Magazine

Courtesy of Los Atos History Museum
Members of the Garden Club of Los Altos relax at their first flower show, held in 1929.

"Wonderful friends" and "lasting relationships" are the first things many active members of the Garden Club of Los Altos mention when asked what keeps them coming back. Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, the club is thriving with nearly 200 members.

Members meet the fourth Tuesday afternoon of every month except July, November and December.

Paul Hollingworth/Special to the Town Crier
Chuck Baker prepares for his skydiving adventure last month. The World War II pilot never had to deploy his parachute during the war.

To celebrate his 100th birthday earlier this year, World War II B-17 pilot Charles "Chuck" Baker took flight above Hollister April 7 for a skydiving adventure.

Fellow Los Altos resident Paul Hollingworth, who connected with Baker after reading an article about the centenarian in the March 20 Town Crier, went along to watch the jump from his gyroplane, "near (but not too near) the drop zone," Hollingworth said. According to Hollingworth, Baker wore his WWII flight jacket, and "his headgear was the pneumatic intercom he used for initial training."

The following events are scheduled through the Los Altos Senior Program and Avenidas.

Megan V. Winslow/Town Crier
Architect Malika Junaid designed the ultramodern steel-and-glass Los Altos Hills showstopper she and her family call home.

Junaid Qurashi stood atop his SUV on a wooded hillside to get a better look at the San Francisco Bay view his wife, Malika Junaid, said was there.

Tanya Kucak/Special to the Town Crier
Woolly Blue Curls flourish in the arid area of the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont.

If you’re in the mood for some road trips, immerse yourself in an atmosphere of beautiful plants and enthusiastic people by attending the Going Native Garden Tour, now in its 17th year.

Sponsored by the California Native Plant Society in association with the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County, the tour offers an unparalleled chance to talk with gardeners and designers, view gardens of different types and compare gardens planted a year ago to those planted a couple of decades ago. More than 50 gardens are scheduled to be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4 and 5. Gardens in San Jose and other southern Santa Clara County cities will be open May 4, while May 5 will feature visits to northern gardens from San Mateo to Sunnyvale, including Mountain View. No Los Altos gardens will be on display this year.

Courtesy of Lauren Edith Andersen
Celeste Randolph's kitchen island features a potted hydrangea inside a pewter champagne bucket her mother gave her.

With spring in full bloom, it is fun to brighten any home with fresh flowers. From the farmers’ market to the grocery store, flowers are easily accessible. There are really no rules that apply. Arranging flowers is up to the eye of the beholder.