EDITOR,

With all the depressing news about the economy, unemployment, abused children and other events in our town, I just had to share a little ray of light about Tracy.

The evening of Sept. 2, I had to leave my rescued 12-year-old German shepherd, Nala, at the VCA Old River Animal Hospital for tests. Since I did not want to drive all the way back to my little farm near Mountain House just to turn around and return to the hospital, I asked the staff to recommend a place where I could grab some dinner while waiting for Nala’s tests. Susanne suggested Perko’s.

I’d driven by the restaurant many times in the past 7½ years, but never stopped. Slipping inside, I was immediately struck by the casual, friendly atmosphere. It was obviously a hometown favorite with local residents, since many seemed to know the waitresses and vice versa.

I elected to sit at the counter, and Melinda, the manager, took my order. She was friendly, warm, and not afraid to strike up a conversation with a deaf lady. In fact, Melinda knew some sign language and could spell words with the manual alphabet, even though she told me she had not done so for a long time.

Instead of sitting alone at the counter in silent boredom, I enjoyed a nice chat with Melinda and discovered that she was also an animal lover who took her own pets to Old River when needed.

Needless to say, the time passed quickly, and I felt great about my decision to try Perko’s. The friendly staff and small-town atmosphere made me feel welcome. It didn’t matter that I could not hear. Melinda talked with me and jotted down things that I missed from lip-reading or signing.

When I finally left to go back to Old River and pick up Nala, I realized that the hour I spent at Perko’s symbolized what I love most about Tracy: People still care here.

When Sandra Cantu went missing and was later found dead, hundreds of folks turned out in a show of support for her family. Tracy still has a small town’s country values and isn’t afraid to show it.

I’m glad I live here. Hooray for Tracy!