THE CUPERTINO DAILY

A camel is a horse designed by a committee- dog park devotees put through hoops and trials

by Ruby Elbogen
     While I had received many emails and calls asking me to cover the issue
of off leash hours for dogs in local parks, or having a dog park in Cupertino
I tried to stay neutral and wait for some outcome from the city. Since the
Parks & Rec. Commission meeting on Jan. 5, 2009 was scheduled to address the issue, yet again to determine how to adequately address the subject I attended in order to cover the meeting for The Daily.

City commissions and commissioners

by Ruby Elbogen

         The headline above an article in a local print publication stated:
Geifer, Rose elected to lead commission. However, it seems the Planning Commission election, at their Jan. 27, 2009 meeting was premature, since Jessica Rose was not appointed to a second term, the council nod instead went to Dr. Winnie Lee. For those who feel that reappointment is automatic, and no others should bother to apply, it's bad news. For residents who feel everyone should have an equal chance and the city council should select the most experienced candidate, it was very good news and opens the door for more people to get involved in city government.

Coulomb Technologies ChargePoint Network

Second Interview with Richard Lowenthal, Cupertino’s Star Award recipient for 2009

Story and photos by Donna Austin

   

After my second interview with Richard Lowenthal , I realized that electric cars have been around a lot longer than I previously thought. Why aren’t there more of them and why aren’t there more stations?

Local Gymnasts shine at Tachi Palace Invitational

Photos by Bryan Miller

The Level 7, 8, 9, and 10 teams from Santa Clara-based Airborne Gymnastics each won first place in their respective competitions at the Tachi Palace Invitational gymnastics meet January 24-25 in Lemoore, California.   Team members from Cupertino include Melissa Chuang, Caty Chung, Amanda Kretsch,  and Shannon Miller.  Airborne is currently ranked as the number 3 competitive gymnastics club in the United States.    

Mayor Orrin Mahoney's State Of The City

by Ruby Elbogen-photo by Carolyn Mahoney
     Sponsored by the City of Cupertino, Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Orrin Mahoney presented his State Of The City address to an overflow crowd at Quinlan on Jan. 28, 2009. While we're in the throes of the worst recession in recent history, and most in attendance were groaning inwardly at what we thought would be a speech of "major downer" proportions-we were pleasantly surprised by the Mayor's optimism about life in Cupertino.

Congratulations to Cupertino's new Planning Commissioners

                                                                                           

By Ruby Elbogen

Dr. Winnie Lee, former Chair of the Cupertino Housing Commission is the new Commissioner appointed to the Planning Commission by the Cupertino City Council.

A Second Chance at a Dream Job

by Jennifer Ishii

            Have you recently found yourself becoming a victim of the current recession? Did you just graduate from school and not sure what to do with yourself? Do you want to rejoin the workforce, but aren't sure how to do that? Foothill College may have your answer to any of these situations.

At Ground Level - the Inauguration of Pres. Barack Obama

story & photos by Joe DiNucci

11/4/2008: MSNBC calls Ohio for Barack Obama. Old friend Jim calls from Seattle to thank me for urging him to get behind Obama in early 2007, and we should go. My wife Linda says, “You go, you worked hard for this.” I booked 2 roundtrips, and a room in Fairfax VA for $425. per night.We’re going, by God.

Ja-Lih Lee, Cupertino Librarian

 By Donna Austin  

   There was an article in the "World Journal" 1/26/08 by Mei Huey Huang that says that our Cupertino Librarian Ja-Lih Lee has Leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. She is now in Stanford's ICU unit.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

By Vicki Yang & photos by Jen Santoro

     Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is one of the most important Chinese holidays, it is a time to celebrate the upcoming year and prepare for a prosperous one.  Often called Lunar New Year because it follows the lunar calendar, it varies each year on the Gregorian.  This year, Chinese New Year falls on January 26th, as we welcome the Year of the Ox.  It is a time of celebration and traditions, including new clothes, family gatherings, good food and fireworks.

Cupertino Historical Society's New Exhibit

The Cupertino Historical Museum

Invites you to come see our

New exhibit on the local

Brian Copeland, author comes to Cupertino

Eno Schmidt president of Cupertino Library Foundation with Brian Copeland, author of "Not a Genuine Black Man"

Quota Receives the Bridge Award

 Catherine Chen, Vice President of Membership for Quota and is a past president of the Asian American Business Council.

                                   *****WE  LOVE  PIZZA*****
                              please help with our fund-raiser
     KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE-QUOTA OF CUPERTINO TEAM

Lights! Camera! Action!

Milk (2008) 

By Kimberly Lowenthal
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Sean Penn as Harvey Milk
Disclaimer:  Potential spoiler alert, but only if you don’t know the history of Harvey Milk

Gus Van Sant’s Milk is a fantastic film about the life of Harvey Milk, California’s first openly gay elected official.  I found the film to be touching, poignant, and disarmingly honest. 

Travel

A Great Weekend away … close by

by Sandy Sims, Travel Editor
    Here in the Bay Area, we can live pretty high on the hog once in a while. That’s because most deluxe hotels greatly reduce their prices on weekends. Why not snuggle into one of those luxurious rooms for a night or two. Combine that with some pretty cool, maybe not so well known, treasures nearby and you have a weekend to remember.

WHO LET THE DOG'S OUT?

by Ruby Elbogen
     Man's Best Friend. We're Going To The Dogs, Dog Day's Night, How Much Is That Doggie In The Window? The Dog Day's of Summer...I could go on and on. No matter how you feel about dogs, they are a big part of our lives and our GNP. Some have said that Americans spend more money on dog food than they do on education. True or not true doesn't really matter, what does compute is that humans love dogs. Sometimes more than they love the members of their own families.

CUPERTINO HERO - JUDI POGUE by Barbara Rogers Photo Gail Jensen

           

Judi Pogue became interested in outreach to the victims of Hurricane Katrina through the Presbyterian Church USA, which provides disaster relief through its Disaster Assistance (PDA) program.  She gained excellent background in organization and decision making through her experience as a teacher, school principal, school superintendent, and finally in the Fremont Union High School District as Director of Human Resources until hr retirement in 1999.

Coulomb Technologies: An interview with Richard Lowenthal by Donna Austin

     I met with Richard Lowenthal on Friday, January 9th to discuss Coulomb Technologies ChargePoint Network. He said there are approximately 241 million cars in the U.S. and 54 million garages.

     Drivers can become subscribers to a curbside network of charging stations for electric cars. These stations are wirelessly controlled and communicate with Utilities.

  

THE PAJAMA PROJECT PLEASE JOIN THE EFFORT

by Ruby Elbogen
     The 2nd Annual Pajama Project is in full swing and we hope you will get on board with us. Please join The Cupertino Daily, Quota of Cupertino, The Cupertino Chamber of Commerce and The San Jose Fairmont Hotel gather new pajamas for underprivileged children, many in foster care, Sizes of pajamas should be from the smallest baby to size XL adult for girls and boys, infants, babies, toddler, kids, tweens and older teens.

Lights! Camera! Action!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons (2008) Starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett
By Kimberly Lowenthal

   

To be fair, I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons on Christmas day in an overly crowded small theater with no air conditioning, and about halfway though the film the screen went black mid-sentence for an unintentional intermission.  Due to the film’s excessive length, the majority of the theater was grateful for the break, rather than irate at the theater’s unprofessional quality, which I think says something in itself.  But honestly, I was not as thrilled with this movie as I was hoping to be, and not just because of the poor presentation I personally experienced. 

Mike Foulkes from Apple Computer the New Chamber President

CONGRATULATIONS TO APPLE COMPUTER'S MIKE FOULKES
NEW PRESIDENT OF THE CUPERTINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dino-Mite Show for the Family by Theresa Condon

     Most young children go through a dinosaur-loving phase at one time or another. Whether they prefer learning about the ferocious raptors of the Jurassic period or singing along with Barney the Purple Dinosaur, these ancient creatures have become common characters in a child’s world.

    

Two New Employee's at the Cupertino Historical Society & Museum

    Photos and article by Donna Austin

The Cupertino Historical Society & Museum has two new employees. Marie Raymond was hired to do clerical work and Julie Bly DeVere (rhymes with DeBeer) was hired as a consultant for our contact collections registrar. 

            

Computers Make History

By Theresa Condon

It’s ironic that in an industry so concerned with memory, how quickly we forget.
                                                                                                    -Museum Flyer

In order to ensure we do not forget, the Computer History Museum in Mountain View is dedicated to preserving the history of the movers and shakers who transformed the quiet orchards of Santa Clara Valley into the bustling, world-renowned hub of technology it is today.

THE HOUSE ON LINDY LANE or THE NEVER-ENDING SAGA

Once again, last evening's City Council meeting left us thinking, who needs a comedy club when we have the best show in town at the City Council Chambers. Really - and no entry fee, no entertainment tax, just fun--with a tad of drama to keep it real.

FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, SHOP CUPERTINO

by Gloria Elle'
     Want to keep Cupertino's City services like Police, Fire, parks, street cleaning and all the other things we take for granted--strong? Shop Cupertino. City services like those listed here are provided from sales tax generated in Cupertino.

CUPERTINO IS GOING TO THE DOGS

by Ruby Elbogen
     My "Pound Puppy" Trevor is an 8 year old 9 lb. Chihuahua. We refer to him as The Cupertino Chihuahua. He languished at the San Jose Humane Society, in a cage for 6 months before we adopted him. He was considered unadoptable, and was not very sociable. Truth be told, he's still a tad cranky, but he loves his house, his bed and his family--and we can tell he's grateful to be with us.

Past Present Perfect

by Donna Austin

Today I visited three wonderful places in the Cupertino area that reminds me of the past while celebrating the present day modern way of life.

Yamagami's                                                                         Starbucks             Trader Joes

NEW DEVELOPMENT AND OUR SCHOOLS

Whenever a new housing development, or a multitude of new offices are proposed in Cupertino a collective groan is heard from one end of Cupertino to the other, due to the impact our schools. If a significant number of new offices are built, Cupertino is then mandated to provide new housing according to a formula mandated by the state, so the new workers can live nearby (whether they choose to or not.)

Calabazas Creek And The South Vallco Master Plan

Story & Photos By Keith Murphy

On September 16 2008, the Cupertino City Council restored both wording and policy to the now approved South Vallco Master Plan, which clearly states that Calabazas Creek is once again an important identity and connectivity feature in the South Vallco Master Plan area.

Interview with Pete Camarda 90 years young next week!

Article and photos by Donna Austin

Pete Camarda still grows tomatoes as his father and grandfather taught him.
Today, September 9th, 2008, I got a call from Pete Camarda. Pete is such a colorful character and claims he is turning 90 years young next week. He says he is Sicilian which is even better than being Italian. He wanted to talk about the old days and share some pictures.

H2O OR THE LACK THEREOF

We in California are in for a major water shortage, and the Cupertino City Council's answer to the call to find ways to conserve our precious life giving clear liquid is to politely ask residents to conserve 10%, a less than stellar method of saving water.

Lights! Camera! Action!

Burn After Reading (2008)
Written and Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, Starring George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton

Reviewed by Kimberly Lowenthal

Audiences love this movie, critics love this movie, am I the only one who was disappointed?

Lights! Camera! Action!

by Kimberly Lowenthal

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) Woody Allen

Since I saw Woody Allen’s latest, Vicki Cristina Barcelona, Saturday night at CinéArts on Santana Row, I’ve been able to think of little else.  The charismatic characters and intoxicating essence of this film have been swirling around in my mind, and my affinity for this film has grown immensely since the initial viewing of it. Truthfully, as I was watching the film, I wasn’t blown away by it.  This may be because this film is quite unconventional, and it takes a few days to digest a film with real depth and passion when our brains have become accustomed to summer blockbusters and chick flicks.

International Spare Change For Kids with Cancer at the Fairmont

By Lina Broydo

Phone number: 408.998.3916

   The Fairmont San Jose is looking for change:  as summer vacations are coming to an end and happy travelers return home from overseas trips, the hotel is encouraging them to kindly empty their pockets and donate leftover foreign currency to benefit the Courageous Kids of American Cancer Society. American dollars are welcome and greatly appreciated, as well. Courageous Kids was founded 20 years ago by a volunteer group of the American Cancer Society to provide services for a child with cancer and their families.

Food

Is "healthier food" in bay area schools an epidemic or academic

By Chef Bruce Biron

Are our children getting proper nutrition during school hours?  Well let us do the math…....healthy nutritious foods equals increased brainpower.  Silicon Valley and peninsula schools have a long way to go, but some districts are making educated choices and embracing healthier food service programsThanks to the heroic, humanitarian efforts of Alice Waters, founder of the Edible School Yard program.  Alice Waters, chef and owner of world renowned Chez Panisse, and International Governor of Slow Food, took a non-working school food program in Berkeley, which served portions of puzzling meats and stews, washed down with sugary beverages containing high fructose corn syrup, and helped teach students how to grow produce in school gardens and eat superior-quality food from local providers.

Glider in Cupertino 1929

Article by Donna Austin

Photos courtesy of the Cupertino Historical Society

Glider built by Bob Butcher, Angelo Quinterno and George Fujii shown on Pasadena Ave.

Did you know that right here in Monta vista,  we had the equivalent of the Wright Brothers? Three 16 year old boys designed, crafted and flew a glider 20 feet into the air in March of 1929. There were no TV's, computers, IPhones, IPods or Gameboys. Life was different for 16 year olds in those days and this is one of the things they did for fun.

Fremont Union High School District Begins Bond Selling Process

By Barbara Nunes

At their recent July Board Meeting, the Fremont Union High School District acted on resolutions that will begin their ability to use money from Measure B that was voted on in the June election. A resolution that accepted the election results provided by the Registrar of Voters of 22,100 yes, 10,849 no for a positive 67.07% passage was accepted by a unanimous vote of the Board.  Another unanimous vote was for the resolution that requested that $80,000.00 of the $198,000,000 dollars worth of bonds approved be placed on the market for sale.

Cupertino Historical Society Museum meets Sister City Toyakawa visitors

by Donna Austin

Left to Right:
Shoko Amano, Namie Uno, Toshiko Nagai, Tokiko Kasahara, Isako Imaizumi, Miyoko Tsutsui (The professional kimono dresser/teacher)

Wednesday, July 9th,  Ray Bortner and I were at the museum to greet our Sister City of Toyakawa visitors. There were around 46 visitors all together headed by Rick Kitson our public relations manager for the City of Cupertino.

A Cut That Helps Others

By Vicki Yang

  With all the budget cuts and not favorable economic conditions, there’s one cut that can benefit not only you, but a cancer patient - a hair cut!  There are numerous organizations out there that collect hair to create wigs for cancer patients who lose theirs through chemotherapy. 

WATCH THE METER RUN BACKWARDS

by Ruby Elbogen

I watch City Council meetings either in person or on the City Channel. Occasionally I also watch Planning Commission Meetings as well. While there isn't much that's actually amusing, when our elected and appointed officials begin espousing their "vast knowledge" about energy saving and why they should impose it upon homeowners and developers it does bring a chuckle or two.

WATER WATER - NOT EVERYWHERE???

Cupertino is now a very dry town, but not in the usual sense. You can still drink in homes, restaurants, bars, etc. however--most of our public displays of water are dry, gone, kaput, out to lunch, au revoir, dried up, Yuck. Dry Rubber Duckies of Cupertino Unite!!  No Sport Center Pool, No Fountain out the back door of Quinlan, No Fountain Water Popping Up at Cupertino City Center, No Water at Portal Park, No Water at Linda Vista Park. WE WANT WATER AND WE WANT IT NOW. Former Mayor, Patrick Kwok fought for the Sport Center Pool, to no avail. Councilman Mark Santoro is asking for a review of the pool and the park fountains. WHERE'S OUR WATER?? Well, it seems that "City Staff" has decided it had to go. They listened to THE "CONSULTANTS" who determined it would cost at least a trillion million $$$$ for Cupertino kids to romp in fountains, for us to read a book next to a babbling brook, or for anyone in Cupertino to enjoy public water.

Nathan Hall Tank House

By Donna Austin
  May 1st 2008 marked an important meeting at the Nathan Hall Tank House. A group consisting of neighborhood activists, Rotarians, city officials and members of the Cupertino Historical Society met to view the facilities and plan for its future use.

View of Oakdell Ranch now Pharlap  neightborhood

Cupertino Resident Has Revolutionary War Roots

By Suzy Paluzzi

Greg Johnsrude (composer, songwriter, arranger and volunteer) is a 
lineal descendant of Robert Morris, Jr., signer of the Declaration of 
Independence. “My older sister was the one who told me about it,” 
smiles Greg. “He also signed the Articles of Confederation and the 
United States Constitution,” Johnsrude adds. Greg’s mother’s maiden 
name was Morris.

http://www.flowbar.net/

ADOPTING A PET IS A GOOD DEED

The San Jose Animal Care Center serves Cupertino and our neighboring cities.

How Cupertino Got the Morion (helmet) as its Symbol

by Donna Austin

This was the City of Cupertino’s landmark morion (helmet) symbol in 1971. Notice the wide legs and the base for catching the water and recycling it back.

This is the morion (helmet) today in 2008. Notice the difference in the legs and base. The city has not had good luck with its fountain features.