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Archives » 2007 » Volume 60 , Issue 12, Published on Wednesday, March 21, 2007NewsReady to play
Not long ago, parks and recreation in Los Altos Hills consisted of a handful of volunteers intrepidly putting on two summer camps for children. Now, with a funded town department and year-round programming, recreation activities are popping up all over town. Wednesday mornings in Los Altos Hills, the city council chambers are the site of sun salutations, asanas and meditation. Saturday, families roused their dogs for a community scamper through the town’s pathways. The town’s programs, all introduced within the last seven years, are expanding to include niches for youth, athletes of distinguished age and even family pets. Los Altos commissions compliant with ethics trainingAll Los Altos committee and commission members have completed the state-mandated ethics training before the March 31 deadline, according to Mayor Curtis Cole. The city extended the deadline after some city appointees failed to meet the Jan. 1 state deadline. The training addresses issues such as conflicts of interest and Brown Act compliance (a state open-meeting law), based on criteria developed by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) and the state attorney general. Assembly Bill 1234, signed into law in 2005, mandated ethics training for all members of public agencies, such as the city, and requires refresher training every two years. Burglaries on the rise in Los Altos, police warnLos Altos police are urging residents to lock up their homes and parked cars, citing an increase in car thefts and home burglaries in the past two months. “A lot of people think Los Altos is safe, which makes them vulnerable. I’ve seen people who don’t lock their doors when they leave the house,” said Susan Anderson, school resource officer of the Los Altos Police Department. City passes ‘urgency ordinance’ on special events, final version pendingLos Altos City Council members allayed concerns March 13 that long-held special events like the Kiwanis Pet Parade, the Festival of Lights and the city’s Glorious Fourth celebration in July might face extinction if organizers were forced to pay their own way. Instead, the city council voted 4-0 to adopt an “urgency ordinance” to protect the longevity of so-called heritage events by sponsoring them fully in a final ordinance, to be reviewed Tuesday. Councilman David Casas was absent. News articleProposed pool site open to public The non-profit Los Altos Community Pool Foundation has scheduled an opportunity for the community to view the preliminary community pool design at the Rosita Park site 2-4 p.m. Sunday. Pool layout and other sketches will be on display, and the architects will be present to answer questions. Los Altos woman injured in Hawaii copter crashLos Altos resident Dania Hansen, 60, was injured March 11 when a Hawaiian tour helicopter crashed on the north shore of Kauai, authorities said. The Hughes 500 helicopter she was traveling in crashed after it struck some trees with its main rotor blade, said Ian Gregor, communications manager with the Federal Aviation Administration Western-Pacific region. Hospital board announces candidates for vacant seatThe El Camino Hospital (ECH) District board announced March 14 the names of six applicants applying for the vacant seat on its five-member board. The appointment of the new board member will be made at a special meeting of the board Tuesday, said Dr. Edward Bough, chairman of the ECH district and hospital boards. The board is filling the seat formerly held by Dr. Dominick Curatola, who announced his resignation Jan. 10 after serving on the ECH district and hospital boards for 14 years. Los Altos man arrested on sexual assault chargesLos Altos police arrested Gerald A. Carter of Los Altos March 14 on several charges of continuous sexual assault on a female child under age 14. Los Altos Police Detective Scott McCrossin said police received an initial report about the assaults on March 12 and concluded that the assaults had occurred over a three-year period. Los Altos replanting after winter frosts
Spring has sprung in Los Altos, and the Los Altos Cultural Association is ushering in the season with new plantings on San Antonio Road at the entrance to downtown. Winter frosts damaged public landscaping around the town and dealt a deathblow to the shrubbery framing “Olympic Wannabes,” the association-funded statue of jubilant children that greets passersby from Village Park, located at the high-profile intersection of San Antonio Road and Edith Avenue. San Antonio Road in Los Altos generates an estimated 30,000 vehicles daily, according to city traffic counts. TC immigration survey hits hot button
Results from the Town Crier’s recent poll on undocumented workers highlighted the intense interest in the community about the immigration issue. The poll, the results of which are not scientific, was published in the Feb. 28 issue of the Town Crier and on the paper’s online site, www.latc.com. It posed the question: “Undocumented workers and their employers are violating federal law. What should be done?” The survey generated an astonishing 5,806 responses, by far the most responses to any Town Crier poll. CommentEditorialWhen Los Altos City Council members first proposed an emergency ordinance regarding special events, some worried that additional restrictions and costs associated with such an ordinance could bring some longstanding events to a halt. Those fears were allayed last week when members approved the lengthy ordinance, along with a preliminary resolution to pay full cost for three traditional or “heritage” events: the Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade, the Festival of Lights Parade and the “Glorious Fourth” of July picnic. Barring a sudden change in direction, the ordinance and the accompanying resolution will become official within a month. Letters to the Editor\’Pet Therapy\’ article hits home Carolyn Snyder’s column on “Pet Therapy” in the Town Crier (Feb. 21) brought back memories of 1961. I had been away from the profession of nursing since 1945 when I was discharged from the Army Nurse Corps. In any case, I decided to take a refresher course at […] An era of hope to come?After a day of a falling Dow, a painful return of back problems and a failed attempt to parallel park, I needed a fresh message of hope. Some might say, “Look at the weather! Isn’t it gorgeous?” Yes - but weather-people are throwing around the dreaded “D” word, as in drought. Today’s Chronicle says Nancy Pelosi troubled the Jews because she characterized the war in Iraq as a failure. Not this woman. How high does the list of American dead have to go before the president says, “We have won the war?” Despite my cynicism, I am squarely on the side of hope. Gosh, we made it through the first days of our early daylight-saving time without any more trouble for our farmers - now that the frost is over. I haven’t noticed any gigantic rise in the price of oranges. Little children walking to school on darker mornings haven’t brought any more predators out than usual. Of course, I sleep until it’s pretty light outside. ObituariesObituary NoticesJODI LYNNE CAMPBELL Jodi Lynne Campbell, 42, died peacefully on Thursday, March 8th at El Camino Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Jodi was born at Stanford Hospital on August 27, 1964, the eldest daughter of Marcia and Richard Campbell of Los Altos. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley, Jodi obtained her teaching credential […] CommunityLos Altan awarded for achievements in science, medicineMembers of Indian American Women Empowered (IWE) recently honored Los Altos resident Dr. Prasanna Menon with their Science and Medicine Award. The organization, dedicated to supporting South Asian American women, recognized Menon for serving as a role model and assuming an increasingly prominent role as a professional woman. Men and women of South Asian descent have a higher propensity for heart disease, and Menon was instrumental in bringing the issue to the attention of El Camino Hospital, which resulted in the founding of the South Asian Heart Center in 2006. 20th party a neighborly St. Patrick’s Day tradition
With briskets of corned beef in the oven and potatoes, carrots and cabbage simmering on the stove, family and friends sipped wine and Guinness beer at the Los Altos home of Diana and Cliff Lloyd Saturday in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The celebration marked the anniversary of a tradition that started 20 years ago with a core group of Los Altos parents whose children attended school together. El Camino Hospital to be future site of Thomas Fogarty innovation institute
El Camino Hospital (ECH) will be the future site of the Fogarty Institute of Innovation, headed by Dr. Thomas J. Fogarty, a renowned cardiovascular surgeon, inventor and entrepreneur. The institute, scheduled to open in July, will be located in the Melchor Pavilion on the ECH campus, said Jon Friedenberg, CEO of the Fogarty Institute and president of the ECH Foundation. SchoolsWaldorf School of the Peninsula expansion plans include high school
Waldorf School of the Peninsula is following a dream as it works to open a high school program next year, according to board member Simona Martin. The Waldorf School, recognized for its unique approach to education, has educated students at its Los Altos campus, which serves kindergarten through eighth-grade students, since 1984. CSMA holds fundraiser for artsCommunity School of Music and Arts (CSMA) at Finn Center in Mountain View has scheduled a fundraiser, “ArtSalute: Honoring Accomplishment in the Arts,” 6-11 p.m. March 31 at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton. Proceeds benefit CSMA’s education programs, including the arts-in-the-schools and financial aid programs for low-income students and families. Los Altos School District aims to save more money and more treesIn an effort to save paper and money, Los Altos School District officials hope to send district schools’ weekly newsletters home via e-mail next year. Paperless communication, under way at Almond Elementary School since January, has saved the school a case of paper - worth $50 - per week, according to Principal Jeff Baier. ‘Dead’ Latin language is alive and kicking at Los Altos High SchoolIs Latin a dead language? Is it nonexistent in our society? Does anyone even take Latin? Less than 5 percent of the students at Los Altos High School take Latin. This class is, unfortunately, widely overlooked. A counselor from Los Altos High said that students don’t generally take Latin because they claim “Latin is not a modern language.” She also said, “Most students don’t realize how many benefits it offers, but once they learn how it can help them, they become more interested.” Los Altos High robotics team earns place at competition
After soaring into first place in the semifinals at the Silicon Valley Regional 2007 FIRST Robotics Competition, the Los Altos High School “Eagle Strike” science team’s wings were clipped by other competitors. They will not advance to the championship in Atlanta next month. The loss came on Saturday in the finals of a three-day competition held at the San Jose State University Event Center March 15-17. LAHS students display spectrum of art
Los Altos High School students showcased their work in a public setting March 15, as family, neighbors and fellow students attended a reception honoring the students and the program at the high school. The second annual art show displays pieces of student art from drawing, photography, painting, art appreciation, 3-D design and digital photography classes. The exhibition embellishes the walls of Main Street Cafe & Books downtown. Schools article MVLA Adult Ed seeks The Mountain View-Los Altos Adult Education program is looking for volunteers to participate in its Literacy in the Garden project. CSMA’s ‘Harmony’ exhibit opens in MV“Harmony,” a teacher/student collaborative art exhibit sponsored by the Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center, opened this week and runs through April in the Rotunda at Mountain View City Hall. The exhibit, launched Tuesday, features more than 200 pieces of art by students in grades 2-8 from 15 area schools. Every public school in the Mountain View-Whisman School District (Bubb, Castro, Huff, Landels, Monta Loma, Theuerkauf) is represented, as well as Springer and Santa Rita schools (Los Altos School District), Montclaire School (Cupertino School District), Costano School (Ravenswood School District), St. Nicholas School (Los Altos Hills), St. Lawrence Academy (Santa Clara), and The Academy (San Jose). SportsA sweep at the track
Swept by Los Gatos in its league opener, the Los Altos High track and field team bounced back by putting the broom to Lynbrook Thursday. The Eagles boys and girls varsity squads combined to win 22 of 30 events in the home meet. The Los Altos girls prevailed 97-30 and the boys 66-61. Los Altos enjoys winning week of baseball, improves to 9-3
The Los Altos High baseball team’s recent string of slow starts is over. The Eagles have won nine of their first 12 games, including all three last week. Los Altos launched SCVAL De Anza Division play with a pair of weekday wins over Palo Alto, then beat Homestead 6-4 in a non-league game Saturday. MV boys trying to overcome losses
Mountain View High’s season went from challenging to downright difficult before the boys tennis team even played a match. The Spartans not only had to ready themselves for the top teams in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League - they were elevated to the formidable De Anza Division this year after winning the friendly El Camino Division - but they would have to do so without two key starters. BusinessEngineering company green from the go
Los Altos resident Bob Trifunovic, CEO of Encon Energy Conservation Company Inc., admits somewhat modestly that his company is at the right place at the right time. His engineering firm designs mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems for buildings and ensures they meet California energy standards. California energy requirements have existed for years. Lately, however, increased consumer awareness about energy costs, dependency on foreign sources of oil, sustainability and the Iraq war have created a demand for his services. A cup of joe with the mighty BenjaminA few days ago I was in my usual sprint mode racing from place to place when I ran into an old friend. He suggested I slow down my hectic pace and smell the roses, so to speak. I hadn’t seen him in many years, so we decided to stop in Starstrucks for a $3.50 cup of joe. He said he had been out of touch for a while and asked how the country was running. Santa Clara County home sales rose in FebruaryHome sales edged upward in Silicon Valley in February, even as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that pending home sales declined in January from a strong upturn in December due to unusual weather patterns. According to REInfoLink, the Multiple Listing Service for Santa Clara County, figures show the regional housing market picking up. There were a total of 661 sales of single-family homes in Santa Clara in February, up from 611 in January 2007. The median home price continued its upward trend, from $740,000 in January to $790,000 in February. Realtors’ RSVP Program offers help with household tasks for seniors and disabledOrdinary tasks like replacing smoke detector batteries, flipping a mattress or washing the windows can be a major challenge for anyone advanced in years or disabled. Seniors and the homebound who live on the Peninsula or in the South Bay can request free assistance with such household tasks through the Realtor Service Volunteer Program (RSVP) May 7-12. The deadline to request assistance is April 6. RSVP is a community outreach program offered each year to qualified homeowners and renters who cannot otherwise perform certain household tasks due to physical or financial constraints. Local realtors, in cooperation with various community organizations and senior centers, offer this assistance. Your HealthFat Facts
Like most Americans, you are probably already watching your fat intake. Fat has more than twice as many calories as the same amount of protein or carbohydrate. But when it comes to fat, calories are not the only thing you should be concerned about. The type of fat matters even more. While some types of fats are major contributors to heart disease, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, you might be surprised to hear that other types are actually good for you and should be included in your diet. Bike accident leads resident to shift gears into patient care
David Bulfer, 52, remembers waking at home after 11 days unconscious in Stanford Hospital. The Los Altos Hills resident crashed his bicycle on Page Mill Road in 2003. “When I woke up on the couch, I remembered desperately wishing I were dead,” he said. “The amount of desperation was tremendous.” Secrets of masticationOne of my students suggested I write about better eating habits - not what to eat, but how to eat it. She reported, “I’m putting some meditation to work while eating. Instead of watching TV and doing a crossword puzzle while eating lunch, I’m just eating my food and trying to be aware of tastes and when I feel full.” Otherwise, she said, she can finish lunch without being aware of eating anything. I know what she means. I once bought a candy bar and the next thing I knew, I was throwing the wrapper in the trash and the candy bar was gone. I had missed the entire experience of eating it. BooksArchaeology host, author brings history to life for young and old“Life exists outside your comfort zone,” said Josh Bernstein during his author appearance at Kepler’s in Menlo Park recently. “The trick is to persevere.” Bernstein is host of the History Channel’s highest-rated original series, “Digging for the Truth.” Bernstein’s new book, “Digging for the Trut One Man’s Adventure Exploring the World’s Greatest Archaeological Mysteries” (Gotham Books/Penguin, 2006), presents Bernstein’s personal stories, insights and photographs from behind the scenes. TravelCouple tell a tale of the roughest seas on earthLos Altos residents Ben and Helen Kuckens set off in January on a 23-day trip through Antarctica on the cruise ship Nordnorge. They recount their adventures on the high seas for the Town Crier. Forty-one hours after sailing from Ushuaia, Argentina, and crossing Drake Passage, we arrived at Deception Island on the Antarctic Peninsula and made our first landing in Antarctica. Those of us with no sense could go swimming in the Antarctic Ocean - so, of course, Ben did. Stepping Out‘Trying’ succeeds
Cantankerous and domineering old men have a knack for warming hearts in the more clichéd drama fare. Their mean veneer crumbles in the face of tragedy. Their health debilitates and regrets surface. Whatever the circumstance, it’s predictably humbling. TheatreWorks’ latest drama, the brilliantly executed “Trying,” bears some likeness to this familiar theme, but the actors deliver with such honest, awe-inspiring force as to launch the richly contextualized play into its own league altogether. Stunning and masterfully written, Joanna McClelland Glass’ play takes on the gnawing questions of achievement and death with powerful clarity. DatebookDatebookTHEATER “Ten Minutes Till Bedtime.” Peninsula Youth Theatre. Based on the story by Peggy Rathmann. 9:30 and 11 a.m. Friday; 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. $5-$7. 903-6000; www.pytnet.org. |
In Our OpinionEditorialWe’ve recently covered the passing of two of this community’s most involved and committed volunteers, Lee Lynch and Billy Russell. They represented an era when people helped out, not so they could get their name on a building, but because it was simply the right thing to do. There’s a new generation of volunteers hard at work right now in this community who are carrying on their legacy. The level of involvement in the recent Los Altos Relay For Life event bears this out. |
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