Week in Review, March 13-19: County's Alert System, a Very Bizzy Company and Controversial Shark Fin Legislation

Did you miss the news in Mountain View this week? Here's a quick recap of local issues, personalities, events and photos.

Sunday, March 13

. Saturday marked the start of a new baseball season for the youngsters in the Mountain View Little League. Check out photos from opening day.

Monday, March 14

Santa Clara County officials gathered to announce a new text number, 32075, for AlertSCC, its . With the Japan earthquake and tsunami commanding attention, they wanted to encourage people to register, especially those who rely on cell phones exclusively. 

Read Jarrett Mullen's column about  and the Peninsula-wide acrimony surrounding the commuter rails shaky financial situation clouding the rail agency’s potentially bright future.

Tuesday, March 15

Launched in 2010, stirs up personalized recommendations based on an initial 20 questions. Read about this very busy mobile app company.

Read about , a regular at St. Stephen's Green, who celebrated her the septuagenarian (?) or octogenarian (?) birthday Tuesday.

Wednesday, March 16

How to prepare your is our Mom Talk Columnist Autumn Vandiver's topic this week. She suggests to check with your child’s school about their earthquake procedures and have your own checklist prepared.

Mountain View Patch's , a senior at Los Altos High School, recently received a national Math and Engineering Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.

The radiation from Japanese nuclear plants , the Santa Clara County Public Health Department said in an advisory.

Thursday, March 17

. Randy Davis, 42, a transient from Campbell, was arrested Wednesday for stealing from Sears, the Mountain View Police Department reported Thursday.

. Follow roving photographer William Beare down the streets of Mountain View to check out the unmistakeable shamrocks and other decorations associated with this wonderfully green holiday.

. Follow Columnist Joni Ratt as she describes her battles with alarm clocks. 

Friday, March 18

The to ban possession, sell, trade and distribution of shark fin proposed by Assemblyman Paul Fong moves to the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee next Tuesday.

. This Sunday the Persian (Iranian) community began its celebration of Nowruz, or Persian New Year, a 13-day festival that marks the end of winter.

Saturday, March 19

The began 2011 play in late February, armed with a bushel of new faces all over the diamond. This season the team learns to adjust.

A hazardous material team responded to an ammonia leak at a the Santa Teresa Water Treatment Plant in San Jose. A representative for the Santa Clara Valley Water Treatment Plant said Mountain View's water has not been affected.