Just a follow-up to Willys Peck's (Feb. 12) article, in which he mentioned the cannons in Saratoga and that he belonged to NTAA (Never Throw Anything Away). I belong to that same group, only I keep items much bigger. I have one of those cannons! Right here at Garrod Farms. This replica of a Revolutionary War cannon was made by Kelsey Kirk, a teacher in the Saratoga Union School District, to be used in celebrating our country's bicentennial. He also organized a Fife and Drum Corps to march with the cannon, complete with uniforms from the student body.

My connection with all this goes back quite a ways. I was a school trustee when we hired Mr. Kirk, and he came to me looking for a wagon truck to carry the cannon—it is back here right next to the flagpole. My son Jan had to secure some other wheels as the ones we were using fell apart from age and too much weather. Because of my affiliation with the NTAA I had the wagon truck.

No longer can we just fire the cannon—now, with progress and regulations, we need to hired a certified armorer. We can no longer stuff it full of black powder and pack it with wet straw; we need a permit and a certified person to light the fuse!

We still have great, innovative teachers in our schools that will build and create a whole Drum and Fife Corps to help teach a lesson in history, and I would like to add to the NTAA membership our whole community and have them all work at keeping our teachers here in our schools in spite of other government demands and regulations.

—Vince Garrod, Mt. Eden Road


Commission thanks Mustard Walk helpers

The Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission wishes to thank all the participants who so graciously gave of their time and talents to make our second annual Mustard Walk a resounding success. A special thanks to the arts commission, which joined with us this year. Their expertise in gathering artists and getting out the publicity was invaluable. Artists, musicians, orchardists, winemakers and historians joined in an entertaining afternoon. Adults as well as children enjoyed the donkey cart rides, and many came away with bountiful bouquets of the yellow flowers. Weatherwise, it was a perfect day to enjoy the beautiful Heritage Orchard and learn more about its history and importance to the community. We are so fortunate that the city council voted to preserve it in perpetuity. Please come again next year!

—Phylis Ballingall, Chairwoman, Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission


War threatens funding for city, schools

City council members Ann Waltonsmith and Norman Kline misinterpreted the idea of the antiwar resolution. It would not be intended to represent the opinion of the whole town any more than the resolution adopted in Chicago represented everyone in that city. Borrowing terminology from the realm of fairy tales, Secretary Rumsfeld has said that the expensive wars we're involved in (which will continue to require open-ended military appropriations) "may go on forever." California, as well as states that voted for Bush, can expect meager assistance from Washington over the next two years. Essential services are being threatened; many people in Santa Clara County need federal assistance now, and schools like West Valley could use help. An antiwar resolution wouldn't be a political statement as much as it would be an acknowledgement that when your state is hurting (and the president thinks it's wrong to spend money on people instead of weapons) it's best to say ouch!

—Alan Rosenus, Lomita Avenue


Bogosian should be commended for idea

"Evil flourishes when good men do nothing," wrote one of our esteemed Saratogans in his letter to the Saratoga News last week. I couldn't agree with him more, although we may be espousing diametrically opposed viewpoints. I commend Stan Bogosian's courage and conviction in his suggestion for an antiwar resolution. It was heartening to see that we can look beyond our little bubble of beautiful Saratoga and stand in solidarity with the majority of the rest of the world in opposing this war. I did vote for Mr. Bogosian to represent me in the city council, but I certainly did not vote in the last presidential election to give carte blanche to our leaders to shame our great nation and democracy with a transparent pretext whose real aims are oil aquisition and world domination.

I salute you, Mr. Bogosian, and I will proudly support you in your future political aspirations.

—Azita Mirzadegan, Malcom Avenue