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Archives » 2007 » Volume 60 , Issue 24, Published on Wednesday, June 13, 2007NewsEnd-of-year uncertainties
Why north of El Camino? In nearly all the scenarios, the area north of El Camino Real - apartments and condominums in Mountain View and Palo Alto - would have suffered the most students redirected from their nearest schools. Bureaucracy, diplomacy lock horns on O’Keefe LaneThe planned road refurbishment on O’Keefe Lane between Los Altos and Los Altos Hills demonstrates how the staff, elected officials and residents of the two cities have to bridge bureaucracies and competing civic agendas for everyday projects. The project is simple enough - Los Altos Hills is repaving its stretch of O’Keefe Lane in response to resident complaints about the road damage inflicted by CalWater and other utilities. Schools on alert after incidentPolice are still looking for a suspect who offered a ride to a Santa Rita Elementary School student last week, an incident that has prompted the school district superintendent to send a letter to unnerved parents. According to police reports, the 12-year-old girl reported she was walking to school near Santa Rita Avenue at approximately 8 a.m. June 6 when a man driving a minivan asked if she wanted a ride to school. The student ignored the driver and ran to a nearby friend’s house, where she called the Los Altos Police. MV council votes to zone Grant Farm residential onlyIn a setback to organic farm supporters, the Mountain View City Council approved a plan to rezone the entire Grant Road Farm property as residential at the council meeting June 5. The council voted 6-1, with Councilwoman Ronit Bryant dissenting, in front of an overflowing council chamber. Police BlotterDUI June 7, 2:37 p.m., 400 block of El Camino Real: Jeffrey Froning, 55, of Los Altos was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and booked into the Santa Clara County main jail. News BriefSuspect sought in bank robbery A robbery at the Bank of America on the 900 block of Fremont Avenue in Los Altos left bank employees shaken but unharmed June 4. Los Altos Police and investigators said the suspect is still at large. Compromise possible on bus route changes
Bus riders concerned about the Valley Transportation Authority’s plan to reduce service through Los Altos and to Foothill College may get a reprieve this month. Foothill College students and staff argued the importance of the bus service at a June 5 VTA hearing and vetted options that might soften the cuts. Kurt Hueg, Foothill College communications director, said the college is scheduling a meeting with VTA this week to discuss how the changes to bus lines 23 and 52 disproportionately affect the college. LA reviews amendments, tree and parkland ordinancesThe Los Altos Planning Commission at its June 7 meeting requested city staff to review the amendments to the municipal tree protection and parkland dedication ordinances. The commission also examined subdivision exceptions: R1-S single-story overlay, district rebuilding, commercial neighborhood district allowed uses and variance application regulations. New bike racks on order in Los AltosCycling enthusiasts will find additional bike parking at Los Altos stores and parks this year, thanks to a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority grant to fund 70 new bike racks throughout the city. Maintenance workers will install them in city parks, downtown and at Loyola Corners. Recreation spending to mark coming year in LAHLos Altos Hills Mayor pro tem Craig Jones plans to dedicate his upcoming term as mayor to parks and recreation opportunities in town. His parks and recreation committee is already reviewing the possibility of joining the Rosita pool project in Los Altos and upgrading the town’s Little League fields. “We will be focusing first on improvement and better utilization of existing facilities or co-owned ones,” Jones said. “We will be paying particular attention to Westwind Barn, the Little League fields and pool options, including Fremont Hills Country Club and/or the Rosita pool project.” CommentLetters to the EditorZero-tolerance policy at issue at Blach On May 23, the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees voted to expel our son from the district for an incident involving marijuana at Blach Intermediate School. We absolutely do not condone drug use, and our son accepts responsibility for his poor choice. Inventory of a graduateOur first-born son graduated from high school this week. When he was little, our days - however happy - would move at a snail’s pace, and exhaustion kicked in long before bedtime. It was hard to imagine that his childhood, as “older” moms often told me, would go quickly. Then the years started clicking by … tick, tick, tick, faster and faster … and suddenly there was an 18-year-old boy/man living in our house. It’s been a whirlwind, to be sure, but a delightful one. School, sports, friends, family and all the details of our daily lives have kept us more than busy. ObituariesObituary NoticesJOSHUA W. GERSHUNY Joshua W. Gershuny, 87, died peacefully in Mountain View on May 28, 2007. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Mary, children Darryl and Dianne (Kaye) Gershuny, son-in-law Ken Kaye, and grandchildren Carly Gershuny, Eva Kaye, and Aaron Kaye. Community‘Mel’ Hawley, longtime Los Altos attorney, respected Santa Clara County sheriff
Melvin Linthicum Hawley, the energetic and colorful longtime Los Altos attorney who served five years as Santa Clara County sheriff, died last month of natural causes. Mr. Hawley was 86. Mr. Hawley was born in Chicago, the son of Melvin Moses Hawley and Lois Linthicum. He left the Midwest to attend first Stanford and then Yale as an undergraduate. Red Cross recognizes local volunteers for exceptional contributions
The Palo Alto Area Chapter of the American Red Cross celebrated the selfless contributions of six local residents at its Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition event Thursday at the Mountain View City Hall Rotunda. First Baptist Church of Los Altos received a Partnership Award. Los Altos residents Hannah deKleer and Lauren Schreiber received Youth Volunteer awards. Irish myths, memories and miracles described at LA Morning Forum talk
Author and BBC broadcaster Frank Delaney talked to the Morning Forum of Los Altos June 5 about miracles - specifically the achievement of a coalition government in Northern Ireland between two lifelong enemies - Ian Kyle Paisley and Martin McGuinness - that occurred just last month. Delaney worked for the BBC initially in Dublin and later in London. He hosted the highly rated BBC radio series “Word of Mouth.” His interest in Irish culture led him to create “The Celts,” a six-part series for BBC television. He is the author of nine novels, six nonfiction books and several short stories. “Ireland,” published in 2005, is Delaney’s first novel released in the United States. Tipperary-born Delaney now resides in Connecticut. Rambus goes low-tech for a good causeRambus Inc. has developed technology for chip and system manufacturers in an unlikely location for a high-tech company. Nestled between a pharmacy and a small office complex on El Camino Real in Los Altos, the company’s technology contributes to the devices and gadgets that quickly become necessities (super-fast computers) or rank No. 1 on children’s wish lists (Sony PlayStation 3). Such innovative technologies have allowed Rambus to acquire more than 600 patents in its 17-year history. Hundreds of patent plaques are displayed in the main hallway at Rambus’ Los Altos headquarters. Free rock concert celebrates sober teens, new awareness program
The Community Hope and Sober Events (CHASE) program has scheduled a free rock concert 4-8 p.m. Friday in the Los Altos Community Plaza where Main and State streets meet downtown. Local high school students have planned the concert to launch their message about the dangers of teen alcohol and drug abuse by honoring the life of Chase Rogers, who attended Mountain View High School and died of a drug overdose in December. Chase would have turned 19 on Friday. SchoolsSchools bid farewell to staff retirees
This week marks the last day of the school year for many students, but it is also the last day of teaching for several Los Altos and Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District teachers. The Los Altos district bids adieu to six teachers, a principal and the assistant superintendent for instruction and curriculum. A long-time teacher and council member will retire from the high school district. Opportunity knocks for struggling students
Near the end of her freshman year at Los Altos High School, Yolanda Reyes made a bet with her mother that Yolanda would graduate from high school. If she won, her mother promised to take better care of her own health. But the odds seemed stacked against Yolanda, and her skeptical mother wasn’t the only one with doubts. Yolanda had barely attended class that year, her grade-point average didn’t even register on the scales and she was involved in fights regularly. SportsPitching powers Oaks to doubleheader sweep of Bombers
The Palo Alto Oaks semipro baseball team has won its four games by a combined score of 41-3, yet manager Steve Espinoza is concerned. Not with the Oaks’ play, but their lack of it. “We’re playing only five-inning games,” said Espinoza, whose team has already had three games shortened by the 10-run mercy rule. “The pitchers are not getting the work I’d like them to get.” The right move
When Zack Ciesinski took up lacrosse in seventh grade, he was a lot more interested in scoring goals than preventing them. He wanted to be a midfielder, not a goalie. But Ciesinski found himself in goal during his first season with the Palo Alto Tomahawks Youth Lacrosse Club after a teammate backed out of playing there. He begrudgingly returned to the position the next season when the team’s goalie got hurt. Golden greats
Two Los Altos High sprinters traveled to Folsom last weekend for the Golden West Invitational - and both returned with shiny souvenirs. Alyssa Biondi and Martina Mickos received medals after finishing in the top three of an event Sunday at the 48th annual track and field meet. Biondi won the girls 100-meter dash in the B division; Mickos placed third in the girls 200 of the same division. Camps are coming
School’s out, and summer camps are in. Here’s a rundown of local sports camps offered this summer: • Los Altos Basketball Camp. Los Altos High boys varsity coach James Reilly runs the camp, open to boys entering grades 7-9 who hope to play at the high school level. “We stress that commitment to improving your basketball skills is the most important thing you can do to succeed later in your career,” Reilly said. The camp, open to all skill levels, is scheduled 6-8:30 p.m. July 17-19 in the school’s main gym. Cost is $150. For more information, contact Reilly at 804-0888 or coachreilly@gmail.com. BusinessYoga center stretches body, enhances brain
Los Altos residents trying to rid themselves of stress can find a variety of ways to rejuvenate and recharge at Dahn Yoga of Mountain View. The Dahn Yoga studio, located in the Blossom Valley Shopping Center, offers a variety of classes in stretching, breathing, movement and meditation for all age groups, beginner to advanced. Democracy reigns on national and local levelsGovernment and the politicians populating the ranks can from time to time wield great influence on our lives and our economic well-being - and many times, the economy can push forward in spite of them and their foibles. Former President Bill Clinton fiddled with Monica Lewinsky while the economy lurched out of control and the bubble ultimately burst. Realtors advise first-time homebuyers to set goalsFor the first-time homebuyer, the experience can be overwhelming, but with good research and preparation, it can also be worthwhile, according to Nadr Essahboy, a realtor with Alain Pinel Realtors, and Sharon Witte, a realtor with Coldwell Banker. Essahboy and Witte said after weighing the benefits between buying and renting, once you decide ownership is the best decision, you’ve passed a major hurdle and it’s time “to jump on the train.” Their advice: Take a page from my bookAt least once a week, someone asks me about writing a book. People think I’m an expert because I’ve had five books published. Many people tell me that they have a great book inside of them. Here are my suggestions for those brave souls who approach me and tell me they’ve always wanted to write a book. • Write one. Property disclosures benefit sellers, buyers and real estate professionalsThe process of selling a home has become more complex because of the new local, state and federal regulations that increase sellers’ disclosure responsibilities. More than two-thirds of the states require home sellers to present homebuyers with a property disclosure form listing known problems affecting the condition of the property. Failure to do so could result in civil and criminal action and, in some cases, rescinding the sale. Foreclosure activity up, but Bay Area property values continue to riseThe number of default notices sent to California homeowners last quarter increased to its highest level in nearly 10 years due to flat appreciation, slow sales and post-teaser-rate mortgage resets, a real estate information service reported. While foreclosure properties tend to bring property values down, it does not appear to be the case on the Peninsula and in Silicon Valley. Lending institutions filed 46,760 Notices of Default in the state during the first quarter, up 23.1 percent from 37,994 for the previous quarter, and up 148 percent from 18,856 for the first quarter of 2006, according to DataQuick Information Systems. |
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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