Tenacity makes for timeless film

Once upon a time, a filmmaker named Mark J. Gordon grabbed hold of an engaging story from New Zealand history about a determined little girl. He wouldn’t let go. Not until he had made a movie about this little girl and her dream to meet the queen.

The Mountain View native’s determination and perseverance to make the film, which involved more than a decade of struggle, paralleled the story that had so captivated him.

Principals in HP shake-up reside in Los Altos Hills

Two Los Altos Hills residents played central roles in the shake-up that rocked one of the world’s largest corporations last week.

Hewlett-Packard Company’s board of directors forced Los Altos Hills resident Carly Fiorina to step down as chairwoman and CEO of the computer company Feb. 8; and named its chief financial officer, Robert P. Wayman, interim CEO after appointing him to the board. Wayman and Fiorina live in the same Los Altos Hills neighborhood where company co-founder David Packard spent most of his life.

Teacher arrested for alleged sexual relationship with a minor

Eight years ago, a teacher at Homestead High School was arrested for molesting two teenage girls. It’s happened again.

Choir teacher Brett Bartlett, 25, was arrested Feb. 8 for allegedly having a two-month sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student.

‘Her Majesty’ a real treat

“Her Majesty” truly does live up to the heft of awards bestowed upon this charming independent film, the creation of Mountain View native Mark J. Gordon. The simple life of a small town in 1950s New Zealand is captured splendidly, as is the grand scenery of this country’s still breathtaking landscape.

The storytelling and production values (led by veteran producer Walter Coblenz) are first-rate, briskly moving along without the aid of scary monsters or special effects. Sally Andrews’ portrayal of the idealistic Elizabeth Wakefield in the starring role is wonderful and astonishing given the fact that this was Andrews’ big-screen debut.

Reservoir construction disrupts neighborhood

As far as the community at large is concerned, the controversy surrounding Mountain View’s Miramonte Reservoir Expansion Project has gone away as the project has gone forward. But try telling that to the Los Altos residents bordering the project site on three sides.

Since last summer, residents along Stanley, Russell and Berry avenues, and Diamond Court have been enduring noise, traffic congestion and dirty air from construction of a new reservoir designed to hold 3.2 million gallons. This in addition to an existing 700,000-gallon reservoir on the 3-acre site for nearly 60 years.

The waiting is over

They stood awestruck behind a chain-link fence watching a crane hoist the concrete walls of their new church in place Feb. 9 after waiting nearly three years to rebuild the sanctuary that an unknown arsonist destroyed during Easter celebrations in 2002.

“This is such a victory to see goodness overcome evil. It’s as if the walls of the church are rising from the ashes after someone committed such an ugly criminal act,” The Rev. Samer Youssef said as he and about a dozen parishioners from the Antiochian Orthodox Church of the Redeemer in Los Altos Hills watched each of the 16 wall pieces - some weighing as much as 85,000 pounds - move onto the foundation.

Editorial

LAH council in need of perspective
We’ll be the first to tell you that we’ve seen some great strides by Los Altos Hills City Council members in recent years. The town has made progress on a number of fronts, from a new town hall to a strong energy conservation plan and a revised […]

Letters to the Editor

Mayor not calling for boycott
Michael O’Malley

I was amazed to read in the Feb. 9 edition of the Town Crier, in two different articles along with a headline, that I said “Hills residents should boycott Los Altos businesses” in the Feb. 3 city council meeting.
My comments on this subject were made […]

He was never in the closet

I have finally grown up enough to watch men in love with one another without averting my eyes or uttering the teenage, “eeyu” or my mother’s “feh.” We rented “De-Lovely,” Hollywood’s version of Cole Porter’s musical genius mixed with his homoerotic proclivities. My strongest reaction was uninhibited tears at the tragic end of his strange marriage plus an absolute irritation with Porter’s wife, who accepted his constant affairs with such generosity despite her personal pain.

Was the super-romantic film true to his life or was it a modern version of an old movie where a dying wife loves her husband enough to secretly choose her successor despite her anguish? It probably doesn’t matter since my “mature” reaction produced the same torrent of tears as the impressionable teenager I used to be. After all, I adoringly wept at the Nelson Eddy-Jeanette MacDonald opus where the ending pours on the bathos as the lovers reunite in some afterlife and walk into the sunset singing their hearts out. But their song wasn’t “It Was Just One of Those Things.”

Anniversary

Joan and Wally Cunneen, 50 years
Joan and Wally Cunneen viewed their wedding photo at a recent Los Altos History Museum wedding exhibit. In January, the couple held a family celebration at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club where their wedding reception was held 50 years ago.

People

Sarah Hayman and Eric Gerfen
Sarah Hayman and Eric Gerfen were married Sept. 25 at the Freedom Hall and Gardens in Santa Clara. The Rev. Michael Clark of the Los Altos Union Presbyterian Church presided.
The bride is the daughter of Jon and Rebecca Hayman of Los Altos. She is a graduate of […]

It’s your funeral: Mortician advises planning ahead to ease family’s pain

A funeral or memorial service that is properly planned and meticulously conducted can partially alleviate the grief and sorrow that accompany a death.

Jim Spangler of Spangler Mortuaries in Los Altos addressed an interested group of community residents on the options available in funeral arrangements. The forum was held last Thursday in the Main Street Cafe and Books.

Upcoming Main Street Forum speakers

• Thursday: Jean Hollands and Tom Rohrer. Hollands, a local corporate psychologist, talks of her new book, “Approachability.” Husband Rohrer reads from and signs his novel, “A Woman Called Catherine.”

• Feb. 22: Mark Gordon, filmmaker, writer-director of “Her Majesty” (See this week’s cover story).

Hidden Villa farmer receives ecological farming honor

Andy Scott, Hidden Villa’s farmer for over 14 years, and his wife Carolyn Brown, were recently awarded with one of three “Stewards of Sustainable Agriculture” awards, known as “the SUSTIE.” The honor was presented at the Ecological Farming Association’s EcoFarm Conference held at Asilomar Conference Center in January.

The SUSTIES were developed to honor those who have been integrally involved in sustainable agriculture.

Pianist Nakamatsu set for appearance at Foothill College

Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) is holding a concert featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Jon Nakamatsu, 7 p.m., Feb. 25, at Smithwick Theatre on the Foothill College campus, Los Altos Hills.

Nakamatsu, a winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn piano competition, once attended classes at Foothill.

Pet of the Week

Happy, the parakeet, is available for adoption at Palo Alto Animal Services. His two legs are deformed and stick out to the side, yet the staff describes this little bird as happy and ready for a new home. To adopt Happy, contact Palo Alto Animal Services by calling 496-5971, or stopping by 3281 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto.

Calendar

Today
Los Altos Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, 7:30 p.m., city hall, 1 N. San Antonio Road.
Mountain View Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m., city hall, 500 Castro St.
Thursday
Los Altos Hills City Council, 6 p.m., town hall, 26890 Fremont Road.
Los Altos Planning Commission, 7 p.m., city hall, 1 N. San […]

Community Briefs

Astronomer to address scientific misconceptions
Author and astronomer Phil Plait of Sonoma State University is scheduled to give a nontechnical, illustrated talk titled “Bad Astronomy (In Everyday Life and the Movies)” 7 p.m., March 2, in the Smithwick Theater at Foothill College.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Parking costs […]

Town Crier Relief Fund extended through February

In response to the tsunami disaster in south Asia and Africa, the Town Crier has transformed its Holiday Fund into a Town Crier Relief Fund. The newspaper staff is keeping the fund open until Feb. 28 to offer residents a convenient and secure way to donate to organizations directly involved in the relief effort.

All donations will be forwarded to two major agencies already in place in the disaster areas: World Vision and Medical Assistance Program International (MAP).

Charter school likely to stay at Egan camp

Next year, Bullis Charter School will most likely hold classes in one of the district’s two camp schools, and in all probability it will remain at Egan Junior High.

Agreeing with PTA Co-President Amy Gaffney that Covington Elementary has “paid its co-location dues,” Los Altos School District trustees last week said they would no longer consider having the charter share space with Covington or any other elementary school.

Search firm to present candidate slate to LASD trustees

The recruitment firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates of Glenview, Ill., is scheduled to present information on a slate of candidates for the successor to Los Altos School District Superintendent Marge Gratiot, who will retire June 30, to trustees Feb. 28. The first part of the 6 p.m. meeting will be open to the public; trustees will study the report and participate in an interviewing seminar in closed session.

Last week, the search firm had selected and was to begin screening 35 candidates. Trustees are scheduled to conduct the first round of interviews March 11 and 12 and interview semifinalists March 16-18. They plan to choose the final candidate by March 21, then visit the candidate’s locale to interview people there. They hope to announce the new superintendent of the state’s highest-ranked school district April 4 or 11.

District considers leasing both camp schools

The Los Altos School District’s preliminary budget for 2005-2006 shows a $1.5 million shortfall, and staff and trustees, assisted by the Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Finance, are looking at ways of increasing district income.

Randy Kenyon, assistant superintendent for business services, told the CACF when it met last week that a private preschool is interested in leasing the entire Bullis-Purissima Elementary School campus at a higher rate than the two preschools now onsite are paying. Kenyon has not disclosed details.

Woodside wages penny war for tsunami relief

The rainy morning didn’t discourage Woodside Priory School students Molly Magnuson of Los Altos and Ben Kellerman of Palo Alto as they battled to get coins in class buckets during the campuswide “penny war.” Students raised enough money to buy 4,747 jars of peanut butter, 10,096 cans of evaporated milk or 43,271 Baby Ruth candy bars. The event took place the first week of February. On Valentine’s Day, the total collection of $15,045.20 was donated to the American Red Cross tsunami relief fund.

New-look Los Altos surprises Saratoga

It’s time to slap those “new and improved” labels on the jerseys of the Los Altos High boys basketball team.

Last week’s 64-59 upset of division-leading Saratoga was the latest - and loudest - example of how far the Eagles have come in the last month.

Dow industrials on a roll - in positive territory again

The financial markets experienced a volatile week as investors abandoned risky technology stocks and turned instead toward large-company stocks and blue chips. By the end of last week the Dow Jones industrial average moved into positive territory for the year.

For the week, the Dow rose 0.75 percent, the Nasdaq fell 0.48 percent, and the Town Crier index fell 0.08 percent. The question is: Will the upturn continue?

Red Pepper adds spice to downtown Los Altos

Walk down the ramp at the Red Pepper restaurant and the daily specials catch your eye first: Vista De Mar, sautéed prawns and chicken with avocado and garlic, or fresh red snapper served Vera Cruz style. Those were the tasty choices last Friday. The following day featured enchilada Mazatlan with shrimp in a cream sauce topped with jack cheese.

Numerous restaurants have operated at 236 Plaza Central in the past, starting with the Back Door, then Jocco’s and now, the Red Pepper, which opened Jan. 31. The restaurant features Mexican cuisine.

Clinic helps people overcome shyness

Shy persons are Lynne Henderson’s favorite people. And, like Powdermilk Biscuits, she gives them the “strength to get up and do what needs to be done.”

Of course, she doesn’t look at it that way. The head of Los Altos’ new Shyness Clinic would say she only helps shy people find their own strength and maintain it.

Ways to reduce senior injuries from falls

Falls in older adults are a serious public health hazard. More than one-third of all adults 65 and older in the United States sustain injuries from falling. Each year, more than 1.5 million seniors are treated in emergency rooms nationwide for these injuries. Of this total, more than one-third are admitted to the hospital for further treatment or monitoring. Adults 75 and older who fall are four to five times more likely to be admitted into a skilled nursing facility for one year or more.

Approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of seniors who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility, independence and increase their risk of premature death. Falls are the leading cause of death and traumatic brain injury for older adults. The most common fall-related injuries are fractures of the hip, spine and forearm.

Hypothyroidism easy to diagnose, treat

Q: I have been feeling very tired lately. A friend mentioned I might have a thyroid disorder. What can you tell me about it?

A: You may be one of 13 million Americans with an underactive thyroid gland, also known as hypothyroidism. Women are two to three times more likely than men to develop this condition, and the risk rises with age. Recent changes in how hypothyroidism is defined may lead to even more people being diagnosed.

Support groups can help stay-at-home fathers adjust

Q: Do you have any suggestions for a “trailing spouse”?

I have become a stay-at-home dad. We’ve just moved across the country to follow my wife’s career. Because she finds more satisfaction in her job than I did in mine, and her job is more financially rewarding as well, we decided to switch the traditional husband-wife responsibilities until the last child is in first grade.

Affordable health benefits can still be found if you know where to look, experts say

Exploding health care costs and spending continue to create serious problems for California employers, workers, unions and consumers. To keep residents informed about affordable health benefits, Foothill-De Anza Community College District and the city of Los Altos held a Silicon Valley forum last Wednesday.

Rising costs

Drug companies interested only in their own financial health

According to Marcia Angell, former editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine and author of “The Truth About the Drug Companies” (Random House, 2004), the pharmaceutical industry is not your friend. Angell became disillusioned during her 20 years at the journal, as more and more research was sponsored by drug companies in order to make their products look good.

Far from being an innovator trying to cure disease, big pharma has become a business that wants to maximize the bottom line, an area where it has done a superb job. In 2002, the combined profits of the 10 drug companies in the Fortune 500 exceeded the profits of the other 490 put together by nearly $2 billion. In 2001, the CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb made just shy of $75 million - not counting stock options.

Books Brief

AAUW schedules mysterious luncheon
Local mystery authors Judy Hill, Jack Hasling and Lora Roberts will be the featured speakers at a luncheon scheduled for noon, Feb. 19, at the Garden House in Shoup Park, 400 University Ave., Los Altos.
Proceeds from this event, sponsored by the Los Altos-Mountain View Branch of the […]

Stanford’s Lou Hoover house opens window onto origins of modernism

“What kind of architecture is it?” asks author Paul Turner in “Mrs. Hoover’s Pueblo Walls: The Primitive and the Modern in the Lou Henry Hoover House” (Stanford University Press, 2004). In answering this question not only are the origins of a unique and little-known house uncovered, but new insights are provided into the origins of 20th century modernism.

The Lou Henry Hoover House (1919-20) sits on San Juan Hill behind the Stanford University campus. It was home to the family of Herbert Hoover for more than 20 years and now serves as the residence of Stanford’s president. Its three-story asymmetrical composition follows the curving hillside in a series of interlocking cubes. The flat-roofed white exterior, casually arranged across the site, offers many opportunities for outdoor living. The unadorned exterior is contrasted by an interior which is more conventional. The architecture of the house has long been an object of curiosity, if not some mystery. An official plaque placed in 1978 labeled it “International Style.” However, the house’s weighty white cubist forms came long before Johnson and Hitchcock’s invention, and little resemble the machine aesthetic the duo promoted in 1933.

Taking the sting out of high exchange rates

I returned to Los Altos last month in a state of shock from my 100th trip to Europe. I travel home to Great Britain several times a year, and the sharp decline of the U.S. dollar against almost every foreign currency is the most significant news in travel.

From now on, you will want to ponder the currency rates of particular destinations before you make the decision to go there.

Datebook

Datebook items are run on a space-available basis for entertainment, non-profit events, low-cost classes and groups of wide interest in our circulation area. The deadline is noon, Tuesday, for the next week’s paper. Notices must be typed and include a contact name and phone number. Items may be submitted via e-mail (peteb@latc.com); fax (948-6647) or post (138 Main St., Los Altos, CA 94022).

THEATER