Los Altos Town Crier

News Flash

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The animal shelter that serves Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Palo Alto may get a stay of execution.

Palo Alto City Council's Finance Committee voted Tuesday night (May 15) to find ways to keep the animal services department running next year, scrimping to fill a $500,000 predicted shortfall.

Cover Story

Kiwanis Pet Parade, Rotary art show highlight busy weekend in Los Altos

A busy weekend lies ahead for downtown Los Altos.

The Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade is scheduled 10 a.m. Saturday, resuming its historical route along Main and State streets. Longtime Los Altos volunteers Bob and Lois Adams will serve as grand marshals.

News

Residents voice concerns over Fremont Avenue roundabout

A city-organized meeting seeking resident input on a potential roundabout in south Los Altos drew sharp reactions May 9 at Grant Park Center.

The Los Altos City Council approved the design of the roundabout, proposed for the intersection of Fallen Leaf Lane and Fremont Avenue, August 2011 as part of the city’s Collector Street Calming Plan. The plan – created by RBF Consulting – includes a 2007 study of traffic conditions on several city collector roads and possible traffic-calming measures.

Sports

Shirley Pefley/Special to the Town Crier

St. Francis makes final; Mtn. View eliminated

Like most athletes who excel in a sport, James Shaw is not easily satisfied.

After leading the St. Francis High boys volleyball team to a sweep of Homestead in the Central Coast Section Division I semifinals, the Stanford-bound senior opined that he and the top-seeded Lancers could do better.

Community

Local green groups sponsor creek cleanup

GreenTown Los Altos, Acterra and other organizations are scheduled to participate in a nationwide river cleanup effort Saturday. In Los Altos, GreenTown is leading a trash cleanup of Permanente Creek.

“Many of us drive over the four main creeks in Los Altos every day, unaware of their existence or their condition,” said Los Altos resident Barbara O’Reilly, event coordinator and member of the GreenTown Water Stewardship team.

Business

Village Stationers finds home in Los Altos

A favorite business among Menlo Park and Palo Alto shoppers is headed to Los Altos.

After signing on the dotted line on a lease at 220 Main St., Village Stationers owner Kerry Hoctor last week confirmed that his third Village Stationers store is scheduled to open in Los Altos in July.

Schools

MVLA breaks ground on new classrooms

Crews officially began construction at Mountain View and Los Altos high schools this week, breaking ground on 24 new classrooms between the campuses.

The classroom additions are among the projects funded by the 2010 $41.3 million Measure A bond. Joe White, associate superintendent for business services, said the cost of constructing new classrooms, including classroom renovations, is approximately $18 million to $19 million.

Senior Lifestyles

Team training: partnership brings seniors to the Y: "Fit as You Sit" tips

Partnership brings seniors to the Y

Staying physically active as we age takes more than will power and stick-to-itiveness. Seniors face special challenges as they stop driving, budget for fixed incomes and adjust exercise to their changing bodies. The Community Services Agency in Mountain View is piloting a program to address the transition.

A partnership among CSA, El Camino Hospital’s RoadRunners transportation program and the El Camino YMCA aims to make fitness accessible. Still in its nascent phase, this spring the program extended scholarships to five seniors in the community who needed help getting to the YMCA and paying for senior-fitness activities. Tangible results are the goal – quality-of-life improvements that also combat chronic health conditions.

Mountain View on the Move

Soccer star shares highlights at Challenge Team breakfast

Soccer superstar Brandi Chastain recounted learning from experience that a love of soccer and simple acts of kindness can transform lives. Chastain appeared at the annual Challenge Team Champions for Youth Benefit Breakfast May 8 at Michaels at Shoreline in Mountain View.

The Mountain View-Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Challenge Team, a consortium of law enforcement, schools officials and other community leaders, is a nonprofit agency dedicated to improving opportunities for local at-risk youth.

Books

Crais’ latest builds suspense despite title

Readers, please be warned: This book review of “Taken” (Putnam Adult, 2012) by Robert Crais contains spoilers.

To be fair, the author himself provides the first spoiler of the action-filled detective novel in the title of the book. Would anyone be surprised to learn that this latest in a long, successful series involves the kidnapping of Crais’ protagonist, detective Elvis Cole?

Travel

Constellation at Northstar offering unique package

Constellation Residences at Northstar, Lake Tahoe, is offering a Summer Fam Cam Package that includes use of Constellation Go Pro Cameras and your personal memory card to take home. Families can stocks their kitchens using a $150 grocery delivery credit, with 24 hours' notice. Nightly rates are $999 for a two-bedroom unit, $1,399 for three bedrooms and $1,699 for four bedrooms. Rates are offered for stays between June 15-31 and July 9 to Aug. 30. a two-night stay minimum is required. For more information, visit www.constellationatnorthstar.com.