When a person walks into Sam's Downtown Feed the individual is instantly reminded of those days when the local proprietor knew his customers. ("Stock Holder," Oct. 19)

Sam Blackford and his staff are always courteous. He is helpful with getting needed feed and supplies, and giving sound advice for our livestock projects.

Thank you, Sam, for being there for us, along with your continuous support of Santa Clara County 4-H clubs. Congratulations on almost 20 years of business.

Evelyn McGarry, Homesteaders 4-H, Co-Community Club Leader

San Jose

Park smoking issue
is on city's agenda

Thanks so much for your continuing coverage of the smoke-free parks proposal in San Jose ("Local coalition wants to ban smoking at city parks," Aug. 31, "No decision on smoking ban in parks until survey is reviewed," Sept. 14).

With parks commission members meeting on Nov. 2 to make their recommendation on the proposal, it is important that residents remain informed of this critical issue.

Providing San Jose residents and others who visit our city parks with smoke-free air is a health and safety issue. Secondhand smoke has been shown to cause cancer and is extremely dangerous to children. It can trigger asthma attacks and aggravate a host of health problems in older adults. A health hazard like secondhand smoke has no place in our parks, where children and families play and attend family-oriented events.

I hope everyone will take the time to have their voice heard at the upcoming parks and recreation commission meeting. The time is now for San Jose to join the growing list of California cities that are committed to protecting their residents from the deadly health risks associated with secondhand smoke. Let's get tobacco out of our parks.

Dave Low

American Lung Association of Santa Clara-San Benito Counties

Resident favors plan
that keeps oak tree

I was at the last Willow Glen Library meeting on Oct. 11 where three architectural plans were displayed ("Keep the library's oak tree during remodel, residents say," Oct. 19). I had to leave before the third architectural concept was shown.

I prefer the plan where the library building is in the big square in the back, because the grand old oak tree is more visible from the street, and allows for a country lane (driveway and parking) to be bordered by traditional Willow Glen trees such as catalpas and willows. This design also provides more window space. The location of trees in the plan also includes the placement of many around the library building in the back.

I plan to be at the next meeting to voice my opinion, I hope others do the same.

Alma Taylor

Willow Glen

Inner or outer lanes,
what are the rules?

As word spreads about the new track at Willow Glen High School, the usage in the mornings and on the weekends has more than tripled. What I'm noticing is that there are four times the number of people using the inner lanes than the people who follow the rules and use the outer lanes.

On the weekends almost everyone brings their dogs to the track so they can run free while they run around the track using the inner lanes. I stopped using the track on weekends because of the dogs running free.

On Oct. 19 there were more than 20 people as a group all working out together using the inner lanes. I asked the leader if it was OK to use the inner lanes and he said, "Yes."

I say take down the signs that state otherwise. The majority of people using the track don't read the rules anyway. I think it's just wrong when the majority of the people using the new track disregard all rules.

The district should take the signs down so we all can use the inner lanes and bring our dogs out to run free while we eat sunflower seeds. Why should I follow the rules when most people don't? I would rather run in the inner lanes too.

Thomas Sutton

Westgate Avenue