Saratoga News

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Front page
story was
disturbing

I am disturbed that front-page priority was given ("Altaring Experience," Sept. 25) to a woman who claims to be "ever committed" to her faith and to have Catholicism "in her bones," but yet ridiculously admits to defying official Catholic authority. The article should have been more suitably placed near the police log or in some comic book.

Her running for president or just simply joining a Boy Scout troop, rather than claiming to be a legitimate Catholic priest (who is incidentally entitled to eventually sit in the Chair of Peter), would not have constituted such a grievous insult to Orthodox Catholics.

Barbara A. Demblewski

Monte Sereno

Going to baseball
games to enjoy
a good book

It would seem that your ideal vacation is along the same lines as my husband's and older son ("Santa Catalina may be a-waitin', but it's no Tahiti!," by Dick Sparrer, Aug. 21). Your wife and I could become good friends as baseball (all sports) widows.

I have endured my share of games--all sports, on several continents, along with a recent hot and humid drive around the northeast visiting a handful of baseball stadiums, the Hall of Fame, a meal with a relative or two, not to mention the numerous truck and gasoline stations for refueling and "unloading." Thank goodness for earplugs and a good pair of reading glasses! I tend to fill my reading quota up pretty quickly during these outings.

My sons still get annoyed at the fact that a World Series ticket was "wasted" on me a few years back, just to catch up on my reading. It was Sunday--family day--and Dad didn't want to leave me behind.

I am a fan of your column and have enjoyed many a laugh, even some tears, from it. I look forward to Tuesday afternoons when I can catch up on the latest around our special town.

Jayne Goldberg

Los Gatos

WVC President urges support for
injured Cole

It is inevitable that given our large student body, that a number of our students each year will experience troubles and tragedies in their personal lives. However, some tragic events touch us in an especially moving way. Such is the case with Sara Cole, who is a re-entry student at West Valley College. A single mom with four young sons, she was enrolled in classes and making progress toward her goal of entering a health care career. [On Sept. 9] she was struck and critically injured by a drunken driver while standing in a Little League baseball field parking lot in Los Gatos. Both of her legs were severely crushed, and she is now undergoing a series of life-saving surgeries.

I am told that Sara is a positive, committed student, and she is one of those individuals who represent to me one of the primary reasons the community college system exists. With that, I would share with you the address of a fund that is being set up to help with the family's expenses (Sara Cole Fund, P.O. Box 320846, Los Gatos, CA 95032).

Phil Hartley

Los Gatos

Phil Hartley is the president of West Valley College.

Owner of Gervais
deserves a round
of applause

Vanessa Nguyen, owner of Gervais Restaurant, deserves a round of applause. She is opening her restaurant for an event at 5 p.m. on Oct. 7 that will benefit Saratoga Rotary Club's Rotaplast Mission to Guatemala. We are lucky to have a business owner in our town like Vanessa with such a kind and generous heart. I encourage everyone reading this to thank her the next time you are in Gervais Restaurant.

Her efforts will change the lives of children during our medical mission. Thank you, Vanessa.

Deborah Rice

Los Gatos

Deborah Rice is the Saratoga Rotary Club's Rotaplast Project chairwoman

July 4th event
a success; new
leader is needed

I am late, but pleased to report to the Saratoga community that the fifth annual July Fourth program was held again at Azule Park and the patriotic spirit of the community is alive. We celebrated our freedom and the unity of our people. We had people from different races, ages, churches and community groups who came together as one to celebrate July Fourth.

An estimated 900 attended, and we raised $871 for the Care and Comfort Program that provides care packages for soldiers serving in areas of conflict in the world.

There were about 40 volunteers plus 75 who participated in the program. Neighbors and friends paid for all the expenses or donated the services to conduct the program and parade.

In addition to our program participants from last year, we had a new 25-piece community band, a resident who came dressed as Uncle Sam, and there were many veterans from World War II and later conflicts who attended. Our Chinese chorus introduced their new citizens. We also had a Japanese chorus group help celebrate. The children received flags and balloons as they came in, and at the end of the parade they received ice cream and Otter Pops. Many others helped.

This was my fifth and last year as chairman. I hope an individual, an organization or the city will commit to organizing Saratoga's July Fourth next year so our town will continue to observe this important national day each year. All cities should celebrate the birthday of the nation and our freedoms. I will be pleased to pass on my experience and $600 to the next group. Celebrating July Fourth can be done without a lot of money, but it does take a leader and support to make it happen. Who will step up and lead next year?

Thank you for all of your support.

Jack Mallory

Kirkdale Drive

Asking owners
to be responsible
for their dogs

My husband and I frequently walk our dogs around Los Gatos and along the Los Gatos Creek Trail. We make it a point to clean up and properly dispose of our dog's messes.

We are always greatly disturbed at how many dog owners are not as considerate. We regularly see dog droppings left behind, and surprisingly some people pick up after their pets only to leave the used plastic bags on the side of the road or the trail! We are not sure who they think is supposed to pick up and dispose of these used bags!

We are privileged and fortunate to have our beautiful town of Los Gatos, and the Los Gatos Creek Trail, for running, biking and walking. With privilege comes responsibility. In consideration of all residents, I would like to please tell every pet owner to be responsible for picking up after his or her pet, and to please dispose of the messes in the proper trash receptacle (there are many around). Thank you.

Paige Shand

Monte Sereno