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Volume 50, Number 45, Published on 11/10/1997

News

Los Altos citizens pitch in

Town Crier Staff Writer

LAH to revisit pathways process

Following nearly three hours of input from residents who packed council chambers, the Los Altos Hills City Council agreed Nov. 5 to revisit the off-road pathways process before implementing any proposed off-road pathways.

Fire burns art room at Egan School

Town Crier Staff Writer

Judge Ware story untrue:

By Joanne Griffith Domingue

Voters unseat incumbent, choose new voices for Los Altos City Council

With light voter turnout for the city council elections Nov. 4, Los Altos voters chose two new faces and failed to reelect the incumbent.

City manager search begins with a study session

Council members will be considering the criteria for a search, "actually two searches," said Los Altos Mayor Francis La Poll. "The first search is for the company - the folks who will assist in the search." Then, of course, is the search for the city manager.

City facilitator leads team-building session tonight

A city council-hired facilitator will lead a session on team building and conflict resolution tonight with city council, three staff members and the planning commissioners.

LAH joint meeting highlights need for residents' input

Los Altos Hills residents had an opportunity to provide input into the town's planning process Oct. 29 at a joint meeting of the city council and planning commission.

Toned-down Koo Koo Roo restaurant sign approved

The Los Altos Architectural and Site Control Committee approved signs for Koo Koo Roo California Kitchen that shouldn't ruffle any feathers.

Comment

Convention consistent with schools' goals?

I read, earlier this year, the article in the Town Crier about the possibility of the Los Altos School District being used as the model for the rest of California. I'm proud to be in the District - the outstanding teachers and curriculum, the quality of the leadership, the forward thinking vision, the very impressive PTA, and the incredible involvement on the part of the parents in the schools and in their children's education.

What we learned from the election

Only 28.6 percent of the 19,021 registered voters in Los Altos bothered to vote, 1,114 by absentee and 4,325 at the precincts. The paltry voter interest implies there were no burning issues visible to the electorate. In fact, that was the reason given by the San Jose Mercury News for passing on endorsements of Los Altos candidates - no substantive issues.

E-mails say Geschke series well received

Jean Willwerth

Letters to the Editor

Last March, the arduous task of getting the Egan School tennis courts back to playing shape was completed. Since then, the courts have been enjoyed by the students, including the tennis team, as well as by many members of the community. Unfortunately, there have already been several attacks of vandalism.

Community

Pages of the Past

Ed Walker, in his weekly Town Crier column "Growin' Things," described the spectacular display of color all over the Peninsula in November 1972. It was a gorgeous array of reds, yellows and purples, he wrote, set off to distinct advantage by evergreens.

Painter, jewelry maker combine for Gallery 9 exhibit

The current featured exhibition at Gallery 9, 143 Main St., presents an unusual combination - 100 pieces of jewelry by Tove Norlander and 16 paintings of San Francisco scenes by Dale Snyder. There's not much time left to catch this exhibit - it runs through this Saturday.

Pilgrim Haven inviting input in process for master plan

Pilgrim Haven will hold a community focus meeting 7 p.m. Nov. 19 in Fellowship Hall, located at 373 Pine Lane in Los Altos, to gather input as part of a master planning process for the senior retirement community.

50 who made a difference - the honor roll

1947-57: Guy Shoup, David MacKenzie, Josephine Duveneck, Ardis Egan, Bill Powell, Christian Wilder, A. Watson Conner, Gardner Bullis, George Estill, Sr. and Sam Kahn.

No more local calls for postal help

Need questions answered about your holiday postal mailings? Don't call local any more.

'Spirit of Sharing' lights up holiday food drive

This holiday season, Los Altos Garbage Company (LAGCo) and Foothill Disposal will hold their annual "Spirit of Sharing" food and toy drive beginning this coming Monday to Dec. 12 in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Mountain View to benefit needy families served by the Community Services Agency (CSA).

State senator Sher talks state issues at Saturday forum

Byron Sher, the 11th district state senator whose territory includes Los Altos, spoke on a broad spectrum of issues ranging from class size reduction funding to the impacts of welfare reform at an open meeting last Saturday at Los Altos City Hall.

5 area women are finalists for achievement awards

Five area women have been nominated for the 22nd annual Women of Achievement awards sponsored by The Women's Fund.

Contributors to today's Los Altos: 50 who made a difference - 1987-97

T he Town Crier concludes its anniversary presentation of 10 individuals from each decade, beginning with our founding year, 1947, who have positively impacted the fabric of our community. Selections are based on staff opinion, research and community input. Given the dozens of individuals in every decade who have contributed so much, we faced hard decisions in presenting only 10 per decade. We'll look forward to honoring another 10 in 2007.

Library News

The Friends of the Library select new and used books in quality condition for this one-day sale. All proceeds benefit the Los Altos and Woodland libraries. For more information, call 948-7048.

Speaker addresses China concerns at Morning Forum

Special to the Town Crier

Community Briefs

The Shoreline Chapter of Parents Without Partners serves Santa Clara County as a support group for single parents. The group meets at 5 p.m. every Saturday for introductions to the organization and is open to any parent who is single. For more information, call (408) 275-9057.

Adventures around the world for armchair traveling

"It's about adventure and the countries the dolls represent," Brunner said.

Police Report

Nov. 3, 6:46 a.m., 200 block of Hillview Avenue: A resident reported obscene phone calls.

Los Altos Weather

Schools

Noteworthies

The conference is a leadership program for high school studetns who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit.

Instructor defends value of class on Holocaust

In a history class so controversial that school administrators rejected it last year, Holocaust survivor Jack Gelb told Mountain View High School students how the Nazis tortured him, smashed his fingers in a door and whipped him as a young boy after they caught him smuggling a loaf of bread and some potatoes to his starving family.

LAHS senior honored for acting, athletic roles

Tony Suber, a senior at Los Altos High School, was selected as outstanding student of the month for October due to his active participation in a variety of school activities.

School Briefs

To help raise extra money for their school, students at Montclaire School in Los Altos are participating in a program with General Mills called Big Box Tops for Education.

Peer Court holds students accountable for actions

Town Crier Staff Writer

Play opens at Gunn High this week

"The Rimers of Eldritch," a 1960s experimental play by Lanford Wilson, will be performed at the studio theater of Gunn High School this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

MV-LA district names new business superintendent

The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District Board of Trustees named Robyn Phillips as the new assistant superintendent of business services Nov. 3.

Take a new look at the world by hosting an international exchange student

Each year, thousands of American families welcome YFU students into their homes. YFU host families provide room, board, guidance and the experience of what everyday life is like in America.

Incumbents prevail in school board elections

Last week's election results left the Los Altos, Cupertino and Foothill-De Anza school boards virtually unchanged, with all campaigning incumbents reelected.

Stanford symposium explores frontiers of computer intelligence

Computer scientist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Douglas Hofstadter has organized a series of public symposia designed to probe the question, "Are computers approaching human-level creativity?"

International school offers year-round alternative

Although year-round schooling has remained an uncommon and sometimes controversial alternative to the conventional school calendar, parents at the Children's International School have found it to be an attractive solution to help support demanding family and career needs.

Sports

All six local high schools make CCS playoffs

Town Crier Staff Writer

As usual, the St. Francis-Bellarmine football game is an important one

St. Francis High should be rocking when Bellarmine comes knocking Friday night.

Sports On The Side

A TITLE FOR GUNN: The Gunn High girls water polo team clinched the SCVAL El Camino Division title Nov. 5 with a 15-6 win over Cupertino. Rachel Kleidon scored six goals for the Titans.

This week in local sports

Football

Foothill women's golf team plays for state title Monday

Foothill College women's golf coach Elaine Rotty has a slight problem with the course her team will play Monday for the state championship. She believes Fresno's Copper Valley Country Club is too easy.

Sherbakov wins league championship

Town Crier Staff Writer

Eagles wallop Vikings

Special to the Town Crier

Business & Real Estate

Business Briefs

"The Competitive Edge and the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997" is the topic of a seminar scheduled today at both noon and 6:30 p.m. at Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 245 Lytton Ave., Suite 200 in Palo Alto. Call Leigh Metzler at 853-4056 or (800) 755-8081, ext. 4056 to make a reservation.

Local family brings Clarke's to Los Altos

Town Crier Staff Writer

Apple culture comes alive on Los Altos Hills site

It's not just grapes that are flourishing on the slopes of Los Altos Hills these days. Fruit trees combine history, hobby and landscaping solutions. For at least one resident of the Hills, they may hold economic promise as well.

Stanford Shopping Center hosts 'Parade of Lights' starting Nov. 20

The Stanford Shopping Center hosts its annual "Parade of Lights" beginning at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20.

Real Estate Transactions

Los Altos

Campi Properties declares its independence, despite offers

While several area real estate companies have signed on for acquisition, one local firm has decidedly said no.

Dear Dilbert: I know how you feel about managers

Jean on the Job

Weekly Special

Traveler bares all about a neighborhood social event - the Turkish bath

During a recent stay in Istanbul, my friend Bette Ann and I were assured by our husbands that complete modestly was observed in a Turkish bath.

Baby born on a sidewalk on way to the hospital

Special to the Town Crier

Baby swimming expert from Japan pays visit to Los Altos Hills

Town Crier Staff Writer

Obituaries

Maryanne "Hazel" Lippold, owner of Country Manor Accents in Los Altos for 15 years, died Nov. 5 at her Palo Alto home. A native of San Francisco, she was 56.

Seniors Briefs

Notes: The senior center has a loan closet for sick room items like canes, walkers and wheelchairs. Call Judie at 948-7483 to borrow these items. ... Activity Cards are for sale at the senior center for $12 for Los Altos residents. Others pay $17. The card is good until June 1998. ... Selected videos are available for viewing. ... A nurse is available for blood pressure screening from 9:15-11 a.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month for drop-ins.

Service News

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Leticia A. Jones, a 1992 graduate of Mountain View High School, recently departed on a six-month trip to the Western Pacific Ocean aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. She joined the Navy in April 1994.

Births

A son, Jake Ryan Cratty, was born July 31 to Los Altos residents Mark and Joy Cratty at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View.

Engagements

Dana Michelle Sanchez and Mark Anthony Terry recently announced their engagement to be married Dec. 31 at Carmel Valley Community Chapel.

Weddings

Michelle Elizabeth McKeen and Lars Bjorn Ahlstrom were married Sept. 7 at Valley Presbyterian Church in Portola Valley. A reception followed at the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club.

Spiritual Life Briefs

The Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mid-Peninsula, a Palo Alto-based pastoral counseling service, presents a lecture, "Well Being for the 21st century: Enlarging the Horizons of Healing," 7:30 tonight at Cubberley Theater, Cubberley Community center, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 328-8111.

Women Aglow chapter forms in Mountain View

Town Crier Staff Writer

'Lips Together' chronicles a chaotic 4th of July

Special to the Town Crier

Local pianist opens family concert series

When Laura Spitzer begins playing the piano at the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) Sunday at 2:30 p.m., she'll be in familiar territory.

'Clumsy Custard' comes to Bus Barn

The City of Los Altos Youth Theatre presents the fall drama, "The Clumsy Custard Horror Show," this month at the Bus Barn Theater.

'Battle of the 1940s Bands' at Flint Center this Sunday

The Big Band Alumni Orchestra's "Battle of the 1940s Bands" concert comes to Flint Center in Cupertino this Sunday. Performances are scheuled for 2 and 7 p.m.

Los Altos composer to preview his new opera

Alva Henderson of Los Altos will conduct excerpts from his new opera, "Nosferatu," on Monday at 8 p.m.

1998 small-ship Seattle to Alaska ruises focus on ports, scenery, wildlife

In 1998, two small cruise ships, each carrying no more than 100 guests, will sail the Inside Passage between Seattle and Alaska. One-way, seven-night itineraries allow more time and have less duplication of routes than round-trip cruises sailing from Vancouver.