Support our heritage, support OHPIE project
Did you know that Silicon Valley used to be known as "The Valley of Heart's Delight," with abundant apricot, cherry and nut orchards, unusually large, tasty vegetables and world-class vineyards? Did you also know that our valley was considered the second most fertile valley in the world, next to the Ganges River Valley? It's all true.
The Orchard Heritage Park Interpretative Exhibit (OHPIE) Task Force is hard at work creating the first exhibit in the Santa Clara Valley honoring the valley's rich agricultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit. OHPIE will educate and entertain visitors of all ages about "The Valley of Heart's Delight."
OHPIE urgently needs volunteers and corporate, business and individual contributions to raise $500,000 to complete the project, with an interim goal to raise $350,000 to break ground in spring 1998. "There is nothing like OHPIE that tells the story of Santa Clara Valley's rich agricultural roots and the progressive, entrepreneurial history leading to today's successful Silicon Valley," says Barbara Duggan, Citibank manager and corporate sponsor. OHPIE has raised about $75,000 and has a long way to go to break ground.
The unique exhibit features a "living museum" with a barnlike, open-air frame structure, 2-D panel exhibits replacing the walls and photos and descriptions of the agricultural industry, fruit harvesting, canning and important individuals and groups. Don't miss out on the unique opportunity to have you and your family engraved on the walkway.
During April, to purchase an engraved brick for $100, see the exhibit model and pick up an order form at the Sunnvyale Community Center, Parks and Recreation Department lobby, on Remington Drive. During May, "Older Americans Month," visit the Sunnyvale Senior Center. For more information or to volunteer, call Leslie Dawson at 735-0230.
Bobbe Smirni
Sunnyvale
Mathematically correct, morally disgusting
I am writing in response to the letter by Mr. Lindquist of Cupertino in which he expressed his concerns about the Teens with Tots program featured in the Feb. 26 issue of The Sun. I am appalled at such narrow-mindedness on his part. Unfortunately, such an opinion is common in our individualistic "every man for himself" American society.
At the risk of being labeled liberal by people like Mr. Lindquist, I would like to express a differing opinion of the Teens with Tots program. First, I do not agree that such a program either promotes or deters teen pregnancy. There are no logical facts or evidence to back up such a claim. I believe such programs may help break the cycle that often is seen in children born to teen mothers. If the Teens with Tots program helps young women or young men better themselves and teaches positive parenting skills, then I am for it. I believe such proactive programs are lacking in our society. These programs may help keep such children out of the already overburdened foster care system, and potentially out of the criminal justice system as they grow up. I have no evidence to back up my claims, and these programs may not solve the underlying problem of poverty and ignorance that are the root of these issues. However, in my opinion, it beats building more jails.
Secondly Mr. Lindquist is mathematically correct when he states that a $400 abortion is considerably less than the $300,000 in grant monies used to fund the program. Morally disgusting, but mathematically correct. Even though I strongly disagree with Mr. Lindquist's viewpoint, if our children must grow up in such a punitive society that is unwilling to go out on a limb and break the cycle of poverty, violence and ignorance, then maybe he is right. For the sake of the children who will be faced with the problems we left them, I hope not.
Colleen O'Leary-Kelley
Sunnyvale
Government-owned schools = greed
The FUHSD teacher's union has threatened to strike if the district does not come through with the huge pay raise demanded by the union. In fact, one of the union members has said that they were going to "shut this place down." I wonder why the school district, in the face of a strike threat, does not say that if you teachers go on strike, you will lose your teaching job. Turnabout is fair play, is it not?
So, what is the bottom line of a teacher's strike? Who is being hurt? First and foremost, the students, particularly graduating seniors. Next, teachers. Though the union would not admit it, there are teachers who do not want any part of a strike because it will hurt the students and themselves. Next, a strike hurts us, the taxpayers. We begin to pay for education that our kids don't get. When the union says that they will "shut this place [the schools] down," you won't hear a word from them about who their action is going to hurt.
So, folks, welcome to the real world of American socialism. As long as government runs the schools, you can expect more of the same greed.
R. Bowlby
Cupertino
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, April 23, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.