 on the St. Joseph Avenue, St. Matthew Way and Stonehaven Drive median near Montclaire Elementary School. Both sculptures are part of the city’s outdoor sculpture program.

Community Briefs

Western Horticultural Society meets
The Western Horticultural Society monthly meeting is scheduled 7:30 p.m. today at Covington Elementary School, 205 Covington Road, Los Altos.
The speaker will be Nancy Fiers of Mountain Maples Nursery, and she will discuss “Japanese Maples: Selection and Placement.”
Doors open at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome.
Hidden […]

Egan Vikings give back to community

A group of Egan students call themselves VIPS (Vikings in Public Service) because they volunteer their time for community service.

They clean city parks of debris, collect food and toys for underprivileged children and last Friday, they held a “senior prom” at Pilgrim Haven Retirement Community.

St. Joseph observes anniversary of 9-11

On Sept. 15, students, staff, faculty and parents at St. Joseph Catholic School in Mountain View honored victims and military personnel on the third anniversary of Sept. 11 by wearing red, white and blue, singing patriotic songs, and offering prayers of remembrance, thanksgiving and peace. Joining in were school military parents who came in dress uniform as well as the Junior ROTC Naval Color Guard from Milpitas High School, who presented and retired colors during a morning assembly.

At the conclusion of the event, Charlie Paulick, representing Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of the 14th Congressional District, presented the school principal, Stephanie Mirenda-Knight, with an American flag and a certificate of “Special Congressional Recognition” for the school’s outstanding service to the community.

Special needs workshops planned for parents

“Right From the Start” is a series of skill-building workshops for parents, guardians and caregivers of children through age 5 with special needs. The series runs 6-8 p.m., Tuesdays, through Dec. 7, at Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. Participants may enroll for any or all of the workshops.

The workshops are conducted by Parents Helping Parents and funded by FIRST 5. PHP has brought together professionals from a variety of fields to present workshops on issues ranging from challenging behavior, speech and communication, play, feeding and nutrition to organized record keeping and resources.

Noteworthies

The winners of a recent coloring contest, co-sponsored by the Town Crier and the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, are Drian Grant of Los Altos Hills (preschool); Tommy Andrews of Los Altos (kindergarten to first grade); Amanda Choy of Los Altos (second to third grade); and Pooja Lalchandani of Los Altos (fourth to sixth grade).

The four winners won $50 Savings Bonds from Heritage Bank of Commerce. All entrants were awarded a Baskin-Robbins ice cream gift certificate sponsored by Cedar Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at 797 E. Fremont Ave., in Sunnyvale.

Couple of odd couples take the stage

Gunn High School Theater is set to present both male and female versions of Neil Simon’s comedy “The Odd Couple.”

The play runs Thursday through Nov. 20 at Gunn, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto.

Meeting Notices

Fremont trustees to hear bargaining agreements
The Fremont Union High School District Governing Board will meet at 7 p.m., Nov. 16, at Monta Vista High School, 21840 McClellan Road, Cupertino.
Collective bargaining agreement costs for the Fremont Education Association (FEA) and Chapter 237 of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) negotiations will […]

School district election results

Fremont Union High School District (two trustee seats)
* Nancy A. Newton, incumbent - 42.25 percent
* Homer Tong, incumbent - 31.76 percent
Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District (two trustee seats)
Incumbents Susan Sweeley and Phil Faillace were unopposed.
Mountain View-Whisman School District (three trustee seats)
* Gloria L. Higgins, incumbent - […]

Schools Briefs

Volunteers sought for traffic program
Officer Brent Butler of the Los Altos Police Department is looking for a few good neighbors of Almond Elementary or Los Altos High school to operate the Citizen Radar program. Volunteers are needed for the 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m. school commute shifts.
For more information, contact […]

‘New Dawn’ showcases Eagle Marching Band

It’s still dark on Monday morning when Jeff Hayman reaches the band room at Los Altos High School. There he joins 75 other students who have managed to pull themselves out of bed before dawn to make it to marching band practice. In the cold, damp air, students race onto the football field carrying instruments - everything from piccolos and flutes to tubas and timpani.

And that’s just Monday.

‘Witches’ Delight’ long on fun

Christin Chen jumps for her high-five from a friendly costumed stilt walker at Santa Rita Elementary School’s 44th annual “Witches’ Delight” Halloween event, Oct. 30. Carnival-goers report that the daylong festival was more fun than a haunted house. The popular cakewalk was lined with more than 100 cakes. The Town Crier has it on good authority that the sixth-grade’s haunted house was really haunted.

Mtn. View claims title with decisive victory

It didn’t show on the scoreboard, but the Mountain View High football team dominated Cupertino last Friday.

That’s only because the scoreboard wasn’t operational, a blessing for a Cupertino team routed 50-0.

Downtown businesses helping out non-profits

Los Altos business owners would like to do something beneficial for the charity of your choice. More than 45 downtown businesses will offer a percentage of their profits to more than 15 charities taking part in the promotion this Saturday and Sunday.

This event benefits all involved because the buyer gets a donation wish, the business gains a sale, the charity gets an unexpected stipend, and the city gets three-quarters of a penny from every sales tax dollar.

Health of stock market remains unchanged after elections

The market sighed in relief over the quick declaration of the presidential race results, but look for it to go back to business as usual. The same issues still confront the investor in the “four more years” of the Bush administration.

In addition to the usual worries, we now face an enormous trade deficit that will pressure the U.S. dollar. The usual high energy prices, record budget deficit, terrorism, questionable corporate earnings, Iraq and the Federal Reserve meeting this week put pressure on the stock market.

Delicious delicacies direct from Posh Bagel ovens

The ring-shaped yeast roll with the chewy texture and shiny crust has been a staple of New York delicatessens for years, but drop into Los Altos Posh Bagel in the morning and you’ll realize from the consumption of bagels by the dozen that they are popular here too. You’ll be left wondering whatever happened to the doughnut.

The asiago bagel trays are the first to empty because breakfast people like the onion bagel with the rich, nutty-flavored Italian cheese on top, baked until it becomes crusty.

Setting fashionable tables for the holidays

With the holiday season approaching, it’s not surprising that many cooks are already planning the details of their festive menus - including what goes under the food. A decorative table contributes enormously to successful entertaining, signaling guests that you have been anticipating their arrival, local experts say. Here’s what the experts recommend for an eye-catching table:

David Wales, co-owner of Alabasta The Flower Shop on Main Street, said rather than guess, customers often bring in napkins, linens and plates for him to coordinate the colors with floral arrangements.

Cooking tips to simplify holiday season entertaining

Get the most out of this holiday season by keeping things simple. Here are a few time-saving tricks to incorporate into your kitchen routine:

Shake and serve - When hosting a holiday gathering, make things simple by serving a dry snack mix, such as Savory Ranch Chex Mix, so you can toss the ingredients in a large zipper bag, seal, shake and serve.

Armadillo Willy’s changes service format, serves same good food

Anyone who has walked into the Los Altos Armadillo Willy’s in the past three weeks probably noticed there is no hostess, no waiters, and diners serve themselves. The reduced staff may be part of service changes at the Texas-style BBQ chain - but don’t think the food has changed. Willy’s still serves up great BBQ for under $10. And on a positive note, you no longer have to wait for a waitress to come to your table.

John Berwald, founder and corporate owner, sees the format changes as a creative approach to maintaining the restaurant’s economic viability while keeping food costs down for his customers.

My hatchet job on a champagne bottle

I recently attended a wine collector’s dinner at Moose’s in San Francisco. The occasion was the introduction of rare, single vineyard champagne produced by Perrier-Jouet. Our treat was a 1999 Fleur de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs. Brut, the most common champagne or sparkling wine, is approximately 60 percent pinot noir and 40 percent Chardonnay. A blanc de blancs is 100 percent chardonnay. It is the lightest of all the wines and takes the longest to mature.

Perrier-Jouet and G.H. Mumm are both owned by Allied Domecq. Jean-Marie Barillere, the CEO of both companies, was here to make the presentation of this wine that will be released for the holiday season. Only 4,000 cases were made for the entire world. The scarcity is increased if you factor in not every year produces a vintage (only the best years are declared vintage years in champagne) and this bottling may have to last several.

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist offers fresh vision, graphic comment on 9-11

There is no shortage of books commemorating the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novelist Art Spiegelman, who lives in lower Manhattan, uses his unique artistic talent to bring a fresh vision to the events of that day and those that followed, in “In the Shadow of No Towers” (Pantheon, 2004). In brightly colored panels he relives his and his wife’s race to their daughter’s school a few blocks from ground zero.

Spiegelman brings in characters from the turn-of-the-20th-century newspaper comic strips “Happy Hooligan,” “Hogan’s Alley,” “Bringing Up Father” and the “Katzenjammer Kids” to help bring his mind and our new century into focus, commenting acidly on the Bush administration and its shift in focus from al-Qaida to Iraq.

Elliott describes winding path to White House

By mid-2003, Stephen Elliott found he was incapable of writing fiction because he was too immersed in current affairs. The cure? Writing his first nonfiction book, “Looking Forward to It - or, how I learned to stop worrying and love the American electoral process” (Picador, October 2004).

On July 2, 2003, Elliott boarded a plane to Iowa and began the long, strange trip through presidential politics that culminated in “Looking Forward to It,” a political diary for the new millennium. Although unlikely to jar a jaded electorate in the same way as Hunter S. Thompson’s 1972 book “Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail,” Elliott’s book nonetheless provides an insightful look at the winding road to the White House.

Books Briefs

Linden Tree entertains today and Friday
Local authors Bob Barner, Dale Ann Dodds and others will participate in the First Congregational Church Nursery School Holiday Faire 9:30 a.m. to noon, today, at Linden Tree Children’s Recordings & Books.
Brian Selznick, illustrator of the Caldecott Honor Book “The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins,” will […]

Best Sellers

1. “Villa Incognito,” Tom Robbins

2. “The Sinister Pig,” Tony

Mediterranean island steeped in history, ancient cultures

In ancient times, Cyprus is said to have been Cleopatra’s favorite vacation spot. Today, it is an off-the-beaten-path destination for modern travelers seeking relaxation and a taste of the past.

Renowned for its castles, beaches, vineyards and ancient ruins, Cyprus is split between Greek and Turkish rule. Travelers with passports - and visas, if required - can cross the Green Line, the boundary that bisects the island. To experience the best of both worlds, visitors should head north for a taste of Turkish culture and south for Greek. In the center of the island sits the capital city of Lefkosia (better known to foreigners as Nicosia), shared by the Greek and Turkish portions of the island.

Our community pays tribute to local veterans Coverage starts on page 6

The day we celebrate as Veterans Day came out of the horrors of World War I, described in the 1926 Presidential Proclamation as “the most destructive, sanguinary and far-reaching war in human annals.”

The national holiday, Nov. 11, pays tribute to all who served in the U.S. military.

Los Altos vet was a founding Blue Angel, POW during World War II

Raleigh “Dusty” Rhodes of Los Altos spent 20 years in the Navy. He was one of the first pilots and commanders on the illustrious Blue Angels daredevil flying contingent that wowed audiences with incredible maneuvers in their Bearcats.

But perhaps his most important service was during the bulk of World War II, when the Japanese held him captive as a prisoner of war. Rhodes remained tight-lipped about any information that could help the enemy, despite repeated beatings and a starvation diet that dropped him from 155 to 88 pounds. “It was pretty grim,” he recalled.

Henry Juro Nagao: From Japanese internee to lieutenant colonel

Henry Juro “Hank” Nagao doesn’t talk much about his 22 years of active military service, which included tours of duty in Occupied Japan, Korea and Vietnam - and very nearly Cuba. Or that he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel, covered in medals.

The son of Japanese immigrants doesn’t talk at all about being uprooted as a rising high school freshman and interned with his family at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming during World War II.

Military service in the Pacific honed Billy Russell’s leadership skills

We could easily take Billy Russell’s contributions to this community for granted. He is a longtime volunteer and major builder of the local infrastructure.

The former owner of Russell-Huston clothing store on State Street is a charter member of the Los Altos Rotary Club, having joined in 1950. Russell provided successful leadership during the pioneer development of El Camino Hospital and its first 25 years of maturation.

Lewis B. Miller Sr.: Navy man survives World War II and the high seas

Lew Miller is a member of the American Legion of Santa Clara County, Post 558, where he serves as chaplain. Miller is tall and slender, with dreamer’s eyes and a gentle demeanor.

Miller joined the Navy when he was 18 years old and served the Pacific theater. He served in the 7th Amphibious Forces of the 7th Fleet, aboard a 154-foot-long landing craft infantry (LCI) ship - “the smallest vessel in the Navy.” He served 18 months as a radioman 1st class.

Datebook

MUSIC

Menlo Park Presbyterian Church Children’s Choir. Annual Christmas concert. 6 p.m., Dec. 5. Free. 323-8657.

Obituary Notices

MARY LOU (LUCILLE) WHITE
Mary Lou (Lucille) White, loving wife, mother and grandmother, born September 7, 1937, entered into rest October 30, 2004. She was a student in the first graduating class of Covington School in Los Altos, CA. She continued onto Mountain View High School and graduated in 1955. Immediately after high school she […]