News

The uniforms aren’t as elaborate, the play isn’t as smooth and the crowds aren’t nearly as big as those you might expect to see at a high school game. But those associated with the Alta Vista High School boys basketball team don’t seem too concerned about all that.

They just want to play ball.

Police recover largest stash of stolen goods in department’s history

A home computer theft led Los Altos police to the largest stash of stolen goods recovered in the department’s history last week. Police recovered at least 300 items believed to be stolen, valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars, from a warehouse in Redwood City March 9 after Detective Scott Sweezey tracked down computers reported stolen from Los Altos to the facility on the 1700 block of Bayshore Road.

The operation required two search warrants on two separate days, deployment of the Los Altos SWAT team, the cooperation of three other police agencies and REACT, a regional special unit team that investigates stolen high-tech equipment.

Cases against science teacher, choir teacher and priest in courts

Three unrelated sexual-abuse cases involving educators with Los Altos ties entered courtrooms this month. A local elementary teacher is in jail on child pornography charges after allegedly trying to develop a sexual relationship over the course of a year with a Los Altos police officer who posed as a 12-year-old girl on the Internet; A Homestead High School choir teacher was arrested a second time March 2 on additional sexual intercourse charges; and the first priest sex-abuse case filed against the Archdiocese of San Francisco started March 7. That case involves charges against the late Rev. Joseph Pritchard, who spent his final years as pastor at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Los Altos.

Recent arrests spur questions about security background checks

There were no warning bells, red flags or known reasons for anyone to be concerned when the three local educators in court on unrelated sexual abuse cases were hired. All had positive references, and allegedly no criminal records.

David Joseph Welsh, 57, was a recent hire at North Star Academy in Redwood City when Los Altos police discovered child pornography on his home computer during an undercover investigation. The husband and father had been teaching in the area for a decade.

Lunchtime bank robber hits LA Wells Fargo

A lunchtime bank robber walked into the Wells Fargo branch located in Albertson’s food store off Grant Road 12:30 p.m., Monday, handed the teller a note and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash, Los Altos police said.

She left through the building’s east exit.

Comment

Forget Bullis and move on
Alex Vitakis

As a 36-year, third-generation Los Altos Hills resident, and a former Bullis student, I pride myself on a decent knowledge of our town’s history as well as hopes for its future direction. After college and a graduate degree, I worked hard to buy a million-dollar home […]

New town hall committee deserves praise, not distortions

It’s becoming an all too familiar practice for the news media to play fast and loose with the facts in pursuit of a provocative story which reaches a foregone conclusion. Unfortunately, this practice now seems to have trickled down to our own community newspaper, as evidenced by your recent article, headlined “Unbudgeted LAH Town Hall expenses near $1 million” (March 9).

I fundamentally disagree with the central thrust of the article, which appears to make a mockery of the sincere efforts of the many people involved with this important community effort.

A new beginning

It seems that the world moves faster as spring approaches. The trees hurry to put out their flowers and leaves, while bulbs push their delightful colors through the earth in lonely glory. What we want to hold onto hurries us as if giving a warning, “Enjoy me now for soon I’ll be gone.” Why does nature rush us forward into summer? “Seventy degrees,” said the weatherman. I can’t believe him; we still turn on our electric blanket at bedtime.

False springs are part of this month in other ways. The Middle East holds its breath when the leaders shake hands and proclaim a tentative peace. Two days later, a young fanatic blows himself up and takes many people with him. It’s strange out there: Martha Stewart smiles and comes out of jail, while Michael Jackson hurries into a courtroom flashing a victory sign to his fans. President Bush flies around the country advocating a new Social Security plan while his constituents feel the pain of this year’s tax demands.

Weddings & Engagements

Leanne Hitzl and Rene Torgersen
Leanne Hitzl and Rene Torgersen were married August 21, 2004 in Cape Cod, Mass. A reception for the couple was held at the New Seabury Country Club.
The bride is the daughter of Patricia Royster of Carmel and Donald Hitzl of Orinda. She graduated from Los Altos High […]

Scouts News

Matthew Bresnahan of Los Altos Hills, Brian Chang of Los Altos, David Glassanos of Sunnyvale and Brent Taylor of Mountain View received the Eagle rank Feb. 27, at an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony for Troop 33 at Los Altos United Methodist Church.

The award represents participation in increasingly more responsible service projects, and leadership skills demonstrated by holding positions of responsibility. Bresnahan’s project involved construction of moveable signs at Los Altos High. Chang built a picnic table at the high school.

Duveneck Dana follows family legacy with dedication to Hidden Villa principles

Liz Duveneck Dana, a member of one of the local area’s most celebrated families, turns 90 on April 3. Dana is a daughter of Frank and Josephine Duveneck, the founders of Hidden Villa.

Like her parents, Dana has made her mark on Los Altos Hills. She has been active in local politics and community issues and remains on Hidden Villa’s board of directors.

Japanese storytelling at Hidden Villa

Hidden Villa presents an evening of Japanese stories around the fireplace 6:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday, at the Visitors Welcome Center.

Accomplished storyteller Megumi will narrate vivid Japanese tales to honor the Spring Equinox. Enjoy uplifting stories bidding farewell to the cold, dark and restive, while celebrating the coming of the warm, light and active.

Community Briefs

The Easter Bunny coming to downtown
The Los Altos Village Association has scheduled its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Children’s Party 9:30 a.m., Saturday, in the Community Plaza, Main and State streets next to Citibank.
The Easter Egg Hunt is free and includes candy treats in eggs, some containing certificates for free prizes […]

League conveys anxiety over county water supply

The Mountain View-Los Altos branch of the League of Women voters addressed a plethora of water supply and conservation issues during a March 6 consensus meeting on county water resources.

The good news, according to league members Ann Coombs and Jane Turnbull, is that 50 percent of county water comes from local wells. However, they noted that water coming from sources such as the Hetch Hetchy system, the San Luis Reservoir and the Bay Delta is susceptible to failing infrastructure.

LWV endorses library measures

Santa Clara County Measures A and B, to protect library funding, will be included in a mail-in ballot, posted April 4 with a return deadline of May 3. The leagues of Women Voters of the county have announced their support for the both measures.

Measure A would extend the existing assessment with the same amount ($33.66 year) with all funds distributed locally. Measure B, if Measure A is approved, adds $12 a year to restore library hours and the book budget

Local Quota Club dons classic fashions for community causes

The Mountain View-Los Altos Quota Club has scheduled its annual fashion show and fund-raiser, “The Way We Were,” Saturday, at Michael’s Restaurant at Shoreline in Mountain View. The event, which includes lunch, a silent auction and raffles, begins at 11:30 a.m.

Fashions will be provided by Draper’s and Damon’s Ladies Fashions of Sunnyvale. Quota Club members will serve as models and will be escorted by members of the Mountain View Fire Department.

Former Miss Ethiopia holds local dance benefit to address poverty in her native country

Former Miss Ethiopia, Sehin Belew, will be hosting “Dance For Ethiopia,” 8-11 p.m., March 25, at the Cubberley Community Center in Palo Alto. Belew, of Los Altos, is organizing the event to raise funds for children in her native Ethiopia.

The dance will be a social affair with a disc jockey playing a variety of music styles, Belew explained. “Like a party,” she said. A representative from the non-profit organization Food For The Hungry will be answering questions at a table where information and pictures will be displayed concerning the crisis in Ethiopia.

Performances for peace scheduled for Saturday at Los Altos plaza

Performances, speeches, exhibits and a special vigil will highlight a Saturday Los Altos Voices for Peace event at the downtown Community Plaza to mark the second anniversary of the war in Iraq. The plaza is located at State and Main streets.

The event, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature performances by the Raging Grannies, anti-war activists who have gained recent attention by dressing in colorful “old-lady” attire and singing and dancing to peace songs.

‘United Way of Ireland’ making an impact with worldwide network

As residents prepare to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Thursday, it’s plain the Irish Diaspora has left large populations of people of Irish descent in nearly every country. The Bay Area itself is home to a large and well-organized Irish American population.

One of the world’s most extensive Irish networks, The Ireland Funds, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting peace and reconciliation, has its regional headquarters in Los Altos.

MROSD founder ‘Woman of Year’

Nonette Hanko, one of the founders of the Los Altos-based Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, was named “Woman of the Year” by 21st Assembly District representative Ira Ruskin last week.

Hanko of Palo Alto received the award for what Ruskin called “her remarkable record as a public servant whose volunteer career has spanned more than three decades.”

Holiday Fund recipients grateful for donations

Representatives of the 13 non-profits who received checks from the 2004 Town Crier Holiday Fund were all smiles at the recent reception held in their honor. From left to right are: (front row) Anne Jones, Challenge Learning Center; Oneida Branch, Mother Branch; Andy Hartwell, Bayshore Christian Ministries; Mary Noonan, East Palo Alto Kids Foundation; Beth Walker, Help One Child; Monique Kane, Community Health Awareness Council; (back row) Jean Cecil, Career Closet; Kelly Neal, Downtown College Prep; Jose Arzate, Hidden Villa; Sandy Perry, Community Homeless Alliance Ministry; Leo Chavez, vice president, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, which manages the Holiday Fund; Pete Fullerton, Truck of Love; Tom Meyers, Community Services Agency; and Michael Hobson, Sunday Friends. The annual campaign created by the Los Altos Town Crier five years ago was the most successful ever, reaching a total of $134,000. The fund drive was spirited into action last fall with $60,000 in challenge grants. The Community Foundation Silicon Valley is the fiscal partner providing tax deductibility for all contributions. More than 450 individuals, companies and foundations donated to this year’s fund. “The Holiday Fund is a fabulous expression of the way Los Altans care about others,” said Los Altos City Councilman John Moss.

LANN offers front-door-friendly ‘No Solicitation’ decals

Beginning this month, the Los Altos Neighborhood Network, (LANN) is offering free “No Solicitation” decals to all Los Altos residents.

In accordance with the new “No Solicitation” ordinance passed by the Los Altos City Council in February, the stickers provide the door-side notice required by law to stop pesky and sometimes dangerous solicitors.

Youth board seeks skate park supporters

In December, the Los Altos Youth Commission established a subcommittee to study the possibility of a skate park in Los Altos. However, Recreation Supervisor Donna Legge said the project has been put on hold due to lack of community involvement.

Save for a few local supporters, the subcommittee is perusing a goal with not much more than the backing of the Los Altos recreation staff.

Free mediation available

The Los Altos Mediation Program (LAMP) provides mediation in local disputes. Mediation is a voluntary settlement process used to resolve conflicts between two or more people in a non-adversarial setting with the aid of a neutral third party.

The process is confidential and informal.

Professor to lead ‘Live Things’ discussion

As part of the “Los Altos Community Reads” program, a lecture and discussion on Wallace Stegner’s “All the Little Live Things” will be led by Professor Ken Fields of Stanford University’s Creative Writing Program 7:30 tonight at the Los Altos Youth Center, Civic Center.

The Los Altos History Museum will be open prior to the program 6-7:30 p.m. for viewing of the Stegner Exhibit.

Paleontologist-artist Jamison displays works at garden show

Paleontologist-artist Paul Jamison is exhibiting his fossil art at the 20th annual San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, through Sunday at the Cow Palace, San Francisco.

The event is one of the world’s largest and most celebrated gardening events, according to Dawn Stranne, a public relations consultant for the PR Consultants Group.

‘Green Cuisine’ cooking class Sunday at Hidden Villa

Hidden Villa Farm and Wilderness Preserve in Los Altos Hills has scheduled a cooking class 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday.

The “Green Cuisine” class promises to be a unique experience in sustainable cooking. Participants will explore the garden for fresh seasonal produce and work together in the kitchen classroom to cook and share a delicious and nutritious organic meal.

Worthy walkabout

The Almond School playground was a surging sea of orange as eager students passed beneath the Start banner for the annual Walkabout Saturday. Principal Jeffrey Baier, parents, friends and family also enjoyed the music and food and did plenty of walking. The money raised by all those feet will be used to support the many programs already in place at the school and add to supplies. Walkabout proceeds will pay for the visual arts program, computer specialists and equipment, playground equipment and library books.

Education leaders focus on school choice

Nearly 70 people gathered March 6 at the Community Dialogue on Education, sponsored by the Los Altos-Mountain View League of Women Voters and the Los Altos Community Foundation, to learn about a growing paradigm in American education - school choice.

Attendees, including school board and PTA members from many districts, sounded like consumers trying to understand a new product: How much does it cost? What are the options? What are the opportunity costs? What quality control mechanisms should we use?

Young scientists test the wind on Kite Day

Students of St. Joseph Catholic School in Mountain View celebrated their annual Kite Day March 9. As part of their science class, kindergartners through eighth-graders flew kites they had bought or made. Scientists, too, celebrate the March winds and anticipate spring. Each St. Joseph class flew kites with a buddy class - the older grades helped the younger ones.

Right, Erik Nilsson prepares to launch his ship of many colors.

Homestead places sixth in national math contest

Homestead High School students have placed sixth in the 2005 Four-by-Four Competition, a national mathematics contest administered by National Assessment & Testing (NAT).

Seniors Maxwell Radin, Guanxiong Mao, Boyuan Zhu and Daniel Ram earned Homestead its high rank among the top schools in the country.

LAHS student raises her voice against genocide

Ben Makit came to the United States two years ago, knowing no English, as one of the “lost boys” of Sudan. Now majoring in business at De Anza College and holding down a job, he also works to bring the attention of the world to the continuing murder of his people in Sudan’s Darfur region, where 70,000 die every week and 2 million civilians have been displaced in two decades of havoc.

A lost boy no longer, “I consider myself to be found by the American people,” the 24-year-old told Los Altos High School students March 8.

Seniors can file for exemption to FUHSD parcel tax

Citizens 65 years or older who own and occupy a principal residence in the Fremont Union High School District can apply to the district for an exemption from the parcel tax approved Nov. 2. Beginning July 1, the new tax will assess each parcel $98 annually for the next six fiscal years.

To file for an exemption from the parcel tax for the 2005-2006 fiscal year:

Charter considers preliminary Egan camp offer

The Los Altos School District sent Bullis Charter School a preliminary offer of space at the Egan Junior High School camp for the 2005-2006 school year March 8.

Charter directors were asked to respond by March 14 so that the district can take requests for changes into account before making the final offer by the April 1 deadline.

De Anza speech department named Model Teaching Program

De Anza College’s Speech Communication Department won the highest acknowledgment of excellence - the Model Teaching Program Award - at the Western States Communication Association’s annual conference Feb. 21 in San Francisco.

Receiving the award were Donna Stasio, the department chairwoman, and department faculty. Also in attendance were Language Arts Division Dean John Swensson, Instruction Vice President Judy Miner and more than 700 association members.

Schools Briefs

Science contest today and Thursday
The Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship is scheduled for today and Thursday at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Students in sixth through 12th grades will exhibit projects for judging by Bay Area scientists and engineers. The exhibit will be open for public viewing 5-6 […]

Panthers close in on California crown

It seems logical that a team would play closer games as it advances deeper into the playoffs against seemingly tougher competition.

The Pinewood School girls basketball team, however, has defied such logic.

Children can learn about finances through garage sales

Instead of writing the stock market column this week, I’m walking around Disney World in Florida. I’m watching young children on their dream vacation, with money in their hands, asking, “What’s the price of this?”

Financial skills aren’t taught in elementary school. One of the best places to teach children about finances is a garage sale. The seller makes a quick buck on old and used objects, and the buyer saves some money. Whether your child is buying or selling, many financial lessons can be applied through firsthand experience.

Local resident Dan Maydan inducted into Silicon Valley Engineering Hall of Fame

Applied Materials Inc. announced that Dan Maydan, president

emeritus and member of the company’s board of directors, has been elected to the Silicon Valley Engineering Hall of Fame for his outstanding professional achievements in engineering

Snowshoe beer expected to be big hit at Maltby’s

James Maltby has a big treat in store for beer lovers. Beginning this week, he’ll feature Snowshoe beer at his Maltby’s Restaurant & Tavern. The beer is a popular brand among Los Altos ski buffs who have second homes in the Sierras.

Snowshoe, brewed in Arnold, is plentiful in Bear Valley, but distribution stops at the East Bay. Maltby said he’s found a distributor to bring the beer over to his Fourth Street restaurant. “I’ve been trying to get it for years,” he said. “Now (Snowshoe aficionados) won’t have to drive three hours to get the beer.”

Business EXPO set for April 28

The Los Altos Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its 17th annual Business EXPO 4-7 p.m., April 28, at the Los Altos Youth Center, 1 N. San Antonio Road.

Retailers, restaurants, professionals and community services representing all the business areas throughout Los Altos will have an opportunity to present their specialties.

‘Most Wanted’ could use another rewrite but hooks reviewer anyway

When I received notice of Michele Martinez’s debut novel “Most Wanted” (William Morrow, 2005), I decided to take another look at genre fiction.

With a Harvard undergraduate degree, a Stanford law degree and a decade as an Assistant U.S. Attorney to her credit, Martinez was a good bet to deliver a smart, stylish thriller.

Books Briefs

Storytelling, Molly May, playlet at Linden Tree
Linden Tree Children’s Recordings & Books has scheduled two special events Saturday.
Rewa Hodges will sign her Molly May books - based on her own adventurous childhood - noon to 2:30 p.m.
At 3 p.m., Spontaneous Combustion Storytellers and their guest Eric Sabelman will tell […]

Best Sellers

Linden Tree Children’s Recordings & Books
1. “Kira-Kira,” Cynthia Kadohata
2. “Kitten’s First Full Moon,” Kevin Henkes
3. “Girls in Pants,” Ann Brashares
4. “Jamberry,” Bruce Degen
5. “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” Bill Martin Jr.
Main Street Cafe & Books
1. “French Women Don’t Get Fat,” Mireille Gulliano
2. “The Kite Runner,” […]

Going with the flow

Just about anyone who has taken a flight out of an airport in the Bay Area and glanced out a plane window has seen them. Thousands of feet beneath a plane, the salt ponds look like patches of bright red in a mosaic of levees, highways, industrial parks and residential neighborhoods that make up much of Silicon Valley - all in close proximity to the blue waters of the San Francisco Bay.

The salt ponds, which ring the entire South Bay, from the San Mateo Bridge on down, get their unique coloring from the evaporation process of salt making. Red ponds have the highest salinity levels compared to dark blue or aquamarine salt ponds.

New MV mayor lists housing, child care as top priorities

Matt Neely was named Mountain View mayor in January after serving 2004 as vice mayor. Neely was the top vote-getter in the 2002 council election. Like Los Altos, councilmembers take turns as mayor in one-year stints. Neely occupies not one, but two high-profile positions in Mountain View - he also is vice principal at Mountain View High School. Neely, who recently married, lives in downtown Mountain View and is passionate about addressing the issues. The one-time social studies teacher is energetic and outspoken. The Town Crier sat down with Neely in his office at Mountain View High last week to talk about city issues near and dear to him.

What’s your take on the progress with the Mayfield development, and housing?

MV Chamber of Commerce honors CSMA’s McConnell

Angela McConnell, executive director of the Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center, is the recipient of the 2005 Athena Award from the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce. She received the award March 8 at Michael’s at Shoreline.

The Athena Award is presented to an outstanding woman who has achieved the highest level of excellence in business and community, while promoting the goals of professional women.

Community begs MV-Whisman board to spare Castro School

Two things are clear in the Mountain View-Whisman School District’s campus-closing drama: The district is convinced that it can’t afford to operate seven elementary schools next year, and the community of each of the two schools proposed in turn for closure is devoted to keeping it open.

Slater Elementary School is the home of the district’s PACT (Parent-Child-Teacher) program. Castro Elementary School has the dual-language immersion program. Both schools house state preschool classes for low-income families and are located in low-income, largely Spanish-speaking neighborhoods.

Taylor Eigsti Trio plays benefit concert for CHAC Saturday

Mountain View-based Friends of the Community Health Awareness Council has scheduled its third annual benefit dinner and concert to support CHAC’s continuing mission to provide counseling for local families.

The dinner is scheduled 5:30 p.m., Saturday, at Trader Vic’s, 4261 El Camino Real, Palo Alto.