Los Gatos Weekly-TimesLettersLos Gatos schools don't really have claim to magic dust There must be something magical happening in the Los Gatos School District. Have you ever heard or read about so many fighting to get in and pushing others to keep out? They must be sprinkling magic dust on all the Los Gatos district teachers, making them more experienced, more caring, more skilled than all the other certified teachers in the area. Somehow, they alone are producing the most gifted and morally responsible children year after year from their specific schools. That's what the scores claim. So those fighting to get into Los Gatos district schools must believe that once their child passes through their classroom doors, they also will be sprinkled with magic dust and then destined to succeed--even if they were a below-average student at the Campbell or Union school across the street. Ah, this must explain the arguing to get inside. Those pushing to keep others out of the Los Gatos School Union School District must want to keep their magic potion a secret. Maybe there's only a little bit left and they don't want to spread it too thin. Magic, by definition, is deceiving. If we look behind the curtain, the teachers are not 10 feet tall. There is no magic dust, no yellow brick road, either. Just ordinary people, just ordinary children. Some good, some not so good. The secret is discovered when we look closely inside the big black hat: the commitment of the family to put a vested interest in the education of their children. If you want a good education for your child, stop looking through a smoked screen. Look in the mirror. Education, confidence to succeed, morals, leadership should start with you, the parent. Be involved; set a good example; show you care; provide limits. If every one of us would put commitment behind our neighborhood school--you know, the one down the block--then each of our public schools, regardless of school district, would see a magical transformation!
Cindy LaBarge Enforcing rules would help the continuing battle In response to Don Wolf's Op/Ed piece on bicyclists in the July 30 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, I, too, have noticed that pedestrians on bicycles do have a harder time crossing streets than walkers without bikes. I make it a point to stop for all in crosswalks because it's the law, and I expect people in cars to do the same for me when I'm the one trying to cross. The one thing I hate to hear bicyclists complain about (I ride as well) is not enough room on bike trails! I don't believe all trails were initially designed for bicycle traffic, but rather as walking trails. Since bicycling on mountainous trails has become ever so popular in the last five years or so, all I hear is "People walking on these bike trails have no respect for us bicyclers." When I ride, I was taught to yell, "On your right"--or left, or whatever. What has happened to everyone sharing the beauty of the outdoors? When riding on a dirt trail, you should be aware that walkers roam the trails as well. I believe there are trails specifically designed for the hard-core mountain rider that are very wide and easily accessible for walkers and riders. Walkers on those trails should also be aware of the riders and give them the space needed. I know I've come by a few people who snickered remarks 'cause I was on a bike and would not move out of my way; they just kept walking with their backs to me like I wasn't even there. I tend to stay on the larger trails as they are less congested, and my bell helps out too. I do think some rules/laws should be enforced that will protect all pedestrians walking or riding a bike.
Shari Hartter New Edna Ray is worth a try Our town is blessed with a wonderful array of restaurants, and another one could be passed off as "Oh, another one." That was more or less my feeling when the new Edna Ray Chinese Restaurant opened recently. Last night we took a guest to Edna Ray, and what a surprise! The new Edna Ray is a new jewel in the crown of Los Gatos eating establishments. The restaurant is all new since the fire of a year ago gutted the place. The inside arrangement is totally different--open, airy and inviting. The owner, management and staff are all new. The menu is new, although I have to admit that Chinese restaurant menus all seem very much alike. Zhoo Guan, the new owner, was at the restaurant while we were there and spoke with us to make sure we were satisfied with the food and service. He was very upbeat, excited and eager to serve. His niece, who attended to our needs, was also eager to please us and happy to make our dinner out a good experience. We had sweet and sour soup, lemon chicken and sweet and sour pork. (Well, I did say the Chinese menus all seem very much alike.) The food was very good. Most of us have forgotten about the restaurant that used to be next to American Savings in downtown Los Gatos. It behooves us to give Edna Ray a try--only the name is the same.
Don Wolf Nice guys can sometimes change when riding on a two-wheeler Regarding Don Wolf's Op/Ed on bicycling: Don, as one avid bicyclist to another, I will admit--if you will--that we often really are rude and that it is laziness on our part that has created this animosity with drivers. On Monday, July 28, I witnessed you crossing Massol at the intersection of Los Gatos-Saratoga Road while riding your bike. You were five feet into Massol at the intersection of Los Gatos-Saratoga Road. I was making a left turn on to Massol from Los Gatos-Saratoga Road and had to slow down to allow you to pass, putting my rear end in danger from traffic barreling down on me. One can hardly make a left turn onto Massol as it is, without people jaywalking-"riding," so I would suggest you cross your bike at the Santa Cruz Avenue stoplight. I promise to do the same, and maybe the two of us can make a difference, or at least a beginning. I point this out not to embarrass you, but to suggest that bicyclists may be nice people but not necessarily when on a bike. Once we mount that two-wheeler, something clicks, and we often throw caution to the wind and revert to 15-year-olds.
Larry Arzie Neighbors concerned, not "nut cases," over proposed substation We were very amused by the tongue-in-cheek letter written last week by Mr. Frank J. Stagnaro. He is making very light of a situation that is a serious threat to our neighborhood. He is also intimating that one person, Ann Burns, has created a neighborhood of "nut cases." We invite Mr. Stagnaro, residents of Los Gatos, the Town Council and members of the Planning Commission to take a ride to the El Patio Substation in Campbell. (Take Highway 17 north, exit at Hamilton and make the first right turn. You can't miss it.) Sit there with your engine running and the windows down, as we did, and listen to the noise. Look around you, as we did, and look at the size of the substation. Do you see any homes nearby? Do you see any businesses close by? Do you see any recreation facilities nearby? The answer is no. We challenge any of you to honestly say you would want this behind your home. This is exactly what the Charter Oaks residents will see and hear outside their bedroom windows if the substation goes in. This is what Courtside, Newell Avenue, La Rinconada residents will see and hear daily. Why should we not want to resist this type of encroachment on our part of the Los Gatos community? There are many, like ourselves, who thank Ann and Bill Burns for their community awareness and presentation of the facts. Believe us, there are alternative locations. We ask for reason and rationality on the part of the town and PG&E. If that is the definition of a "nut case," then we are happy to oblige.
Aggie and Rick Potter A quick quiz for bicycle riders When I first read Don Wolf's "Bicycles get no respect in Los Gatos," I thought he was right on the money; but then the more I thought about it, the more I wondered why there is so much animosity between cyclists, motorists and pedestrians. I would like to ask Mr. Wolf to answer "always, sometimes, or never" to the following questions: When riding your bicycle, do you: a) stop at crosswalks to allow pedestrians to cross? b) come to a full stop at stop signs? c) use lights at night so that you are easily visible to motorists? d) use hand signals when turning? e) ride in crosswalks, expecting motorists to stop for you? f) proceed through red lights if there are no cars coming? g) make right turns at red lights when signs say not to? h) stay in the bike lanes when riding two or three abreast? i) give the pedestrians some warning when you are silently coming up behind them? j) use the sidewalks for a bike path? k) maintain speed limits for cyclists even though you disagree with them? l) careen recklessly along dirt paths shared by pedestrians, expecting them to jump out of your way as you approach? m) travel in the proper direction of traffic flow? Think about the appropriate answers, Mr. Wolf, and if you indeed do what's right every time, I salute you.
M. Hansen
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This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, August 13, 1997. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||