Now is the time to expand parking: Editorial
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- Written by Los Altos Town Crier Staff
Just a few short years ago, vacancies dotted downtown Los Altos. Property owners had a hard time attracting businesses because there was a shortage of customers. That is no longer true. Now, the cry is: Where are my customers going to park?
The city has spent many of our tax dollars studying the parking problem, with little progress. Among the solutions being floated is to reconfigure the current plazas. That may provide more spaces, but perhaps only for smaller cars.
A time to keep, a time to give away: Haugh About That?
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- Written by Jackie Madden Haugh
On what’s typically considered to be the most important day in a young woman’s life, I stood in my long white dress, terrified about the vow I was about to take. Then he walked into the room and took my breath away.
Proudly smiling and looking handsome in his new navy-blue suit, the first man I ever loved engulfed me in his usual bear hug, asking, “Honey, are you ready?”
The mysterious force in Los Altos: The Rockey Road
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- Written by Deborah Rockey
Shh ... it’s a secret. No it isn’t! I recently read a story in another paper asking if Google cash were behind the Los Altos downtown makeover and why. My first thought was, “Who cares?” We are an intelligent group in a small town where it is very difficult to keep secrets, and we can do the math.But is it necessary? Don’t we have other things to do?
If someone wants to bring vibrancy to our sleepy town, anonymously, then let them and stop talking about it. I’m tired of reading about this, yet here I am writing about it, but only to point out the ridiculousness of it all. Not long ago, before Passerelle Investment Co. blew into town, residents were complaining because downtown was drab and shutting down before sunset. Our storefronts were dated and we had too few restaurants from which to choose. Lease rates were so high that it was next to impossible for small businesses to pop up a shop and find out if we wanted what they had to offer. Now, it’s difficult to find parking because things are beginning to bustle, and that’s a good thing, as Martha Stewart would say.
A 'Common Sense' approach to education: Other Voices
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- Written by John Swan
In 1775, Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called “Common Sense.” His short, simple summary of the advantages of the U.S. gaining autonomy from Great Britain served as the spark that lit the fire for independence. Much like our community, there were two violently opposed groups that Paine had to deal with: the British Loyalists and the Revolutionaries.
As a community, we have been feuding over public education for more than a decade. It is time for a “Common Sense” approach to public education in our community.
Let's reflect innovative spirit in community spaces: Other Voices
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- Written by Los Altos Town Crier Staff
Following is an open letter to the Los Altos City Council.
Letters to the Editor
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- Written by Los Altos Town Crier Staff
Al’s Barber Shop evokes memories
I enjoyed the article on Al the barber (“Al the barber bids farewell,” April 9). I went to Al’s Barber Shop for many years, during the time when his sidekick Lou was there. Al and Lou were always cracking jokes, sometimes dirty ones (but only if no women or kids were in the shop).
Lou retired early because – so I heard – he made a lot of money in the stock market, using tips he picked up from his customers.
Letters to the Editor
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- Written by Los Altos Town Crier Staff
What would improve quality of life?
We ask fellow Los Altos residents: What would most increase your quality of life in Los Altos? A community swimming pool? An upgraded theater? A state-of-the-art senior center? Quality child care? Something else?
Now is the time to make your priorities known to the Los Altos City Council, which is holding public meetings to solicit input on the design for a new community center. The features of the new center are yet to be determined, but it is already clear that the council will have tough choices to make about what is included and what is left out. Your opinions can only be considered if you participate in the process.
