Helping those left behind

Many local adults become advocates for children in the county foster-care system. They serve as the child’s mentor, adviser and guardian angel, standing by their side through court dates, group homes, social worker interviews and new schools.

Volunteers with the non-profit Child Advocates of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties are sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and are affiliated with the court system. After 30 hours of training, they are paired with a child.

Downtown zone changes could make room for more retail

The First Street Safeway could double in size if the Los Altos City Council approves zoning changes suggested last week by a committee of property owners, real estate brokers, planning commissioners and a retail business owner.

Larger stores and restaurants could find room among the small retail businesses already on downtown streets if the council agrees to eliminate a required floor-area to lot-size ratio that keeps even medium-size stores and restaurants out of downtown.

Rising construction costs shake El Camino

A statewide tremor in hospital construction has shaken El Camino Hospital, pushing up estimates for the new facility and folding plans until hospital officials can find a way to move the project forward.

Costs for the new hospital and related projects have shot about $111 million past the revised estimates of a year ago, rising from $339 million to $450 million, hospital officials said Thursday.

Playground debate seesaws between wood and metal

Children who play in Marymeade and McKenzie parks could be climbing and swinging on new playground structures by early fall if the Los Altos City Council clears all decision-making hurdles in the next two months.

Progress toward installing new slides and swings took a scenic detour Jan. 24 when councilmembers decided to take a closer look at metal equipment after the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission recommended TimberForm structures, wanting construction to begin by late spring.

No plans to connect two sides of Marilyn Drive across nursery

No decision has been made to connect Marilyn Drive across the Satake Nursery property if SummerHill

Homes succeeds in buying the land for a proposed housing development.

News Briefs

Safeway seeks input for expansion plans
Interested persons can tell Safeway representatives what changes they would like to see to the downtown grocery store in a neighborhood meeting scheduled for 8 a.m. today at Northern Trust Bank, 270 Third St.
Safeway’s regional real estate manager, Monte Garrett, was to have met with members […]

Resident’s concerns prompt LAH tower delay

As Los Altos Hills weighs improved cellular coverage against the presence of towers looming over local homes, the city council is united in promoting cell development.

Approval of the cell tower at town hall was deferred to a special meeting scheduled Thursday due to objections raised by neighbor Mark Breier. His attorney questioned council procedure regarding an environmental review document.

Editorial

The apparent dismissal of Los Altos Hills City Manager Maureen Cassingham proved a surprise to those of us outside the walls of the new town hall. It also proved an unpleasant surprise to the former councilmembers who hired her in 2001.

Cassingham certainly came across to us and others as very professional and competent. Because personnel matters are sensitive and nonpublic issues, we may never know the real reason for her departure. Speculation is a dangerous game, but suffice it to say, Cassingham and the current council did not see eye to eye. Councilmembers voted unanimously to dismiss Cassingham.

Comment

Coffeeshops, bookstores key to downtown
I was so happy to read your editorial in today’s Town Crier (”Evening shopping needed downtown,” Feb. 8). I totally agree with everything you said. The huge thing missing and a huge draw to various downtown cities like Palo Alto and Mountain View is a book store […]

A noble man

The phone rang and time froze. A woman’s voice I did not recognize finally connected with my brain. My dear childhood friend Bernice, now living in Florida, had lost the mainstay of her life, her husband, Abe. The news wiped away everything in my mind. I wept as I spoke to Bernice’s grandchild, who told me that Bernice had asked several times if I knew. We are so connected.

I spoke to her for only a minute to express my sorrow. All she said was, “Yep.” Bernice has been featured in my columns several times. She has filled my life from age 10 on. We turned to each other as young girls, as women and now as friends who shared a loss that turned the sun dark and the air cold.

Engagement & Anniversary

Katie Baker and Dave Swirsding
Katie Baker and Dave Swirsding have announced their engagement to be married Nov. 4 at St. William Catholic Church. A reception will follow at the Saratoga Country Club.
The bride-to-be is the daughter of Paul and Debbie Baker of Los Altos. She graduated from Mountain View High School […]

Noteworthies

Los Altos Mayor Ron Packard, on behalf of the city council, proclaimed Tuesday “The Al’s Barber Shop Day” to honor Al Galedrige for his contributions to the community, including promoting improvements such as the Parade of Lights and the pistache tree plantings.

Galedrige came to Los Altos in 1948 and leased the Main Street Barber Shop, opened in 1923 by John Sargent. Galedrige renamed it Al’s Barber Shop, and it continued to flourish under his tonsorial tutelage. The tradition of posting photos of children having their first haircuts in the shop began in the 1950s.

CSA and local churches ending 16 years of sheltering homeless through Alpha Omega

Citing a financial drain and a desire to better use funding for similar programs, the board of directors of the Community Services Agency of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills has opted to end the Alpha Omega program that has sheltered area homeless at local churches for 16 years.

Foothills Congregational Church in Los Altos, which first housed homeless in the program in 1989, will close its Alpha Omega shelter program on March 10. CSA has scheduled a celebration of the program’s successes March 8.

Rotary opens applications for service scholarships

The Rotary Club of Los Altos will award more than $16,000 in Community Service Scholarships to area students who plan to continue their education at an accredited post-secondary school or college.

High school seniors who attend one of the seven eligible secondary schools and Foothill Community College students are eligible to apply by March 15.

Is there life on Mars? NASA/Ames scientist continues debate with Morning Forum talk

Is there life on Mars or has there ever been? That was the intriguing, age-old question posed by Christopher McKay, planetary scientist at NASA/Ames laboratory, at the Los Altos Morning Forum Feb. 7.

Although space missions already carried out by NASA have established that there is no life on Mars, the red planet remains one of the most promising of the planets on which to search for signs of extraterrestrial life, because favorable conditions for the existence of life and for preserving recognizable relics of it prevail there. Consequently, NASA has an ongoing program of unmanned missions to Mars, including the Phoenix spacecraft and the Mars Space Lab.

Student offers residents a place to dump their old batteries

Garrett Miller, a junior at Los Altos High School, has collected nearly 200 gallons of household batteries. Every three weeks, he pulls his car in front of the Los Altos main library and loads it with batteries people have left at the town’s only battery recycling station.

Miller began his project in the summer of 2004 on his father’s recommendation. Most batteries - including those from cell phones - contain highly toxic amounts of lead, mercury and cadmium, all of which are on the top 20 hazardous substances list issued by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

‘Oh! The Places You’ll Go!’

The Relay For Life of Los Altos, a community fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society, is scheduled June 24 and 25 at Los Altos High School. The event begins 10 a.m. June 24 with an opening ceremony, dove release and a survivor and caregiver lap. The parade of teams precedes the 24-hour walk, which culminates in the closing ceremony and a final lap at 10 a.m. June 25.

A community kick-off rally is scheduled 7:30 p.m. March 23 at the Los Altos United Methodist Church (Foothill & Magdalena). The program will feature inspirational stories, honor cancer survivors in the community and provide opportunities to register.

LWV invites residents to meet their elected officials

The League of Women Voters of the Los Altos-Mountain View Area (LWV) has scheduled its “Meet Your Elected Officials” event 2-4 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Rotunda at the Mountain View City Hall, 500 Castro St.

The league invites representatives from local government agencies to meet their constituents in an informal setting.

‘Quilts Through Time’ at Los Altos main library

Kathy Oderio, a fourth-generation quilter who has taught, judged and appraised quilts for many years, will discuss and display “Quilts Through Time” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in the program room of the Los Altos library, 13 S. San Antonio Road. Oderio organized the current quilt exhibit at the library. The discussion is free and open to the public.

Egyptian visitors bring Los Altos up to date on the Middle East

When many of us think of Egypt, we think only of ancient Egypt and its legendary civilization that produced pharaohs, pyramids and great artistic and scientific advances. But the Egypt of today, as the Egypt of history, remains a leader in progressive living and education throughout the Middle East, according to an Egyptian pastor on a recent visit to Los Altos.

“Life is good in Cairo,” the third-largest city in the world, behind Tokyo and Mexico City, and Egypt’s capital, said Maher, who asked that his full name not be used because he is a prominent Egyptian businessman and Christian pastor.

Pet of the Week

Sundae, a purebred white and chocolate Rex, is one of many rabbits available for adoption at Palo Alto Animal Services. Sundae is 3 years old and litter-box trained. You can adopt her by visiting Palo Alto Animal Services, 3281 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto. For more information, call 496-5971.

Calendar

Ongoing
Los Altos Senior Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 97 Hillview Ave.
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.
Mountain View Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m., city hall, […]

Book Club Kits To Go are now available for checkout

Have you thought of starting your own book club but didn’t know where to begin? Maybe you already belong to a book club but need some book suggestions or topics for discussion. The Los Altos library has it covered with a new service: Book Club Kits To Go.

Each book kit includes 12 copies of the selected book and a discussion guide containing a brief introduction to the book, an author biography and the book club “rules of the road” - information about starting and running a book club.

New leadership at El Camino YMCA touting ‘community center for families’

Two new board members have taken the helm at the local YMCA - Executive Director Tracy Walker, who joined the team last July, and Board of Directors Chairman Larry Chu Jr., appointed in January.

Chu, the son of restaurant owner Larry Chu of Chef Chu’s in Los Altos, said the Y is the “best-kept secret in Los Altos.” The local YMCA was a staple of his youth, he said, and he remembers playing volleyball there with friends after school.

Community Briefs

Beth Am forum clarifies medical forms
Peninsula Interfaith Action has scheduled representatives from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Stanford Clinics and El Camino Hospital to present a community forum on accessing Outpatient Interpreting Services and completing the California Advance Directive for Healthcare 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday at Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los […]

LAH council weighs redistricting advice

Los Altos Hills could form its own school district, a legal expert told the city council last week.

Marguerite Mary Leoni Nielsen of the firm Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Mueller & Naylor based in Marin County, gave that optimistic presentation before a packed council chambers at town hall. Nielsen had been contracted by the town’s public education committee to present redistricting options.

Crossing guards thanked for taking extra step

With balloons, gift bags, crayon-drawn thank you cards and even a pound of Peet’s Coffee, Covington School students and parents celebrated Crossing Guard Appreciation Day Friday. They recognized the people who keep walkers and cyclists safe as they cross the treacherous intersections on El Monte Road/Avenue on their way to school.

“She’s out there rain or shine, and we really appreciate her,” said Maria Ruyack, who walks her second-grade daughter to Covington from the University Avenue neighborhood across the Foothill Expressway intersection manned by Linda Hargrove-Teets. Ruyack added that she was very impressed that the crossing guard joined the Los Altos traffic commission to lobby for a flashing signal light at the free right turn lane that connects southbound Foothill Expressway to westbound El Monte Road.

Kranky Kids, live on Stanford radio

Six Los Altos students gathered Thursday in a cluttered room of microphones, scripts, laptops and video cameras during the penultimate rehearsal of “Kranky Kids Live on Radio,” an upcoming production of the Kranky Kids afterschool program.

“I am an Indo-Brazilian cow, a Zebu type breed,” said Sitar Terrass-Shah a fifth grader at Santa Rita. “Oh, come on, you’re supposed to know what kind of cow I am. I have the biggest ears of any cow breed!”

Loyola club keeps glasses in sight

The Loyola Elementary School K-Kids Club, a service club sponsored by the Los Altos Kiwanis Club, is holding its 2nd Annual “Share Our Spectacles” Drive. The goal is to collect more than 400 pairs of used prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. Donated glasses are sent to Direct Relief International for repair, prescription identification and distribution to those who cannot afford to buy glasses.

Drop glasses at the following Los Altos locations: Linden Tree Books, 170 State St.; Full Thread Ahead, 169 Main St.; The Town Crier, 138 Main St.; the Los Altos History Museum, 51 S. San Antonio Road; Starbucks Coffee and Andronico’s, Rancho Shopping Center; Trader Joe’s, Foothill Crossings Shopping Center; or the Loyola school office, Berry Avenue.

‘Make a Joyful Noise’

The Foothill College Gospel Choir presents its 17th annual “Make a Joyful Noise” concert 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Smithwick Theatre, 12345 S. El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills.

The concert will feature special guests from the Maranatha Christian Center Gospel Choir (San Jose), the Foothill College Mass (Community) Choir and the Kelly Takunda Orphan Project as well as an excerpt from Dr. Baomi Butts’ original musical, “Kicking Up Dust: Black Women and Gospel Music.”

Literacy in the classroom

Do you remember your favorite toy? Your favorite animal? By sharing stories of your childhood “favorites” with a Castro Elementary School second-grader on Tuesday mornings you can help students improve their writing and English-language skills and their long-term chances for success.

The seven-week program starts April 4. You will receive explicit week-to-week instructions. No writing or teaching experience is necessary.

Pinewood auction March 4

Pinewood School in Los Altos has scheduled its second annual auction and gala, “Carnivale,” March 4 at the Crowne Plaza Cabaña Hotel in Palo Alto. Proceeds benefit the Teacher’s Retirement Fund.

For more information, call Pam Perez at 857-0422.

Local youths named finalists for awards

Harker School seniors Tara Chandra of Los Altos and Samantha Fang of Sunnyvale were selected as national finalists in the Arts Recognition and Talent Search (ARTS) Awards sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA).

Tara was selected for her entry in the Non-Fiction Writing category, and Samantha earned her finalist spot in the Classical Piano category. Both students received an all-expense-paid trip to Miami for a week of final adjudications and ARTS activities.

NASA Astronomer reports on Stardust Mission

Astronomer Scott Sandford from NASA Ames Research Center will present “Bringing Home a Comet: Stardust Mission Update,” a nontechnical, illustrated talk, 7 p.m. March 1 in the Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College.

The Stardust mission included a spacecraft that flew by Comet Wild-2 and collected the first samples from a comet. They were successfully returned to Earth Jan. 15 and are currently being analyzed by NASA scientists.

LA girls show their serious about making playoffs

After hearing his Los Altos High girls talk about their desire to make the basketball playoffs, coach Vern Hubbard issued a challenge before Friday’s game: prove it on the court.

The host Eagles responded by upsetting Monta Vista 62-55.

LA boys clamp down on defense

Two days after allowing an opposing basketball player to score 44 points on them, the Los Altos High boys didn’t yield that many to a whole team.

The Eagles on Friday topped Monta Vista 49-31, the fewest points they’ve given up all year.

Keep your feet firmly on the ground - and don’t worry about trade deficits

The federal trade deficit hit an all-time high last week, and the Harvard “experts” are being trotted out to decry the ominous event. A trading deficit is caused by a difference between the total amount of money the United States spends on imports from foreign nations and what we acquire on goods we export.

An imbalance is a normal occurrence in free-trade nations because the selling and buying will never be exactly the same amount. For several years, the United States has been buying more goods and services abroad than it has been selling.

High-tech entrepreneur offers new approach to ‘window-shopping’

David Liu, like many of the valley’s talented high-tech minds, stays one step ahead of the latest technology trends. Founder of Los Altos-based Danoo Media, Liu is also part of the emerging breed of entrepreneurs who combine business savvy with their insider knowledge of the industry.

When popular display technology such as plasma and LCD screens began to skyrocket in the home consumer marketplace, Liu seized an opportunity to offer that same technology to retail businesses.

The noise over iPods

Since its release in October 2001, the iPod has enjoyed astounding commercial success, particularly among young people. Yet because the iPod, the MP3 player and similar portable devices offer the ability to listen to literally thousands of songs continuously for hours, there is growing concern that the result will be an entire generation with hearing loss.

It is not only the duration of the noise that is problematic but also the advanced technology that places the sound device inside the ear canal. A Louisiana man has filed a class action suit in U.S. District Court in San Jose seeking monetary damages from iPod maker Apple Computer, contending that the company has failed to sufficiently warn iPod users of the danger of hearing loss.

Make this the year you quit smoking forever

It’s never too late to make a healthful New Year’s resolution. If you are one of the 46 million Americans who smoke, your resolution should be to make this the year you give up smoking. Here are the facts to make sure this resolution is one you keep.

Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Every year more than 400,000 Americans die prematurely from diseases caused by cigarette smoking, such as lung cancer, emphysema and coronary heart disease. Nearly 1 of every 5 deaths is related to smoking. Cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide and illegal drugs combined.

Yoga, Pilates similar but differ in emphasis

Q: What is the difference between yoga and Pilates? - Roger Quimby, Los Altos

A: Yoga is an ancient practice that has been evolving for thousands of years in India. Pilates is a modern set of exercises incorporating many yoga poses.

Youth obesity talk next month

Dr. Thomas Robinson of the Stanford School of Medicine is scheduled to discuss ways to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity 7 p.m. March 7 at the Community School of Music & Art, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View.

Every year, more children die of obesity than gun violence. Robinson, director of the Center for Healthy Weight at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, has opened the only proven pediatric weight loss program in the country. His speech can offer parents ideas for preventing obesity and controlling unhealthful habits in children.

Essayist Didion courageously examines grief

“You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends.”

In “The Year of Magical Thinking” (Knopf, 2005), Joan Didion - one of America’s finest writers - takes us through her struggle to understand the grave illness of her grown daughter and the unexpected death of her husband, writer John Gregory Dunne. Her husband dies while their daughter lies in a coma in the intensive care unit.

Books Briefs

Local author speaks at Linden Tree today
Children’s author, poet and playwright Caryn Yacowitz of Palo Alto is scheduled to speak at 9:30 a.m. today in the courtyard at Linden Tree Children’s Recordings & Books.
Yacowitz will discuss two of her picture books, “Pumpkin Fiesta” and “The Jade Stone.” “Pumpkin Fiesta,” published […]

Sunrise on Angkor Wat, Cambodia

At 5:15 a.m. our driver rubbed sleep from his eyes as he unsuccessfully tried to start the engine on his “tuk-tuk,” a quaint contraption of a motorcycle attached to a bench on wheels.

This tuk-tuk, if it did start, would take me and my friend to catch the sunrise over the majestic spires of Angkor Wat, the largest and most impressive of the temples in the complex.