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Volume 48, Number 49, Published on 12/04/1995

News

Starbucks insists it doesn't turn blind eye to guide dogs

The assistant manager at Starbucks was right.

Navigating the Los Altos day care maze

What you need to know before entrusting your child to a center

It's December and Christmas shoppers are still wearing shorts

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas every where you go? These days, shoppers on Main and State streets are wearing summer shorts and walking around in flimsy T-shirts.

Police offer 'Top 12' list of do's and don'ts for shoppers

1. Shop early and avoid the rush.

Santa claws is coming to town; police K-9 due by holidays

The Los Altos Police Department is making its list, checking it twice and might receive its long-anticipated K-9 officer during the holidays.

Domestic violence surges in December

During the holidays, while jingle bells ring and tree lights twinkle, domestic violence surges in Los Altos.

People

Charlotte Hutchison Grispino

The Iowa-born journalist's specialties were spiritual and human interest features and health. Her articles had appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Sacramento Union, San Diego Union and Guideposts Magazine.

Los Altos Hills freeze drying pioneer dies at 63

Mercer owned and operated Mercer Processing, a successful food processing company in Palo Alto. Established in 1980, Mercer has the second largest freeze drying capacity in the United States and provides ingredients to companies such as McCormick Shilling, Maruchan, See's Candy and Knorr soups, as well as outdoor food companies like Alpine Aire, and Backpacker's Pantry.

Silicon Valley pioneer, Benard Oliver, dead at 79

Trained as an electrical engineer, Dr. Oliver was pivotal in the flowering of modern technology in the Silicon Valley. It was under his leadership the first hand-held calculators were produced at Hewlett-Packard in the early 1970's. Later in his career, he founded biosys, Inc., a company specializing in biological controls for agriculture, and turned his attentions to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, or SETI.

Edith Slade Frost

A native of Auburn, Mrs. Frost was a graduate of San Jose State University where she received a bachelor of arts degree in 1931. While at SJSU she was active in student theater and after graduation she taught elementary school in Auburn.

Marilyn Steffan Birmingham

She attended primary school in Sacramento and graduated from McClatchy High School in 1951. She received her college education from the Highland School of Nursing in Oakland. Her nursing career began at the Children's Clinic at University of California, Los Angeles. The early years of her marriage were dedicated to raising her five children.

Community

United Way campaign kicks off in Los Altos

The volunteer Board of Directors of the United Way's Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Chapter is asking friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers in the community to donate and help kickoff the United Way of Santa Clara County's 1995 campaign.

Longtime columnist tells Los Altos group what's wrong with newspapers

Former Peninsula Times Tribune editor emeritus Leonard Koppett has written sports and op-ed pieces for more than 50 years. And it shows. A conversation with the longtime journalist can range from baseball to the ballet. The man exudes information.

Community Briefs

seeks toys for CSA

Community meeting tonight on traffic

Los Altos city staff have scheduled an open community meeting to discuss traffic-related issues for tonight, at 7 p.m. in Room A of the Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos.

Culinary author at Heintzelman's to offer cuisine fresh off the boat

Culinary author Kate Radcliffe will appear at Heintzelman's Bookstore in Los Altos 2 p.m. this Saturday to sign her new book, "A Culinary Journey in Gascony: Recipes and Stories From My French Canal Boat."

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.

Births

A daughter and son, twins, were born Sept. 18 to Nannette and Mark Hinson Thomas of Mountain View at Stanford Medical Center.

Los Altos Post Office helps out during the holidays

Make sure the contents are cushioned with newspaper or bubble wrap. Nothing should move around if you shake the package.

Book review

Special to the Town Crier

An American in Armenia adjusts to a rougher, tougher way of living

Special to the Town Crier

In The Past...

The Dec. 9, 1970 issue of the Town Crier reported a $10 investment in the production of a four-minute super eight color movie, "The End" paid off for teenager film-makers Donald Carrol and Eric Lake, Awalt High School freshmen. They won an honorable mention award in the junior category of the 1970 Eighth Annual Kodak Teenage Movie competition.

Peninsula Women's Chorus holiday concerts on Dec. 8, 15-16

"There are a number of women's groups in the Bay Area, and the Peninsula Women's Chorus is tops," said Vance George, director fo the renowned San Francisco Symphony Chorus.

LAGCo's 'Spirit of Sharing' lights the holidays

The successful curbside drive, which generated more than 10,000 pounds or 5 tons of food last year, will be held through Dec. 8 in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Mountain View.

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.

Schools

Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District Student of the Month, November

It is with great pleasure that the teachers, tutors and coordinators who have worked with Antonia Mendoza unanimously applaud her nomination for the District Student of the Month. Antonia is one of the rare students who has, through sheer determination and motivation, succeeded in the many programs offered at Moffett High School.

MV-LA teacher nominated for top statewide honors

Special to the Town Crier

School Briefs

enrollment on rise

Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District Student of the Month, November

Senior Michelle Stevens has been selected by fellow classmates as District Student of the Month for her involvement in senior class activities and her dedication to the Associated Student Body.

Sports

Sports shorts

TEEING OFF: Golf partners David Recht of Los Altos and Glenn Miller of San Jose recently competed for a share of the $75,000 charity purse at the seventh annual Lexus Champions for Charity National Championship in La Quinta, Calif. The twosome, which competed against 340 top amateurs from across the United States, was to donate its winnings to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

State Division II volleyball final

Town Crier Sports Editor

Boys prep basketball

Town Crier Staff Report

Saint Francis Volleyball

St. Francis serves El Dorado a loss

Local Sports Calendar

Tomorrow, Dec. 7

Sccores

CROSS COUNTRY

Mountain View Football

Special to the Town Crier

Saint Francis Football

Special to the Town Crier

Business & Real Estate

Senior Day Health is cooking, thanks to Armadillo Willy's

In a reception that took place at the Los Altos Armadillo Willy's, Palo Alto Association of Senior Day Health board member Pam McFarlin said, "We are very grateful to John Berwald and Armadillo Willy's. Over the years, Armadillo Willy's has been very generous to Senior Day Health, and has been with us as we've grown into the organization we are now."

McCracken shares vision for future at Career Action's PINNACLE luncheon

Los Altos resident Ed McCracken, president and CEO of Silicon Graphics, Inc. in Mountain View, was the keynote speaker at the Career Action Center's annual PINNACLE luncheon held recently.

Phone home now - AT&T looking good as investment, experts say

Now that the Dow Industrial Average is over 5,050, many investors question what's left to buy. Don't look any further- it's a company in your kitchen, your bedroom and maybe in your family room - and numerous investment houses suggest buying it now. It's AT&T and they give reasons why.

i Fratelli restaurant opens this week on Main Street

Mark and Philip Assaf have been looking several years for the right place in Los Altos to open a restaurant. The various storefronts and other spaces they considered were either too large, too unattractive, in need of too much renovation or in a bad location.

The changing world of banking

Bigger outfits losing clout; smaller ones look to find niche

'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.

Good vibes, 'feng shui,' make for a happy home

Before Marilyn Berwick and her husband bought a home in Los Altos Hills they called in a specialist to determine whether the house had good flow and positive energy - feng shui.

Weekly Special

Recipes Of The Week

(Serves 2)

Restaurateur Of The Week

Co-owner

Happenings

Breweries from all over America attended and competed in numerous beer categories.

It's More Than Chicken Soup

No more would any Jew have to fear the displeasure of his neighbor - no more the fear of being derided as a second class citizen, deported as an undesirable element, deprived of worldly goods and station and moral stature by the whim and rule of an unconscienced majority in search of a scapegoat. No more would any Jew have to fear for his life or the lives of his family as a result of a political or religious movement in search of new conquests under the devil's banner.

Sharalee, more than just a voice

She feels music and the gospel of Jesus Christ from the bottom of her toes. She is a writer, producer and has starred in several syndicate television specials. She also performed for Walt Disney Productions. Her guest appearances include the Tonight Show, Bob Hope specials and the Super Bowl.

Along the Spiritual Path

Special to the Town Crier

A "Classical Christmas" concert

Musicians will feature the music of Handel, Rossini, Verdi, Gounod, Shubert and others. Helen Nace, soprano, Charles Calhoun, baritone, Carl Franzen, tenor, Kevin Kelly tenor, and Nancy Lane Stone, pianist, will perform.

New priest takes leadership role at St. Luke's

Town Crier Editor