The big stink over sewers

For most residents, the subject of city sewers is usually “Out of sight, out of mind.” And it isn’t an issue for most residents who haven’t a problem. However, when there’s a major obstruction in the line and a backflow into a home, lives can be turned upside down.

Take the case of Dr. Tom Burns, whose 36,000 gallons of sewage overflow in February 2003 at his Los Altos area home mark the biggest sewage overflow disaster in the city’s history. Tree roots plugging the city’s sewer line, which feeds Burns’ Frontero Drive home in the hilly unincorporated area outside Los Altos borders, caused a backflow that could fill two average-size swimming pools.

How to pay for sewers? Financing undergoes scrutiny

The good news for Los Altos residents is that long, overdue upgrades and fixes to the city’s 40-year-old-plus sewer system are in the works. The Master Sewer Plan is set for approval this August after a three-year wait, according to Public Works Director Jim Porter.

How the city plans to pay for those upgrades is another story. The Los Altos City Council recently raised sewer fees for the fourth year in a row. According to city staff, that’s not the end of the increases. The city is already anticipating higher fees in the future to fund a long list of capital projects, outlined in the Master Sewer Plan, estimated to cost about $35 million, with the top priority items estimated to be $5 million of that amount - or twice the amount of this year’s sewer fund balance.

Poll of the Week

Should the Los Altos School District accept a $5 million offer for the Bullis-Purissima School site?

A) Yes

Hills council and charter school to pursue buying Bullis site

The Los Altos Hills City Council and the Bullis Charter School are joining efforts to open a public elementary school using $5 million in funds recently raised by charter school supporters.

A letter from Mayor Mike O’Malley was scheduled to be sent this week to the district expressing interest in purchasing the Bullis-Purissima Elementary School site on Fremont Road for “fair market value.”

Facts about sewers - did you know …?

• There are approximately 130 miles of lines running under the streets of Los Altos.

• Sewer lines empty out onto a 15,000-foot-long sanitary sewer trunk main running underneath San Antonio Road to a metering station near the sewer treatment plant located north of the Highway 101 and San Antonio intersection. The plant is shared by Palo Alto, Mountain View and Los Altos. The trunk line was first installed in 1959 and is in line for repairs in the city’s 2005-2010 capital improvement program.

LA driver delays plea for drunken driving charges

The Los Altos driver who allegedly ran a red light and critically injured a bicyclist in Palo Alto May 25 postponed entering a plea Friday.

Craig Borlik, 40, is scheduled to appear in court with his new attorney Robert Karey July 20 to enter his plea. He appeared in court Friday to waive his time right, according to the District Attorney’s Office in Palo Alto.

Hospital board set to respond to financial inquiries in July

Members of the Los Altos-Mountain View League of Women Voters took their first opportunity last week to address officials at El Camino Hospital face-to-face about their financial concerns regarding hospital operations.

Jane Turnbull, president of the league, told hospital board members she was concerned about the “lack of transparency” regarding the hospital’s finances.

Stevens Creek Trail a no-go in Los Altos, at least this year

Los Altos is scheduled to adopt its 2005-2006 budget June 28, but there’s one item that isn’t in it.

The city’s bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee had been hoping that $5,000 to $10,000 would be set aside to fund a feasibility study for bringing the Stevens Creek Trail through Los Altos. But public works staff does not plan to designate funds until the 2006-2007 fiscal year.

Los Altos maintenance workers vote whether to strike during labor talks

Los Altos maintenance workers were scheduled to vote Friday whether to go on strike if the city does not address union members’ labor contract concerns. A two-thirds majority vote was needed to move forward with a strike. There are approximately 26 union members.

The Town Crier was unable to obtain the results of the vote by press deadline.

MV council declares June Gay Pride Month following Los Altos’ rejection of a pride day

What was considered too divisive to recognize for a day in Los Altos is being celebrated for a month just a few steps away in Mountain View.

Mountain View Mayor Matt Neely invited students from the gay-straight alliances at Los Altos and Mountain View high schools to city hall Tuesday night where the council was scheduled to proclaim June Gay Pride Month in Mountain View to coincide with National Gay Pride Month.

Hills voters decide fate of Palo Alto school tax increase

Registered voters in Los Altos Hills and Palo Alto were scheduled to vote last Tuesday on Measure A after the Town Crier’s press deadline.

Proponents of the ballot measure said the parcel tax for residents within Palo Alto Unified School District was necessary to prevent teacher layoffs, increased class sizes, limited course offerings and the possible closure of an elementary school. If the ballot measure passed, the tax would increase from $293 per year to $493 per year for residents.

Letters to the Editor

Los Altos High School says thank you
Sherry Auerbach

On behalf of the Los Altos High School 50th anniversary celebration committee, I would like to thank the many community, parent, and student volunteers who made the 50th anniversary celebration a great success.
I would like to especially thank the city of Los Altos […]

This latest factoid does mean diddly squat

Diddly squat is carnival lingo for nickels and dimes.

• In the middle ages people added a piece of spiced toast to their tankards of ales to improve the taste, hence the term to ‘drink a toast’.

Keeping the crib

Every mother has vestiges of her children’s babyhood that she finds difficult to relinquish. Mine is my sons’ shiny white Morigeau crib, which despite the fact that my babies are now teenagers, still sits in our garage.

When we set up the crib before the birth of our first son, it was hard to imagine the babies who would one day occupy it. My hopes were high that at least two little cherubs would rest peacefully there.

Obituary Notices

LUCIE PETRELLA DONOVAN
Lucie Petrella Donovan, born May 24, 1915 Brooklyn, NY, passed away on May 29, 2005, Sunnyvale, CA
United in eternal rest with her loving husband of 70 years John G. and eldest son John Jr. Survived by children and their spouses: Faith and Frank DeMassi, Hope and Steven […]

James Young, Kiwanis president

James Young, a former past pesident of the Los Altos Kiwanis Club, has passed away after a long illness.

Mr. Young, who was 77, died last Thursday.

Chamber of Commerce honors local mayors

Relying on tradition and social interaction, the 22nd annual Los Altos Chamber of Commerce “Salute to the Mayors” honored Los Altos Mayor David Casas and Los Altos Hills Mayor Mike O’Malley last Saturday at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club.

The 13th Walter and Marie Singer Award was presented to Jane Bigelow, manager of San Antonio Coldwell Banker real estate office. The award is given annually to a local business leader whose community service and commitment to business demonstrates the spirit of the community.

Hidden Villa slates Father’s Day barbecue

Hidden Villa Farm and Wilderness Preserve in Los Altos Hills has scheduled an outdoor Father’s Day concert and barbecue June 19, featuring ZunZun and their three-piece band, Chuchumbe. Dinner is scheduled 4-5:30 p.m., and the concert, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Concert proceeds benefit Hidden Villa’s multicultural and environmental programs.

Since 1992, the husband and wife duo, Stephen Snyder and Gwynne Snyder Cropsey, have performed for more than 100,000 people in 14 countries throughout the Americas and appeared on regional, national and international radio and television. Their musical style is “infectiously positive, charming, upbeat, and delightful,” wrote John Schechter, author of “Music in Latin American Culture.”

Pet of the Week

Josie is a 7-year-old spayed female golden retriever mix who is absolutely delightful! She is very well-mannered and highly intelligent with a pawful of canine tricks to show you! If you have room in your heart for Josie, come to Palo Alto Animal Services, 3281 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, 496-5971. She is awaiting a new home!

Calendar

Ongoing
Los Altos Senior Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through 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
Los Altos City Council, […]

Community Briefs

Roundtable discussion on Proposition 71
The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network has scheduled a conference on Proposition 71, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, at the Crowne Plaza Cabaña in Palo Alto.
Distinguished representatives from all sides of the debate will participate in the conference.
On Nov. 2, the people of […]

‘Partners’ expanding tutoring, mentoring programs

The unfortunate news is that there are still more local students who need mentoring or tutoring than there are mentors and tutors.

The good news is that the Los Altos Rotary Club’s Partners For New Generations is doing everything it can to close the gap.

Art docents get their own show

In addition to celebrating their 35th year as an organization, members of the Los Altos Art Docents are holding a first-ever show of their own works at the Main Street Cafe & Books, 134 Main St., through June 15. Members, who teach art to students in the Los Altos School District and put on the annual district art show, gathered at the cafe last Friday for a luncheon. Pictured, back row from left are: Kitty Weiss, Ghodsi Emambakhsh, Renee Marshalla, Liz Rome, Betty Latta, Diane Brauch; (center) Margot Harrigan, Linda Blanding, Suzanne Frank; (bottom) Stepheny Tremain, Angel Grindon, Linda Greenberg, Trish Files and Sharon Smullin.

LAH resident Sasaki crowned Cherry Blossom Queen

Sarah Sasaki was crowned the new 2005 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen at the conclusion of the Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Program on April 16.

The event was held at the AMC Kabuki Theatre in San Francisco Japan Town. The Nikkei Lions Club of San Francisco sponsored Sarah. She is the daughter of Go and Kay Sasaki of Los Altos Hills.

‘Birdhouse Bash’ to benefit abused and neglected children

Child Advocates’ third annual Birdhouse Bash, held May 21 in Los Altos, raised funds for abused and neglected children in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Event organizers estimate that the fund-raiser grossed more than $35,000.

Children and teens from the local communities - foster children, an entire third-grade class from Milpitas Sinnott Middle School - created and donated about one-third of the birdhouses and artwork auctioned off to benefit vulnerable children.

Rotarian walking to Los Altos to raise funds in fight against polio

Nathan Auerbach is scheduled to arrive in Los Altos at approximately noon on Friday during his 100-day, 2,200-mile “West Coast Walk,” a Rotary Club fund-raising effort to fight polio.

Using the phrase, “We’re walking because they can’t,” Auerbach is walking from Tijuana, Mexico, to Vancouver, British Columbia.

City seeks volunteers for summer picnic

The city of Los Altos has scheduled its fourth annual Community Picnic for Los Altos residents 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 28, in the civic center, located off San Antonio Road and Hillview Avenue. The event will showcase city services and community spirit through information booths and live entertainment including the traditional Ye Olde Towne Band, an old-fashioned barbecue by Santa Clara County Fire Fighters Local 1165, a classic car show, Kids Zone, public safety information, police, fire and public works department vehicles, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, demonstrations and other family attractions. For more information, to volunteer, be a sponsor or participate in the Community Service Fair, contact Donna Legge, 947-2889.

Egan students have portfolios, will travel

Students at the high point of their journey through junior high paused last Thursday to look down at the path behind them. They were amazed at how far they have come.

It’s called perspective.

New course ensures all eighth-graders take algebra

Many seventh-graders from local elementary schools who took pre-algebra 1.1 this year will be enrolled in a new, slower-paced algebra course when they enter Los Altos School District junior highs next year. The course is called algebra essentials, and it is intended to prepare students to take either algebra I or geometry in ninth grade.

Patty Boettcher, assistant superintendent for instruction, said, “With the new curricular design, all eighth-graders will take one algebra class or the other.”

Springer students will not forget ‘Mr. A’

In the new garden near the entrance to Springer School are lilies, two red maples, a cherry tree and a rock with a plaque inscribed:

“In loving memory of

Blach music students top all others in state events

For the first time in the school’s history, Blach Intermediate School music students have won the top state-level award in their division, the Esprit de Corps. They also brought nine more awards home from the annual “Music in the Parks” competitions in Southern California in May.

“It felt like we won something so huge, like the whole world,” said eighth-grade flute player Neil Lingarkar.

Feats of clay and other media at Almond

Almond School held an open house celebrating the visual arts, including the new seat wall and several sixth-grade gifts of art, May 26. Five sixth-grade projects were displayed in addition to the artwork on exhibit in every classroom. Several tables provided materials with which visitors could create art during the evening. From left, Jeremy Bonte and siblings Ray and Rose Williams enjoy the clay station while Paul Williams and Katie Sanders observe their work.

St. Simon students book it for literacy

A schoolwide Young Authors’ Faire capped a week of literacy events at St. Simon School May 26. The fair was coordinated by third-grade teacher Linda Kubitz, who is retiring this year. She has coordinated the event for the past 10 years. Popular children’s author David Schwartz visited the school and gave two dynamic presentations to the students that combined math, science and literature. All the school’s 457 students made books for the fair. More than 200 students and parents produced books together, using kits provided by Klutz Books of Palo Alto, during a “Build-a-Book” fund-raising event May 16. From left, third-grade students John Martinez, Ryan Demo and Alex Metrulas display their books at the Young Authors’ Faire.

Pinewood honors Sylvia Phillips for 40 years of teaching

Before the Beatles, Mary Poppins and Eliza Doolittle crossed the Atlantic, Sylvia Phillips left England to come to America.

In September 1963, Sylvia and her husband Brian arrived in the Bay Area for what was intended as a two- to three-year job opportunity in Belmont. Most fortunately for Pinewood School, the Phillipses had a change of plans, and Sylvia set out looking for a teaching job.

Noteworthies

Three local students graduated from Woodside Priory School with special honors May 28.

Susan Lyon of Los Altos, who will enter Princeton University in the fall, received the Valedictorian Award, the Bank of America Award for Foreign Languages and the Foreign Languages Department Award.

Main Street Singers celebrate 20 years

Los Altos High School’s Main Street Singers plan to celebrate their 20th anniversary with a reunion concert. More than 100 singers from the past two decades will join to honor Mark Shaull, the group’s founder and director, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, at First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., in downtown Palo Alto.

Tickets, to be sold at the door, will be $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students. For more information, call 948-6210.

Los Altos High students awarded Rambus’ ‘Innovator of the Future’ scholarships

Rambus Inc. has announced that Brian Chang and Eleanor Birrell, both of Los Altos High School, have received the first “Innovator of the Future” scholarship awards.

Chang and Birrell distinguished themselves by showing strong leadership and communication skills, as well as the desire to have a positive impact on society through innovation in science and technology.

Giving it another ‘tri’

Forgive Lesley Reid for slowing down since her last triathlon. After all, it’s been almost 12 years.

Not that Reid looked rusty competing in the 13th annual South Bay Triathlon May 15 at Uvas Reservoir in Morgan Hill. The Los Altos resident won the women’s 35-39 age division (featuring 48 competitors), placed 13th among all women (230) and 91st overall (564).

Slowdown in U.S. job growth creating a sporadic economic picture

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq indexes both retreated 0.2 percent last week, while the small company index, the S&P 600, edged up 0.6 percent posting its third weekly gain. The U.S. economy added 78,000 new jobs but the increase was below analysts’ forecasts, causing the markets to retreat. Internet, computer and some retail stocks were weak while energy, metal, investment banks and HMO issues held firm. The slow down in job growth is a symptom of a sporadic economic picture, one that is partly the result of short-term interest rates inching higher. The Federal Reserve has raised the short-term rate a quarter point eight times in an effort to mitigate any future inflation. When the cost of bank borrowing increases, business expansion slows and inflation pressures dwindle. Inflation is a hidden tax affecting all businesses and consumers, but the consequences are more pronounced on lower income families with less discretionary income. Generally when the cost of things we buy goes up faster than the wages we receive, we tend to buy less and the economy slows. World markets can influence inflation also. When world markets are open and a free flow of trade is robust, cost pressures are low.

After almost all the experts assured us for more than a year that medium and long-term bond yields would be substantially higher, the 10-year Treasury bond yield is below 4 percent, lower than a year ago. Why did they all get it wrong?

Downtown movie nights back for an encore

The Los Altos Village Association begins its second year of weekly summer movie nights, beginning at dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.), June 17. Movies will be shown every Friday on Main Street, between Second and Third streets, for 10 weeks.

The first movie, “Miracle,” (2004) tells the story of Herb Brooks, the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Russian squad.

Start your fires

The Town Crier staff paid tribute to their moms on Mother’s Day last month with stories and recipes from the family kitchen. Readers replied with such an overwhelming response, we didn’t want dads feeling left out on Father’s Day June 19. Staff and their families have decided to share grilling tips with readers as part of our tribute to dads and outdoor cooking. Enjoy!

Wood chips

Grilled food guide

Those who don’t enjoy standing over a hot grill surrounded by hickory smoke can still enjoy good-tasting, outdoor barbecue from one of these local venues:

Tri-tip Tuesdays,

Advice offered on making healthful low-fat, low-sodium choices

Nutrition Wise

Q: Does it really matter if I choose ground beef with less fat?

Bacall’s autobiography personifies cool

Lauren Bacall’s “By Myself and Then Some” (Harper Entertainment, 2005) is suffused with sang-froid (calmness, composure, literally - cold blood). She’s the coolest. The book acts as a sequel to “By Myself” (Random House Publishing Group, 1979) with the final pages adding the “and Then Some.”

At 19, playing her first movie role, opposite Humphrey Bogart in “To Have and Have Not,” she leaned against a doorjamb, asked Bogart if he knew how to whistle, and gave the iconic performance of nonchalance.

Charming, well-observed stories just don’t add up to satisfying novel

Elizabeth McKenzie’s debut novel, “Stop That Girl” (Random House, 2005), joins the spate of coming-of-age tales clamoring for shelf space next to Tom Wolfe’s bloated “Charlotte Simmons” and Curtis Sittenfeld’s overhyped “Prep.” Like Sittenfeld, McKenzie draws from her own life to create the substructure of this semiautobiographical novel. (Who on publishing Olympus decrees the difference between a semiautobiographical novel and a memoir is anyone’s guess.)

Told in the first person by main character Ann Ransom, the nine chronologically arranged stories convey scenes of growing up with her manic-depressive mother, new stepfather and new baby half sister, with occasional cameos by a lunatic grandmother, Dr. Frost.

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