Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Letters

Scholastic Classic participants ran a good race

The 10th annual Scholastic Classic, sponsored by the Los Gatos Elementary Education Foundation, was held at Los Gatos High School on May 5. I'd like to thank all of the members of the Los Gatos community who contributed to the success of this event. More than 380 parents and children participated in the two-mile family fun run and walk.

Congratulations to the running race winners in each of the age categories: Pauline Chow and Ryan Downey, 7 and under; Monica Rude and Walter Prows, 8 and 9; Ashley Lester and Michael Robards, 10 to 11; Gianna Cardinale and Russ Martin,12 to 14; and Debbie Follmar and Nick Nickols, 15 and over.

Making the Scholastic Classic happen requires months of effort by a small army of volunteers. This year's event was flawless due to the dedication of co-chairs Joyce Shatsky, Peter Hertan, Martha Geiszler and Linda Cohen. Special thanks go to emcee Bob Jenkins, who kept activities flowing smoothly, and to Christine Jenkins' energetic band of middle-school poster-makers and course monitors.

Finally, the Scholastic Classic could not happen without the generosity of the dozens of local businesses that made donations of cash, food, merchandise and services. Space does not permit them to be identified individually here.

Steve Wernecke

President, LGEEF

British planner finds Byer Center to his liking

I am a British town planner who has been visiting the Bay Area for the last 20 years. I have noted with great interest the recent correspondence in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times about the Byer Center at the corner of Los Gatos Boulevard and Blossom Hill Road.

My views are very similar to those expressed by Los Gatos architect John Lien in your May 1 issue.

On my first visit, my strongest impression of the townscape of this area was how the car seemed to dominate all views. Potentially attractive buildings were usually surrounded by a sea of cars. This was particularly true of visually important junctions, which were often occupied by gas stations and fast-food establishments.

The devastation of downtown areas by the building of shopping centers seems to have increased this problem. In this respect, I think the residents of Los Gatos should appreciate their good fortune in retaining their downtown.

One of the most hopeful features of my visits to this area over the years has been to see the attempt to reintroduce into what is often an area of endless suburban development some of the more traditional features of the city. The renaissance of San Jose as a place of entertainment and commerce, for instance, is very impressive.

Part of the job of building a more attractive environment must be to put the car in its appropriate place, and that must mean not letting it dominate views in significant locations. Occupiers of or visitors to buildings may have to walk a few extra yards to the front door to achieve this, but, perhaps, that will allow them to avoid spending lots of money on exercise classes!

I support the Town Council in its efforts to bring a higher standard of design for new development.

With regard to the Byer Center, in particular, it seems to me a model of the type of development that the council should encourage. Far from being obtrusive, as one of your correspondents suggests, it is, in my opinion, of a wholly appropriate scale to the surrounding streetscene.

Dennis Bradley

London, England

Cancer Society shops warn of look-alikes

Thank you Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and Saratoga for helping the American Cancer Society's newest Discovery shop at 39 E. Main St., get under way. Your donations of clothing, jewelry, and household furnishings exceeded all expectations.

Unfortunately, as some of you discovered, the American Cancer Society has a growing number of look-alikes. Several of these just happened on the scene during our recent Discovery Shop donation drive. But you can keep any future contributions from going astray.

Remember that anything in writing from the American Cancer Society and its Discovery Shops bears the familiar sword logo. Remember, too, the American Cancer Society Discovery Shops never solicit by telephone, nor do they ever have neighborhood truck pickups of donations.

While we're off to a good start with our resale shop, we continue to need a generous supply of your gently used furniture and clothing. This is why we ask you to be aware that, even in giving, it is necessary to make an informed decision.

Shirley Newsom,

Volunteer, American Cancer Discovery Shop

Community helped 'Season It Up'

The 11th annual Look of Los Gatos Fashion Production was once again a wonderful success. Over 120 students were involved in this year's production, "Season It Up." CASA and the Teen Counseling Center wish to thank our town's people and merchants for supporting us.

Clothing stores from Los Gatos which allowed the students to model their clothing were: Adrienne's, Athletic Performance, Backdoor Boutique, Cambric Ltd., Cat 'n' Canary, Gap, Jennifer Croll, Moda Italia, NC Boardshop, The Río Thing, The Runners' Factory, Sprockets, Time Out and Upstream Flyfishing.

Special thanks to Michael Silva and Lori Heckerman who helped with hairstyles backstage and to all these hair salons: Brandau Brandau, Christina's, Designers Ltd., En Vogue, Gwen's, King's Court Barber Shop, Los Gatos Beauty Outlet, Nimbus, Nirvana, OMO 24 Hair Studio, The Pure Path, Tangles and Virtues. Thank you to Bare Escentuals for the makeup and ABBA and Goldwell for our show favors.

We appreciate very much our major sponsors: Pilkinton Barnes Hind, Quantum, ONR, Joe & Joanne Rogers and the Los Gatos Weekly-Times.

Diana Bond
Nancy Boesenberg

Los Gatos