Going For International Recognition
Based on the 2010 census, 20 percent of the residents in Los Altos were over the age of 65. When compared to Santa Clara County, at 10 percent, Los Altos has twice the senior population on a percentage basis.
Does this mean Los Altos is getting “old”? Of course not. It simply means that we have more residents retiring, and remaining, in their homes than the average Silicon Valley community.
Hopefully, this blog has helped convey what living in Los Altos is really about. As I have previously mentioned, this is a destination community. To begin, we have some of the best educational choices in the nation, from pre-schools to top tier universities. Many of our seniors volunteer in helping future generations realize their potential, as tutors, mentors and advisors.
In addition, quality of life in Los Altos is superb … from access to health care, to outdoor recreational activities, to the supportive volunteer social structure found in the community. Our senior residents have compelling options at their disposal.
Recently, Kristen Marschall (Daily News) wrote about the City Council applying to be designated “age-friendly”. Below, is a slightly edited version of her article. Enjoy …
With the highest concentration of seniors in Santa Clara County, Los Altos thought it was time to make it official.
After receiving the OK from the city council, Los Altos has submitted an application to Geneva, Switzerland, to be recognized as “age-friendly” by the World Health Organization.
The title doesn’t come easily. Since the program began in 2005, New York City and Portland are among the few cities in the nation dubbed “age-friendly.” Los Altos would be the first in California.
For Karen Jenney, chair of the Los Altos Senior Commission, it was an easy decision to go for it.
As first, the relatively new commission mailed out questionnaires to about 4,500 residents older than 55 in both cities, asking what concerns them as they age.
The commission received more than 1,000 responses and compiled a list of comments that totaled 100 pages.
If the two cities are deemed by the World Health Organization to be “age-friendly,” the commission will be expected to go to work right away on projects that benefit seniors. Jenney said some changes must be implemented within five years.
Possible projects include improving street lighting and adjusting traffic lights to allow more time for crossing the road, Jenney said. The commission estimated about $8,000 would be needed, and at the Los Altos City Council’s request it will prioritize improvements based on costs and community impact.
Among the many Los Altos residents who chose to stay in the community as they age is 94-year-old Muriel Perkins, who with her husband moved to the area in 1941 when homes were cheaper and schools abounded. When it came time to choose a retirement community, she said her husband had a carton box of options from San Jose to San Mateo, but they opted to move to The Terraces at Los Altos.
Established in 1949 as Pilgrim Haven, the retirement community is home to 73 people in independent living, 14 in assisted living and about 50 in skilled nursing, executive director Rae Holt said.
The community is about to build additional units and a memory support center to accommodate those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which Holt said will make The Terraces the only retirement community in the area to have such a facility.
Residents must be at least 62 but most are around 85, Holt said, noting than many come from the Los Altos and Palo Alto area.
Arvid Hamer, 90, is a second-generation resident, following in the footsteps of his mother, who lived there in 1963. There was no question about where he and his wife would go when the time came, in 2003, Hamer said.
“I’d been here a couple of weeks and I said, ‘What am I doing with all these old people?’ And then I realized I’m one of them,” Hamer said.
Upcoming Events – GreenTown Los Altos
Every so often, I will include upcoming events of organizations I have previously written about. Back in 2009, I posed the following question in a post: ”Who is this group helping Los Altos think green, be green, and live green?” Of course, I was talking about GreenTown Los Altos.
GreenTown does good work, and is comprised of hard working and caring community members. If you are interested in being green, I encourage you to swing by one of their upcoming events. There’s something for everyone. Enjoy!
Shaped by Water: Past, Present and Future, Oct. 8, 2011-Apr. 15, 2012
The Los Altos History Museum will be featuring an exhibit about the history of water in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills opening October 2011 and running through the end of April 2012. The exhibit will examine four phases in our history:
* The native people, the Ohlone tribes, and their relationship to the water in our area
* The arrival of the European immigrants and the proliferation of agriculture and pumping of groundwater
* The present day with the development of large scale infrastructure such as the State and Federal water projects and waste water treatment plants and,
* A look towards the future and new ways to conserve and re-use the limited resource of water.
The exhibit will have an emphasis on fun and learning with hands-on interactive exhibits and programs such as films, engaging lectures and tours of watersheds and the wastewater treatment plant.
Oct. 27, 7pm: Community Meeting and Short Film, “Delta Blues”
Join GreenTown Los Altos for a Community Meeting. The agenda will include recognition of several GreenTown volunteers who have made extraordinary contributions over the last few months. They’ll also provide a brief update on some of our key programs and we will show the short documentary film, “Delta Blues,” by Sausalito director, Steven Johnson.
The film presents the disparate needs and interests of farmers, fishermen, environmentalists and water consumers and highlights the challenge of coming to decisions about water in the Sacramento River Delta. The film will be followed by an informal group discussion. Light snacks will be served. Thursday, 10/27/11, 7-8:30 pm, Neutra House, 181 Hillview Ave., Los Altos.
Seating is limited so please register today by clicking here.
First Saturdays Bike Ride – November 5, 4pm-6pm
This is a family-friendly, leisurely bike ride through Los Altos. We’ll explore “cut through” paths (bike and pedestrian only!), parks and some shopping areas. Meet at Second and Main Streets at 4:00pm.
About Us
Moving into Los Altos? We can help! We have lived in Los Altos for the past 35 years and love helping people buy and sell homes in this great city! We bring experience, knowledge, skills and professionalism to each of our client relationships. Our clients will agree they would not have had the same positive experience, at each step of the way, if they had not had us represent them.
David Casas Cell: 650-823-8920 or Email
(DRE#01116954)
Carol Casas Cell: 650-823-1434 or Email
(DRE#01123855)
