LA police say parents best shield against predators

Los Altos residents have worked so hard to maintain a near picture-perfect family town with custom-built homes, manicured yards and high-ranking schools that the Peninsula city is frequently compared to television’s 1950s Mayberry. Locals are quick to greet passersby on the street, and the busiest weekend hotspots are the library and city parks. Complaints about noisy gas-powered leaf blowers and barking dogs are sometimes the most serious reports on the police log.

The city is lesser known as being the one-time home of the first person in California, and only the second in the United States, to be charged for sexual crimes on the Internet under federal law; or as the sanctuary for a priest accused of molesting students at a school in San Jose before being transferred to a Los Altos parish. Since 1996, there have been at least 10 reported cases of alleged sexual abuse involving community members in the Los Altos area.

Profiles outline diversity of offenders

The following are summaries of cases that have made the headlines in the past nine years.

The Internet predator

Police seek out residents who may have witnessed fatal San Antonio collision

No charges have been filed against the 20-year-old driver who struck and killed a pedestrian on San Antonio Road April 2. Los Altos police are still investigating the midday accident that occurred as a pedestrian crossed San Antonio heading toward downtown from Hawthorne Avenue near Bank of America. He died at the scene.

Residents and friends made a shrine of flowers and notes at the location of the accident.

Los Altos puts First and Main street property up for sale

The city-owned property at First and Main streets in Los Altos is scheduled to go on the market this May, a decade after city leaders purchased it with the goal of adding more parking downtown.

The Los Altos City Council announced its intent to sell the .78-acre piece of “surplus” land Tuesday night.

Wireless antenna ordinance expected to strengthen, clarify Los Altos restrictions

Following previous controversies over cell phone antenna placement in residential neighborhoods, Los Altos is moving toward adoption of a tighter ordinance.

A new “Wireless Services and Facilities” ordinance, introduced at the council’s March 22 meeting, adds teeth to 1997 guidelines while updating to accommodate current technologies. The council was set to adopt the ordinance without further discussion at Tuesday night’s meeting. It would then become active after 30 days.

El Monte, Moody slated for safety upgrades

Cyclists and pedestrians who use El Monte and Moody roads to reach Foothill College, St. Nicholas School and open space in Los Altos Hills are well aware that the roads lack safe bike lanes and continuous, unbroken pathways.

But all that is slated to change. Last week the Los Altos Hills City Council authorized city staff to begin the first phase of a five-part project to improve the two streets for traffic flow and safety.

Editorial

Some students’ idea of a senior prank, designed to shut down Mountain View High School for a day last December, is far from funny, especially in the aftermath of expulsions and subsequent clearing of their school records.

But at least three of the parents of the four boys who were caught and initially expelled are looking to have the last laugh.

Letters to the Editor

Fatality a reminder of LA traffic problems
Ann Wolff and the Wolff family

Our hearts go out to the family of Henry Kohn, fatally injured while trying to cross San Antonio Road April 2. I was bicycling from the Los Altos art show at Hillview Community Center with my family when we came upon […]

The beauty of grief

Grief. No one in his right mind would ever choose to go through it. Losing someone you love, after all, is about as painful as life gets. Misery, anguish, loneliness, fear and regret are all hallmarks of grieving, but there is something else that I’ve noticed over the years. Grief can be beautiful, exquisitely beautiful.

When the pope died, I was deeply moved not only by the passing of a truly great man and humanitarian, but also by the expressions of grief by mourners throughout the world. There was such beauty in it, such humility and purity. In every picture of a mourner, every video clip, what I saw above all else was love.

Obituary Notices

WILLIAM G. UTZINGER
William “Bill” Utzinger died of surgery complications on April 2, 2005. He was 78.
Born in Los Angeles on October 18, 1926 to Dr. and Mrs. Otto Utzinger. Bill grew up in the mining town of Ray, Arizona where his father was chief surgeon for Kennecott Copper. Coached by […]

Weddings

Amy Hollins and Mike Holst
Amy Hollins and Mike Holst were married Feb. 19 in Kikaua Point Park on the Big Island, Hawaii. Their reception was held at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
The bride is the daughter of Brian and Rene Hollins of Los Altos Hills. She graduated from Los Altos High […]

Noteworthy

The Palo Alto-based Skoll Foundation announced March 17 it has awarded nearly $9.5 million to 22 organizations that support social entrepreneurs using innovative approaches to address social issues in communities around the world.

In addition, the foundation is renewing its support of the Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology, San Francisco, in the amount of $400,000.

Los Altos couple lays down law

There oughta be a law. Los Altos residents Michael Breslin and Roxane Baxter thought just that after going through the long and costly process of adopting their 4-year-old Russian daughter, Anya.

The couple knew of state Sen. Joe Simitian’s “There Oughta Be A Law” contest and submitted a winning proposal for a bill to lower adoption costs.

Community Briefs

AAUW holds spring social
Prospective and new members of the Los Altos-Mountain View Branch of the American Association of University Women are invited to the AAUW spring informational meeting and social 6-8 p.m., April 26.
Participants will learn about AAUW national and state programs, in addition to a wide range of local activities.
[…]

Hospital gala to launch campaign for new campus

A year and a half ago, residents of Los Altos and surrounding communities overwhelmingly passed a bond measure to help fund El Camino Hospital’s new campus. That vote was an endorsement of the hospital board’s vision: to create the health-care destination of Silicon Valley by utilizing cutting-edge technology, personalizing patient care to an unprecedented degree and offering a broad range of complementary health services in one location.

The El Camino Hospital Foundation has scheduled a gala celebration May 7 in anticipation of the October groundbreaking. The lead donors, whose early, generous contributions helped finance construction, will be recognized. The theme of the gala is “Above and Beyond,” a reflection of the effort required to bring the dream of this new facility to fruition.

Calendar

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

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.

For more information, call 949-5267.

Pioneer businessman founded first Boy Scout troop in Los Altos

Few did more to turn the tiny, fledgling town of Los Altos into a livable community than Herman Peters. His Los Altos Realty Company on Main Street was the first realty and insurance business in the area, and his pioneering spirit involved him in many civic activities. Peters was born into a farming family of German immigrants from Alsace-Lorraine in 1881, and he didn’t learn English until entering school. His chores as a boy on the family’s Iowa farm persuaded him that farm life wasn’t for him. At 17 he joined the Army to get into the Spanish-American War as a cavalryman. He said he was with Roosevelt’s Rough Riders during the Battle of San Juan.

After his discharge, he came to Palo Alto in 1898, hoping to attend Stanford University. He worked for a while and found in 1904 that his lack of a high school diploma was not a deterrent. He enrolled at Stanford and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1907, getting straight As along the way.

Los Altos Rotary Club will award $16,500 in scholarships

The Los Altos Rotary Club is accepting applications for its 2005 Community Service Scholarships. High school seniors, who attend one of the seven eligible secondary schools, or Foothill Community College students who plan to continue their education at an accredited post-secondary school or college, are encouraged to apply by the Friday deadline.

Application forms may be obtained from the counseling offices of seven area secondary schools, including Alta Vista, Los Altos, Moffett Academy, Mountain View, Mountain View Academy, Pinewood and St. Francis high schools, and Foothill College. They can be downloaded from the Rotary Web site at www.losaltosrotary.org under Community Service Scholarships. For more information, contact Los Altos Rotary Club - Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 794, Los Altos, CA 94023-0794, or fax 917-2370.

Wildlife group making a difference, forum learns

The audience was totally silent as the graceful cheetah took his place center stage. His head swiveled assessing the mesmerized group.

This cheetah and later a mountain lion were at the April 5 Los Altos Morning Forum to be living examples of endangered species.

Grammy winner Tom Chapin to perform at Foothill

Three-time Grammy award winner and well-known children’s singer Tom Chapin is scheduled to perform 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., May 1, at Smithwick Theater, on the Foothill College campus. People of Note is sponsoring this concert, which benefits music education in local schools.

Chapin has consistently played to sold-out houses in the Bay Area. His upbeat music focuses on caring for our world and each other. Michael Mark, an award-winning Broadway actor, composer and musical director, accompanies Chapin. The concert is recommended for ages 4 and up.

Kiwanis Club announces scholarships

The Los Altos Kiwanis Club is offering four $2,000 scholarships for students planning on attending local community colleges in the fall. The students must be enrolled in the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District and plan on attending Foothill or De Anza Colleges in the fall.

Applications can be picked up from counselors at local high schools or at the Mountain View-Los Altos Adult Education office. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic promise and financial need.

Nominees sought for 42nd CSA award event

The Los Altos-Mountain View District of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors is seeking nominees for its 42nd annual Community Service Award. Residents and local groups have until Friday to nominate a volunteer whose efforts have enhanced “the quality, spirit and character of our communities,” according to the association.

An awards luncheon honoring this year’s winner will take place May 11 at Michael’s at Shoreline in Mountain View. The CSA award recipient and sponsor will be notified prior to the luncheon.

Arts Alive features Saturday ‘Art Walk’

As part of Arts Alive this month, nearly 50 artists and merchants are collaborating to present local artwork in mini-shows running through April 30, in participating businesses throughout downtown Los Altos.

The exhibition of art in host stores culminates in a celebratory day of activity 1-4 p.m., this Saturday. That’s when downtown visitors can take a stroll on an “Art Walk” to view the work. Every business hosting an artist mini-show, and all the Los Altos galleries, will provide a reception. Visitors can meet the artists and enjoy music and hors d’ oeuvres.

Dancers to present free concert in MV

The Lively Foundation celebrates National Dance Week by inviting the public to a free concert 7:30-8:30 p.m., April 26, at the Mountain View Masonic Temple auditorium, 890 Church St.

Dancers from around the Bay Area are invited to participate in the program, which will include various dance except - due to venue constraints - tap, flamenco and those that involve the use of rosin or powder.

Community

“Liberty and duty, freedom and obligation. That’s the deal.” The quote is from the Los Altos Community Foundation’s guiding spirit, the late John W. Gardner. More than 200 local volunteers who live those words filled a banquet room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel April 5 to cheer 11 of their number receiving the foundation’s 2005 Building Community awards.

The kazoos arrived with dessert.

Pinewood’s lower campus plan moves up

The Los Altos Planning Commission last week approved Pinewood School’s plans for its lower campus and sent them on to the city council. The plans are to redevelop the current facilities at 477 Fremont Ave. (also known as 1012 Campbell Ave.), expand onto the adjacent lot at 450 Covington Road, establish a 35-student pre-kindergarten program and enroll a total of 160 pre-kindergarten through second-grade students.

The commission recommended that the council approve Pinewood’s expansion design, its application for a conditional use permit, and an amendment to the city’s general plan if the school meets certain requirements. The most notable of these is to ensure that adding 35 students does not increase traffic on the streets in its neighborhood.

Schools

Students toured much of the world last week during Almond Elementary School’s International Day. Corrie Blom, who teaches English language learners at Almond, coordinated the event, held annually to help students of different nationalities feel more comfortable together.

A professional Russian dance ensemble, The Russians Are Coming, entertained in the morning, and students sang and counted in Russian and learned some Russian history.

LAHS seniors NMS finalists

Twelve Los Altos High School seniors have earned finalist status in the National Merit Scholarship program and will be recognized for their achievement at the annual Senior Awards Night in May. From left (back), Scott Seyfarth, Bryce Hoffman, Peter Moore, Kenneth Lee and Alan Richardson; (middle) Stephanie Fan, Eleanor Birrell, Jennifer Hsiaw and Sandra Voss; (front) Amy Tong and Wei Wei Lu. Not shown, Morgan Freret.

Schools Briefs

District to honor retiring leader
The Los Altos School District will honor Superintendent Marge Gratiot next month for 36 years of service, from teaching kindergarten to heading the top-ranked K-8 district in the state.
The celebration is scheduled for 4-7 p.m., May 12, at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club, 1560 […]

All aboard for the magical history tour

All third-graders in the Los Altos School District learn about local history as part of the state education requirement for that grade. This month, they are touring the History House, the Community House and upstairs in the History Museum. Each year, private schools are invited as well. This spring, children from Los Altos Christian School and St. Simon’s Catholic School will take the tour. Top left, Emma Souders, 8, front, and a class of Covington School third-graders are mesmerized by the historical train diorama in the Los Altos History Museum. The replica of the train that served Los Altos in 1932 has 121 moving parts. The children also learned some of the history of the Ohlone Indians at the History Museum.

Matadors sink Eagles

If there is such a thing as “a good loss” - a phrase coaches could debate for hours - then the Los Altos High girls swim team got one April 6.

Despite being decimated by injuries, the Eagles came close to defeating a Monta Vista team contending for the SCVAL De Anza Division title.

Stock market investors stand ready over possibility of peaking crude oil prices

Last week’s rally in the stock market fizzled out toward the end of the week despite a five-day oil price slide of almost 7 percent. The major averages finished the week slightly positive. Crude oil closed Friday at $53.32 per barrel down from the recent high hit on April 4 of $58.28. Higher short-term interest rates, higher oil prices and a strengthening U.S. dollar have all colluded to keep the major stock averages in check since the first of the year. While many consumers fear the worst about gas prices at the pump, gasoline supplies appear to be above last year’s level. These higher inventories may be a signal that prices are peaking out and the summer driving season could be spared higher prices.

Meanwhile, the earnings report season got an early boost from Alcoa, which reported, better-than-expected profits after the market close Wednesday.

Rambus unveils new chip technology

Los Altos high-tech powerhouse Rambus Inc. unveiled an innovation in chip technology April 4.

The company’s innovation should make exploding alien spacecraft and enemy orcs seem even more realistic on your Sony Playstation or personal computer.

Valley high-tech veterans offer strategy for succeeding in business from the start

It’s hard to imagine a high-tech businessperson who couldn’t profit from reading “Getting It Right the First Time” (Praeger, 2005), by local residents John Katsaros and Peter Christy.

Most marketing books don’t deal with the problems faced by innovative technology businesses. Katsaros and Christy, Silicon Valley veterans and principals of the Los Altos-based NetsEdge Research Group, know from experience how Valley businesses can anticipate future markets.

Books Briefs

Author of ‘Trees’ at Linden Tree
Ann Coombs, Los Altos resident and author/photographer of “Trees of Los Altos,” will sign books 2-4 p.m., April 30, at Linden Tree Children’s Recordings & Books, 170 State St., Los Altos.
The book, published last May with the help of the city’s Environmental Committee and the Los […]

High-altitude mountaineering in Mexico proves a challenge

In January, my friend Morgan and I flew into Mexico City with the goal of tackling two of the tallest mountains in North America: 17,342-foot Iztaccihuatl and 18,405-foot Pico de Orizaba.

Despite our disappointment that some of the mountain glaciers had receded, and an unexpected illness, the adventure proved to be invigorating.

Wedding day rituals help calm, pamper and prepare brides

Whether you are a young bride, marrying at an older age or walking down the aisle for the second time, you want your wedding day to be perfect - and stress-free.

To help you enjoy the day of your dreams, wedding planner Kiyoko Horvath, owner of Absolute Wedding, New York, N.Y., offers tips to help you relax, rejuvenate and get ready.

Diamonds are still a girl’s best friend

It’s generally accepted that when betrothed couples pick out their wedding bands, they do it together. Now, the same goes for engagement rings.

The days of popping the question and surprising the potential bride-to-be with a sparkling diamond ring are quickly fading.

More couples are saying ‘I do’ to off-season weddings

Whether the site is a snowy ski resort in Utah, an autumnal meadow in Vermont or a Santa Cruz winery surrounded by early-springtime greenery, more couples are discovering the magic of an off-season wedding.

The natural beauty of a season is not only a spectacular backdrop for the occasion, it is also a theme that can be used to base the wedding’s decorations, flowers and color scheme.

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