Prep for the primary

If you want to get to the heart of issues facing voters in the June 6 primary election, simply follow the money - a $490.8 million bond measure proposed for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District and a half-cent sales tax increase under the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors’ Measure A that could bring in more than $8 billion over 30 years.

Meanwhile, two statewide initiatives on the June 6 ballot involve funding for libraries and preschools. Proposition 81 asks voters to allow the state to sell $600 million in bonds to provide grants to construct and renovate library facilities. Proposition 82 would tax individuals with annual incomes exceeding $400,000 and couples making more than $800,000 to fund a preschool program for all 4-year-olds.

Tempers, tears over subacute closure

Emotions ran high at the El Camino Hospital District Board of Directors meeting last week when Diana Russell, vice president for patient care services, presented management’s recommendation to relocate some acute care services and close the subacute unit in December 2008.

Although family members, staff, union officials and representatives for state Assemblyman Ira Ruskin and Assemblywoman Sally Leiber pleaded with the board to save the unit, the board voted unanimously for closure.

Native-American remains unearthed in Los Altos Hills yard

The construction crew of a homeowner doing landscaping on Normandy Lane in Los Altos Hills unearthed human bones last week, identified by the county coroner as Native American and between 500 and 2,000 years old. The future of the remains will be up to the homeowner and a tribal representative appointed by the state to speak for his or her ancestor.

The bones, a partial skull and jawbone and a femur, were returned to the ground after examination. The California Native American Heritage Commission, which protects and preserves Native American human remains and grave goods, will now contact the person most likely to be the living human descendant. Debbie Treadway, the Northern California specialist for the commission, said that tribal members interested in serving as a

Measure C would continue facilities renovations at Foothill-De Anza

The Foothill-De Anza Community College District board has put Measure C, a $490.8 million bond, before voters on June 6. If Measure C is approved, district voters are expected to see an average $117 increase in their annual property tax bills.

Opponents of the bond measure argue that such a vast amount of taxpayers’ money is unwarranted, while proponents claim the bond is needed to fund vital construction work and technological modernization.

Measure A presents half-cent sales tax to fund health care, transportation

Measure A is intended to fund county health and transportation projects that would otherwise go begging because of the county’s budget shortfall, proponents say. Opponents contend that the half-cent sales tax is a back-door vehicle for getting more money for the Valley Transportation Authority and its largest project, extending BART to San Jose.

The proposal, put on the June 6 primary ballot by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, would fund a variety of county projects, from seismic upgrades for Valley Medical Center to health insurance for uninsured children and transportation improvements. The tax is projected to raise $8.2 billion over 30 years. If passed, the tax would become effective Oct. 1.

A look at state, county initiatives and DA race

Proposition 81 Library improvements
If passed, Proposition 81 would enable the state to sell $600 million in bonds for the construction and renovation of local libraries. State general fund revenues, primarily personal and corporate income taxes and state sales taxes, would be used to pay the cost. The annual cost to an […]

Gay pride parade set for June 4, expected to cost nearly $16,500

It will cost nearly $16,500 to put on a June 4 parade celebrating gay pride, with the city accepting to pay half the cost. Council members unanimously approved a permit for the parade at their May 9 meeting, although some members expressed reservations.

Mayor Ron Packard, who voted with a council majority in February to ban consideration of Gay Pride Day proclamations, said he had no choice but to approve the permit for the parade. “Do they have a constitutional right to a proclamation?” he said. “No. Do they have a constitutional right to a parade? Yes.”

Eyes on LASD as next redistricting deadline looms

The ball is in the Los Altos School District’s court in the final weeks before Los Altos Hills’ school redistricting deadline June 8.

The Los Altos Hills City Council has said it will petition the county for a new, independent school district if negotiations among the town, Bullis Charter School and local school districts reach an impasse. Bullis, the town and the Palo Alto Unified and Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School districts

Commission seeks new vote on Sunkist-Avalon overlay

The Los Altos Planning Commission recommended May 4 that the city council authorize a new vote on an application for a single-story overlay zone on Sunkist Lane and Avalon Drive.

The measure would prevent new second-story development on all 56 properties covered by the zone. Three two-story residences covered by the proposed zone would be allowed to remain but would be required to conform if they were rebuilt, unless the city council granted a variance.

LA-LAH sewer agreement near

Los Altos Hills’ share of the Los Altos sewer saga may soon be over. The two city councils met May 8 to discuss a draft sewer agreement, expected to increase Los Altos Hills’ sewer capacity and its control over its own system.

Los Altos Hills has agreements with Los Altos and Palo Alto for the transport, treatment and disposal of town sewage. The Hills’ agreement with Los Altos, struck in 1961, has not included enough capacity to respond to recent growth in the town and its unincorporated areas. The new sewer agreement would increase the number of hookups available to new homes or homes transitioning from septic tank systems. According to LAH Councilman Mike O’Malley, the town has approximately 830 active sewer hookups in the Los Altos Basin, and anticipates needing a maximum of 300 more.

Police Blotter

Possible hit and run
May 11, 5:30 a.m., Magdalena Avenue, Los Altos Hills: A man was left unconscious after a bicycling accident. The victim was discovered by a neighbor and remains in intensive care at Stanford Hospital. The sheriff’s department is investigating whether another vehicle was involved. Anyone with information should contact the […]

Editorials

Yes on Foothill-De Anza Measure C
At first blush, the Foothill-De Anza Community College District’s $491 million Measure C seems like too much to ask. After all, didn’t voters already approve a $248 million bond for Foothill-De Anza construction in 1999?
However, district officials have done their homework. They spent 18 months crafting a […]

Letters to the Editor

Pool saga continues
Eight years and counting! While one can commend the stamina of those on both sides of the issue, we are witnessing a vivid demonstration of just how ineffective local government can be. Regardless of the outcome, how pathetic. No courage.
Peter Johnson
Los Altos
CSMA thanks supporters
Thank you so […]

Running away from stress

Ah, no road noise, no lawn mowers, no loud music! But what we do have is a full view of Bodega Bay, a suite with a fireplace, colorful flowering shrubs, a big pool with a Jacuzzi and a lovely restaurant with views of cruising sea lions and gliding birds. We have escaped charming Los Altos for an equally charming but smaller place. Only two days, but no front-page news about immigration conflicts or Iraq-related dilemmas in Washington, D.C.

May fills my life with family celebrations: Ron’s birthday (”Don’t you dare tell them my age, Mom.”); our tenth anniversary (Where did all those days and months go?); Mother’s Day (lunch upgrade with Ron picking up the check); and the sad realization that Charlie would have been 52.

Obituary Notices

NANCY LOU (KING) SMITH
Nancy passed into the presence of her Lord on May 6, 2006 after a three-plus year battle with colon cancer. Born December 6, 1939 in Laramie, Wyoming to John Ross King and Gertrude (Gunnison) King, she moved to California on her ninth birthday, living first in Menlo park, then […]

Noteworthies

Pillow art at weekend show
Sandy Powell, of Signature Draperies & Design of Los Altos, will be among 300 artists featured at this year’s Los Altos Rotary Fine Art Show Saturday and Sunday in downtown Los Altos. Powell will be introducing 150 custom-designed pillows made from raw silks, taffeta silks, Italian fabrics, French […]

Engagement

Karen Chandler and Benjamin Cain
Karen Chandler and Benjamin Cain will celebrate their marriage June 3. The wedding and reception will be held at Galante Vineyards in Carmel Valley.
The bride-to-be is the daughter of Linda and Richard Chandler of Rancho Santa Fe.
She graduated from Chadwick High School in Palos Verdes, received […]

Take a walk through Rotary’s Fine Art in the Park

The Rotary Club of Los Altos has scheduled its 31st annual Fine Art in the Park 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Lincoln Park at the corner of Foothill Expressway and Main Street, near downtown Los Altos.

Considered one of the most prestigious art shows in California, the event features the fine art and quality craftwork of 200 juried artists from across the United States.

A weekend of celebration

For the 59th year, dogs, horses and a wide range of other animals are expected to trundle down Main and State streets in Los Altos’ annual Kiwanis Pet Parade, 10 a.m. Saturday.

The parade, which begins at First and Main, will feature Rich Fischer, Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District superintendent, as grand marshal. He will ride in a vintage car driven by Bob Mabe, organizer of classic car shows at the chamber of commerce’s annual Fall Festival.

Featured artist Fredrick Prescott brings life-size sculptures to Rotary art show

When sculptor Fredrick Prescott rolls into town in a 40-foot truck for the Los Altos Rotary Fine Art in the Park show Saturday and Sunday, he will be accompanied by a menagerie of life-size kinetic sculptures from his studio in Santa Fe, N.M.

Selected as the featured artist for the 31st annual Rotary art show, Prescott is scheduled to join 200 other artists in Lincoln Park to showcase 18 of his rusted-patina and brightly colored steel sculptures that move in the wind. His baby giraffe sculpture is featured on the official art poster for the annual fund-raiser.

Ex-gang member’s speech highlights Challenge breakfast

A police officer made the announcement that the guest speaker couldn’t make it to the annual Challenge Team breakfast last Thursday. Another speaker, handcuffed and in street gang attire, would be taking his place.

The man, speaking before a packed audience of schools, city and law enforcement leaders, had officers remove the cuffs before his talk. Silence filled the large convention room at Michaels at Shoreline restaurant, where the event was held.

Community Briefs

LAH celebrates 50th with June picnic
The 9th annual Los Altos Hills Town Picnic is scheduled 1-4 p.m. June 4 at the Little League fields on Purissima Road at Viscaino Road.
The picnic is part of the town’s 50th anniversary celebration. Each resident who registers will receive a gift commemorating the anniversary.
[…]

LASD hiring 13 teachers, 2 principals

Los Altos School District officials have been busy this month filling 13 teaching positions and two principal posts for the 2006-2007 school year.

The district gave final offers to teaching candidates Friday after having watched them in classrooms, Superintendent Tim Justus said. Earlier this month, district principals interviewed the prospective teachers.

Santa Rita principal, child advocate Peck retires

It’s recess at Santa Rita Elementary School on a sunny spring day, and two fourth-grade boys get into an argument about their handball game. Enter Principal Stephen Peck. He talks with the boys and a minute later has joined them in the game.

Later one of the boys is overheard saying, “Mr. Peck is so cool.”

Schools Briefs

Santa Rita PTA hosts potluck picnic for Peck
Santa Rita school is holding a potluck picnic in honor of Stephen Peck’s retirement May 30 for all Santa Rita students, families, staff and alumni. The picnic will be on the sixth-grade park and play fields 6-8 p.m. The PTA is asking that people bring a […]

Essay contest teaches children history

A metal roller skate, a doll made of cotton and thread, wooden blocks, a rocking horse, a rubber band. Los Altos children discovered some of the simpler toys used in the past while writing essays for the Margaret Thompson Historical Essay Contest this year.

The contest, co-sponsored by the Los Altos History Commission and the Los Altos History Museum, is open to all third- through sixth-graders in Los Altos. This year students wrote essays on “Recreation Remembered: Toys, Books and Games from the past.” Essayists had to interview an older person about what his or her favorite toy, book or game was and why it was important.

Heady play by Johnson clinches league title for Los Altos

With every hurried step toward home plate, Erik Johnson moved the Los Altos High baseball team closer to the league title.

Taking off from first base on a hard grounder by Kurt Kaszubinski that was bobbled and errantly thrown into right field, Johnson tore around third after getting waved home and charged the plate. Sliding head first, he got in under the throw home to give the Eagles a 13-12 win over Homestead.

Sitler shines at WCAL track & field finals

Ben Sitler swept the distance events and set a personal record at the West Catholic Athletic League track and field championships, leading the St. Francis High boys to the team title.

The senior won the 800-meter run, the 1,600 and 3,200 at Saturday’s meet, held at Serra High. His time of 1 minute, 55.84 seconds “was a big PR for him in the 800,” Lancers distance coach Brian Curley said. Sitler clocked a 4:21.4 in the 1,600 and a 9:26.8 in the 3,200.

Running out of gas caps could lead to higher prices

I was shocked when I first heard that Hawaii has no more gas caps. After all, that could be dangerous. Just imagine all those tourists screeching past the pristine, white sand beaches trailing flames from their white Toyota Corolla rentals like they were their personal Batmobiles. I shudder to think of it.

I was sure that there had to be a relief agency set up to take donations. Cash is difficult to donate, though, because people and even agencies have sticky fingers. I recall something about the 9/11 boatloads of cash that poured into “agencies” that decided it was too much for those victims and made rumblings of spreading it around to unrelated causes.

Albertsons caters to kosher crowd

Five months after Albertsons opened a kosher foods section in its Los Altos store, employees are remarking on its success.

“It’s been quite popular,” said Quyen Ha, an Albertsons spokeswoman. “I’ve heard of families coming from as far as Marin and Los Gatos.”

Children follow in mothers’ real estate footsteps

When a child chooses to follow the same career path, it is the greatest compliment a mother can receive, according to several Los Altos members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors (SILVAR).

Two of local realtor Barbara Silverberg’s five children followed in her footsteps. Daughter Meryle Sussman is manager and vice president of the Los Altos Cashin Company and son David Silverberg works with Barbara, a broker/manager at the Menlo Park Cashin office. Also working in the Los Altos office is mother-son team Nadine and Arnon Matityahu. Down the street at the Coldwell Banker Los Altos office are Alice and Alicia Nuzzo.

How to work with problematic colleagues

It takes courage to call a colleague on his or her problems at work. Most folks with bad habits take an average of seven interventions before they actually seek help. Compulsive behaviors such as perfectionism are complicated because there are usually positive byproducts from the habit.

We are often rewarded for addictive behaviors, especially when we work in a “results first” company. A venture capitalist friend admitted that he would rather hire a workaholic, driven, addictive personality because that person would put the company first. It’s only later, sometimes much later, but always inevitable, that those driven employees either burn themselves out or burn their colleagues out.

It’s time to get serious about sun protection

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and with summer just around the corner, area dermatologists are renewing warnings about the disease that claims nearly 10,000 lives each year.

“I often encourage people to ask themselves whether they would want to sleep next door to a nuclear power plant,” said Dr. John Starr, a Palo Alto dermatologist. “What we don’t realize is that the sun is the same - it’s a big radiation emitter.”

Dr. Norman Shumway remembered as transplant pioneer, humble celebrity

“Is this legal?”

“I think so. Time will tell.”

Zoe Sophia’s visit: An adventure in Los Altos

Authors Elisa Smalley and Claudia Mauner - and the inspiration for their books, almost-9-year-old Zoe Sophia Mauner - visited Linden Tree Children’s Recordings and Books for a book signing and conversation about “Zoe Sophia in New York: The Mystery of the Pink Phoenix Papers” (Chronicle Books, 2006).

The book is the second in a series featuring 9-year-old Zoe Sophia and Dorothy Pomander, an older writer who lives in Venice. Their first book, “Zoe Sophia’s Scrapbook: An Adventure in Venice,” was published by Chronicle Books in 2003.

Provence: It’s about the food, the food, the food

Friends from Mountain View had visited Provence last year and raved about the bed and breakfast run by Kevin and Elisabeth Widrow, who sold their Los Altos home to buy and renovate an old stone farmhouse on the outskirts of St. Saturnin. Le Mas Perréal (a “mas” is a farmhouse, “Perréal” the name of a nearby hill) became the centerpiece of a spring break train trip across Austria, Switzerland and France.

Each morning, I threw open the sky-blue wooden doors of our room to see the clear morning light that drew artists such as Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. Breakfast was served at a long wooden table in the spacious eat-in kitchen where investment-banker-turned-B&B-proprietor Kevin Widrow manned the stove, cooking up feather-light crêpes or omelets with broiled tomatoes and tapenade. With the smell of good things tickling our nostrils, we devoured the daily bread from the artisan bakery in the village with butter and homemade jam - either Carpentras strawberry or cherry from the Widrow’s orchard.

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).

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