LACF to sponsor gay-straight parade
The debate in Los Altos over Gay Pride Day proclamations has spurred a movement toward organizing a downtown parade in June promoting “the special interests and needs” of local youth having to do with sexual orientation.
Last week, the board of directors of the Los Altos Community Foundation (LACF) voted overwhelmingly, 20-2, to sponsor a parade, scheduled tentatively for noon, June 4, along Main Street. The foundation responded to a request from a newly formed group, the Alliance for Youth (AFY).
“The purpose of the parade is to honor the Gay-Straight Alliance at Los Altos High and other schools,” said foundation executive director Roy Lave.
Lave said the major concern was “whether the event would be orderly given the extraordinary amount of media attention” that the council’s action has received. To maintain control, participation in the parade is by invitation only, he said.
“Support for our youth is one of the central components of the LACF mission.” Lave said. “The board is aware that teen alienation and suicide is a serious issue in the community and that suicide among gay teens is more prevalent than among others.”
LAHHA to sponsor equine clinics
The Los Altos Hills Horsemen’s Association has planned two equine clinics at the Los Altos Hills Town Riding Ring on Purissima Road.
The clinics, scheduled April 22-23 and May 13-14, will feature horse trainer Marybeth Wiefels. Space is limited, but those wishing to learn more about building better relationships with horses may audit clinics for a reasonable fee. For more information, e-mail lahhaboard@yahoo.com.
Los Altos library offers tax-time help
April can be a taxing time of year.
The Los Altos library has free resources to help taxpayers get their paperwork in order for the April 15 filing deadline.
State and federal tax forms and a wide variety of how-to books on tax preparation and financial planning strategies are available. The Electronic Library 24/7 provides links to Web sites with online tax codes, rates, forms and other information for both the Internal Revenue Service and the Franchise Tax Board.
For more information on tax-related materials available at the Los Altos library, visit www.santaclaracountylib.org.
Genealogical lecture at Beth Am in April
The San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society has scheduled a free educational lecture 7 p.m. April 17 at Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills.
For more information, visit www. jewishgen.org/sfbajgs.
Newcomers Club hosts coffee
The Newcomers Club of Los Altos/Los Altos Hills has scheduled an informational coffee for prospective members 10 a.m. April 13 at the home of Grace Haig, 2300 Deodara Drive, Los Altos.
The Newcomers Club helps new residents become better acquainted with their neighbors and new community.
The group sponsors a range of activities, including bridge, tennis and walking; and groups for books, crafts and exploring the Bay Area.
For more information, call 948-7780 or visit www.losaltosnewcomers.com.
Hidden Villa receives $1,000
Hidden Villa of Los Altos Hills received a $1,000 grant from Community Foundation Silicon Valley - part of $179,000 awarded this quarter to 17 non-profits in Santa Clara and southern San Mateo counties.
Hidden Villa is a 1,600-acre organic farm and wilderness preserve dedicated to inspiring a sustainable future through environmental education and multicultural programs.
For more information, visit www.cfsv.org.
LACF presents Gardner Awards
The Los Altos Community Foundation is honoring community volunteers at its third annual John W. Gardner Community Building Awards ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Palo Alto.
The event is named for the legendary author, activist and reformer. For more information, call 949-5308.
Red Cross offers free preparedness classes
The Palo Alto Area Chapter of the American Red Cross has scheduled a series of classes on earthquake preparedness 7-8 p.m., May 11 and June 12 at 400 Mitchell Lane, Palo Alto (call for directions).
The classes will address the questions: How prepared are you for the next earthquake? Do you have all your emergency supplies ready? Do you know what you should do in the event of one happening?
To register or for more information, call 688-0418 or visit www.paarc.org.
While drop-ins are welcome, advance registration will ensure sufficient materials for everyone who attends.
Museum displays sewing artifacts
The Los Altos History Museum’s latest exhibit, “Stitches in Time,” features a history of sewing machines and their social and technological impacts.
The exhibit, running through May 21, displays sewing machines dating from the 1850s to the 1950s, and is augmented by sewing accessories, machine-sewn clothing and textiles from the same period. A complimentary exhibit of sewing-related artifacts such as buttons is exhibited in the historic 1905 Smith House across the garden from the museum building.
The Los Altos History Museum and Smith History House are open noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. They are located at 51 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. Admission is free. For more information, call 948-9427 or visit www.losaltoshistory.org.
Wildlife Rescue seeks volunteers
Wildlife Rescue in Palo Alto needs volunteers to help care for more than 2,000 injured and orphaned animals every year.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to commit to four to five hours per week from March through October. Training is provided.
For more information, call the volunteer coordinator at 494-7926 or visit www.wildliferescue.ws.
‘Rasing responsible children’
Parenting experts Steve and Patt Saso are leading a discussion on “Raising Responsible Children” 7-8:30 p.m. April 27 at the Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Ave.
Straightforward and practical methods to teach responsible behavior will be discussed. The Sasos use humor and real-life anecdotes to empower parents with the skills, insight and wisdom necessary to raise respectful children.
The Sasos are co-founders of Saso Seminars and are co-authors of books and articles on parenting teens.
This event is free of charge, and no reservation is necessary. For additional information, e-mail Lisa Conway at lisaconway@laumc.org or call 948-1083, ext. 153.
