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Volume 49, Number 4, Published on 01/22/1996

News

We are family

Los Altos and her sister cities help each other out with donations, exchanges

Los Altos Hills switching from Apple computers to an IBM compatible PC system

The Los Altos Hills City Council unanimously approved switching their computer base from an Apple operating system to a IBM compatible computer system at last Wednesday's council meeting.

Churches give money to day worker center

Two Los Altos churches have made major contributions to assist the establishment of a new job and education center for day laborers in Mountain View.

Open space district holds meeting on long-range plan

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has scheduled a public workshop this Saturday to begin the development of a long-term open space plan.

Vehement minority opposition sinks Bullis gym plans

When Mary Chomenko Hinckley stood in front of the Los Altos Hills City Council podium last Wednesday, disappointment showed in her face and it was obvious in her presentation.

School district grapples with growing enrollment

The question facing the Los Altos School District these days is how to fund another school in the face of the past five years of enrollment growth and projections of continued growth.

Choosing an Internet Service Provider

The national online services allow you to access their databases, which let you read major magazines, download files to your computer (programs, sounds, screen savers), and even "chat" with other members from around the country. Each online service caters to a different type of user. America Online and Prodigy cater to a large audience, ranging in ages and professions, while CompuServe offers more to the business executive.

LAH survey reports 50 percent of residents own a computer

In a report to the Los Altos Hills City Council last Wednesday, council member Bill Johnson said responses from a town questionnaire revealed 40-50 percent of the residents in Los Altos Hills own a computer.

Police offer safety tips to avoid the serial rapist

Palo Alto Police confirmed Jan. 3 that the serial rapist, who has raped women from Sunnyvale to Menlo Park in seven attacks from Aug. 21 to Dec. 18, is still at large.

Recycling

One person was fined $128 and placed on probation for taking newspapers from in front of homes on recycling day in August, while another was fined $245 and placed on probation for removing cardboard from a dumpster in the downtown parking plaza near Main Street, said City Attorney Robert K. Booth, Jr.

People

Jyunichi Ishimaru

A gardener for 50 years, he is survived by his wife, Shirlee Ishimaru of Sunnyvale; children, Byron Ishimaru of Sunnyvale and Sharon Winfield of Los Altos; brothers, Ernie Ishimaru of Mountain View, Satoshi Ishimaru of Sunnyvale and George Ishimaru of Morgan Hill; and sisters, Barbara Ishikawa of Sunnyvale, Jane Kanzaki of Sunnyvale, Aya Ichinaga of San Jose and Janet Saga of Stockton.

Ann Milovina

A secretary with the Los Altos School District, she is survived by her daughters, Jane Hersh of Redwood City and Geogeann Wittges of Seattle; and a brother, Rudolph Tonich of Modesto. She was a grandmother of five.

Ruth Shahinian

A bonds statistician for California Municipal Statistics, she is survived by her husband, Dr. Lee Shahinian of Los Altos; and children, Judith Post of Reno, Nev., Dr. Lee Shahinian Jr. of Los Altos and Jimmy Shahinian of Mission Viejo.

Irma Adele Sipe

A former resident of Los Altos for 36 years, she was a graduate of the Armstrong School of Business in Berkeley, and assisted her husband in retirement at Foothill College working in registering participants in enrichment evening classes.

Dolores Pierson

A member of the First Baptist Church of Los Altos, she is survived by her husband of 46 years, Howard Pierson; three children, David Pierson of Mill Valley, Nancy Weddell of Chico, Martha Watson of Los Altos; and mother, Ella Mae Morris of Los Altos.

Community

Don't Let It Fall cleanup effort starting Feb. 10

The idea of gearing the clean-up with Random Acts of Kindness Week began last November when LAVA officials were approached by Los Altos resident Mary Cunneen-Lion, who is spearheading activities locally for this celebration. Le Boulanger is donating coffee and muffins for the effort and Los Altos residents Bob and Nancy Moore are getting their neighborhood fired up about helping out that day.

Manual the first step to preparing for 'The Big One'

It's coming. It may not occur today. Or tomorrow. Or the next day. But it is coming. Are you prepared? You should plan to be on your own for a minimum of 72 hours. You may not have outside help for a long time.

Favrile: Sewing Concepts holds open house Feb. 3

Noted TV show host and international lecturer Sandra Betzina, and Kenneth King, a sewing instructor on the PBS series "Sewing Today" are two of the many talented course instructors who will be available to meet and talk with students.

Move over, Cowboys - Dallas dance theater coming to Foothill

The Dallas Black Dance Theatre will perform artistic selections at the Olympic Arts Festival in Atlanta later this year. At its Foothill College concert, the company will perform "Going for the Gold," a program which features choreography by Alvin Ailey as well as a new work by resident choreographer Darryl Sneed. A new dance which was commissioned for the Olympic festival will also be staged.

Mayor's banquet to acknowledge past chamber presidents Saturday

The Los Altos Chamber of Commerce offers its 13th annual salute to the mayors of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills at a banquet starting 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the University Club, 3277 Miranda Ave., Palo Alto. Chamber officials also will acknowledge past presidents and announce this year's winner of the Walter and Marie Singer Award.

Joan Baez performance to benefit Hidden Villa

Hidden Villa is a 1,600-acre educational farm and wilderness preserve near Los Altos Hills that offers a variety of programs for children and adults, teaching multi-cultural understanding and environmental awareness. In addition to the summer camp, Hidden Villa operates an environmental education program for 16,000 school children each year, a series of community programs, a hostel and an extensive organic farm.

Grand View League kicks off fund-raising for cancer society

The league, established last June, looks to raise money for the Amercian Cancer Society through one special event each year. This year, members are launching the first Cattle Baron's Ball in California, slated for Sept. 28 at the Hayes Renaissance Conference Center in San Jose.

Almanac

Today

Community Briefs

The Los Altos Recreation Department is offering one-day snowboard/ski trips for area teens .

Just Say Yes! to volunteering at the YMCA

The campaign, scheduled to begin in January, raised nearly $100,000 last year, all of which was invested back in the community. Volunteers need not be YMCA members or familiar with the YMCA, just interested in improving the lives of at-risk children.

Book review

A tale of a burdened male who sheds everything for a good life

Niece of former Soviet premier to speak at annual Sister Cities meeting

The best way to learn about a foreign country and its culture is to speak to someone who lived there. Luba Brezhneva, author and niece of Leonid Brezhnev the former leader of the Soviet Union, will be the guest speaker at the Los Altos Sister Cities annual meeting 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 in Room A at Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave.

Church sponsors evening of wartime, high-energy entertainment To celebrate 50 years since the end of World War II, and to pay tribute to veterans and all who serve our country in the armed services, the Los Altos Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints sponsors U.S.O-type shows 8 p.m. Feb. 2-3 at 1300 Grant Road in Los Altos.

The 17-member cast includes Charles Oliver, Heather Pickett and Hayley Hendershot, all of Los Altos. Those who love big-band 1940s music will be "in the mood" to stay for the post-show dancing to live and recorded hits.

Senior Briefs

Los Altos Senior Center

In The Past...

The Jan. 27, 1971 issue of the Town Crier reported that the City of Los Altos earned a Distinguished Achievement Award for its beautification activities during 1970 in the National Clean-Up Contest.

El Camino auxiliary announces scholarships

Graduating high school seniors and full-time college students enrolled in an accredited California college or university for the 1996-1997 school year may apply. Applicants must reside in the cities of Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los altos, Los altos Hills or Cupertino.

Local group honored with distinguished philanthropic youth group award

The Stanford Hills Chapter of the National Charity League was honored recently for its "generous contributions and outstanding leadership to the philanthropic movement in Silicon Valley."

Free retirement workshop at El Camino Hospital

This course in the retirement series was previously offered only to employees such as ESL, Apple and 3Com.

Los Altos couple repeat wedding vows for 50th anniversary

The Swindles were married at Stanford Memorial Church Dec. 16, 1945 after Mr. Swindle returned from World War II having served with the 5th Air Force in the Pacific Theater.

CSMA offers financial assistance for music lessons

"We are pleased that over the years we have been able to meet the needs of many families seeking music education," said Dr. Nicholas Isaacs, music director. "By offering tuition assistance, we have not only served students at all skill levels, but we have also identified students with outstanding musical talent.

Police veteran LeMier retires

LeMier began with Los Altos May 15, 1970, and was promoted to sergeant July 1, 1979.

Book review

Special to the Town Crier

Family history classes now available on Sundays

Beginning Sunday, she is offering a series of eight classes for everyone who wants to learn how to locate and organize family history materials.

Schools

LAHS students prepare to honor victims during AIDS Awareness Week

All next week, Los Altos High School students will open up their minds and their campus for AIDS Awareness Week.

Board recognition given to Foothill College instructor

Foothill College President Bernadine Fong recognized retiring Foothill instructor William Tinsley for his many years of service and his participation in Foothill activities at the Jan. 8 Foothill-De Anza Community College District board meeting.

PTA council offers Founders Day program

The event will take place at Landels elementary school, 115 West Dana St., Mountain View. A short business meeting will be held before the program begins at 9:30 a.m. with a children's musical program and then Jacobs. All interested parents, teachers and community members are invited to attend.

School Briefs

Los Altos High School's Community Advisory Council (CAC) invites the community to its monthly meeting 7:30-9 p.m. tonight in the school's band room, 201 Almond Ave., Los Altos.

LAHS student awarded for volunteer service

Assisteen Auxiliary, sponsored by Assistance League of Santa Clara County, gives local teen girls the opportunity to become volunteers.

Egan Intermediate first-quarter honors

7th grade:

Los Altos High School staff member of the month

Students appreciate Salsman de Rodriguex's cheerful attitude and her willingness to help students at any time. Coming to Los Altos three years ago from St. Francis High School, she teaches Spanish IV/V/VI AP, Spanish III and Spanish III Honors classes. In addition to teaching her classes, Salsman de Rodriguex also serves as advisor to the sophomore class, the Spanish Club, the Star Trek Club and the Coffee Club.

Los Altos Departmental Students of the Month

Business academy - Christina Nieto

Mountain View High Student of the Month

Homecoming is a time for individual classes to come together, increasing spirit through class competitions, flower parties and float construction. Homecoming Week culminates in a full day of activities topped off with our traditional dance.

Foothill-De Anza chancellor to be inaugurated Feb. 8

The guest speaker will be historian Daniel J. Boorstin, a Pulitzer Prize winning author and Librarian of Congress emeritus. Boorstin's speech will address American culture and values.

Sports

Sports Shorts

NET NEWS: Foothill College will serve up a celebration deuce for longtime tennis coach and current athletic director Tom Chivington Feb. 14 at San Jose Arena. An evening reception (4:30-6:30 p.m.) and tennis match (7 p.m.) will kick off Chivington's 30th year coaching the Owls, who under his leadership have garnered 13 state, 17 Northern California and 22 conference team championships as well as nine state singles and five state doubles titles. Several Chivington protégés, including Foothill alumnus Brad Gilbert, who now coaches tennis sensation Andre Agassi, will attend. For reservations ($75), call 949-7176 through Friday.

Athlete of the Week

Only a freshman, Pinewood High's point guard is a major reason for the Panthers' 7-0 league and 16-1 overall start.

Girls prep soccer

Town Crier Sports Editor

Prep roundup

Town Crier Sports Editor

Local Sports Calendar

Today, Jan. 24

Scores

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Boys prep basketball

Special to the Town Crier

Business & Real Estate

PenWest Realtors to raise funds for homeless

The foundation's goal is to offer "a temporary umbrella" of emergency housing grants to help the working poor at risk of homelessness due to major injury, illness, death in the family or other catastrophe that has depleted their financial reserves.

Bandera restaurant opening with a fund-raiser for education

A new high-energy, "neighborhood style" restaurant created by the makers of Rutherford Grill in Napa Valley is celebrating its opening by hosting a fund-raiser for a local organization.

Los Altos School District to hold kindergarten information meetings

The informational meeting will be held in the school's multipurpose room with presentations made by kindergarten classroom teachers and members of the school district administrative staff. A question and answer session will be held at the conclusion of the session and informational packets will be handed out.

Wining and dining over the Internet

'Virtual Vineyards' offers safe and sane shopping via the PC

Caught in the middle of a dysfunctional program? Initialize

Special to the Town Crier

What the IRS requires for electronic record-keeping

Special to the Town Crier

Selecting the right credit card from your mailbox

Having too many credit cards can work against you even if you don't use them. That's because some lenders review your credit application, add your credit limits as well as your actual debts. A large available credit limit may cause a lender to think you are financially over-extended and may even result in the denial of a future loan request.

Free state income tax filing assistance available

Answers to the most commonly asked state tax questions, information about your state refund, and tax forms for both state and federal are available through F.A.S.T. (Fast Answers about State Taxes) telephone service. The F.A.S.T. number is 1-800-338-0505.

Business Briefs

Sallie Mae, a federal financial organization, released a guide for students applying for financial aid before a college accepts the student. For tips on shopping for a lender, call 1-800-891-4595 and ask for a free copy of the guide, "Borrowing for College."

Weekly Special

Recipe Of The Week

(Makes 6)

Start With A Chilled Martini Glass.......

If the concept of mixed drinks seems too daring or decadent, think of mixing them as an aerobic exercise. Hands-on research conducted at the Bacchanal Institutes have conclusively shown that brisk shaking of cocktails can significantly increase the heart rate. The study, published in Anybody's Study of Homeopathic & Alternative Medicine (ASHAM), depicted further that when the vigorous shaking is followed by slow, pensive sipping of the cocktail, preferably in a hammock or at poolside, subjects were found to be profoundly relaxed, well-adjusted to their environment, and, in some cased, even giggly. ASHAM concluded that the sustained upper-body workout found in concentrated cocktail shaking was perfectly complemented by the low impact activity of drinking the shaker's contents.

Merchant Of The Week

"I feel very honored and excited by this nomination," said McCool, who has worked for Hyatt for 19 years, starting as a bellman at the former Edgewater Hyatt House in Long beach, (CA).

Happenings

233 Third Street, Los Altos