Unlike Winchester Boulevard (between Daves and Lark avenues), Highway 9 resembles an expressway. So improving safety for drivers and cyclists will be easier than adapting it for pedestrians. Most of Highway 9's bloody history predates Highway 85 (and even Highway 280). Indeed, most of its safety improvements resulted (as concessions) from some truly horrendous fatalities. Even now, at night it's still dark and remote.

Lighting, more reflectives, right-side wake-up pavement cuts and more closely placed emergency phones should belong to any new plan.

Joanne Hall

Los Gatos

Copper roofing,
fixtures toxic
to aquatic life

We were very pleased to read your article of April 7 covering "green building" techniques. We did, however, want to point out one misconception that was mentioned in the article. This is a lack of awareness related to copper roofing.

While copper is a "natural" material, it is also a metal, which is toxic to aquatic life. "Architectural copper" releases particles during rainstorms; this copper is carried into our creeks and bays. Copper is toxic in very small amounts. In our waterways it harms aquatic plants and animals and continues up the food chain to affect people eating fish.

The Regional Water Quality Control board is urging Bay Area municipalities to discourage the use of architectural copper during the building-permit process. In addition, homeowners can avoid installing large copper garden fixtures. All of this will help in making the Bay Area a healthier place to live.

Cheri Donnelly
Kathy Ottenberg

West Valley Clean Water Program

Monte Sereno

Live Oak Manor
has another
successful drive

The neighbors of Live Oak Manor would like to thank everyone who participated in our annual Neighborhood Toy Drive for Sacred Heart Community Services. Once again, it was a huge success. We collected new toys for the younger children; hair dryers, curling irons and sports balls for the older children; and gently used blankets and bags of new and used clothing for all ages. We also collected bags upon bags of food and empty bags to be used at Sacred Heart.

We would like to thank Trader Joe's, Warehouse Music, Nob Hill Foods, Whole Foods, Albertson's, Price Low Foods and Noah's Bagels for their contributions.

Amy, John Despars,
Diane, Mike Johnson,
Maureen, Greg
Hardiman,
Donna, Marty Carson,
Jim, Gin Doss

Los Gatos

Mayo deserves
his place in
Hall of Fame

I enjoyed your article about Todd Mayo [one of 14 inductees into the Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame on May 1]. I first played baseball with Todd as a Pirate in the 1978 Los Gatos Little League season as a 9-year-old (he was 11). He was my hero. He was left-handed, he was fast and he tried harder than anyone I ever played with or against. Todd was admired by his teammates and his opponents alike.

It's nice to see players from previous generations acknowledged for the remarkable effort and excellence they brought to the field.

Keep up the great tributes and writing.

Jeff Brennan

LGHS '87

Forgotten town
building turns
104 years old

It's very nice that the paper talks about how old some of our buildings are, but it's forgotten that the old Sorenson Plumbing building is 104 years old this year. Owned by the Sorensons for 63 years, this building previously was a furniture store, a nickelodeon, was used during World War II to make weapons, and at one time was used as a boys gym by Los Gatos High School. The building is in need of repairs and a good cleaning in the back.

Jack R. Sorenson

Los Gatos

Larry Gerston and Terry Christensen will be at Viva May 23 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. to sign copies of their book, Recall! California's Political Earthquake. The authors will also host a discussion on the recall at 5 p.m. Viva is located at 15970 Los Gatos Blvd.