Saratoga News

Letters

There is plenty of room for Starbucks

We would like to express our appreciation for Starbucks' response to the community's concern over its proposed location in Saratoga Village.

If, as we have heard, they are looking at a location at the soon-to-be remodeled Argonaut Center, we wish them well. Many people in the community have expressed a need for a coffee business in that location. Parking and traffic would not be a problem, and Argonaut is certainly another center of Saratoga life.

We feel that there is plenty of room in this community for Starbucks, and we would welcome them.

Victor and Kathleen Amezcua
International Coffee Exchange
Big Basin Way

Thanks for the story

On behalf of the American Red Cross, I am writing to express our appreciation for the story about Don and Kathi Manzagol as volunteers for the Red Cross.

The Red Cross is a volunteer-led organization and would not exist without dedicated supporters such as Don and Kathi. Here at the Santa Clara Valley chapter, there are 30 active volunteers for each paid staff member. By sharing stories about our volunteers and their experiences, we are able to draw the interest of others who read about volunteers and call the chapter to offer their time.

Suzy McKee
Santa Clara Valley Chapter
American Red Cross

The U. S.doesn't belong to one race

Last month, I was at the Fruitvale post office, happily parting with the last of my college applications. While I was waiting in line, I couldn't help but overhear the conversation of an elderly couple behind me.

"We're surrounded by Asians," the man said to his companion. The grandmotherly figure replied with, "We're becoming a minority in our own country!"

My parents say I'm too sensitive about these matters, but I don't like feeling as if I am an invading pest in my own home. I don't blame the couple for noticing the abundance of Asian people, but perhaps with a little less disgust and annoyance?

Unfortunately, race-related incidents aren't uncommon. I once had a subsitute teacher tell me that I must overcome my cultural barriers and learn not to be "meek and quiet" in order to succeed. In another case, one of my coaches expressed surprise that the lead in the school musical was played by an Asian girl. Apparently, her rambunctious part was not characteristic of an Asian girl. (I mean, yelling and jumping, tsk, tsk.)

With the drastically increasing number of Asians in Saratoga, racial acceptance is critical. It is easy to see how the elderly couple could view the increase as a takeover. (If it eases any of your minds, I personally am not planning on overthrowing the Saratoga government any time soon.)

I have lived in the Bay Area all of my life and consider it my one and only home. When people used to ask me, "So, what are you? Japanese, Chinese. . . ?" I would always answer: "American." The U.S. does not belong to any one race, any more than it belongs to one individual. So take the time to see me as me and not as a meek and quite invading pest. Thank you.

Tracy Chiao
Old Tree Way

Correction

The memo published in last week's Saratoga News by City Attorney Michael S. Riback was prepared for the City Council, Planning Commission and city manager and was not intended by Riback for publication in the newspaper.