Los Altans of the Year

Thanks in large part to the one-two combination of Jack and Norma Melchor, El Camino Hospital is one of the outstanding community assets of the Los Altos area. Its status as a leading health-care institution would be far less than it is without the significant contributions of these revered Los Altos Hills residents.

Together, the Melchors have played key roles in ensuring the hospital remains financially healthy, through large donations of their own money in addition to volunteering their time.

Improved working conditions, preserved open space named as resident priorities for civic center revamp

With the start of master planning imminent, residents and business owners turned out at two meetings in December to express their visions for the Los Altos Civic Center.

While city Development Director James Walgren offered a litany of critical improvements necessary to upgrade the center’s facilities, residents voiced their dreams for the space, returning often to the themes of open space and preservation of the area’s aesthetic feel.

LAH maintains ‘green’ initiatives

In an effort to diminish energy usage during winter and stay green year-round, the town of Los Altos Hills is continuing its solar energy incentives.

Los Altos Hills was the first community in the Bay Area to waive application fees for the construction or installation of solar-energy generation equipment, said Jay Shideler, chairman of the Los Altos Hills Environmental Initiatives Committee. The town also offers development area credits to encourage those installations. Residents who install qualifying systems could receive up to 500 square feet of bonus development area.

News Briefs

LASD to take action against county board

In a closed session Dec. 12, the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the initiation of legal action against the Santa Clara County Board of Education. The action challenges the board of education’s Nov. 26 resolution allowing Bullis Charter School to implement preference for students residing in the attendance area of the former Bullis-Purissima Elementary School over other students in the district.

Medicare leaders discuss records policy

El Camino Hospital has scheduled a public forum, “Silicon Valley Summit on Electronic Health Records,” 3:45-4:45 p.m. Tuesday at the hospital campus, 2500 Grant Road, Mountain View.

Kerry N. Weems, director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and other guests will discuss national policy and the future of technology for medical records and answer questions.

Day workers volunteer, recruit, plan ceremony at new center

After a year of changes, the Day Worker Center of Mountain View has settled into its new location at Trinity United Methodist Church at 744 Mercy St. and has scheduled a ribbon cutting for February, once city permit requirements have been met.

Grants from the cities of Mountain View and Los Altos have enabled the center to appoint two community outreach representatives who visit the day workers congregating on local streets. The representatives coordinate with the police departments and educate any workers not affiliated with the center about their rights and responsibilities. The representatives also provide information about the center and the advantages of registering there.

Football at Pinewood School? It’s more than a rumor

Yes, the rumors are true. There will be football at Pinewood School in the fall. Not flag or two-hand touch – we’re talking full-contact, tackle football.

So how do you field a football team when your high school has only 100 boys?

By playing eight-man football, of course.

Pinewood athletic director Matt Stimson said his school will be the first on the Peninsula to play the condensed version of America’s most popular sport. Not only are there three fewer starters on each side, but also the field is smaller (80 yards long by 40 yards wide instead of 120 by 53.3, including end zones).

New head coach hopes more wrestlers means more wins for Los Altos High

An increase in student interest and the return of several key wrestlers has first-year coach Randy Jimenez feeling optimistic about Los Altos High’s transition from the El Camino Division to the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League this season.

It wasn’t that long ago when the wrestling program seemed to be in a downward spiral. The Eagles were down to 17 wrestlers and mired in the lower El Camino Division.

Editorial

Has another year already gone by? As last week’s cover story implied, the year 2007 went by fast and was filled with many changes along with promising developments.

As we enter 2008 (an election year, a world situation with wars and rumors of war), there are several important stories – and questions for us locally to which we look forward to finding answers. Among them:

Other Voices

Curiosity always gets the best of me. Otherwise, I would never have known that Peter D’Angelo and his wife, Lynne, survived the sinking of the ship Explorer on an expedition to Antarctica.

How else would I have known? That at 12:30 a.m. Nov. 23, D’Angelo was wakened from a sound sleep in his third-deck cabin, well below the waterline, by a sickening screech against the hull and “what sounded like water pouring down a drain.”

Editor’s Notebook

We’re into another year, the holiday visits are over, we’re back from our trips with relatives and we’re back to work. Well, most of us are. This is also a time when local law enforcement agencies release statistics on the number of DUI (driving under the influence) arrests and, sadly, the number of people who were killed on the highways over the holidays.

You’ve heard the old saying, “It’s a jungle out there.” This easily applies to the roads, pretty much anywhere on any given day. We don’t think much about it when we get behind the wheel of a vehicle because most of us are used to driving quite a bit and we’re, well, desensitized. We feel safer driving in our car than flying in an airplane, despite the fact that, statistically, we’re far more at risk on the road than in the air.

Letter to the Editor

Thank you for the support

On behalf of the Los Altos Kiwanis Club, I want to thank the Town Crier for supporting our Christmas Tree Lot.

Anniversary: Betty and George Cilker, 60 Years

Betty and George Cilker celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Dec. 20. They were married in Hood River, Ore.

Betty earned a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and George graduated from Stanford University. He is the retired owner of Pine Cone Lumber in Sunnyvale.

Anniversary: Ruth and Wallace Erichsen, 65 years

Wallace and Ruth Erichsen, lifetime residents of Mountain View and Los Altos, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary Dec.18. They met at Mountain View High School, where they were both in the band and orchestra. Six years later, while Wallace was an engineering student, they married in Stanford Memorial Chapel.

The Erichsens have lived in Los Altos for 64 years and in the family home for 57 years.

Engagement: Michelle Flores and Erik Yewell

Michelle Flores and Erik Yewell have announced their engagement to be married in the spring. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Linda and Manuel Flores of Los Alamitos. She attended Los Alamitos High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from UC Berkeley. She is employed at Williams-Sonoma in San Francisco.

The groom-to-be is the son of Nancy and David Yewell of St. Helena, formerly of Los Altos. He attended Los Altos High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from UC San Diego. He is employed at salesforce.com in San Francisco. The couple will live in San Francisco.

Town Crier presents an honor roll of 60 who made a difference

In 1997, the Town Crier presented “50 Who Made a Difference” as part of its 50th anniversary celebration. The paper recognized 50 residents who made significant contributions to the local community decade by decade over the previous 50 years.

Now, in the year of its 60th anniversary, the paper has added another decade of honorees for the years 1997 to 2007. The 10 newly selected honorees are mostly past recipients of the Town Crier’s annual Los Altan of the Year award. Two others are recipients of the annual Community Service Award given by local realtors. Here’s a rundown of the newly honored and their achievements.

Town Crier Train Tours announces trip to Mexico’s Copper Canyon

Mexico’s Copper Canyon is North America’s deepest canyon, and its remote splendors are difficult to visit except by train. Town Crier Train Tours invites travelers on a custom tour, April 11-19, aboard the legendary “Chihuahua al Pacifico.”

The group will gather in Los Mochis on the Sea of Cortez. Travelers on this tour do not stay overnight on the train, but rather in hotels along the route. Time on the train will alternate with overnight stops in small communities such as Cerocahui and Cusarare. The finale is the trip through “The Loop.” “The Loop” is where the tracks double back on themselves.

Seniors News

Senior center sponsors January events

The Los Altos Senior Center, 97 Hillview Ave., has scheduled the following events in January.

Foothill Commission awards $98,900 to college programs and scholarships

Dental hygiene services for low-income patients at local clinics, tutorial services for college students, musical theater for community entertainment and other important projects are among the recipients of $98,900 awarded by the Foothill Commission at its annual allocation ceremony Nov. 15.

The mission of the Foothill Commission is to promote Foothill College within the community and engage in projects, activities and fundraising directly in support of Foothill College and its students. The commission operates as an auxiliary organization to the Foothill-De Anza Foundation, whose mission is to raise and invest funds to support the educational programs of Foothill and De Anza colleges.

Honky-tonk Los Altos

Los Altos native Shannon Haley has a mezzo-soprano voice and a country twang – and she hopes you’ll be hearing her soon. The 21-year-old Los Altos High School grad has her sights set on Nashville in 2008 as the next step in a musical journey that began with the high school’s Main Street Singers.

Haley’s new music is a far cry from the holiday songs and classical compositions of the high school chorus, but she said she parlayed her classical vocal training into a foundation for the contemporary style.

World travel as a treasure hunt

A conversation-worthy piece of jewelry can be one of the best finds on a trip. When heading overseas, a bit of advance “how-to” can increase an amateur’s chances at unearthing intriguing treasures.

At a trunk show at ASKA boutique on Main Street in Los Altos last month, San Carlos-based jeweler Carol Barrett showed some of the products of her globetrotting hunts for resources. Using materials such as glass, turquoise, onyx, bone, quartz, coral, agate and jade, she pairs earthy textures with intricate hand-wrought carvings.

What’s hot in the area

Teens do ‘Figaro’

The Peninsula Teen Opera is presenting a condensed version of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 and 12 at Los Altos High School’s Eagle Theater. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for students and seniors.

Promoting a pilgrimage of peace

It’s been a long journey from Los Altos to 21,000 feet atop Mount Everest, but Lance Trumbull has learned that with persistence, patience and passion, anything is possible.

Trumbull, 39, a Los Altos High School graduate, shares his vision of peace in the newly released documentary “Everest: A Climb for Peace.”

Review of Everest: A Climb for Peace

“Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength.”

– Dalai Lama

Good things in small packages

A year ago we had the opportunity to test five entry-level sedans under track conditions, and we haven’t changed our minds since then: These small cars are the best choice for the young person in high school or college and the couple starting a new family.

We recently drove the Suzuki SX4 Sport, which was one of our top picks from the 2007 crop, and it’s even better in the new 2008 version.

Winter driving tips: dos and don’ts on snowy roads

OK, so we don’t really have winter here in the Bay Area. But there have been two snow watches in the Sierra already, and with January here, there are bound to be many more before the snow finally thaws in May.

If you’re planning to drive to Tahoe, especially on a Friday night with chain requirements in the forecast, here are some things to remember.

How to pass that smog check

Q: My vehicle is due for its biannual smog check. Is there anything I need to do to make sure it passes?

A: Yes. The most important item is to make sure your vehicle “check engine” or “service engine soon” warning lights are not on. If either is on, the vehicle will automatically fail the smog test, regardless of how well the engine is running.

Recent earthquake serves as reminder to review safety

The recent magnitude 5.6 earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area did not cause serious damage or injuries, but it did remind Californians they should be prepared for earthquakes of even greater magnitude.

California’s Department of Conservation and the U.S. Geological Survey recommends some simple guidelines:

Affordability remains an issue for Silicon Valley homebuyers

Special to the Town Crier

FTB attempting to return nearly $10 million in unclaimed refunds

The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) is trying to locate more than 37,000 California taxpayers who are owed $9.8 million in state tax refunds that remain unclaimed.

“California taxpayers that have not received their 2006 refund can call the Franchise Tax Board and have a quick replacement check sent,” said State Controller and FTB Chairman John Chiang.

Happy New Year: How we can find new ways to make a difference

When it comes to volunteering, Americans take action. More than 61 million people – almost 20 percent of the U.S. population – volunteered in just one year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Add to that the countless number of people who run community programs, help friends and family, and find other ways to improve their neighborhoods, and it’s obvious that Americans care deeply for their hometowns. If you’d like to make a difference in your community, these tips might help.

St. Simon Catholic Church schedules Spiritual Life Series

St. Simon Catholic Church has scheduled a Spiritual Life Series for the New Year, open to the public. All sessions are held at St. Simon, 1860 Grant Road, Los Altos. There is no fee (unless noted).

• L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith Experiences) Session – 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 9 in the Simon Room. Sister Rebecca will discuss “The Beatitudes: Living Daily Compassion with Gratitude,” offering insight into what the Aramaic Jesus can teach us about compassion and sacred unity.

EUGENIA HALSEY BUSS

Eugenia Halsey Buss passed away gently in Weston, CT on November 15th at the home of her daughter Jennifer Barron, surrounded by loving family members. She was 89. She was kind and generous, with a joyful smile, easy laughter, boundless enthusiasm, and enormously proud of her large family. Eugenia, a 4th generation Californian, was born in San Francisco on March 24th 1918. Eugenia’s family moved to Los Altos in 1924, where her mother planted a fabulous garden and redwood saplings along Adobe Creek. Her childhood home still stands today as the Redwood Grove Nature Preserve.

Eugenia was a 1935 graduate and valedictorian of Castilleja School of Palo Alto. She graduated from Stanford University in 1939 and married Robert Buss shortly after. Eugenia had dreamed of being a pediatrician but decided against it and was thrilled when years later her son Richard became a doctor. Since childhood, Eugenia loved to vacation in the Sierras. Robert and Eugenia spent their honeymoon in the high Sierra where their family later camped nearly every summer. As recently as last summer Eugenia happily returned to hike and camp with many family members.

LOUISE BEER HUNTWORK

Died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 16, in Los Altos. Born Jan. 14, 1918 in Bisbee Arizona. Age 89. Preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Huntwork, and by her son, Jim McElmurry. She is survived by her two sons, Leonard McElmurry and his wife Libby; and Doug Beer and his wife Monika. Survived also by 9 adoring grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Louise was one of the founding officers of Watkins-Johnson Corporation, and was proudly one of the first female corporate secretaries in the country, retiring at age 70. A faithful member of the Church of the Nazarene in Palo Alto for over 50 years, she was an accomplished musician who gave the gift of music to others, and was an avid collector of antiques. She was deeply cherished and honored by her family and friends, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

EVELYN NAVARRE CHANEY June 2nd, 1916 to December 2nd, 2007

Evelyn passed away peacefully in her own home. She was surrounded by her daughter Anne, Granddaughter Sara, and other dear friends.

Evelyn was born in Monroe Michigan. The youngest daughter, one of ten children. She met her husband, Christopher Worth Chaney, when they where both children and married at 21. Evelyn was the consummate colonels wife, mother, and friend. She was loved my many and will be missed by all who knew her.

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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