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Honor to the city
After three-year hiatus, Mayor's Awards return to celebrate Mountain View's best

by Daniel DeBolt

A dozen local programs, projects and businesses were celebrated last week for their exceptional achievements and contributions to the city of Mountain View.

This year's Mayor's Awards, which honored 12 awardees under two broad categories — "Social Program" and "Physical Project" — were handed out by Mayor Nick Galiotto last Thursday, Nov. 16 in a ceremony at the City Hall rotunda. Awardees included the improved Alta Vista high school, the Casa SAY home for runaway and homeless youth, and Peninsula Youth Theatre.

"We think it's good every so often to do this particular mayor award program to give some emphasis and recognition to those enhancing quality of life in Mountain View," Galiotto said.

The Mayor's Awards have been given periodically since 1969, the last time being in 2003. The organizations and buildings receiving the award were singled out by a jury of 13 people selected by the mayor from local businesses and firms, city commissions, schools, neighborhood associations and the community at large.

Social Program winners

Peninsula Youth Theatre received the award for Outstanding Social Contribution for its youth drama program. The 14-year-old program is praised for its family-friendly performances, low cost and efforts to reach out to underprivileged youth.

The AVID program at Los Altos High School received the award for Outstanding Educational Contribution. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) focuses on providing access to four-year colleges.

The PACT Art Focus program also received an award for Outstanding Educational Contribution. Mountain View Whisman School District's Parent-Child-Teacher (PACT) program is an "alternative elementary school" stressing parent participation. Since 2000, Art Focus has provided hands-on learning opportunities in the arts and innovative teaching methods.

The CAT Program at Mountain View High School received the Outstanding Youth Development Program award. In partnership with the Mountain View-Los Altos and Mountain View Whisman districts, freshmen serve as tutors to Crittenden Middle School sixth graders.

The Free Music and Art for Preschoolers program at the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) also received the Outstanding Youth Development Program award. Starting at Castro School last year, the program has provided a hands-on introduction to the arts for young children in an effort to build a strong foundation for development. Its bilingual program was created in partnership with the Arts Council Silicon Valley and FIRST 5 Santa Clara County.

Casa SAY, a program of EHC LifeBuilders, received the Outstanding Human Services Program award. Since 1977, Casa SAY has provided a home for runaway, homeless and foster youth in Santa Clara County, and provides counseling and instruction for youth and their families.

Mesa de la Comunidad received the Outstanding Program Promoting Tolerance, Inclusivity, and Involvement award. Started in 2005 in response to proposed school closings, it has advocated for the underrepresented, Latinos in particular, to bridge the divide between them and civic, business and educational organizations. The group offers sports and educational programs.

VOX Design Group received the Outstanding Environmental Contribution award. Forrest Linebarger's company produces homes that are 50 percent more energy efficient than traditionally built homes by using "green" design methods. (Linebarger shares his knowledge in a regular column in the Voice's Home & Garden section.)

Physical Project winners

San Antonio Place received the Outstanding Architectural Design award. The 120-unit development offers affordable housing for people earning 15 to 45 percent of the county's median income. Budgetary and design challenges were overcome to provide a building praised by the panel.

The home at 1090 Mercy Street received the Outstanding Remodeling Project award. The Galli family house has been remodeled with environmentally friendly materials which capture the home's original style and character.

Alta Vista High School's new campus received the Outstanding Landscaping and Site Plan award. In January, the school opened a new campus with significant changes, including open landscaping and 16,499 square feet of new structures providing sports, computer and library services.

Alza Corporation received the Outstanding Environmental Enhancement award. Alza completed a power plant last month that will make electricity from landfill-generated methane gas at Shoreline. The gas is turned into electricity for the company's main buildings, with the remainder going to public use. The plant will heat Alza's water as well. The project is also expected to reduce the release of 17.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

E-mail Daniel DeBolt at ddebolt@mv-voice.com