More than 400 people attended during the afternoon of August 27, chatting with neighbors and visiting the many displays. The couple in the foreground picked up a food-waste container for their kitchen counter at the Recology table.
Elna Tymes and Heather Schöll staffed the front sign-in table.
Marilyn Gildea offered Monta Loma hats, mugs, and pens.
Jerry Leventer and Jennifer Dell-Ernstrom took a shift at the sign-in table at the back entrance to the park. Though over 400 people signed in and made a name tag, many others did not.
The Mountain View Whisman School District brought a display of fence options for Monta Loma Park.
MVWSD Superintendent Ayindé Rudolph (on right) and Chief Business Officer Rebecca Westover (not pictured) answered questions.
John Partlan explained the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) map of Monta Loma.
CERT leader Tim Slattery showed the contents of an emergency kit.
Brad and Shelly Ostman of Monta Loma’s new-neighbor welcome team explained the information available to new residents to MLNA Board President Nirvana Nwokidu. Newcomers were also offered one of birdhouses Brad made from old fence boards.
Tom Purcell (on right) brought his display of Monta Loma History.
MV Police Officer Lau and Thor comprise a very friendly K-9 team.
Officer Cordle came, too.
Assistant City Manager Audrey Seymour Ramberg offered information on the Parks Strategic Plan, Safe Routes to School, Recreation, and other City initiatives.
The City’s Multicultural Engagement Program was represented by team members Mandarin-speaking Ariana Menhenett and Russian-speaking Natasha Drozdova.
Whitney Ramos offered info on the City’s Sustainability Program.
Jason Ino of Recology offered information on the City’s Recycling & Zero Waste program, and kitchen-waste pails to collect food scraps for residents to empty into their green compost carts.
Alan’s self-designed dry-ice cooler kept the ice cream really cold.
Joan MacDonald explained that CHAC (Community Health Awareness Council) is still offering full school services because the school districts have fully funded their programs.
The in-house clinic for individuals, couples, and families is temporarily closed due to some cities’ reluctance to pay the needed increase to cover overhead.
The Community Action Team (CAT) handed out free Covid test kits. Jim Cochran, our event photographer, included City Councilmember Lucas Ramirez in the photo.
Indira Selvakumaraswamy of Canopy brought information about trees.
A portion of the plant-exchange table is visible on the left.
Brian Kosinski explained the Leadership Mountain View program.
Members of the Monta Loma Elementary School PTA signed up new members and offered spirit wear.
The Crittenden Middle School PTA was represented by neighbor Puja Patankar, its secretary.
Neighbor Marilyn Nourse offered information about Girl Scouts.
Elaine Lee offered taste-tests of organic apples grown by her Monta Loma neighbors.
Each year Alan Whitaker brings information on Monarch and Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies, and gives away starts of their host plants. The wire grid in the plastic box is festooned with Pipevine Swallowtail chrysalises.
Don Arnold of Living Classroom brought an eye-catching display. This young observer has already received a balloon creation from “Gizmo Gary.”
Neighbor “Gizmo Gary” Heyman twisted balloons for dozens and dozens of customers.
ı Robert Cox offered information about the Mountain View Historical Association.
Next to Robert is the plant-exchange table, and in the background, the robot-horse-drawn buggy is turning around at the end of its route up and down the walkway.
Wouter Suverkropp drove the the robot-horse-drawn buggy up and …
… down the walkway all afternoon, giving rides to many youngsters.
Gloria Jackson’s cotton-candy machine is always very popular with the younger attendees. The adjacent playground saw constant use.
Three Mountain View firefighters brought an engine…
… and created a rainbow for us just before they left. Each year that they do this, youngsters run to get under the spray.
Thanks to everyone who helped to make this our biggest and best event!