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Home My WebLink AboutScene December 2005 - 12.01.2005December 2005 vol. xxiv no. 4 A monthly publication of the city of Cupertino CUPERTINO SCENE In This Issue Library News ...........................2 Here Comes the Parade.........4 Symphonic Band ....................4 Crab Feed Planned ................5 Upcoming Events ...................5 Simply Safe..............................6 Burglary Prevention Tips ......7 Community Calendar ...... 8 & 9 Roots: Monta Vista Mike..... 10 Environmental News ........... 12 Garbage Dates Unaffected. 12 Holiday Recycling & Trash. 12 Extra Holiday Trash? .......... 12 Old Computers .................... 12 Wood To Gas Grants .......... 13 Council Actions ................... 13 Access Cupertino ................ 15 City Meetings ....................... 16 You Are Invited Second Annual Cupertino New Years Party Benefiting the Cupertino Library Quinlan Center 10185 North Stelling Road, Cupertino December 31, 2005 8PM- 1AM Elegant Buffet Dinner Champagne & Wine Beer & Non-alcoholic Beverages Party Favors Door Prizes Dancing to DJ Music of Milt Wehrman $74.50 per person Party Attire RSVP By December 20, 2005 to Jack Hubby 11487 Lindy Place Cupertino CA 95014 (408) 996-2821 jackhubby@comcast.net Checks payable to Cupertino Library Foundation Jack Hubby 11487 Lindy Place Cupertino CA 95014 Yes, I will be coming Checks payable to Cupertino Library Foundation ________persons @ $74.50 per person $_______________enclosed Name:____________________________________ Street:_____________________________________________ City, State, Zip:_______________________Telephone:____________________ -2- The Cupertino Scene is published monthly, except in August and January, and distributed to all residents and businesses in the city. In- formation may be submitted via e-mail to rickk@cupertino.org. Questions may be di- rected to the Public Information Office at City Hall, 777.3262. Deadline is the first Wednes- day of the month for the next month’s issue. Firebird Youth Orchestra The Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra, di- rected by Gordon Lee, will perform on Sat- urday, February 4, 2006 at 3 p.m. in the Cupertino Community Hall next door to the library. The orchestra includes elementary through high school students, who play mu- sic on traditional Chinese instruments. For more information, please call the Reference Desk at 408.446.1677. Knitting at the Library Bring your needles and yarn to the library every Tuesday, 3-5 p.m. and join knitting ex- pert Lakshmi Moorty in the Story Room on the main floor. Adults and Children (10+) can learn to knit or get tips for their own knitting projects. Knitters of all skill levels are welcome to attend. CUPERTINO LIBRARY NEWS Kids’ Films Kids in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited for winter films and popcorn in the Children’s Story Room on Wednesday, December 28 at 2:30 p.m. Mandarin Storytime Families are invited to cel- ebrate Chinese New Year with Librarian Lannie Kuo at a storytime program in Manda- rin Chinese on Thursday, Janu- ary 26, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. Do you love to read? Join us for Booktalks at the library Librarian Judy Dana will intro- duce you to some new books for adults on Wednesday, Janu- ary 18, 2006 from 3:30 to 5 pm in the Children’s Story Room. The booktalks will consist of a short description of several book titles, covering all genres and subjects. Booktalks are scheduled every other month. The next session will be on March 22, 2006. For more information please call the Ref- erence Desk at 408.446.1677. Hours Sunday 2 to 6 Monday Closed Tuesday 12 to 9 Wednesday 10 to 9 Thursday 10 to 9 Friday 10 to 6 Saturday 10 to 6 Phone Numbers General Number 408.446.1677 Accounts, Billing 800.286.1991 TeleCirc 800.471.0991 Web Addresses Santa Clara County Library: ww.santaclaracountylib.org Teen Page: www.santaclaracountylib.org/teen Kids Page: www.santaclaracountylib.org/kids Storytimes Bedtime Stories (ages 3 and up): Weds, 7 p.m. Toddler Stories (ages 1-1/2 to 3): Thurs., 10:15 a.m. There will be no storytimes December 18 - 31. -3- Databases and Research Tools Santa Clara County Library sub- scribes to online databases for adults and children, on a variety of subjects, including business, science and literature. Many of the data- bases are available even when the library is closed. If you’re not at the library, just go to the library’s webpage at www.santaclaracountylib.org, click on databases, and enter your library card and PIN number to access a database. You may choose from any of the avail- able databases. For example, you can research a company using Standard and Poor’s Net Ad- vantage, prepare for an academic or profes- sional exam with Learning Express or find in- formation for a state report in America the Beautiful. If you have any questions about the databases, please call the Reference desk, at 408.446.1677, during the library’s open hours. The Friends of the Cupertino Library Bestseller Collection Funded by the Friends of the Cupertino Li- brary, the Bestseller Collection is a special browsing collection designed to make it easier than ever to find a bestseller on the library shelf when you visit the library. The books are available on a fist-come, first-served ba- sis (no reserves). All titles check out for one week. Located in the New Book / New Maga- zines / Media area right off the lobby. Friends of the Cupertino Library also wel- comes everyone to their ongoing Lobby Book Sales. The next annual Friends Book Sale will be held in the Community Hall on Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12, 2006. Collecting Cell Phones The Friends of the Cupertino Library have placed a cabi- net in the library lobby to collect used cell phones. Proceeds benefit the Cupertino Library. Internet Classes in Mandarin Beginning classes on how to use the Internet are available in Mandarin, by appoint- ment. If you would like to schedule an ap- pointment, please call the library’s Reference Desk at 408.446.1677. Teen Database Classes Database instruction for teens, thirteen to nineteen, is available at the library, by appoint- ment. If you would like to schedule an ap- pointment to learn about the library’s sub- scription databases, please call the reference desk at 408.446.1677. Internet Basics for Adults Basic Internet classes for adults are held at the library on the second Saturday of every month, 2 to 2:30 p.m. These drop-in classes are limited to five participants and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants must be able to use a computer keyboard and mouse. If interested, please come to the Adult Reference Desk at 2 p.m on the sec- ond Saturday of the month. Library Tours Library tours are conducted the third Wednesday of every month from 1 to 2 p.m. and the fourth Saturday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. Tours include an explanation and demonstration of the library’s online catalog and subscription databases, and library col- lections and services. For more information about library tours, call 408.446.1677. -4- HERE COMES THE PARADE Save the Date – March 11, 2006 In a first for the Cupertino Lunar New Year Unity Parade and Cultural Fair, grants are being offered for programs and activi- ties that promote awareness of cultural diversity. “Thanks to generous com- munity support our committee is de- lighted to have the opportunity to of- fer six grants of $500 and two grants of $1000,” stated Kris Wang, Parade Committee Co-Chair. “Over the past three years we have been very pleased at the community’s response to this event which raises awareness of the broad spectrum of cultural diversity throughout Cupertino,” stated Steve Andrews, Parade Committee Co-Chair. “We look forward to increasing the impact of this event through this $5000 grant opportunity.” Plans are underway for the fourth annual Lunar New Year Unity Parade scheduled for Saturday, March 11, 2 0 0 6 , f r o m 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lunar New Year Unity Pa- rade Committee would like to invite your organization and you to join this exciting Cupertino community event. If you would like to be a sponsor for the Lunar New Year Unity Parade, please contact Tommy Shwe at tommy.shwe@cbnorcal.com. To join the parade teams, please contact Steve Ting at s_ting@pacbell.net or Penny Peng at yen- ping@pacbell.net. Please contact Jon Kaplan at jonnymkap@aol.com to volunteer. Food vendors, please contact Fari Aberg as fari.aberg@hp.com. and stage performers; please contact Ann Woo at annwoo@comcast.net. The mission of the Lunar New Year Unity Parade is to bring our community’s broad spectrum of cultures together while celebrat- ing the Lunar New Year. We encourage people of all ethnicities, ages, and back- grounds to participate in this fun event. If you would like to join the committee as a volunteer, please contact the Committee co- chair: Steve Andrews at 408.973.1348 or firstwater@comcast.net. Please go to www.unityparade.org for complete details. CUPERTINO SYMPHONIC BAND The Cupertino Symphonic Band will present its popular Christmas Concert, conducted by Tom Narcisso, on Sunday, Dec.18, 2005, 3 p.m., at Quinlan Com- munity Center located at 10185 N. Stelling Road, Cupertino. Canned goods for com- munity ser- vices would be a great donation but the concert is free! Music will include traditional holiday mu- sic plus some pieces about characters like the Grinch. For more information, call 408.262.0471 or try our website at www.netview.com/csb. -5- Free Prizes, Classes, Games, Body Fat Testing, Crafts , Face Painting, and More Join Us On Saturday Jan. 7, 2006 10 am - 12 pm 2111 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino (408) 777-3160 Open House COMMUNITY CRAB FEED PLANNED An all-you-can-eat crab feed open to the public is scheduled Friday, Jan. 27, in the St. Joseph of Cupertino par- ish hall, 10120 N. De Anza B l v d . , Cupertino. The fifth annual event features a menu of fresh crab, pasta, salad and garlic bread. Dessert, as well as no-host beer and wine, will also be available. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets, at $30, may be purchased in ad- vance by calling the St. Joseph of Cupertino School office, 408.252.6441. After Jan. 20, available tickets will be sold for $35 each. All proceeds from the event will go toward school programs and services. UPCOMING EVENTS Swearing-in and Retirement of Councilmembers Monday, December 12, 2005 6:45 p.m., Community Hall Swearing-in of Patrick Kwok, Dolly Sandoval, and Orrin Mahoney Retirement of Sandy James CREST Award Nominations Monday, January 2 www.cupertino.org Forms are available to nominate indi- viduals and organizations that have made oustanding contributions to the commu- nity during 2005. State of the City Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:45 a.m., Cupertino Room, Quinlan Community Center Visit Cupertino-Chamber.org for more information. -6- SIMPLY SAFE New section added to Cupertino Website for Emergency Information. During disas- ters, this new section of the website will be filled with details about the community in- cluding: shelter locations, road closures, school & office closures, safety information, how to rebuild, etc. You can reach the informa- tion from www.cupertino.org, and then click on “Emergency Information”. If you have wireless Internet capability, you may even be able to access the information before power is restored. The information will still be valuable in the days, weeks and months following a major disaster as recovery efforts continue. The Community Emergency Training Cen- ter has moved to a bigger and better space at Vallco Mall. Many thanks to Vallco for allowing us to use the space free of charge. In addition to training classes, there are many free preparedness resources you can pick up. Copies of “Put- ting Down Roots in Earth- quake Country” are now available at the center. We even sell emergency supplies! The new space is 2156 and is directly across from the old center on the upper level of Vallco near JC Penney. Winter Preparation Resources Flooding: Santa Clara Valley Water Dis- trict has an excellent website. www.valleywater.org Information includes flood hazards, sandbag program details and Noah’s Flood Safe Guide (downloadable or call 408.265.2600 for a hard copy). Heating: As customers use their heaters to combat the dropping mercury, Pacific Gas and Electric Company wants to provide a reminder about safe home heating practices. Doing a simple, ten-minute check of a fur- nace can reduce the likelihood of serious danger from a malfunctioning system. Dam- aged or worn furnaces can emit lethal quan- tities of carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas that can cause sickness or even death. Go to www.cupertino.org/emergency and click on “Winter Preparedness” or re- quest a copy from O.E.S. Upcoming classes: Community Emer- gency Response Team January 12, 2006. Chose day or evening classes. Five Thurs- days from 9 a.m. to Noon, or 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and graduation February 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s FREE and a great way to start the New Year. Bring your friends! Personal Emergency Pre- paredness Workshop, Thurs- day, December 8, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, January 7, 9a.m. to Noon. FREE CPR for Infant/Child/Adult. January 11, 6 to 10 p.m. $25 Kaleidoscope Public Safety Training for 6th-12th Grade. $35. Feb- ruary 20-24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn CPR, First Aid, Earthquake Preparedness, Fire Safety. Tour the City’s 9-1-1 Center, talk to a Sheriff’s Office representa- tive about youth crime and put out a real fire! Class lim- ited to 20 students. Preparing for emergen- cies, one month at a time… Donate your canned food earthquake supplies to Cupertino Community Services, batteries to Toys for Tots and update your emergency kit. By making this donation an annual tradi- tion, your supplies will NEVER be out of date! Simply Safe is a monthly article provided to inform the community about emergency preparedness, training schedules and volun- teer opportunities. Contact the Cupertino Office of Emergency Services (OES) at 408.777.3335, email OES@cupertino.org, or go to the website www.cupertino.org/emer- gency for more information. Register for classes through Cupertino Parks & Recreation 777.3120. -7- BURGLARY PREVENTION TIPS The City of Cupertino would like to ad- vise its residents of an increased number of residential burglaries. Jewelry has been the primary item reported stolen.The perpetrator(s) are accessing homes through backyards, looking for easy access via un- locked doors or windows. The perpetrator(s) are also prying open rear windows. The Sheriff’s Office is requesting your as- sistance and is offering the following sugges- tions to help prevent further break-ins. v Secure all doors and windows. v Secure side-yard gates with locks. Make arrangements with PG&E for meter reading. Designate a respon- sible party who can provide access to locked gates in the event of an activated alarm. • Report suspicious persons and/or activity, or illegal solici- tors in your neighborhood. • Report suspicious vehicles by providing license plate numbers to the 911 dispatch center. • Secure jewelry in a quality safe. • If you have an Alarm, use it! • Be watchful of your neighborhood and report any suspicious activity. We have also been receiving reports of au- tomobile burglaries. The perpetrator(s) are using a rescue tool that will silently shatter glass. Do not leave purses, wallets, portfo- lios, laptop computers, or other valuables in the car. The perpetrator(s) will shatter the glass, reach into the car and take property. Again, we ask that you be watchful and re- port any unusual or suspicious activity. Barriers to Burglary Perhaps more than any other crime, bur- glary is a crime of opportunity. Burglars will aim for the easiest targets. Most will give up if they can’t get in within a few minutes. First Line of Defense Burglars try the easiest entries first – doors and windows. If your doors or windows can’t quickly open, chances are burglars will move on. Do not leave your doors and win- dows unlocked when away from home. Doors: The best locks for your doors are deadbolts. The deadbolt lock should have a minimum of a one-inch throw bolt contain- ing a hardened steel insert, which resists saw- ing. The strike plate should be attached to the doorframe with screws that measure four inches. Hollow core doors should be replaced with solid core doors or strengthened with metal sheets. Glass in a door should be un- breakable safety glass. Glass can also be pro- tected with steel bars or mesh. Hinges: If your doors swing out, the hinges are on the outside. A burglar can eas- ily remove the hinge pins and lift the door out. To foil this, remove the center screw from each side of the hinge and insert a metal pin, or head- less screw, on one side. This way, even if the hinge pins are removed, the door will be bolted to the frame. Windows: Use key locks on all of your windows and al- ways keep them locked. Re- member that even the best locks are useless if the window can be pried loose, or the frame is rotted. If you need ventilation, open the windows, but not wide enough to allow an average adult to climb through. To secure the windows at that level, drill a slanted hole through the front window sash and part way through the back sash, and insert a heavy-duty nail or eyebolt through the hole. Lighting: Light may be one of the best crime deterrents. In fact, some states have minimum standards for exterior lighting. The rule of thumb is to light up all dark areas, especially doors and windows. Watch for shadows that can conceal a burglar’s activity. Alarms: If you decide to install, or already have, an alarm, put warning signs in every window and at every possible entrance. Knowing that your residence or business is equipped with an alarm may be enough to deter some burglars. For best results, every alarm system should include: A battery failsafe, back up fire-sensing capability, and a feedback device to check whether the sys- tem is working. For more information con- tact Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Stephanie Turini at, steffaniet@cupertino.org. -8- The Cupertino Library and Commun Saturday, Oct. 30, 9:30 a.m Community Calendar Submit information about clubs and organizations that meet in Cupertino to Linda Lagergren, City of Cupertino, 10300 Torre Ave., Cupertino, 95014, 777-3202 lindal@cupertino.org Clubs with asterisks meet more than once monthly. Call the contact number for details. DEC. Club/Organization Time Location Phone 1 Thurs De Anza Lions Club* Cup. Host Lions Club* Northwest Y Service Club* Cupertino Amateur Radio Emergency Service Women’s Quilting Group* Connect Club I* Connect Club II* Business Networking Intl.* HP Communicators Toastmasters #4606* Overeaters Anonymous* Food Addicts in Recovery* (FA) 6:45 a.m. 7:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. Noon 8 a.m. 7 a.m. 7 a.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Holders Country Inn Mariani’s Restaurant Northwest YMCA 20803 Alves Drive City Hall West Valley Pres. Church 6191 Bollinger Rd. Holders Country Inn Chamber of Commerce BJ’s Brewery HP Cupt. site, Bldg. 46T 19055 Pruneridge Ave. Union Church St. Jude’s Church 255-3093 252-6262 725-8195 345-8372 253-2984 252-0932 252-7054 252-7054 996-9111 BNI.com 650-691- 8724 253-8394 378-3499 2 Fri Alcoholics Anonymous* Fast Start Group De Anza Kiwanis* 5:00 p.m. 7:15 a.m. Redeemer Lutheran Church 940 S. Stelling Rd Intl. House of Pancakes 374-8511 973-1456 3 Sat De Anza Flea Market Organization of Special Needs Families* Overeaters Anonymous* Planetarium Shows* 8 to 4 p.m. 2 to 4 p.m. 9 a.m. 7 p.m. De Anza College 20920 McClellan Rd. Union Church DeAnza Planetarium 864-8946 996-0858 842-0688 864-8814 5 Mon American Legion Post 642 Al-ANON Steps for Living* Take off Pounds Sensibly* TOPS Overeaters Anonymous* Food Addicts in Recovery* (FA) 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 10201 Imperial Ave., #3 940 S. Stelling Rd. First Baptist Church 10505 Miller Ave. Union Church St. Jude’s Church 374-6392 379-1051 252-2434 650-327- 1649 246-1620 6 Tues Alcoholics Anonymous* Women’s Group Al-ANON Family Group* ToughLove* Cupertino Kiwanis* Knights of Columbus 4981* Cupertino Men’s Service* Cupertino Sr. TV Prod.* 6:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Noon 8 p.m. Noon 9:30 a.m. Redeemer Luth. Church, 940 S. Stelling Rd. Bethel Lutheran Church 10131 Finch Avenue Bethel Lutheran Church The Blue Pheasant 10201 Imperial Ave., #3 The Blue Pheasant Senior Center 650-903- 0321 379-1051 946-7970 252-3830 243-8462 252-2667 7 Wed Al-ANON Family Group* Al-ATEEN* 7 p.m. 8:15 p.m. 940 S. Stelling Road Redeemer Lutheran Church, 940 S. Stelling 650-734- 5869 650-292- 8897 -9- y and Community Hall Grand Opening ct. 30, 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. 7 Wed Cupertino Sanitary Dist* De Anza Optimist Club* Cupertino Optimist Club* Tandem Toastmasters* Macintalkers Toastmasters* Cupertino Rotary Club* Philotesian Rebekah #145 Cup. Symphonic Band* Overeaters Anonymous* Connect Club III* 8 p.m. 7:15 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Noon 5:30 p.m. Noon 7:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 8:15 a.m. 20833 Stevens Creek #104 Holder’s Restaurant Blue Pheasant HP, 19333 Vallco Parkway Apple Computer De Anza 3, 10500 N. DeAnza Blvd. Community Center Cupertino Odd Fellows Cupertino High School Union Church Chamber of Commerce 253-7071 253-4424 255-3212 285-4977 macintalkers .com vppr@macin talkers.com 920-2224 252-3954 262-0471 247-8488 252-7054 8 Thurs Quota Service Club* (Aids hearing & speech impaired) Cupertino-West Valley Welcome Club Noon 11:30 a.m. Blue Pheasant 252-8568 257-6136 252-1529 9 Fri Malihini Orchid Society Cupertino Coin Club 7:30 p.m. 7:45 p.m. Hewlett-Packard, Oak Rm West Valley Pres. Church 267-3397 253-1232 10 Sat Daughters of Norway 9:30 a.m. Sunnyview Retirement Community 255-9828 12 Mon Cupertino Odd Fellows* Fine Arts League 8 p.m. 7 p.m. 20589 Homestead Rd. Community Center Social Room 252-3954 978-6614 13 Tues Southbay Toastmasters* Sertoma Club* Poets Society* 6:30 p.m. 7:15 a.m. 7:30 p.m. Tandem Bldg. 251, 10100 N. Tantau, Rm. 1258 1366 S. Saratoga- Sunnyvale Rd. Coffee Society 253-7622 252-2584 255-5293 725-8091 14 Wed Krazy Dazys Square Dance Club* Cross-Cultural Consortium (5Cs) 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Hyde Middle School Community Hall 245-9156 285-7332 15 Thurs Toyokawa Sister City West Valley Republican Women Rolling Hills 4H Club Embroiders’ Guild of America 7:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. City Hall Monta Vista Recreation Center Sunnyview Lutheran Home 257-7424 252-6312 257-4745 578-5917 20 Tues African Violet Society 12:30 p.m. Sunnyview Lutheran Home 736-9262 21 Wed Rancho Neighborhood Association 7:30 p.m. Rancho Pool & Recreation Facility 27 Tues Historical Society De Anza Youth Soccer League meeting 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Community Center Creekside Park 973-1495 deanzayouth soccer.org 28 Wed The Powerful Pens 7 p.m. 18000 Chelmsford 626-9784 Deadline for submitting February calendar information is Jan. 4. -10- ROOTS BY GAIL FRETWELL HUGGER MONTA VISTA MIKE AND THE GREAT CHRISTMAS TREE CAPER Mike Mikul passed away recently. Mike was the plumber everyone in Cupertino/ Monta Vista area called in the old days. Everyone knew Mike. Even though he’d re- tired and moved to Hawaii many years ago, reading his obituary in the newspaper re- minded me of an incident that oc- curred over 50 years ago - sort of a Christmas memory. I was a kid and school was out for 2 weeks of vacation. Yippee! Time to look for a tree. Folks didn’t put up their trees and deco- rate as early as they do now and stores actually waited until the day after Thanksgiving to put out their Christmas merchandise. Amazing! Anyway, my uncle Don Regnart decided to take some of the kids up to Table Mountain and cut our trees for Christmas. Grandma Annie’s house always got the biggest one and the rest of us got whatever our front rooms would accommodate. I clearly recall mother yelling to her baby brother, as I ran out to the truck, “Don, you make sure those kids don’t get into the poison oak!” Oh, the hor- ror of those words - the dreaded poison oak - which grew like huge weeds all over the hills and even in rural backyards back then. Shiny green leaves in the spring and summer, turning a lovely red in the fall. Uncle Don drove up Stevens Canyon Road almost to the end and then turned off onto a dirt track that wound higher and higher into the hills. We kids loved the bouncing and jos- tling in the back of the truck - we were go- ing into the woods - we were going to cut trees. What fun! We ran, we hid, we clam- bered over rocks and fallen logs and little streams and through the trees and brush, now leafless in the win- ter. And we found trees for everybody. We looked like un- washed urchins when we were deposited back on our respective porches, with our Christmas tree in tow. Tomorrow we would set them up and d e c o r a t e . Mother took one look and my di- sheveled state and said, “Did you watch out for poison oak?” I never saw any and said so and she ordered me to the shower. Boy, that hot soapy shower felt good. About 3 a.m. I started to itch - all over - and by morning the awful truth was evident. Head to toe and not just a case of the rash. Unfortunately, I got the “other kind”. These were the days before cortisone shots or other forms of relief and the bottle of calamine lotion wasn’t going to even begin to work on this. For over 2 weeks, I lay in bed; unable to open my eyes, mouth, immobile and sip- ping liquids through a straw. I looked like a character out of a Steven King novel. -11- Tree decorating came and went - I could hear the other kids playing outside. Cookie baking and licking the bowl happened out in the kitchen - but my bedroom was kept dark and quiet. Couldn’t read - we had no TV - the radio and phonograph were out in the living room, but I couldn’t move out there. I was deemed “contagious”. Only mother came in and out of my room. My little sis- ters took one look at my swollen face and other body parts early on and fled in horror. Christmas and feasting with all the cousins at Grandma’s came and went and also New Year’s and still I was relegated to my room. I covered the bathroom mirror with a towel and bawled in self-pity until the salty tears made my itching worse and I sniffled to a stop. School started; mom went back to her teach- ing job, dad was work- ing and my sisters went back to school, too. I was old enough to stay by myself and in those days, it was safe to do so. Then the kitchen sink stopped up. No amount of boiling water, using the old plunger or Drano would loosen the clog. So mom called Mike the plumber. When she told me I’d have to let him in to fix the sink, I shrieked. No one and I mean, NO ONE was allowed to see “the face with poison oak”. But mom was adamant. I was better. I could let him in and go straight to my room. No amount of protesting or whining worked. I contemplated putting a towel over my head when I answered the door but then I couldn’t see to open the door. I thought about putting a sheet over my head and cut- ting out 2 eyeholes, except that would look like Halloween and Mike would think that mother had a crazy daughter who couldn’t get her seasons straight. I thought about run- ning away, but someone might see me or just not answering the door - then I’d get switched on top of having p.o. The hour ap- proached and I couldn’t think of a way to get out of opening the door. When Mike knocked, I opened the door a crack, stepped aside to let him in and stopped short. Never had I seen such a look on a person’s face. Mike was dumbfounded and horror-stricken. I thought he looked scared. I was so mad at having to open the door and face him, that I probably looked even worse than usual. Maybe Mike, like my uncle Don, had never got- ten poison oak. Maybe, even though he’d lived here all his life, he’d never seen the “other kind”, just the rash kind. Maybe he was afraid I was still “conta- gious”. Maybe he just felt sorry for me. I’ll never know what he thought. He just stood there, holding his toolbox and didn’t move for a long time. He finally closed his open mouth and turned back down the driveway, muttering, “tell Hazel I need to go get a different part for the sink.” I guess the sink got fixed. And I know Mike was our plumber for many more years after that Christmas vacation. But I always thought that when he came over to fix something at our house, that he always looked at me a little warily - I sort of felt like a changeling child - like maybe he thought I would morph back into that creature who had opened the door and peered out before. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas holiday and New Year and don’t forget to stay out of the poison oak. Rule # 1 - poison oak does not have leaves in the winter - just bare twigs. Rule # 2 - If you think you have been in it or gotten the oil from the plant on your clothes, don’t take a hot, soapy shower. Throw your clothes in the wash (not with any other clothes) and take a sponge bath all over, with rubbing alcohol, to cut the oil. Then you can take a cool shower with Fels Naptha soap. -12- HOLIDAY GARBAGE DATES UNAFFECTED Since Christmas and New Years Day fall on Sundays this year, trash and recycling col- lection will remain unaffected. Customers will have their normal pickup days, Monday through Friday, during the holidays. RECYCLING DURING THE HOLIDAYS A lot of trash is produced during the holi- day season. Here are some recycling and gar- bage reminders: Christmas Trees: Christmas trees will be collected at homes in Cupertino on regular collection days from January 2nd through 13th. Trees should be put out by 6 a.m., cut into 4-foot lengths, with all decorations and stands removed. Place trees in your tan yard waste cart or at the curb. Trees will be picked up at apartment and condominium com- plexes during the same period. Managers should call Los Altos Garbage Co. when the complex is ready for tree pick-up: 725-4020. Flocked trees are accepted for composting. Corrugated Cardboard: Corrugated card- board can be placed in the blue recycling cart or flattened and placed alongside your recy- cling cart. Residents living in apartments or condominiums should ask managers where cardboard is collected on-site. Boxes must be flattened and cut into 3-foot by 3-foot pieces. If desired, large quantities can be taken to the Sunnyvale Recycling Center at the north end of Borregas Ave. (call 408-752-8530). Styrofoam: We accept blocks of Styrofoam, placed in clear plastic bags in your blue cart. While we do not accept Styrofoam “peanuts” for recycling, they are accepted at Postal Annex in the Oaks Shopping Center (Stevens Creek @ Mary Ave.) and other mail- ing services stores. Call first (343-0667). Resi- dents who have the new type of “peanuts” made of cornstarch, may stir them into a compost pile or a dirt area and dissolve them in water. Wrapping paper: Gift wrapping paper can be included with other recycling at curbside. (Most apartment and condominium com- plexes have paper recycling in toters.) Plastic- coated and foil wrapping paper and ribbons and bows cannot be recycled. No limit: Remember that there is no limit to the amount of recyclables that can be set out on your collection day. (Although, yardwaste should only be set out in your yardwaste toter.) Extra recyclables can be placed in boxes and set next to the full cart. Cans and bottles: Place a well-labeled re- cycling container next to trash containers at parties to make it easy for guests to recycle. Produce Less Waste: Avoid producing un- necessary waste that needs to be recycled or disposed of this holiday season. Make these practices part of your holiday routine: package gifts in reusable gift bags bring your own bags to the store refuse a bag if you’re only buying one or two items EXTRA HOLIDAY TRASH? On-Call Disposal Days: Residents (with garbage can service) are reminded that they have the option of using their two free On- Call Disposal Days for disposal of large amounts of trash. Schedule a Disposal Day by calling the Los Altos Garbage Company at 725-4020. For details, visit the city’s website at www.cupertino.org/environmental (click on Garbage) or call the garbage company. Extra Bag Tags: Another option for resi- dents who periodically generate extra garbage is “Extra Bag Tags.” Place extra trash in plas- tic trash bags and attach a tag to it where your garbage collector picks up. Bags cannot be larger than 32 gallons or weigh more than 25 pounds. Tags cost $5.33 each or 10 for $50.67, and are available from the Los Altos Garbage Company, call 725-4020. WHAT TO DO WITH OLD COMPUTERS If you received new computer equipment ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS -13- Regular meeting Tuesday, November 15, 2005 Council Members Present: Kwok, Lowenthal, James, Sandoval, and Wang. Council met in closed session regarding Mike Honda et al. v. Kimberly Smith et al., Superior Court Case Number 105CV047535, and authorized settlement of the claim by petitioners for litigation costs regarding bal- lot argument authorship. Council met in closed session regarding De Anza Cupertino Aquatics (DACA) and Dol- phin Swim Club, and directed staff to accept the proposal by Dolphin Swim School to lease the facilities. Proclaimed the week of November 13-19 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Continued the final map for California Water Service, Tract No.9748, Greenleaf Drive, to December 6. Approved the final map for H/S CTC Funding, Inc., Tract No. 9724, Town Center. Accepted municipal improvements, grad- ing, retaining wall, sidewalk, for Peter S. and Barbara K. Gwozdz, 10367 Byrne Avenue. Upheld the appeal of Application No. U- 2005-04, Gate of Heaven Cemetery,regarding the Planning Commission’s approval of a use permit for statuary, Veterans’ markers and landscape features at an existing cemetery. The appellant is Robert Lindberg. Certified that the Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan is complete and in compliance with the California Environ- mental Quality Act; Approved General Plan amendments, and approved the General Plan Technical Appendices. Approved Applications re: 19310 – 19320 Pruneridge Avenue. Architectural and Site Approval for a 130-unit town home development. Approved a General Plan Amendment to allocate 130 residential units for a proposed town home develop- ment – changed the land use designation for the park from Industrial/Residential to Parks zone. Rezoned an 8.5-acre site from Planned Industrial Zone to Planned Resi- dential Zone. Approved the Tentative Map to subdivide an 8.5-acre parcel into 31 lots for a 130-unit town home development with a public park. Approved tree removal COUNCIL ACTIONS Continued on page 14 for Christmas and are wondering where to take your old computer: Resource Area For Teachers (RAFT) in San Jose, 408.451.3853, www.raft.net A non-profit that provides used, working computers to teachers and other non-profit agencies. Computer Recycling Ctr. in Sunnyvale, 888. 887.3372, www.crc.org A non-profit that redistributes working computers to teachers and other non-prof- its. Accepts working and nonworking equip- ment. Some charges may apply. City of Cupertino and Apple Computer’s free electronics recycling program: (408) 862.2667. Mon, Wed., and Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 10300 Bubb Rd.— Accepting all computer components and peripherals (PCs and Macs), fax machines, VCRs, stereo equipment, home copiers, DVD players and TVs. Bring proof of residency. The facility will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1. JUNK MAIL KITS If your mailbox is becoming overwhelmed with holiday catalogs and solicitations that you don’t want, start reducing the flow of mail to your house by using a Junk Mail Reduc- tion Kit. Find the kit on-line at www.cupertino.org/environmental, the Quinlan Comm. Ctr., city hall, or call the pub- lic works dept. at 408.777.3354 for your free copy. SWITCH FROM WOOD TO GAS The Air District is offering rebates to en- courage residents of Santa Clara County to burn gas instead of wood. $100 to retrofit an existing fireplace by in- stalling a new gas log set or a new insert. $300 to replace an existing wood burning stove or fireplace insert (must be 1990 or older) with a new gas appliance. Your old woodstove must be scrapped at Pick Your Part in Milpitas. First come—first served. To check availability call (1-800) HELP-AIR or for more information about the program, visit: www.sparetheair.org. -14- Please Note: Agenda items are subject to change. Prior to the meeting, confirm agenda with city clerk, 777-3223. Copies of agendas are available at City Hall on the Thursday preceding council and planning commission meetings. and replanting of approximately 81 trees. Approved an assignment of the lease with the Coffee Society at the Cupertino Library to Jackie and Bill Streeter, Dan St. Peter, and Ralph Flynn with no change in the terms of the existing lease and at no cost to the City. Regular meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2005 Council Members Present: Kwok, Lowenthal, James, Sandoval, Wang Accepted an application for an Alcoholic Beverage License for Fusion Korea, 20956 Homestead Road, Suite A-1. Adopted a resolution amending Adminis- trative Rules and Regulations of the Person- nel Code for compliance with current State and Federal law pertaining to harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Received a written report on events/ festival waivers. Accepted the Final Map for Adobe Terrace, Developer Pinn Bros., 20128 Stevens Creek Boulevard. Accepted a Roadway Easement and Improvement agreement for sidewalk, driveway, curb and gutter, and street improvements for Sesharao Patchipala and Padmavathi Patchipala, 10455 Byrne Avenue. Established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Participation Goal for federally funded projects for the Federal Fiscal Year 2005-06 and adopted a method to be used in federal-aid contracts to ensure prompt and full payment of any retainage kept by the prime contractor or subcontractor to any subcontractor. Authorized the City Manager to appoint a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise liaison officer. Denied an appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of Wayne Aozasa (CA Water Service), located on Greenleaf Dr., APN 326-33-107. Approved Application, 20415 Via Paviso, APN 315-01-213 through 222, regarding a modification of a use permit (8U-94) to convert a 140-unit apartment project (Aviare) to for-sale residential condomini- ums. Approved an amendment to the 2005-06 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan. Approved a semi-rural designation to elimi- nate the requirement for sidewalks on Scenic Boulevard, east of Carmen Road, Awarded a contract for Reconstruction of Curbs, Gutters, and Sidewalks, Project No. 2005-08, to CB Construction Co. in the amount of $423,175.00, and approve a con- tingent amount of up to $60,000.00 for ad- ditional work that may be identified and ap- proved by the Director of Public Works. Extended the expiration of commissions from January 15 to January 30 beginning in 2006. Application deadline December 23. In- terviews January 9 and 10. Received resignation from Technology, Information, and Communications Com- missioner Charlon McIntosh, and initiated the process to fill the unscheduled vacancy in January. Canceled the meeting of December 20, 2005 and added a meeting on November 29 for performance evaluation of the City Man- ager. Second reading and adopt of Ordinance No. 1969: Modifying a Development Agree- ment (1-DA-90) to Extend the Term of the Agreement to August 15, 2009, to Require a Hotel Use for Future Development in the Northeast Portion of the Property, to Re- quire a Use Permit for Any Hotel Other than at the Rosebowl Site, to Require a Use Per- mit for a Parking Garage Over Three Stories Located North of Macy’s and to Require Neighborhood Meetings Prior to Planning Commission and City Council Public Hear- ings Regarding the Height and Design of the Proposed Parking Structure Located North of Macy’s.” (Vallco). Council Actions, Continued from page 13 -15- Ac c e s s C u p e r t i n o Su b m i t y o u r c o m m e n t s , s u g g e s t i o n s , c o n c e r n s To m a i l , f o l d i n t h i r d s w i t h r e t u r n a d d r e s s s h o w i n g . T a p e a t t o p . Or , v i s i t Ac c e s s C u p e r t i n o an d s u b m i t y o u r r e q u e s t s o n l i n e a t : ww w . c u p e r t i n o . o r g Yo u r re q u e s t : Wh a t i s t h e b e s t w a y t o r e s p o n d t o y o u ? Ca l l m e a t t h i s n u m b e r : Se n d m e a n e m a i l a t : Se n d m e a n a l e t t e r a t : st r e e t : ci t y : zi p : I d o n ’ t n e e d t o b e c o n t a c t e d Cupertino Scene PRSRT-STD Cupertino City Hall U.S. Postage 10300 Torre Avenue PAID Cupertino, CA 95014 Cupertino, CA Permit No. 239 ECRWSS Postal Customer City Meetings December 1 Parks and Recreation Commission*** 7:00 p.m. December 6 City Council*** 6:45 p.m. December 7 Teen Commission (Sport Center) 6:00 p.m. December 7 Technology, Information & Communications Commission (Conf. Rm. A) 7:00 p.m. December 7 Library Commission (Conf. Rm.) 7:00 p.m. December 8 Public Safety Commission (Conf. Rm.) 7:00 p.m. December 8 Housing Commission (Conf. Rm.) 6:30 p.m. December 13 Planning Commission*** 6:45 p.m. December 14 Environmental Review Committee (Conf. Rm. A) 4:30 p.m. December 15 Design Review Committee (Conf. Rm. A) 6:00 p.m. December 20 Planning Commission*** (Special Mtg.) 6:45 p.m. CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED DEC. 26 THROUGH DEC. 30 FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS HOLIDAYS. Unless otherwise noted, all City Council and commission meetings are held at 10350 Torre Ave. City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For recorded meeting schedule/information after hours, call 777-3200. The City Channel (Comcast Cable Channel 26) offers agenda information, broadcasts of council/planning commission meetings and other programs. All meeting agendas are posted outside of City Hall 72 hours before the meeting. ***These meetings will be seen live via webcast at www.cupertino.org, or on The City Channel, Cable 26. www.cupertino.org