LAHS counts to 50

Los Altos High School is 50 years old - and looking good. The recently completed five-year makeover retouched, replaced, retrofitted or - let’s be frank - lifted, tucked and polished everything on campus.

When they came back last weekend for the school’s jubilee, alumni found a building once again fit and attractive. Classrooms have been wired for Internet access; the faculty has learned to use the new technology; and the small, outdated library has become a large media center.

Poll of the Week

In recent weeks, the Town Crier has reported on Tom Burns and his lawsuit against the city of Los Altos for damages to his property, in the Los Altos unincorporated area, due to sewage backflow from a clogged line. The city claims Burns should have known of a city requirement that a backflow valve be installed.

Are you aware of such a requirement?

Residents shed light on impact of Stanford development plan

Los Altos Hills’ new town hall became a packed house for the first time Thursday night. Residents objecting to Palo Alto’s plans to install two traffic lights along Arastradero Road lined up during a regular city council meeting, ready to speak their minds.

Over recent weeks, a grass-roots effort led by Fremont Road resident Kim Cranston alerted neighborhoods along Arastradero Road that Stanford University’s Mayfield Development Agreement with Palo Alto would result in increased traffic that would be mitigated by two traffic signals along the winding country road that designates the northern boundary of Los Altos Hills. One light would be located at the Hillview Avenue intersection and the other at the Deer Creek Road intersection.

‘Gay pride’ back on LA council’s agenda

The Los Altos City Council was scheduled to decide Tuesday night, after the Town Crier’s press deadline, whether Los Altos celebrated its first or final official Gay Pride Day last June. New guidelines put in place earlier this year prohibit the city from making proclamations that the council considers too politically divisive or that could promote racial, sexual or religious discrimination.

“We need to maintain proclamations to the relevancy of the council’s business,” Mayor David Casas said. “Residents and local events … that’s what proclamations should be about.”

Los Altos Hills riding ring back on the council’s chopping block

The Los Altos Hills Horsemen’s Association could be jumping some hurdles in the near future.

The city’s parks and recreation department has been directed by the Hills council to investigate replacing the public riding ring on Purissima Road with an all-sports field or baseball diamond.

Los Altos driver dies after losing control of car in Santa Clara

A Los Altos motorist who allegedly had escaped Santa Clara police trying to pull him over for speeding moments earlier died when his car crashed into a telephone pole at 1:20 a.m., Thursday in Santa Clara. The impact nearly cut the vehicle in two, police said.

Taylor Scott Anderson, 22, was taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, where he died a few hours later, police said. By Friday morning, a shrine of flowers overflowed the site of the accident on Monroe Street in Santa Clara as friends paid tribute to the longtime Los Altos resident.

LAHS grad enjoyed scuba, soccer

Whether Taylor Scott Anderson found himself in the water, snow or on concrete, the 22-year-old was up for the challenge. Those who knew Mr. Anderson said he was an accomplished athlete who was as agile on a skateboard as in scuba gear.

Soccer, baseball, snowboarding, skateboarding and scuba diving were among his favorite sports.

The hills are alive with the sounds of big bucks

A reader wrote asking for advice on whether he should bid on the following property offered for sale in a recent copy of this newspaper: “Los Altos Hills. To be built! A fabulous opportunity to build on 2.5 acres that are surrounded by majestic oaks. The proposed home will have approximately 9,500 square feet of living space including 5 bedrooms/3+ baths, living room w/stone fireplace, formal dining room, stunning chef’s kitchen, family room w/fireplace & entertainment center; billiard/exercise room, sauna, 8-person sunken spa, wine cellar, 6-car garage.”

I must warn the reader this question should be asked of a financial planner, which I am not. My expertise is handicapping which horses will cross the finish line. And in what order. However, I’m always ready to help out a fellow human being with a decision to make. This trait of mine is one of many that have endeared me to so many common folk.

Letters to the Editor

Taxation without representation
Dr. Thomas M. Burns

At around midnight on May 10 at the Los Altos City Council meeting, with only three citizens in the auditorium, the council unanimously passed an ordinance to raise the sewer assessment fees listed on city residents’ property tax bills by $2 per month from $19 […]

May musings on motherhood

I am by nature unsentimental and by definition, as a mother extremely busy. That makes me a cheap date on Mother’s Day. I don’t insist on flowers, gifts, or homage; I will often still pop a load of clothes into the washing machine to mark the occasion. The only thing I require is to be relieved of cooking, but I would be just as happy going to McDonald’s for a meal as anywhere else. I work hard for my family, but effusive praise for my labor embarrasses me - a simple card, a few well wishes, and a Quarter Pounder with cheese suits me just fine.

I get this habit of downplaying from my own mother. She is the queen of self-effacement and the titan of invisible service. Literally one of the hardest working people I have ever met, my mother is one who can’t sit and watch television for more than an hour, never takes labor-saving shortcuts in food preparation because she believes that the quality of the meal is impaired, and is the only houseguest I have ever hosted who swept out my garage every morning during her stay. (She also cleaned all my windows.)

Obituary Notices

NASRULLAH SYED
Nasrullah Syed, a long time resident of Los Altos Hills and originally from Hyderabad, India, passed away on April 25, 2005 at age 76. He attended the University of California-Berkeley and was a graduate of the University of Colorado in Boulder. He was an engineer in the bay area […]

Weddings

Julie G. Fraser-Smith and Michael A. Fagan
Julie Fraser-Smith and Michael Fagan were married Feb. 19, at Stanford Memorial Church. A reception for the couple followed at the Stanford Faculty Club.
The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Antony C. Fraser-Smith of Los Altos.
She graduated from Los Altos High School […]

People

“Sometimes I marvel I grew up here,” said Eugenia Buss, her arms sweeping the verdant horizon of 482 University Ave. in Los Altos, also known as Redwood Grove Nature Preserve. “It’s lovely and miraculous this place still exists,” she added.

The seeds for Redwood Grove’s preservation were sown long before its namesake redwood grove was planted. The area’s earliest inhabitants, the Ohlone Indians, found only willow trees lining Adobe Creek. When the area was settled in the early 1900s, the future parkland was split off as a 5.7-acre lot.

Lecturer describes the joys of local opera

Most people don’t think of San Jose, California as an incubator for aspiring opera stars. On May 17, Opera San Jose Managing Director Irene Dalis took the Los Altos Morning Forum behind the scenes of a regional opera company she founded in 1984 to nurture young singers and give them exposure on stage. To prove her point and highlight the quality of Opera San Jose, Dalis invited soprano Lori Decter and tenor Adam Flowers to perform several short pieces.

Decter and Flowers treated The Morning Forum to arias from a Dvozak work in Czech, Donazetti’s “The Elixir of Love,” an early opera by Verde, and “Eugene Onegin” by Tchaikovsky. The two ended with a delightful duet from Puccini’s “La Boheme” that sparkled with the excitement of young love.

Roundtable discussion on stem cell measure

The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network has scheduled a conference on Proposition 71, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 10, at the Crowne Plaza Cabaña in Palo Alto.

Representatives from all sides of the debate will participate in the conference, including Debra Greenfield, a fellow at the Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future; Dr. William Hurlbut of Stanford University, a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics; Francine Coeytaux, founder of the Pacific Institute for Women’s Health; Donna Cody, executive director of the Life Legal Defense Foundation; and Nigel M. de S. Cameron, chairman of the Center for Bioethics and Culture Network and president of the Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future.

Assisteens raise $310 from scone mix, donate profits to Community Services Agency

Assisteens, a group of high school-age girls affiliated with the Assistance League of Los Altos, presented Community Services Agency (CSA) Executive Director Tom Myers with a check for more than $300 May 13 at the Costume Bank in Los Altos. CSA serves needy area residents through a variety of programs.

The girls raised the money selling scone mixes. “I think we have some young women ready to break the glass ceiling at some Fortune 500 companies,” said CSA Development Director Maureen Wadiak. “These young women support CSA in many ways throughout the year - making ‘We Care’ bags filled with toiletry items for residents of our Alpha Omega Shelter program and soup mixes to be distributed to individuals and families to be distributed to through our Food and Nutrition Center.”

Masonic Lodges recognize success in education

Three local Masonic Lodges combined to honor the teacher of the year, a graduating high school student and three youth groups sponsored by the Masonic family, May 11, at the Los Altos Masonic Lodge, 146 Main St. Support for public schools is a major interest for members of Freemasonary.

The Los Altos Lodge recognized Cathy Gillard for her outstanding work at Oak Elementary School with a check for $1,000. Brent Weyers, a student in Gillard’s fourth grade at Oak and the son of a past master of the Los Altos Lodge, presented the check. Brent said that she was the best teacher he has had so far, and he wanted to thank her.

Roadrunners need more volunteers

The El Camino Hospital-based volunteer group, whose members provide transportation for seniors who can no longer drive, needs more volunteer drivers.

“We currently need 10 to 12 additional volunteer drivers who could donate a half-day once a week,” said Coordinator Lila Steiner.

Living legend composer Agay featured in June 4 performance

New Los Altos resident Denes Agay, a giant in the classical music world, will have his composition, “Rhapsody in Waltz Time” featured during a Composers Performance Ensemble, 8 p.m., June 4, in the Lucie Stern Community Center ballroom, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

The San Francisco Chapter of the National Association of Composers will sponsor the performance, also featuring Los Altos resident and composer Sondra Clark.

Archibeque, Choraliers performing final farewell concert

The San Jose State University Choraliers, under the direction of Los Altos Hills resident Charlene Archibeque, are scheduled to present their final European Farewell Concert 8 p.m., June 30, at Campbell First United Methodist Church, 1675 Winchester Blvd.

The internationally renowned choir will compete in the International Competition for Choirs in Gorizia, Italy, July 8-10, in four different categories.

Dedication to fallen soldier

Karen Meredith of Mountain View sits on the bench that was dedicated May 14 to her son, Kenneth Ballard, who was killed in Iraq last year. The bench is in front of the Los Altos American Legion Hall on First Street.

Community Briefs

Mtn. View library turns 100
The Mountain View Public Library celebrates its 100th birthday with a series of events scheduled throughout the spring and summer.
The library will feature displays depicting its history, talks by local authors, a reunion for storytime alumni and a birthday party Sept. 24.
The community is invited to […]

Calendar

Ongoing
Los Altos Senior Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday, 97 Hillview Ave.
Today
Los Altos Hills Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m., town hall, 26379 Fremont Road.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board of directors, 7:30 p.m., district offices, 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos.
Tuesday
Mountain View City Council, 7:30 p.m., […]

Free mediation available to resolve local conflicts

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. LAMP provides free and fast mediation for parties residing in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills or the unincorporated area surrounding Los Altos.

For more information, call 949-5267.

MVLA Foundation raises $500,000 for schools

The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School Foundation has raised its largest contribution to date for local high schools - $500,000.

Superintendent Rich Fischer accepted the donation on behalf of the district from foundation President Jeannie Bruin at the foundation’s annual dinner at Chef Chu’s earlier this month.

Challenge Team honors Champions for Youth

The Mountain View-Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Challenge Team held its Annual Champions for Youth Breakfast last week and had no trouble finding candidates to recognize for their excellence in volunteer service on behalf of the community’s youth.

This year, the Challenge Team recognized Bruce Barsi, captain of the Mountain View Police Department, and Judy Hannemann, a trustee for the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District (MVLA). Each honoree received certificates of recognition from Liz Kniss, representing the 5th District of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, and from state Sen. Joe Simitian.

Schools Brief

Retirement party for Almond’s Kirk
Linda Kirk will retire at the end of the school year after 15 years of teaching sixth grade at Almond School. The PTA and room parents plan to celebrate those years with a party in Kirk’s honor, 3-4:30 p.m., June 2, in the school’s multipurpose room.
Everyone […]

MVLA speech and debate team ends year well

Five members of the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District’s intermural speech and debate team competed in state and national championships April 29 through May 2. Two students placed among the best competitors in their events.

Mountain View High junior Prashant Rai advanced to the quarterfinal rounds in Lincoln-Douglas Debate at the Tournament of Champions, the premier high school national debate competition, held this year at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He placed fifth overall and received the sixth-place speaker award.

Noteworthies

Shannon McFadzean, daughter of James and Donna McFadzean of Los Altos, has been offered a full scholarship to Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where she has a verbal commitment to play volleyball.

She is a student at St. Francis High School.

Kohan honored by MVLA Adult School

Los Altos resident Susi Kohan’s contributions to her chorus class, her school and the community have earned her the honor of Mountain View-Los Altos Adult School’s Older Adult Learner of the Year 2005.

Every Wednesday morning finds Kohan at the Los Altos Senior Center, sustaining the soprano section with a smile and a helpful hand for her fellow singers. She helps sort, distribute and file music. She takes charge of getting the regulars registered each quarter. She circulates recruitment fliers at the concerts, which she also helps to schedule.

Community supports school district funding

A recent survey of all parents of children attending Los Altos School District schools, conducted by the Los Altos Educational Foundation, indicated overwhelming support for the programs funded by LAEF, a non-profit, parent-volunteer organization that coordinates donations from parents and the Los Altos community.

The foundation raises funds to enable Los Altos schools to offer enrichment programs and smaller class sizes that otherwise would not be affordable.

Macias, Sandoval take part in Latinas in Politics panel at Foothill Tuesday

As part of its Latino Heritage Month celebration, Foothill College has scheduled a panel discussion, Latinas in Politics: How to Get Involved, noon to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, in Room 3102.

A panel of Latinas who serve in government positions will share information on how to get involved with the community in a political setting and make a difference. This event offers the opportunity to network with individuals for future endeavors.

Vosovic named Homestead’s Teacher of Year

The Fremont Union High School District recently named English teacher Larry Vosovic teacher of the year for Homestead High School.

Vosovic technically retired June 30, 2004, but he returned to Homestead to teach one English class this school year.

Homestead alumna wins fellowship

Sujata Ganpule, daughter of Dilip and Lekha Ganpule of Los Altos and a graduate of Homestead High School, has won a teaching fellowship from Knowles Science Teaching Foundation. The fellowship begins June 1.

Ganpule earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Cornell University in 2003 and is pursuing her master’s in education at the University of California, Berkeley.

St. Francis gymnasts do it again

Demonstrating grace under pressure, the St. Francis High gymnastics team last Friday earned an unprecedented sixth consecutive CCS crown.

St. Francis, Los Altos, Gunn, Aragon, Lowell and San Mateo highs qualified for the CCS meet at Twisters Gym in Mountain View based on their performances in the SCVAL North or South divisions. Aragon entered as the North champ with a team score of 186.300, on target to be South champ St. Francis’ closest competitor.

Higher oil prices unlikely to slow down economy

The major market indexes concluded their best weekly performance of the year with the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both gaining 3 percent last week.

The Nasdaq Composite gained 3.5 percent for the week, its third straight up week in a row. Semiconductor and other technology-related stocks led that index higher.

Marion Jackstons to reopen in new location

After 41 years at 163 Main St. in downtown Los Altos, the popular children’s clothing store Marion Jackstons is moving. However, the good news for longtime customers is that the store is only moving a few blocks up the street.

Owner Beth Miller said she plans on having the store close at the old location Saturday and reopen at 222-240 Main St. by June 1. Marion Jackstons will occupy two spaces that formerly housed Ligtelyn Travel and Image Arts.

‘The Sociopath Next Door’ describes distortions in human nature

Psychologist Martha Stout’s book “The Sociopath Next Door” (Broadway Books, 2005) is a disconcerting account of the 4 percent of people in Western society who move through life without a conscience.

Stout, a clinical instructor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, writes that when we mutter “human nature” at the daily diet of horrors paraded before us in the news, we are wrong. Human nature is to be found in the 96 percent of the population that cringes at the sociopathic behavior that all too often dominates the front page.

A new look for less

You may feel your kitchen has a look and feel that would make Martha Stewart feel right at home - it’s the look and feel of a jailhouse cafeteria.

What do you do when the rooms of your house are in serious need of an overhaul but you don’t want to spend time and money on remodeling?

Local designer wins first place in window treatment contest

Sandy Powell of Signature Draperies & Design, Los Altos, won first place in the top treatments category in the 20th annual Window Fashions Envision Design Competition, produced by Window Fashions magazine. Powell designed a cornice box for a 9-foot-tall window that mimicked the neckpieces of the adjacent jesters. Long, stuffed triangles, adorned with bells and gold trim, were attached to the box, while jester-ribbon tassels and colored crystals dangled from the box decorating the 9-foot-tall window.

The Jester Top Treatment was designed to complement the adjacent upholstered wallboards, decorated with Venetian masks and jester pieces, which Powell made herself.

Springtime proves ideal season for house repairs

Along with the flowers and warm temperatures of spring come other rituals, such as graduation parties and family barbecues. In order to get your house in top shape for your visitors, you’re probably compiling a lengthy to-do list that is threatening to ruin your enjoyment of springtime.

“Spring is a great time to do an assessment of the condition of your house and take care of much needed repairs,” said Kevin Carney, owner of Mr. Handyman of NW Santa Clara County, based in Mountain View. “But most people don’t want to spend the entire season on a ladder or in their garage.”

Capture your children’s dreams with easy room decor reflecting their interests

When it comes to decorating, children’s rooms are unlike any other part of the house. With this space, you and your child can let your imagination run wild and really be creative. Throw those traditional decor schemes out the window; this is your chance to try something new.

One of the best ways to start planning the decor for a room is by choosing a theme. Because it’s important for a child’s room to reflect their interests, involve them in the planning process. Maybe there is an animal or a certain color they love. Do they have a favorite movie or sport? Is there an artist whose work they enjoy? Try using your child’s favorite books as inspiration.

Laminate helpful in improving kitchen designs, experts claim

Cooking up a new kitchen design for your home is a lot easier when you combine aesthetics with your practical needs. Here’s a mini primer of the top kitchen trends based on information from the experts.

With more than 200 designs and a nearly unlimited number of patterns, colors and finishes, Wilsonart’s Laminate provides options that other materials can’t.

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).

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