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Volume 48, Number 48, Published on 11/27/1995

News

Would-be thieves break into a dozen parked cars on Los Altos street

Burglars in Los Altos, looking for loot to snatch from vehicles, broke into 12 cars within four blocks during two hours early in the morning of Nov. 21.

Mayor apologizes to resident for 'lapse' in cordial behavior

Los Altos Mayor Bob Gray offered a public apology to local resident Ruth Polata last week for their public disagreement a week earlier during the Nov. 14 city council meeting.

Council takes on a new look

Three new members, new mayor bode for a change in city's vision

When to watch for road work? Perhaps a list will help

Recently a parent arrived to drop off his 2 1/2-year-old daughter at Children's Corner Daycare on Hillview Avenue in Los Altos. He encountered, to his surprise, road repaving work and a blocked-off street.

Foothill and De Anza colleges lower tuition for degree holders

Students with bachelor's or advanced degrees will no longer be financially discriminated against at Foothill or De Anza colleges. Starting the winter term they will pay the general enrollment fee of $9 a unit - the same as students without a degree.

People

Community

Kaleidoscope features holiday gift items

News anchor/reporter Glenn Quinn visits Fermentation Frenzy, Chris Johnson spends time at The Gourmet Works, Carol Curran learns a lot about sculpture and custom jewelry at Connoisseur of Los Altos and Diane Brauch shops for designer bargains at the new American Cancer Society Discovery Shop.

Community Services Agency hosts live toy drive for needy

The holiday drive will benefit low-income families in need who are pre-screened by Community Services case managers.

In The Past...

In the Dec. 2, 1970 edition of the Town Crier, a headline read, "Los Altos Kicks the Bucket," referring to Colonel Sander's big round chicken bucket on top of the Kentucky Fried Chicken dispensary. It had been a feature of the local skyline for several years, much to the dismay of many citizens.

Just for kids: A page of their own

For the next Children's Page, students K-6 are invited to submit artwork and/or essays on the holidays, the winter season or write a letter to Santa.Please limit submissions to a half-page and use ink rather than pencil.

Noteworthies

Pat and Mitchell Mann were given a party by Pam Page and Bob Rudd Oct. 29 at their Los Altos Hills home. The party was held in honor of the Manns moving to their winter home in Scottsdale, Ariz. Local residents attending included Lance and Sue Walden, Art and Ellie Zias. Out-of-town guests included Harry Murray and his fiance Ursula Fisher.

Community Briefs

seeks toys for CSA

History House exhibits old style magic lanterns

The exhibit, "It All Began With Magic Lanterns," is on loan from the Museum of American Heritage in Palo Alto.

'Inspecting Carol' stage comedy is holiday fun in Los Altos

The public will have 19 performances to choose from with a wide choice of season and individual ticket options. Opening night, including an opportunity to share champagne and dessert with the cast following the play, is Dec. 1. A "discussion night" with the cast is scheduled for Dec. 8.

Children's art collected in calendar to benefit foundation

Special to the Town Crier

How Santa Clara County can spare the air

On summer days when air pollution is expected to exceed state or federal air quality standards, the Air District will declare a Spare the Air day and ask you to voluntarily make small changes in your lifestyle to benefit air quality. The best thing you can do on a Spare the Air day is to leave your car at home. For each day you leave your car at the curb, a pound of pollution is eliminated. With the public's participation, this can add up to tons of pollution avoided. Try transit, carpooling, walking, bicycling or telecommunicating instead. If you have to use your car, use it wisely and link all your trips together to eliminate polluting cold starts. Listen for Spare the Air announcements on radio and television, or call the Air District at 1-800-Help Air.

'Los Altos Story' featured in upcoming cable program

Winner of the 1990 Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting and the ACE Award, cable television's highest honor, "The Los Altos Story," was produced by Los Altos Rotary Club's Rotary AIDS Project and written and directed by former NBC news correspondent and five-time Emmy Award winner Robin Young. The 30-minute documentary tells the story of how the Los Altos community responded to the tragedy of AIDS when three prominent businessmen and Rotarians were affected by the disease.

She fiddles around and gets a lot done

Special to the Town Crier

Los Altos Weather

Friday Nov. 17 67 52 32 Good

Review of California Youth Symphony

Special to the Town Crier

Morning Forum hears John Bunzel's approach to affirmative action

Speaking from the pulpit to a sparse Los Altos Morning Forum audience Nov. 21, John Bunzel's lecture on affirmative action left many confused yet informed on the approaches to the problem.

'Festival of Trees' takes root to support Peninsula Children's Center

The holiday season usually brings to mind thoughts of family, good food, presents and decorating the Christmas tree. For most, the idea of decorating the tree is an annual ritual that offically calls in the Christmas season and instills those warm, cozy holiday feelings. But for the children of the Peninsula Children's Center in Palo Alto, the idea of decorating the Christmas tree means more.

Funds sought for downtown twinkle lights

The Village Association began this project in 1967 to create a festive and decorative atmosphere along our business streets during the holiday season. Los Altans can enjoy the magical ambiance the lights create. The City pays only for the eletrical costs. The remaining costs of thousands a year are the responsiblity of the Village Association. This year additional funds will need to be raised to fully decorate the Community Plaza as well.

Schools

MV-LA teacher nominated for top statewide honors

Special to the Town CrierEveryone has a teacher who touches their life. Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School instructor Joy Hellman is just such a teacher.

Foothill-De Anza colleges receive healthy financial report

The financial condition of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District appears healthy, based on a report given at last week's board meeting.

School Briefs

craft faire

Foothill College author receives school board acclaim

The Foothill-De Anza Board of Trustees recognized Foothill instructor Chitra Banjarjee Divakaruni for her accomplishments and exceptional involvement with the community at their Nov. 20 meeting.

County ed board approves plan to improve relations with local districts

The plan, which has been in the works since fall 1994, was approved at the Oct. 18 board meeting.

High school advisory council looks at honors, scholarships

The topic of this month's meeting will be "Honors, Awards, and Scholarships." Principal David Brazer, Wynne Satterwhite, Maryann Smetzer and Joanne Miyhara will discuss the philosophy of Los Altos High School in the recognition of student academic and service achievements. The evening will include a presentation and panel discussion on the selection criteria, and availability of Department Awards (Math, Science, English, history, etc.) Honor rolls, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, and Corporate and service scholarships and awards.

Computers or facilities? LASD officials mull over how to spend state grant

The Los Altos School District Board of Trustees must decide how to use a $173,000 grant after parents and members of the district discussed the issue at the Nov. 13 trustees' meeting.

Sports

Sports shorts

On the season, quarterback Jonathan Crosswhite has completed 160 of 297 passes for a school-record 2,561 yards and 31 touchdowns. Also on offense, David Lewis has carried the ball 201 times for 1,069 yards and 12 TDs, and Andy Holland has caught 53 passes for 1,030 yards and 10 TDs.

Water Polo

Special to the Town Crier

Saint Francis Football

Special to the Town Crier

NorCal volleyball

Town Crier Sports Editor

Athlete of the Week

Confidence is the key to Marisa Gardner's volleyball success.

Local Sports Calendar

Today, Nov. 29

Los Altos wrestles past St. Francis

"The big one" is how Los Altos wrestling coach Nick Testa described the Eagles' 51-21 win over past Central Coast Section finalist St. Francis last Tuesday.

Mountain View Football

Town Crier Sports Editor

Scores

CROSS COUNTRY

Los Altos wrestles past St. Francis

"The big one" is how Los Altos wrestling coach Nick Testa described the Eagles' 51-21 win over past Central Coast Section finalist St. Francis last Tuesday.

Give us your sports story

Send your item to: Sports Editor, Los Altos Town Crier, 138 Main St., Los Altos 94022; or fax it to 948-6647.

Business & Real Estate

'One Warm Coat' program opens at Coldwell Banker

Coldwell Banker, along with K101 FM and Coit Drapery are working together to collect coats for the homeless. The event will continue through Dec. 15.

Women business leaders book signing at Heintzelman's Bookstore Thursday

Accomplishments by women in the business world have gone largely unrecognized in the press until recently. Three women authors, profiled the achievements of 14 business women in "On Our Own Terms," and the three authors will be present at Heintzelman's Bookstore Thursday at 7:30 p.m. for a book signing.

Business Briefs

diamond mines

Mac user just can't seem to get the time right

Special to the Town Crier

Chamber forms planning review committee

At a recent Board of Directors meeting, Chamber president Penny Lave appointed the Planning Review Committee. The committee consists of Chairman John McAlister (Los Altos Arco AM/PM) and members Dave Leary of Rancho TV Video/Papa Murphy's Take & Bake and Dennis Young of Young Craig + Company. A representative will be added, on an as-needed basis, for a particular business area.

Realtor offices collecting clothing for Community Services Agency

In helping the poor and the needy, Pen West Realtors are collecting numerous items for Community Services Agency. Bins will be placed in Realtors offices through Dec. 22.

Make sure the price is right when placing house on market

It was a clean, freshly painted four bedroom, 3 1/2 bath traditional home with a sunken living room and a huge family room. But the house in Los Altos Hills sat on the market for three months without attracting more than a one-time look.

Alain Pinel Realtors Home Page recognized

Pinel's page made the top-10 list released earlier this month by IRED News, an independent real estate information publisher that offers both real estate news and a global Internet directory of real estate Web sites.

City Hall offers shoplifting prevention film

Copies of the video are available to check out free at the city's small business resource library in Carol Curran's (Economic Development) office at City Hall. Businesses who wish to use the video as a training aid for their own staff may purchase a copy for $10 (payable to the City of Los Altos).

'King of the cheap date' changes store's name, offers the same

Long-time pizza maker Dave Leary has changed the name of his store in Rancho Shopping Center from Murphy's Pizza Take 'N Bake to Papa Murphy's Pizza.

Weekly Special

Happenings

THE MARTINI (134 pages, glossy, four color) Author Barnaby Conrad III. This is a fun, fun book with great stories and pictures on the infamous martini and not DRY at all (pun is intended). It reflects an era past when FDR claimed the martini his favorite drink and the "THIN MAN MOVIES" with Loy always showed him with dry martini in hand. Another kitchen/coffee table book is DESSERTS TO DIE FOR by chef Marcel Desaulniers who, along with many other awards was honored by the James Beard Foundation as a Great American Chef and inducted into the American Academy of Chefs. The color photographs are so vivid and rich that you can almost smell and taste the delightful, dense desserts.

Restaurateur of the week

Owner

HAPPENINGS

All entrees are served with hash browns, buttermilk biscuits and fresh fruit.

Wet Stuff

1 1/4 oz. Light Rum

Home Tips

You can put as much of a vegetable as you want into individual containers, so if you live by yourself, you won't be stuck with a whole bag of stuff going bad.

Los Altos' Maids - holiday helpers

Candle wax - To remove candles' hardened wax drips, use the ball of your finger or your fingernail (covered with a thin cloth to prevent scratches to the surface, if necessary), and gently push the wax on the candlestick. Or, soften the wax drips with a hair dryer and wipe up with a paper towel.

Thanks for the memories:

Special to the Town Crier

Household Help

Special to the Town Crier

In brief

HOUSE TOUR - Palo Alto Stanford Heritage is offering a tour of five of Palo Alto's historic houses dressed up for the holidays from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 10. The tour begins at the Squire House, 900 University and Seale avenues. Docents in period costumes will guide guests through each of the houses. Admission to the tour and a map of the houses is $15. For more information, call 299-8878.

Antiques

A. Brayton Pottery worked in South Laguna Beach, Calif., from 1927 to 1963. It was well-known for its Mammy salt-and-pepper shakers and cookie jars. They were marked, "Brayton Laguna," "Brayton Laguna Pottery" or "Brayton California USA." We've never seen one marked "Brayton Mammy."

Crèche exhibit features home Nativity scenes

Last year more than 6,500 people from all over the Bay Area came to admire the artistry and handiwork of the crèches. The exhibit is from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 3865 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto; admission is free and music concerts are nightly at 8 p.m.

Los Altos hillside garden salutes the tropics

Special to the Town Crier