Riding shotgun with LAPD

Head out for a night on the streets with Los Altos Police Sgt. Scott McCrossin, and you’ll be prepared for almost anything.

There’s a riot helmet and gas mask in his trunk. He has books on case law and hazardous materials at the ready, along with a Spanish/English dictionary and detailed maps compiled by the fire department. For quiet moments in the night, the policeman’s pleasure reading: an industry SWAT magazine. But McCrossin’s No. 1 tool, used much more than the AR-15 strapped behind the driver’s seat, is a beefy flashlight. He deploys it through the night on parked cars, construction sites and suspects on the city’s dark streets.

Stevens Creek Trail due before council in March

As Los Altos city staff fine-tune a Stevens Creek Trail proposal to bring before the city council next month, residents are jumping on the debate about how, where and whether to build a trail through town.

The master plan to build a multiuse trail linking the Santa Cruz Mountains to the San Francisco Bay along Stevens Creek has been in the works for decades but requires the independent action of four cities, the Valley Transportation Authority and various county agencies.

Cool Los Altos teams up for green education awareness

It may not be a major leap, but the city of Los Altos is taking steps to get its environmental act together in the wake of a council-approved edict.

Eliminating bottled water at council meetings is the start of its “green” commitment, begun when the Los Altos City Council committed to sign the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement at its Jan. 22 meeting.

Hangar One decision awaits structural analysis

Anyone traveling north to Los Altos on Highway 101 can’t miss the huge hangar that many residents consider a historical landmark.

Constructed in 1932, Hangar One at former Naval Air Station Moffett Field was once home to the dirigible U.S.S. Macon. Today, the hangar sits front and center amid controversy as Navy officials and community members grapple with its overwhelming problems, including polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination.

LAH News Briefs

Council discusses landscape ordinance

The Los Altos Hills City Council is scheduled to discuss adopting the California Department of Water Resources’ Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, which promotes water-efficient landscapes and water conservation. If approved, the ordinance would be enacted by Jan. 1, 2010.

Police Blotter

Residential burglary

Feb. 20, 1400 block of Brookmill Road: Sometime during the night, a suspect forced open the front door of a residence and stole credit cards and jewelry valued at approximately $1,700. The resident was not home at the time of the burglary.

ELVERT S. WILSON 1921 - 2008

Elvert S. “Bert” Wilson of Los Altos passed away at the Los Altos home of his daughter Lynn Wilson Roberts on Tuesday, Feb. 19, following a long battle with kidney disease. He was 86.

Bert was born Dec. 15, 1921, in The Dalles, Oregon, to Grace Hewitt and Frank Wilson. He graduated from The Dalles High School, and enrolled at the University of Oregon. His college studies were interrupted when he volunteered for service in World War II. He attained the rank of Major in the Marine Corps, a pilot who served in the Pacific Theatre. Shortly after enlisting, Bert was forced to parachute from his burning aircraft, the only survivor when his plane was involved in a mid-air collision that took the lives of his entire crew.

LINDA MARIA YU BIEN

Linda Maria Yu Bien passed away unexpectedly on February 17, 2008 during a vacation at Lake Tahoe. She was 54. A woman of extraordinary accomplishments, Linda was the CEO of North East Medical Services (NEMS), a community health center with several clinics in San Francisco.

Linda was born and raised in New York City. After graduating from Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York, she graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a Bachelor of Arts in biology. She received her Masters in Public Health from UCLA.

ALLEN WALTER KOERING

Allen Walter Koering, age 80, husband of Saramae Koering, died peacefully at their home in Los Altos Hills, California, on Monday, February 11, 2008, following a brief battle with cancer.

He was born on September 22, 1927, in Brainerd, Minnesota. He was the sixth of ten children born to the late Lula and Gregory Koering. Al served in the U.S. Navy, during the Korean War, from 1950-1954, aboard the USS Los Angeles CA-135. On January 1, 1960, he was united in marriage to Saramae Marsh.

MICKIE (O’NEAL) AYRES

Mickie Frances (O’Neal) Ayres passed away at her home on February 10, 2008 after fighting cancer for the past year. Mickie is survived by her beloved husband Wes Ayres and her son Tim Ayres as well as a sister, Dorothy Sherman, of North Fork, CA, a niece and two nephews as well as many in-laws. Mickie was born in O’Neals, CA on 11/17/1919. She lived for 87 great years and one lousy year.

JOHN JEROME BECK, M.D.

Age 90, died peacefully in Santa Clara, CA on February 15th, 2008, following a brief battle with cancer. He is preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Jane D. Beck in 1996 and brother Thomas Beck.

He was born on February 14th, 1918, in Wautoma, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1939 and Harvard Medical School in 1942 before residing as a Navy Physician in WW II on the U.S.S. Paul Hamilton. After completing his residency at Yale Medical School he moved to Los Altos in 1951, where he had a private practice specializing in surgery for over 30 years.

Datebook

THEATER

“The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged).” Shakespeare’s 37 plays condensed into two comedic hours by the Reduced Shakespeare Company. An independent project by four Pinewood School seniors. 7 p.m. March 6, 7 and 8. Pinewood Upper Campus Theater, 26800 Fremont Ave., Los Altos Hills. $6-$10; proceeds support Pinewood’s drama program. (408) 691-8014.

Whitfield coming to Los Altos

Nationally known cabaret singer Wesla Whitfield is scheduled to perform 8 p.m. Saturday at Bus Barn Theater in Los Altos.

Pianist/arranger Mike Greensill and bassist Dean Reilly will accompany Whitfield. She will perform new songs from her recent appearance at the Empire Plush Room in San Francisco.

Chinese opera & dance performance slated for Friday night at CSMA in Mtn. View

The Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center presents a free cultural event – “Dynasties, Chinese Opera and Dance” – 7:30 p.m. Friday in Tateuchi Hall, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View.

“Dynasties” is a performance work integrating Kunqu opera forms, the oldest of the various Chinese opera forms, with classical dance. The performance will showcase the five dynasties of Chinese civilization – Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Quing – and the aesthetic characteristics of each through newly choreographed dance in the Chinese classical tradition.

Theater company debuts with ‘All My Sons’

Filbert Steps Productions’ premiere play, Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “All My Sons,” is scheduled to open this week at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.

Set in the years just after World War II, the play is about the consequences of war, the love of family and moral obligations.

Privacy prevails

Ho-hum. Another Tuscan-style house in Los Altos Hills to write about.

But, wait. There is nothing ordinary about this resortlike custom estate on a cul-de-sac within walking distance to downtown Los Altos. Consider the combination of luxury with the latest technology and elements of green construction.

Keeping cold air at bay inside the home

Winter winds can make your home drafty and drive energy bills through the roof. With energy costs sky-high, now is a good time to consider weatherizing your home.

Only 20 percent of homes built before 1980 are well insulated. Tightening up your house is the cheapest and most effective way to reduce energy bills, summer and winter. A tight home also reduces your carbon footprint and makes your home considerably more comfortable.

Clouds of blue announce spring is imminent

A massive froth of blue flowers anytime from late winter to midspring, whether on a groundcover, a shrub or a small tree, is probably ceanothus, or California lilac. Each flower is tiny, but on the more spectacular specimens, the plant is covered with them.

The shade of blue depends on the cultivar and can range from a pale, silvery blue to a soft, powdery blue, the deepest sky blue or a saturated indigo. White-flowering varieties are also available.

Viscusi Elson presents lecture on ‘Modern Boudoir’

Rutt of Los Altos has scheduled “The Modern Boudoir: Creating a Personal Space,” a lecture by Los Altos designer Gina Viscusi Elson, 6:30 p.m. March 13 at the Viscusi Elson Design Studio and Rutt of Los Altos showroom, 382 First St.

The lecture is part of a “Boudoir” event that includes a preview of the studio’s newest showroom vignettes, a coffee bar and refreshments.

The side yard escape

Many complain about the fact that their gardens are too small and there is hardly any space around the house to enjoy the great California outdoors.

But what about the dreary, dark, dysfunctional and dreadful side yard? Yes, you heard me right – the side yard.

When mortgage lenders go belly up

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which oversees consumer affairs, has produced a new Facts for Consumers publication to assist homeowners whose lenders may have closed or gone bankrupt in the wake of the mortgage-lending crisis.

“How to Manage Your Mortgage If Your Lender Closes or Files for Bankruptcy” provides answers to questions about loan servicing transfers, changes to escrow accounts and payment disputes. The publication provides several situation-based tips for consumers who need to know what to expect in today’s mortgage market, including explanations on what it means and what to do if a lender files for bankruptcy before or after the loan closes, if your mortgage service provider files for bankruptcy or goes out of business, what to expect if your loan gets transferred to another service provider or if you have an escrow account.

It’s not the message, it’s the massage

What’s hot and what’s not? That is the big question for almost everybody in our world.

Season ends for Eagles

When it comes to high school playoff games, you can often throw out the records. Since opposing teams are usually from different leagues – and often play vastly different schedules – their overall records don’t always mean much.

That certainly was the case Thursday night at Los Altos High, where the 18-8 Eagles opened the Central Coast Section Division II boys basketball tournament by hosting 10-16 Leland. The Chargers came away with a 61-53 overtime victory.

Presentation upsets LA girls in quarters

A slew of injuries didn’t prevent the Los Altos High girls soccer team from winning the SCVAL De Anza Division for the second year in a row, but it caught up with the Eagles in the playoffs.

Presentation upset Los Altos 1-0 in the Division II quarterfinals, denying the Eagles’ bid to capture back-to-back Central Coast Section championships.

In OT, Bears sink Spartans

Despite losing its top two players midway through the fourth quarter, Mountain View High took Menlo-Atherton to overtime before falling 75-65 in the second round of the Central Coast Section Division II girls basketball playoffs.

“We did a really good job,” Mountain View coach Judy Auclair said. “These girls put it all out there (Thursday) night.”

Former LA teacher sues Pinewood

Pamela Will, former French teacher at Pinewood School in Los Altos, has filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the state of California in Santa Clara County alleging unlawful dismissal.

The suit claims that Pinewood did not renew her contract because against the principal’s wishes, Will contacted the Los Altos Police Department about possible abuse against one of her students.

Coaching academic success

When St. Francis High School student Ernie McMillan, 17, began reading Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” as a summer English assignment in 2006, he couldn’t get past the 19th-century style of British literature.

A school counselor referred him to Ana Homayoun at Los Altos-based Green Ivy Educational Consulting. After observing McMillan’s struggles with the novel’s plot, Homayoun explained the themes, and McMillan’s attitude immediately shifted.

LAH student participates in nationwide arts program

Los Altos Hills resident and Gunn High School senior Kenric Tam attended youngARTS Week in Miami, Fla., an opportunity he said allowed him to forge relationships with other musicians that he expects to last a long time.

At the youngARTS Week, Tam received $5,000 for winning the Silver Medal Award. The recognition will bring him to the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City to perform in May.

Are there other planets with life?

The Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture series has scheduled astronomer Geoff Marcy to discuss “New Worlds and Yellowstone: How Common Are Habitable Planets?” 7 p.m. March 5 in Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College.

Marcy is professor of astronomy and director of the Center for Integrative Planetary Science at UC Berkeley.

LA native finds calling as talented muralist

In 10 years, Los Altos native Ryan Du Val has evolved from painter of a controversy-making Sistine Chapel ceiling replica to full-time muralist.

Du Val’s artistry was on full display at a Feb. 10 reception in Mountain View, with presentation of his first large-scale, outdoor murals. Owners of a commercial building in El Cerrito commissioned the work, involving juxtaposition of modern-day China with ancient Tibet. The mural was scheduled for installation this week at the building, 6921 Stockton Ave.

Local artist Maller exhibits at Main Street Cafe

Main Street Cafe & Books has scheduled “Maller on Main Street,” an exhibition of the work of Los Altos artist Will Maller, Saturday through March 31. An artist’s reception is set 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 5 at the cafe, 134 Main St., Los Altos.

Primarily a representational landscape artist, recently focusing on plein air, Maller has won a variety of awards for his oils, watercolors and figure drawings. “Maller on Main Street” is his first local one-man show and will include many of his newer pieces, including “Gold Country Sundown,” which won the First Place People’s Choice Award at the Napa Museum’s juried plein-air exhibition last spring.

March AAUW luncheon features local authors, book signing

The American Association of University Women, Los Altos/Mountain View Branch, has scheduled three nationally known local authors to speak at a luncheon 11:30 a.m. March 8 at Michaels at Shoreline, 2960 Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. Their books will be available for purchase and signing.

Mildred Kalish’s “Little Heathens” (Bantam, 2007) was named one of 2007’s best books by the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Community Briefs

Federated women sponsor Afghanistan discussion

The Federated Woman’s Club of Los Altos has scheduled Rosemary Stasek, former Mountain View City Councilwoman, to speak on Afghanistan March 5 at Michaels at Shoreline, 2960 Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View.

Los Altos Relay For Life sponsors kickoff rally

Los Altos Relay For Life, the annual community fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society, has scheduled a kickoff rally 6-7:30 p.m. March 5 in the Creekside Center at Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Ave.

The rally will include a talk from a cancer survivor and presentation of certificates to Rambus, Maltby’s Restaurant and Tavern, Whole Foods Market, the Boy Scouts and the National Charity League for their involvement. An American Cancer Society representative will discuss how the contributions are disbursed.

Editorial

No question about it, there’s major momentum afoot to rebuild the Los Altos Community Center – a center that will have something for everyone and one of which residents can be proud.

The renovation and rebuilding of the city’s 18-acre centerpiece property could involve such major improvements as a new senior center, a performing arts center, pool(s) and a revamped main library.

Letters to the Editor

Building a green fire

I have another viewpoint on using fireplaces in Los Altos (Town Crier, Jan. 23).

No Shoes, Please

We’re not even past the primaries yet, and both Republican and Democratic contests have proven to be remarkable. Tip your hat to the Democrats, however, for narrowing the field to either the first African-American or the first female presidential candidate, bringing American politics into the 21st century in an historic, unprecedented way.

John Edwards’ candidacy never enticed me, but he was the first to talk about an economic stimulus package and help for America’s poor. He got negative publicity about sounding too angry on the stump, but getting mad about poverty makes more sense to me than getting steamed over something even as controversial as gay marriage, which almost always gets voters lathered up. Edwards is gone, but he left the mark of his message on both the Clinton and Obama campaigns, enriching our political dialogue as a whole.