Volunteer awards luncheon returns
After a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Joint Community Volunteer Service Awards luncheon is set to return as an in-person celebration in 2021.
The 38th event is scheduled 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Crowne Plaza in Palo Alto.
Founded in 1983, the ceremony recognizes residents from both communities who have devoted their time to volunteering for local causes. Awardees are selected by a 12-member committee appointed by the two city councils.
In addition to this year’s 10 honorees, who will be announced at the luncheon, the event will feature remarks from Gabriel Engeland and Peter Pirnejad, the city managers of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, respectively, who both assumed their positions this year. The two are slated to discuss volunteering and its importance to the culture of a community.
Tickets are $45. Due to the ongoing pandemic, proof of a COVID vaccine is required, and/or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the event.
For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/479k9hb5.
For more information on the event, visit jointvolunteerawards.com.
History Museum hosts ‘Catch the Spirit’ today
As COVID restrictions lift, the Los Altos History Museum is set to revive its “Catch the Spirit” event noon to 4 p.m. today.
The event will include gift shopping, home-baked sweets and live music, with masks required indoors and the music pivoting to outdoors.
Vicki Holman, manager of the Museum Store, has been stocking up for shoppers. Two boutiques, one in the J. Gilbert Smith House and one in the museum, will offer a range of gift items including books, household wares, toys, puzzles, Christmas ornaments and decorations, and more.
“Shelves may be empty in some of the big stores, but ours are full,” Holman said.
Docents will monitor the number of shoppers allowed inside at one time.
Caroling by members of choral group Schola Cantorum Silicon Valley is scheduled in the museum’s courtyard at 1:30 p.m. For the safety of visitors and the choir, the singers will wear masks.
Visitors may tour the Craftsman-style Smith House, decorated for a 1930s Christmas, browse an exhibit of orchard art on display in the Upper Gallery and enjoy refreshments on the porch and in the museum. The museum’s Main Gallery will be open, featuring a display of artwork by Annie Knapp Fitz depicting views of Los Altos and Mountain View from the time El Camino Real was surrounded by farms and orchards.
Museum representatives encourage attendees to bring donations of gift cards and nonperishable, wrapped or boxed food items for Community Services Agency. A collection barrel will be located in the lobby.
Admission is free.
The Los Altos History Museum is located at 51 S. San Antonio Road.
For more information on the event, visit losaltoshistory.org/CatchTheSpirit2021.
Pacific Hearing launches ‘Hear for the Holidays’
Pacific Hearing Service has launched “Hear for the Holidays,” a competition for a free pair of hearing aids and access to audiological care.
To enter, residents nominate someone they think deserves the opportunity to hear better.
The deadline to enter is Nov. 30, with the winner announced shortly after.
The winner will visit the clinic for a comprehensive hearing assessment and a custom fitting of his or her new hearing aids.
“With so many people facing a tough situation this year, ‘Hear for the Holidays’ is an excellent opportunity for us to help out someone in our community who wouldn’t otherwise feel able to invest in hearing treatment,” said Deborah Clark, audiologist and co-owner of Pacific Hearing Service.
Operating since 1977, Pacific Hearing Service has offices in downtown Los Altos and Menlo Park.
For the nomination form and more information, visit pacifichearingservice.com.
Resilient Los Altos offers prep classes
Resilient Los Altos, an initiative sponsored by Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation to boost emergency preparedness in the community, has developed several new training classes. The first two focus on preparing neighborhoods to deal with the aftermath of an emergency or natural disaster.
• Block Action Team Leader Training, for potential or current BAT leaders, is slated 6:30 p.m. today or Dec. 2. The training will equip participants to organize and prepare their neighborhood BATs in the event of an emergency.
• How to Complete a Preliminary Safety Assessment, scheduled 7:30 p.m. today or Dec. 2, will help participants communicate to authorities neighborhood damage and injuries following an emergency.
To register for classes and for more information, email [email protected].
