Los Gatos is a very special place with some marvelous traditions. The best part of the year is the gathering on the first Friday in December at the Town Plaza. It is usually cold and there is an excitement among the crowd. The high school band plays, and everyone joins in singing the holiday songs. Finally, the tree comes alive with beautiful colors. Next, the sirens on the fire truck announce the arrival of Santa Claus. It is these traditions that create a wonderful community.

—Chris Miller, Los Gatos


Take a closer look at vote of senators

James Diaz makes a very good point (Los Gatos Weekly-Times letters, Dec. 17) about the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act," a.k.a. Patriot Act. It would be more constructive, however, to bring these issues to the attention of Senators Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Barbara Boxer Feinstein (D-Calif.), both of whom voted in favor of its passage. Rather than painting it as a "jackboot" strategy of the Bush administration, it would be wiser to look closer to our own state senators. Senator Feinstein recently queried the ACLU for any complaints brought to its attention concerning the Act and found a grand total of zero. Sometimes it is better to step back and take a deep breath before charging forward.

We are the target of terrorists because they envy us. The so-called goodwill of the international community came from joy that we had been bloodied, nothing more.

—Paul Dembry, Los Gatos


Merchants need to be more vigilant

Sadly and surprisingly, we have seen this holiday season the lack of goodwill to others, by a select few with petty, destructive vandalism to the street decorations of some downtown businesses.

This seems to be a subtle, but continuing flow of activity, which began in the spring that certainly does not keep our spirits bright during this holiday season. We would never have known that one of our two 10-foot topiaries had been damaged by vandals, but for a thoughtful passerby, who stood it back up.

How do people get by with this behavior in such a well-lit, organized downtown? I guess we will all have to be more vigilant and look out for each other and our property, with a sharper eye.

Our thanks to those who were kind enough to take the sting out of such a disappointing discovery. A true act of random kindness.

—Sallie Robbins-Druian, The French Cellar, Los Gatos