Week Ahead: BCS Meeting, New Laws, And A Glorious Fourth (Not to Mention A Great Fifth)

Written by L.A. Chung

The week starts off with a bang because Monday is July 1, and we all know what July 1 brings? New laws, including the reusable bag ordinance for Los Altos.

Herewith, are Patch's highlights of the Week of July 1-7:

Monday: New laws and a school board meeting
Gas tax hike - Are you sitting in your Hummer, wishing you'd filled up Sunday when the gas was at least 3.5 cents cheaper? Prices went up Monday morning, due to a "gas tax swap" voted in by the state Board of Equalization that eliminates most of the sales tax on gas in favor of a higher excise tax, because excise taxes go toward transportation and roads and sales tax doesn't. Not to mention gas consumption is down, also reducing revenues.

Shark Fin ban - Did you think shark's fin was already banned at restaurants? So did we. But like the foie gras ban that proceeded it, there was time built in to  educate the public and so that restaurateurs could use inventory. Now, don't go trying to order it at Chef Chu's.

Bullis Charter School special meeting - Most public meetings have been cancelled this week in Los Altos but the charter school has called a special meeting to discuss, in closed session, five existing legal cases, and to evaluate the performance of its principal/superintendent. This will be the first meeting with its two new board members, Sang Yoo and Jennifer Carolan, on its newly expanded board of seven seats. Any action taken in the closed session is reported out when the board returns to open session. 7 p.m., 102 W. Portola Ave, Los Altos

Wednesday - Kids' Activities
Linden Tree Books and Music - Summer Concert Series. In this case, the free event is actually ventriloquist Steve Cheney and Cornelius Crow, his sidekick. 10 a.m.
Busy Bee Dogs at Los Altos Library - Dogs rescued from shelters find a new careers performing in plays and doing amazing tricks. As seen on America's Got Talent and Animal Planet. 3 p.m. 

Thursday - Independence Day
Reusable Bag Ordinance - You've been hearing about this, and it finally kicks in on the Fourth of July! Popularly called the plastic bag ban, the ordinance doesn't ban all plastic bag, but it does prohibit merchants from giving out the thin, single-use bags that end up in creeks, storm drains and eventually in the bay. If you're picking up last-minute groceries, goodies or hostess gifts today, don't forget to stow reusable bags in the car, or be prepared to buy paper bags at 10 cents (for now).
Los Altos Hills holds its annual parade from Town Hall to Gardner Bullis School. Participants are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue, and walk or ride bicycles or other self-propelled vehicles (no horses) in the parade. 9:30 a.m. 
Glorious Fourth - Shoup Park is the venue for the annual Independence Day celebration. Bring a picnic lunch, or purchase a hot dog, shave ice and ice cream from three vendors on hand. The Los Altos Hills and Los Altos mayors will greet attendees, and there will be music and activities for the children.

Friday
First Friday -  If you're feeling at loose ends on the Fifth of July, don't forget that First Friday is nigh! Downtown throws out the welcome mat a little later for one night each month, so catch it in full swing, 6 to 8 p.m. Come into shops, check out special FF deals. While strolling, organizers suggest you listen to creative musicians throughout downtown, including Fully Funded, The Sunday Seven, Black Mountain Radio, the Mariachi Band, Chris Burton and TJ Lascola as a guitar duo, and Katherine Healzer, harpist.