Community

Advertising executive-turned-comedian Paul Ollinger is stopping in downtown Los Altos for two shows Feb. 12 and 13 during a current North American tour. The second show is sold out, but tickets remain available for the Feb. 12 event, scheduled to start 7:45 p.m. at Los Altos Tasting Room, 366 Main St.

After 15 years selling digital advertising for Yahoo! and Facebook, Ollinger launched a career in comedy. His accomplishments include opening for top comics Dave Attell and Norm Macdonald, and appearances on "The Apprentice," "Red Eye" on Fox. Ollinger has authored his own book, "You Should Totally Get an MBA: A Comedian's Guide to Top U.S. Business Schools." He's also started his own podcast, "Crazy Money," in January.

Each guest will receive a tasting flight of Byington wines plus one glass of Byington wine, the comedy show, and one raffle ticket (must be present to win). Light bites are available for purchase. This event is $40 per person plus tax. Space is limited.

To register, visit https://bookeo.com/byington?type=3153EJFU4616862747F29. For more on Ollinger, visit  https://paulollinger.com/.

Author Marlene E. Cowan, past president of the Rotary Club of Los Altos, recently released her book “Stories Behind ‘The Los Altos Story’: Rotary Volunteers Confront HIV/AIDS.”

The Peabody Award-winning documentary “The Los Altos Story” chronicles the story of Dude Angius, whose son died of AIDS in 1989.

Courtesy of the Suppiah family
Alex and Nico Suppiah of Los Altos, pictured at left and right, have collected nearly 500 toys and books that they donated to fire victims in Paradise in December.

Collecting toys for children in need over the holidays has become a tradition for brothers Alex and Nico Suppiah of Los Altos. The teens gathered 100 toys in 2016 and 280 the next year.

In 2018, the Suppiahs outdid themselves, collecting nearly 500 toys and books they donated to victims of the Camp Fire in Paradise in December.

Simon

The leadership of Sons In Retirement Branch 35 played it for laughs when selecting their first speaker of 2019. One of their own, Bob Simon, offered a program of light verse at their monthly luncheon meeting Jan. 16.

Simon, known to fellow members for his penchant for poetry, has been in SIR for 20 years, is an active community volunteer – chiefly for the Los Altos Library – and writes the “Rhyme on My Hands” column for the Town Crier.

Follies retrospective DVD highlights 25 years

Los Altos Stage Company is scheduled to screen a retrospective DVD featuring highlights from 25 years of Follies productions 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Ave.

Follies, a satirical revue of modern life and politics that began in 1992 and became a fundraiser for Los Altos Stage Company, celebrated its 25th anniversary and final performances to sold-out audiences last October.

Robin Chapman/Special to the Town Crier
This Mission Bell Marker, nestled beneath a redwood, can be spotted when driving south on El Camino Real at El Monte Avenue in Mountain View.

Longtime Santa Clara Valley resident John Kolstad is a man on a mission. He has spent the past 19 years working to preserve the familiar Mission Bell Markers that have graced California’s historical El Camino Real for the last century.

The original ones were designed by Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes in the early 20th century, to mark the 700-mile route traveled by the first Spanish-speaking immigrants to California. The poles recall the shape of the shepherd’s crooks used by some of the wayfarers, with each pole topped by an 85-pound cast-iron bell – evocative of the California missions.