On Dec. 30, I fell at the corner of Main and Second streets. I was immediately surrounded by concerned and helpful people from around and inside Starbucks.
They stopped the bleeding with towels and ice and bandaged me up. There were offers to call my family, drive me to medical aid or home.
I want to thank these people and let them know that the next time I am thinking that people have stopped caring about others, I will remember the day they came to my aid.
Kathy SchaeferSunnyvale
Starting business was a piece of cake
Starting a small business is a challenge in itself. Starting a fruitcake business is a double challenge because of all the bad rap that fruitcakes get. But that was what I did in 1998.
I have to say that the experience proved to be both wonderful and rewarding. I learned many things about being in business, but the most valuable lesson I learned is that community support is vital to the success of any business. I cannot thank the community enough for its enthusiasm and support.
I am also incredibly grateful for the support from Draeger's Markets, De Martini Orchard, Alotta's Deli & Catering and Zanotto's Family Markets in San Jose - all of whom gave me the opportunity to market "FruityNut Cake." I am also grateful to Linda Taaffe of the Los Altos Town Crier who wrote the article about my business (Dec. 9), and then especially to all the people who ignored all those fruitcake jokes, took a chance and gave "FruityNut Cake" a try. I appreciate all of you.
I especially enjoyed meeting and talking with all the folks who stopped by to try a sample of "FruityNut Cake" at the store demos. You certainly encouraged me as a new entrepreneur and gave me hope and confidence in my endeavor.
Again, I appreciate all of you. It is my hope that next year you will be back for seconds. May God bless you and watch over you this new year.
Helen WongLos AltosBack For Seconds
Planning commission provides LAH forum
I would like to express my views concerning the role of the planning commission and city council. It would be a mistake to significantly change the responsibilities of these two bodies. The planning commission review of site developments and other zoning issues provides a forum that is well established and convenient both for the public and the applicants. Perhaps larger remodeling projects could be reviewed at the staff level, but new homes and major remodels should still go through the planning commission.
Because of the complexity of many of the projects that come before the town, it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to properly study the staff reports, visit the sites, receive input from the applicants and the public.
Each of the council members has said it is important for the citizens to be heard and to receive input on the issues that affect our community. Changing the method of reviewing projects will take the town in the direction of less public input.
The community would be short changed if we alter this process. There would be less citizen input rather than more.
Sid Hubbard
Los Altos Hills