Winter 2021 Event Recap
50th anniversary of
SILICON VALLEY And the Past & Future of Mtn . View ’ s East Whisman Area
A well-attended Zoom meeting February 14 provided information about the naming of “ Silicon Valley .” David Laws , the semiconductor curator for the Computer History Museum , gave an entertaining review of the players and companies that created “ Silicon Valley .” It was fun to learn ( or remember ) how these companies and their ground breaking innovations helped create the dynamic area in which we live today . David also spoke about the companies located in the East Whisman area of Mountain View . The link to an article by David is shown here :
https :// medium . com / chmcore / silicon-valley-turns-fifty- 27738a1bf2b0 .
The second half of the program covered the anticipated future of the East Whisman area . Nikki Lowy and Brooke Ray Smith , the community engagement managers for Google ’ s East Whisman project , presented a slide program showing images of future plans . Google is working with the City to totally reimagine and redevelop a sustainable and connected neighborhood , called Middlefield Park . The plans include a new park , residential buildings , retail and office space . Here is the link to the project :
https :// realestate . withgoogle . com / middlefieldpark .
After the presentations , a Q & A session followed . An interested group of viewers asked many questions , which provided more information about the past and the future of this area of Mountain View .
Remembrances
Editor ’ s Note : Space permitting , the Mtn . Review shares remembrances of individuals who played a unique role in Mountain View ’ s history . To submit a remembrance , email us at newsletter @ mountainviewhistorical . org .
CORNELIA UTLEY
Cornelia van de Voort Utley , a Mountain View resident since 1988 , passed away on March 20 at the age of 92 . She became a member of the first Mountain View Visual Arts Committee , which selects unique artwork for installation around the City . The Committee also organized a sand sculpture contest for Mountain View ’ s “ Discover Downtown ” festival in 1990 .
“ Neil ,” as she was known , was a charter member of the Rengstorff House Restoration Committee following its relocation to Shoreline Park . Born in 1928 in Fredonia , NY , Neil developed and maintained an interest in art throughout her life . In 1951 she graduated from the Albright Art School in Buffalo , NY . Two years later she married Charles Utley of Buffalo . The pair lived in East Aurora , NY and welcomed the birth of three sons . Later the family moved to Rochester , NY .
A business opportunity for Charles brought them to Los Altos in 1970 . Neil served as an art docent in the Los Altos elementary schools for a number of years . She explained the works of important painters and sculptors to the school children .
Neil was preceded in death by her husband . She is survived by three sons and three grandchildren .
5