Special to the Town Crier
When the producer of the Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Millennium Celebration, Rick Herns, was taking measurements for the tent pavilion to be located on the Hillview soccer field, he says he came across a metallic box with hieroglyphics that looked like a Chinese box puzzle.
After several false starts, he adds with a wry grin, he finally broke the code, the box opened and inside were instructions for some kind of a landing platform for a space vehicle.
Could it be a reverse probe to Silicon Valley from Mars, Herns wondered?
Checking on time coordinates, Herns said, the mystery box further indicated that a space vehicle of some magnitude would land at that spot at precisely 12:00 a.m., January 1, 2000.
"When I checked further, there were instructions to build an alien life support system as well as a landing platform," Herns said.
After wiping the sweat from his brow, Herns said he is taking no chances. He is building a large landing platform about 12 feet high within the 40-foot-high tent. Los Altos will be ready if such a mysterious vehicle should arrive with flashing lights and billowing clouds.
Anticipating the midnight arrival of the mystery "ship" will be more than 1,000 Millennium celebrants. The black-tie dinner gala ticket holders arrive at 7 p.m. for the evening that begins with cocktails (open bar from 7 - 10:30 p.m. for unlimited wine and mixed drinks.) The five-star dinner catered by Continental Caterers of Menlo Park includes a salmon and steak entree, edible centerpieces and a dinner wine. Appropriate dinner music will provide dancing between the courses.
At 10:30 p.m. the dinner guests will be joined by others who have opted for the "Countdown to Midnight."
Organizers said the first hour will include a lavish Las Vegas-style show, courtesy of the Full Motion band, and dancing. No-host bars will make beverages available for all. At 11:30 p.m., the final "Midnight Extravaganza" begins, climaxed by the sensational visit to the tent pavilion from outer space and free champagne and soft drinks for everyone.
Who's coming? Los Altos Hills resident Steve Finn bought a table for close friends to share. "After checking prices for New Year's Eve at hotels in San Francisco, getting a table here is a great value. You can be with your friends all night and have a short drive home," Finn said.
Marsha and Steve Robertson bought a table because they want to bring the entire family to start off 2000. "There will be so much to do there, and we want to share the evening together," Marsha said.
Two large screens and two cameras will focus on activities inside the tent. They will also provide live scenes from Times Square at 9 p.m. and Chicago at 10 p.m.
The Millennium committee is seeking a couple to be married at midnight, the first wedding of the new millennium.
Volunteers can call 948-2803 for information.
The committee is also looking for two centenarians: a man and woman who were born in the 1890s and will have lived in three centuries. The centenarians and an escort will be admitted free for the dinner. They will be asked to take a bow at midnight.
For tickets and information, call 948-2803, or e-mail lamillennium@aol.com