Teens and parents: It can be an ongoing battle for control that can leave some strong-willed teens distraught and some parents frustrated and exhausted. What to do? Some parents are going back to class – one that specializes in techniques for dealing with recalcitrant or at-risk teens.

The Parent Project program, sponsored jointly by the Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC) and the Mountain View Police Department, is a 12-week course open to local parents who want to regain control and keep their children out of trouble.

The Town Crier Holiday Fund annually disburses financial donations to area non-profit organizations that benefit those in need. This year, 17 organizations will receive funds. Following are profiles of four local non-profits – the Community Health Awareness Council, Music For Minors, the Community Services Agency Dental Program and Partners for New Generations – chosen to receive funds.

As more than 400 parents, teachers and students sang “Happy Birthday,” officials cut a giant yellow and green tiered cake to kick off the yearlong celebration of Pinewood School’s 50th anniversary.

“We are incredibly proud of our students and outstanding faculty – they are what make everything we do at Pinewood worthwhile,” said Scott Riches, grandson of the founders and current president of the multicampus school. “Our family has an abiding commitment to the Los Altos community and to the ideal of developing students of character, discernment and academic excellence.”

I recently took a group of 49 on the six-star Paul Gauguin, a Regent cruise line ship with 300 passengers. We took a 12-day cruise from Papeete, Tahiti, to the seldom-visited Marquesas Islands, with stops at Bora Bora, Moorea, Taha’a and other little islands. Weather is the same year round, in the 80s, and we experienced gorgeous flowers, clear waters and breathtaking views.

French is the primary language, and few people on the islands speak English. Thirty percent of the passengers were from Europe, so it was interesting to hear all the languages spoken as you went around the ship.