If he keeps acting crazy toward people, his job may soon come to an end. He's only doing what he has been allowed to get away with so far. When he jumps out in front of moving cars, spins his fingers gesturing to people to open their windows or runs up on people as they are exiting their cars, I don't think it would be out of line for anyone to make a quick call on their cell phones to the police, and when they arrive let him explain to the authorities exactly what it is he is doing.

This hostile treatment, however, doesnot end in the parking lot; it also carries over into the "shopping mall," which is a questionable term for the Garden Theatre.

When the news came down that our beautiful art-deco style theater was about to be gutted to make way for shops and offices, the grumblers like myself--who didn't want a Willow Glen landmark to be destroyed for any reason--were told that we'd have all these beautiful stores. Very little was said about the upper level and the proposed office sites. That was played down. The only store we've ever had in there has been the shoe store Footwear etc. I saw the "moving sale" sign on the window today. They are relocating out onto Lincoln Avenue. Years ago the store manager told me that they wanted to move onto Lincoln, where business is better.

I suppose the Garden Theatre isn't officially listed as a "landmark" but for those of us who grew up here in the 1950s, in our hearts that theater is a landmark, and it is a shame that it couldn't have been restored. What a total bore to have two levels of offices made up primarily of insurance, mortgage and investment companies over a lackluster shopping mall that never quite materialized.

Newcomers to Willow Glen might be interested to know that in addition to the Garden Theatre on Lincoln Avenue we also had the Willow Glen Theater, later Vogue, which showed foreign films. Campbell and Los Gatos still have their old theaters. Our theaters are gone but our chain stores are increasing.

Lastly, I have something to say about the "off limits " restrooms for shoppers in the mall. Early on the restroom doors were open to employees and shoppers alike, and then one day, before the "This is not a public bathroom. Please do not ask for a key" signs went up, the doors were simply locked. I inquired at Burger King one time, thinking the locked doors were a temporary situation, and was told that shoppers could ask for the restroom key from the person behind the counter.

Who is going to stand in a fast-food line and walk off and return a key on a big wooden key chain? Asking permission to use the facilities feels like we are being treated like children in a classroom, raising our hands to ask the teacher for permission to "go."

Another time, after I had just purchased a pair of shoes for $125 and was exiting the building, I stopped and asked a woman who worked in the nail salon for a restroom key. She tossed the key across the counter and grabbed it out of my hand upon my return, glaring at me both times. Not one word from her to acknowledge my presence.

The environment in that parking lot and the mall has always been unfriendly to shoppers. You're made to feel shut out and second class all the way around. I'm glad the shoe store is relocating. Now I have no reason to go into that building.

Linda Julian is a longtime resident of Willow Glen.