‘Hi there, neighbor!’

Although born and raised in Los Altos Hills, Liz Wilson moved to San Luis Obispo for college, where she met her future husband, Walt. After graduation, they married and moved to San Jose but eventually decided to return to her hometown.

Surprisingly, the transition was difficult and disheartening.

LASD facing $1.1 million deficit after state budget cuts

Due to state budget cuts proposed by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this month, the Los Altos School District faces a $1.1 million budget deficit for 2008-2009.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Randy Kenyon said the district would confront some median cuts this school year, but he anticipates middle-of-the-year cuts will total approximately half a percent in per-student funding. He said he expects the cuts this year, approximately $110,000, to be covered by district reserves.

Council OKs ‘Sweet’ deal for neighborhood

Citing remembered childhood rambles to the candy store, the Los Altos City Council last week approved a permit for a sweets shop in the residential area along Los Altos Avenue. But the inexpensive candies of yore are only a small part of owner Stacy Sullivan’s plans for the store. She described a place offering espresso, smoothies and frozen yogurt, as well as fresh-baked goods.

“The idea is to open a quaint neighborhood shop people can walk/bike/scooter to with their families,” she said. “We want it to be a nice place for kids to go after school, (and for) parents to stop by in the morning.”

Los Altos council signs on to ‘cool’ movement

Despite unanimous concern about global warming, debate sprang up as to Los Altos’ local responsibilities at the city council meeting last week.

After discussing the relative efficacy and cost efficiency of jumping on the bandwagon of a regional emissions-cutting movement, council members voted unanimously to allocate $15,000 for an emissions study – approximately 50 cents per resident – and directed Mayor Val Carpenter to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. They delayed deputizing a community task force to oversee the project, but such a group could meet without specific council sanction.

LAH blindsided by county fee proposal

When the Los Altos Hills City Council reviewed the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors’ proposal for an emergency response and disaster preparedness fee included in a sheriff’s report last Thursday, they were outraged and immediately drafted a letter in protest. The council unanimously approved the letter, addressed to County Supervisor Liz Kniss.

Under the fee proposal, homes and business owners in unincorporated, at-risk areas within the county would experience a property-tax increase and allocate a portion for inspections and enforcement of safety regulations.

LA fields infrastructure cost increases, new emergency communications system

Facing hikes in both water and garbage fees, the Los Altos City Council directed staff to keep lobbying for moderation at water rate hearings and to seek bids from alternative garbage companies.

The Division of Ratepayer Advocacy, the governmental authority that monitors the California Water Service Company, recommended that Calwater’s request for a 30.5 percent rate hike this summer be limited to 19.4 percent. Los Altos staff attended the rate hearings and Assistant Public Works Director Jim Gustafson reported that staff would attend a Monday hearing, scheduled after press deadline, in support of the lower limit.

Election Briefs

Registrar offers early voting for primary

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ Office will offer early voting for Tuesday’s presidential primary election 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Office of the Registrar of Voters, 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose.

Editorial

We’ve watched community events unfold during this first month of the new year, and we like what we see. Here are five positives we can point to, right off the bat:

Letters to the Editor

Two schools named Bullis confusing

Having two schools with the Bullis name is confusing. My recommendation is that the Los Altos School District rename the Bullis-Purissima Elementary to simply the Purissima Elementary School. This eliminates the Bullis name confusion and offers continuity to another important historical school name.

Editor’s Notebook

Hope you had a chance to read today’s cover story in the Town Crier about the Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Newcomers Club. What a great outlet for people new to this community. I wish we took advantage of something like this when I was growing up in the 1970s in the old Cherry Chase neighborhood in Sunnyvale. We didn’t know anybody for years!

I can relate to what newcomers must be going through. Names, faces and places are all unfamiliar. They can feel alienated, uncomfortable.

Other Voices

Editor’s note: The following was sent to Los Altos City Council members regarding the Stevens Creek Trail and a possible link between Mountain View and Cupertino through south Los Altos.

Wedding: Johonna Godofsky and Aaron Katz

Johonna Godofsky and Aaron Katz were married Sept. 29 in Lake Tahoe.

The bride is the daughter of Cynthia and Irvin Godofsky of Manhattan Beach. She graduated from Mira Costa High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis. She is regional director for Asia Pacific at Theikos Inc.

Engagement: Emilie Anderson and Xander Pierce Munroe

Emilie Anderson and Xander Pierce Munroe have announced their engagement to be married in March.

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Mary Gutheil Anderson of Los Altos and William Scott Anderson III of San Jose. She graduated from St. Francis High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. She works as a design consultant at Jeffers Design Group in San Francisco. She is completing an interior architecture and design course of study at UC Berkeley.

Artist Sharpe on display at Gallery 9

Gallery 9 will display the works of Kathy Sharpe, a nationally recognized still-life and nature painter, Feb. 5 to March 1.

A reception is scheduled 5-8:30 p.m. Feb. 7.

Literary experts to offer advice, insights during LAHS Writers Week Feb. 11-14

Students interested in the art of writing are in for a treat. Los Altos High School has scheduled its 23rd annual Writers Week Feb. 11-14, featuring talks by approximately 30 writers.

This year’s highlight, open to the general public, is the fifth annual “Community Read” event, set for 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Eagle Theater. Featured speaker Ann Packer, a San Carlos-based writer, has two recently published novels, “The Dive from Clausen’s Pier” and “Songs Without Words,” both critically acclaimed best-sellers. The event is free, but donations are accepted.

‘Bill & Dave’ author Malone discusses HP legacy

The Los Altos History Museum’s new exhibit, “Lucile and David Packard: Valued Partners,” is its most ambitious event to date, according to organizers. Equally ambitious are the supplementary programs scheduled throughout the six-month tenure of the exhibit that feature videos, tours and lectures by family members and noted authorities on the Packard legacy.

The first program features Silicon Valley historian and former Hewlett-Packard employee Michael S. Malone discussing his book, “Bill & Dave: How Hewlett and Packard Built the World’s Greatest Company” (Portfolio Hardcover, 2007).

Community Briefs

Easy ways to grow beautiful roses

The Los Altos main library has scheduled a free rose workshop presented by Judith Cody, author of “Roses in Portraiture,” 7:30-8:30 p.m. today.

Children’s artist Diamond coming to Foothill College

Canadian folk singer and children’s entertainer Charlotte Diamond is scheduled to perform 1 and 4 p.m. Feb. 10 at Foothill College’s Smithwick Theatre as part of the annual Family Concert Series.

Diamond will sing such favorites as “I Am a Pizza” and “Slippery Fish (Octopus).”

Los Altos Hills riding program saddles up for winter sessions

The Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation Department has opened its 2008 year-round riding program for registration.

Program Director Jane Kawasaki said the program is Los Altos Hills’ most successful recreation offering, with 150 people enrolling last year.

Los Altos graduates offer college admission expertise

When Pinewood School seniors Crystal and Stanley Huang immersed themselves in the college admissions process, they depended on the advice of college students through Scholars for Students rather than the services of professional counselors.

Scholars for Students is an entirely student-run college counseling program and online admissions network that offers a program in which high school students are paired with personal college “scholars” who work with them on all facets of their applications.

Eagles stay on top Los Altos beats Mtn. View to remain in first

The worst team in the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves, makes an average of 44 percent of their shots and only has eight wins this season. The worst team in Division 1 college basketball, New Jersey Tech, makes 35 percent, and has a record of 0-23.

So when Los Altos High held rival Mountain View to only 27 percent shooting in a 55-42 victory, it’s no wonder Spartans coach Bob Heckmann was impressed.

St. Francis High’s Lincoln receives CIF Model Coach Award

St. Francis High’s Kathy Lincoln is one of 13 coaches statewide selected as a 2007-08 California Interscholastic Federation Model Coach Award winner. The Lancers’ field hockey coach is the lone recipient from the Central Coast Section.

The CIF Model Coach Award program, in its seventh year, is designed to recognize coaches who have served as positive role models in their schools and communities.

Sports on the Side

MV runners honored

Mountain View High’s Garrett Rowe (a sophomore) and Parker Shuh (freshman) were recently named first team all-state for boys cross country. Rowe, competing in Division II, placed fifth at the state meet and second at the Central Coast Section finals in November. Shuh finished 50th at the state meet.

LA girls overcome injuries

Playing without its full complement of players has become standard-operating procedure for the Los Altos High girls soccer team, riddled with injuries since the season started.

But the Eagles’ situation went from riddled to ridiculous last week when they faced Gunn. Injuries and illness left Los Altos with only 11 players. There wasn’t an available sub on the bench.

St. Nicholas School basketball tourney celebrates 35 years

One of the longest-running eighth-grade boys basketball tournaments in the Bay Area is scheduled to tip off Friday and run through Sunday at St. Nicholas School in Los Altos Hills.

The St. Nicholas Invitational Basketball Tournament, celebrating its 35th year, brings together eight Catholic school teams – four local teams and four from out of the area. Several of the teams have been competing in the tournament since its inception.

Homestead boys basketball team shoots for CCS

A returnee on a Homestead High boys basketball team that last year missed the playoffs despite placing second in the SCVAL El Camino Division, JP Whitford is determined to help the Mustangs make it this season.

A senior, this is Whitford’s last chance to experience the Central Coast Section playoffs – and pursue a league championship.

Wood & Windows

when architect Tanvi Buch of Los Altos designed a home for her family, wood and windows were paramount. The result is a spacious environment that’s warm and comfortable and brings the outside in.

Greening up your dry cleaning

Now that the cold winds of winter are upon us and we are shutting our houses up tight, it is a good time to consider the air quality inside our homes.

Pruning and propagating help spread native plants

Whenever I’m pruning a shrub I like, I think about all the clones I could grow from the cuttings.

Combine and contrast to create a mood in your garden

As a watercolor artist, I love colors. As a landscape designer, I use the same color theory and principles in my gardens that I use to create my paintings. Good garden design involves knowing how to combine colors and understanding their relationship to one another.

Some authors suggest starting by studying the color wheel used in art, but this can be quite overwhelming for the home gardener. There is a simpler way to think about colors: Try associating the colors with emotions they evoke and work with the mood you want your garden to reflect.

Bringing backyard gardening indoors with sprouts

For centuries, sprouted seed has been a major food for more than one-third of the world’s population. And why not? Sprouts are young, tender and flavorful baby plants.

Growing fresh baby sprouts during the winter months is fun, delicious and only takes 1-4 days for a bountiful crop. Create a mini-greenhouse in your kitchen and grow fresh clover, radish and alfalfa sprouts. For a new treat, sprout crunchy almonds and pumpkin seeds. Sprouted lentils, black beans and all legumes are sweeter, more digestible and cook in half the time as unsprouted legumes.

Local company wins green award for home remodel

ABW Construction Inc. of Los Altos has won the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI) 2008 Gold META award in the entire home remodel in the $500,000 to $1 million category.

The goal of the META project – short for metamorphosis – is to demonstrate that a living space can be modern, elegant, luxurious – and green.

Deer and golfers frolic in the shadow of Mount Umunhum at Santa Teresa Golf Club

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

Surrounded on two sides by south San Jose housing developments and on the others by turkey- and deer-populated rolling hills, the Santa Teresa Golf Club course was originally constructed in 1962.

Theater review ‘Third’ offers rich view of unraveling, if not feminism

TheatreWorks’ clean, direct production of Wendy Wasserstein’s last play, “Third,” looks at the final acts in human life. It focuses on the angst and inspiration found in the twilights of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and general-purpose aged disaffection.

Protagonist Laurie Jamieson (Elizabeth Norment) must own up to the failures of her tired second-wave feminist agenda and find ways to understand herself and the world around her. Jamieson, a longtime professor at an East Coast liberal arts college, talks in clichés, but her pseudo-feminist babble strikes funny notes, such as when she dismisses Shakespeare’s King Lear, “whose personal tragedy is overrated.”

Bus Barn gets ‘Real’

Tom Stoppard’s semi-autobiographical dramatic comedy about love, “The Real Thing,” is scheduled to open this week in Los Altos. The Bus Barn Stage Company production runs through Feb. 23.

The British playwright, winner of several Tony Awards, examines the pain and passion of love in “The Real Thing.” The play centers around Henry, a successful playwright married to actress Charlotte when he meets Annie, another actress and wife of Max, an actor in Henry’s current show. The brief extramarital affair between Henry and Annie leads to divorce, then marriage, despite the vast differences between them in a variety of matters – from music to language to political activists. Annie has taken up the cause of Brodie, a soldier who has committed arson as a political act of protest, a matter that challenges the stability of the new relationship.

PA Players’ ‘Copenhagen’ closes Sunday at Lucie Stern

Palo Alto Players’ production of the Michael Frayn drama “Copenhagen” runs through Sunday at the Lucie Stern Theatre.

Based on a true event, Frayn contemplates what transpired in a meeting of two Nobel Prize winners – Jewish physicist Niels Bohr and his former protégé, German physicist Werner Heisenberg – in Copenhagen, Denmark, to discuss the race to make a nuclear bomb at the height of World War II.

REACT Systems hones communications

When a student wielding a gun began shooting on the Virginia Tech campus last April, the university’s response exposed a dangerous gap in communications – it was more than two hours after shooting began before e-mail alerts went out. Even then, the messages reached only some of the students and faculty at risk on campus that day.

REACT Systems, headquartered in Los Altos, has developed a product that speeds up and expands critical response-notification systems to prevent such circumstances.

Stimulus package should plug leak

A steady-growth economy has increased personal income tax receipts over the last four years. That means more revenue goes to the government than before.

All this extra money is due to the big tax increases enacted by Congress, right? Well, actually, no tax increases occurred. Rather, President Bush pushed through a tax cut in 2001 and another in 2003 that stimulated growth, boosted employment and created more tax revenue.

ROBERT F. RUNGE

Amidst the beauty and warmth of Christmastime, Bob passed peacefully away at home surrounded by his loving family. He was a good man who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

DR. HERBERT MANKIN

There will be a memorial service for Dr. Herbert Mankin on February 10, 11 a.m. at Temple Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Rd., Los Altos Hills. Dr. Mankin, who was born in New York City on July 13, 1923, and passed away at Stanford Hospital on Dec. 20, 2007, practiced dentistry in Palo Alto for 40 years. He served as president of the Mid-Peninsula Dental Society, and was on the State Board of Dental Examiners. He was a founding member of Congregation Beth Am.

A man of many interests, he enjoyed photography, tennis and bridge. He served on the boards of the Avenidas Senior Center, and the Palo Alto Jewish Community Center. After retirement, he taught computer classes at Avenidas, and played clarinet in the South Bay Community Orchestra. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Linda, children Lisa, Gary and Ken, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

ELEANOR JUNE MCGAHEN GOUDY

Eleanor June McGahen Goudy passed away peacefully in her sleep January 20, 2008 in her home in Los Altos, California, at the age of 88. She was born June 29, 1919 to Archie Clyde McGahen and Ethyl Phoebe Fritz in Kendallville, Indiana. She married Samuel O. Goudy who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her sister, Delores Temple, of Kendallville, and Eleanor’s four children: Samuel O. Goudy, Jr. (Joyce) of Boise, Idaho; Thomas Lee Goudy (Dory) of Battle Creek, Michigan; Jacqueline Jean Brown (Edward) of Los Altos, California; and Mary Adele Johnson (Richard - deceased) of Gibsonton, Florida. Eleanor leaves 11 Grand Children, 10 Great Grand Children and 5 Great Great Grand Children, and around 50 nieces and nephews. Before moving to Los Altos nine years ago, Eleanor lived in Marshall, Michigan.

GILBERT “GIB” NEWCOMB

Gib, age 50, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 19th. It has been a long and difficult experience for Gib since his injury, by hypothermia, in July 1974 while trekking in the Sierras. He has served as an inspiration to all of us time and time again as he overcame many medical crises. He is survived by his parents, Shirley and Gil; his sisters, Ella, Libby, Kelly, Gail, Jani and Elaine and many nieces and nephews. We loved him dearly and will miss his presence so much. A memorial service has been held.

Donations may be made in Gib’s name to the GYL Foundation, an Alaskan Native service providing scholarships to deserving scholars. Gib is well known to many families in this remote Alaska area. Additional info is available at 1-888-656-1606.

Datebook

THEATER

“The Real Thing.” Tom Stoppard’s semiautobiographical dramatic comedy. Bus Barn Stage Company. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, through Feb. 23; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and 20; 3 p.m. Feb. 10 and 17. Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. $22-$32. 941-0551; www.busbarn.org.