Los Gatan August 14 2024 by Weeklys

DISTRICTS RELY ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR FISCAL HEALTH

Nonprofits fund art teachers, librarians and dance programs

Abigail Monti, Contributor Los Gatos prides itself on providing outstanding public education to its young residents. Families flock to our town for this very promise—and for good reason. Serving over 2,000 local students, Los Gatos High School is consistently ranked within the top 100 schools in California and boasts overall test scores within the top 5% of schools in California. Our K-8 schools are equally coveted for their passionate teaching staff and strategic curriculum.

Maintaining Los Gatos’ prestigious academic reputation is not without its challenges. Due to education funding formulas, which in many ways prioritize funding on a need basis, Los Gatos’ two public districts—K-8 and the high schools system— have unique financial pictures. The Los Gatos Education Foundation notes, for example, the elementary district has less to spend per student than some peer districts. It was about $14,000 per pupil.

That rose to $16,444 in 202223. “Unfortunately, (when

Carreon first hired by the restaurant at age 18

Laura Ness, Contributor

The engine of the hospitality industry is powered by the youthful energy of its workforce, guided by the wisdom of the veterans, who call the shots and funnel talent into position.

In the restaurant world, those who've served in the back-of-house as well as the front—and everywhere in between—have the privilege and responsibility of selecting younger employees to elevate.

At the Lexington House there's just such a young man who was given the chance to

AT THE PREMIERE Lyla Strauss (left), 11—one of the stars of “Mafia Madness: Ze Island of Fritz Morder”—with her little sister Remy Strauss, 7, their grandma Rochelle Greenfield (right) and KCAT

Melissa Toren, at the

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STUDENT FILMS GET BIG SCREEN TREATMENT AFTER SUMMER CAMPS

From warring cats to mafiosos to slackers, unique characters entertain

Drew Penner, Editor

With all the brilliance of a night out at La Cinémathèque française, the youthful filmmakers of Los Gatos burst forth Monday morning with creativity and verve, taking the red carpet at the Los Gatos Theatre by storm.

Patty McNeil, of Monte Sereno, was one of the parents who showed up to the end-of-summer spectacle for the KCAT Summer Media Camp Film Fest. She was there to see what her 10-year-old daughter Cassidy had been up to.

“Today the campers are sharing their films,” she said, noting Cassidy had originally heard about the movie-making training through a friend who’d enjoyed the experience, last year. “They learned producing, directing and acting.”

This year’s program included such flicks as “Lil’ Old League: Pay Your Taxes,” “Cruel Spies: Potato Sabotage,” and “The Disturbing Dinner Party.”

Cassidy really enjoyed the camp, she noted.

“She was thrilled and learned a lot of new things,” McNeil said.

Emma Erickson, 10, filed in to catch her role in the “Zomburger: The Whoppening” presentation.

Last year, Lyla Strauss, 11, made her mark in “The Ring” and “Dumbkirk: Two Nines.”

She was in “Mafia Madness: Ze Island of Fritz Morder,” this time.

“I just woke up and was like, ’Today is the premiere,’” Lyla said.

Her sister, 7-year-old Remi, was looking forward to the possibility of joining the camp in the future.

Rochelle Greenfield, their grandmother, was looking forward to what would unfold on the silver screen.

Scarlett Rankine, 12, posed for a photo in front of the poster for “Lil’ Old League,” the movie she’s in.

Filming with one of her best friends was a highlight, she said.

Jennifer Sundquist, her mom, said the kids appreciated the weeklong camp.

“It’s been a great creative outlet for her,” she said. “They’ve loved it.”

Harrison Fugit, 12, a Fisher Middle School 7th-grader, was queued up in the lobby, cash-in-hand.

“I’m just getting a snack for the movie,” he said.

Caitlin Foley, 12, who plays an island resident in “Mafia Madness,” found a seat on the far side of the theater.

Filmmaking wasn’t a totally foreign experience for her.

“It kind of reminded me of doing the musical at my school.” she said, referring to the St. Mary’s performance of Aladdin.

Then the festival kicked into gear.

Lines like, “‘Tis I, Potato,” “I might be rotting” and “Long ago, the burritos and the cats lived together in harmony, then everything changed when the cats attacked,” give a sense of the humor and intensity of the productions—which featured more than a few explosions.

Afterwards, Melissa Toren told the Los Gatan she was pleased with how splendidly the event had gone.

“It was a huge success watching grandparents, parents, siblings and friends supporting the accomplishments of our KCAT campers and counselors,” she said. “Campers were elated to see their work on the big screen. This was the culmination of a summer media program that attracts a diverse community—kids who come together to create and express themselves. With no texts, no grades and no stress, kids are uplifted and feel valued. That’s what it’s all about.”

CORRECTION

Last week’s article titled “Gardenia’s Glorious Opening” contained incorrect photo credits. The picture with the heading “Dressing Red” should’ve been credited to Dinah Cotton. The one of the ribbon-cutting should have read “Breit Ideas Photo.” We regret the errors.

Drew Penner

BOUQUET Patty McNeil, of Monte Sereno, brought flowers for daughter Cassidy.

Drew Penner

STAR POWER Scarlett Rankine in front of the poster for “Lil’ Old League: Pay Your Taxes.”

Drew Penner

GLITZ Campers got the red carpet treatment at the Summer Media Camp Film Fest.

Thank You

The Bittner Family Dental Office has proudly served our community for over 52 years. During this time, we have met thousands of families with countless stories, and we have been blessed beyond measure. Thanks to your support, we have become one of the most successful dental offices in the country.

Now we have the third generation of family dentists, trained under the guiding hands of their father. We are extremely proud of them and their commitment to continuing our legacy.

With 9 dentists in one family, we offer a commitment to your health and smile like no other. Good health lasts a lifetime, and a bright, beautiful smile can open many doors. We invite you to tour our facility, see our advanced technology, and experience the commitment we have made to providing the best dental care in the local market.

To provide exceptional dental care, we have created a safe and caring environment that instills the values of integrity, honesty, innovation, and excellence that Dr. Bittner Sr. and Dr. Susan Bittner implemented over half a century ago. We consistently treat our patients like family, with the

goal of doing what is best for our patients to achieve excellent oral health and long-term systemic health as well.

Our office is a one-stop destination for your daily dental needs and any specialized services you may require.

We hope to see you soon and look forward to meeting you, your family, and your neighbors.

Best regards, Gerald Sr., Susan, Jerry Jr., Paula, Chloe, Jerry III, Jennifer

FUNDING CHALLENGES FOR LG SCHOOLS

School Funding, from page 1

measured against) our comparable districts, we’re in the bottom half,” said Los Gatos Union School District Superintendent Paul Johnson. However, Los Gatos’ funding is far from the worst: over recent years, some Santa Cruz County institutions were getting about $10,000 per pupil—or less. Last year, Scotts Valley Unified School District reached $11,045 a student, according to Roger Snyder, one of its trustees. Johnson says some of the schools on that side of the hill get additional grants districts here don’t qualify for.

The problem is not just local. When compared to public schools across the nation, on a per-student basis, California receives much less government support than other places. California gets about half as much, per pupil, as New York schools.

But why? The answer to this question lies in Proposition 13, passed by California voters back in 1978. The legislation was pitched as a way to protect seniors and others from being forced from their homes by rising taxes, but had serious ramifications for public schools. By throttling the growth of property taxes, Prop 13 effectively slashed the financial lifeblood of public schools.

The reduction in property tax revenues forced the responsibility of school funding to shift from local governments to the state, leading to the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)’s creation in 2013. The LCFF distributes funds to schools in need, including by providing instructional materials and supplies like textbooks and technology. However, California’s budget is subject to economic fluctuations, resulting in inconsistent distribution, especially during economic downturns.

“Nonessential” programs have borne the brunt of the hit. Classroom budgets for supplies, art classes, music classes, school nurses and classroom aides have been drastically reduced. The only thing preventing them from disappearing entirely? Motivated communities.

In Los Gatos specifically, foundations like the Los Gatos Education Foundation (LGEF), which supports our local K-8 schools, and the Wildcat Foundation, which supports LGHS, have risen to the challenge. Through community donations and local initiatives, these foundations have helped ensure that every local student has access to the education they deserve.

“LGEF was started to raise money from the parents and the community to support the district with those ‘nice to have’ type activities,” Jessica Johnson, president of LGEF, told the Los Gatan.

But when you examine the programs and activities funded by LGEF and One Community—the umbrella organization that also includes local “home and school” clubs, the school district and the broader community—“nice to have” no longer feels accurate; “essential” is more fitting.

State funding “will ensure the kids know how to read and write, but who’s going to make sure they have music and they have art? That they’re exposed to technology and exposed to the library and all of the things that really enrich an education?” asked Sonja Tappan, executive director of LGEF.

LGEF strives to be the answer. Their funding goes toward art teachers, PE teachers and specialists, Spanish teachers, librarians, dance programs, theater programs, culture classes, mental health counselors and more.

One of their most popular initiatives is STEAM Nights, an event that takes place at each elementary school around the beginning of the school year. Parents and families of the community are invited on campus to engage in hands-on STEAM projects led by Fisher Middle School volunteers. These events not only provide fun for students but also foster relationship-building among parents, teachers and staff, strengthening the sense of community in Los Gatos.

Catering to the high school district, the Wildcat Foundation has also made a big impact on the lives of local students.

“We have really good schools but we want great schools. We try to impact every classroom and benefit every student,” said Selin Gurses Acar, president of the Wildcat Foundation.

Like the K-8 foundations, the Wildcat Foundation helps boost academics, technology, electives, wellness, and community at LGHS. In the past two years, they’ve provided LGHS with over $1 million in donations.

One notable success story from the Wildcat Foundation is the funding and maintenance of the weight room at LGHS, which has benefited high school athletes and PE students alike. Without the foundation’s support, extracurricu-

lar opportunities like the weight room would not have been possible, leaving students at a disadvantage compared to their peers in better-funded districts.

The strength of these foundations lies not in their mission, but in the community’s unwavering support. According to Johnson, One Community raised over $2.4 million last year, with over 61% of families contributing.

In addition to parents, many Los Gatos business owners have chosen to contribute to LGEF and the Wildcat Foundation as a way of giving back to the community that supports them.

“To support these programs that are underfunded… it’s a responsibility,” said Ducky Grabill of Real Estate Sereno, during an interview with the Los Gatan on Saturday. Grabill and her partner

agent Amy Hoefer are longtime “gold” donors of LGEF and the Wildcat Foundation. “Education is the answer to people bettering themselves and strengthening their community bonds.”

Grabill’s children all went through the Los Gatos public schools. Now, three of her grandkids are following in their footsteps. But her connection to the cause doesn’t stop there.

“My son-in-law is a teacher in the LG school system,” Grabill said. “My other daughter…is legal counsel for (an educational nonprofit) that supports teachers. From all my conversations with both of these educators, they’re constantly reminding me of how schools are underfunded and how much they rely on (programs like these).”

But Grabill’s donations are driven

Courtesy of Sonja Tappan

LEARNING During last year's STEAM Night, Fisher Middle School students guided elementary schoolers with hands-on learning equipment.

Courtesy of Sonja Tappan

COMMUNITY LGEF board members, past and present, pose for a photo.

by more than just her personal connection to the cause. She stresses that the intersection between our local schools and businesses is more significant than many might realize.

“By supporting those programs, I’m hoping to maintain home values, and as a realtor that’s important,” she says. By donating to LGEF, both Grabill’s business and local students have a chance to benefit.

Tappan spoke of a similar phenomenon. “(These students) are going to be our next citizens. They are the people that are going to be working in these businesses, they’re going to be working in real estate and selling homes or buying homes, so it’s all very interconnected…Everybody should be invested, because every child that grows up here is an ambassador for (Los Gatos).”

Contributions to LGEF and the Wildcat Foundation have a ripple effect, providing both financial support and a sense of unity within the community. This collective effort has helped Los Gatos schools maintain a high standard of education in the face of underfunding.

Despite the success of LGEF and the support from local businesses, challenges remain. The ongoing struggle to secure adequate funding is a constant concern, particularly as economic uncertainties and changes in state funding policies threaten to impact the level of community support that schools can rely on. Additionally, there is the ever-present risk of donor fatigue, as the community is continually called upon to fill the gaps left by insufficient state funding.

But education advocates see good news, too. Measure A, the parcel tax recently passed in May, kicks in for the first time this school year. It’s anticipated to provide the 9-12 school district with $2.52 million annually. In November, Measure CC will be on the ballot, and voters will be asked to support a facilities bond for the K-8 district. Both Johnson and Tappan are encouraging parents to vote “Yes.”

While our local districts benefit from increased funding when property property values rise, both LGEF and the Wildcat Foundation stress the importance of ongoing donations from parents and local businesses, regardless of whether they have children in the district or not.

“Please donate,” said Gurses Acar. “We believe our mission has never been more critical.”

With files from Drew Penner

ETHAN CARREON WAS HANDED THE KEYS TO THE KITCHEN EARLY ON

Chef Ethan Carreon, from page 1

make good on his dreams. But first, he had to overcome his fears.

Ethan Carreon was barely 18 when he began working at the North Santa Cruz Avenue lounge known affectionately as “the Lex,” in 2020. It's currently celebrating its 11th year in operation.

"When I started cooking, I was scared,” admits Carreon. “I still get scared, but I think fear is best utilized as a tool to push yourself to the limit.”

GM and Co-Owner Stephen Shelton, says he first met Carreon when he sent an email looking for work during the summer of 2021. “When Ethan first staged with Chef Glenn Baldedmor (formerly of Rustic Canyon and Tallula’s in Santa Monica), there was some doubt for sure,” admits Shelton. “There was a shortage of cooks, so taking ‘anything with a pulse’ was not in question. With only sandwich shop experience to his name, Carreon was an unlikely candidate for culinary excellence.”

Yet, says Shelton, under Chef Blademor’s tutelage, Ethan moved from garde manger, to lead line cook, to now heading up The Lexington House's culinary program as the chef, all while demonstrating an inspiring blend of passion and innovation.

"Stephen saw potential where others saw inexperience,” says Carreon, who is also fascinated by photography and was considering a career in graphic arts before donning an apron and learning his way around the kitchen.

“Stephen’s belief in my abilities and guidance have been instrumental to my growth and the unique culinary philosophy of ‘letting it rip,’ and the ‘less is more’ mentality we embrace at The Lexington House."

Carreon focuses on no more than three or four ingredients per dish, using prime of the season produce from various Farmer’s Markets, at which he and his team shop several times weekly. Among the current menu items reflective of this philosophy are a chicken liver mousse with blackberry jam and pickled cipollini onion, served with toasted levain; local yellowfin ceviche on blue corn tostada with Thai chile mayo, herbs and flowers; Fogline Farm chicken with romesco, green lentils, mustard greens and sofrito; and assorted summer beans with olive oil chile crisp, puffed grains, seeds and nuts.

“We are blessed to have some of the best farms growing organic and sus -

tainable products around,” says Shelton. “Ethan is working hard to develop relationships with the farmers to gain access to the best of the best produce.”

Putting it together in a creative way is what makes a chef different from a cook who follows recipes. Shelton admits Carreon is a special dude: “I know when I was his age, I didn’t have a mentor. It’s why many of my staff are young. It’s my way of giving them purpose and a community. We all take care of each other. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true.”

Carreon knows that he’s been given the keys to the kitchen at an early age, and is fully aware of the responsibility. “I've had my ups and downs since starting cooking, much like everyone else,” he says. “But, fully embracing my love and intimidation of the culinary trade has since brought me closer to where I want to be.”

A veteran of the culinary industry, Shelton has certainly put in his time. He worked as a bartender at Waterbar and The Table, and was bar manager at Cin-Cin, before opening The Lexington House in 2013, and starting up Black Sheep Brasserie in Willow Glen. Both operations were created in partnership with Don Durante. The latter was sold in June to the owner of Stacks restaurants.

It’s not an easy business, and it takes a certain personality to thrive.

Says Shelton, “I really try to instill in my team that the hospitality industry is a noble career, not just an ‘interim' job.” Thus far, Carreon has taken this to heart. “Stephen has encouraged me to trust in myself and push every day in work and in life,” he says. “He has given me mentorship and a space to develop and grow my philosophy of food."

For reservations and inquiries visit www.thelexlg.com, use OpenTable, or call 408-354-1600.

PRESENTATION Fresh from farmer’s markets, Chef

that

Stephen Shelton/The Lexington House

IN THE RING Barely 18 when he began his culinary career, Chef Ethan Carreon’s boxer tattoos remind him to “keep fighting.”

Stephen Shelton/The Lexington House

Carreon crafts dishes

shine bright with seasonal flavors

SPORTS

MONTE SERENO SOCCER PLAYER MAKES IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Miller competes at Concacaf; Dzurko cheers artistic swimmers to Olympic silver

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor Monte Sereno’s Chloe Miller made her presence felt for the U.S. Under-15 Women’s Youth National Soccer Team in the 2024 Concacaf Girls U15 League A Championship in Costa Rica.

The U.S. defeated Mexico 3-0 on Aug. 11 in the title match, capping a dominant run that saw it win five games by a combined margin of 311. Miller started at defender in a 11-0 win over Jamaica on Aug. 5 and a 13-0 victory over Haiti on Aug. 8.

She came off the bench to play the entire second half in a 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Aug. 6 and in the semifinal match against Canada on Aug. 9. The latter game was by far the team’s toughest, as it outlasted Canada 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout after the squads had drawn 1-1 through 70 minutes of regulation time.

Miller, a standout on the powerhouse Mountain View-Los Altos (MVLA)

Soccer Club and incoming freshman at Mitty High, delivered a pass that led to a Mia Corona goal in the opening minute of the Haiti game.

The U.S. recorded a 29-0 shots on goal advantage and led 5-0 at halftime.

This year’s Concacaf Girls U-15 championship was the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 36 national teams divided into three leagues.

The U.S. is now a perfect 4-for-4 in this tournament, having won all three Concacaf championships in which it has previously participated (2016, 2018, 2022).

DZURKO A SPLASH SENSATION

Even though Nicole Dzurko didn’t get to compete in this year’s Paris Olympic Games, she could take satisfaction in knowing that she played a part in the U.S. artistics swimming team’s journey to winning a silver medal.

The 24-year-old Monte Sereno native who still lists the Santa Clara Aquamaids as her home training club was part of the 12-women U.S. team in February’s World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Dzurko competed for the U.S. squad

THE MOBILE-FRIENDLY POETRY JOURNAL

Fixing the ‘uniquely awful’ submissions process

Addie Mahmassani, Contributor

Franz Kafka famously said, “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.”

William Ward Butler and Jackson D. Moorman remember those words as they read hundreds of submissions for their poetry journal. They are searching for the axes.

The journal, aptly named Frozen Sea, is published online quarterly, with occasional special issues. Launched in October 2023, the publication prepares to release Issue Five on Aug. 15. Like the four issues that precede it, the latest offering features the work of a diverse group of early-career poets and visual artists.

Butler, who is serving his first year of a three-year term as the Poet Laureate of Los Gatos, has kept an eye on the landscape of poetry journals since his time as a creative writing major at UCSC.

“The process of submitting to literary journals is kind of uniquely awful,” he says, noting the months of waiting for a response and the fees writers typically contend with. Frozen Sea bucks that trend by responding to submitters within a month. The journal does not charge a reading fee, and there are no paywalls involved. They also circumvent Submittable—a software many journals require—in favor of more direct email correspondence.

in the acrobatic routine, helping the U.S. earn one of two bronze medals in the event the other came in the free routine and clinch a berth into the Olympic Games.

In artistic swimming, competition takes place in three rounds a technical routine, a free routine and an acrobatic routine on three consecutive days. The final score is cumulative, based on all three routines.

Despite the monumental achievement this marked the first time the U.S. had qualified a full roster squad since the 2008 Games four swimmers, including Dzurko, wouldn’t be able to compete in Paris.

That’s because in the Olympics, every national team can carry only eight swimmers and the same eight must perform all three routines. Alas, Dzurko wasn’t one of the eight selected for the Olympics.

“It’s been tough because the Olympics has been my dream,” Dzurko said on her TikTok. “I definitely want to continue to the next worlds (championships) and get back to the point where I was at. We’ll see. I would love to go to the 2028 Olympics (in Los Angeles), and it’s definitely

on my mind. But I’m not going to set any definitive goals, other than getting healthy, getting back to where I was and going from there.”

Dzurko was referring to undergoing hip surgery in May, which she would’ve delayed had she been chosen to compete in Paris. There’s a neat footnote to this story, however. A 2023 Ohio State graduate who possesses USA and Canadian citizenship, Dzurko applauded USA Swimming for taking care of the four swimmers who couldn’t compete in Paris.

“I’m super grateful because USA Artistic Swimming sent all 12 of us (who competed at Worlds) to cheer on the team in Paris, which I know isn’t the case for all of the teams,” she said.

Dzurko added she would “really love to see a change in the 2028 Olympics so the 12 people that helped the team qualify can be (competing) at the Olympics.” The U.S. not only won a silver medal in Paris its first medal in 20 years but it went viral with a Michael Jackson-inspired performance for its technical routine, which included a sequence where it moonwalked upside down.

Courtesy of Frozen Sea

FOUNDERS William Ward Butler and Jackson D. Moorman are the co-editors of Frozen Sea.

OPINION

SUZUKI: NO, GAME THEORY HASN’T INFECTED TOWN PLANNING

Town commissioner takes issue with Guest View article by Jeffrey Blum

Jeffrey Suzuki, Contributor

This article serves as a refutation of Jeffrey Blum’s article, “Community, not theory, should be at the heart of Town’s Planning,” which ran in last week’s edition.

Jeffrey Suzuki is a former Planning Commissioner, the current Vice Chair of the Complete Streets and Transportation Commission, and the president of the Los Gatos AntiRacism Coalition. He’s writing here as a private citizen.

During my undergraduate and graduate years studying economics and data science, I spent substantial time with the fundamentals of game theory.

Like Mr. Blum, I also had serious questions about the social significance of game theory, especially in politics.

Throughout my studies, I had felt that, despite its usefulness in modeling various phenomena in the real world like the international response to cli-

mate change and economic competition between companies, the assumptions used in these models always required some level of skepticism. It was often as if I was required to suspend my sense of disbelief before engaging with most game theory problems.

For that reason, I was intrigued by the ideas explored in Mr. Blum’s article. A critique that applies game theory to a subject matter like urban planning, with material consequences on a local level, is a fascinating concept.

However, criticizing the influence of an entire subfield of mathematics (i.e. game theory) requires, at the very least, an accurate description of it, to the extent that an 800-word article could. In this, Mr. Blum’s article is inaccurate to the extent that I felt an obligation to respond.

Mr. Blum states that his concern arises from reading the book Playing with Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World by Kelly Clancey. As someone who has also read this book, I will give credit where credit is due: this book provides a fair amount of thought-provoking history on the in-

fluence of game theory in our cultural and political zeitgeist. But, it must be said, there is nothing in this book that would support the connections that Mr. Blum attempts to make between game theory and urban planning.

This naturally raises the question: what is game theory?

A Primer on Game Theory by Robert Gibbons provides a succinct description on the first page of its premise: “Game theory is the study of multiperson decision problems.”

These multiperson decision problems are called “games” and each game has multiple decision-makers who we can call “players.”

In broad strokes, game theory is used to mathematically represent how the decisions of different players interact in the pursuit of maximizing their personal “payout.” This payout can be a representation of anything from happiness to wealth. By defining the number of players, the decisions available to each player, the amount of information available to each player, and the payouts depending on decisions made throughout a game, a theorist

could simulate a wide variety of scenarios ranging from a six-person game of Texas Hold’em to the diplomacy between nation-states armed with nuclear weapons.

Game theory is ultimately the study of strategy. As Mr. Blum observes at the end of his article, it can be a useful tool to model behavior; game theory is prolific in academia across a wide variety of fields, including economics, international relations, political science, and even biology.

To criticize the use of game theory in urban planning, we should establish that it is actually being used. At its core, game theory is about representing player decisions— who are the players who are participating in the minds of urban planners? What do they think of the players’ decisions? What do they think are the players’ payouts given those decisions? None of these questions have explicit or implied answers in Mr. Blum’s article.

In my personal experience as a former Planning Commissioner and a current Vice Chair of the Complete Streets and Transportation Commis-

DECISION - MAKING Los Gatos Planning Commission pictured discussing a request for a private sports recreation club on June 12.

sion, I have not encountered a single commissioner, staff member, or council member who uses game theory to plan the town. Even if an urban planner wanted to apply game theory, the process and goals of urban planning fluctuate frequently in accordance with the desires of the state, market forces, representative bodies, and local residents, making it impractical to use.

Mr. Blum, however, provides a number of what he believes are examples of game theory in action, a few of which are provided below. I will provide some corrections along the way.

Blum: “ While game theory offers insights in some areas, relying largely on its models for urban planning can lead to policies that neglect a community’s character—and the well-being of its residents. As a mediator seeking a win-win result (not a zero-sum one), I hope our leaders will avoid using game theory in town planning.”

Correction: This overlooks the existence of “cooperative games” in game theory, which do allow for win-win outcomes. Game theory is not inherently adversarial in the way that Mr. Blum suggests.

Blum : “These models, designed for scenarios with well-defined goals and perfect information, often fail to capture the realities of human behavior and community dynamics.”

Correction: There is a genre of “incomplete information games” that models behaviors under uncertainty, aligning with the realities Mr. Blum describes.

Blum : “Players have clear goals and perfect information, and they always act in self-interest. However, real-world decision-making rarely aligns with these assumptions. People have diverse (and often conflicting) priorities.”

Correction: The fact that people often have diverse and conflicting priorities is one of the central considerations of game theory—many, if not most, games, reflect this fact.

Due to space constraints, I cannot address every misapplication of game theory in Mr. Blum’s article. But there are strong arguments that game theory has been misapplied before, especially in the field of political science. However, I have not seen, nor do I expect to see, urban planners discussing payout matrices or decision trees when they make their urban design choices.

Game theory has taken on, at times, a mythical reputation. It is our responsibility as truth-seekers to demystify game theory while continuing to develop and explore its appropriate and inappropriate uses.

BLUM: STUDENT ABSENCES HAVE EXPLODED

It’s an issue even the Town of Los Gatos is dealing with

Jeffrey P. Blum, Contributor

The familiar hum of a well-oiled machine is a comforting sound. It suggests efficiency, precision, and a harmonious system. This is an analogy I provided to Town Council at a council meeting on Aug. 6, as I, along with Chair Eleanor Yick, presented the annual report for the Community Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC). Our goal, I emphasized, is to make the delivery of senior services operate with such seamless efficiency.

As the discussion unfolded, a related issue surfaced: the chronic absenteeism of student commissioners appointed to CHSSC. This is a problem I’ve repeatedly raised in the past, to no avail, until now. Sticking with the petroleum related analogies, perhaps the squeaky wheel finally got some oil, as Council indicated they intend to address the problem.

Student absenteeism has plagued the commission for years, although, as several council members indicated, our commission is perhaps the most popular option available to students seeking to be on one of our Town boards and commissions.

This absenteeism is a symptom of a larger, nationwide trend explored in a recent New York Times article: a surge in student absenteeism since the pandemic.

The New York Times article pinpoints several factors contributing to this alarming rise: pandemic-related

anxieties and illnesses, shifting parental attitudes towards school attendance, relaxed attendance policies implemented during remote learning, and increased behavioral issues in schools. These factors have combined to create a perfect storm of absenteeism, with rates soaring from 15% to 26% across the country.

The consequences of this trend are far-reaching. Students who are chronically absent fall behind academically, disrupting the learning environment for their peers. The New York Times article underscores the critical role of attendance in recovering from pandemic-induced learning losses.

Los Gatos is not immune to this crisis.

While I wholeheartedly support youth involvement in local government, the less than stellar commitment from many student commissioners is disheartening. It’s a pattern I’ve witnessed firsthand: initial enthusiasm followed by a rapid decline in attendance. While student commissioners may call upon a second appointed student commissioner to replace them, these substitute commissioners follow the same absenteeism pattern as the primary student commissioner.

The Town’s Boards and Commissions Handbook outlines attendance requirements, including the stipulation that members who miss three regular meetings in a year must resign. Yet, this rule, similarly applicable to student commissioners, is rarely enforced for student commissioners (and

perhaps for others) due to a reluctance to diminish youth representation. This leniency sends a troubling message. It suggests that civic engagement is optional and that the consequences for neglecting one’s responsibilities are minimal or even nonexistent. It’s essential to find a balance between fostering youth involvement and holding student commissioners accountable.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

• Address the root causes of absences, such as student anxiety.

• Offer workshops or individual consultations on time management skills to help students juggle school work, board/commission responsibilities, and other commitments.

• Ensure students understand the time commitment expected of them before they are appointed to a board or commission.

• Work with schools and the boards/ commissions to find flexible meeting times that minimize conflicts with classes or extracurricular activities. Consider offering remote participation options for some meetings.

• If workloads seem excessive, explore ways to streamline tasks or delegate some duties to other student members or board/commission members.

• Talk to the students directly to understand why they're missing meetings. Maybe the meetings are uninteresting, the workload is overwhelming, or transportation is a barrier.

Drew Penner / Los Gatan

REPORT Jeffrey Blum addresses Town Council Aug. 6.

GUEST VIEW

JUST THE ‘HARD WATER’ FACTS

PRECIOUS RESOURCE Lake Elsman, San Jose Water’s largest reservoir in the Los Gatos Creek Watershed, is pictured overflowing after a storm. During times of drought its spillway wouldn’t have any water flowing down it.

Here’s why liquid from your taps contains plenty of calcium and magnesium

Suzanne DeLorenzo, San Jose Water

In nature, water always contains dissolved minerals and nutrients. Water “hardness” is determined by the concentrations of minerals present in a particular water source—specifically calcium and magnesium. Simply put, hard water is mineral water that comes from your tap.

Water containing high amounts of calcium and magnesium leaves behind solid calcium carbonate deposits when it evaporates. When classifying water, the calcium and magnesium levels are typically reported in terms of their equivalent value to calcium carbonate (CaCO3) present in parts per million (ppm), which roughly translates to milligrams per liter (mg/L):

• 0 to 60 mg/L CaCO3 is classified as soft water

• 61 to 120 mg/L is classified as moderately hard water

• 121 to 180 mg/L is classified as hard water

• 180 mg/L and up is classified as very hard water

Water hardness is a function of geology. Minerals in soil and rock in a particular region will naturally be present in that region’s groundwater. All four soft-to-hard classifications are typical in California groundwater, depending on the source region.

SOURCE CHARACTERISTICS

At San Jose Water, we supply drinking water to over a million people in the Greater San Jose metropolitan area using three sources: mountain surface water, local aquifers and imported surface water.

valley floor, drawing water from the Santa Clara Groundwater Basin, and averages 376 CaCO3 mg/L. In 2023, the hardness of water from different wells ranged from 210 to 503 mg/L of CaCO3, classifying it as very hard water.

Finally, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (aka Valley Water) supplies our imported surface water. This water mainly comes from Sierra snowmelt sent through the conveyance infrastructure of the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project. This water is the closest to being considered soft, with an average of just 86 mg/L of CaCO3. Last year, its hardness ranged from a very soft 37 mg/L to a moderately hard 117 mg/L. For SJW customers, where you live determines your primary water source. Those in the higher elevations of our western-most service area primarily receive mountain surface water. Residents in East San Jose, Downtown San Jose, and the Cambrian and Willow Glen areas primarily receive local aquifer water. Most residents in Cupertino, Saratoga, Campbell, West and South San Jose, as well as the Berryessa area, primarily receive imported surface water.

Throughout the year, SJW conducts thousands of tests across these sources to ensure compliance with state and federal water quality, and safety standards. We also test for secondary standards related to aesthetic water qualities—such as taste, odor and color—which do not pose any health risks. Water hardness falls under these secondary standards.

All three of our sources provide high-quality water, but each has unique characteristics influenced by its origin.

Our mountain surface water comes from the Los Gatos Creek Watershed, which stretches along the local Santa Cruz Mountains roughly east of Summit Road. This mountain water averaged 133 CaCO 3 mg/L and ranged from 107-158 mg/L last year. It’s classified as hard water.

Our local aquifer water is collected from SJW wells throughout the

All our water sources are carefully managed, but depending on your address, your water may be much more soft (or hard) than your neighbor’s. Neither type of water is “better” overall. Some people prefer hard water because it is an excellent source of essential minerals for bone, heart and digestive health. Some like soft water because it rinses more easily and causes less mineral buildup or “scale” in appliances and plumbing. Each has its pros and cons.

WHY NOT SOFTEN THE WATER?

We understand that hard water can be a concern for many of our customers, especially those receiving very hard aquifer water. At San Jose Water, we've dedicated significant time and research to exploring large-scale water-softening processes. However, implementation is complex and resource-intensive. Each of our well stations would require sophisticated systems to handle large volumes of water and manage byproducts like brine. Our commitment is to balance the needs and concerns of customers with

DOWNWARD RUN In a drought there wouldn’t be any water flowing down the spillway.

our responsibility to protect the environment and manage costs. We continually evaluate new technologies and softening solutions as they become available, ensuring that we provide the highest quality water while remaining mindful of economic and environmental impacts.

SJW’s Annual Water Quality Report (www.sjwater.com/waterquality) features a map of our service area color-coded by water source boundaries. You can use it to pinpoint your location to learn more about your water— and the work we’re doing to ensure its high quality, be it hard or soft.

Suzanne DeLorenzo, Ph.D., is the Director of Water Quality at San Jose Water. And FYI, she drinks her water straight from the tap.

PRECIOUS RESOURCE

END PRINT

(rest online)

• Consider revamping the student representative role or offering more opportunities for students to contribute meaningfully. This could involve assigning specific projects or focusing on issues that resonate with student interests.

• Publicly acknowledge student contributions to the board/commission's work to incentivize continued participation. I’ve seen this student acknowledgment of their contributions occur in Los Gatos. However, perhaps it needs to be ramped up.

The challenges we face in Los Gatos are part of a larger national conversation. By understanding the factors driving student absenteeism and implementing targeted solutions, we can create a more engaged and effective student leadership pipeline. Our community's future depends on it.

Let us help you with your next rebranding, product launch, media campaign, digital initiative, website redesign or image refresh.

Karl Neilsen

Lake Elsman, San Jose Water’s largest reservoir in the Los Gatos Creek Watershed, is pictured overflowing after a storm.

Photo by Karl Neilsen DOWNWARD RUN In atherebthe spillway

Karl Neilsen

PUBLIC NOTICES

Curfew Ordinance

ORDINANCE 2360

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING CHAPTER 18, “OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS”, ARTICLE III, “MINORS”, DIVISION 2, “CURFEW”, OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS TOWN CODE

WHEREAS, the Town’s curfew ordinance is codified at Town Code Sections 18.30.050 and following; WHEREAS, the defenses to a curfew violation are set forth in Town Code Section 18.30.060; WHEREAS, a defense for engagement in First Amendment activities is recommended for addition; and

WHEREAS, duplicative language is recommended for removal;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos as follows:

The following sections of the Town Code are amended to read as follows:

SECTION I. Section 18.30.055, “Offenses,” of the Town Code is amended to read as follows: Sec. 18.30.055. Offenses.

It is unlawful for:

(1) Any minor to tarry in any public place or on the premises of any establishment within the Town during curfew hours, or,

(2) Any parent or guardian of a minor to knowingly permit, or by insufficient control allow, the minor to tarry in any public place or on the premises of any establishment with the Town during curfew hours, or,

(3) Any owner, operator or employee of any establishment to knowingly permit a minor to tarry in or upon the premises of an establishment during curfew hours (unless the owner, operator or employee of an establishment promptly notified the police department that a minor was present on the premises of the establishment during curfew hours and refused to leave).

(Ord. No. 2038, § IV, 12-1-97)

SECTION II. Section 18.30.060, “Defenses,” of the Town Code is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 18.30.060. Defenses.

It is a defense to prosecution of the above offenses that the minor was:

(1) Accompanied by the minor’s parent or guardian or by a responsible adult;

(2) On an errand at the direction of the minor’s parent or guardian or responsible adult, without detour or stop;

(3) In a motor vehicle involved in interstate travel;

(4) Engaged in a lawful employment activity, or going to or returning home from a lawful employment activity, without detour or stop;

(5) Acting in response to an emergency;

(6) On the sidewalk abutting the minor’s residence or abutting any residence when in the company of the resident, providing the minor is not otherwise violating the law;

(7) Attending or traveling directly to or returning directly home, without detour or stop, from a school, religious, cultural, sport, amusement, entertainment, movie or recreation activity; or any organized rally, demonstration, meeting or similar activity;

(8) Waiting at a bus stop or bus station for transportation, providing the next bus is scheduled to arrive in no more than one (1) hour;

(9) On the plaza level of the Town Civic Center, providing the minor is not otherwise violating the law;

(10) Emancipated in accordance with the California Family Code or other applicable state law.

(11) Attending an official school, religious, or

other recreational activity supervised by adults and sponsored by the Town of Los Gatos, a civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minors;

(12) Exercising First Amendment rights protected by the United States Constitution.

(Ord. No. 2038, § VI, 12-1-97)

SECTION III. Section 18.30.080, “Minors under eighteen; exception,” of the Town Code is repealed.

SECTION IV. Section 18.30.085, “Responsibility of parents, guardians, etc.,” of the Town Code is repealed.

SECTION V. Severability. In the event that a court of competent jurisdiction holds any Section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase in this Ordinance unconstitutional, preempted, or otherwise invalid, the invalid portion shall be severed from this Section and shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Section. The Town hereby declares that it would have adopted each Section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase in this Section irrespective of the fact that any one or more Sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases in this Section might be declared unconstitutional, preempted, or otherwise invalid.

SECTION VI. CEQA.

Adopting this Ordinance is not a project subject to CEQA because it can be seen with certainty that it will not impact the environment (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).

SECTION VII. Publication.

In accordance with Section 63937 of the Government Code of the State of California, this Ordinance takes effect 30 days from the date of its passage. The Town Council hereby directs the Town Clerk to cause this Ordinance or a summary thereof to be published or posted in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code of the State of California.

SECTION VIII. Effective Date.

This Ordinance will take effect 30 days from the date of adoption. This Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos on the 4th day of June, 2024, and adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos at its regular meeting on the 6th day of August, 2024, by the following vote:

COUNCIL MEMBERS:

AYES: Maria Ristow, Rob Rennie, Rob Moore, Matthew Hudes, Mayor Mary Badame

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAIN: None (Pub LGN 8/14)

NOTICE THAT THERE ARE NOT MORE CANDIDATES THAN OFFICES TO BE ELECTED

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to §10229 of the Election Code of the State of California relating to the General Municipal Election in the Town of Los Gatos to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

As of the close of the nomination period on August 9, 2024, there are not more candidates than offices to be elected.

The persons so nominated are:

Maria L. Ristow

Matthew K. Hudes

California Election Code §10229 allows one of the following courses of action to be taken by the Town Council:

1. Appoint to the office the persons who have been nominated.

2. Appoint to the office any eligible voter if no one has been nominated.

3. Hold the election if either one or no one has been nominated.

The Town Council will meet on Tuesday, August 20 , 2024, to either make the appointments or direct an election to be held. The persons appointed, if any shall qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected at a municipal election for the office.

If by the 75th day before the election, no person has been appointed to the offices, pursuant to (1) or (2) above, the election shall be held.

If the Town Council makes an appointment pursuant to California Election Code §10229, the Town Clerk shall not accept for filing any statement of write-in candidacy that is submitted after the appointment is made.

Wendy Wood Election Official, Town Clerk

Dated: August 14, 2024 (Pub LGN 8/14)

Name Changes

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME. Case No. 24CV442788 . Notice of Petition of Tsyryi Sun. Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. To all interested persons: Petitioner: Tsyryi Sun filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. Tsyryi Sun to Proposed name: Shirley Tsyryi Sun, b. Present name: a. Tsyr-yi Sun to Proposed name: Shirley Tsyr-yi Sun. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: Date: September 24, 2024, Time: 8:45 AM, Room: Probate . The address of the court is: 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113, Downtown Superior Court. A copy of this Order To Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Los Gatan 107 Dakota Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Date: July 10, 2024. /s/ Le Jacqueline Duong /s/, Judge of the Superior Court. /s/ S. Gomez /s/, Deputy Clerk. (Pub LGN: 07/17, 07/24, 07/31, 08/7, 08/14/2024, Repub with corrected dates)

2ND AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME. Case No. 23CV415885. Notice of Petition of Scott James Leard. Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. To all interested persons: Petitioner: Scott James Leard filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. Scott James Leard to Proposed name: Vincent James Leard. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: Date: August 27, 2024, Time: 8:45 AM, Room: Probate The address of the court is: 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113, Downtown Superior Court. A copy of this Order To Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Los Gatan 107 Dakota Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Date: July 15, 2024. /s/ Le Jacqueline Duong /s/, Judge of the Superior Court. /s/ D. Bueno /s/, Deputy Clerk. (Pub LGN: 07/31, 08/7, 08/14, 08/21/2024)

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME. Case No. 24CV443344. Notice of Petition of Young Kyun Yoo. Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. To all interested persons: Petitioner: Young Kyun

Yoo filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. Young Kyun Yoo to Proposed name: Kevin Youngkyun Yoo. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: Date: October 8, 2024, Time: 8:45 AM, Room: Probate. The address of the court is: 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113, Downtown Superior Court. A copy of this Order To Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Los Gatan 107 Dakota Ave Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Date: July 19, 2024. /s/ Le Jacqueline Duong /s/, Judge of the Superior Court. /s/ D. Bueno /s/, Deputy Clerk. (Pub LGN: 07/31, 08/7, 08/14, 08/21/2024)

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME. Case No. 24CV443927. Notice of Petition of Shawn Muth. Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. To all interested persons: Petitioner: Shawn Muth filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. Shawn Muth to Proposed name: Yonn Muth. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: Date: October 15, 2024, Time: 8:45 AM, Room: Probate. The address of the court is: 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113, Downtown Superior Court. A copy of this Order To Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Los Gatan 107 Dakota Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Date: July 26, 2024. /s/ Le Jacqueline Duong /s/, Judge of the Superior Court. /s/ K. Ngo /s/, Deputy Clerk. (Pub LGN: 08/7, 08/14, 08/21, 08/28/2024)

Fictitious Business Name Statements

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #707587 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: The Vesper, 394 e. Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA, 95008, H.R. Lavender Enterprises Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Herbert R Lavender Jr. Owner/ President. #4321085. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/08/2024. (pub LG 07/24, 07/31, 08/07, 08/14/2024)

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME. FBN707829, filed on 07/17/2024. The following person(s)/registrant(s) has/have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name(s): Heritage Village Offices , 51 E. Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008. Filed in Santa Clara county on 10/22/2021 under file No. FBN679858. Full Name of Registrant (s): MI Property Management LLC, 51 E. Campbell Avenue, Suite 400L, Campbell, CA 95008. This business was conducted by: A Limited Liability Company. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Mikica Iric /s/ Manager. Dated: July 17, 2024. (PUB LGN: 08/07, 08/14, 08/21, 08/28/2024)

Town of Los Gatos

PUBLIC NOTICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #707439

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: All Around Handymen, 1704 Sundown Lane, San Jose, CA, 95127, Julian Paul Gamaza. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 07/01/2024. /s/Julian P Gamaza. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/01/2024. (pub LG 07/24, 07/31, 08/07, 08/14/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #707818

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Healing Room Hypnotherapy, 1975 Hamilton Ave., San Jose, CA, 95125, Dina Divya Zuccaro. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 06/15/2024. /s/Dina Divya Zuccaro. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/16/2024. (pub LG 07/24, 07/31, 08/07, 08/14/2024)

File Number: FBN707629. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Bizzy Fit Meals 1657 McKee Rd Ste 60, San Jose, CA 95116. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, Bizzy Fit Meals LLC, 1657 McKee Rd Ste 60, San Jose, CA 95116. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 09/07/2023 and 07/09/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Bizzy Fit Meals LLC, Article/Reg # 202462918004, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Susana Torres /s/ Manager. (Pub LGN:, 07/24, 07/31, 08/07, 08/14/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #707940

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Seewa De Vida Massage Therapy, 1810 Snell Pl., Milpitas, CA, 95035, Benansia Josie Sainz. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 07/18/2024. /s/Benansia Sainz. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/22/2024. (pub LG 07/31, 08/07, 08/14, 08/21/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #708129

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Lucky Soul Diner, 50 Dixon Road, Milpitas, CA, 95035, HC Ricenoodle-Dixon LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 12/01/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Zhubin Zhai. Owner. #202355118331. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/29/2024. (pub LG 08/07, 08/14, 08/21, 08/28/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #708121

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Health Guru For You, 3394 Gardendale Dr., San Jose, CA, 95118, E P Planning LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Partnership . Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 06/11/2024. 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 07/29/2024. (pub LG 08/07, 08/14, 08/21, 08/28/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #708234

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: The Truth DNA, 2876 Flint Ave., San Jose, CA, 95148, Esters Brothers Entertainment LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Edward M Esters. Owner. #202253513650. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/31/2024. (pub LG 08/07, 08/14, 08/21, 08/28/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #708326

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: The Shot Doctor Shooting Academy, P.O. Box 6874 545 Merdian Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95126, Vacarl Bozzaris Broadnax. This business is being conducted by a Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Vacarl Broadnax. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/05/2024. (pub LG 08/14, 08/21, 08/28, 09/04/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #708428

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Viet My San Jose, 999 Story Rd., Suite 9063, San Jose, CA, 95122. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/ Ngoc Hien Nguyen. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/07/2024. (pub LG 08/14, 08/21, 08/28, 09/04/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #708415

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: No Worries Travel. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 12/20/2013. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Dana Okamura. Manager. #202463219716. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/07/2024. (pub LG 08/14, 08/21, 08/28, 09/04/2024)

File Number: FBN708365. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Lexington Tails 19056 Montara Dr, Los Gatos, CA 95033. This business is conducted by: A Trust, Jennifer A Musolf Trustee Musolf Family Rev DTD 1/14/16, 19056 Montara Dr, Los Gatos, CA 95033 and Benjamin J Musolf Trustee Musolf Family Rev DTD 1/14/16, 19056 Montara Dr, Los Gatos, CA 95033. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 08/06/2024 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/ Jennifer A Musolf /s/ Trustee. (Pub LGN: 08/14, 08/21, 08/28, 09/04/2024)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #708309

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Addis Mart, 700 South Winchester Blvd., No 50, San Jose, CA, 95128, Yared Addis. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 08/01/2024. /s/Yared Addis. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/02/2024. (pub LG 08/14, 08/21, 08/28, 09/04/2024)

STATEMENT OF WITHDRAWAL FROM PARTNERSHIP OPERATING UNDER FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME #707003

The following person(s) / registrant(s) has / have withdrawn as general partner(s) from the partnership operating under the following fictitious business name(s): South Bay School of Music Arts, 330 S. Abel St., Milpitas, CA, 95035-5201, Morris Goldstein. Filed in the Santa Clara County on 12/16/2022. under file No. 690937. This business was conducted by: A Individual. Filed on 06/17/2024. /s/Jim Santoro. (pub dates: (07/03, 07/10, 07/17, 07/24/2024)

File Number: FBN707925. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: The Mimi Collective , 1315 S. Clover Ave., San Jose, CA 95128. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Jennifer Dylewski, 1315 S. Clover Ave., San Jose, CA 95128. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 07/22/2024 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/ Jennifer Dylewski /s/. (Pub LGN: 08/14, 08/21, 08/28, 09/04/2024)

$3,450,000

Extraordinary Value on Huge Lot with Unbelievable Potential in Highly Sought-After Saratoga High School District

Delightful Update Includes Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring and Newer Composition Roof plus Central A/C!

A Sparkling Pool for these Warm Days with Amazing Privacy Framed by Majestic Trees!

Endless Possibilities for Enhancements: Sports Court, Vineyard, Addition, Remodel, ADU, or Rebuild?

Lucy Wedemeyer Broker

lucy@serenogroup.com

408-891-6861

DRE# 00640875

Keith Andry Associate/Broker

408-891-4151

keith@serenogroup.com

DRE# 01470

Extraordinary marketing expertise fueled with contagious enthusiasm de�nes Lucy Wedemeyer as a “RockStar” Real Estate Broker. She’s one of the most recognized and highly respected Realtors in the Bay Area, consistently awarded Top 1% distinction Keith Andry with a BS in Finance joined his Award-Winning Mother-in-Law in 2000.

As founding members of SERENO, they’ve curated an extensive network of professionals as an integral part of enhancing clients properties for market. Both exude unsurpassed pro-active visions as Brokers and Certi�ed Negotiation Experts; re�ective of 90% referral business as they strive to exceed expectations to accomplish client’s goals and dreams.