Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 07/22/1996 All articles from this issue

Los Altos Bank loses its gold standard

printer friendly version

By Clyde Noel / Town Crier Staff Writer

The controversial gold money bags sculpture in front of Great Western Bank in downtown Los Altos are gone for now, victims of recent vandalism according to bank officials.

The bags, which were damaged once before and repaired, have been permanently removed due to logistics problems, according to bank manager Sherry Malinow.

"People either loved them or hated them," she said. "They brought a lot of attention because people would use them as a reference place to meet other people. They would tell strangers to meet them by the money bags on Main Street."

About a month ago, the vandals, described as young men, took one of the money bags off the pedestal and left it on Main Street.

It was too heavy to be moved back by the bank's gardener, so the city was called to come and fix the icon. When workers couldn't return the bag to its pedestal, city workers took both bags away.

The bags have since been stored in the city's Municipal Services Center.

Artist Marlene Locheim has been notified about the situation. City and bank officials said they would like to have the bags repaired and restored.

"I liked them there. Customers are asking 'When are they coming back?' " Malinow said.

"I wish there was better communication of what will happen to them and whether we will get them back after they