I was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Los Altos. What else do you think L.A. Chung stands for?
My first Los Altos event was walking in the Pet Parade in 1962 with my Collie, Laddie. We all went down to the pancake breakfast at Rancho after that. I remember riding my bicycle on Interstate 280 the day before it opened to the public and passing under it to ride up to Maryknoll, before it was a retirement home for priests.
My elementary school was close enough to walk to, and is now Grant Park and community center. I learned how to swim at Los Altos Covington Pool and Los Altos High School in the summers. I learned to ride from Herman Koopmans, following him from Los Altos Hills to Portola Valley.
I've been in journalism since 1980, when I participated in the Maynard Institute's Summer Program for Minority Journalists. I've been a reporter for the Hartford Courant in Connecticut and the San Francisco Chronicle. During a 12-year career at the San Jose Mercury News, I was an editor supervising reporters in community news, weekend breaking news and business. I had a column through which I wrote about local events, the travails of ordinary people fighting City Hall, and the intersection of race, culture and public policy.
Since leaving the Mercury News, I've worked on the Chauncey Bailey Project, the Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism and done research Hewlett Foundation projects.
In the old days, once I told people my name, I'd have to quickly add— "No relation to Connie." But no one knows who she is, anymore.
My Beliefs
Always say "Please" and "Thank you." It goes a long way toward making life more civil. Play nicely. Stand your ground if you believe you're right. Admit when you're wrong.
Politics
I believe in sanity, and in public officials striving to do the right thing for the greater good.
I vote in each and every election, and have, at different times in my life, been registered as a Democrat, Independent and Republican.
Religion
My mother raised me at the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church. It's the closest thing to "my" church, even if I don't attend.
Local Hot-Button Issues
Los Altos elementary schools are the top in the state. But maintaining school standards during a very sluggish economic recovery period, with limited and unreliable state funds, will be difficult this year and in the coming years. It will require the school community to reach out to the broader community and make the case for donations and perhaps taxes.
Downtown economic vitality is a deep concern.
Inspired by Davis' offbeat and popular 'Tour de Cluck,' a local group offers a look at backyard chicken-keeping and creating a backyard-to-table sustainability.
You could have had this one on Askam Lane for $1,999,000. Now it's $2,350,000. But hey, it's a beautiful Sunday and there are 49 homes to see.
The Daily 3 results are 9, 8 and 1. For Fantasy 5 and the Daily Derby, see below.
A woman was struck before the 22nd Street stop in San Francisco was taken to the hospital.
The Daily 3 results are 0, 9 and 4. To see Daily Derby and Fantasy 5, see below.
Endeavour is one step closer to opening to the public, with its final move on the streets of L.A. Saturday We share our 'best of' readers pics of the Sept. 21 flyover—and a little shuttle street action from our sister Patches.
David Cortright, candidate for the Santa Clara County Board of Education, asks the newspaper for an apology and a retraction for characterizing his personal weblog as 'an adult blog.'
Christopher Ryan, who was found in a ravine, was a teacher at James Logan High School in Union City, New Haven Unified School District officials say. An autopsy is pending and grief counselors are being made available at school.
The Daily 3 results are 2,9 and 2. For Fantasy 5 and the Daily Derby, read below.
Looking for scores? Los Altos Patch compiled a list of the school districts and schools that Los Altos and Los Altos students may attend. Look for our analysis story later, when we talk to education experts about what the scores mean.
Santa Clara Valley Water District Director Brian Schmidt hopes voters support water supply, flood control, and environmental restorations programs on Nov. 6.
The Follies, the Bus Barn Theater's annual musical parody, runs through Saturday and turns its satiric eye on some touchy topics in the news.
The Town, VTA and Gardner Bullis School celebrate ground breaking of an off-road route improvement.
We turn 2 today, and are proud to be a part of daily life in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. All Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. All the time.
After making revisions to the scope of work for the Pedestrian Master Plan, the council may be ready to receive proposals. It also will talk about how to pick a representative on the task force on student growth to guide LASD.
The increase in prices has led to more parents driving their children to school.
Casas-Frier was first appointed, and then ran unopposed in previous elections.
After raising the topic twice over the summer, the council will discuss if it will meet with the BCS board.
The Monday holiday means many—but not all—banks and government offices are closed, and many shops are open, particularly to have sales.
Governor Jerry Brown invokes an emergency to increase supply and provide some relief to small businesses and commuters.
