Speak Out

Alas, 'Willownians' is unacceptable usage

This concerns the ongoing conflict regarding the term, "the Glen" for Willow Glen and "Glenites" for the people who reside there, as discussed in the "What's in a Name" column by Jessica Lyons in the Dec. 29 Willow Glen Resident.

The neglect or violation of established usage (i.e., Willow Glen, Willow Glen residents, etc.) sometimes betrays ignorance, but more often reveals the repellent assumption that the writer is superior to conventions which are binding on the vast number of readers. There can be no excuse, space-wise or otherwise, for the use of invented terms such as these in the Willow Glen Resident or, alas, "Willownians," which appears in the piece following that of Ms. Lyons.

Since the new millennium will not begin until Jan. 1, 2001, perhaps you and your staff might have time to find a copy of H.W. Fowler's Modern English Usage, latest revision. Anyone working on the paper who considers "the Glen," "Glenites," "Willownians," etc., acceptable words for usage might learn something about the craft of writing in the new millennium.

T. Matthews
Lincoln Village Drive

Warning: Reading Carl Heintze may lead to positive thinking

Thank you, Carl Heintz, for the wonderful, positive column on your feelings about living in America ("It's hard to export what we've become," Jan. 5) and California (and Willow Glen, too!).

You always express so many of the good things in life in your writings--you seem like such a pleasant, understanding and happy person. I always feel lucky when I am able to read your contributions.

We lived for 32 years in Willow Glen, where we raised five children. We only moved because our son bought our house to raise his family in, and we ended up in an orchard in Los Gatos--a small house, but happy times!

Anne Thatcher
Los Gatos

Giving blood helps people in real need

As a regular blood platelet donor with the Stanford Blood Center, I'd like to salute the people who took time out from their holiday activities Dec. 28 to donate blood at the First Congregational Church (San Jose) blood drive. Kudos also to the church for hosting the drive.

Giving blood, in my opinion, is the best form of volunteerism there is, and because you are limited by law as to how many times you can give per year, you still have plenty of time for other activities or just basic living.

June E. Cooley
Almaden Road

Around the Glen

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Sports Briefs

High school wrestling

WGHS Rams soccer