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Volume 49, Number 50, Published on 12/02/1996

News

Sights, songs for holidays

Town Crier Staff Writer

City OKs 30-foot sign for Village Court center

In a rare move, the city council reviewed construction of a sign that had already been approved by the architectural and site control committee and then approved it.

Hospital set to be back in district hands Jan. 1

By a unanimous vote, at a special meeting Nov. 24, the El Camino Hospital District Board of Directors approved a settlement agreement that will make the district the sole manager of the hospital.

DA: Los Altos High School student a ringleader in kidnap-torture case

A Los Altos High School freshman has been identified as one of two alleged ringleaders in the Nov. 14 kidnap-torture of an eighth grader from Mountain View.

Special council meeting Sunday to discuss fire services contract

In a surprise move, Mayor Francis La Poll announced a special meeting for this Sunday to allow additional public input regarding the as yet unsigned fire services contract.

Comment

November was a time to remember

I lie in bed on a sunny Sunday morning, stretching like a cat beneath a down comforter. From my window I can see the golden warmth of an apricot tree wearing its autumn gown, from which translucent golden leaves flutter to the ground to create a train of chiffon to blanket the brown earth.

Letters to the Editor

As a resident of Los Altos Hills I have great pride and affection for Griffin House, the original historic structure situated on what is now Foothill College Campus. It is the only house in Los Altos Hills that is on the National Historic Register, and it was the inspiration for the architecture of all the campus buildings. The house makes Foothill College a little more special than other campuses in the junior college system.

Community

Medieval dancing with a California twist at Waldorf holiday faire

Special to the Town Crier

Political satarist makes visit to Celebrity Forum

Political satarist Mark Russell is scheduled to perform 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Foothill College Celebrity Forum series.

Life was a beach for resident who walked state coastline

The friends of Dinesh Desai know better than to suggest he take a hike. That's just what this 57-year-old Los Altos resident will do.

Pages of the Past

In the Dec. 8, 1971 issue of the Town Crier, the Los Altos neighborhood conservationists reminded gift-givers to consider the environment during the holiday season. Ann Smith of the organization recommended avoiding pre-packaged gift items and give, instead, durable presents, wrapped in salvaged or reusable materials. She also urged the use of live trees that could be transplanted outside after the holidays.

MROSD closes preserve trails due to recent wet weather

The Mindpeninsula Regional Open Space District has closed several trails due to recent rains, citing possible safety hazards.

Sierra Club children's books

Book reviews

LAH actress hits big time with Lansbury in holiday TV movie, 'Mrs. Santa Claus'

Debra Wiseman, a former Los Altos Hills resident who first developed her interest in theater musicals through local community theater groups, will be appearing in a supporting role to Angela Lansbury in "Mrs. Santa Claus," airing 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS television, Channel 5, Sunday. This is Wiseman's first feature movie role in which she sings and dances.

Community Briefs

Enjoy hot cider and snuggle up by the fireplace as storyteller Megumi shares tales from Japanese, Jewish and other traditions at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13.

Almanac

Mountain View Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m., City Hall, 500 Castro St.

Los Altos area galleries celebrate art for the holidays

Gallery Michael's holiday season festivities kicks off with a reception for landscape artist Charles White 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Los Altos Weather

Schools

MVHS student active in school and holds two jobs

Katie Goodwin is a true leader at Mountain View High School. She is a leader not only in her elected positions, but in all activities in which she participates. She was selected as student-of-the-month because of her involvement and leadership in activities inside and outside of school.

School Briefs

Come hear the choral group of Los Altos High School (LAHS) at their Winter Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, 625 Hamilton Ave.

Egan students place in top 10 in math contest

Six eighth graders from Egan Intermediate School in Los Altos placed in the top 10 at the 15th annual Crystal Springs Uplands Middle School Math Contest on Nov. 23 in Hillsborough.

Egan student council approves $2,000 for new tennis courts

Special to the Town Crier

MV-LA district offers 'get-acquainted' meetings, open enrollment

To help incoming freshman students and parents become familiar with educational programs, the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District will host informational meetings at 7:30 p.m. this coming Tuesday for Los Altos High School in the school gym and at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 for Mountain View High School in the school commons.

Noteworthies

Two local students graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in October. Sanjeev Krishnan of Mountain View received a Ph. D. Kevin Brent Whitlock of Mountain View also received his Ph.D.

Sports

Mtn. View out of playoffs, finishes a top-notch season

Prep football

Los Altos shoots, scores CCS crown

Prep field hockey

Intensity, fun are tops at St. Francis

Prep volleyball

Pack of Lancers blast by Bellarmine in semis

Prep football

Owls save their best for last, pass up rival De Anza 42-22

Foothill College roundup

Sports Shorts

BACK ON THE MOUND: Sandy Wihtol used to be a relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, and now he's being called in to register a save for the Los Altos High baseball program. Los Altos has struggled through the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League and coaching controversies the last two years, but should be back on track with the recently hired Wihtol. The former Homestead High all-leaguer brings an energetic attitude and a wealth of experience to the plate and is hoping to get kids fired up about Eagle baseball again. He'll throw out his first pitch 11 a.m. Saturday at a meet-the-coach barbecue at the Los Altos High small gym at 201 Almond Ave. Young players in grades eight through 12 are invited to attend and find out what's in store for the spring.

Teams should stick it out

instead of packing it in

Steingart, Moore repeat as CCS doubles champs

Town Crier Staff Report

Business & Real Estate

Keeping up with the computer age Joneses may be impossible

Town Crier Staff Writer

Facilitator offers tips for effective meetings

If you tried to describe Geoff Ball in a few words, you would call him a conflict manager. He works in a variety of settings usually in situations that are complex and involve a lot of people. You could also call him a master facilitator.

Make the move to a smaller house a smooth one

Not everyone moves from a small home in Los Altos or Mountain View to a larger home in Saratoga or Los Altos Hills. A lot of people, especially empty nesters and seniors, move from their large home to a smaller home when the large home becomes too much of a burden.

How you can best sell yourself

and some other worthy causes

Weekly Special

Charitable gift - a neglected tool in tax-free sale of business

Special to the Town Crier

On a roll

Allison Turner was sure she would never need a van. After all, she only had one child. But then she discovered carpools when she took her child to the Baptist Church School on Magdalena Road. How would she fit all the other children in when her turn came?

When buying a used car, ask for the service record

Beware the seller of a used car who tells you his car has been so terrific that, "I've never had to do a thing to it."

Obituaries

Barbara Midford, a Los Altos city employee-of-the-year in 1996, died Saturday. She was 56.

Seniors

The Mountain View Senior Center is located at 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View. For more information, call 903-6330.

'Holidays in Village' poster artist adds to her reputation

Appliqué artist Nancy Freeman has added her talent to collateral artwork that brings the magic of downtown Los Altos to the village gift catalog cover, a holiday poster, a promotional postcard and a special sweatshirt - all created from an imaginative Christmas illustration that shows why she is something of a local legend in town.

Weddings & Engagements

Cathi Challas and Greg Bonnifield were married Aug. 20 at The Resort at Squaw Creek at Lake Tahoe. A reception was held afterward at the resort. Their honeymoon was spent traveling in Italy.

The gift of receiving graciously

Aaah, the Christmas season is drawing closer. The season for giving and receiving gifts. The season when small children gladden parents' hearts by their excitement as they delve into Christmas stockings and packages. We adults are not always able to enjoy gifts equally whole-heartedly. I wonder why?

Spiritual Life Briefs

The Rev. Tom Doyle will make the third of his three-day special Advent presentations on prayer today at 9 a.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. at St. William Parish, 611 S. El Monte Ave., in Los Altos. For more information, call 948-8169.

Hanukkah, an eight-day 'festival of lights'

Town Crier Staff Writer

Local dancers get grooving

Director Bubba Gong and his Foothill College Dance Department crew will conclude their 10th anniversary season this weekend by strutting and singing in "Tapestry '96 - An Evening of Dances with Songs."