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Volume 50, Number 5, Published on 02/03/1997

News

Blazing our local trails

Special to the Town Crier

LAH council, planning board spar over housing issue

The ongoing, often bitter controversy over housing development in Los Altos Hills took center stage at last week's joint meeting of the town's planning commission and city council.

Cop, city labor talks at 'impasse,' lawyer says

Labor lawyer Alan Davis told the Los Altos City Council that contract negotiations between the city and the police have reached an impasse.

Vietnam vet works on memorial proposal

Town Crier Staff Writer

News Briefs

Los Altos city council members voted to change from a 12-month to an 18-month probationary period for sworn police officers.

El Camino Hospital management transition going smoothly, district's attorney says

By unanimous agreement, Dr. Paul Hoar will continue as president of the El Camino Hospital District.

Children to testify out of sight of alleged molester, judge rules

Family members were jubilant. In a first-ever decision for Santa Clara County, a judge ruled that two of the five alleged victims of child molestation at a Los Altos nursery school will be allowed to testify from outside the courtroom. Their testimony will be broadcast into court, live, by one-way video.

Police charge 3 with forging checks at Los Altos bank

Police arrested three on forgery charges after they cashed checks in Los Altos that turned out to be stolen.

Upcoming at City Hall

Etruscan Condominiums: three-story project for 24 units for the corner of Fremont Avenue and Foothill Expressway.

Comment

St. William notification appreciated

The city has been exceptionally attentive to residents on this sensitive issue, providing adequate advance notice of meetings on the 5.5-acre site. For instance, the city's Parks and Recreation Department last week announced a planning meeting for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Los Altos Community Center to inform residents and seek input. The meeting is among several planned with the intention of involving the residents.

Letters to the Editor

As a longtime-resident of Los Altos, I have noticed a disturbing trend in my neighborhood. The first being the profusion of dog droppings on the sidewalks, front yards, street curbs and public areas.

Goodbye to a super superintendent

Officials in the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District now have a tall order before them - replacing Superintendent Don Phillips.

From a writer's notebook

"We are called to write and I feel we will be held responsible at the judgment for people who are hurting that we could have helped but didn't because we didn't write what God laid on our hearts to write." Harold Ivan Smith.

Community

25 years ago in the Town Crier

According to the Feb. 9, 1972, issue of the Town Crier, disheartenment was the main reason behind Ruth and Donald Halvorsen's decision to sell the 1912 observation car and the 1916 caboose that sat in front of their restaurant, the Old Station House at 288 First Street. The asking prices were $20,000 for the refurbished observation car and $9,000 for the caboose.

Great Decisions programs starting Feb. 3

The Los Altos Mountain View League of Women Voters, The American Association of University Women and the Los Altos Library will present "Great Decisions" programs from 10 a.m. to noon at the Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, in Los Altos.

Morning Forum of Los Altos announces spring schedule

The Morning Forum of Los Altos has announced its spring program comprising 10 speakers.

Retirement doesn't slow upbeat rec supervisor

Probably not many folks would point to the Med-fly crisis of the mid-1980s and say that was a launching point for a career.

Physician says exercise key to a longer life

Inactivity can have a damaging effect on your health. Some experts put it in the same category as smoking and a high cholesterol level.

Paul Hawken kicks off Wallace Stegner Lecture Series

Noted businessman and author Paul Hawken will kick off the fourth annual Wallace Stegner Lecture Series at 8 p.m. Feb. 13, at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

Library News

The group will discuss "The Daughter of Time" by Josephine Tey.

Community Briefs

The Los Altos History House presents its 10th annual crab feed and auction at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Hillview Community Center social hall, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos.

Painter goes three-dimensional at new Sunbird Gallery exhibition

A new show opened at Sunbird Gallery this week featuring California artist Jian Wang's paintings and sculpture.

Community Foundation provides $7,500 grant to Bus Barn Stage Co.

The Los Altos Community Foundation approved a $7,500 grant last week for the Bus Barn Stage Company and another $2,500 grant for Los Altos schools' playing fields.

Senior Briefs

Feb. 14: 1 p.m., movie, "Fly Away Home," starring Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin. A young girl raises Canadian geese from an abandoned nest. Shown in Room 11.

Almanac

Los Altos Architectural and Site Committee, 4 p.m., Community meeting chambers, 1 N. San Antonio Road.

Los Altos Weather

Schools

2nd grade at Springer has Web page

Town Crier Staff Writer

Almond teacher enjoying retirement after 37 years

Victoria Mukai, a former teacher at Almond School in Los Altos, is currently enjoying her first year of retirement after 37 years with the school.

Departing MV-LA schools chief looks back, looks forward to P.A.

Don Phillips has a few mixed emotions about leaving the top spot in the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District for the superintendent position in the Palo Alto Unified School District.

A poster winner for 'United in Harmony'

Michael S. Caldwell of Mountain View High School has received a $100 prize as winner of the United in Harmony poster contest for 1997, sponsored by the United Way of Santa Clara County.

School Briefs

Men and women can explore a variety of contemporary issues that affect women by enrolling in a new three-unit evening course at Foothill College. The women's issues class will meet 6-9 p.m. Thursday through March 27 in Room B2 at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.

Sports

Mountain View sets the pace in basketball race

Town Crier Staff Report

Los Altos takes it to Mtn. View

Girls basketball

Fitness, depth keep Lancers rolling

Town Crier Staff Writer

This week in sports

Wrestling

Panthers' boys and girls teams playing tough, still improving

Special to the Town Crier

Sports Shorts

KICKERS' CORNER: The Mountain View-Los Altos Falcons, a competitive girls soccer team, holds tryouts for the spring season from 3:30-5 p.m. Saturday, 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday and 4-5:30 p.m. Monday at Covington Mini-Park in Los Altos. Eligible players must be born after July 31, 1984 and be experienced players. Participants should bring their own ball and water. For more information, call 941-0331.

Athlete of the Week

This senior guard/forward for the St. Francis High girls basketball team is averaging 10 points a game, and also contributes great passing and defense.

Lancers are playing, winning as a team

St. Francis girls basketball

Business & Real Estate

'Chef of the Year' award presented to John Bentley

Town Crier Staff Writer

The 3 percent rule of change - where a little can mean a lot to those at work

When you deliver the news that your employee or colleague needs a major working style overhaul, he can become paralyzed, demoralized or just plain overwhelmed.

Transactions

Los Altos

Realtors seek preliminary reports for buyers review

Once you find your perfect dream home, there is always a question on what you are buying and if any liens are placed on the property by prior owners. This is especially true when buyers purchase fixer-uppers or homes that are 30 to 40 years old. The usual question is, are there any restrictions on the property?

Weekly Special

Dancers kick off Foothill celebration

Foothill College begins its annual African-American Heritage Month celebration with a one-night-only performance by the internationally renowned Dallas Black Dance Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday in the Robert C. Smithwick Theater.

Service Notes

Students learned principles and procedures for preparing input and operating equipment in a mechanized disbursement system. Fund accounting, military pay and travel payments were emphasized.

How to clear the hurdles of renting a car

Town Crier Staff Writer

Safe cars: bigger is better experts say

Town Crier Staff Report

The future of California transportation is uncertain

Town Crier Staff Report

Obituaries

Dr. Marvin M. Small, a longtime Los Altos resident, died Jan. 11 after a long illness. He was 60.

Weddings and Engagements

Maria Del Castillo and Todd Kiehn recently announced their engagement to be married Aug. 30 in Houston, Texas.

For Lent: giving up, taking on something new

Town Crier Staff Writer

Epiphanies can happen year round

(Editor's note: The church season of Epiphany begins on the 12th day of Christmas, Jan. 6, and continues until Ash Wednesday, which is Feb. 12 this year.)

Spiritual Life Briefs

Congregation Beth Am presents a six-session course on "The Trial of Jesus: Ancient Law, Ancient Mystery," from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday nights.

Diamond to sing, sparkle in Palo Alto

Charlotte Diamond's latest album of children's songs, "Diamonds and Daydreams," focuses on her childhood, experiences as a parent and hopes for the future. And she will share her positive messages with local audiences this Saturday and Sunday at Spangenberg Auditorium in Palo Alto.