It's a privilege for youth and adult sports organizations to use public facilities for their activities. So it's important for those teams and leagues to give back to the community that has been so generous to them.
Never should members of an organization leave schools grounds or other public facilities looking worse when they are finished than when they began an activity. In fact, the area should look better.
Most of the local sports organizations seem to take pride in the exceptional facilities the town has to offer--the world-class high school track, the well-groomed baseball and softball diamonds, the brand new aquatics center at the high school, even the heavily-used soccer fields.
The Los Gatos Rowing Club is no exception. The oarsmen take great pride in their facilities at Lexington Reservoir, and they'll show the community just how much on July 30. The rowing club, in conjunction with the Santa Clara County Parks Department, will host a clean-up day at Lexington on the final Saturday of the month.
The project was born out of Mayor Mike Wasserman's Community Unity program, and the Los Gatos Rowing Club is calling on members of the community to turn out on July 30 to help with the two-hour clean-up of the reservoir that is used by so many for recreational purposes.
"The area around Lexington Reservoir is used by thousands of people each week," said Chris Miller, a member of the Los Gatos Unified School District Board of Trustees who is working on the project. "Do your part to help keep the area beautiful."
The Lexington Reservoir is just one of the many jewels that make Los Gatos such a special place. No one appreciates that more than the members of the Los Gatos Rowing Club who call the facility home. That the club members are making an effort to beautify the area is commendable, and an example that should be followed by all sports organizations in town.
Farewell to Tharp
Los Gatos will reluctantly bid a sad farewell to one of its most talented residents on July 14 when memorial services will be held for Rick Tharp at 5 p.m. at the Opera House.
The report that Tharp ended his life with a June 4 leap from the Golden Gate Bridge has been difficult for close friends, co-workers and his family to accept. Still, those close to him have decided that it is time to go ahead with plans for a service to honor his memory.
There are numerous reminders around town of Tharp's exceptional talent as an artist. They will remain as living testimonials to the artist and the man many remember as fun-loving and happy.
"For the most part people are remembering their happy times with Rick, " said close friend Ken Eklund.
Thursday's memorial service will give those close to him an opportunity to say good-bye.
