What a beautiful, creative photo George Sakkestad took of the Shir Hadash Memorial Wall ("Memorial garden, wall worth waiting for," June 22). You really captured the structure, the purpose, the feeling; and the shadows of the visitors could also be the "shadows of the deceased." Nice job! And Jennifer McLain really expressed the purpose and design and efforts on this project terrifically. Thanks to both of you.

Gladie Rabitz

Los Gatos

Wild animals
were here
long before us

To all those people who are bothered and afraid of mountain lions, coyotes, deer, small critters, etc.: Think about this--the animals were quite content with their home in the mountains. When people decided they needed a view of the city lights and the experience of the wilderness, they took their homes away. The animals have no choice but to come to ours. They need to
eat too.

I have recently lost my beloved pet to hungry animals. As sad as I am, I cannot blame the animals. God made them too. I must blame the builders and the buyers.

When you vent your anger by killing the animals for invading your property, ask yourself who is really to blame and whose home is it anyway?

Janet Haver

San Jose

Los Gatos
shops offer
great service

With summer vacations and the upcoming construction, downtown shopping might be off. So I'm giving everyone a reason to shop locally--the great service. And I've got quite a story to prove our privately owned shops are tops.

Shortly after moving to Los Gatos 15 years ago, my husband and I discovered that downtown had some pretty distinctive stores. We started buying for our new home and found lots of different and fun "objects" at Los Gatos Company.

One of our finds was a whimsical metal clock. When it's mechanism died after more than 10 years, I brought the clock back to the store to ask if it could be repaired. The artist had moved and the shop's owner, Marnie Bivetto, had to track him down and send the clock to him to be repaired. When it came back to the store, it was missing a part and again had to be sent to the artist. Finally, after several months we received our well-traveled clock in perfect condition. And what did it cost us? Nothing!

So a big thank you to Marnie who is a great example of our wonderful group of shopkeepers in downtown Los Gatos. Imagine getting that kind of service at a mall!

Joan Weber

Los Gatos

Military should
be more truthful
to recruits

Much has been made of military recruiters on campus, and understandably so. If they were truthful in their offers, they might consider this poster: A full color photo of a single flag-draped coffin on an otherwise empty tarmac with the disclaimer, "An Army Of One."

Jeff Coykendall

Los Gatos

Los Gatos Town Attorney Orry Korb says Town Clerk Marian Cosgrove did not steal valuable office supplies--including a town seal and embossers--from the Civic Center, as was reported in the June 15 Los Gatos Weekly-Times. Rather, he says that she apparently removed them and they have not yet been returned.

The phone number to call for information about how to get involved with the upcoming movie Car Babes was incorrectly reported in last week's paper. Blake Dirickson, one of the producers, can be reached at 408.242.5838.

In the obituary for Carson Heil, which appeared in last week's paper, the address for donations was incorrect. The correct address is The Aldar Academy for Special Needs Children, 4436 Engle Road, Sacramento, CA 95821.