Full slates buoy schools

The pressing issue for every school district in the state is the struggle to pay for necessities.

The Los Altos School District needs to find a way to afford to clean classrooms every day and maintain its refurbished facilities. The district has a history of hiring and retaining superior teachers and continually improving its successful instructional program. With enrollment growing and the budget shrinking, it needs to find a way to continue doing so.

Petition wants ‘abut’ clarified

A group of Los Altos residents unhappy over recent changes to building setback regulations along El Camino Real are circulating a petition to put zoning changes in the hands of voters.

The North Los Altos Neighborhood Association launched a referendum effort this month to repeal a section of a recent Los Altos city ordinance that changes the definition of the term abut in the zoning code. The new wording reduces the amount of buffer space required between some mixed-use and residential buildings.

Pepper Drive at San Antonio Road to have improved pedestrian crossing

At least one crosswalk along San Antonio Road is slated to be equipped with flashing lights to warn motorists that a pedestrian is in the roadway. The Los Altos City Council last week approved the installation of an in-pavement yellow flashing warning system at Pepper Drive, but rejected three other sites identified for similar systems pending further studies of the remaining eight crosswalks along San Antonio from Cuesta Drive to El Camino Real.

The city has been examining techniques for better traffic control on the four-lane road for the past five months, after residents lobbied for improvements following a pedestrian fatality at the crosswalk at Hawthorne Avenue.

2005 Los Altos School District Candidates

Mark Goines
Bio: Executive Mark Goines’ investments in high-tech companies allow him to work 20-25 hours a week. He has given at least as much time to LASD for the past five years, he said. He attends school board meetings regularly. His wife, Gail, is a Los Altos native, his son is a […]

Foothill-De Anza College candidates

Paul Fong
Bio: Incumbent; professor of political science at Evergreen Valley College; first elected to the Foothill-De Anza Community College Board of Trustees in 1993, served as president; serve on the board of several non-profit organizations, third generation local family flower business owner.
Priorities: Meet the changing needs of our diverse 40,000-student population; continue […]

Cupertino Union School District

Pearl Cheng (incumbent)
Bio: Born in the Midwest, 23 years in the Bay Area, Cupertino resident; 19 years in the high-tech industry, including NASA-Ames; two children attending CUSD schools.
Statement: “I am now running for re-election to continue the important work in education. We will continue to face challenges in terms of budget pressures, […]

Town Crier sponsors ‘Election Watch’

The staff of the Los Altos Town Crier invites the public to a nonpartisan “Election Watch” 8-10:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Main Street Café & Books, 134 Main St., Los Altos. Join local residents to watch election returns in real time. Candidates have been invited to drop in throughout the evening.

Free coffee and dessert will be offered courtesy of the Town Crier. Election updates will be provided throughout the evening on a large TV or screen. Admission is free.

News Briefs

City evaluates after-school programs
The Los Altos City Council directed staff last week to evaluate the financial and operational impacts of a proposed after-school enrichment program to be operated by the city.
The Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission has been working to develop a program at elementary schools for two years. Parents said […]

Pedestrians weigh in on San Antonio’s danger areas

Pedestrians along San Antonio Road, where a 74-year-old man was killed in March, weighed in last week on the places where the so-called four-lane “freeway” is most dangerous.

Leslie Sims, a Los Altos resident for 60 years who walks downtown and to the library on a regular basis, prefers jaywalking to using crosswalks. She picks a “safe place” along San Antonio where there are no crosswalks, such as the area near the main library, then traverses the street, waiting on the median for a clear break in traffic in the facing lanes.

Pool plans promised at beginning of next year, officials say

Los Altos residents may know the answer to the million-dollar swimming pool question by the end of January. The Los Altos City Council last week agreed to spend $3,500 for a private contractor to analyze the operational and financial impacts of one pool versus two pools at Rosita Park in order to expedite results by Jan. 24.

Without an outside contractor, the survey would have bumped other projects or been placed at the bottom of the recreation department’s list of 36 priorities.

Local charities feel dip following Gulf disasters

As the full impact of the Gulf-region hurricanes and the Pakistan earthquake plays out, local charities are bracing for a dip in donations on the eve of the holiday fund-raising season.

Patricia Bubenick, executive director of the Palo Alto Area American Red Cross Chapter, which serves Los Altos and surrounding cities, is worried that as donations are funneled to disaster areas, not enough money is being designated for chapter operations.

Editorials

Goines, Luskin, Pefley for LASD board
The Los Altos School District, facing hard budget decisions, a parcel tax renewal and another bond measure in the months and years ahead, needs board members who are committed to the district and knowledgeable about its workings.
Among the seven candidates running for three board seats, we […]

Letters to the Editor

The other school board election
Martha Bowden

The Crier’s Oct. 5 Editorial on elections failed to mention an important Nov. 8 election for Los Altos Hills voters who live in the Palo Alto School district - the school board election to fill two vacant seats out of five. The candidates are: […]

It’s about time

Welcome to October, our first real taste of autumn. Every morning, feeling the chilly air as I read the morning paper, I wonder if I should break into my heavier sweaters or jackets. To my surprise, the afternoon sun brings a reminder of summer heat. I decide it’s not worth being cranky about the weather. There are still hundreds of people who don’t have a home to live in or a job that pays the bills.

On a happier note, the trees here at home and in other places on the Peninsula started to drop off their dried, tired old leaves and many morphed into lovely versions of middle age, all golden and ruddy without needing Botox. Every year I am amazed and heartened by nature’s transformation and offer up a silent prayer of thanks that we are so lucky.

Sue Dodson, active in her church and community

Sue Dodson, a former Los Altos resident and wife of John Dodson, who served as pastor of the Los Altos United Methodist Church for two decades, was killed in a car accident Oct. 10. She was 71.

Mrs. Dodson was driving from their home in Felton to choir practice in Aptos when she was killed in a single-vehicle accident. She may have had a heart attack or stroke prior to the accident, said Mark Bollwinkel, current United Methodist pastor.

Obituary Notices

JEANNE LENHART BEARDSLEY 9/18/1914 - 8/28/2005
Born to Oscar and Edna Lenhart, Jeanne grew up in Moberly, Missouri. She attended Moberly College and Chicago Institute of Art.
Jeanne was vivacious, entertaining and independent with a sharp, active mind and a good sense of humor. She was good at recalling stories and jokes. An […]

Former state senator Quentin Kopp pays visit to Los Altos Crier staff

The legendary Quentin L. Kopp visited the staff of the Los Altos Town Crier last week, displaying all the charm and outspokenness that marked his long career in San Francisco and state politics.

Kopp, 75, who has served on the state senate and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, showed up to the newspaper’s Oct. 11 staff meeting at the invitation of account executive Teresa Acosta.

Weddings & Engagements

Cara Dow and Samuel Ambler Felton Williams
Cara Dow and Samuel Ambler Felton Williams were married on Sept. 30 at Chaminade Resort in Santa Cruz.
The bride is the daughter of Dr. Douglas N. Dow and Carla Baltrusch Dow of Eugene, Ore.
She is a graduate of Stanford University, with a bachelor’s degree in […]

Charity League brings together mothers and daughters to do good work

How many philanthropy organizations combine long volunteer hours with a debutante ball? The local chapter of the National Charity League takes the organizations 80-year-old traditions and gives them an updated spin.

Mothers and daughters from Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and other local communities join the Stanford Hills Chapter of this service organization to experience community service with a difference. In addition to regular volunteering, the league emphasizes building friendship and education for its members.

‘Partners’ offers questions, answers about student mentoring in LA

Members of Partners for New Generations, a Los Altos Rotary group dedicated to providing guidance for at-risk students, recently conducted their second mentor-training session of the 2005-2006 school year at the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District office.

This meeting was a gathering of veteran mentors who shared their present and past experiences, accomplishment and problems in student mentoring.

Community Briefs

Quota reception set for Tuesday
Quota International of Mountain View-Los Altos will host a wine and appetizer reception for prospective members from 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Tutta Ceramica, 164 Main St., Los Altos.
Quota is a worldwide organization that supports services for the hearing impaired and for disadvantaged women and children. Locally, […]

$2.8 million bequest to Los Altos library inspires community forum discussion

A community forum to discuss how to use a $2.8 million bequest to the Los Altos Library is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Los Altos main library, 13 S. San Antonio Road.

“It is not often that a library has the opportunity to hold this type of meeting,” said Santa Clara County Librarian Melinda Cervantes. “It will be a pleasure to focus on how we might want to expand services, facilities or the collection with this generous gift of funds.”

Auxiliary hosts fashion show, tea, in Los Altos

The Palo Alto Auxiliary, Allied Arts Guild, is hosting an “American Girl Fashion Show and Tea,” benefiting the Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, Nov. 11 and Nov. 12 at Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, in Los Altos.

The shows will be 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Spooky time planned for downtown Halloween event

The Los Altos Village Association will host its annual Halloween Spooktacular 1-3 p.m. Oct. 31 on Second Street in downtown Los Altos. The day will include trick-or-treating, a petting zoo, a performance by the Egan Intermediate School’s Music Department and other fun activities.

The event will feature trick or treating in downtown stores from noon to 3:30 p.m. Look for a smiling pumpkin poster in the windows of participating merchants.

Hidden Villa seeks volunteers for ‘Haunts’

Hidden Villa isn’t looking for attendees to its annual “Halloween Haunts” Oct. 28 and 29. The popular event filled with stories and songs at the Los Altos Hills preserve is already sold out. However, volunteers are needed to staff the event.

To become a volunteer guide, call Nayna Patel at 949-8655 or visit www.hiddenvilla.org.

Fund raising for the birds

Above, Wildlife Rescue volunteer Diana Bonogofsky displays “Socrates,” a great horned owl, to guests of the charity organization’s annual fund-raiser, held Oct. 14 at Thomas Fogarty Winery.

Katrina Relief Efforts

• The Los Altos Community Foundation has established a Hurricane Katrina Fund for residents wishing to donate locally. Make checks payable to “LACF-Hurricane Katrina Fund” and mail to 183 Hillview Ave., Los Altos 94022. For more information, call 949-5908, ext. 5, or e-mail joanne@losaltoscf.org.

• Town Crier staff has established the Town Crier Hurricane Relief Fund. Funds will be forwarded immediately to two major agencies already in place in the disaster area: the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity. The fund will be channeled through fiscal agent Community Foundation Silicon Valley, which provides tax-deduction receipts for donors. Make checks payable to the Town Crier Hurricane Relief Fund and deliver them in person or by mail to the Town Crier, 138 Main St., Los Altos 94022. To make credit-card contributions, call Leverne Cornelius, 948-9000, ext. 300.

Pet of the Week

Scout is a nine-month-old spayed female bunny available for adoption at Palo Alto Animal Services. Scout is described as gentle, sweet and easy to handle. To adopt Scout, stop by the agency at 3281 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, or call 496-5971

Calendar

Today
Community Health Awareness Council, 3:30 p.m., 711 Church St., Mountain View.
Los Altos Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, 7 p.m., city hall, 1 N. San Antonio Road.
Thursday
Los Altos Hills City Council, 6 p.m., town hall, 26379 Fremont Road.
Los Altos Planning Commission, 7 p.m., city hall, 1 N, San […]

Education finance exercise proves lively

In groups of five or six, local community members grappled with the challenge of balancing a 10-year California state budget in last Sunday’s Community Dialogue on Education sponsored by the Los Altos Community Foundation and the Los Altos-Mountain View Area League of Women Voters. Most participants had an eye on cutting education a bigger slice of the state budget pie.

Matt Cuson, a member of the Los Altos School District’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Finance, noted that the group he facilitated produced a “painful” simulated budget outcome.

Comfort is a warm blanket

Local children have been participating in the Linus Project, a nationwide charity that gives new, handmade blankets and afghans to children who are seriously ill or traumatized. Four Los Altos children participating in a Linus Project chapter called Kids Creating Comfort, formed at Mid-Peninsula Christian Academy in Redwood City, are helping to make 1,200 fleece blankets for Gulf Coast children affected by hurricanes Rita and Katrina. The Los Altans are Christopher and Nicole Lytle, Caroline Hickman and David Reichert.

Kathy Lytle, Christopher and Nicole’s mother, said, “I’ve seen them be very touched by the recent events. It’s the children who are keeping the project going. Katrina was a disaster. but there’s something really generous and beautiful that’s come out of it.”

Schools Briefs

Loyola learns about Indian festival of lights
Loyola Elementary School students have scheduled a presentation on the Indian festival of lights, Diwali, and the epic “Ramayana” noon to 12:45 p.m. Oct. 27 in the school’s multipurpose room.
The program will begin with a short play and narrative, followed by an Indian fashion […]

Misdirected anger requires attention

Q: I’m a mother of three: a 10-year-old girl and seven-year-old twin boys. When I was nine, my mother left the family to “find herself.” My siblings and I lived with our dad when mother moved out of state. Although she had little to do with our life, our father encouraged us to keep in touch.

What’s come up for me in the last year are these out-of-nowhere flare-ups of anger at the thought that a mother could leave such a young child! What scares me is that these flare-ups have been directed at my daughter, who is not doing anything out-of-the ordinary for being a 10-year-old girl.

Local author Shirley Climo visits Linden Tree

Nationally known Los Altos author Shirley Climo spoke to busloads of schoolchildren at Linden Tree Children’s Recordings & Books last week and shared some of the writing tips she has gleaned over a lifetime as an author. Her newest book, “Monkey Business,” recently hit the shelves. She signed it along with some of her classics, such as the seasonal tale, “Cobweb Christmas.”

Climo used the spider motif from that story to talk about where aspiring authors can look for ideas. She said that fables and folklore are good starting points for young writers because they lend themselves to adaptation.

Pondering public plants

Foothill College horticulture instructor David Sauter discusses vines and groundcovers with his students in downtown Los Altos last Tuesday. The class tours downtown to learn about landscaping public places.

Special teams, defense spark Spartans in win

Coach Dan Navarro wouldn’t come out and say he expected his Mountain View High football team to beat Homestead last Friday, not with his squad coming into the game having lost four in a row. Yet he sensed a new-found confidence in the Spartans just before the bus ride to Diesner Field.

“In the locker room before we left, it felt like they believed they could win,” he said after his team stunned the Mustangs 48-34.

Los Altos puts up a fight before falling to Paly in football

The scoreboard showed Los Altos High lost by three touchdowns. But it seemed everyone on the field knew that the Eagles had given mighty Palo Alto all it could handle well into the second half.

Though the Vikings emerged with a 35-14 victory over visiting Los Altos last Friday, the Eagles found they could compete with a potent SCVAL De Anza Division team.

A taste of retro-inflation and a bite of politics

The Dow Jones industrial average finished the week at about the same level as the previous weekly close.

Despite a strong rally on Friday, the small stock index and the tech heavy Nasdaq lost ground for the week down 1.2 and 1.9 percent respectively. Many Dow stocks will report third quarter earnings this week and as you have learned in this column, earnings are where the rubber meets the road for stock valuation. Even though inflation is still low, the prospect for its climbing higher in the future looms over investors because of sky-high energy prices.

The eyes have it

Ophthalmologists have dreamed for years of being able to implant a lens in the eye that would adjust to correct both near and far vision. Now Crystalens™ - the first “accommodating” intraocular lens approved by the Food and Drug Administration - comes close to that goal.

As people age, their natural lenses begin to thicken, harden and get foggy, eventually forming cataracts. Cataracts can be removed and replaced by implanted plastic lenses, which replace the fogginess with clear vision.

LA Optometic Group first to offer new Optomap for retinal disease detection

Los Altos Optometric Group is the first eye care practice in Los Altos to offer its patients the Optomap retinal exam. This revolutionary modality captures and analyzes an image of virtually the entire retina, for the early detection and management of eye disease.

Since Optos first introduced the Optomap exam, nearly 2 million exams have been conducted worldwide, diagnosing serious sconditions - such as diabetes, retinal detachments, melanomas and macular degeneration - that could have otherwise gone undetected and often progress without symptoms.

Experimental treatment brings migraine relief without medication

A treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder has recently gained attention for its potential to treat and prevent migraines. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is used by therapists to help patients process traumatic memories and experiences.

Los Altos psychotherapist Steven Marcus has applied his knowledge of EMDR, on which he has published several papers, to experimental treatment for migraines. It combines three forms of physical intervention to treat and prevent migraine pain without drugs.

‘The Tricky Part’ is telling this story

The hardest story to write is the story of abuse. The subject matter, even though true, can alienate readers because it describes a side of life we’d rather not acknowledge.

An example is San Francisco author Stephen Elliott’s “A Life Without Consequence.” His story is a beautifully written, but desperately grim tale of life as a homeless teenager after his mother died and his father moved without bothering to inform the 14-year old.

Books Brief

The Snickety Signing
Linden Tree Children’s Recordings & Books has scheduled an evening with Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket, 5 p.m. Nov. 1 in Spangenberg Theatre on the Gunn High School campus, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto.
Tickets are available only at Linden Tree, 170 State St., Los Altos. They cannot be purchased […]

Authentic outback experience found at remote station

I recently joined the head of Australia’s Northern Territory Tourism Commission, along with the vice presidents of Tourism Australia and Qantas Airways, to fly by chartered plane to a remote cattle station 1,000 miles from its nearest neighbor.

We flew into Darwin, at the top end of the territory, where we boarded our charter. Imagine a place where distance is measured in hours, time is recorded by the art carved into rocks over millennia and your mail is delivered by plane every seven weeks.

Making sense out of Medicare

The new Medicare prescription drug program becomes effective Jan. 1. And now is the time to start getting information together about the program so you and your loved ones can decide what is best for you.

Connie Corrales, staff program manager for the Health Insurance Counseling for Aging Persons program of the Council on Aging of Silicon Valley, has been sending her volunteers around the area to give lectures and help seniors with this complicated plan.

Toolbox in the freezer?

Everyone becomes more forgetful as they age. But we often wonder if we are becoming so forgetful that we might have the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

John Timbs, family care specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association in Mountain View, has developed a kind of checklist to help people make a distinction between signs of a serious illness and just plain dopey behavior that everyone struggles with. Here’s his slightly irreverent guide:

Local health-care groups offering early flu shots for high-risk patients

The flu season is close upon us. More serious than a cold, the flu can last two weeks or longer. Symptoms are high fever, headache, dry cough, body aches and exhaustion.

Cold symptoms, by contrast, are stuffy or runny nose and sore throat. The common cold is an upper respiratory infection while the flu is caused by the influenza virus.

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