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Volume 49, Number 53, Published on 12/23/1996

News

Santa '96

White of teeth, eyes a-twinkle,

Los Altos Christmas collection

Special to the Town Crier

How did Santa get a start in our lives?

Children around the world look forward to Christmas when Santa Claus visits. They all enjoy the myth of Santa Claus, but very few agree on where he originated. Most encyclopedias, however, credit Santa Claus and Christmas to St. Nicholas, who goes back 1,725 years.

Our very own 'Sweater Girl'

Momma asked us children what we wanted for Christmas. Little Ruthie, my younger sister, quickly replied, "I want a sweater and I want to pick it out myself." Mother said, "Fine I will take you after school next Wednesday."

Firefighters gear up for changeover

Even though the fire service changeover won't be official until next Monday, the firefighters are already pretty fired up with expectation.

5 testify about unwanted touching by former officer

Testimony moved quickly in the trial of the former Los Altos Police officer, Rafael Rosario, 30, who faces 12 criminal charges including felony sexual assault.

Local residents pleased with Adobe Creek planning study

Adobe Creek flooding has the potential to cause millions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses in Palo Alto, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. According to the Santa Clara Valley Water District engineers, more than 220 structures and portions of Foothill College would be flooded in a major storm.

Comment

Letters to the Editor

I read with interest and pleasure your article (Dec. 18 Town Crier) regarding the planned Veterans Memorial for Los Altos.

Christmas story according to Luke, Ch. 2

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

This is not your usual Christmas column

For a newspaper columnist, writing for Christmas Day is a tough proposition. Readers don't want to read about all the different sexual harassment cases we report weekly or the problems in city goverment, and they've had enough of the happenings at El Camino Hospital. It's Christmas, and people want to hear about how nice things are at Christmastime.

Community

Los Altos Weather

Pages of the Past

The Dec. 29, 1971, issue of the Town Crier reported that a "Block Award" for Christmas decorations was awarded for the first time in 11 years in the annual Los Altos Board of Realtors Christmas decorating contest. The last Block Award was presented in 1960 and the winning block was Edna Court.

Moffett Field silver coins available at local Chamber of Commerce

The Los Altos Chamber of Commerce will be offering limited edition silver coins commemorating Moffett Field history.

Library News

Normal hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Community Briefs

The Veteran's Hospital in Palo Alto invites residents to help patients by distributing gifts and caroling from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the hospital, 3801 Miranda Ave., Palo Alto.

Almanac

City offices closed: Merry Christmas.

Local families raise money for CSA with 'Soup's On' Santa Claus party

Without the help of donations from residents in Los Altos Hills, Los Altos and Mountain View, the Community Services Agency (CSA) would not be able to have a successful Santa Claus Exchange.

In January, Chefs Who Care head to La Fiesta restaurant

La Fiesta Mexican restaurant at 240 Villa St. in Mountain View will host its fourth annual Chefs Who Care benefit dinner from 5:30-8 p.m. Jan. 13 and 14.

Schools

Advocate talks at Parents Involved in Education meeting Jan. 14

Marsha Ackerlund, an education advocate, is scheduled to speak at the Jan. 14 meeting of the Los Altos chapter of Parents Involved In Education.

LASD Board goes on tour of schools for feedback from students, staff

Special to the Town Crier

Schools Briefs

Health 21, a four-unit class that satisfies the general education requirement for the California State University system, is being offered as a telecourse call "Living with Health" through De Anza College's Distance Learning Center.

A rarity for LASD: filling vacancy on board

Special to the Town Crier

Sports

This Week in Sports

Boys Soccer

St. Francis High runs from bottom to top

Year in review

Panthers scoring with quickness and smarts this season

Pinewood girls basketball

School Awards

VOLLEYBALL

Sports Shorts

GREAT SCOTT: After four years of coaching for the Sunnyvale Youth Basketball League, Art Scott and his family moved to Los Altos and he took over the helm at St. Simon School. This season, the team notched a 10-2 record, and Scott was selected to coach in the Bay Area All-Star Tournament.

Coach's Corner

I would like to respond to Andy Nystrom's sports editorial about the Los Altos football team having to forfeit to Fremont High School. I am the coach of the team and so was responsible for the decision.

Lancer girls winning with plethora of contributors

Town Crier Staff Report

Business & Real Estate

Get ready to say goodbye to stock certificates

On Dec. 31, corporate America will take a major step by making stock ownership a paperless one.

Realtor firm feeds 2,000 families at Thanksgiving

Art Scott & Associates, a realty firm from Cupertino, completed its ninth annual Thanksgiving "Build a Box" program by delivering more than 2,000 meals to needy families in the county. Numerous dinners had to be pre-cooked because recipients didn't have electricity.

Transactions

Los Altos

PenWest donates $25,000 for homeless prevention

Special to the Town Crier

Business Briefs

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Services of Northern California, owned and operated by National Realty Trust, announced it has acquired Carlson Realty in Gilroy, according to Larry Knapp, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage of Northern California. With the addition of Carlson Realty, Coldwell Banker will gain the number one position in the Gilroy market with more than 30 percent of the real estate market.

Weekly Special

New book by local gardeners: Successful Vines for the Peninsula

Special to the Town Crier

Antique Christmas

Special to the Town Crier

Spring tour of historic English gardens

Special to the Town Crier

Obituaries

Ruth L. Colombini, an 18-year Los Altos resident, died Nov. 6 at home after a brave battle with cancer. She was 70.

Weddings

Deborah Mariottini and Michael Dotzler were married on Sept. 15 at Mission Santa Clara. A reception was held at the Stanford Park Hotel in Menlo Park.

Bus Barn provides fun summer vacation

Special to the Town Crier

1996 - a look back

Town Crier Staff Report