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Volume 49, Number 6, Published on 02/05/1996

News

Change of the guard for LAH finance position

Louise Parmett, Los Altos Hills finance director and treasurer, retired Feb. 1 after 12 years with the Town of Los Altos Hills. During her 12 years of service, she served under five city managers.

Final campaign finance tallies show less was more

Sometimes less is more.

Cover Story - Mother Nature's home

Redwood Grove preserve a place where time stands still

MROSD endorses proposal for funding parks acquisition

The board of directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, with headquarters based in Los Altos, has unanimously endorsed Santa Clara Country Measure A on the March 26 ballot.

St. William site atop list of Los Altos council goals

St. William and school playing fields both surfaced as top priorities at the Los Altos City Council study session Jan. 30 when council members reviewed their objectives.

LAH survey reports 50 percent of residents own a computer

In a report to the Los Altos Hills City Council Jan. 17, council member Bill Johnson said responses from a town questionnaire revealed 40-50 percent of the residents in Los Altos Hills own a computer.

People

Joe Madrigal

A construction worker with O'Grady Paving, he is survived his wife Frankie Madrigal, daughter Desidiria Madrigal of Sunnyvale, brothers Jessie Madrigal of Madera, Sonny Madrigal of Sunnyvale, Rosie Mendoza of Santa Clara, Tillie Corona of Sunnyvale and Mary Madrigal of Salinas.

Harold B. Bjornson Dr. Harold B. Bjornson, a native of Goldfield, Iowa, died at Pilgrim Haven in Los Altos Jan. 21. He was 79. A memorial Service was held Sunday at Pilgrim Haven retirement community in Los Altos.

Dr. Bjornson began a distinguished career in the ministry as associate pastor of the First Baptist Church of Oakland, then served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Waterloo, Iowa, pastor of the First Baptist Church of McMinnville, Ore., pastor of the First Baptist Church of Palo Alto and most recently, following his retirement, as chaplain of Pilgrim Haven from 1981-1994.

Elfie Malla Ludgus

A homemaker for 64 years, she is survived by her daughter Irene Clark of Medford, Ore.; son, Lawrence Ludgus of Los Altos; and granddaughter, Polly Ann Clark of Woodinville, Wash.

Ormand Clark Show

An electrical engineer with TRW, he is survived by his wife, Ruby Show of Los Altos, and his children, Edgar David Show of Watsonville, Ralph Lewis Show of Oregon and Nancy Boitano of San Jose.

Walter James Virgin

A graduate of the University of Idaho, he received his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, and after a three-year period as associate professor at the University of Idaho he spent most of his life as a research manager in plant pathology for Del Monte Foods Corp.

Community

Scouting for you? Troop 30 meeting may offer answer

Boys in the fifth and sixth grade are invited to do more than watch television or play video games by becoming a Boy Scout.

Would-be trail builders - Hidden Villa calls

If you'd like to learn how to build trail, lead volunteers, and help keep our trails healthy, come to the Trail Center's crew leader training session. This weekend workshop, scheduled for April 13-14 at Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills, is the first step to becoming a volunteer trail crew leader for the Trail Center, but is open to anyone who cares about our precious open spaces and the trails that traverse them.

In The Past...

The February 10, 1971 issue of the Town Crier reported that the Awalt High School Ecology Club proved so successful in collecting crushed cans that its members found it necessary to find a new and larger location.

'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.

Long time Los Altos residents celebrate their 50th anniversary

The couple met in 1937 at Estes Park Chalet Ranch in Estes Park, Colo., where T.E. Spencer was employed as a summer bellhop job at the resort. Peggy was there on a family vacation. They were married Jan. 25, 1946 in New York City, lived in Washington, D.C. until 1956, and then moved to Los Altos in 1958.

Resident recalls narrow escape from Russians during WWII

Lilo Altenhofen realizes if it weren't for her father's assertiveness, a barely functioning bus, some shovel work and a handy submarine, she may not be here to tell the story of her great escape.

Chu, Siegel, Williams honored during 'Salute to Mayors' celebration

The 13th annual Los Altos Chamber of Commerce "Salute to the Mayors," held Jan. 27, saluted the current mayors of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, and named Lawrence Chu the winner of the fourth annual Walter and Marie Singer Award for community service.

Community Briefs

Camino Healthcare, with the Sunnyvale Town Center and Lifeguard for Seniors, together offer a free, ongoing, structured mall-walking program for seniors.

Senior Briefs

Los Altos Senior Center

Almanac

Today

Interfaith couples workshop planned at Schultz community center

The workshop will explore the issues faced by interfaith couples, both married and unmarried. Topics include holidays, celebrations, child rearing, relations with in-laws and friends and conversion.

Noteworthies

The photos cover the Santa Clara Valley, through San Mateo County, to San Francisco and date from 1947 to 1979. Hatfield was known for his standard of excellence when shooting aerial shots. Good weather, timing, angle of shot, lighting, and air speed are all contributors and inhibitors to a good shot.The photos will be on display throughout this month. The Santa Clara City Library is located at 2635 Homestead Road, in Santa Clara. For more information on the display, call Ben Hatfield at (408) 984-3178.

Schools, cities, LAVA and Chamber of Commerce join forces in celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Week

Special to the Town Crier

Motivational speaker, victor of 'war on fat,' to highlight AAUW meeting

Motivational speaker Claire Arand is scheduled to expand on these subjects. Members, their guests and the public are invited to attend the event 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Michael's at Shoreline Park in Mountain View.

Expert offers seniors tips for cutting fat from diets

Medical research has proven that people with high blood pressure, dangerous cholesterol levels or a history of heart and blood vessel diseases, should reduce fat in their diet. But, according to Drew Vranicar, as important as this topic is, it is overlooked by a lot of medical personnel.

LAHS grad, playwright's 'Baby Dance' new from Bus Barn

Only the most committed parents are willing to go through the often tough and tedious process to adopt a child. Los Altos High School graduate Jane Anderson knows first-hand about this commitment. Her experience is reflected in a play she wrote years earlier, "The Baby Dance," which is the upcoming Bus Barn Stage Company production.

Education Online

Los Altos Online is proud to offer a gateway to the schools and colleges that serve the residents of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. We presently have links to the Home Pages of Blach Intermediate School, Saint Francis High School, both Foothill and DeAnza Community Colleges, as well as to the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District. We also have a link to "Lost Altos," the Internet directory offering the email addresses of Los Altos High School alumni.

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."

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.

'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.

KALEIDOSCOPE features small businesses in Los Altos

The featured businesses of KALEIDOSCOPE for February are Linens of Los Altos, Janus, Cooks Junction, Brian Davino Flowers and a lesson in easy bead-making from the Bead Shop.

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.

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.

CSMA establishes memorial fund for Freelen

Freelen was affiliated with the Community School of Music & Arts for more than 10 years, serving on the school's board of directors, including terms as chair and vice-chair. "Maryce Freelen had tremendous effect on CSMA. Not only did her direct support of CSMA's Arts in Action and Music in Action programs ensure that elementary school children in this entire community receive arts education, but under her leadership, our endowment fund was established," said executive director Andrea S. Temkin. "Because of Maryce Freelen's efforts, many children currently receive music scholarships at CSMA. "

Schools

District welcomes new face in business office

Special to the Town Crier

Los Altos High actors relive '70s-style drama with 'Pippin'

"Pippin" was first produced in the 1970s, a time of great experimentation with musical comedy form, and it was the result of collaboration between several tremendously talented artists, including Schwartz, who created the jazzy, memorable and musically complex score; Roger Hirson, who wrote the witty, tongue-in-cheek book; and the late Bob Fosse, whose choreography changed Broadway dancing forever. The production features beautiful songs such as "Corner of the Sky," "With You," "Magic to Do" and "War is a Science."

School Briefs

Geoff Marcy will share the secrets of his recent co-discovery of the second and third planets ever found around another star with an audience of backyard star gazers and amateur astronomers at the regular meeting of the Peninsula Astronomical Society. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Room 12 at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.

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.

MVHS students win Schola Cantorum poster contest

Mountain View High School art students were given the chance to display their talents and win prizes in a poster contest promoting Schola Cantorum's concert "Americana" on March 16 and 17.

Sports

Sports Shorts

MOVING UP: St. Francis High named Mike Mitchell as its new football coach Jan. 30. He replaces Ron Calcagno who, after 30 years at the school, recently left to become director of community affairs with the Oakland A's. Mitchell, an assistant coach under Calcagno for 16 years, has served as defensive coordinator for the past eight years, a span in which the Lancers captured six Central Coast Section titles, including the last five in a row. "Mike is a very talented, loyal individual who has been instrumental in building the St. Francis football program to its present level. He is the right person to keep the tradition alive," said Lancer Athletic Director Steve DeMaestri.

Athlete profile

Town Crier Sports Editor

Athlete of the Week

While Mountain View's boys soccer team has been a scoring machine lately, its opponents are having a hard time finding the net with Spartan senior Nick Ross protecting it.

Saint Francis Boys prep basketball

Town Crier Sports Editor

Davidson sisters fit for The Kings

At point guard, senior Mandy is averaging 16 points, 13 steals and seven rebounds a game. In The Kings' recent 70-31 win over San Francisco Christian, she nailed her third quadruple-double of the season with 28 points, 17 steals, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.

LAHS Boys prep basketball

Special to the Town Crier

Prep soccer roundup

Town Crier Sports Editor

Local Sports Calendar

Today, Feb. 7

Scores

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Mountain View Academy Boys prep basketball

Special to the Town Crier

Business & Real Estate

Noteworthy

Jones, a 15-year rest estate veteran, was the sixth highest earning agent company wide in 1995. He has sold all types of income producing property with an emphasis on multiresidential properties.

LAVA appoints Kathleen Bryne as new director

After a monthlong search for a new executive director of the Los Altos Village Association, the selection committee announced the appointment of Kathleen Byrne.

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.

Local Seville Properties Realtor awarded CRS designation

Only 3 percent of all Realtors have earned the right to be called a CRS, and the total number of CRS designees in the United States is approximately 28,000. Those receiving the CRS designation must complete three required courses offered by the Residential Sales Council and must demonstrate specific expertise in applied residential real estate marketing.

What the IRS requires for electronic record-keeping

Special to the Town Crier

Make your backup strategy simple, painless and easy

Special to the Town Crier

Andronico's ready to open Feb. 23 at Rancho

The Andronico's Market site at Rancho Shopping Center in Los Altos is a scene of bustling activity these days. Work crews are hustling to put the finishing touches on the new market in time for the supermarket's projected Feb. 23 grand opening.

Weekly Special

Recipes Of The Week

(Serves 8)

Happenings

Restaurateurs Of The Week

Owners

What I believe about God

Special to the Town Crier

Spiritual adviser offers guidance

Special to the Town Crier

St. William parish hosts healing mission

Special to the Town Crier

Country Pet Wash

For the past five weeks Cindy and her husband, Joe, LaPorte have been literally going to the dogs; but, now the dogs are coming to them.

Old MacDonald moves to town, eeyi, eeyi, oh

Old MacDonald moved to town, to a typical 10,000-square-foot Los Altos lot. He had three dogs here and three cats there, here a chick, there a chick, a goose, a duck, one pair of rabbits, three French hens, two bee hives and a partridge in a pear tree.

Selecting a tail-wagging friend for the family

Getting a good dog for the family is not an easy task. If your looking for a dog that matches your family lifestyle, you have to find a reputable breeder known for offering healthy well socialized pets. Then you have to mold your well-bred puppy into a well-mannered family companion.