Forums for schools, LA council candidates
The Los Altos-Mountain View League of Women Voters will host an election forum 7 p.m., Oct. 17, in the Los Altos City Council chambers, 1 N. San Antonio Road, for Los Altos City Council and Los Altos School District candidates.
The local league will also sponsor an election forum 7 p.m., Oct. 20, in the Mountain View City Council chambers, 500 Castro St., for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board candidates. Pros and cons of the state ballot measures will also be presented that night.
In addition, the Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council is sponsoring a Los Altos School District candidates forum 7-8:30 p.m., Oct. 18, at the Los Altos High School Eagle Theater. Richard Henning will serve as moderator.
Wildlife Conservation features Goodall
Renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall is the keynote speaker at the 4th annual Wildlife Conservation Expo Oct. 8 and 9 at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.
The Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), a nonprofit organization that funds community-based wildlife conservationists, is sponsoring a lineup of 12 of the world’s leading animal conservationists, who will give presentations about their efforts in Africa, Asia and South America. In addition to Goodall, other participants include actress and WCN board member Isabella Rossellini and conservationists Dr. Gay Reinartz and Dr. Laurence Frank.
Admission is $50 for both days or $30 for one day. All proceeds benefit WCN conservation programs. Expo hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Foothill College is located at 12345 El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills. For advance tickets and more information, visit www.wildnet.org, e-mail info@wildnet.org or call 949-3533.
CSA honoring ‘hometown heroes’
The Community Services Agency (CSA) will honor two local “Hometown Heroes,” Jim Cochran and Debbie Wu, both of whom have served the community in a variety of ways, 7:30 a.m. Oct. 21 at the Crowne Plaza Cabana in Palo Alto.
Since 1999, “Hometown Heroes” has been an annual honor accorded to both individuals and companies for their philanthropic contributions to the local community. CSA, the event’s sponsor, is a nonprofit social service provider for Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.
Dr. Joshua Sickel, an El Camino Hospital pathologist and well-known amateur standup comedian, will be the keynote speaker.
Individual tickets for the breakfast are $40. Sponsorships begin at $500. For reservations or information, contact Eileen Caliva at 968-0836, ext. 147, or ecaliva@csacares.org.
Help One Child has 5K walk/run
Help One Child, an organization that finds homes and helpers for foster children in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties through local churches, is holding their fourth annual 5K walk/run 10 a.m. to noon Saturday on the grounds of Union Presbyterian Church, 858 University Ave., Los Altos.
Help One Child is encouraging supporters to walk and solicit donations for the cause of abused, abandoned, neglected or drug-exposed children and is especially encouraging children to participate.
The event has a family carnival theme and is geared toward the whole family, with an array of games, crafts, refreshments, face painting, and an inflatable slide and bounce house for children. Parents can try their luck at the raffle with prizes donated by local businesses, hotels, outdoor adventure companies and restaurants.
For more information, visit www.helponechild.org.
Pilgrim Haven health faire
Pilgrim Haven Retirement Community has scheduled their annual Health Faire 1:30-4 p.m. Oct. 6 at the community center, 373 Pine Lane, Los Altos.
Health-care educators and pharmaceutical representatives will be available to discuss senior-care issues and offer free health screening for bone density, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Chair massages, snacks and additional literature will also be available.
For more information, call Terry Morrison 948-8291, ext. 119.
Impact of technology on Katrina relief
Trained Red Cross volunteers will discuss the impact of technology in disaster at a Technology and Society luncheon Oct. 4 at 11:45 a.m. at the Golden Wok Restaurant, 895 Villa St. in Mountain View. Stephanie Charles and Norm Berube will speak on the recent Red Cross presence at the Houston Astrodome for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
For more information, call Bob Kirby at 969-7215.
Roadrunners need more help
Roadrunners is an El Camino Hospital-based volunteer group whose members provide transportation for seniors who can no longer drive. The group needs more volunteer drivers. To volunteer, call 988-7651.
Change to annual MVHS alumni picnic
Organizers of the annual Old Mountain View High School Eagle Alumni Picnic held at Cuesta Park the first Saturday in October each year have announced a change.
Beginning this year, all alumni classes, instead of selected years, will gather in the large barbecue area with its stationary tables. It is located at the left rear of the park off the parking area and next to the volleyball court.
The barbecue area will be laid out in increments by graduation year and will include marked sections for teachers and Los Altos and Awalt High School participants. There is ample parking on Cuesta Drive at the front of the park and in both parking lots.
The picnic will be held from 10 a.m. to sundown.
Cuesta Park is located at 2204 Grant Road, Mountain View. For more information, call 964-3550.
Hidden Villa accepting donations of cars
Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, is accepting car donations. Proceeds provide scholarships for summer camp and the Hidden Villa Environmental Education programs for K-6-grade classes.
The farm needs volunteers one morning a week to guide the nearly 20,000 schoolchildren expected to visit the farm this school year.
Volunteer times are Tuesday to Friday mornings, for at least two hours.
For more information about both, call 949-8659 or e-mail www.DonationLiaison.org for help donating cars.
Community services needs weekday volunteers
Community Services Agency of Los Altos and Mountain View needs volunteers who can donate three hours, one day a week. This will help ensure that more than 120 families will receive food. For more information or to volunteer, call 964-4630.
Museum exhibit salutes U.S. flag
Flags and popular interpretations of flag motifs are on view at the Los Altos History Museum through Jan. 8, 2006. Some local collections of flag-themed artifacts will be displayed at the J. Gilbert Smith House.
For more information, call the museum at 948-9427 or visit www.losaltoshistory.org.
Riding class seeks help for handicapped
The Westwind Riding Institute, located at Westwind Barn, 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills, is searching for volunteers to help groom and lead horses as well as walk beside riders during lessons.
The institute is a non-profit organization that offers riding lessons to children with physical handicaps 3:45-5 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays.
No experience is needed, just a love of animals and dedication to special needs children. For more information, call 947-8680.
DAR offering workshops
Daughters of the American Revolution holds workshops the first Wednesday of every month. For more information, including the time and place of workshops, call 494-1866.
Los Altos-Mtn. View newcomers club
The Alto-View Newcomers Club, a non-profit organization serving families in Los Altos and Mountain View, sponsors a variety of activities, including wine tastings, mom-and-tot get-togethers, a book club, tennis and potluck dinners.
For more information, call 961-6873.
Wildlife Rescue offers classes for volunteers
Volunteers 16 years or older interested in caring for injured wildlife can enroll in Wildlife Rescue’s year-round training classes.
Mid-March through early October is the busiest time of year for Wildlife Rescue. This is nesting season, and many baby birds and squirrels fall from nests because of people pruning their trees.
Last year Wildlife Rescue cared for 2,410 injured and orphaned wild animals, including many from the Los Altos area. Approximately 58 percent of the animals treated were returned to the wild.
For more information, call 494-7417.
Widows, widowers help each other
The Mid-Peninsula Widows and Widowers Association meets 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Los Altos Lutheran Church, 460 S. El Monte Ave., Los Altos. The association helps people begin a new life following the death of a spouse. All widows and widowers of the area are invited to attend.
For more information, call 964-2612 or 968-1408.
