Tech Trek: Where no man has gone before

In July, coveys of rising eighth-grade girls will descend on Stanford University to conduct experiments with scientists, forensics experts and Pixar film wizards - and meet other girls wild about science.

They’re the lucky few chosen for Tech Trek, an intense, weeklong residential enrichment program in science, math and technology for girls only.

Holiday Fund sounds the bell for the needy

The Town Crier has set a $120,000 goal for its fifth annual Holiday Fund. The fund supports area non-profit groups whose work directly benefits the needy. Approximately $65,000 has been raised thus far. For more information about the fund and its recipients, see Page 14.

Pool plans continue to tread water

Faced with another standing-room-only crowd and a letter from the attorney representing opposing residents, the Los Altos City Council last week postponed action on the Rosita pools plan to the council’s next meeting, Dec. 14.

Council punted the issue back to city staff to address remaining questions from residents and, in particular, attorney Jeffrey B. Hare’s letter about the city’s analysis of alternative sites.

Two out, two in on Los Altos Hills council

The Los Altos Hills City Council swearing-in ceremony Dec. 2 was somewhat laden with the undercurrents of the difficulties that challenged the outgoing council. As goodbyes were said to outgoing Councilmembers Bob Fenwick and Emily Cheng, the city’s first Asian-American mayor, councilmembers expressed their hope that Fenwick and Cheng would continue to be involved in Hills matters.

“This is such an emotional moment,” Cheng said. “I’m sad to leave the council, but in a way, it’s time for me to retire.”

Mtn. View council OKs medical facility at Emporium

The Mountain View City Council gave the go-ahead Nov. 23 to Palo Alto Medical Foundation, approving the foundation’s plans to build a 250,000-square-foot medical facility on the site of the former Emporium department store, which has sat vacant for approximately nine years.

The foundation will relocate its Camino Medical Group offices in Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Los Altos to the site, consolidating all staff on one main campus.

El Camino Hospital board, former anesthesiologists to meet

To rejoin hospital, anesthesiologists would have to join group already in place

Members and representatives of the anesthesiology group ousted from El Camino Hospital said last week board members had agreed to meet with them in hopes of getting back to work at the hospital.

Kerry led Bush in LA, LAH, according to final vote count

Typically a Republican stronghold, Los Altos fell to John F. Kerry in the Nov. 2 presidential race. Kerry also won Los Altos Hills, but by a slimmer margin, according to the final vote count certified by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters last week. A higher-than-usual voter turnout delayed the release of the final results while officials tallied stacks of provisional and absentee ballots.

In Los Altos, Kerry received 10,198 votes compared to incumbent George W. Bush, who received 6,035. In Los Altos Hills, Kerry received 2,674, Bush 2,009.

LAH council to enter conflict resolution in light of 106-foot radio tower dispute

The dispute over a 106-foot proposed radio tower that has pitted one Viscaino Road resident against his neighborhood will be settled through conflict resolution, the Los Altos Hills City Council decided Dec. 2.

The applicant, Jim Abraham, a ham radio hobbyist, said state and federal regulations exempt the tower from city and county zoning ordinances. Residents, who claim the tower will ruin their hillside views and devalue their homes, allege the regulations do not mean that any installation must be accepted by the city. The council is unsure how to interpret the regulations that say the city must provide “reasonable accommodation” for ham radio towers.

Rancho center loses a popular gathering spot

The patio seating area in front of Clarke’s Charcoal Broiler at Rancho Shopping Center is empty - and it is not just because of the winter chill.

Clarke’s is still on the Rancho map, but it closed its doors Nov. 15 - almost exactly seven years from the day it opened, replacing the Blintz Restaurant. Clarke’s owner Jim Blach and his son, general manager Steve, needed no introduction to the community. They had owned and operated Clarke’s Charcoal Broiler in Mountain View since 1975 and lived in Los Altos.

Editorial

The recent departure of a 19-member anesthesia group from El Camino Hospital last month has had ousted doctors portrayed as greedy and hospital administrators as putting business before quality health care.

Neither is true. The real culprit is the changing dynamic in health-care economics in which managed care has spurred hospital mergers and doctors from individual practices into groups. Managed care has forced hospitals to cut costs and doctors to accept declining reimbursements. El Camino, although an independent, public hospital, is not immune from these forces.

Why I still write to Santa Claus

I’ve been writing letters to Santa Claus for years, and for the first time I received an answer from the North Pole by e-mail. It was from “Reindeer Fast Delivery” and signed by the vice president of transportation, Mr. Rudolph.

In his most recent e-mail he resorted to downright sarcasm when he discovered why I had written. Rudolph asked, “What’s an old gasbag like you doing writing letters to Santa Claus anyway?”

Wigged about hair

During this special time of year, there is an issue of utmost importance that preoccupies the minds of women everywhere. Beyond the usual stresses of the holidays is something so universally significant that it has the power to keep millions of women awake at night. No, it’s not politics, financial worries or our kids’ report cards. It’s our hair.

Most women, if not all of us, are fairly wiggy about our hair. If we have a good hair day, life is grand. We feel pretty, our moods are bright, and all is right with the world. A bad hair day is an ugly day. Unfortunately, I seem to have a lot of these. It’s never fun to feel like a mutt, but it’s worse during December when we want to look nice for holiday gatherings.

Letters to the Editor

Appreciates article on World AIDS Day
Sarah Gentile

Thank you for your articles on world AIDS Day.
For those who would like to be come more involved in the fight against AIDS, I would like to recommend contacting the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA).
GAIA partners with religious organizations in less-developed countries to […]

Obituary Notices

IVA ESTELLA WINIGER
Iva Estella Winiger, born October 10, 1911, Galena, Illinois. Died November 7, 2004, Mountain View, California. Iva was the daughter of Mary Estella Rosenthal and Charles Fremont Edwards. Her mother died in childbirth when Iva was five. Iva and her sister were raised from that age at a […]

Service News

Air Force Airman Alexandro G. Walsh has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During his six weeks of training, he studied the Air Force mission, organization, military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches; and received physical training, training in rifle marksmanship, special training in human relations and field training.

Weddings & Engagements

Lindsey Ruddell and Kurt Ammann
Lindsey Ruddell and Kurt Ammann were married July 31 at the Copper River Country Club in Fresno.
The bride is the daughter of Edye Ward of Fresno and Gary and Connie Ruddell of Visalia. She graduated from Redwood High School in Visalia and received a bachelor’s degree in […]

Volunteers recognized for community service

Last Friday was payback time for eight Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents who have shown their love for the community by contributing their most valuable resource - their time.

Each received recognition at the 22nd annual Joint Community Volunteer Service Award ceremony Friday at the Los Altos Youth Center. An audience of more than 185 applauded their contributions.

Calendar

Today
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board of directors, 7:30 p.m., 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos.
Los Altos Hills Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m., town hall, 25890 Fremont Road.
Monday
Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District Board of trustees, 7 p.m., 1299 Bryant Ave., Mountain View.
Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of […]

Pet of the Week

Marty is a 3-year-old neutered male cat available for adoption at Palo Alto Animal Services. He is described as having an adorable personality. To adopt Marty, contact Palo Alto Animal Services, 3281 E. Bayshore Road, at 496-5971.

Hundreds brave cold to visit tree-lighting ceremony

How appropriate for the Mountain View High School Madrigal Singers to start the tree-lighting ceremony in the Community Plaza by singing “Wintertime Cheer.” Last Friday was one of the coldest nights of the year and several hundred people stood around shivering to usher in the holiday season with lights and music.

Dressed in traditional renaissance clothing - girls in burgundy dresses and the boys in black capes and black tams - director Jill Denny led the Madrigals by perking up the evening singing “Sleigh Ride” and “Joy to the World.”

Holiday Briefs

A Silicon Valley Christmas Carol
“A Silicon Valley Christmas Carol” is the theme of an original musical concert titled “The Angel Investor,” presented at Union Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m., Dec. 18, and 4:30 p.m., Dec. 19.
The event will feature a professional orchestra, adult choir, youth choir, drama and a […]

Town Crier Holiday Fund halfway toward goal

The Los Altos Town Crier Holiday Fund marks its fifth year with a fund-raising goal of $120,000 for local non-profit organizations whose work directly benefits the needy.

So far, approximately $65,000 has been raised.

‘ChopShticks’ local holiday comedy show extended to three nights by popular demand

After sold-out events the last two years, “ChopShticks: An Evening of Comedy and Chinese Food” will be extended to three nights this year. It is scheduled Dec. 24-26, at Ming’s restaurant in Palo Alto.

“On a day when it seems that everyone has a ritual and a place to go, Jews have claimed Dec. 24 and 25 as traditional nights to get together with friends and family to enjoy comedy and Chinese food,” said Los Altos resident Gloria Goldblatt, the event producer. “‘ChopShticks’ was a wonderful community happening last year, but many people were disappointed when we sold out so quickly.

Museum offers story time event as part of holiday exhibit

The Los Altos History Museum presents its holiday exhibit, “Through the Eyes of a Child: Winter Holidays,” through Jan. 2.

The exhibit explores the culturally and religiously diverse holidays and festivities of Jewish Hanukkah, Hindu Diwali, Iranian Nowruz, African American Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year and Christmas traditions from Europe, the United States and Mexico. A highlight of the exhibit is the “Winter Wonderland” train layout, centered within separate vignettes for each celebration. Many of the vignettes will include a hands-on or take-away activity.

Museum in China named for Los Altos artist

The dedication of an art museum bearing the name and featuring the art of Los Altos resident Peo-Jen (Paul) Hau, 87, makes him the first overseas Chinese artist to be so-honored in China.

The acclaimed painter and art professor, who has taught at the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto since 1957, attended the dedication ceremony for The HouBeiRen Art Museum Nov. 30 in Kunshan, near Shanghai.

Los Altan of the Year 2004 to be announced

Look for an announcement of the person selected by the Los Altos Town Crier as Los Altan of the Year 2004 in next week’s edition. Each year for the past 10 years the Town Crier has selected a person or persons who in the staff’s judgment contributed the most good will for our communities in the past year or recent past. The full story on the honoree will be published Jan. 5.

On Jan. 13, the winner will be feted with dinner at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club to which the public is invited. Look for details next week.

Town Crier welcomes stories for the holidays

The Town Crier welcomes stories or photos from readers with a holiday theme for our Dec. 22 edition.

Stories should be no more than 500 words. They can include anecdotes or insights and observations about the Christmas and New Years seasons.

Nobel Prize winner addresses writer, reader perils and readers alike

Toni Morrison composes her novels on yellow tablets with pencil. Her real name is Chloe. And she rises early, so that she is writing by 4:30 a.m.

These are some of the things the Nobel Prize winner shared with the audience at the Celebrity Forum at Flint Center last week.

Rotarian honored for world impact in AIDS awareness

The Los Altos Rotary Club blindsided a man of vision last week when it set aside his scheduled program to honor Dushan “Dude” Angius for 15 years at the helm of the Rotary AIDS Project.

In 1989, Angius called on the club to take action against AIDS. Very little was known about AIDS at that time.

AAUW to hold holiday tea

The Los Altos/Mountain View branch of the American Association of University Women has scheduled a holiday tea 2-4 p.m., Saturday, at Foothills Congregational Church, 461 Orange Ave., Los Altos.

Members and guests are asked to bring a donation for the Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos. Suggested items include new and unwrapped gifts of clothing, games or gift certificates for children 8 through 17. Pajamas are especially needed.

CUSD teacher sues district in federal court

Alleging infringement of his constitutional rights, a fifth-grade teacher at Stevens Creek Elementary School is suing the school’s principal and the superintendent and trustees of Cupertino Union School District.

Stephen J. Williams claims that the district “unlawfully interfered with his constitutional right to distribute religious materials” to his students. The district disagrees and maintains that “well-established constitutional principles relating to the separation of church and state must prevail.”

Bullis adventure on wheels

Teachers at Bullis Charter School recently laid their lives on the line - well, at least their bodies on the playground - to prove a point about bicycle safety during a recent appearance by the group, Perfection on Wheels. The daredevil cycle team, proclaiming themselves “The Greatest Show on Wheels,” presented a program packed with bike stunts to hold the audience’s attention while the riders promoted safe riding and the benefits of a drug-free lifestyle. The group came to the charter school courtesy of the Bullis Booster Club.

Griffin House on Foothill-De Anza agenda Monday

The fate of the historic Griffin House is again before the board of trustees of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.

Trustees on Monday again are scheduled to discuss the fate of the turn-of-the-century house, which the district does not have the funding to repair and for which it has no practical use.

El Camino Youth Symphony dazzles

When I opened the program at the season premier of the El Camino Youth Symphony in Spangenberg Theatre at Palo Alto’s Gunn High School, I was struck by the audacity of music director Dr. Camilla Kolchinsky’s programming for this orchestra of middle and high school students.

The first piece was the Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68, one of the monumental pillars of Western serious music, and the players sat there, wrapped in black formals, confident and secure in what they were about to undertake.

Schools Briefs

Homestead plans pops concerts
Homestead High School has scheduled Winter Pops Concerts 7:30 p.m., today and Thursday, in the school auditorium. Tonight, Homestead’s four choirs and award-winning jazz ensemble will perform. Thursday evening, the school’s three concert bands and orchestra will perform.
A $5 donation will be requested at the door. For […]

League for Innovation ratifies Foothill-De Anza board membership

The League for Innovation reaffirmed the Foothill-De Anza Community College District for board membership at the league’s meeting last month in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Only 19 community colleges nationwide are approved for board membership.

The League for Innovation is a groundbreaking international organization committed to improving community colleges through innovation, experimentation and institutional transformation. Foothill-De Anza was a founding member of the league, created in 1968.

Noteworthies

Krysta Accola, a graduate of Los Altos High School and a student at Lake Forest College, is studying in Seville, Spain, for the fall semester through the Cultural Experience Abroad program. The program allows students to pursue their chosen academic field while improving their Spanish language skills by interacting with local residents.

Monica Ann Martin de Bustamante of Los Altos Hills is a member of the Class of 2008 at Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., the ninth oldest college in the nation.

Absences not getting this Los Altos team down

A funny thing happened to the Los Altos High girls soccer team on the way to the season.

“The whole team we were expecting never showed up,” coach Roberto Magellan said.

Hills native Cannon named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year

Los Altos Hills native Joe Cannon was among the finalists, but didn’t come away with Major League Soccer’s MVP award. However, the Colorado Rapids star did take home MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors.

This marks the second time in three years Cannon has been named the league’s top goalie. He also claimed the award in 2002 with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Owls overcoming loss of top player

Two days before the season opener, coach Shanan Rosenberg couldn’t help feeling optimistic about what lay ahead for his Foothill College men’s basketball team.

Ranked 15th in a preseason poll of Northern California community college coaches, the Owls seemed primed to build on the success of 2003-04 when they made the playoffs and won 10 more games than the year before.

Titans topple Eagles in boys basketball

Chalk it up to opening-game jitters. At least that’s what the Los Altos High boys basketball team can only hope was the reason for its offensive woes in a 43-34 loss to Gunn.

The Eagles made just seven field goals - and a rash of turnovers - in the Nov. 30 home game.

Tech stocks looking better after Intel’s bullish report

Among the many market issues available, technology stocks have under-performed this year. Many professional investors reduced their commitment to the industry as a whole, until last week.

Tech stocks were looked upon in a better light when Intel Corp. released its midquarter report saying its revenues would be substantially higher than Wall Street expected. On the news, the stock surged 5.28 percent to $23.91. Other chipmakers, such as Applied Materials and Varian Semiconductor, rode on Intel’s coattails.

Despite Internet, real estate agents play vital role

The Internet is rapidly becoming a favorite tool for anyone looking for a new home. The search for ideas may start on the Web, but when it comes to assistance and guidance, the smart consumer turns to a real estate professional.

“The Internet has not put traditional real estate agents out of business,” said Jane Bigelow, manager of Coldwell Banker’s San Antonio Road office. “They need assistance to help them through one of the most complex financial transactions of their lives.”

Make your holiday season an epicurean delight

The short and busy holiday shopping season can make hitting the malls or even ordering goods online exceed the time available. But there are personal gifts, guaranteed to delight, that don’t require those paralyzing decisions on style, size or color - holiday gift baskets.

A variety of baskets are available in local markets; they come ready-made or custom-selected. Personalized gift baskets can be assembled at home to include homemade items to the market selections.

Inspire your holiday menu with festive veggies

If you’re like most people, the holidays provide countless occasions to overindulge in a sea of decadent and fattening foods. But there’s a secret to eating your way through the season that will make the holidays one of the most enjoyable culinary occasions of the year without the worry over your waistline - and that secret is to pile on the veggies!

According to the current U.S. Dietary Guidelines, Americans should eat between five and nine servings of fruit and vegetables a day - and there’s a good chance that number will be increased to as many as 13 servings per day when the guidelines are revised in early 2005. The reality, however, is that most people find it difficult to eat the minimum five servings a day due to busy schedules, a lack of time to cook, the cost of fresh produce (especially when some veggies are out of season) or the belief that vegetables are boring and can’t taste good.

Quality estate wines from Michaud Vineyard

I recently put together a wine dinner featuring wines from Michaud Vineyard. The name may be relatively new, but the many familiar with Chalone Vineyard will remember Michael Michaud was at Chalone for almost 20 years, most of that time as the winemaker and general manager.

Michaud began buying land near Chalone in the early 1980s and has continued to add acreage ever since. This remote area chosen by the late Richard Graff (the founder of Chalone) is between Salinas and Gonzales and close to the Pinnacles National Monument Park. It is a unique appellation because of its combination of decomposed limestone and granite. It is as close to the Cote d’Or in Burgundy that you will find this side of the Atlantic. The soil and the cooling breezes that arrive daily from Monterey Bay provide ideal conditions to grow grapes possessing a mineral character that typifies great white burgundies.

Nut oils low in cholesterol-raising fat

Q: How do the special nut and seed oils I see in gourmet shops rate

nutritionally?

Keep the holidays happy: simple tips for healthy holiday eating

Cookies, cake and candy. Many Americans come face-to-face with temptation this time of year as they attend parties and family gatherings in honor of the holiday season. Sugary treats and hefty portions abound, so people living with diabetes or other health problems need to be especially vigilant about healthy eating during the holidays.

“Rich foods and holiday-related stress contribute to the challenge of maintaining healthy blood-sugar levels and exercise routines during the holidays,” said Dr. Fouad R. Kandeel, director of the City of Hope Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Diabetes and Genetic Research Center in Los Angeles. “People step out of their usual daily schedules and tend to either forget or ignore the dietary and lifestyle guidelines for people living with diabetes.”

Buckley satirizes Middle East emirates

In his new book, “Florence of Arabia” (Random House, 2004), satirist Christopher Buckley (”Thank You for Smoking,” “No Way to Treat a First Lady”) takes on the Middle East, to the delight of readers.

When Nazrah al-Bawad, wife (well, the fourth, most junior, most beautiful and most independent wife) of Prince Bawad, the ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Wasabia to the United States, leaves the embassy grounds intoxicated after a late-night argument, she is lost and confused. With Virginia State troopers in hot pursuit, she crashes her Mercedes into the gate at CIA headquarters.

Books Briefs

Linden Tree plans holiday hours, events
Linden Tree Children’s Recordings & Books will be open noon to 5 p.m., Sunday and Dec. 19.
The store will host a mummers play of Saint George and the Dragon 3 p.m., Dec. 18, in the Linden Tree Courtyard. The performance is best suited for ages […]

‘Best American Essays’ tantalizes readers

Fans of the Best American series of books await each year’s edition like diners salivating in anticipation of new textures and flavors at their favorite restaurant. Although the essay’s demise has been heralded for decades, “The Best American Essays 2004″ (Houghton Mifflin, October) shows that rumors of its death have been exaggerated. More nuanced than news, less shrill than a polemic, a good essay is not hampered by the certitude of ignorance, but allows the writer and the reader alike to be surprised by the journey.

From hundreds of essays gleaned through extensive reading, 100 were culled for final vetting by guest editor Louis Menand, winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for history for “The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America.” Of these 100 and any number of his own choosing, Menand selected 22 for the collection. The final group includes seven from The New Yorker, several from Harper’s Magazine and Granta, and others from various literary reviews. Posthumously published essays by Tennessee Williams and James Agee provide a special treat.

Best Sellers

Main Street Cafe & Books
1. “The Purpose-Driven Life,” Rick Warren
2. “Founding Mothers,” Cokie Roberts
3. “London Bridges,” James Patterson
4. “Holly,” Jude Deveraux
5. “Diabetes Cookbook,” American Medical Association
Linden Tree Children’s Recordings & Books
1. “Dragon Rider,” Cornelia Funke
2. “Magic Treehouse: Winter of the Ice Wizard,” Mary Pope Osborne
3. “A Series of Unfortunate Events: The […]

The long and short of an African afternoon

It’s 5:30 a.m., and my daughter, Carolyn, and I are set to have a mother-daughter day. This is usually a day of pampering at a spa; we like to relax with the manicure, pedicure and massage routine.

But this mother-daughter day found us in Kenya, Africa. We had to decide whether to go up in a hot air balloon or stay on the ground and go on a game drive. Since Carolyn has a fear of heights, she couldn’t see herself in a hot air balloon, so we slept in, while the rest of our group left their tents at 4:30 a.m. to go ballooning over the Masai Mara Game Reserve — 373,000 acres of premier wildlife sightings — to look for elephants, lions and wildebeest. Even though Carolyn, Twitcher (birder in safari lingo) Claire and I had decided to stay on the ground, missing the adventure of a hot air balloon ride was one of those agonizing decisions that is followed by “should I? shouldn’t I?” thinking.

Guidebook to nearby trails available

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District recently published “Peninsula Tales & Trails,” its first-ever trail guidebook with information about the district’s 25 open space preserves, encompassing nearly 50,000 acres in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties.

The book was written to commemorate the district’s 30 years of preservation, restoration and creating enjoyment for all.