Los Gatos Weekly-Times

EDITORIALS

Visiting vacationers set their own rules

Summer isn't like the rest of the year in Los Gatos. While it isn't really a tourist town with the aroma of sun lotion wafting through the air, there's no question that the streets are brimming with out-of-town visitors.

On sunny days, it's not uncommon to see three generations strolling en famille with the older generation bringing up the rear, often toting an umbrella for protection from the sun's rays.

Naturally, this is good news for downtown merchants and purveyors of yogurt, latte and gelato.

But the influx of visitors--not to mention an increase in school-age locals--can make a quick stroll to the bank or a local restaurant a challenge.

As a community service, we present here a warning for those going about their daily business among the summer visitors:

* Most people navigate streets using the basic American rule of the road: veer to the right. Don't try it with summer visitors. If you find yourself aiming for a head-on collision with a visiting pedestrian, don't do what comes naturally; instead, veer to the left. That's what the visitor will do every time.

* If you meet a group of visitors coming down the sidewalk five abreast, cross the street and continue your journey. Those who travel five abreast never notice that a lone pedestrian is coming their way. Or if they do, they revert to childhood and think they're playing Red Rover, Red Rover. Don't be surprised if they lock arms.

* If you're in the crosswalk in the middle of N. Santa Cruz Avenue and there's a parking space anywhere near you, be alert. A driver heading the other direction can suddenly flip into a U and dive for the spot, blissfully unaware of the danger to the poor pedestrian or uncoming traffic. (Who says parking isn't a problem downtown?)

* Beware of bicycles appearing at breakneck speed from out of nowhere. Many young bicyclists seem oblivious to the very sound rule that bicyclists are not supposed to ride on crowded sidewalks.

And just in case readers think the Weekly-Times is sounding entirely too grumpy, we'd like to say something nice about a much maligned local icon: The Byer Center, which just topped off its famous dome with a copper coat, is shaping up as one of the most attractive structures in town. We say hats off to the architectural firm of Kenneth Rodrigues and Partners, which designed the center.

Rumors unfounded

When undercover cops began snooping around A Place for Teens, it could have been very bad news. The center had been plagued by rumors of drug use.There's nothing like a red-hot rumor mill to turn a great idea like the teen center into a social pariah. The center, after all, was established to provide youth with a drug-free place to hang out with friends.

Parents were supposed to feel good that their kids had a safe place to hang out; instead, many apparently discouraged their children from going to the center because of the drug rumors.

But the police operation found the rumors to be unfounded and gave The Outhouse a clean bill of health.

The teen center continues to be a great idea, one that deserves the support of young people and their parents.