L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
- Los Altos, CA
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.
Posting Activity
Los Altos|News|
'Safe Routes to School' Ground-Breaking Friday at Gardner Bullis School
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
CONTRIBUTE: Did You Walk or Wheel To School?
Wednesday was International Walk to School Day! Show us your pictures of a great morning! Just upload them by clicking on the button just below.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
The Huttlinger Alliance Endorses David Cortright For County School Board
The group of about 1,000 residents endorsed the Los Altos challenger over Palo Alto incumbent Grace Mah, in a district was reconfigured to include Los Altos and Los Altos Hills for the first time.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
Los Altos Candidates In Their Own Words: Megan Satterlee
Incumbent Megan Satterlee is running on her record of promises kept and her reputation of being thoroughly prepared, being clear about priorities and accountability.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
Joan Barram, Candidate For Foothill-De Anza Community College District
Barram was appointed in 2009, served on the board of the Foothill-De Anza Foundation, and was a member of the Cupertino Union School District Board of Education for over a decade.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
UPDATE: Courtney Cadwell is New Gardner Bullis Principal
Parents are buzzing with excitement over the district's choice of the teacher who played a key role in the development of the school's Khan Academy use, and has a deep and varied background built over 18 years of teaching.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
Bike Tour For Los Altos' 60th Paired History & Fun
Where else could you have heard the tale of the missing Canary Island Palm at the Farnsworth Farm House and how Redwood Grove was saved from development by a single vote?
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
Los Altos Patch Election Guide 2012
The candidates, measures, propositions and voting information that will be affecting users of Los Altos Patch.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
Monday Night Council Candidates' Forum Airing at 7:30 p.m.
Trying to keep up with the City Council forum events? There are two more this week.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
UPDATE: Police Standoff with 'Unstable' Person Ends
Three buildings had been evacuated near Highway 101 and San Antonio Road Monday afternoon.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
California Lottery Results: Sept. 30
The Daily 3 results are 3,0 and 0. To find the results for the Daily Derby and the Fantasy 5, read below.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
UPDATE: All Lanes on Highway 101 Reopened, Following Shooting Incident
The Sunday afternoon shooting caused the victim's car to crash, injuring at least one occupant, on the freeway between Holly Street and Ralston Avenue in Belmont.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
California Lottery Results: Sept. 29
The Daily 3 results are 0, 1 and 7. To see the Daily Derby and Fantasy 5, read on.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
Police Calls: Goat on the Loose, Fight in the Park, Stolen Car Recovered
The Los Altos Police log for Sept. 27 also contained three tows from Foothill Crossing—and one for the last downtown farmers market for the year (you're safe until next May).
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
Open Houses in Los Altos & Los Altos Hills, Sept. 30, 2012
With 35 homes open this glorious last day of September, perhaps it's a good time to get out there Sunday!
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
California Lottery Results: Sept. 28
The Daily 3 results are 4,0 and 6. To see the results for the Daily Derby and Fantasy 5, read on.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
Moon Poems for the Moon Festival
To celebrate the Moon Festival, an East Asian holiday falling on Sept. 30 this year, here are the English translation of the most widely known moon poem in classical Chinese literature, and an original English poem on the holiday's meaning.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
Los Altos|News|
California Lottery Results: Sept. 27
The Daily 3 results are 5, 8 and 4. For Fantasy 5 and Daily Derby, read below.
L.A. Chung, Patch Staff
