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Volume 49, Number 5, Published on 01/29/1996

News

District considers moving 6th graders to middle schools

The Los Altos School District (kindergarten to eighth grade) faces tough choices ahead as board members wrestle with ways to deal with the district's growing enrollment.

City approves 10 laptop computers for police cars

Within the next six months, Los Altos police officers will be able to check license plates of suspicious cars, get data about outstanding warrants and ask for criminal record information - all from the laptop computer in their patrol car.

More than just a hobby

Investment clubs in Los Altos proliferate as beginners learn how to choose stocks

Los Altos Online still growing

We have also started to activate pages that have not yet been available. There is now a home page for banks, giving a listing of financial institutions that serve Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Professional Services, a new home page, contains categories that include professionals from the fields of medicine, law, finance and mental health. In the near future, we will also be adding a shopping page, as well as a page devoted to the economic development of our communities.

LAH survey reports 50 percent of residents own a computer

In a report to the Los Altos Hills City Council Jan. 17, council member Bill Johnson said responses from a town questionnaire revealed 40-50 percent of the residents in Los Altos Hills own a computer.

Los Altos Hills switching from Apple computers to an IBM compatible PC system

The Los Altos Hills City Council unanimously approved switching their computer base from an Apple operating system to a IBM compatible computer system at the Jan. 17 council meeting.

People

Pearl Ryser

A native of Oregon City, Ore., she was a homemaker for 50 years and past matron of Willow Glen Order of the Eastern Star.

Miguel O. Velasco

A native of San Juan Puebla, Mexico, he was the former owner of El Zarape Restaurant in Mountain View for 40 years and a member of the Mountain View Senior Citizens Center.

Alberta Bess Kessing Hensley

She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1942 with a bachelor's degree in public administration and was a longtime resident of the Los Altos area. After serving as executive director of the Los Altos Board of Realtors from 1955 to 1978, she moved to Encinitas where she became affiliated with the Willis Allen Real Estate Company. She worked in the Del Mar office until her retirement in 1993.

Stuart F. Svedeman

A native of Milton, Mass., he was a printer with George Banta Corp. and a member of Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club.

LeRoy Taylor

An electrician for 40 years, he is survived by his wife, Evelyn Taylor of Los Altos; children, Suzanne Taylor of La Selva Beach, Joanne Porter of Foster City, Paul Taylor of Greshem, Ore., and Marianne Perry of Lake Havasu, Ariz.

Walter James Virgin

A graduate of the University of Idaho, he received his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, and after a three-year period as associate professor at the University of Idaho he spent most of his life as a research manager in plant pathology for Del Monte Foods Corp.

Community

Church sponsors evening of wartime, high-energy entertainment To celebrate 50 years since the end of World War II, and to pay tribute to veterans and all who serve our country in the armed services, the Los Altos Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints sponsors U.S.O-type shows 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 1300 Grant Road in Los Altos.

The 17-member cast includes Charles Oliver, Heather Pickett and Hayley Hendershot, all of Los Altos. Those who love big-band 1940s music will be "in the mood" to stay for the post-show dancing to live and recorded hits.

35-year residents of Los Altos celebrate 50th wedding anniversary

Marjorie and Calvin Lessing were married on their parents farm in Rochester, Indiana on Christmas Day in 1945. The day they were married, it snowed so hard the bride and groom spent their wedding night on the farm with the rest of the wedding party.

In The Past...

The February 3, 1971 issue of the Town Crier reported that Lora Dillard and Reba Payne, eight graders at Egan Jr. High, took action after learning that Section 1298 of the State Labor Code prohibited girls under 18 years of age from working as carriers in distributing newspapers, but permitted boys 10 years of age and older to do so. In a crusade for women's rights, junior level, they circulated petitions in the hope of getting enough signatures to persuade the state legislature to change the law.

'Don't Let It Fall' cleanup effort starting Feb. 10

The idea of gearing the clean-up with Random Acts of Kindness Week began last November when LAVA officials were approached by Los Altos resident Mary Cunneen-Lion, who is spearheading activities locally for this celebration. Le Boulanger is donating coffee and muffins for the effort and Los Altos residents Bob and Nancy Moore are getting their neighborhood fired up about helping out that day.

KALEIDOSCOPE features small businesses in Los Altos

The featured businesses of KALEIDOSCOPE for February are Linens of Los Altos, Janus, Cooks Junction, Brian Davino Flowers and a lesson in easy bead-making from the Bead Shop.

Community Briefs

Camino Healthcare, with the Sunnyvale Town Center and Lifeguard for Seniors, together offer a free, ongoing, structured mall-walking program for seniors.

Move over, Cowboys - Dallas dance theater coming to Foothill

The Dallas Black Dance Theatre will perform artistic selections at the Olympic Arts Festival in Atlanta later this year. At its Foothill College concert, the company will perform "Going for the Gold," a program which features choreography by Alvin Ailey as well as a new work by resident choreographer Darryl Sneed. A new dance which was commissioned for the Olympic festival will also be staged.

Manual the first step to preparing for 'The Big One'

It's coming. It may not occur today. Or tomorrow. Or the next day. But it is coming. Are you prepared? You should plan to be on your own for a minimum of 72 hours. You may not have outside help for a long time.

El Camino auxiliary announces scholarships

Graduating high school seniors and full-time college students enrolled in an accredited California college or university for the 1996-1997 school year may apply. Applicants must reside in the cities of Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills or Cupertino.

Favrile: Sewing Concepts holds open house Saturday

Noted TV show host and international lecturer Sandra Betzina, and Kenneth King, a sewing instructor on the PBS series "Sewing Today" are two of the many talented course instructors who will be available to meet and talk with students.

New History House head looks to continue museum's proud tradition

Los Altos History House has been regarded as a fine showcase of local area history. The newest member of the History House staff wants to make sure the museum continues its proud tradition.

Debate rages over legal reforms at Democratic coalition meeting

Proposed legal reforms were the item of the day during last week's meeting of the Peninsula Democratic Coalition in Los Altos.

Bennett

Blakely

CSMA establishes memorial fund for Freelen

Freelen was affiliated with the Community School of Music & Arts for more than 10 years, serving on the school's board of directors, including terms as chair and vice-chair. "Maryce Freelen had tremendous effect on CSMA. Not only did her direct support of CSMA's Arts in Action and Music in Action programs ensure that elementary school children in this entire community receive arts education, but under her leadership, our endowment fund was established," said executive director Andrea S. Temkin. "Because of Maryce Freelen's efforts, many children currently receive music scholarships at CSMA. "

Don Edward Wuerflein, an engineer, inventor and inspiration

He became a cancer survivor inspiration. During the course of his 12 year battle with lymphoma, Mr. Wuerflein's uncomplaining and courageous spirit heartened hundreds of fellow cancer victims.

Free retirement workshop at El Camino Hospital

This course in the retirement series was previously offered only to employees such as ESL, Apple and 3Com.

Senior Briefs

Los Altos Senior Center

Noteworthies

Born in 1895 in Chelmsford, Mass., Mrs. Rippon and family moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in 1912 where she worked in a wholesale and retail liquor store for $12 a week. When the Canadian government enacted Prohibition, she went to work for the Alberta Government Telephone Company.

FAVRILE: Sewing concepts focuses on cutting edge of fashion

With the January launch of FAVRILE: Sewing Concepts in downtown Los Altos, Bay Area residents can now take sewing classes focused on the cutting edge of today's fashion from some of the best known instructors in the nation.

AISE seeks host families for foreign students

Each year, AISE places thousands of students with families across the United States. Families may select their students according to country, sex, age, religious beliefs, hobbies, grades and family background. Local area representatives are on hand to show student profiles and help families select the student who best suits them.

Local group honored with distinguished philanthropic youth group award

The Stanford Hills Chapter of the National Charity League was honored recently for its "generous contributions and outstanding leadership to the philanthropic movement in Silicon Valley."

CSMA offers financial assistance for music lessons

"We are pleased that over the years we have been able to meet the needs of many families seeking music education," said Dr. Nicholas Isaacs, music director. "By offering tuition assistance, we have not only served students at all skill levels, but we have also identified students with outstanding musical talent.

'Just Say Yes!' to volunteering at the YMCA

The campaign, scheduled to begin in January, raised nearly $100,000 last year, all of which was invested back in the community. Volunteers need not be YMCA members or familiar with the YMCA, just interested in improving the lives of at-risk children.

Book review

Special to the Town Crier

Schools

PTA council offers Founders Day program

The event will take place at Landels elementary school, 115 West Dana St., Mountain View. A short business meeting will be held before the program begins at 9:30 a.m. with a children's musical program and then Jacobs. All interested parents, teachers and community members are invited to attend.

Anjali Murthy named MVHS student of the month

As editor of the high school newspaper, The Oracle, Anjali ensured the students receive in-depth coverage of all events. Last year, Anjali worked as the news editor and in her sophomore year she contributed as a writer.

Schools and city team up to improve playing fields

Members of a playing fields task force have teamed up to find ways to improve the Los Altos school fields.

School Briefs

foundation

Los Altos School District to hold kindergarten information meetings

The informational meeting will be held in the school's multipurpose room with presentations made by kindergarten classroom teachers and members of the school district administrative staff. A question and answer session will be held at the conclusion of the session and informational packets will be handed out.

'Los Altos High School Staff Member of the Month' - Margaret Bennett

Bennett enjoys the energy and enthusiasm of the students and feels as though there is a lot of learning going on at Los Altos High. She believes the administration provides a wonderful atmosphere for teachers and students and encourages and supports innovation.

More classrooms, new library among changes in MV-LA school bond construction plans

The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District Board of Trustees has approved changes in the district's facilities renovation plan that translate to a new library building at Mountain View High School and three additional classrooms at the Los Altos campus.

LAHS student awarded for volunteer service

Assisteen Auxiliary, sponsored by Assistance League of Santa Clara County, gives local teen girls the opportunity to become volunteers.

Los Altos High School staff member of the month

Students appreciate Salsman de Rodriguex's cheerful attitude and her willingness to help students at any time. Coming to Los Altos three years ago from St. Francis High School, she teaches Spanish IV/V/VI AP, Spanish III and Spanish III Honors classes. In addition to teaching her classes, Salsman de Rodriguex also serves as advisor to the sophomore class, the Spanish Club, the Star Trek Club and the Coffee Club.

Mountain View High Student of the Month

Homecoming is a time for individual classes to come together, increasing spirit through class competitions, flower parties and float construction. Homecoming Week culminates in a full day of activities topped off with our traditional dance.

Sports

Sports Shorts

SOCCER SCENE: The Mountain View-Los Altos Lightning I recently completed its season with a 2-1 win over the De Anza Sunkids, securing third place in the West Valley Play Through Competition Division. The under-10 boys squad consisted of: Michael Darby, Sean Ivester, Kevin Jin, Langston Johnson, Michael Morales, Brian Ouyang, Rex Petrill, Ryan Reid, David Ronconi, Nick Sheurerman, Jay Smith, Jon Verna and Derek Yecies.

Athlete of the Week

St. Francis' junior basketball player can do it all: score, pass and rebound.

Prep wrestling

Town Crier Sports Editor

Local Sports Calendar

GIRLS SOCCER

Girls Basketball

Town Crier Sports Editor

Scores

BOYS BASKETBALL

Girls prep basketball

Town Crier Sports Editor

Boys prep basketball

Special to the Town Crier

Prep soccer roundup

Town Crier Sports Editor

Business & Real Estate

Alain Pinel worldwide technology makes it easy to buy a house

You begin to realize how much the real estate industry has changed in the past year when you look for a house using the new Instant Access System Alain Pinel Realtors offer customers.

Make your backup strategy simple, painless and easy

Special to the Town Crier

Wining and dining over the Internet

'Virtual Vineyards' offers safe and sane shopping via the PC

What the IRS requires for electronic record-keeping

Special to the Town Crier

Selecting the right credit card from your mailbox

Having too many credit cards can work against you even if you don't use them. That's because some lenders review your credit application, add your credit limits as well as your actual debts. A large available credit limit may cause a lender to think you are financially over-extended and may even result in the denial of a future loan request.

Coldwell Banker of Los Altos offers one-stop home shopping

Home buyers in Santa Clara County now have the option of shopping for both a home and a mortgage at Coldwell Banker locations, including offices in Los Altos.

Weekly Special

Restaurateurs - You Need To Read

For example, when he entered your restaurant, did an employee open the door for him? Was he greeted with a warm, sincere smile? Did the greeter use Mr. Patron's name or attempt to find out what it was? Or did someone fling out a "Hi - how many? - in doors or outdoors?" while counting out the menus?

Recipes Of The Week

(4 - 6 servings)

Happenings

Declaring February Hyatt's first official "Romance Month," HYATT RICKEYS and 74 other Hyatt hotels and resorts in North America will offer a romance package which includes accommodations for two, gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to the room, late check-out and a complimentary specially selected Spectravision classic romance movie. Movie choices include Charade, An Affair to Remember, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Prince & The Showgirl. Rates at Hyatt Rickeys start at $89* and are available any night of the week between February 1 and February 29, 1996.

Chef Of The Week

Executive Chef