Living in Los Altos, looking for work

As a bastion of high-tech innovation, Silicon Valley may be defined by its endless possibilities, but many have come face-to-face with its limits. While the high-tech boom may have put the valley on the map, its damaging aftermath is still being felt.

With a 2.2 percent unemployment rate, Los Altos appears to be pulling through relatively well. But try telling that to those residents out of work or in between jobs. The pressure of huge mortgage payments can exacerbate the stress of looking for work, some argue.

Housing plan for Echo site draws resident protests

Residents protesting a proposed development on the former site of The Echo restaurant at Loyola Corners turned out to make their voices heard when the project came up for consideration at the city of Los Altos Architecture and Site Review Committee’s May 3 meeting.

Ten residents addressed the committee while others submitted letters. A petition with more than 44 signatures was also presented to commissioners, who were split over the project and decided to continue discussions at a later date.

El Camino Hospital free to start construction

The El Camino Hospital District settled a legal dispute April 25 with Saratoga lawyer Aaron Katz for $200,000, according to hospital Communications Manager Judy Twitchell.

Katz’s suit challenged the $148 million hospital bond measure approved by voters in November 2003 to fund rebuilding in conformity with state seismic regulations.

Westwind Barn may qualify as historic site

A preliminary architectural report on Westwind Barn, presented at the Los Altos Hills City Council meeting April 27, found the structure was in “good condition.”

The barn is in need of renovations to bring the facility up to code, specifically for earthquake safety, according to engineering firm Mark Thomas and Company. And according to a historical preservation study that accompanied the report, the barn may qualify as a California Historical Resource.

LAH adds energy efficiency ordinances

The Los Altos Hills City Council introduced ordinances April 27 intended to increase home energy conservation in Los Altos Hills in the form of new efficiency requirements and solar incentives.

A house in Los Altos Hills uses more than twice the electricity and gas of an average home in the county, according to Peter Evans of the environmental initiatives committee. PG&E charges such above-average users at a higher rate for that energy, watt by watt.

County gives Los Altos $140,000 in federal funds

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors allocated $140,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to Los Altos last week, based on the percentage of the city’s population living in poverty.

Most of the money, $80,459, will go to the Housing Rehabilitation Loan program, which provides low-interest loans to local low-income homeowners to make health- and safety-related repairs. The program aims to help the elderly and people on fixed incomes stay in their homes even in the face of expensive home repairs.

Police Blotter

Coroner identifies collision victim
The Santa Clara County Coroner’s office has identified a 50-year-old woman killed when the vehicle she was driving was struck by a large commercial truck April 26 as Makoui Zohal of Mountain View.
The accident occurred in the early morning on El Camino Real near the Highway 237 off-ramp. […]

Editorials

Pool compromise best solution
Eight and a half years is much too long to wait for a decision, but at least the Los Altos City Council made the right one in approving a one-pool project for the hard-fought 1-acre site at the end of Rosita Avenue.
Pool supporters, led by the fund-raising group […]

Letters to the Editor

Bullis proposal a fair compromise
The current proposal between the town of Los Altos Hills, the Los Altos and Palo Alto school districts, and the charter school does not “clearly favor Bullis Charter School” as you wrote on May 3. You failed to take into account funding.
The current proposal leaves Bullis Charter School […]

Washday and tulips

However much I dislike doing laundry, it is a breeze compared to what my mother went through to keep our family in clean clothes. She did not have a sparkling large-capacity, front-loading washer called the Neptune. Nor did she have a matching dryer with myriad settings. And in my childhood home, there was no laundry room with a skylight to brighten the chore.

Nonetheless, my mom likely felt as if she had it made, because she was the proud owner of a modern washing machine on wheels. On washday, Mom would roll the machine out of a nearby closet and into the kitchen, where she attached a hose from the washer to the kitchen faucet. Another hose pumped the dirty water from the machine into the kitchen sink. The washer only held the equivalent of about four towels, but my mom loved it.

Obituary Notices

ISADORE WILSON
On April 30, Isadore Wilson went to join the Lord. The prior Tuesday, after spending the afternoon in her garden, enjoying her flowers and the lovely spring weather, she collapsed and never regained consciousness. Isadore was a beloved member of her community, active in the Los Altos Methodist Church […]

Noteworthies

NASA scientist honored
Heinz Erzberger of Los Altos Hills was honored at the White House recently for his scientific achievements.
As a NASA employee for more than 40 years, Erzberger created the modern air-traffic management system, said to be more significant than the discovery of radar.
Kniss selected as health care champion
[…]

Engagement

Jodie Antypas and Michael Horn
Jodie Antypas and Michael Horn have announced their engagement to be married July 1. The wedding and reception will take place at Kohl Mansion in Burlingame.
The bride-to-be is the daughter of Jeannine and George Antypas of Los Altos. She graduated from Mountain View High School, received her […]

Local Rotary honors contributors

Town Crier Editor Bruce Barton and Jose Solera, director of leadership development, IT production support at Intel, were honored at the 35th annual Rotary District 5170 Conference held April 28-30 in Santa Clara. The Rotary Club of Los Altos, one of 60 clubs in the Rotary district, nominated both honorees.

Barton received the Media Recognition Award for his coverage of the community service and other activities sponsored by the Rotary Club of Los Altos.

Town Crier wins editorial award

The Los Altos Town Crier has won a California Newspaper Publishers Association (CNPA) award for its editorial page coverage in 2005. The Town Crier received top honors in the annual Better Newspaper Contest for overall quality of its Comment section including editorials. The editorials in the September 2005 issues that were judged focused on local relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina and public education in Los Altos Hills.

The Crier also received a blue-ribbon committee honor, amounting to an honorable mention, for front-page design.

Los Altos group committed to raising canine heroes

At the annual Los Altos Kiwanis Club Pet Parade next week, watch for Golden and Black Labrador Retrievers wearing matching bandanas and jackets - they may be some of the hardest-working members of our community.

A number of Los Altans raise puppies to be trained by Canine Companions International as skilled aides for children and adults with disabilities. Some care for the females who, after excelling in training, are chosen to breed more of the specialized dogs, and for the new litters of puppies. Other locals train older puppies one-on-one before the dogs are sent to intensive schooling at the program headquarters in Santa Rosa.

Zebras earn stripes as stress managers, author relates at FCS benefit breakfast

Although you can’t blame stress for causing cancer, it can be a legitimate reason for nearly everything else going wrong with our bodies. That seemed to be the general point of Stanford biological sciences and neurology professor (and unofficial standup comedian) Robert M. Sapolsky.

The author of “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” (Owl Books, 2004) spoke May 3 at the third annual Circle of Support Breakfast benefit for Family & Children Services at the Crowne Plaza Cabaña Hotel in Palo Alto.

AAUW honors Stanford medical researcher

The Los Altos/Mountain View Branch of the American Association of University Women is scheduled to present the 2006 Status of Women Award to Marcia Stefanick, Stanford professor of medicine (research) and chairwoman of the steering committee of the Women’s Health Initiative, noon May 20 at Don Giovanni restaurant, 235 Castro St., Mountain View.

Stefanick will discuss the Women’s Health Initiative’s latest findings - including nutritional studies and the current status of hormone replacement therapy - at the AAUW business meeting and luncheon.

Realtors seek nominees for volunteer service award

Nominations are being sought for the 43rd Annual Silicon Valley Association of Realtors (SILVAR) Community Service Award for the Los Altos/Mountain View district.

The award winner will be honored Sept. 12 at a luncheon at Michaels at Shoreline, Mountain View.

Morning Forum: BBC’s Washington bureau chief foresees end of news as we know it

Will daily and weekly newspapers soon cease to appear on our driveways and in our mailboxes? Martin Turner, Washington, D.C., bureau chief for the BBC, thinks the answer is yes, and he offered his reasoning May 2 at the Morning Forum of Los Altos.

Turner is spending 2006 at Stanford University as a fellow in the John S. Knight Fellowships for Professional Journalists.

Community Briefs

Hospital foundation cooking with gala
The El Camino Hospital Foundation has scheduled its annual gala May 20 at the Parking Pavilion, Penthouse Level.
Celebrity chefs from premier restaurants in Northern California, including Amber India, AP Stump’s Chop House, Caffe Riace, Chez TJ, Emile’s, Evvia, Quattro - Four Seasons and Kokkari, will cook their […]

LASD board members weigh options and impacts as redistricting deadline looms

Los Altos School District trustees mulled their own options for long-term use of the Bullis-Purissima site at a May 1 meeting - including operating both the Bullis Charter School and a district school at the Los Altos Hills location.

That is one of four options the trustees will consider after the district’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee for Finance analyzes the enrollment, capacity and financial ramifications of each. The committee will present its findings at a June 5 board meeting, three days before the deadline set by Los Altos Hills to renew its effort to create a new school district.

Covington principal transfers to Blach

Leslie Crane, principal of Covington Elementary School, will become the new principal for Blach Intermediate School effective July 1. Crane will replace 13-year Principal Arthur Harris, who died April 27.

“Knowing who Arthur was, he would want everyone to carry on,” Crane said. “I am going to carry on education at Blach.”

Student scientists excel at science fair

Four schools from the Los Altos School District participated in the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship March 9, and students from all four received awards. Junior scientists from Egan Junior High, Blach Intermediate, Springer Elementary and Covington Elementary schools competed against students from Gilroy to Palo Alto.

Silicon Valley businesses and scientific groups sponsor the competition to encourage the study of science in Santa Clara County. Winners received tickets to Great America for the awards ceremony.

MVHS conquers national debate competition

Town Crier Report

Mountain View High School student Stephen Hess won the national Lincoln-Douglas Debate at the Tournament of Champions held April 29 through May 1 at the University of Kentucky.

Full-day kindergarten to run another year

The Los Altos School District Board of Trustees decided April 17 to continue the optional extended-day kindergarten program for a second school year at the Bullis site.

The district originated the program this past year to measure the effect on kindergartners of adding eight hours of instruction per week.

Schools Briefs

Blach plans to hold ceremony for Harris
Los Altos School Board Trustees would like to invite everyone in the Blach school community, including former students and their parents, to a ceremony at Blach Intermediate School to rename the library in memory of former principal Arthur Harris.
There will be a small rose garden […]

School helps developmentally disabled students succeed in everyday life

No student is beyond help - that is what the dedicated staff at Achievekids believes.

Achievekids helps the emotionally and developmentally disabled from 5 to 22 achieve their potential through integrated mental health and special education services. The staff works one-on-one with students, offering mental health and behavioral counseling, vocational training, community integration, speech therapy and transition services.

Foothill technology vice president Patz named college interim president

Penny Patz, Foothill College vice president for technology and instruction, career and workforce education, has been chosen interim president of the college, pending approval by the board of trustees May 15, Chancellor Martha J. Kanter has announced.

Patz, who will begin her new job July 1, will fill the vacancy resulting from the June retirement of longtime Foothill College President Bernadine Chuck Fong.

LAEF meets $1.45 million fund-raising goal for LASD

The Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) announced May 3 that it has raised $1.45 million, its total financial commitment to the Los Altos School District (LASD) for the 2005-2006 school year.

Allocation of the grant enables the district to fund enough teachers and aides to maintain smaller class sizes and enrichment programs such as technology, science, art, music and physical education for children in grades K-8.

Hersey sets league mark

Watching Eric Hersey’s league-record setting win in the 110-meter hurdles at last Thursday’s SCVAL De Anza Division meet delighted and disappointed his coach at Los Altos High.

While Julia Widstrand was elated to see her standout junior finish in a record time of 14.30 seconds, she would have preferred a more competitive race.

Los Altos closing in on El Camino crown

Down four runs in the first inning, the Los Altos High baseball team rallied to beat Saratoga 8-6 Saturday and remain atop the SCVAL El Camino Division standings.

By winning two of their final three games, the Eagles can secure the league title, ahead of hard-charging Santa Clara. Los Altos (13-2 league, 15-6-2 overall) was scheduled to play a doubleheader against Homestead Tuesday and visit Monta Vista at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to close out the regular season.

Planning ahead gains goals

A wise person, who became kind of a mentor, once told me that if you want to eat a fresh, homegrown tomato in the summer, you have to plant it in the spring. Others have used that lesson in nonagricultural areas as well. For example, if a young person wants a career in medicine, he/she would have to study premed and then attend medical school for many years in order to achieve that goal.

Strangely though, many House and Senate members did not have the benefit of a wise mentor.

Business networking group open to new members

Los Altos business owners have a lot to offer each other, in peer advice, shared resources and referrals. The local group, Sharing Tips and Referrals (STAR), meets twice a month to capitalize on these assets.

Members gather to share strategies, develop leads and gain insight from guest speakers. Last year, STAR hosted a representative from Silicon Valley SCORE, a free counseling organization for small-business owners, and from NOVA, a non-profit agency that screens and helps place the unemployed.

Dear CEO, CTO, CFO, CMO or COO

Dear CEO et al. We know that you live a precarious life. You walk the gangplank of great results or utter failure. You have to take the final step off the plank alone. You cannot hold on to anyone. Your company expects you to take

the step.

Active response to aging

By Carolyn Snyder

Special to the Town Crier

Abe of LA, Smithwick of LAH honored for lifetime achievement

Margaret Abe of Los Altos, who runs Strictly Candid, and Dr. Robert Smithwick of Los Altos Hills, the founding president of the Foothill Community College District board of trustees, have been named winners of the Avenidas Lifetimes of Achievement Awards.

Avenidas, the senior services organization, will host a garden reception in a private home in Los Altos Hills 2-4 p.m. May 21 to honor Abe and Smithwick and the other award-winners, Pat Briggs, Dr. Margaret Deanesly, Dr. Harry Hartzell and Shirley and Duncan Matteson. The reception is open to the public by reservation.

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