After reading the Kinkade/DeCinzo letter submitted by Jennifer Glass in the Dec. 1 edition of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, I felt compelled to submit a letter of my own requesting the Weekly-Times to offer Ms. Glass an ongoing opportunity to provide her perspective on the "lofty, white, Utopian Los Gatos reality" on a regular basis.

Viewpoints such as hers in your newspaper are currently glaring in their absence, and hers, unlike the columns of any of your other regular contributors who write about the Los Gatos scene, would be an entertaining one that I would turn to with anticipation.

Come on, Weekly-Times, you're already doing a great tongue-in-cheek job with your police reports, so give your cute little paper the kick it truly needs and let Ms. Glass, if she's willing to, share her opinions and on-the-money insights with us on a regular basis.

Martin Piani

Los Gatos

Appreciation for
Barcells' service
to Monte Sereno

I would like to express my gratitude to Frank Barcells for his service on the Monte Sereno Site and Architecture Commission. As a local architect, I presented several projects to the commission during Frank's term and always found him to be a voice of reason and fairness. His common sense approach has served his community well, and I can only hope his replacement has similar qualities.

Frank should be proud of his service and I wish him well.

Gary Kohlsaat

Los Gatos

Aertses' display
could move to
another location

This has probably been thought of before, but wouldn't it be nice if Alan and Bonnie Aerts could do their Christmas display in another location? Like Oak Meadow Park (I think the county makes a fortune with Holiday of Lights in Vasona), Miles Avenue, Chart House, Old Town, the Los Gatos Town Plaza, etc.

People could walk or drive by for a fee. The town would have to cooperate. Money could be charged to benefit the town or several charities. It seems to me that if Monte Sereno does not want to take advantage of the generosity of the Aertses, Los Gatos should. Let's keep the spirit going!

Lucille Hogan

Los Gatos

Holiday display would spoil this reader's spirit

I live on a cul-de-sac and, even if it were large with deep setbacks, I would not like 1,000 to 1,500 cars passing my home every night for a month or so. Think about the noise. Think about the traffic. Really think what it would be like. My Christmas spirit would be squashed and I bet yours would too.

Christy Kasje

Los Gatos

Applauding
Cosgrove for
her efforts

I would like to thank Grant Shellen for his report on the elected town clerk. I had no idea that we no longer had one. It's amazing what bureaucracy can do to the structure of our government given time and opportunity. I applaud Mrs. Cosgrove for stepping back in the ring to rectify this situation before she retires.

Louise Lincoln

Los Gatos

Display of lights
provided great
holiday cheer

I am not a resident of Los Gatos, but last year I found out about the awesome decorations that the Aertses display and was able to take my siblings to see the wonderful lights. We were very lucky to be able to see the great amount of holiday cheer that Bonnie and Alan Aerts display.

However, I am highly disappointed that this year due to the Ebenezer Scrooges of Monte Sereno they were not able to continue to spread the holiday cheer. I do like the Grinch—I must say that was a brilliant touch. It might not be a ka-zillion lights, but I know that I wouldn't miss seeing a 10-foot Grinch!

Keep it going Bonnie and Alan!

Alexandria Patterson

San Jose

Senior auction was successful,
and heartwarming

I am writing to congratulate the Los Gatos High School senior class of 2005 on the success of their auction held Dec. 2. Being an alumni myself (class of 1972), it is heartwarming to see the students of today take such responsibility in financing their class functions.

The auction was well planned, well run and filled with excitement. We purchased a dinner where we will be waited on hand and foot by the girls' field hockey team. Other "bid items" were a car wash by the football team, house cleaning by the girls' volleyball team, gift wrapping by the girls' varsity soccer team and too many more great items to mention.

I was told that the class of 2005 made close to $18,000, enough to pay for their senior prom, senior beach day, senior T-shirts and a little extra possibly for graduation night. It was gratifying as a parent to know that my money is going directly to support my child's class activities, and it is all tax deductible to boot.

Mayor Mike Wasserman did a great job as the auctioneer, keeping things moving and encouraging bidders to open the purse strings. After 45 years, I still love this town.

Lainey Miller Richardson

Los Gatos

Seniors enjoy a very tasty Thanksgiving

The Los Gatos Senior Center, "with a little help" from a lot of friends, made sure that over 200 seniors celebrated an early Thanksgiving. The 17th annual Thanksgiving Celebration for Seniors was held on Nov. 20 in the Neighborhood Center.

A big thank you to Chris Benson of CB Hannegan's restaurant who coordinated food donations from local merchants, restaurants, and distributors. Hannegan's kitchen crew came in early to cook and carve the turkeys as well as make the stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes and yams. All in all, the seniors were treated to a full Thanksgiving feast from salad to pumpkin pie.

Clare Dudley, a Senior Center volunteer, solicited over 40 door prizes from local merchants, hotels and restaurants. With the help of another volunteer, Kathy Wytman, they collected all the donated prizes and lucky seniors were able to take them home after dinner. The Crafter's Connection, a group of talented ladies, hosted a holiday boutique where the diners could get a jump on their holiday shopping. The Leo Club supplied teenage waitresses to help serve the seniors, and with help of adult volunteers, 200 plus diners enjoyed a real Thanksgiving feast. Members of the Los Gatos Rotary Club also pitched in to help set up and take down the tables and chairs for the event.

The following businesses and organizations were also responsible for providing the seniors with this memorable afternoon: Daylight Produce, Le Boulanger, Los Gatos Lion's Club, A Party Place, Ace Hardware, Benjamin's, Blossom Hill Cleaners, Borders Books, Campo Di Bocce, Candlestick, Cotton Works, Double D's, Erik's Deli Café, Fiori's, Green Thumb Nursery, Lunardi's, Model Nails, Raleys, Rite Aid Pharmacies, Safeway Stores, Serendipity, Steamer Grillhouse, Sur La table, the Toll House Hotel, Trader Joe's, Walgreens, Wild Bird Center, Affordable Treasures, and Live Oak Senior Nutrition & Service Center.

Once again, thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a special day for so many seniors.

Linda Gallo

Senior Coordinator

Town of Los Gatos