The Los Gatos Post Office joined other Bay­Valley District offices with a flag-raising celebration [on March 27]. Offices that demonstrate exemplary performance in customer service earn the right to proudly fly the Order of the Yellow Jersey flag. The OYJ refers to the yellow jersey worn by U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team member Lance Armstrong, who has dominated the Tour de France five years in a row since 1999.

The flag is a symbol of quality, and only winners get the honor of flying it. Customer surveys have scored Los Gatos Post Office at 100 percent for the past five months. During today's ceremonies, I commend our employees for their achievement. As Lance Armstrong is the epitome of drive and teamwork, Los Gatos employees earn distinction for high levels of customer service.

Kathie Faupel

Los Gatos Postmaster

Ribbons show
support for
police officers

For the past several years, Concerns of Police Survivors has sponsored its "Blue Ribbon Campaign" during National Police Week. This year that week is May 9­15. As a symbol of respect to those who have laid down their lives in the line of duty (which fortunately the Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Department has not experienced) and a show of support to law enforcement officers working the streets, COPS has distributed blue ribbons with the COPS initials to be placed on personal and law enforcement vehicles during that week.

If you are interested in showing your support for our officers, you may obtain a ribbon by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 123 Cleland Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030, and I will send the ribbon by return mail. Requests must be received by April 28. Please indicate how many ribbons you would like.

Ann McDonald Rice

Los Gatos

Hope that more
girls consider
playing baseball

First I wanted to say how exciting it was to see a front-page article in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times about a girl playing in the major division of the Los Gatos Little League. The photos and comments went well together and described a truly unusual situation, but perhaps one which will become more commonplace.

However, I do want to correct one fact which was inaccurate. It has not been 15 years since a girl has played in the Los Gatos Little League major division. In 2001, Kristina Rezowalli, then 11 years old, played for the Indians. Jim Burke was her coach, and she was the only girl in the major division and the first in many years. She played outfield and third base. She started playing in the A division and moved up through all the divisions. In AAA she pitched. She, too, was asked to play softball but insisted on playing baseball, feeling it was more competitive and challenging.

I wish Natalie a wonderful season and hope that more girls consider the opportunity to play baseball.

Theresa Abrams

Los Gatos

CineCats a
resounding
success

On March 25 the Los Gatos community had the unique opportunity of attending a showcase of local filmmaking talent, known as CineCats. Fifteen films were shown from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Los Gatos Cinema. The audience was filled with over 240 attendees who had the opportunity to see the creativity of the extraordinary people who are part of the Los Gatos film community. After the screening, all filmmakers and attendees were invited to a wrap party at Border's Books and Music.

Three filmmakers received recognition for their work: 18 and under category—Justin Bruce for Aces Wild; 19 and over category—Chad Meserve for Rex and Red; Audience Appreciation—Andrew Quillin's Eye-Q.

All of this was made possible by dedicated committee members who assembled such a great program: Jim and Maggie Creighton, Don Callahan, Mike Pierce, Matthew Talesfore, Marlaine Griffin, Youwanda Dreger, Noreen Christopher and Ellen Schuette.

Thank you for helping us honor our Los Gatos CineCats filmmakers in 2004! We look forward to presenting CineCats annually. Watch for us.

Joanne Talesfore

Chairperson, CineCats Film Showcase 2004

A Place for Teens
needs support
from community

This October marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Outhouse, our community teen center located behind Los Gatos High School.

The board of directors of A Place for Teens (evenly made up of teens and adults) manages the facility and the programming and has since its inception in the mid-1980s. We are hosting a little more than 1,000 teens per month with concerts, café nights (performance art, acoustic music, etc.—think coffeehouse atmosphere) and specific programs designed by teens and targeted to teens, such as seminars on financial responsibility for teens, self-image, dealing with violence and computer parties. We target specific events for middle schoolers where they too participate in the planning and execution of their own events, such as theme parties.

After school we are open as a place to hang out, watch TV, do homework in our Internet-connected computer lab, shoot pool or be with friends while waiting for a ride home.

With all that is going on, our facility is looking a little tired, and we are in the process of updating. The teens are working to create an atmosphere of a college-type student union in the afternoon and a club atmosphere in the evenings. We are working with other nonprofit organizations in the area to bring in resources, and we are working very hard at fundraising. The teens participate in all aspects of event planning, execution and raising the money for all we do.

For the last several years we have been supported in part by the generosity of many town merchants and individuals and some grants from local foundations. The town's tax dollars make up about 4 percent of our budget, and we have had to raise the rest ourselves.

In order to upgrade the snack bar, improve the sound system and replace the flooring, we are reaching out to the community. We have several annual events that are planned again for this year, including our annual foodfest this September, our phone-a-thon in April and additional grant writing.

However, for these extraordinary expenses we also need the help of folks in town who can donate furniture, make cash contributions and help with some of their time. We have set up a program to accept car donations by calling 877.277.7487 or going to www.donationline.com and selecting A Place for Teens. To leave a legacy for your child, such as this year's graduates, we can put permanent plaques or bricks with their names in our facility.

Please call us at 408.395.5553 to learn how we can work together to support our local youth. We are looking to have a celebration for the town in October, and hope you can help us make this a reality.

Lee Fagot

Co-president, A Place for
Teens board

CORRECTION

The Los Gatos Weekly-Times published a photograph of the Fisher Middle School play Leader of the Pack in the March 31 issue but inadvertently left off the photo credit line for photographer Robin Jean Ruth.