Although I am an only child, my mother had thousands of children, all loved and cared for by her. They affectionately called her “Deenush, our Angel in White.” Remember the times nurses wore all-white uniforms? That’s why they called them “Angels in White.”

Deenush, born Dina Rosjansky – the beautiful young nurse in Municipal Hospital No. 4 in Vilnius, Lithuania, in the Soviet Union, and later the head nurse of the oncology department in Tel Aviv’s Hadassah/Balfour hospital – had dedicated her life and career to taking care of cancer patients, some as young as 3 years old. Cancer does not discriminate; all ages fall under the spell of this mysterious disease.
The pain, the sorrow and the ordeal of the patients, their families and friends were eased by the confidence of Dina’s superb medical knowledge and skillful treatment, and softened by the caring love she bestowed on all.
The warm touch of her strong hand, a reassuring hug, the chicken soup and a sandwich for those waiting all night in the hospital’s corridors to hear the fate of their loved ones made this incredible woman a mother to so many.
Exhausted after 12- to 14-hour workdays, my mother would rush home, often walking 7 miles. She would climb to her fourth-floor apartment, just in time to cook supper and bring a wonderful smile and loving Yiddish greeting – “mein lichteke and tayere kind” (“my bright and dear child”) – to her only child.

Inserting my hand into her handbag, I would always find an apple or an orange, a real treasure in those “good old days” in Vilnius. I knew that she always thought about me.
And as the times changed, modern technology added a high-tech elevator on 45 Kaplansky St. in Givatayim, Israel, but Deenush still enjoyed climbing four floors of stairs to her beautiful apartment No. 10.
Sadly, I lost my beloved mom 10 years ago. Holding her in my arms until, with her last breath, she whispered in Russian, “Ya tiebia ochen’ liubliu” (“I love you very much”), I tearfully parted with the world’s most admired, loving and adoring mother.
On Mother’s Day, as we gather via Zoom with my family for this special festivity, Deenush is and always will be a part of our lives.
Lina Broydo is a longtime Los Altos Hills resident and member of the Rotary Club of Los Altos.

This pandemic is priming us for the urgent battle against climate change. Beyond the coronavirus horizon, we will find a community with strong “cultural antibodies” against global threats. Imagine a world collectively in favor of climate actions that don’t jeopardize planetary health for greed or partisan gain. COVID-19, through fear and tragedy, is allowing us to rise above such attitudes and is changing the minds of millions of skeptics and leaders.

Will we respect climate scientists as we respect Dr. Anthony Fauci? Will we realize that a carbon tax is an urgent mitigating measure? Such changes have never been more likely.

What does it mean to be a nonprofit? Ultimately, it implies that such an organization is motivated by a goal for a greater good than making money.

Many local nonprofit groups are providing a big boost to those hurt by the COVID-19 shutdown. While our health-care workers deserve every bit of the praise they are receiving for their role in the coronavirus fight, nonprofits are doing important work on the front line as well.

Off-gassing poses health, safety concerns

I am a 13-year-old student here in Los Altos. I am very concerned about our future and the future of my kids.

Bailouts should serve people, communities

During this worldwide pandemic, it is more important than ever to celebrate May Day – or International Workers’ Day – and to advocate for all workers.

While it is challenging right now to focus our attention on other things, the Los Altos Environmental Commission and the city of Los Altos continue to pursue progress toward our Climate Action Plan goals. Our current focus is the city’s proposed reach codes. We will be hosting a webinar at 7 p.m. today to present the proposed codes and answer questions.

What are reach codes? They are local building energy codes that “reach” beyond the state minimum requirements for energy efficiency in building design. In the past several months, many Bay Area cities have adopted reach codes that either limit or prohibit the use of natural gas in construction, as well as increase electric-vehicle charging infrastructure. The city of Los Altos is evaluating a reach code that would require new commercial and residential buildings to be 100% electric and increase “EV-read” parking spaces in new developments.