Los Gatos Weekly-TimesLettersResidents turn to emotion for good reason I would like to respond to Rob Stump's letter in the July 16 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times. Mr. Stump is distressed that grassroots efforts in our neighborhoods use emotion to make their points and "scare" the public. It would be an ideal world where facts and logic ruled political decisions, and there was justice for all. Unfortunately, to combat apathy, and make neighbors ask questions, emotions must be aroused. Would the Town Council have overturned Jiffy Lube or the natural-gas service station without public outcry? They had the facts in neat reports, but sometimes you cannot quantify perception or unanswered questions. Mr. Stump says the PG&E substation debate is being clouded by emotion. I agree. However, as a resident near the proposed site, I spend sleepless nights worrying about safety. Through no fault of my own, [I fear] my insurance rates will rise. If I choose to sell my home, [I believe] prospective buyers will pay less than market value. If I stay, I will look at this project each day and wonder if my long-term health will be affected. It is an emotional issue. Thank God. Otherwise we may not be asking the right questions, getting the facts, or offering alternatives. I am a resident of Charter Oaks. PG&E has met with our community face to face to answer questions, present design drawings, and keep us apprised of the project. But [I believe] they have not been completely forthcoming. [I don't believe] alternatives were explored thoroughly. In the absence of [what I believe should have been] responses to simple, specific questions, many of us have "filled in the blanks" with worst-case scenarios. I urge everyone to read the application for themselves, to visit the site and attend the public hearings. A substation does not belong in anyone's back yard. With the advent of deregulation in January this installation is not intended for the residential customers in Los Gatos. [I believe] it will service industrial markets. Take Mr. Stump's advice: When your air conditioning will not operate because the power is off, don't get emotional. Instead, ask yourself if this substation will solve the problem. If you research the facts, the answer is no.
Ann Marie Johnson Three more generations could benefit San Jose Dance Theatre, currently known as Ballet Theatre San Jose, may soon be closing its doors due to financial difficulties. The demise of this 30-year-old school and student dance company, which originated in Los Gatos as the brainchild of founders Paul Curtis and Sean Stuart, will be an irreparable loss to every community in this area. My personal experience with Ballet Theatre San Jose goes back nearly 15 years. Membership in the company provided me with discipline, focus and excellent training. (It also kept me out of trouble.Who had the time or energy after the daily three hours of class and the weekend rehearsals?) Being in the company also allowed me to share an activity with my family--despite the long hours, I spent more time with my parents than most of my friends did. And when my mother passed away during my junior of high school, the company provided the support that helped me survive her loss. My own daughter has been associated with Ballet Theatre San Jose for seven years. She started as a cookie in The Nutcracker and is now a member of the company. She, too, has come to love not only the activity, but also the company. Her wish is to be a snowflake in The Nutcracker so that she can perform wearing one of the costumes her own grandmother made so many years ago. Multiply our experiences by three generations of students--the impact this dance company has had on the lives of people in this area is immeasurable. In order to continue, Ballet Theatre San Jose needs volunteers to serve on the board and investors who are willing to contribute to the education of young people. In exchange, Ballet Theatre San Jose will provide its supporters with an excellent staff of teachers, a community-oriented outreach program and school, a dedicated and hard-working parent group, enthusiastic students, quality dance performances and the hope that at least three more generations of young people will be able to share these positive experiences. Anyone who would like to help should contact Ballet Theatre San Jose.
Sharon Smith Just wanted to say thanks On behalf of the Los Gatos Community Concert Association, we wish to honor the memory of Robert Aldrich and to thank the Los Gatos Weekly-Times for carrying his column for many years. We found his style simple and unaffected, and we were comfortable with his observations. He was the Mark Twain of Los Gatos. We also appreciated the prominent space that he and the newspaper allotted to our concerts.
Norman Stoner, Ronald Knapp Thanks for Grad Night On behalf of the parents and members of the senior class of 1997, the Los Gatos High School Grad Night Committee would like to thank the following businesses and merchants for their contributions to the success of Grad Night 1997. The involvement and cooperation of the community again culminated in a festive and safe night for the Class of '97. Thank you to all of the following: A Matter of Taste, A to Z Nursery, Able Tree Surgeon, Alexx's Sport Stop, Anderson Chevrolet-Oldsmobile-GEO, Bears in the Wood, Bonne Schulman Massage, Brandau Brothers Scizzor Co., Bunches, C.B. Hannegan's, Cafe Trio, Caffe Carello's Coffee, Candle Lab--John Allen. Coates & Sowards, Coca Cola, Columbia Good Samaritan Hospital. Community Hospital of Los Gatos, Daniel Dawson (caricaturist), Detrick Underground, Fiori's, Fresh Choice, Gardino Fresco, Grad Night '96, Great America, Green Thumb Nursery, Hakone Gardens. Have A Snack Food Service, Iron Skillet, Jamba Juice--Los Gatos, Jasmine Restaurant. Jefferson Smurfit Corp. and Container Corp. of America, Jerome's Hairdressing--Michael Silva, La Strada Restaurante, Lark Avenue Car Wash, Le Boulanger--Los Gatos, Liz Vartanian--massage, Los Gatos Brewing Co., Los Gatos Camera, Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co., Los Gatos Home Theatrical, Los Gatos Honda, Lunardi's, Marine World Foundation. Mary Kay Cosmetics--Karen Feighner, Mayflower Transit--David Box, McDonald's--Los Gatos, McWhorter's Stationery--Tully Rd., San Jose. Meitzler Printing, Michele Hanson hairstyling, Moore Buick, Pontiac, GMC Truck, Musson Theatrical Supplies, Noah's Bagels--Los Gatos, Nob Hill--Los Gatos, Pacific Fundraising Co., Pedro's Restaurant, Peet's Coffee and Tea--Los Gatos, Posh Bagel--Los Gatos, Raspberries, Roaring Camp and Big Tree Railroad, Roberta's Hair Design--Roberta Nespole, Rock Bottom Restaurant, Roundtable Pizza--Los Gatos, Safeway--North Santa Cruz Ave., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Screen Images--Brad Chaboya, Showerman Distributing Co., Sportline, Starbuck's Coffee--Los Gatos, Stuft Pizza--Los Gatos, Swanson Ford, Sweetwater, T-Bird's Pizza, The Pure Path--Celia, The Royal Touch--Royal Jacobs & Susan Baugh, The Wherehouse--Los Gatos, Thrifty--Los Gatos, Video Era, Village Florist, Willow Street Pizza--Los Gatos.
Carol Achabal & Jane Engles Shoes are headed for Venezuela If I ever had any doubts about the readership of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, they disappeared after the articles you published about the Kids Shoes for Venezuela Project. (We volunteer to bring used shoes to children to help prevent parasitic disease that comes in through the feet.) Local townspeople have stopped me on the street and asked about the project. We're going back on the first of August and are planning to transport 700 pounds of shoes this time. This trip, we will dedicate a clinic 12 hours away by dugout canoe from the nearest hospital. Our organization has on site a full-time doctor and nurse. The doctor is a lady and the nurse is a man. We also are taking a high-powered binocular microscope for diagnostic purposes. Please store any additional shoes you might have until further notice because my wife is having to walk sideways in the garage until after the August trip. We still need shoes for 1- and 2-year olds and a treadle sewing machine. Again and again, thank you for your help.
Arthur Mintz Correction The cover story about the sailing program at Lexington Reservoir in the July 23 issue of the Weekly-Times incorrectly reported that the county Parks and Recreation Department had invested $25,000 into the sailing program. In fact, it was Dr. Chuck Dougherty, creator of the program, who invested the money.
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This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, July 30, 1997. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||