My family and I would like to thank everyone who made our June 5 fundraising event, Counting Blessings, such a success. Our goal is to raise $60,000 to purchase four AutoPulse CPR machines, three for the Los Gatos Fire Department and one for Saratoga.

We are excited to announce that we have raised over $46,000 as of today. The first AutoPulse machines will be delivered to two Los Gatos stations within the next week. We will continue to raise funds until all four machines have been purchased.

We are especially grateful to Coldwell Banker, Good Samaritan Hospital, Marti Somers, David Stonesifer and Larry Arzi, The Los Gatos Brewing Company, the Zunardi Family and A Party Place, Clos la Chance Winery, Alpha Phi Sorority SCU, Gillian Harwin, Francois & Rodrigo and all the people who donated amounts of $25 to $1,000.

Our local merchants were especially generous with items for our silent auction. Thank you to 180 Restaurant, Athletic Performance, Beauty Rituals, Beth Martin Photography, Café Sienna, Cagliostro Medi Spa, Dr. Laura Crowe, Domus, Ruth Geredes, The Indian Store, International Orange Spa, Island Pedicures, Brenda Jamrus, Kamalaspa, Catherine Levy, Linda Durnell Gallery, Los Gatos Athletic Club, Los Gatos Company, Lunardi's, Maps for Excellence, Lorinda Menchavez, Shannon Mister, Move It, Petroglyph, Reformation Studio, Soles, Strands, Studio Kicks, Sue's, Tandoori Oven, Tangles, Tassels, Thomas Fogarty Winery, Time Out, Wild Bird Center, The Wine Cellar, Yoga Source and more.

I'd also like to thank everyone who attended the event for making the day so special and helping us to pay back in some way for the miracle of my life being saved. We know that having the AutoPulse in our town will help others who are in critical situations, needing help.

Caralee Weich

Los Gatos

For more information on Counting Blessings, visit www.countingblessings.com.

Gasoline-powered
leaf blowers are
a noise nuisance

I appreciate very much your coverage of the leaf blower controversy ("It's time to place a ban on noise intrusive leaf blowers," June 29). Leaf blowers are a nuisance.

There is a compromise that I proposed to the Monte Sereno Council a few years ago, but without success. The compromise is to mandate gasoline-powered leaf blowers with mufflers. These muffled leaf blowers are much, much less noisy than the popular models and are just as efficient and about the same price as the regular ones. Their noise is about the same as the electric ones.

I talked to a supplier of leaf blowers and he said the gardeners will not use the muffled ones because they believe their customers associate noise with effectiveness. The gardeners intentionally use noisy leaf blowers to keep their customers happy. Only a ban on unmuffled leaf blowers will get them to use the quiet ones.

As I remember, the reason Monte Sereno did not mandate leaf blowers is because the council could not agree on the compromise. Some wanted to ban all leaf blowers completely and some wanted to do nothing. The reason for the desire to ban the muffled leaf blowers and electric ones was to get rid of the dust that is blown around and gets into our homes and our noses.

I would be very happy with a compromise of muffled gas-powered leaf blowers because they are much more convenient to use than electric ones and provide the same benefit; albeit all leaf blowers still create dust for those of us allergic to it.

Don Wolf

Los Gatos

Henna 'hairdo'
energizing for
cancer patient

I am a cancer patient with a healing story. This spring I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and am now in chemotherapy. I lost a breast, my hair, my eyebrows, my eyelashes and my self-esteem. I found myself figuratively holding my breath, waiting for this phase of my life to be over. I decided that this was not an acceptable way to lead my life.

I was determined to do something that was life affirming and came up with the felicitous idea of having my head painted by a henna specialist. I asked a few questions and was directed to the most marvelous woman, Roopa Raman of Henna Bash in Cupertino. Roopa had never painted a head before but undertook the challenge with sensitivity and artistry, bringing to the project a spiritual quality that was very healing and which I now refer to as "my henna therapy."

The results have far exceeded my expectations. I am physically and emotionally energized by it. People who know me tell me I'm glowing. People who don't know me stop me to tell me how neat it looks, how cool, how artistic, sometimes even calling out from cars to voice their approval. Yesterday a man at the hardware store said, "You are a unique lady."

I no longer feel as though I am being dismembered, rather that I am remembering a life filled with riches.

Lee Rogers

Los Altos

Americans are
becoming too
materialistic

This is in regards to Jeff Coykendall's letter ("Military should be more truthful to recruits," June 29) about the military recruiters being truthful.

I want to say that if Jeff isn't the only one that believes that we as military personnel and those who are to join in the future only have a flag draped coffin to look forward to, then I say, fine--at least I had the courage, commitment and the honor to serve for something I believed in.

A problem with Americans these days is that we have become too materialistic and concentrate on the things that make us feel higher than everyone through money and objects. Americans are losing the idea that through superior morals and character that you can achieve the same respect and courtesy as if you were driving a nice car. I doubt Jeff can say the same about himself.

Happy Fourth of July to those of us lucky enough to call this nation our home.

Cpl. Tom C. Ferguson

U.S. Marine Corps

Words of praise
for one of town's
finest--J.R.

I'm a fourth generation Los Gatos native and proud of it. I write to offer absolute appreciation an officer in the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. I speak of an officer you all know, and a that good chunk of the community knows simply as J.R.

I have witnessed several occurrences around town where [Sgt. J.R. Langer] has proven to be an absolute asset to the community. J.R. has a way with dealing with people that is almost unparalleled. J.R. is the true definition of peace officer. I have seen him go way out of his way to keep people out of trouble rather than get them into trouble.

What makes an officer like this so good is the basic foundation of why this whole town is so good. J.R. is compassionate but realistic which is what makes him such a good cop. He will do whatever he can to help, but if you make him do his job he will do it and he does it to the best of his ability. I know J.R. from my frequenting the nightclubs in town and have had the honor to get to know him in this time and capacity. J.R. is extremely valuable at public relations, which is the basis of the law enforcement agency.

My grandfather [Paul Arnerich] worked for the Los Gatos Police Department for several years before transferring to the sheriff's department where he retired. My grandfather also was a fireman in this town as well as an owner of several businesses downtown and he is currently the oldest living native of Los Gatos at 97 years old.

My grandfather insisted I write this letter concerning J.R.'s utmost ability to be a shining example of the police department as he himself once was. After meeting J.R., my grandfather said, "Now that's a good Los Gatos cop."

I sincerely hope that J.R. is given commendations for his outstanding performance as a peace officer and servant of the community.

Jason Risdal

Los Gatos

In the story about party planning in the June 22 issue of Image magazine, we used the wrong first name when we identified the chef of Restaurant O. His name is Justin Perez.