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Volume 51, Number 5, Published on 02/02/1998

News

Police presence working

Town Crier Staff Writer

El Niño pounds Los Altos

Town Crier Staff Writer

Residents wake to sounds of gunshots

Los Altos residents in the southern part of town woke up early Thursday morning to the sound of gunshots.

Varian exec joins LAH Planning Commission

Richard Aurelio, executive vice president of Varian Associates in Palo Alto, was elected to the Los Altos Hills Planning Commission at the Feb. 4 meeting of the Los Altos Hills Town Council. He will fill the unexpired term of former commission member Mary Stutz, who died in December. The term ends on June 30.

Council, planning commission consider review of design guidelines

People want to build their two-story Mediterranean 3,500-square-foot dream house and max out the square-footage of their 2,400-square-foot existing ranch house.

Last council election: Totals show top vote getter not top spender

In 1997, like the Los Altos City Council election in 1995, the top fund-raiser was not the top vote getter. In 1997, unlike the council election in 1995, candidates worked within state-mandated spending limits.

Comment

Letters to the Editor

The legislated subdivision of residential land parcels by special interest is the latest attempt to force property owners to provide affordable housing. The State of California in 1988 mandated rental secondary housing units that would accommodate a family of four in 1,000 square feet for $1,288 per month including utilities. (In 1997, a similar unit in Los Altos was $2,500.)

Council's limit on restaurant a good start

We're glad to see Los Altos City Council trimmed back seating on a proposed downtown restaurant. Members voted Jan. 27 to reduce seating at the Satkar Indian Restaurant, 233-235 State St., from an original 70-seat plan down to 50.

A mandate for basic public accountability

"The Legislature, mindful of the right of individuals to privacy, finds and declares that access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state." - California Public Records Act, Government Code Section 6250.

Addressing issues of the heart

My life is not an exact science. At times I wish it were. OK, I almost always wish it were and that I knew precisely how things would turn out. I march or muddle through my days, weeks, years, and for the most part I make good choices.

Community

A new direction for Sunbird Gallery owner at exhibition

On The Arts

Astronomer takes Morning Forum on tour of solar system

Special to the Town Crier

Music For Minors planning children's music festival

The first Circus of the World Children's Music Festival, featuring an afternoon of children's performers, is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. June 20 at Egan Intermediate School in Los Altos.

Obituaries

Benjamin Sharpe, a facilities supervisor with Bay Trans Co. Inc., died Jan. 22 at his Mountain View home. A native of Texas, he was 72.

Pages of the Past

As reported in the Feb. 14, 1973, issue of the Town Crier, on Feb. 3, 1973, Los Altos received .58 of an inch of rainfall, but three days later on Feb. 6, the town was drenched with 2.15 inches, bringing the total rainfall to that date to 22.93 inches. Normal rainfall to that date was 9.5 inches, according to local weatherman Edward Rexworthy.

'Great Decisions' discussion series under way

The Los Altos Main Library, League of Women Voters, and American Association of University Women are cosponsoring the "Great Decisions" discussion series, which is scheduled every Monday at the Community Room of the main library, 13 S. San Antonio Road.

History House looking for old home videos, photos

The Los Altos History House Museum is seeking still photos, home movies, maps, yearbooks and phone books from the Los Altos/Los Altos Hills area. Volunteers and staff are currently working to produce a video from home movie clips and other media, which will be featured in the new Education Center at History House.

Library News

Sign up at the children's reference desk or call 948-2751.

Community Briefs

Best-selling writer Anne Lamott will be the featured speaker at the Circle of Friends Breakfast of the Career Action Center at 7:15 a.m. tomorrow at Hyatt Rickey's in Palo Alto.

Children's 'visions of future' sought for contest

Elementary school-aged children from San Carlos to Los Gatos are being invited to draw, sketch, or paint their visions of nature and the open space environment in the award-winning, fourth annual Kids' Art of Open Space exhibition.

Almanac

Los Altos Hills Planning Commission, 7:30 p.m., town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills.

'Heart of the Community' Valentine dance Feb. 14

The second annual "Heart of the Community Valentine Gala" will be held this Saturday at the Fremont Hills Country Club in Los Altos Hills. The fund-raising event is sponsored by the Los Altos Community Foundation, which supports community leadership training, neighborhood mediation, and the Bus Barn Community Theater.

Los Altos Weather

Schools

Schools Briefs

Pre-registration for fall 1998-99 kindergarten classes in the Los Altos School District began on Feb. 5 at Almond, Bullis, Loyola, Oak, Santa Rita and Springer schools.

Renowned artist visits Foothill College

Town Crier Staff Writer

Former Olympians seek to inspire youth at Oak School appearance

Students at Oak Elementary School got a first-hand glimpse at some of the struggles and triumphs Olympic athletes experience when former Olympians Susan Roy and Mike Bruner shared their stories with them Feb. 2.

Self-esteem promoter named Homestead High principal

The Fremont Union High School District Board of Trustees unanimously selected Eric Paulson as the new principal at Homestead High School.

Sports

Late rally leads St. Francis over Serra

Boys hoops roundup

Sports On The Side

SOCCER TRYOUTS: The '87 Roadrunners, a girls under-12 CYSA Select Class 1 soccer team, are looking for a goalie and other committed players born after July 31, 1986. Homestead High girls soccer coach Frank Medina will hold tryouts Feb. 28 and March 7 at Cupertino Junior High. For more information, call Joe Roark at 967-6723 or Jim Behlen at (408) 733-5487.

This Week in High School Sports

Today

Gunn fires girls basketball coach; football coach takes control of the team

Mid-season coaching changes are common in pro sports and occasionally happen at the college level as well.

Mustangs riding toward a playoff spot

Prep soccer roundup

Foothill avenges early-season loss to rival De Anza

The last time the men's basketball teams from Foothill and De Anza colleges met on the court, the Owls couldn't find the basket in the first half.

Los Altos puts Milpitas down for the count

Town Crier Staff Writer

Foothill women need to win tonight to stay in conference title chase

The Foothill College women's basketball team enters the stretch drive of its season tonight against the squad that could end the Owls' four-year reign as Coast Conference champions.

Homestead falls from first with loss to rival Monta Vista

Special to the Town Crier

Business & Real Estate

Local publishing houses are using the Web to sell children's books

Town Crier Staff Writer

Bank of Los Altos declares dividend

Bank of Los Altos' newly formed holding company, Western Holdings Bancorp, declared a 10 percent stock dividend to all shareholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 21. The announcement coincided with the bank's report of fourth quarter and year-end profits.

Having visions of grandeur on the job

Jean On the Job

Travel agents challenge state's Web site

Travel agents' concerns led to legislative hearings on whether California's entry into the lodging reservation business provided unfair competition to state businesses.

Business Briefs

Sale of the former Hallmark store at 216 Main St., Glady's Hallmark Shop, is final. Price and terms are not being disclosed, however, said Carolyn Mansell of Los Altos-based Mansell & Company, agent for the buyer. Mansell said the first floor retail space is for lease.

Transactions

Cupertino

Real Estate Brief

During 1997, for the second consecutive year, Steve Seligman of Los Altos has finished among the top 10 investment brokers in the nation for Marcus & Millichap, the largest investment real estate brokerage firm in the U.S.

Los Altos planning commissioner offers tips for two-story remodels

All two-story building and remodel projects in Los Altos are considered at public meetings before the Architectural and Site Control Committee, a subcommittee of the city's planning commission.

Weekly Special

West Bay Opera performs 'Il Trovatore' this weekend

West Bay Opera presents Guiseppe Verdi's "Il Trovatore" at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto Friday through Sunday and Feb. 20-22.

Pinot What?

There are many Pinot varietals producing wine. There is Pinot Chardonnay, though most people just call it Chardonnay. This grape is without doubt the king of the whites.

Spicing up Fat Tuesday

Special to the Town Crier

Food Briefs

The public is invited to sneak a taste of some of Sonoma's best wines at the 19th Annual Russian River Wine Road Barrel Tasting March 7-8, where more than 55 wineries from northwest Sonoma County will be participating.

Classy cooking

Town Crier Staff Writer

El Torito serves with a smile

A group of Town Crier staff restaurant reviewers, known as "the Lunch Bunch," descends upon unsuspecting lunch time haunts in Los Altos once a month and critiques their offerings in the food & Wine section. The bunch visited El Torito on El Camino Real last week.

Police Report

Feb. 1, 9:43 a.m., First Street and Whitney Avenue: The person who empties debris cans downtown came to the station with a gun and a mask that he found in the trash can on First Street.

Births

A daughter was born Nov. 8 to Mountain View residents Sondra and Mark Bollar at Children's Hospital at Stanford.

Richard Steele, a man who inspired others

Obituary

Willy Fiedler, the boy who wanted to fly

Special to the Town Crier

Old? 'Who says so?,' local writer protests

Special to the Town Crier

RSVP - a way to keep busy in retirement

Special to the Town Crier

Tips that seniors can use to avoid becoming victims of crime

If you must carry a purse, hold it close to your body. Don't dangle it.

Florets Garden Club features Ikebana

The club will also hold a tea and plant sale.

Senior Center Briefs

The center offers free tax help for seniors through the American Association of Retired Persons. The tax-aid program, available through April 15, provides free income tax assistance to low - or moderate-income taxpayers age 60 and older. The volunteers are trained and sponsored by the association in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. Call the Los Altos center for an appointment. Volunteers who would like to help should call Donald Rust, district coordinator, at (408) 246-1752.

Senior Health Briefs

The 50-Plus Fitness Association presents Dick Swinnerton speaking on his 75-day bike trip across the country at 7 p.m. today in Room 216 of the Senior Center of Palo Alto, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto. For more information, call 323-6160.

Soaring senior

Town Crier Staff Writer

'Ramona Quimby' opening this weekend in Palo Alto

The Palo Alto Children's Theatre presents "Ramona Quimby" Friday and Saturday and Feb. 19-21.

CSMA to hold free concert this Sunday

The Community School of Music & Arts (CSMA) continues The Silicon Graphics Family Concert Series when the Melody of China ensemble performs at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

'A Chorus Line' comes to Cupertino's Flint Center in March

Tickets are now on sale for "A Chorus Line," which comes to Flint Center in Cupertino March 17-19.

Stanford Early Music Singers put on free show

The Stanford Early Music Singers, along with special guests The Whole Noyse, will perform the vespers for the Feast of St. Valentine with the Venetian music of Claudio Monteverdi at 8 p.m. Friday at Stanford Memorial Church.

New Century Orchestra playing Friday

The New Century Chamber Orchestra will give a sneak preview of its next album when the Grammy-nominated 15-piece string chamber orchestra performs at 8 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto.