As I sat in front of my raised- hearth fireplace with fine aged oak wood burning away, I read a letter to the editor in the Town Crier (Jan. 14). I guess it was predictable that someone would begin taking up column space in the local paper blathering about fireplace burning.
Your arrogance and condescension of your neighbors is hard to believe. Last time I checked, fire burning is legal in Los Altos. It is also pleasurable and highly desired by my family members.
"Environmental Allergy" sounds like a false diagnosis of what is possibly some other allergy such as to dust. I suggest a daily walk in the great out-of-doors.
Please, leave the Boy Scouts alone. If you are really upset on this cause, turn your anger to the real culprits, the firewood providers.
As to global warming, there is great debate on the subject. But putting aside the debate, it is quite a stretch to say wood burning causes global warming.
I suggest you get some factual data on global warming, stop your condescending attitude towards your neighbors and apologize to the Boy Scouts.
Duncan O. Naylor
Los Altos
A secret too well kept
If you are a music lover like me and have not as yet discovered the presence in our midst of the Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra, allow me to share the secret.
Here in our very own communities at Foothill College and/or the United Methodist Church there performs one of the finest chamber orchestras I have heard in years. In fact, much to my chagrin, it has been doing so for the last 34 years, the last 19 of which have been under the baton of Maestro David Romadanoff whose credentials are extraordinary. For example, from 1975 to 1981 he was associate conductor of the San Francisco Symphony. In the latter year he was awarded the Leopold Stokowski conducting prize as the most outstanding young American conductor.
My wife and I had our very first exposure to this tremendously talented group on Jan. 18. The afternoon's program included Mozart's Divertimento for Strings in D Major and Villa-Lobos concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra. What an afternoon.
The next local performance will be at 3 p.m. March 29 at Smithwick Theater at Foothill College. The repertoire will again be delightfully diverse. For information, call (650) 573-1366. And please plan to join us as subscribers to their next season.
Dave MarinLos Altos
NIMBYs threaten to thwart school
The offer by Montessori School to purchase Morgan Manor may not come to pass although accepted by the owner of the property. How has this occurred? It seems that the squeaky wheels of negativity from some neighbors have gained more attention than a thoughtful analysis from all sides of the desirability of having an excellent alternative educational establishment on our very doorstep.
My occupation may give you pause because I am a longtime real estate broker and consultant. Let me hasten to add that I have no financial interest in the sale of this beautiful property. However, I live on Edgecliff Place which overlooks Morgan Manor and my children attended Ford Country Day School before it was Morgan Manor. Cars and the wee buses used to transport children did not race up Stonebrook Court, neither was there ever a traffic jam, nor undue honking nor other untoward behavior. With the school enrollment being kept to no more than 295 students - preschool through sixth grade - what an ideal environment for quality education, and the possibility of standards being raised. Also, please remember that most of the complaining neighbors would be using the roads in the opposite direction from the school patrons both arriving and leaving.
Having sold real estate for 23 years in this and surrounding areas, I have found that homes abutting elementary schools increase in value no less than other similar properties, and in some cases the increase occurs faster. This is because schools are empty by evening and are not occupied at the weekends, so that the argument proposing falling values is specious. The positive effect on the children involved far outweighs the whines from the few NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) who always seem to be allowed to prevail in these situations.
Alison Lindell
Los Altos
Try them before you pass judgment
I'm disappointed with the reception of Koo Koo Roo Restaurant by a number of members of the Los Altos community. There are folks who refuse to patronize the place because it doesn't "fit the image of our village." They haven't tried the food; they've based their opinion solely on appearance.
I find it disheartening when establishments or individuals are judged negatively strictly based on appearance.
In the case of Koo Koo Roo, the food is tasty, healthy, reasonably priced and terrific family fare. In addition, the restaurant is investing in the community by donating 20 percent of their proceeds on select nights to help local schools.
I encourage everyone to get to know another's differences before making a judgment - this applies to people and organizations. There isn't enough room in a town this size for prejudice in any form.
Diane HolcombEmployee, Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
How about recycling for commissioners?
Since the Los Altos City Council has adopted the noble practice of recycling, I think that they ought to reappoint Honor Spitz to the planning commission. She was the best the city has seen in a good long time. Honest, too.
Dorothea Johnson
Los Altos