Parade and concert started earlier due to peaking mercury
Dinah Cotton, Contributor
What a scorcher.
This year’s Town celebration is one for the record books. The near-record heat did not stop the San Jose Wind Orchestra performers who began just after the children’s bicycle parade around Oak Meadow, led by Mayor Mary Badame.
The event was moved up one hour due to temperature and the group did an excellent performance of rousing music.
Plenty of people came out to celebrate, including Anna, Peter, Emma and Zoe Harbison— Zoe rode her bike in the parade.
The San Jose Wind Orchestra’s performance included several of John Phillip Sousa’s military marches, along with a brief history of all of the music offered.
Souza was a Marine and the 17th director of “The President’s Own” band from 1880-1892. During this time, he wrote “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” America’s national march, and
➝ America’s Birthday, 8
MAN CHARGED WITH RAPE TO BE EXTRADITED FROM FRANCE
Saratoga fiction author hunted for 3 years before he was caught
Drew Penner, Editor
A 31-year-old Saratoga man accused of raping a woman and later admitting it can be extradited to the United States, a French court has ruled.
And the lawyer who helped publicize the case says she’s “thrilled” to see Ian Thomas Cleary, who is charged with felony second degree sexual assault, facing justice.
“The survivor has literally waited several years,” Laura Dunn, a victim rights attorney who formerly represented the accusing witness, told the Los
➝ Cleary Extradition, 7
FLAG CANINE Clayton Elder and Winnie enjoying the “dog days of summer” on Independence Day.
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LOCAL MURALIST CREATES VISUAL HISTORY OF LOS GATOS AT NUMU
Talamantes influenced by heroes and villains of Marvel
universe
Addie Mahmassani, Contributor
When San Jose-based artist Tomas Wisper Talamantes learned that New Museum (NUMU) wanted him to paint a mural about Los Gatos inside the museum, he had a lot of questions. The first one was where, exactly, this museum was.
“It’s not small, but it’s hidden,” Talamantes says. “And they have a lot of space! It looks small from the outside, but when you get inside, it’s huge.”
The self-taught artist is part of an organization called Local Color, which connects creatives in Santa Clara County with folks seeking artwork. When NUMU got in touch looking for someone who could create a history-inspired mural on location and share their process, Wisper was the obvious match.
“They wanted people to come and interact,” Talamantes says. Specifically, the museum had in mind several live sessions where visitors could watch the artist at work and ask him questions. While this kind of exposure can be difficult for some artists to balance as they work their magic, Talamantes is more than comfortable engaging with the community as he paints. In fact, he sees a social and educational process as a critical part of getting to the final product.
Talamantes’ artistic practice has been rooted in friendship, family and broader community since the beginning. Born in 1970 in San Jose to a Mexican-American family, he began drawing at age 10. “I was influenced by my mother,” he says.
“She was a very creative self-taught artist as well,” he says. “She used to paint rocks before Pet Rock was even a thing!” She loved to paint animals and her kids’ names on rocks so big they could be hard to lift.
An additional influence on Talamantes was the universe of Marvel Comics, whose heroes and villains captured his imagination and made him think about the ways important values could be embodied as characters and represented visually.
As he reached his teens, Talamantes found inspiration in street art and graffiti, which he saw as a thrilling
way to get out into the world. “It was being part of something bigger than yourself, you know, belonging to this whole community,” he says. “[Graffiti] was a movement of mainly just youth. It wasn’t just you.”
Talamantes considers his first mural to be one he made with his friend Snow in the middle of the night in 1984. He clarifies, with a shy smile, “It was illegal.” They wrote their names in bold color on the wall of a four-square court near Branham High School.
“It let people know that you existed,” he says of his early graffiti days. “I think that’s with all art— people create art mainly to express themselves and say to the world I’m here. I exist. This is my contribution to society.”
A period of incarceration between 1990 and 2013 deepened the artist’s belief in the affirming power of art. It also had an impact on his style. “The illustrations that are done behind the walls in prison, they’re collages,” he says. “It’s multiple pictures altogether. […] There’s really no empty space.”
The condensed aesthetic of prison art—not to mention the low-quality tools—prepared Talamantes to continue
working in unconventional styles and settings once released. In 2017, he took a big step when he reunited a group of friends he used to do graffiti with to found Together We Create. Today, the collective does live painting on location throughout the county.
When Talamantes was tasked with creating a history of Los Gatos, his first step was to research in NUMU’s local history collection, where he began to collage images of the Oholone people, the haciendas of the 19th century and contemporary urban life.
“I slowly started seeing what would fit together and how it could flow. I would cut and paste in my mind,” he says.
The mural now exists on separate panels that stretch around an entire room at NUMU. After some final touches, it will be installed in the museum’s south facing windows, visible from the outside.
A highlight for viewers is the enormous cougar that looks out over the entire story. The striking image is inspired by the name Mexican ranchers used for the area, La Rinconada de Los Gatos (The Cats’ Corner).
Talamantes has enjoyed telling visitors about a past in which the cries
of mountain lions could be heard across the valley.
Just as he once wrote his name on walls to assert his existence, Talamantes is now doing the same for past inhabitants of the land.
“This was their territory,” he says.
CATS’ CORNER Tomas Wisper Talamantes often does live painting sessions that are open to the public.
Buggsy
FELINE GAZE The large cougar that looms over the mural is one of the highlights. Courtesy
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405 ALBERTO WAY PROJECT TO GROW BY 26 CONDOS
Developer says new overlay zone led to increased unit count
Drew Penner, Editor
The developer behind the first project in Los Gatos to fall under the SB330 law designed to streamline housing production statewide says it’s adding 26 homes to its mixed-use project at 405 Alberto Way after Los Gatos introduced a new overlay zone.
Randy Lamb, a managing member of LPG 405, the company behind the upscale condominium and retail build, says their designers are in the process of drawing up new plans.
“We’re just trying to make sure the scale works in the neighborhood, and it’s a work in progress,” he said, as he walked
the Los Gatan through some of the updates on a call Monday. “You’re seeing ice cream before it’s ice cream. It’s still milk.”
Twenty others followed in 405 Alberto Way’s footsteps, in surfacing under SB330 rules.
And while many of those developments also invoked the “Builder’s Remedy,” given that Los Gatos was out of compliance with its Housing Element plan for more than a year—meaning they could build more, or with fewer hurdles—LPG 405 hadn’t pursued that path.
The developer aimed for one-bedroom up to three-bedroom units, 600 square feet of retail, 625 square feet of fitness and 114 parking spaces.
And the team sought to access a density bonus, due to including affordable housing, but decided to reduce the number of units from 60 to
52 (and reduced the number of affordable units from nine to eight).
Architect Greg G. Bucilla III told the Town to expect a “vibrant and sustainable mixed-use residential, retail, open space and recreation” that balances “community of character, color, texture and lifestyle.”
Meanwhile, in order to bring its Housing Element into compliance with State law, Council voted to introduce a Housing Element Overlay Zone (HEOZ) that increased the density in very specific areas.
In November, Mayor Mary Badame (who was the vice mayor at the time) abstained from the vote concerning the zoning at 405 Alberto Way, because of where she lives.
Councilmember Matthew Hudes (who is now in the vice mayor chair)
opposed the motion concerning the Highway Commercial property, which passed 3-1.
“What it did is it put a minimum on the amount that can be built on that site, and a maximum,” explained Lamb. “Our site now has a minimum of 30 developable units per acre and a maximum of 40.”
Suddenly, the minimum for the 2.1acre site (if you factor in an additional 20% for lower-income Los Gatans) was supposed to be 77.4 units.
Hence the new 78-unit total.
“We’re just following the lead from the HEOZ,” said Lamb, adding he believes it’s the ideal place for a higher-density development, given its location along key transit corridors. “It’s great to be able to add housing in the community on a great site.”
Los Gatan File Photo
BLANK SLATE The land at 405 Alberto Way was rezoned as part of the Housing Element update process.
RAPE FEATURED IN CLEARY’S FICTION
Cleary Extradition, from page 1
Gatan. “We did not know where he was at the time.”
The Los Gatan does not typically identify victims of sexual violence, but Shannon Keeler opted to forgo anonymity in speaking out about what she says Cleary did to her.
The Associated Press reported that after a three-year search, on Monday the Court of Appeal of Metz said Cleary could be extradited, though he is trying to protest this decision.
According to Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania records, Cleary was charged with sexual assault relating to a Dec. 14, 2013, encounter with Keeler, who was in college at the time.
He later sent her a message over Facebook that said, “So I raped you.”
Other messages included, “I’ll never do it to anyone ever again.”; “I need to hear your voice.”; and, “I’ll pray for you,” the AP reported.
Dunn says authorities knew about the messages but hadn’t taken action.
“This is the kind of evidence you want. You have the direct confession,” she said. “We went to the District Attorney and pushed them to issue the warrant.”
The problem was, Cleary was nowhere to be found.
“We didn’t know when—if ever— he would be located,” she said. “There was information that he could be abroad. We just had no idea where.”
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Keeler is now represented by the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect.
A representative for France’s Ministry of Justice did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
The initial investigator on the case, Gettysburg Borough Police Department officer Chris Evans, who was promoted to sergeant Monday, was unavailable for comment.
The agency’s chief of police forwarded a press release related to the case from 2021.
On his website, Cleary describes himself as a gothic-medieval fiction writer.
In one short story, titled “Syllogism of the Cherub,” he makes several references to sexual assault.
“Human women were raped near the manger, and often hoisted to the kitchen for eating…if, according to one lord, —Their bosoms were fit,” he writes on page 23, following it up a few pages later with, “To the left a room was kept for the human slave girls who were viciously raped by the pig wellborn’s of the coalition.”
Dunn says she’s aware of his various writings.
“I’m sure those are the things the District Attorney will be looking at to see if there’s any evidentiary value,” she said.
Handout
ACCUSED Ian Thomas Cleary, pictured in a bulletin from the US Marshals Service.
PATRIOTISM IN THE HEAT
America’s Birthday, from page 1
the official march of the Marine Corps, “Semper Fidelis.”
Many of the children marched to these lively tunes.
There were shade umbrellas around the meadow with plenty of seating.
The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation had an information tent with handouts. The Los Gatos chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution was also present.
There were several food trucks serving seemingly everything—plate lunches, waffles and fried chicken, shaved ice.
The frozen treats were very popular, as was the carousel and Billy Jones Wildcat train.
Eating shaved ice on the merry-goround or while riding the rails was a good way to beat the heat.
Adult beverages were available in the Kiwanis Wine & Beer garden.
The hearty folks who attended enjoyed a spirited day, despite the peaking thermometers. Everyone in attendance seemed thankful to be living in “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” commemorating the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
Now, what can we do about beach traffic?
Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan
FAMILY Anna, Peter, Emma and Zoe Harbison. Zoe participated in the bike parade. The start time for the event was moved up because of the heatwave.
SHADOWS The folks who arrived early headed for the shade.
BOOTHING Daughters of the American Revolution: (R-L) Marilyn Reid, Jill Hygelund and Betty Hinman, promoting our flag.
GUEST VIEW
THE PARADOX OF PROGRESS: FINDING HOPE IN TROUBLED TIMES
Jeffrey P. Blum, Contributor
News cycles spin with relentless negativity, bombarding us with stories of conflict, division and environmental woes. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the volume of problems the world faces. Sometimes, the most tempting response is to bury our heads in the sand, hoping the troubles will pass. However, this approach offers little solace and ultimately contributes to a sense of helplessness.
Despair is a luxury we can’t afford. Humanity has always faced challenges, and throughout history, progress has been driven by individuals who refused to be paralyzed by negativity. The key lies in striking a balance— acknowledging the difficulties of our time while simultaneously nurturing a spirit of optimism and action.
This is the paradox I navigate in my own life. Living in Los Gatos, I’m surrounded by beauty and privilege. Yet, the global issues loom large. My initial reaction might be to retreat inwards, overwhelmed by the scale of the problems. But then, I remember the power of local action.
Volunteering in my community has become my way of keeping my head up. It allows me to connect with like-minded individuals, contribute to positive change, and witness the ripple effect of small actions. Whether it’s helping the Rotary Club of Los Gatos in my role as co-chair with Lissa Kreisler, of our Community Service Projects and Grants Committee, being a commissioner on the Community Health and Senior Services Commission, participating in the Los Gatos Thrives Foundation’s efforts to create a community center or volunteering in other ways, these acts of service give me a sense of purpose and agency.
However, the challenge of attracting volunteers is a constant hurdle. How do we break through the noise and inspire people to join the cause? Here are some strategies I’ve found effective:
• Highlight the “Why”: People are more likely to get involved if they understand the impact of their actions. Clearly communicate the “why”
behind your volunteer efforts. Is it about protecting endangered species? Providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged children? Framing the cause in a way that resonates with people’s values is crucial.
• Focus on Micro-Volunteering: People often shy away because they fear a large time commitment. Offer bite-sized opportunities that can be done in a couple hours. Weekend clean-up drives, one-time donation sorting events or virtual fundraising campaigns are great ways to lower the barrier to entry.
• Embrace the Power of Social Media: Utilize social platforms to spread awareness about your volunteer initiatives. Share engaging photos and videos proving the impact of your work. Run campaigns with clear calls to action that encourage people to participate.
Contrast the early 1900s to the present day. Supporters of the women’s suffrage movement didn’t have inter-
net-based tools. Instead, they organized events such as brass band-accompanied parades. They wore parasols with suffragette mottos, dressed in bright costumes, played hand organs and distributed suffragette magazines. Creativity counts.
• Personalize the Experience: Go beyond generic volunteer opportunities. Create an experience that caters to diverse skill sets and interests. This could mean offering tasks that match specific hobbies or professional experiences. If you’re running a fundraising campaign, could someone with a marketing background be tasked with creating promotional materials?
• Build Relationships: Don’t underestimate the power of fostering a sense of community amongst your team. Organize social events or volunteer appreciation gatherings. Create a space where volunteers can share experiences and build lasting bonds. This fosters a sense of cama-
raderie and keeps them motivated.
• Celebrate Successes: Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements. Tell volunteer success stories on your social media platforms or in local newspapers. Recognizing progress inspires those involved to return and encourages others to join your movement. By implementing these strategies, we can turn the tide of apathy and create a stronger culture of active citizenship in Los Gatos. Even the smallest acts of service, when multiplied, can create a wave of positive change. We can’t solve every global problem, but within our own communities we can make a difference.
Volunteering isn’t just about keeping my head up; it’s about extending a hand to others and collectively creating a brighter future. Let’s move beyond negativity and embrace the power of local action. Together, we can turn troubling times into a catalyst for positive change, one volunteer at a time.
HISTORIC Columnist Jeffrey Blum says volunteer wranglers can learn from popular movements of the past, such as how suffragettes got creative and used brass instruments and magazines to nurture their corps of activists.
LYNDON BAILEY KNOWS HOW TO ‘LOCK’ IT DOWN ON THE RUGBY PITCH
2024 LGHS graduate currently playing for America’s U18 team
Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor
Similar to one of his bone-jarring hits on the gridiron and on the rugby pitch, Lyndon Bailey never saw it coming.
In early June, a couple of weeks after an impressive performance in the Boys Rugby High School Club National Championships, the 2024 Los Gatos High graduate received an email signifying he had been selected to play for the USA Rugby Eagles under-18 national team.
“I had no idea I was going to be selected for the national team,” said Bailey, who is currently with the Eagles in South America on a multi-match tour against the Chile and Uruguay U18 national teams and Buenos Aires rugby national academy squad. “I knew I was a talented player, but it really came to me as a surprise. When I saw the email, I was starstruck, really. I didn’t know what to say. It was probably the best news I’d heard in my life up until that point. It was amazing.”
Bailey had reason to be caught offguard. Typically, players go through an application process and attend camps that serve as a pathway to the national team. Bailey didn’t do any of those things, in part because he was a late bloomer in the sport.
“A lot of other players on this USA team had gone to camps and been on tour with them before,” he said. “They’ve been woven into this system. So I never thought I’d be playing for the USA team now. It was very unexpected, but it was super special.”
Bailey has been thoroughly enjoying his time with the national team, which started its multi-match tour in Montevideo, Uruguay.
“It’s been a really awesome experience,” he said. “We’ve been putting in a lot of hard work everyday, and
it shows. It’s been more of a business trip, and I like that. The coaches treat us well and there’s always something to be doing. I’m meeting many new people from all different backgrounds, making friends, and it’s been a great cultural experience.”
National team coaches saw Bailey play for the San Mateo Wolverines in the National Championships over Memorial Day weekend. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Bailey earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors after San Mateo won the title in Elkhart, Ind.
“I got a lot of recognition in that tournament and it was enough for the USA coaches to think I would be a good fit for the team,” said Bailey, a Western Washington University-signee.
Locally, Bailey was more known for his work on the football field. Last year, as a starting two-way lineman for a Los Gatos High team that made program history by reaching its first-ever CIF State Championship Bowl Game, Bailey earned Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division Defensive Lineman of the Year honors.
Bailey started playing football and rugby when he was 8 years old, and both sports have been instrumental in developing his mental and physical toughness. Bailey’s greatest challenge often came in the spring, when he’d go from Los Gatos football conditioning workouts straight to rugby practice.
“I’d come home at night, do some homework and go to sleep pretty exhausted,” he said. “So it was definitely rough, but I think hard moments like that really shaped me to be the athlete and person I am now. So I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”
A few weeks after the High School Club National Championships, Bailey helped lead the NorCal Grizzlies U19 team to victory in the Great Northwest Challenge in Missoula, Mont. Playing the lock position, Bailey is known for his work rate, strength and ability to help his team keep possession.
PHYSICAL Lyndon Bailey (blue shirt), a 2024 LGHS graduate, collides with an opponent during the NorCal Grizzlies’ run to the championship in the Great Northwest Challenge in Missoula, Mont.
PROUD Lyndon Bailey is currently on a multi-city match tour in South America with the USA Rugby Eagles U18 team. Bailey was selected for the squad after being named MVP in the High School Club National Championships.
As one of two locks on a team, Bailey needs to be explosive to win jump balls and strong enough to prop his teammates up on lineouts.
“Locks are pivotal for the flow of the game and being able to stay on the attack,” he said. “I think it’s the perfect position for me and I was born to do it. It’s a mix of a heavy workload with a lot of running and stamina, so it’s definitely a tough position.”
Bailey said being the captain of the Grizzlies meant everything to him. The select All Star team only had a few weeks to practice together before competing against premier teams from across the country. Bailey’s rugby career was at a crossroads as recently as two years ago. That’s when Wolverines’ coaches Ene Pifeleti and Leka Nemani saw Bailey in competition and offered him a spot on their team.
“They really salvaged my career and propelled me forward to great heights,” Bailey said. “I can’t thank them enough, and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Make no mistake: Bailey’s perseverance put him in position to take advantage of the opportunity that came his way.
“I was (previously) playing for a team that didn’t win a lot of games, but the love of the sport kept me going,” he said. “I kept on working hard and when the opportunity showed up, it was due to all of the training I had done. I was ready for that opportunity and never looked back.”
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ELEVATING Playing the lock position, Lyndon Bailey excels at winning lineouts and keeping possession for his team. The 2024 LGHS graduate will next play for Western Washington University.
GAIL PELLERIN AMONG TOP FOUR STOCK INVESTORS IN CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE
Lawmakers don’t have to report savings accounts, mutual fund investments
Jeremia Kimelman, CalMatters
The total stock portfolio of the Legislature was worth as much as $112 million last year but experts say the public should know more about a politician’s total wealth.
Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-28th District) and three other legislators led all of their colleagues in reporting at least $1 million invested in the stock market in 2023, according to an analysis by CalMatters.
Pellerin is the former Santa Cruz County Clerk as well as its top elections official. She is seeking re-election to a second term representing a district that includes portions of Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties, opposed by Republican Liz Lawler.
The other three legislators are
Sen. Roger Niello, a Republican from Roseville and a prominent car dealer in the Sacramento area; Sen. Bill Dodd, a Democrat from Napa and former water company executive, and Republican Assemblymember Joe Patterson from Rocklin, who ran a small consulting business — but California’s limited disclosure laws don’t provide a complete picture of each lawmaker’s wealth.
It also is likely there are legislators with as much or more wealth, but California disclosure laws only require them to reveal ownership of individual stocks, business holdings and income property. Legislators are not required to report savings accounts, mutual fund investments or other financial instruments.
Even the stock disclosures are blurry since investments are reported in four huge value ranges: between $2,000 and $10,000, up to $100,000, less than $1 million and more than $1
lic to understand a legislator’s overall wealth even without additional details about specific investments or assets.
“If I were doing it again today, I think I’d be a little bit more cognizant of wealth, and maybe change that to some degree to indicate maybe a bit more specificity. But we didn’t want it,” said Stern.
What changed his mind? The amount of money people have.
“If you have somebody who’s worth a billion dollars, versus somebody who’s worth $100 million, that probably is important for the public to know,” he said.
In total, the stock brokerage accounts of current legislators were worth between nearly $16 million and $112 million last year. Among the legislators who reported stock holdings, the median portfolio was valued between $81,005 and $660,000, though nearly 70% of California’s 120 lawmakers reported no investments.
The most common stocks reported by legislators are some of the most valuable and recognizable brands in the world. Three of the four most prevalent stocks were from California companies. Investments with a total value between $524,016 and $5.2 million in Apple were reported by 18 lawmakers, the most common stock across the Legislature.
The next three most popular investments were Disney, Alphabet (the parent company of Google), and Bank of America.
million. Investments worth less than $2,000 don’t have to be reported.
The limited disclosure about wealth was an intentional part of Proposition 9 in 1974, which created the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission and set rules about financial reporting requirements. Bob Stern, a co-author of the proposition, said the disclosure rule was meant to identify possible conflicts where a legislator might benefit financially from a policy decision, not to detail a member’s overall wealth.
“The idea was that public officials, including the legislators, should be disclosing assets that can possibly be affected by their decisions,” said Stern. Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, put it slightly differently: “We do not want lawmakers voting with their pocketbooks.”
Political reform groups are divided about the adequacy of California’s disclosure laws, but Stern said he now believes it would be better for the pub-
Stock ownership in Disney was reported by 17 legislators and valued between $564,010 and $5.5 million. Investments by 15 legislators in Alphabet were valued between $182,008 and $1.7 million and the same number of legislators made investments in Bank of America, worth between $110,010 and $1 million.
Nearly 550 stocks were reported by 44 current legislators, which means that 76 sitting legislators reported no stock ownership last year.
According to Stern, that’s the law working as intended. “That’s good!” he said.
CalMatters compared the voting records of the four legislators who reported at least $1 million in stocks with the positions that those companies took on legislation this session and did not find a conflict of interest. If there is a conflict of interest, state officials said it is the duty of the legislator to recuse themselves from the matter and leave the room while it is being discussed.
STATE CAPITAL The seat of California's government in Sacramento.
There is no official record of whether a legislator has recused themselves from a vote due to a financial conflict of interest, though CalMatters found at least two instances of recusal due to potential financial conflicts of interest using Digital Democracy including by Niello on Assembly Bill 473, a law that might impact franchise car dealers, and by Patterson on AB 1659, a bill that would require small electronic devices sold in the state to be compatible with USB-C charging.
Jay Wierenga, spokesperson for the Fair Political Practices Commission, said the guidance for a conflict is in Government Code Section 87100: “A public official at any level of state or local government shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use the public official’s official position to influence a governmental decision in which the official knows or has reason to know the official has a financial interest.”
The stock disclosures for 2023 also reveal that some legislators reported a less valuable portfolio compared to the year before.
Assembly members Marc Berman and Jacqui Irwin both reported at least $1 million in stock investments during 2022, but not last year.
Berman, a Democrat from Palo Alto, reported selling between $54,005 and $520,000 worth of stock owned by his spouse in August and December. Irwin, a Thousand Oaks Democrat and former tech engineer, sold Amazon stock worth somewhere between $300,003 and $3 million between May and July last year. Her husband is the former chief operating officer at Ring, which is owned by Amazon.
California’s disclosure requirements are less exacting than Congress, where elected officials have to report stock transactions within 45 days, but still more stringent than a lot of other places, according to Sean McMorris, ethics program manager at California Common Cause.
“I think California has one of the better systems,” he said. “The Political Reform Act is constantly getting amended every year to account for loopholes or new situations, or technology, you know, and how people send in and get money.”
According to an analysis of data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, roughly half of the states do not require any sort of stock disclosure. The California law can be changed with a two-thirds vote of the Legislature.
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Administer Estate
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Kevin Gregory Ditto. Case No. 24PR197460. To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of (specify all names by which the decedent was known): Kevin Gregory Ditto, aka Kevin G. Ditto, aka Kevin Ditto. A Petition for Probate has been filed by Kelley C. Ditto in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. The petition for probate requests that: Kelley C. Ditto be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 08/15/2024. Time: 9:01
AM. Dept: 2. Address of the court: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, 191 N. First Street, San Jose, California, 95113. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner: Rebecca Sue Jones. 19A North Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030. (408) 354-1388. (Pub LGN 7/3, 7/10, 7/17)
Fictitious Business Name Statements
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #706684
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: AM Backflow, 2317 Stratford Dr., San Jose, CA, 95124, Ante Marusic. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 05/30/2024. /s/Ante Marusic. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 06/06/2024. (pub LG 06/19, 06/26, 07/03, 07/10/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #706900
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: health Guru For You, 5655 Silver Creek Valley Rd., #412, San Jose, CA, 95138, E P Planning LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 06/12/2024. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/
William Edward Pence. President. #201931910013. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 06/13/2024. (pub Metro 06/19, 06/26, 07/03, 07/10/2024)
File Number: FBN706710. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: IG Framing , 550 W Fremont Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Jorge Ivan Gerardo Cortez, PO Box 2239, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 06/06/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Jorge Ivan Gerardo Cortez /s/. (Pub LGN: 06/19, 06/26, 07/03, 07/10/2024)
File Number: FBN706802 . The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 7 Noodles & Sizzling , 3617 Union Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, Liu Noodle House, 15210 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 12/23/2023 and 06/11/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Mike Louie /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Liu Noodle House, Article/Reg #5929227, Above Entity was Formed in the State of California. /s/ Hsin Ti Liu /s/ CEO. (Pub LGN: 06/19, 06/26, 07/03, 07/10/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #707092
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Iyengar Yoga South Bay, 1 West Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA, 95008, Yoga Fitness LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 11/26/2012. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Jeanette Yumibe. Owner. #201030110137. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 06/21/2024. (pub LG 07/03, 07/10, 07/17, 07/24/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #706067
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Bay Area Fireplace Int., 3275 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose, CA, 95117, UG&E LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant has not begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Hisham Hash Ghanma. CEO. #202461517123. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 05/16/2024. (pub LG 07/03, 07/10, 07/17, 07/24/2024)
STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME #706851
The following person(s) / registrant(s) has / have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name(s): Healing Touch Craniosacral LLC, 3052 Westfield Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95128. Filed in the Santa Clara County on 05/15/2024. under file No. 682760. This business was conducted by: A Limited Liability Company. Filed on 06/12/2024. /s/Mark W. Butler (pub dates: (07/03, 07/10, 07/17, 07/24/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #707048
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Flaming Scissor, 998 Meridian Ave., Apt 31, San Jose, CA, 95126, Mehgan Mary Whalen. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 04/15/2024. /s/Meghan Mary Whalen. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 06/18/2024. (pub LG 07/10, 07/17, 07/24, 07/31/2024)
legals@losgatan.com
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #707273
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: James Coats Construction, 5881 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA, 95124, James Andrew Coats. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/James Andrew Coats. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 06/25/2024. (pub LG 07/10, 07/17, 07/24, 07/31/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #707472
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: EC-Construction, 3614 Kerwood Way, San Jose, CA, 95127, EL Chavalon Hauling Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/02/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Kenneth Gonzalez. CEO. #5481649. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/02/2024. (pub LG 07/10, 07/17, 07/24, 07/31/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #707473
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: The Sense Head+Scalp Spa, 10835 N Wolfe Rd., Cupertino, CA, 95014, JJB Spa Corp. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 06/01/2024. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Hiuwai Yip. Owner. #6241842. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/02/2024. (pub LG 07/10, 07/17, 07/24, 07/31/2024)
File Number: FBN707261 . The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: San Jose Car Keys , 2235 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95122. This business is conducted by: A Married Couple,Coritza C Gutirrez Canales, 4611 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124 and Carlos Roberto Gutierrez Barnica, 4611 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 06/25/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Mike Louie /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Coritza C Gutierrez Canales /s/. (Pub LGN: 07/10, 07/17, 07/24, 07/31/2024)
File Number: FBN707141 . The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Mount Shannon Ventures , 15285 Shannon Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032. This business is conducted by: A Married Couple, Craig Mermel, PO Box 33006, Los Gatos, CA 95031 and Lauren Nagel, PO Box 33006, Los Gatos, CA 95031. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 06/09/2024 and 06/24/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Nina Khamphilath /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Craig Mermel /s/. (Pub LGN: 07/10, 07/17, 07/24, 07/31/2024)
File Number: FBN706473. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Home Living Organizers, LLC, 3154 Saint Florian Way, San Jose, CA 95136. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, Home Living Organizers, LLC,3154 Saint Florian Way, San Jose, CA 95136. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 05/28/2024 and 05/31/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Home Living Organizers, LLC, Article/Reg # 202462415228, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Dorothea Patrinos /s/ Owner. (Pub LGN: 07/10, 07/17, 07/24, 07/31/2024)
