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Keep on dancing AEROBICS INSTRUCTOR JOAN RABIN GOING STRONG AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS By Emily Efland
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Joan Rabin leads her class through an aerobics routine at Mountain View’s Masonic Lodge on July 9.
Big election in works for district board FIVE CANDIDATES LINE UP FOR THREE OPEN SEATS By Nick Veronin
the Mountain View Whisman board often run unopposed. ith three out of five The last three district board trustees of the local elections were uncontested, elementary and mid- according to trustee Ellen dle school district announcing Wheeler. they will not seek re-election “We haven’t had an electhis fall, it promises to be tion where more people ran an interesting than were spacelection season es since 2004,” for voters in the said, adding ‘Three ... is the she Mountain View that this is the Whisman School magic number first time she has District. seen three board After it was to be a majority members simulannounced on taneously step of the board.’ down since she July 6 that Fiona Walter, Ed Bailey was elected in TRUSTEE ELLEN WHEELER and Steve Olson 2002. “The thing would not run that’s important again when their about three is terms expire this November, that is the magic number to be there is already a field of five a majority of the board.” would-be candidates. “Fiona (Walter), Ed (Bailey) Priscila Bogdanic, Peter Dar- and I wanted to let you know rah, Bill Lambert, Steve Nelson that all three of us are not and Jim Pollart have announced planning to seek reelection in their intention to run for one of November,” Olson wrote in the three seats (See related story an email to the Voice, noting on Page 6). Should all five fol- that all three are departing low through and file papers, for unrelated reasons. “It has it would lay the groundwork been a tremendous pleasure for a contest the likes of which to serve the district and I has not seen in several elecSee SCHOOL BOARD, page 11 tion cycles, as candidates for
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ver since neon spandex, pump-up music and enthusiasm for aerobic dancing spread across the country in the early 1970s, aerobics classes have been held in downtown Mountain View. The class routines combine upper and lower body exercise with dance techniques, a workout created by Jacki Sorensen in 1969. While the outfits and the disco soundtrack may have changed over the years, in Mountain View one thing has remained the same: aerobics instructor Joan Rabin. Rabin, 67, owns the Mountain View franchise of Sorensen’s program, where she has been teaching aerobics classes for
more than 30 years. Apart from the dance routines and music, Rabin notes one other striking change in aerobics — there are more older students enrolling in the classes. Rabin attributes this trend to research on the benefits of exercise in old age, even for people heading into their 80s and 90s. “People used to get to age 50 and they would drop out; now people are staying longer into their 60s and 70s,” she notes. Yet she does not only teach senior citizens. Rabin offers childcare during her hour-long classes, and says that contributes to the large turnout of young See DANCING, page 12
Mountain View set to OK Chick-Fil-A By Daniel DeBolt
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ast-food chain Chick-Fil-A is hoping to expand into the Bay Area with a new location in Mountain View, though the company’s apparent opposition to gay marriage might not be so appetizing in these parts. Zoning administrator Peter Gilli said in an email that at the meeting on Wednesday evening, July 11, he may approve a proposed Chick-Fil-A to be built at 1962 El Camino Real in Mountain View, replacing a Sizzler near Rengstorff Avenue. City planners do not recommend he approve a drive-through that had been requested but City Council members oppose. The meeting is scheduled for after the Voice goes to press on Wednesday. Check www.mvvoice.com for an update. While council members say the owner’s views are not a basis for rejecting Chick-Fil-A, the chain common to the Southern and Midwestern states does face opposition here over its support of anti-gay rights groups. “I just want everyone to realize this is a company that does spend millions of dollars on anti-gay initiatives,” said Ray Hixson, a Mountain View resident and activist for marriage equality. “For me, it’s just like if I knew a business funded discrimination
against blacks, against women, against any minority group. I would not frequent that establishment. This to me is the same thing.” Chik-Fil-A’s WinShape Foundation reportedly gave over $3 million to anti-gay rights groups between 2003 and 2009, including Marriage and Family Legacy Fund and Family Research Council, which oppose gay marriage. The foundation also reportedly funded groups that are said to bully gay students, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Focus on the Family, and a group which promotes ex-gay therapy, Exodus International. Chik-Fil-A’s president, Dan Cathy, reportedly has said “We’re not anti-anybody,” and that “Our mission is to create raving fans.” “Chick-Fil-A coming to Mountain View is actually going to leave a bad taste in the mouths
of Bay Area residents who value diversity and equality above all,” said Stuart Gaffney, media director of Marriage Equality USA, which organized a rally in Mountain View in February to celebrate a court ruling against Proposition 8, California’s gay marriage ban. “In the four years since the passage of Prop 8, every poll taken shows more and more support for marriage equality,” Gaffney said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if equality-minded residents were interested in eating elsewhere.” Council member Laura Macias said she disagreed with the owner’s views, but could not make that a basis for rejecting their proposal. “What they are doing politically as owners and individuals is not funny and I would not want to supSee CHIK-FIL-A, page 12
The proposed Mountain View location of Chick-Fil-A. July 13, 2012 ■ Mountain View Voice ■ MountainViewOnline.com ■
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