Court challenges & challengers

The local high school basketball scene promises to be full of challenges and challengers this season.

The Pinewood School girls should again go unchallenged in their league, though the young team will have to grow up fast to claim an 11th straight Central Coast Section title. The Los Altos High boys, with a mix of experience and blossoming talent, look like a challenger for their division. The St. Francis High boys and girls may not be able to challenge for first place in their rugged leagues, but don’t count them out come playoff time. The Mountain View High girls and Pinewood boys have big sneakers to fill, yet they should contend for postseason berths. The depleted Mountain View boys and Los Altos girls have the biggest challenges ahead, with little margin for error if they hope to play beyond the regular season.

LAH residents asked to rank parks and rec

After a lengthy process of study and debate, the Los Altos Hills City Council has scheduled a public hearing for parks and recreation planning 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at town hall, 26379 W. Fremont Road. The hearing, part of a regular city council meeting, will give residents a chance to voice their priorities for the biggest townwide project since the construction of a new town hall.

Mayor Craig Jones said residents will want to add their say, particularly because the projects are expected to use millions of dollars of taxpayer funds. The town’s budget has increased over the past 20 years, and it is the city’s responsibility to fund projects with popular support and long-term value, Jones said.

Non-profit arts industry proves a prime mover in the Valley

Local non-profit arts groups such as the Bus Barn Stage Company are better known for their cultural value than their money-making potential. Yet in this region, the non-profit arts sector supports 3,903 full-time jobs – a larger employer than Bay Area companies like Netflix and WebEx – and spurred more economic activity in 2005 than the gross earnings of the 2004 world tours of Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, Jimmy Buffet, the Eagles and Paul McCartney – combined.

This intriguing – and lucrative – profile of the non-profit arts derives from a new national survey that included a focus on Santa Clara County.

Element of surprise in seating new mayor, council

A ripple of surprise passed through the audience Nov. 27 when members of the Los Altos City Council discussed deviating from city protocol and delaying the appointment of a mayor pro tem.

Councilman Ron Packard, while avowing his respect for newly elected Councilwoman Megan Satterlee, argued that her lack of experience should disqualify her appointment as mayor pro tem. Packard suggested that the council delay electing a mayor pro tem and consider changing the guidelines for how the position is filled.

New mayor brings marketing savvy, focus on service as council leader

When she was sworn in as the new Los Altos mayor Nov. 27, Val Carpenter dedicated her term to celebrating community service.

“When people do something exceptional, recognizing that reinforces it not just for them, but for others,” she said.

ECH, union find agreement

El Camino Hospital and Service Employees International Union-United Health Workers West officials reached a tentative agreement on a four-year contract Nov. 27. The settlement follows eight months of negotiations that began in May before the previous two-year contract expired June 30.

If ratified, the agreement would be in force through June 30, 2011, a strategy negotiated to allow hospital employees and officials to move into new facilities now under construction instead of negotiating another contract during the move, targeted for July 2009.

Unincorporated San Antonio Hills residents make peace with zoning compromise

After a threatened lawsuit and sometimes hot-tempered debate, the Los Altos City Council agreed on a compromise for the zoning in the unincorporated San Antonio Hills area.

The city has jurisdiction over zoning for that area, which is an unincorporated area of Santa Clara County. The council clarified the general plan map to specify 1-acre zoning for a strip of approximately 55 houses near the Los Altos Golf & Country Club.

News Briefs

Stevens Creek trail workshop scheduled

The city of Los Altos has scheduled a workshop for residents about the proposed Stevens Creek Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail 6:30 p.m. today in the Grant Park multipurpose room, 1575 Holt Ave., Los Altos.

Police Blotter

Grand theft

Dec. 1, 12:27 p.m., 80 block of Osage Avenue: Three bicycles were stolen from the garage of a residence, including a black TCR racing bike the owner valued at $4,000.

Editorial

The 30th-anniversary Festival of Lights Parade Nov. 25 in downtown Los Altos was, hands-down, the best parade ever. There were colorful, elaborate floats, fantastic band performances and a full, joyous crowd – nearly 2,000 more than last year, by police estimates – cheering along.

What a way to get a promising 2007 holiday season under way. As our front-page story on “Black Friday” noted last week, Los Altos’ shopping districts offer welcome relief from the crazed free-for-all at the big-box stores in larger communities. There’s no waking up at 3 a.m. to line up in front of stores in downtown Los Altos. People can shop at their leisure here and not have to worry about overly long lines. And there’s good-quality, reasonably priced merchandise to be found, too, among the city’s seven shopping districts.

Letters to the Editor

Respect first before good parade views

We’ve been attending the Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade for nearly 10 years. Every year, people have put out blankets, tape or chairs to reserve spots. As a community, we all respected the spaces we set aside for our families and friends. There was always enough space for everyone to squeeze in and enjoy the parade.

Editor’s Notebook

“I never thought it would happen to me.” How often have you heard that old line after someone has been victimized by crime? I found myself thinking these very words, followed by disbelief, when I received a panicked call from my wife last week: “Someone just broke into my car and stole my purse!”

She was at Graham Middle School dropping off our twins for soccer practice. She had left her purse in the driver’s seat, with the car locked. She was only going to be a minute (we’ve heard that one before, too). But in a matter of seconds, a silver Lexus with three guys in it pulled up. One jumped out and smashed the driver’s side window of our car with a baseball bat. He reached in, grabbed the purse and off they went.

Lauren Batchelder and Charles Burleson

Lauren Batchelder and Charles Burleson were married May 26 at First Baptist Church in San Luis Obispo.

The bride is the daughter of Dia Felt Batchelder of Los Altos and Van Batchelder of Fallon, Nev. She graduated from Mountain View High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She is public relations and event coordinator for the Family Care Network Inc.

Katie Bryan-Jones and John Anderson

Katie Bryan-Jones and John Anderson have announced their engagement to be married June 28 at the Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley.

Noteworthies

Air Force Capt. Alexander M. Riseborough reported for duty at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Okla. A navigator with five years of military service, he is assigned to the 552nd Training Squadron.

The son of Teresa M. Riseborough of Los Altos, Riseborough graduated in 1994 from Monta Vista High School in Cupertino and earned a bachelor’s degree from Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., in 1998.

Town Crier Holiday Fund profiles: RotaCare, Mother Branch, CHAC

The Town Crier Holiday Fund annually disburses financial donations to area non-profit organizations that benefit those in need. This year 17 organizations will receive funds. This week we profile three of these non-profits.

Matching donors make the difference

Matching grants from foundations and individuals who invest $5,000 to $20,000 each to help launch the campaign are the bedrock of the successful annual Town Crier Holiday Fund drive. These grants in essence double the dollars supplied by community donors.

In 2000, it was Nancy Glaze, then an area director for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, who got the Holiday Fund started by arranging for the first match of $10,000. That was leveraged into about $25,000 more in matching grants, which made the whole campaign in the inaugural year reach more than $50,000.

Experts: Fight the flu with yearly vaccination

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the frantic frenzy of shopping for gifts, baking lavish meals, congregating with loved ones – and avoiding the flu while doing so.

Consumers spent an estimated $20 billion on Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving – in anticipation of Christmas, but many people are making excuses to avoid getting an inexpensive, yearly flu vaccination, according to Phyllis Cascade, a registered nurse who administers flu shots in Los Altos for Sutter VNA & Hospice, a non-profit community-based agency that provides in-home clinical care in communities throughout Northern California.

Bejeweled teens bedazzle guests: Assisteens raise $2K for community

Guests attending Los Altos Assisteens’ second annual “Jewelry Extravaganza” Nov. 18 must have been bedazzled by the bejeweled-teen models – they helped the all-volunteer group raise $2,000 for projects that benefit the community.

“That’s our biggest fundraiser,” said Mountain View High School student Sierra Hackney-Miller, 14.

Kara director offers advice for coping with stress through the holidays

Holiday stresses that come with the season usually melt away when it’s time to sit back and relax in the company of family and friends with a festive atmosphere glowing in lights of tradition.

But when traditions are broken through loss – whether it’s through death or divorce, a home or a job – holidays can be a dreaded stress, intensifying feelings of hopelessness.

Gleim shines at Morning Forum jewelry talk

Georgie Gleim, certified gemologist and president of Gleim Jewelers, addressed the Los Altos Morning Forum audience Nov. 20 on a topic she is preeminently familiar with – the role gems play in our society.

Gleim’s grandfather, Frederick, one of eight children, was apprenticed to a watchmaker, jeweler and engraver until the Depression left him unemployed and broke. He borrowed $500 to purchase a bankrupt jeweler’s inventory in Palo Alto in 1931 and founded Gleim Jewelers. Last year, now with branches in Los Altos, Palo Alto and Stanford, the company marked its 75th anniversary.

Thursday memorial service for local teen open to public

A memorial service for Chase Rogers has been scheduled 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Gate of Heaven Chapel, 22555 Cristo Rey Drive, Los Altos. A catered gathering will follow at 4 p.m. at the Shoup Park Garden House, 400 University Ave., Los Altos.

Rogers, an 18-year-old from Los Altos, died Dec. 6, 2006, of a cocaine overdose. To honor Rogers’ life, to educate teens about substance abuse and to provide alternative activities for youth, family and community members founded CHASE (Community Hope and Sober Events).

Community Briefs

Public hearing set for rebuilding civic center

A second forum for public input on the subject of rebuilding the Los Altos Civic Center is scheduled 6 p.m. Monday (Dec. 10) at the Los Altos Youth Center. The youth center is located next to the police station on San Antonio Road.

Report: Little traffic mitigation needed for LASD attendance area changes

Los Altos School District officials will have to make only minor changes to accommodate traffic when new attendance boundaries go into effect next fall, according to findings from a California Environmental Quality Act report.

The report, conducted by Pacific Municipal Consultants, found that traffic changes posed no significant impact and concluded that the only area requiring attention is parking capacity at Bullis-Purissima, Covington and Springer schools.

Schools Briefs

K-Kids collect toiletries for CSA

The Loyola Elementary School K-Kids Club is collecting toiletries for the Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos through Jan. 31. The club is accepting donations of toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, hand sanitizer and shampoo.

St. Francis food drive serves 500 local families

St. Francis High School students provided food for more than 500 needy families this Thanksgiving, collecting cans of green beans, fruit, soup and chili for the school’s annual food drive.

More than 100 students packed enough boxes to feed 531 households during the Nov. 16 food drive, coordinated by the school’s Service Club. The food benefited families selected by the staffs of the local chapter of St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Catholic Worker community, the El Camino Hospital Dialysis Center and three other agencies.

Local thespian directs play in Southern California

Amanda Glaze, 2004 Los Altos High School graduate, currently a senior in UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, is directing a play at the Power House Theater in Santa Monica through Saturday.

The play “House Full of Letters” by Kit Steinkellner, the story of a small Gulf Coast town battling fascism and chaos in the future, won the 2007 Tim Robbins Award for Plays of Social Significance.

Foothill program helps those struggling with math concepts

Numerators, denominators, decimals, fractions and sums – they’re enough to make someone panic, scream or give up. Foothill College’s Math My Way program is one solution for those whose math skills need some sharpening.

The Math My Way program was designed in response to institutional research demonstrating relatively low levels of progression from the bottom levels of developmental math to the achievement of college-level math success. Developed entirely at Foothill College, the Math My Way basic skills and developmental education program was named recipient of the 2007 Innovation of the Year Award by the League for Innovation in the Community College.

Supplemental school offers drop-in tutoring

The owners of the School for Independent Learners in Los Altos are now making it easier for local students to afford and access tutors.

The school launched a drop-in study club this fall, allowing families to pay for blocks of time so that students can receive tutoring on an as-needed basis.

Students become world citizens by reaching out to American troops abroad

Students and faculty at Almond and Springer schools built connections between the Los Altos microcosm and the world community this year by reaching out to American troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At Springer School, students and teachers worked together during November’s “Month of Caring” to collect letters, poems and pictures for troops.

Just short of state

For two local high school girls volleyball teams, the Northern California finals were kind of like playing poker in a shady casino. The deck was stacked against Homestead and St. Francis in their respective title matches – and the house won.

The decks in this case were the seedings, which favored their opponents. The No. 1 teams hosted the Nov. 27 finals, and those playing in their own house won. Nevada Union beat Homestead in four games in the Division I final, while Mitty swept St. Francis for the Division II championship.

Foothill women bounce back with balanced scoring attack

The Foothill College women’ basketball team got the balanced scoring coach Jody Craig was looking for – even if it did come a day later than she had hoped.

After relying heavily on two players and losing their opener at the Salt Lake Community College Tournament, the Owls won their next two games with a balanced attack to earn third-place honors.

Owls overcoming obstacles

The first month of the 2007-08 season has been a tough one for Foothill College men’s basketball coach Shanan Rosenberg.

He’s seen two of the Owls’ best players go down with major injuries and watched his team lose three games in the final minute.

Los Altos nearly knocks off M-A

If there is such a thing as a good loss, the Los Altos High boys basketball team experienced one Friday night.

The Eagles nearly upset Menlo-Atherton, taking the undefeated team to overtime before falling 56-49 in the semifinals of the Cupertino Shootout.

Sizzling sedans

At some point in everyone’s life, the most appropriate automobile to buy isn’t an SUV or a coupe or a sports car. Rather, it’s a four-door sedan.

Fortunately, there are a number of good options among the 2008 models. We recently drove two at the top of their respective lineups, the Buick Lucerne CXS and the Acura RL SH-AWD.

Green is the theme at Los Angeles Auto Show

Held in mid-November, the Los Angeles Auto Show is considered one of the major international shows for manufacturers to unveil new models, technologies and design concepts to the world.

This year the dominant theme was green, with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger opening the show officially and recognizing the automakers’ efforts to clean up California’s environment.

SUVs not the best vehicles for new drivers

Q: My daughter is going to be driving soon. What is a good vehicle for a young, new driver to have? My friends say to put her in an SUV for safety. Do you agree?

A: An SUV is not the best vehicle for a young driver. It is like a truck. The theory is that if there is an accident, the driver will be less likely to get hurt. But the truth is that a young driver is more likely to experience an accident when driving a SUV/truck.

Local parishioners share stories of faith and hope

Two parish families shared how they keep faith and hope alive through their extraordinary difficulties during an evening sponsored by the Spiritual Life Committee Nov. 15 at St. Nicholas Catholic Community in Los Altos. Featured speakers were St. Nicholas parishioners Henry and Jane Evans and Tracy Weiss.

The Evans’ couple described the day in 2002 when Henry had a massive stroke that left the 40-year-old father of four a quadriplegic.

Resolving conflict with church clergy presents opportunities for growth

There are going to be occasions in the life of any faith community when a person doesn’t see eye-to-eye with the clergy. It could be over a policy decision, a theological stance, a political point of view or a personal offense.

Spiritual Life Briefs

Christmas concert aids Green Pastures

A benefit for Green Pastures is scheduled 7 p.m. Dec. 16 in the sanctuary of Foothill Covenant Church, 1555 Oak Ave., Los Altos. Donations for the evening’s program will assist children with disabilities who are cared for at Green Pastures, a state-licensed, non-profit Christian home in Mountain View.

20th crèche exhibit comes to LDS church

Today is the last day to view the 20th annual Christmas crèche exhibition, featuring 500 crèches. The display is open noon to 9 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3865 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

“We are hoping to have another record turnout for this special holiday event,” said Teena James, crèche exhibition publicity chairwoman. “Last year, over 12,000 people attended this free event.”

SHERYL LYN ABBOTT

Sheryl left for Heaven Sunday evening after her second battle with breast cancer. She left behind her parents Dick and Ruth Abbott, her brother Tim Abbott, sister in-law Marsha Abbott, niece Rochelle Dusatko, nephew in-law John Dusatko, nephew Matt Abbott, aunts Polly McCoskey and Jane Southwick, uncle Bill Abbott, and many close cousins and friends.

HELEN M. HAMER February 17, 1920 - November 27, 2007

Born in Bassano, Alberta, Cananda to US citizens Maurice E. and Prudence H. (Parrott) Ferguson, Helen Maurine Hamer attended high school in Cortez and Burlington, CO, and later moved to Amarillo, TX to enroll in a business college. Upon completion of her education, she was employed by Phillips Petroleum and later by Pantex Corporation.

It was in Amarillo that she met her husband to be, Arvid E. Hamer, an Army Air Corp Corporal stationed at English Field, TX. They married in 1943 and were blessed with 64 loving years together.

JOHN E. EVARD “JACK”

Jack passed away peacefully at the age of 87 at home in Palo Alto California. A 50 year resident of Los Altos California, Jack had moved to the Classic Residence near Stanford University in 2005.

ARTHUR GLEIM

Arthur Gleim, Chairman of Gleim the Jeweler, died at his home in Palo Alto November 26. Born in Larned, Kansas, in 1916, Mr. Gleim’s family moved to Palo Alto in 1928. In 1931, out of a job, his father, Frederick Gleim, borrowed $500 and opened Gleim the Jeweler on University Ave. in downtown Palo Alto. Arthur worked in his father’s store from the first day, helping out every day after his classes at Palo Alto High School. Graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in Optometry, for a while Arthur operated his optometric office from within the jewelry store. During World War II, he served at Letterman Hospital’s Eye Clinic, driving to Palo Alto every weekend to help his mother, Cora Gleim, who had taken over the business after Frederick’s untimely death. After his military service, Arthur entered the jewelry business full-time, leading Gleim the Jeweler to a national reputation within the jewelry industry. On a handshake agreement with Stanford University, Gleim the Jeweler became one of the original tenants at the Stanford Shopping Center in 1956; on another handshake agreement in the early 70’s, Arthur purchased Johnson & Co. Jewelers, also at the Stanford Shopping Center, which operated concurrently with Gleim’s for over 30 years until the merging of the two companies a few years ago. In 1980, Arthur opened a store on Main Street in Los Altos; he and Marjorie were residents of Los Altos Hills for over 30 years.

TOM BOSMANS

Tom Bosmans age 77, born in Washington D.C. Our beloved father, husband and grandfather passed away peacefully at his Los Altos home on November 27 th. A graduate of George Washington University with a Masters Degree from San Jose State, Tom taught in the Los Altos/Mtn. View Union High School District since 1959. He coached swimming and waterpolo at Mtn. View and Los Altos High Schools while founding and coaching the AAU Mtn. View Dolphins. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956 in the U.S. and North Africa. Tom was passionate about his love for family and his students. While he never sought recognition, he was universally loved and respected by his family, friends, peers and pupils. Tom’s positive attitude and belief in others helped him encourage and inspire them to fulfill their potential. He will be greatly missed. Tom is survived by his wife Margaret, his children Shelly Bowers, Tom, Kris and Tari Bosmans, Todd Costa, Jill Costa, his granchildren Krystal Bosmans, Blake and Trent Bowers. Services will be held at Spangler Mortuary, 399 S. San Antonio Ave, Los Altos (650)948-6619 on Saturday, December 8th at 1:00pm. Reception to follow.

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

‘Gold’ grit Life of a 49ers cheerleader not as glamorous as it seems

Their hair and makeup may look perfect in photos, their dance routines almost effortless on the sidelines. But the life of a San Francisco 49ers cheerleader isn’t as glamorous as you might think.

Los Altos native Lauren Riccoboni and the other members of the 49ers Gold Rush sometimes cheer in adverse conditions – Candlestick Point is a haven for blustery winds, blankets of fog and soggy soil – and the Niners (3-8) haven’t given them a lot to cheer about.

Proper etiquette enhances wedding ceremony and reception

A wedding is a momentous occasion for every couple. Guests and family members can make the big day even more special by following a few simple rules of etiquette.

• RSVP: Respond within five days after receiving the invitation. In most cases, there is a due date on the card. You can send it earlier, but please be mindful and respectful of the deadline.

What’s hot in Los Altos

Nouveau rat cuisine served at library

Remy the culinary rat is scheduled to headline the free family-friendly showing of Disney’s “Ratatouille” 2 p.m. Saturday at the Los Altos main library, 13 S. San Antonio Road. The G-rated film is 111 minutes long.

Huge homes hide golf course gem in Dublin

This is the fourth in a series of articles reviewing the top 20 public golf courses within easy reach of Los Altos.

Hidden in the hills north of Highway I-580 near Livermore Airport is a new public golf course that is quite different from others in the area. Set between housing developments, where huge homes sit so close together they look like mansion versions of Daly City row houses, sits a spacious but difficult course that should be on every adventurer’s list – Dublin Ranch Golf Course. From the fairway, past the homes, you can enjoy fabulous vistas of the Livermore Valley, Pleasanton and hills to the south and west.

Murakami’s ‘After Dark’ sheds light on modern fairy tale

One hallmark of both art and fairy tales is that meaning and interpretation are in the eye of the beholder. And so it is with Haruki Murakami’s novel “After Dark” (Knopf, 2007).

It’s the tale of two sisters – Eri and Mari Asai – whose lives have been on different trajectories since early childhood. Eri, a fashion model, is deeply asleep while little sister Mari purposely misses the last train to the suburbs to spend a wakeful night in one of Tokyo’s amusement districts as if to counterbalance Eri’s somnolence. Amateur jazz musician Tetsuya Takahashi joins Mari at a Denny’s. Signaling the fairy tale, Mari tells Takahashi that her sister is known as Snow White for her beauty and delicacy.

California Pops performing twice at Gunn

The California Pops Orchestra has scheduled two performances of its “Holidays with the Pops!” concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in Spangenberg Theatre at Gunn High School.

Kim Venaas, Pops music director and conductor, leads the orchestra in a program of holiday favorites like “White Christmas,” “The Grinch,” “Home Alone” and Mel Torme’s “Christmas Song.” Guests include singer Iari Melchor and the Bay Bells Handbell choir. Children will be invited on stage to sing along to “Night Before Christmas.”

Quadre offers ‘Horns for the Holidays’

Quadre returns to Mountain View with its third annual presentation of “Horns for the Holidays.

The concert is scheduled 7 p.m. Tuesday on the MainStage at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.

TheatreWorks’ ‘Twelfth Night’ continues through Dec. 23 at Lucie Stern Theatre

The TheatreWorks production of “Twelfth Night,” a song-filled re-imagining of the Shakespeare comedy runs through Dec. 23 in Palo Alto.

Robert Kelley helms the production. The play is set in 1960s San Francisco – during “The Summer of Love” era – instead of the 1600s when Shakespeare wrote it.

Better than betting?

“The most effective proof is mathematical,” he said.

People who understand mathematical arguments will understand how entropy minimax makes sense when they’ve seen the argument, Oldberg said.

Business Brief

Fashion retailer coordinates look

Crimson Mim specialty boutique at 322 Main St. in downtown Los Altos has scheduled its third annual Holiday Styling Event 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.