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Volume 49, Number 15, Published on 04/08/1996

News

Egos, economics put El Camino at the crossroads

For years, El Camino physicians lived well with a fee-for-service payment plan, basically charging, and getting, as much as desired. But in the early 1980s, Medicare, MediCal and private insurers adapted a form of fixed rate or discount rate payment to hospitals that would pay hospitals without regard to their actual costs. Medicare applied the same methods to physicians beginning in 1992.

Los Altos apartment, car stereo dealer burglarized

Just after midnight on March 27, a Los Altos resident woke up to the sound of someone stealing things from a locked storage shed.The victim called 911. Through an open window of the apartment on Lassen Avenue the thief heard the call and fled.Los Altos police officers chased the suspect, who was driving a truck, to the downtown triangle area of Los Altos, said Sgt. Bob Lacey."This guy was like a rabbit. He got out (of the truck), left the motor running, and got away."The truck was stolen March 9 in the East Bay. The license plate was stolen in Fremont the day before the burglary in Los Altos, Lacey said.Police recovered three bicycles, a Honda generator and four to five tool boxes from the suspect's truck."We think there are storage sheds out there that are broken into that people don't even know about yet," Lacey said.In another burglary three days earlier, thieves came prepared to steal at Dealer's Car Stereo on El Camino Real.They cut phone lines and disabled the alarm system, Lacey said. Then they used a blow torch to cut through bolts that hold down the doors.Once inside, they took a safe and an unknown number of car stereos. Steve Morrow, manager of Dealer's Car Stereo, confirmed the burglary but declined to say how much was taken.

El Camino Hospital Healthcare System Timeline

December 1990: Board of El Camino Hospital District approves joint strategic planning program.

Choosy burglars steal the real thing

When Kyoko Takabatake and her family arrived home in Los Altos recently after two days at Disneyland, she found her collection of antique Meissen figures missing. The modern Meissen pieces still perched in the dining room cabinet.Across the room, all that remained of the antique collection was an empty glass display case with the door standing ajar.Except for one lonely Meissen figure.She pointed. "Somebody fixed that one that had been broken. They (the burglars) left the repaired figure. They are very expert."The thieves also stole some jewelry. "I have real pearls and imitation pearls," Takabatake said. "They took the real pearls."The burglary at the Takabatake home was one of four in Los Altos over the weekend of March 29 and 30. Three were on Brookmill Road. The fourth was on Alexander Way.They were all evening burglaries, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., of unoccupied homes, said Los Altos Police Sgt. Bob Lacey. Thieves took jewelry, cash, the Meissen figures and a woman's coat."There seems to be some connection. They are all from the same area, close to Highway 85, and entry was a combination of force and no force ­ one unlocked door."The thieves use window pries and breaks. But first they look for a way in," Lacey said.Takabatake said the figures are valued at $500 to $2,000 each. All together she estimated her collection is worth $20,000."They (the thieves) wrapped them (the Meissen) in sheets and towels. They had pulled out the drawers. Whole drawers were on the master bed," she said.A weekend earlier, thieves broke into two Los Altos homes in the same area as the Brookmill burglaries, and took Hummel figures. One house is on Oak Avenue, the other of Alexander Court.On April 2, a man came into a local shop and asked the owner if she bought Hummels. He got away before the police could be called."We're definitely seeing a wave," Lacey said. "I don't look for a trend until it's a wave that doesn't stop."Four in one weekend, though, "that's a lot for us."

Fire task force considers minimum service level for city and district

Responding to a Los Altos City Council directive to focus future fire service review on contracting with another agency, the fire services task force met Thursday to consider a base service level.

Community

April Chefs who Care hosted by Eugene's Polish Restaurant

The April "Chefs Who Care" dinner will be hosted by Eugene's Polish Restaurant in Los Altos. The two day event will take place 5-8 p.m. on April 29 and 30. Following a first course of soup or salad, diners will choose from a menu of old favorites, including pork a la Eugene, stuffed cabbage, or the combination plate, all served with vegetables and potato dumplings. They also may choose pasta with prawns with either Alfredo sauce or Elizabeth's special red sauce and vegetables, one of the new additions to the menu, or Elizabeth's prime rib served with baked potato and vegetables. The dinner includes coffee, tea or milk. Tibor and Leona will provide European gypsy music to entertain the diners. Outdoor patio dining is available upon request.Price of the dinner will be $17 for adults and $8 for children. From each of the adult dinners purchased there will be an $8 donation directly to the Community Kitchen which serves free hot meals to homeless and low-income people.Eugene's Polish Restaurant is located at 420 South San Antonio Road, in Los Altos. Reservations are required for Chefs Who Care and may be made by calling 941-1222.

Los Altos sculpture competition under way

Hidden Villa forum addresses Japanese Americans

Dr. Koichi Nishimura, chief executive officer and president of Solectron Corporation, will be the keynote speaker for a community forum on Japanese Americans during World War II, sponsored by Hidden Villa 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.Hidden Villa offers this final forum in its series, "Listening to Each Other," to mark the return of Japanese Americans from internment camps and the community of support received at Hidden Villa. The forum will be held at Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, in Forum Room F12.Dr. Nishimura joined the Solectron management team in 1988 as chief operating officer, has served at the president since 1990 and chief executive officer since 1992. Under Nishimura's leadership, Solectron's annual revenues grew from $205 million in fiscal 1990 to $2.1 billion in fiscal 1995. During World War II, Nishimura and his family were interned, as were all the Japanese Americans living in the Western states, regardless of their U.S. citizenship and without due process. He will reflect on this history and share his thoughts and hopes for our broader Silicon Valley community.Hidden Villa, a 1600-acre wilderness preserve and environmental education center in Los Altos Hills, is a gift to the Bay Area from Frank and Josephine Duveneck. During their lifetime, Frank and Josephine actively promoted multi-racial understanding, knowledge of environmental issues and offered humanitarian support. When the Japanese Americans were taken away from their land and businesses to be placed in internment camps, the Duvenecks were among the few to extend support to the broader Japanese American community. In 1944 they personally welcomed into their home the first Japanese Americans to return from Topaz to the San Francisco peninsula ­ a young woman, June Shiraki, and her five-year-old daughter, Jean.Jean Shiraki Gize, who was this 5-year old girl, will be among the panel to accompany Dr. Nishimura's keynote talk. Jan Yanehiro, a widely respected television reporter, will moderate this panel, which will also include Martha Matsuoka (Earth Island Institute), Mike Watanabe (PG & E), Art Takahara (Mountain View City Council), Tad Masaoka (former member, 442nd Regiment Combat Team) and Yoriko Kishimoto (co-author, "The Third Century"). The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session among panelists and audience.Tickets for the forum may be purchased by calling 949-8653. General admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Patron tickets are $30, which includes a buffet dinner and reception with the speakers and panelists at Hidden Villa following the event.

Community Briefs

meeting scheduled

Local artists teaches the basics to her students

Special to the Town Crier

Local artist exhibits in Town Hall chamber

Volunteers commemorate 150th anniversary of little-known historic event

Special to the Town Crier

Heavy Los Altos artist participation in Open Studios '96

Change a rose into a tulip at the 15th annual plant exchange

The public is invited to attend the 15th annual plant exchange from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos.Bring your extra spring cuttings, seedlings, potted plants, bulbs, edible plants and small shrubs and trees to the Hillview Community Center. Check in with a volunteer from the Los Altos Garden Club who will show you where to set your contributions and help you select plants in exchange. This event is sponsored jointly by the Los Altos Recreation Department and the Los Altos Garden Club.For those who don't have any plants to exchange, come to the Los Altos Garden Club plant sale on April 23 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Creekside Room at the Los Altos Methodist Church, located at Magdalena and Foothill Expressway.

Morning Forum speaker describes our failing war against diseases

Scientist author Laurie Garrett told the Los Altos Morning Forum April 2 the ancient killer diseases we thought were extinct are now back. If we don't watch ourselves, she said, the return of plagues are quite possible."Microbes," Garrett warns, "are simply smarter than we are. Unless we adopt a more holistic ecological attitude toward disease and recognize we cannot kill our biological adversaries, we face horror." Garrett published her book "The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance" last year. The book meticulously follows the histories of several diseases that have emerged around the globe: ebola, AIDS, Legionnaires' Disease, Toxic Shock Syndrome, tuberculosis and malaria. Garrett said the web of political and cultural entanglements too often hinders a swift response to these contagious diseases. "We have reached a point where there is a tremendous need for an international network to monitor diseases in the world and now the United Nations is falling apart when we need it," Garrett said. "We need to have global surveillance to reflect the need to cover the infectious diseases entering our arena. Drug resistant restraints are showing up all over the world. TB is making a comeback, measles are returning and AIDS is spreading all over the world."Garrett cites a Census Bureau report which predicts that by 2010, there will be 121 million fewer people in 16 countries because of AIDS. "AIDS is a harbinger of things to come because the world is out of balance," Garrett said. "The world is a global village. There is no place on earth that is too remote to visit and people are jumping on planes and going places. Only 40 years ago, we had no knowledge of the peoples in those exotic places. And now those people are coming here. Every week, one million people cross national borders and that creates airborne diseases."Garrett claims there are places in the world where the population is living in a veritable giant cesspool. India, Mexico and Brazil are examples she cited where the opportunity to infect the world is prevalent. According to Garrett, scientists made an enormous biological error in evolution. "We made an assumption in 1950-1960 that organisms would not change," she said. "What was around in the 1950-60 period would be around in 1996 and the treatment for the disease then, would be good today. The laws of evolution would not change. "What happened?" Garrett said. "We bred an anti-resistant strain to medicines that the disease is resistant to any form of anti-biotic drugs. We bred the problem through overuse. Our demand for anti-biotics was overused because we overprescribed. We are walking petrie dishes." Garrett claims we have to start making corrections in our own back yard, yet we are getting away from any help because we are cutting back public health expenditures. She cited 26 states have only one person in one million monitoring our drinking water. "If we cut back the police department 30 percent, or the fire department 30 percent, we would go berserk. Yet we are cutting back public health more than 30 percent and we don't even consider it serious. Public health is just as important as the police department. We are not paying attention," Garrett said.Tuberculosis has re-emerged in new drug-resistant forms, she said. They are not just haunting the slums of the Third World, but the streets of every major city in America. Garrett said drug resistant strains of gonorrhea have appeared and the incidence of this venereal disease is now higher than ever because it is harder to eradicate. Lethal tropical viruses like ebola, marburg, and lassa appear and leave a trail of carnage and then vanish. However, Garrett reminds us if a similarly deadly virus appeared that was capable of spreading in the air, the global consequences could be apocalyptic."Given an opening through poverty, overpopulation, sexual promiscuity and misguided science (stopping vaccination programs), Garrett said these powerful microbial foes threaten to attack all of us with terrifying virulence. Garrett is a graduate of University of California at Santa Cruz and studied immunology as a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley. Her book, "The Coming Plague," was on the New York best seller list for 17 months, prompting appearances on popular radio and television programs across the country.She has received the Overseas Press Club award, the Peabody Award in journalism and is a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting.

Foothill Men's Garden Club to dedicate show to late Albert Wilson

The 32nd annual Foothill Men's Garden Club show will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Rancho Shopping Center. This year, the show will be dedicated to the late Albert Wilson, one of the charter members of the group of back yard gardeners. "Dig it with Albert" will be remembered with a collection of photos of the beloved gardening expert and writer. The gardeners will display and sell everything from succulents to miniature rock gardens, flowering plants and vegetables ­ all grown with loving care in their home gardens. Herb plants, hanging baskets, iris, chrysanthemum and marguerites will be featured this year. Free expert advice will be given at the show. The sale will provide scholarship funds for college students of ornamental horticulture and landscaping. Proceeds also benefit Guadalupe Gardens of San Jose, Hakone Gardens in Saratoga, Gamble Gardens in Palo Alto and the Saratoga Horticulture Research foundation of San Martin. For more information, call Phil Bush at (408) 252-0665.

A salute to a hero and a life saved at Rancho mixer

Mayor Patti Williams will officially open today's Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Community Mixer with the Andronico's Market ribbon cutting at the Rancho Shopping Center on Foothill Expressway at Springer Road.The ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a reception, door prizes, a presentation to Eric Coffyn for his life-saving CPR efforts on longtime Los Altos resident Art Pope, and an opportunity to win a five-day vacation to the Club Regina Westin Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico.The entire community is invited to the festive event sponsored by the Rancho Merchants Association and the recently opened Andronico's Market. Andronico's will offer finger foods, while the new Rancho Swiss Bakery and Lappert's Ice Cream & Coffee will provide the coffee and desserts.Coffyn, along with the Los Altos Fire Department, will be honored for saving the life of heart attack victim Arthur Pope on Feb. 6 in front of Andronico's Market. Recognition of the Palo Alto Chapter of the American Red Cross, where Coffyn learned his CPR, will also be part of the event. The Rancho Merchants Association will announce a series of CPR classes for employees and the community at that time. JoAnne and Arthur Pope will present the awards.The public will have an opportunity to support the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce by purchasing donation tickets to win a five-day vacation to the Club Regina Resort at the Westin Hotel in Los Cabos, Mexico. The trip was donated by the Club Regina and America West Airlines. Tickets may also be purchased at the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Expo on April 25 and the Chamber mixer at Loyola Corners on May 1. The drawing for the winner, who need not be present, will be made at the opening of the eighth annual Loyola Corners Farmers Market on Saturday, May 4.The April 10 Chamber mixer at Rancho is free. No reservations are necessary. For more information, call the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce at 948-1455.

Would-be trail builders ¯ Hidden Villa calls

If you'd like to learn how to build trail, lead volunteers, and help keep our trails healthy, come to the Trail Center's crew leader training session. This workshop, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills, is the first step to becoming a volunteer trail crew leader for the Trail Center, but is open to anyone who cares about our precious open spaces and the trails that traverse them.The Trail Center is a non-profit dedicated to improving access to the Peninsula's open spaces for people of diverse abilities and to fostering a sense of stewardship through volunteer trail projects. By organizing citizens to build new trails, restore beloved old ones, and make maps of trails, the Trail Center not only improves the pathways by which all may discover our precious open spaces, but also builds a strong contingency of people who are for their public lands and are personally invested in their sustenance. You can give back to the land through the Trail Center's Programs: trail information, trail building and restoration, and trail mapping.Costs is $60 per person, including overnight accommodations, crew leader manual, and hands-on training in safety, leadership and technical skills. To register, call 968-7065 by March 26.

Arts in the area

Second Monday of every month: Los Altos Art Club demonstration on painting techniques, 7 p.m., Hal Brady Room, Hillview Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave. Information: (408) 725-8662.

MV library sells Hemingway to Steinbeck at two-day sale

The Friends of the Mountain View Library will hold their two day Spring Book Sale on Friday and Saturday at the Mountain View Community Center, 201 Rengstorff Ave., near Central Expressway.The sale starts Friday evening at 6 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Admission on Friday night is $2. The Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and there is no admission charge. There will be a "Bargain Bag" sale in the last hour of the sale on Saturday, No bags or boxes will be allowed in the sale area, and a maximum of 1 6 books may be purchased at a time. However, patrons may have their hands stamped and return to the sale as many times as they wish.Buyers can choose from a variety of titles and subjects, including fiction, biographies, children's books, reference, and art books, Proceeds from the Friends sales benefit many Library projects and programs that are not within the Library Budget. Last year the library contributed a sizable amount toward the library collection enhancement program and sponsored three scholarships to three graduate students at SJSU School of Library Information and Science.

Spring into sun-baked skiing

Special to the Town Crier

In The Past...

The April 14, 1971 issue of the Town Crier reported that use of the new Calvin C. Flint Center for the Performing Arts by community organizations was invited by the Foothill Community College District.

Schools

Foothill-De Anza faculty predicts different educational landscape after year

Town Crier Staff Report

Loyola kids thrill to Tom Chapin sing-along at Spangenberg concert

Special to the Town Crier

Budding St. Francis journalist off to Washington, D.C. conference

From Los Altos to Washington, D.C., St. Francis High School junior Mark De Vaughn will know what it is like to cover the world.De Vaughn, 16, of Los Altos, has been selected to attend the Washington Journalism Conference (WJC) from April 9-14 in Washington, D.C. He will be one of 350 high school journalism students attending the conference sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council.Ever since De Vaughn was a freshman, he has been interested in journalism. He was not only a reporter on the school newspaper but he also won the school's Journalism Academic Achievement Award. Currently, De Vaughn is the sports editor for the St. Francis student newspaper, The Lancer."I don't know who nominated me to go to the conference," De Vaughn said. "I want to see how journalism works at the higher levels. What takes place and how do reporters handle situations."De Vaughn will be exposed to 25 seminars and 40 different speakers. All of the students will be able to work with professionals from CNN, C-SPAN, Reuters, UPI, USA Today, and The Washington Post to name a few. Some of the hands-on workshops the students will participate in are titled, "A Crash Course in Responsible Journalism" and "Recycled News: Covering the Environment.""I've always enjoyed gathering information," said De Vaughn about the reason he enjoys journalism. "I like to inform people about what is going on and keep myself informed as well."To help him continue to inform the public accurately, De Vaughn will meet key figures from the government and the private sector. Plus, all the students will be able to interview the press secretary of their elected district and participate in a number of activities at the National Press Club, including a panel discussion with top journalists."I am looking forward to visiting the National Press Club," he said. "I want to know how they go about asking questions and how to get the right connections."De Vaughn, plans to continue his education in journalism and hopes to attend Syracuse University. Although he may try broadcast journalism, he would like to work at a newspaper as a beat reporter or a columnist."People often think that journalists don't know anything about the subject they are reporting on," De Vaughn said. "I have learned so much through reporting and I hope to continue informing and being informed."

LAHS student body takes flight with Eagle discount card

The eagle is not only the sign of freedom but also the mascot of Los Altos High School (LAHS). The latest Associated Student Body (ASB) Eagle discount card allows the cardholder the freedom to buy items at lower prices and the school benefits.The card has been a traditional fund-raiser for the LAHS student body to fund clubs and sporting events. The ASB Eagle Card committee members go to different merchants throughout the area to receive an offer to be used with the card."Everyone can buy the card and use the discount," said Helen Chiang, ASB member and card committee organizer. "Parents, students, faculty or anyone can use the discounts offered with the card."The discount card was generated by the school's athletic boosters but last year the control transferred to ASB. This year, the ASB decided not to use the normal card maker and find a company that would make each individual card for less."Last year we made a $7 profit per card but this year it will raise to $8.30 per card," Chiang said.Each card costs $10 and is good for one year starting from March 15. Last year, the ASB sold approximately 1,200 cards. There are 22 different merchant discounts offered with the card. The discounts range from 2 for 1 offers through the Italian Deli on Main Street to 20 percent off all regularly priced book purchases at Tower Books on San Antonio Road in Mountain View."It is pretty easy to get sponsors on the card," said Lynn Wang, sophomore class ASB president. "Many vendors asked to be on this year's card."The new card is blue with silver artwork and writing to be presented to all participating vendors. The artwork was designed by senior Reem Al Zahawi. It is a drawing of an eagle landing on a branch that says Los Altos High. On the back side of the card is printed every participating vendor and their discounts.The Eagle Card committee members are Megan Slocum, Michael Chou, Danny Vorhaus, Jinyoung Choi and Elizabeth Monrao.Cards can be used repeatedly for the entire year and all proceeds go to the ASB. To purchase the card, call Nancy Thomas or Karen Gutheil in the LAHS administration office, 968-6571.

CSMA offers April vacation Arts & Music Day Camp

Honor Roll - Los Altos High School

Matthew Accola

Hard work the motto for MVHS student of the month

Alicia Grima has had more challenges, and conquered them, in the transition to high school than most freshman. Her hard work has earned her the student of the month for March at Mountain View High School.She has been actively involved in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program learning to speak English and adjusting to Mountain View High School. Grima credits the ESL program in developing her as a leader in the department.Recently, Grima assisted the Associated Student Body (ASB) in its efforts to understand the problems facing the freshman class. She worked within the ESL classes as a translator. Her efforts enabled the ASB and the school administration to reach the entire student population and include everyone's concerns. The counseling department has used the information to research ways to make the transition to high school a smoother experience.Grima has been a member of Latinos Unidos for two years and is currently serving as an officer. With a 3.0 grade point average, Grima's dedication to Latinos Unidos and her strong scholastic efforts resulted in being selected for the Hispanic Heritage Month Court. The members of the court hosted an all-school rally as well as an open dinner. She is also a member of the school's multicultural task force and is busy working on the upcoming multicultural week.

School Briefs

MVHS Teenlineneeds volunteersVolunteers are needed to staff the Parental Stress Hotline and Teenline that provide free, confidential listening and referral services to both parents and teenagers. Extensive training is provided to prepare volunteers for what they will experience. Applications are now being accepted for the April 1996 training session.For more information, call 326-6576.

Plenty of scholarships available ¯ if you know where to look

Most students and parents think that scholarships are only for students who have astounding academic or athletic skills or low-income families, but that is not always the case.Most students will go the traditional paths of relying on federal, state and college financial aid and loans. But students continue to get frustrated as pay back rates and red tape keep increasing. Most are unaware that more than $10 billion is available to students from private sector scholarships. There are also more than 375,000 scholarship and grant sources available which do not have to be paid back. This is according to the U.S. Channel of Commerce for Higher Education and the National Academic Funding Administration (NAFA).The agency also notes more than 80 percent of these scholarships do not depend on family need or exceptional grades but are awarded based on factors such as the student's interests, hobbies, academic focus, age, heritage or parent's work or military service.A U.S. Congressional study reported more than $6.6 billion of private sector financial aid went unused because parents and students did not know where to apply. Also, the National Commission on Student Financial Aid reported more than $6 billion of funding goes uncollected each year because students do not apply for it. There are ways that students can receive information for scholarships ranging from left-handed scholarships and handicapped student scholarships to members of church scholarships and even David Letterman's Scholars.American Educational Excellence (AEE) members have a list of more than 400 different addresses, telephone numbers, application deadlines, summaries about the scholarships and the amount the scholarship will pay the student. Many scholarships pay the entire tuition. Otherwise, students combine applicable scholarships together to form one large tuition payment. Most scholarships include junior and community colleges, such as De Anza or Foothill colleges, career and vocational schools, four-year colleges, graduate schools and medical law schools. For information on how to receive academic funding and scholarships, send a self-addressed stamped envelope and $1 handling fee to U.S. Channel of Commerce for Higher Education, P.O. Box 127, Rule Texas 79547, or send a No. 10 self-addressed double stamped business envelope plus a $2 handling fee to NAFA, 815 Middle St., Suite 1400, Portsmouth, N.H. 03801.

High honors for MVHS students on Golden State exam

Each Spring students are offered the opportunity of taking the Golden State Examination on a volunteer basis. Of the students who took the test in spring 1995, 32 students from Mountain View High School were recognized as having some of the highest test scores in the state.High honors awards went to: Michael Caldwell and Nicole Moison in first-year algebra. In the subject of geometry the following students also received high honors: Melanie Andrews, Jodie Antypas, Eduard Ayrapetian, Nick Baker, Matt Brunnings, Jason Burwen, Joseph Change, Matthew Chun, Sama's Djomehri, Angela Gee, Morina Ho, Jonathan Huckins, Alan Keefer, Jane Kim, Elizabeth Klemm, Jaimie Mikkelsen, Kalpna Mistry, Wendy Noyes, Leslie Olston, Stanley Park, Ronald Seger, Shantonu Sen, Jason Tan, Megan Toby, Melanie Usas, Lee Wang, Carolyn Wei, Galina Wood, Xiao Yan Yu, and Michael Zalisk.Honors in geometry were awarded to: Jennifer Andrada, Grant Chenok, Erica Cowell, Reilly Dibner, Galen Donaldson, Jennifer Gard, Alan Henley, Elif Kimyacioglu, Kevin Lee, Maya Prager, Ethel Regis, Jennifer Santos, Andrea Tavenier, and Steve Trinh.Special school recognition in first-year algebra went to: Anthony Bocek, Jennifer Brewer, Gillian Burdge, Jenn Ewing, Aaron Fraenkel, Joseph Guarnera, Adriana Heiler, Frank Huang, Steve Leadingham, and Bryan St. Clair. For geometry, awards went to: Kodi Bernido, Yen Bui, Hector Gonzalez, Meredith Hughes, Ryan McCarthy, Brad McMinn, Daniel Reighley, Lam Su, Candice Wilmuth, and Noelle Yau.

Sports

Sports Calendar

TennisPinewood at Los Altos, Gunn vs. Mountain View at Rengstorff Park, both matches at 3 p.m.

Los Altos Hills garden for all seasons

Special to the Town Crier

Girls prep water polo

Town Crier Sports Editor

Prep track and field

Town Crier Sports Editor

Prep swimming

Special to the Town Crier

John Gall-Athlete of the Week

Winters, Mizuno amongst volleyball's elite

Town Crier Sports Editor

Scores

April 4BaseballSt. Francis 14, Santa Teresa 1SF..........106 106 0 ­ 14 12 0ST..........000 100 0 ­ 1 6 3SF (13-3 overall) highlights: Osorio - 3 hits, 4 RBIs

Sports Shorts

MORE SPIKES: S'WAT Volleyball presents kids/youth day camps to help participants "build solid fundamentals for volleyball and for life." Summer sessions for boys and girls ages 8-18 run from July 8-27 and Aug. 5-23 at Mountain View and Willow Glen locations. For more information, and discount rates, call (408) 266-0113.

Prep badminton

Special to the Town Crier

Business & Real Estate

Koo Koo Roo restaurant to move into Los Altos Pharmacy location

Koo Koo Roo, a gourmet chicken restaurant, is coming to Second and Main streets, on the site where the Los Altos Pharmacy is presently located. Robert Freeman, of the Freeman Group retail development firm, made the announcement at the Economic Development meeting April 1. He worked with Bart and Kent Nelson, owners of Los Altos Pharmacy, to find a tenant that would make a good mix. "We completed the search for the right tenant and 20 people looked at the location. Of the 20, 12 made proposals," Freeman said. "In the proposal plan, the Los Altos Pharmacy will have an opening on Second Street and reduce its size to 3,700 square feet of space. Bay Area Home Health Care at 276 Main St. is moving to Sunnyvale and Koo Koo Roo restaurant will occupy 3,700 square feet on the Main Street side of the building.""We wanted someone to come in with a feeling of commitment to the community instead of someone to come in and take out everything," Kent Nelson said. "We are excited with the project and feel the restaurant will be good growth for the community."Mike Mouslin, president of Koo Koo Roo, said the restaurant will be full-service dining in a fast- food service setting. "We are an extension of Mom's cooking," Mouslin said. "Our busiest nights are Sunday, Monday and Tuesday because we provide a dining experience for a satisfactory family meal that is not fat. Very little of our business is eaten on the sidewalk and take out is 55 percent."Koo Koo Roo presently has restaurants in 19 locations throughout United States. Plans are to open 30 more in 1996, and 50 more in 1997. Mouslin said he is presently looking for locations in Menlo Park, Crow Canyon and Burlingame. "Wherever we go, the customers all look the same. They are educated, wealthy and look for healthy food that is not fatty," Mouslin said. The project will go before the Los Altos City Hall Architectural Site Control April 24, the planning commission May 18 and the city council the following week. Construction is slated to begin June 1 and the restaurant will be open for business before the Thanksgiving season.The Los Altos Pharmacy will go back to basics and focus on health care.

Committee discusses retail changes in Los Altos for April

The first Monday of every month, the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee meets and discusses retail developments in the seven retail districts of Los Altos. New items of interest for April are:The Bead Shop is increasing in size and moving to Main Street in the near future. European Cobblery will increase in size from 510 to 710 square feet and move into The Bead Shop space at State and First streets. Carol Curran reports on a retail axiom she heard: "At the end of a recession, or whenever an area becomes 'hot,' the first businesses to move in are great restaurants. Then good retailers follow, the area opens up at night, sales tax receipts increase and younger, more affluent families buy homes in the area.... And everybody wins."Pollo Rey, Mexican Rotisserie, at 100 State St. opened March 28. Its menu includes several "Heart Smart" items. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Draeger's is planning a big celebration for its 10th anniversary in Los Altos in May. An outside firm has been hired to put on several special events and activities.A Juice Club-type franchise is close to signing a new lease on the El Camino corridor, and two other similar operations are looking for downtown locations. Starbucks is close to signing a lease in Rancho Shopping Center. Several other changes are under consideration that will increase business at Rancho.Andronico's Market's ribbon cutting and the Chamber of Commerce mixer will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. today. Tickets for the five-day, four-night stay at the new award-winning Westin Club Regina resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, will go on sale at this mixer and continue through May. Farmer's Market will be open this year from 8:30 a.m. to noon beginning May 4 at Loyola Corners. The trip to the Westin Club Regina in Los Cabos will be awarded at this time. The market has a new manager in Carol McCarthy. There will be an antique bicycle parade from History House to Rancho and then to Loyola Corners to mark the opening of the Farmer's Market.Two new changes at 5150 El Camino Real: Reliasoft Corporation has leased 5,980 square feet of office space and Application Resources, Inc. has leased 4,714 square feet of office space. Los Altos retail square footage rates remain competitive compared to other retail locations in the area. In a February survey by San Jose's "Retail Development Officer," Los Altos rates range from $1.45 to $2.20 per square foot.Compared to other cities, Old Town is $2.00 to $3.00; The Oaks in Cupertino is $1.10 to $1.35; Palo Alto is $2.00 to $3.75; Valley Fair is $3.33 to $9.58 and Stanford Shopping Center is $3.33 to $5.50.

Expert helps with real estate options during grief and bereavement

As program chairman for the Los Altos Senior Coordinating Council, Realtor Helen Gienger Kuckens has the interests of seniors at heart. She considers herself an authority on senior problems, especially when it comes to getting on with one's life after the loss of a loved one.At 34, Kuckens became a widow when she lost her husband and son in a private airplane crash. Trying to handle her departed husband's business, she became accustomed to change and the fear that goes with it. "People handle their fear of change in different ways, but the fear is inescapable," Kuckens said. "Whether its a death in the family, becoming a widow, health problems, retirement or getting a divorce, sooner or later you will be affected by one of these events."Kuckens was recently promoted to associate vice president at Cornish & Carey and specializes in the changes that can affect families and their housing problems.Statistics show that two out of three women are likely to become a widow and the average age of widowhood is 57 years old As a specially trained senior marketing specialist at Cornish & Carey, Kuckens offers advise to single seniors who are concerned about taxes, expenses and living on a fixed income after a change has altered their lives.Kuckens was born and raised in Sunnyvale where her father, Dr. Diesner, was the founder of the Sunnyvale Medical Clinic. A graduate of Oregon State University, she received her degree in home economics with emphasis in family relations. Kuckens' workshop is called "Survival Skills for Widows and Widowers" and is offered 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Monday Night Dinner Workshop at El Camino Hospital. She also provides a program on Wednesday Nights in a three-week series at El Camino Hospital called "Understanding Grief."By offering these programs the last 15 years, Kuckens tries to cover all forms of problems that can arise with change. One of the circumstances Kuckens encounters in these programs is a possible change in housing after a family becomes separated. Widows and divorced people wonder if there are any smaller houses available because they can't handle the house they are presently living in. Older widows often question if they can give their home to their children or family members. Is there a Senior Tax credit and how do they apply to get it? Can they reduce or eliminate the taxes on the sale of their home? Working in real estate for the past 15 years, Kuckens has the answers to these questions. She can assist in preparing your home for maximum buyer impact. She has a list of qualified helpers who work quickly and efficiently to get a house ready for sale. When people from Los Altos attend Kuckens workshop she finds the biggest concern is their present housing. Most of the widows, widowers and divorced people don't want to continue living in their large houses. The people living in Los Altos Hills look for a smaller house in Los Altos and the people in Los Altos look for a smaller housing in Sunnyvale, Cupertino or Mountain View. Being the founder of the Mid Peninsula Widow and Widowers Association has given her the needed insight to handle real estate problems. She has the answers for moving to smaller houses, apartments, condos, independent retirement living, planned adult retirement communities and possible relocation to other states. For more information, call 948-0456.

Business Briefs

Loyola Corners Farmers Market invites local farmers who are certified with the California Department of Agriculture to apply for entry in the eighth season beginning Saturday, May 4, and running through Nov. 23.

Weekly Special

Restaurateurs Of The Week

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Recipes Of The Week

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Engagements

Victoria Alexandria Gifford and Alan Wilson Templeton announced their wedding engagement and will be married Oct. 19. The marriage and reception will take place in the San Jose Women's Club. The-bride-to-be is the daughter of Janet Gifford and Ted Thomte of New York City. She is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science and received a bachelor's degree from Bates College in Maine and a degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. She is employed as an attorney.The groom-to-be is the son of Jan and Fred Cummins and Larry Templeton of Los Altos. He is a graduate of Los Altos High School and received a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Davis and is currently attending Santa Clara University School of Business. He is currently director of Law Career Services at Santa Clara University School of Law.The couple live in Palo Alto.

LAH couple celebrate 50th wedding anniversary

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Obituaries

George Edward Drake, a native of Pennsylvania, died at is residence in Los Altos March 29. He was 75.

Alice Jakle, accomplished athlete, actress, pilot and bridge player

Alice Rickey Jakle, longtime Los Altos resident, died in her home April 2. She was 77.Services will be held at the Los Altos United Methodist Church at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.A native of St. Louis, Mo., she was educated at John Burroughs School and Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. She was an All-American field hockey player and performed on the New York stage and the Pasadena Playhouse.While at Swarthmore, Mrs. Jakle met husband Edward, an accomplished five-letter athlete himself. They married in 1943. Ed described their 53 years of marriage as "always like a honeymoon."She ferried planes across the country for the Women's Air Force Service Patrol (WASP) during World War II before settling in Los Altos with her husband in 1945. Mrs. Jakle became an outspoken supporter of the Los Altos school system, a participating member of Los Altos United Methodist Church and a volunteer for the Prisoner's Wives Association. On Los Altos High School grad nights, she read many palms as Madame Zsa Zsa. A docent for Filoli Estate and a Life Master bridge player, she had a knack for bringing competent warmth to any group and exuberant color and growth to her garden, according to family members. She is survived by her husband, Edward Jakle of Los Altos, and sons, John Jakle of Santa Monica, Christopher Jakle of Sacramento, and David Jakle of Seattle, Wash; three sisters, Jane Jones, of Elmira, N.Y., Mary Eckler of Columbus, Ohio, and Elizabeth Wolfe of Swarthmore, Penn. The family prefers donations to the Rick Jakle Fund, c/o Lucy Tolmach, Filoli, Canada Road, Woodside 94062.