Letters
School district boundaries don't reflect the town
As a graduate of Los Gatos High School, I couldn't help but notice the full page ad asking for money for a new pool. I still live in Los Gatos, and remember that pool well; it's the one where I failed lifesaving because I couldn't drag my partner from the bottom of the pool.
So why, you might ask, don't I feel like giving money to my alma mater? Because I can't use the pool. Why not, you ask? Because while I live in Los Gatos, like about 40 percent of Los Gatans, I don't live within the Los Gatos school districts. I'm just not altruistic enough to give money for a so-called community project that really doesn't benefit the whole Los Gatos community. So neighboring Saratoga rallied around the high school and got its new pool built? Saratoga is much less restrictive in what the haves (in the district) and have-nots (not in the district) can participate and share in. It's time Los Gatos as a town got in step, and included the whole town, not just those in the school districts.
Debbi Behrman
Los Gatos
'Neighbors' who met were not park residents
I would like clear a matter about the Los Gatos Mobile Home park. At no time were any residents of park who fall under affordable housing ever asked to attend any meetings set by Mark Hanson or Doug Mc Nelly. There are some 30 units, which the tenants fall under what is considered low income, and most will not be able to find rental in this town, yet no effort was made in asking these residents to attend any of these private meetings.
It would appear that the residents of the park are not important to the development of the park, even though they will be greatly impacted by the closing of the park.
Stephen Carlson
Los Gatos Mobile Home Park
Longs does not offer compound medications
I was dismayed by the planning commission's decision on Nov. 15, to allow a Longs Drug store into the Rinconada Hills Shopping Center. It is to our town's benefit to preserve an economically balanced, small-scale community.
In this case, town officials fail to understand the ramifications that Longs cannot meet all the medication needs of patients. In my medical practice, I have yet to find a Longs that can compound medications. It is to the detriment of my patients who have allergies to peanut oil and other additives found in commercially manufactured prescription drugs not to have compounded medications available.
Longs also does not provide a delivery service and does not provide an adequate selection of home care supplies and equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches or commode chairs. Longs is definitely self-serving, not patient-serving.
There are already two Longs drugstores in Los Gatos. To have another Longs location provides marginal health-care benefit and is a threat to our small-town character.
Similar comparisons can be made for other chain and locally owned businesses. Our town is richer and better served by a diverse business community.
Catherine Grellet, M.D.
Los Gatos
Becks' support made historic tree sparkle
The History Club of Los Gatos would like to give a big thank you to Mark and Barbara Beck for their generous donation of $20,000 to bring back the sparkle to the Town Plaza Christmas tree.
The History Club has a long tradition with the Christmas tree as it was planted by members in 1923. In 1996, along with resident Dave Aikman and the Community Foundation, club members worked on the project to bring new lighting for the tree. However, it was not until this year's donation by the Becks that the wish was realized. Thank you again!
Jan Johnston
Publicity Chairwoman
History Club of Los Gatos
The community rallied 'round for the senior dinner
A record 185 senior citizens were treated to a delicious Thanksgiving feast on Nov. 18, at the Los Gatos Neighborhood Center. The dinner was hosted by the town of Los Gatos Senior Drop-In Center.
The menu included tossed green salad, roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, rolls and butter and pumpkin pie.
Chris Benson of C.B. Hannegan's coordinated the food donations from local restaurants and distributors, cooked and carved the turkeys, and donated and cooked the stuffing, sweet potatoes and gravy. A very big "thank you" to Chris for his dedication to this dinner for our local senior citizens.
The Los Gatos Lions Club, Steamer's Seafood Restaurant and Paul Pavicich of the Los Gatos Brewing Company, donated the turkeys for this year's dinner; salad and fixings were compliments of Golden Rule Produce (Morgan Hill); Campo di Bocce cooked the mashed potatoes; Le Boulanger furnished the rolls and butter; Delizioso supplied the pumpkin pies; and Whole Foods Market supplied the orange juice.
The following businesses, organizations and individuals were also responsible for providing the seniors with this memorable afternoon of fun: Ace Los Gatos Hardware, Affordable Treasures, Albertsons--Camden Avenue, Royce Ausich, Bears in the Wood, Blossom Hill Cleaners, Carlton Elementary School, Classic Car Wash--Lark Avenue.
Cotton Works, Domus, Fiori's, Green Thumb Nursery, Happy Hoofers Walking Group, International Hair Design, Live Oak Senior Nutrition & Service Center, Longs-King's Court, Los Gatos Company, Los Gatos High School Interact Club, Los Gatos High School Key Club, Los Gatos Lodge.
Los Gatos Porch, Lunardi's, Udo Magel, Model Nails, Nob Hill Foods (Raley's), Purrsnickety, Rite Aid, Safeway Stores-North Santa Cruz, Safeway Stores-Union Ave., Senior Drop-In Center volunteers, Serendipity of Los Gatos, Staples, Walgreen Drug Stores and Wild Bird Center.
Thank you, too, to Clare Dudley and the other members of the Happy Hoofers Walking Group for requesting the door prize donations and picking them up and delivering them to the Neighborhood Center.
Ben Wilson again entertained with a number of lively tunes on the piano.
Waiters and waitresses included Alicia Hull, Emily Kohl, Jonathan Yip, Amy Niswonger, Ara Quick, and Michael, Lisa and Marty Cannizzaro.
Thank you to Tom Dodge and the other members of the Los Gatos Rotary Club for setting up and taking down all the tables and chairs.
Ray Bortolussi of the Los Gatos Village Flowers & Gifts made table centerpieces which not only made the tables beautiful, but also were given away as prizes to one person at each table. The West Valley Federated Women's Club loaned seasonal decorations to make the entrance to the hall more festive.
Workers in the kitchen included John Krepick, Tom McKissick, and Don Wolf. Marie Whitworth and Cathy Wytmans also helped set up, supervise students and helped serve.
Finally, Jo Griner of St. Luke's Church in Los Gatos picked up all the boxes and bags of food donated by the seniors attendees for the Holiday Food Pantry run by the volunteers at the church.
Sue Hamilton
Volunteer, Los Gatos Seniors
Raging motorists threaten great local tradition
Every year, since the beginning of the Carriage Rides in town, we have gone on the first night, just after the Tree Lighting. It is a wonderful tradition that we share with special friends! On Dec. 1, we were appalled at the behavior of motorists!
I phoned the LGPD this morning and made a request that they use the Volunteers In Policing to monitor the vehicles on the carriage route!
We were shocked at the "road-rage" exhibited by the individuals behind the wheel! They sped up, honked and then proceeded to pass the carriages (going well over the 25-mph speed limits!) on both Main Street and Tait Avenue!
We were most concerned about the horses. They have no defense against such negligent motorists. Oh, and I neglected to mention all of the children who were out and following the rides with great amazement. Their safety was also scarily compromised. We love this tradition.
Los Gatos is such a special community. Something must be done to prevent this atrocity. How can I help?
Alice Royall
Los Gatos
Correction
The Taste column featuring Caffe Siena in the Dec. 6 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times incorrectly stated that Tom Pavicic opened Cafe Torre in Cupertino. Pavicic actually helped open the coffeehouse. The owner is actually Vince Torre. The correct phone number of Caffe Siena is 408.399.2830.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
