Los Gatan 10-5-2022

WOMAN PLEADS

NOT GUILTY TO HOSTING PARTIES FOR TEENAGERS

Mother of teen victim describes ‘traumatic’ experience

Drew Penner, Reporter

The Los Gatos woman who stands accused of hosting alco hol-fueled parties for local high schoolers and facilitating sexual assault at the home she owned with tech executive Robert Am aral pleaded “not guilty” to all charges Monday in Santa Clara County Superior Court.

Judge Johnny C. Gogo also approved dates for a prelim inary hearing for Shannon O’Connor and the check-in conference that will precede it.

“There’s nothing particularly significant,” said defense law yer Brian Madden. “It was the next step.”

Just before 9am, O’Connor— who’s accused of luring teenag ers using social media to attend out-of-control gatherings—had paused at the entrance to the hallway leading to the courtroom.

An NBC reporter assured her their camera was off, noting they didn’t have authorization to film in that area anyhow.

“They mess with you, they go to jail,” a bailiff told O’Con nor, trying to coax her around the corner.

TOWN SIGN UNVEILED ON LARK AVENUE

Mountain lion sculpture inspired by calligraphy

Drew Penner, Reporter

Matt Babcock touches the electrostatically-applied pow der coating on the aluminum of the mountain lion, showing off the bends of the sculpture he created for Los Gatos’ newest entrance sign.

The Seattle artist drew on cub ism and calligraphy, he said, ex plaining he didn’t want the piece at Lark Avenue and Highway 17 to conceal how it was assembled.

“Here are the welds where I’ve joined these three pieces togeth er,” he said, during the unveiling Tuesday morning. “I bent them all to the specified angle.”

It’s the second in a series of five town markers the Los Gatos Arts and Culture Com

WELCOME TO TOWN Matt Babcock, a Seattle artist, says he was inspired by cubism and ancient calligraphy for the new Los Gatos sign at Lark Avenue and Highway 17 that was unveiled Tuesday.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

JOSE

Welcome to this updated Strawberry Park townhome. The kitchen has been remodeled with white painted cabinets, quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances. Spacious living & dining room with a ceiling fan and slider to the patio. Remodeled half bath with new vanity, mirror, lighting, hardware, and porcelain tiled floor. Three spacious bedrooms. Primary suite with 2 walk-in closets. Full bath with double sinks, new quartz countertop, new porcelain floor, mirror, and lighting. Laminate wood flooring throughout. Double pane windows and slider. Large paver back patio for entertaining. 1 car garage & 1 car carport. The community includes Pool/Spa, Tennis Court, Club House, and Children’s Play area. Fantastic schools, Manuel De Vargas Elementary, Warren E Hyde Middle School, and Cupertino High School.

Editor

Lee May General Manager

Erik Chalhoub Managing Editor

Lori Lieneke Advertising Director

Phaedra Strecher Editorial Production Manager Drew Penner Reporter

Emanuel Lee Juan Reyes Sports Writers Judy Peterson Contributor

Kate Kauffman Senior Account Executive

Serenity Polizzi Eric Bocanegra Carrie Bonato Account Executives Alicia Trujillo Subscriptions

WEEKLYS

Stephen Buel Director of Strategic Initiatives

Mike Lyon Digital Media

Sonia Chavez Accounts Receivables

Warren Giancaterino Information Technology

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CORRECTIONS

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WHO WE ARE

Los Gatan is published Wednesdays by Weeklys.

Contents copyright ©2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without written permission.

TOLL HOUSE OFFICIALS EXCITED FOR ITALIAN RESTAURANT SECRET TO GET OUT

Drew Penner, Reporter

At a public forum last month, when asked about the Town’s financial out look, Mayor Rob Rennie acknowl edged concerns, noting revenue from local hotels had only recovered to about half of pre-pandemic levels.

But with the opening of a new fine dining restaurant at the Toll House Hotel from the team behind Dio Deka, managers there say they believe they have a secret weapon to attract guests—a secret that’s about to get out.

“It’s always nice to see food and beverage coming back after Covid, be cause it was a dark era in restaurants,” Aaron Newell, general manager, said about Due Dieci Cucina Italiana’s ar rival. “I think it does mix well with the lifestyle-nature of the hotel.”

The debut menu from chef Nicko Moulinos includes starters such as Polpette Di Carne (a braised veal

and pork meatballs dish) Tagliere Di Salumi E Formaggi (charcuterie with meats and cheese), salads, pastas, and entrees like Salmone (pomme pu ree, broccolini and squash) and Osso Buco Alla Milanese (veal shank and polenta).

Moulinos was raised on the Greek island of Corfu. He attended the Culi nary Institute of America and worked at Boulud Sud in New York City, under executive chef Travis Swikard.

Later he cooked at acclaimed restaurant Le Bernardin and at Kith/ Kin restaurant at the Intercontinental hotel in Washington DC, among other establishments.

Due Dieci is an Italianization of the name of the well-known upscale spot on Main Street across from Los Gatos High School (Dio Deka), which had previously been honored with recog nition by the Michelin Guide.

Charlene Shaughnessy, director of sales at Toll House, says having a restaurant again could convince peo ple who live in the South Bay area to book a weekend stay.

And she says she believes it’ll give people who live nearby—but kept their distance during the pandemic—a reason to visit Los Gatos again.

“If I live in Scotts Valley, I’m right down the mountain and I can come to dinner here,” she said. “Leave the kids at home and enjoy an evening getaway, walk the streets of Los Gatos and look at the shops. Los Gatos has a lot to offer.”

Shaughnessy predicts Due Dieci is about to become “the number one din ing option in Los Gatos. It wouldn’t surprise us if they do win a Michelin star very quickly.”

She sees a long reservation list in the restaurant’s future.

Newell is a bit more tempered in his expectations. But he, too, sees big things on the horizon.

“I think it’s going to be a standout restaurant,” he said. “I think it’s great what these guys were able to do in here.”

Dan Pulcrano

STAND OUT Aaron Newell, general manager of Toll House Hotel, and Charlene Shaughnessy, director of sales, are thrilled to see the new Due Dieci Cucina Italiana restaurant come to life as the pandemic thaw continues.

NIGHT

NIGHT

Campbell native builds on Seabees’ 80-year legacy

Campbell native builds on Seabees’ 80-year legacy

Felicia Elms supports Navy’s construction projects

Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world. Construction Apprentice Felicia Elms, a Campbell native, is one of those sailors.

“I hope to be a good example to my daughters by being in the Navy,” Elms said. “The Navy sets high stands of val ues to live by. I joined to make a path for my daughters to look up to.”

Eighty years ago, members of Navy Construction Battalions were fittingly nicknamed, “Seabees,” a play on the C and B initials. They are responsible for build ing military bases and airfields, support ing humanitarian efforts and conducting underwater construction projects.

Elms, a 2006 Maysville High School graduate, currently serves as a builder with the Naval Construction Training Center at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Miss.

of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize the importance of accelerating Ameri ca’s advantage at sea.

JEFF APPLEBAUM FRIDAY

SANDRA RISSER THURSDAY DAVE NIHILL

JEFF APPLEBAUM FRIDAY SANDRA RISSER

OCTOBER

“I would like to thank my mother because she has been my support sys tem, has written me letters every day and is always a phone call away,” Elms said. “I also thank God for taking me this far. Without him, I would not have the strength to get where I am today.”

According to Elms, the values re quired to succeed in the Navy are sim ilar to those found in Campbell.

“I learned in my hometown that connections and community can de termine a successful experience,” Elms said. “My mom has always taught me to have confidence and to strive to reach my dreams because anything is possi ble. This has gotten me through each test and every emotional moment.”

Serving in the Navy means Elms is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on strengthening alliances, modernizing capabilities, increasing capacities and maintaining military readiness in sup port of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy is present all around the world and ready to defend at sea and on land to keep us safe,” Elms said. With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent

“Maintaining the world’s best Navy is an investment in the security and prosperity of the United States, as well as the stability of our world,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Na val Operations. “The U.S. Navy—for ward deployed and integrated with all elements of national power—deters conflict, strengthens our alliances and partnerships, and guarantees free and open access to the world’s oceans. As the United States responds to the se curity environment through integrated deterrence, our Navy must continue to deploy forward and campaign with a ready, capable, combat-credible fleet.”

Elms and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their mili tary service.

“I am most proud of being promoted, becoming a fire team leader and having held the top of my class since we started at the school house,” Elms said.

As Elms and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in continuing an 80-year legacy and serving their country in the United States Navy.

“The Navy is a family of sailors who have created a path of direction that is visible to my two daughters,” she said.

SERVING Campbell native Felicia Elms is assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist

Class Vanessa White

POLICE BLOTTER

SEPT. 25

• Golf clubs, money and various documents were reported stolen on Los Gatos-Saratoga Road.

• Two young boys were inside a store on the 400 block of N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 6:25pm, “throwing balls.” The caller thought they were “up to something.”

• Two women, one of which was “only wearing a bra and pants,” and a man were reportedly drink ing alcohol next to a house on Los Gatos Boulevard and Burton Road at 7:06pm.

• Someone stole a vehicle’s license plate on Alberto Way.

SEPT. 26

• Someone stole a vehicle’s license plate on Maggi Court.

• A caller reported several juveniles riding electric bikes on N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Los Gatos-Sara toga Road at 6:33pm because “it appears dangerous” and they “look immature.”

• A transient couple plugged in a mi crowave in a front lawn area on the 16500 block of Shannon Road at 6:52pm. They reportedly refused to leave when asked.

• A man was arrested for threat ening a crime on Mary Alice and Blackwell drives at 7:35pm.

• A caller wanted their neighbor, who was playing ping-pong in their backyard, to “quiet down for the night” on El Gato Lane at 10:13pm.

SEPT. 27

• A man was reportedly “yelling about Satan” on Garden Hill Drive at 10:43am.

• A caller thought a man wearing a gas mask on the Lexington Reser voir trail was suspicious at 1:54pm.

• A driver stopped their vehicle in the road at Winchester Boulevard and Winchester Circle to recover the rolls of toilet paper that fell out at 6:36pm.

SEPT. 29

• A home was burglarized on Uni versity Avenue.

SEPT. 30

• A stolen vehicle was recovered on Shannon Road and Sky Lane.

• Someone stole a vehicle’s cata lytic converter on Howes Drive.

• A man was reportedly “doing ka rate moves and acting weird” at Town Plaza Park at 5:24pm.

• A group of juveniles were report edly playing “ding dong ditch” at a home on Bachman Avenue at 8:48pm.

• Vehicles were burglarized on Elm Street and Village Lane.

• A vehicle was stolen on Cypress Way.

OCT. 1

• A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on University Avenue and Shelburne Way at 5:46pm.

Information is compiled from public records released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.

O’CONNOR’S NEXT COURT APPEARANCE IS DECEMBER 12

But the defendant was still hesitant to cover the short distance.

“We have to open the courtroom now,” he added. “Let’s go.”

Once in the inmate area, O’Connor sat slumped forward to the left of her lawyer, head bowed, clutching her forearms.

Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise gave her appearance for the prosecution.

“Ms. Wise, why don’t you get us caught up to speed?” Judge Gogo invited.

With that the District Attorney’s Office representative shared the progress she’d made working with Madden on calendar options.

Together they settled on Jan. 23, 2023 in Department 26 for the start of a preliminary examination, with an update hearing set for Dec. 12 at 9am in Department 44.

Before approving the dates, the judge turned to O’Connor to take her plea.

She indicated “not guilty” to the 39 charges, including felony child en dangerment and sexual battery.

“You have the right and the obli gation to be personally present in

court,” Gogo said, previewing the pre liminary hearing rules, including that it goes ahead even if she doesn’t show.

“You have the right to remain silent during your preliminary hearing.”

The ADA confirmed she antici pates it will last about two weeks.

Wise had considered having vic tims speak during the plea hear ing—as was her approach during bail proceedings—but ultimately opted against it.

“Originally, myself and defense counsel weren’t in agreement about a preliminary hearing date, so they were going to speak about that,” she told the Los Gatan, afterwards. “Once we settled on a date, they decided not to speak.”

Wise said this is all part of working toward giving victims closure.

“It is a little bit longer out than we wanted,” she said. “But it is a good step forward.”

Outside the courthouse, a Los Ga tos mother who says her daughter was one of O’Connor victims, told the Los Gatan it was upsetting to come face-to-face with the defendant.

The Los Gatan isn’t using her name in order to protect the identity of her child.

“I’m a parent, right? So, my job is to protect my child and other chil dren, and yeah, it’s really hard to see her. And really traumatic,” she said. “In fact, when she walked up, she was right there…like two feet from us, looking us in the eyes.”

It’s also been tough to deal with the lengthy court process, she said, noting the incidents happened when her daughter and her friends, now in their junior year, were freshmen.

“By the time this goes to court or gets any traction, I feel like they’re gonna be in college,” she said. “It’s just not fair to the children and the families that have to live with this day-to-day. They’re doing as well as they can, given the circumstances.”

O’Connor was denied bail in Feb ruary, and her lawyer appealed the decision. The 6th District Court of Appeal denied the petition. Mad den then appealed to the California Supreme Court, which sent the case back to the appellate court.

He argues she should be released because she hasn’t been charged with felony violence or felony sex assault.

arguments in her habeas corpus bid are scheduled for Oct. 13 at 1:30pm.

“For her and her attorney to keep pushing out the hearings—you know, every time we come it’s pushed out another 2-4 months, and now it’s January 23—it doesn’t feel satisfying at all,” the Los Gatos mother said.

She told the Los Gatan that when she first wanted to bring the situation to the attention of the authorities, some parents were supportive, while others gave her the cold shoulder.

“Now, this is an adult woman who was doing terrible things, asking boys to do terrible things to girls. But I think that a lot of the families of the boys were nervous,” she said. “In life I think you have a choice. You can keep quiet and it will go on, or you can, you know, find the courage to say, ‘This is going on. This is wrong. And I’m going to put a stop to it. Be cause other children should not have to suffer.’ And so, there were a lot of brave parents who supported me, and there were a lot of families—and they know who they are—who wanted nothing to do with me when I said,

‘This is going on; we need to protect these children.’”

ARTWORK REPRESENTS BALANCE BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT

mission hopes to place around the community.

Tom Spilsbury, one of the com missioners, said he’s pleased with Babcock’s production.

“I think it’s high-tech,” said Spils bury, who’s lived in Los Gatos since 1962. “I love it.”

The commission recently won a .5% public art contribution require ment for many new developments, and is lobbying for a stable source of funding from the Town.

LGACC chair Maureen Cup pon-Javey says this would provide an important long-term aesthetic benefit to the community.

“There hasn’t been a dedicated

budget,” she said, adding they’d still seek additional private donations.

The road to the second sign reveal started back in 2014, when the proj ect made it to the drawing board.

“We wanted to be art-forward,” Cuppon-Javey said. “Then we had the job of identifying locations to place the work.”

The Town set aside $30,000 for the sign drive, with $5,000 given to three finalists to develop proposals.

When Babcock presented, com missioners fell in love with the de sign and he clinched the bid, Cup pon-Javey remembers, “easily.”

The first sculpture with the polyg onal feline shape arrived on Sarato

O’Connor remains in custody. Oral ga-Los Gatos Road in May 2021 to rave reviews.

The concept was executed so suc cessfully, the commission—which had considered using different de signs for each sign—decided to em brace Babcock’s art for round two.

It was overcast as Babcock posed with community members in front of the piece.

His dad and stepmom had joined, all the way from Michigan, too.

He spent a lot of time modifying the typeface with just the right kern ing, he said, adding he was trying to strike a balance between reminiscing on 1950s America, and our new tech nological reality.

While Babcock says he’s aware of the popularity of “low poly” artwork today, he says that wasn’t something that directly inspired the cougar.

Instead, he drew on a 3D calligra phy approach, noting he thought a lot about the elegant simplicity of ancient Japanese and Chinese penmanship.

“It’s so economical,” he said.

Babcock says the mountain lion he designed, while industrial in nature, was based around a “flow” of just four “brush strokes.”

But he doesn’t discount the digital comparisons.

“It does have a kind of technologi cal feel to it,” he said. “I like my works to show how they’re built.”

SPORTS LOS GATOS GIRLS WATER POLO DUNKING OPPONENTS

Wildcats focus on process of improvement

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

If looks could kill then Los Gatos High senior Lily Van Putten would’ve burned a hole through one of the players on the Castilleja girls water polo team in their Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division match on Sept. 27.

Van Putten had just scored a goal on said defender but immediately glared at the player in question after being on the receiving end of a rather painful scratch. Whether the scrape was over the top or simply a matter of being a hazard of the sport, Wildcats coach Don Appleton said the most important thing was that Van Putten kept her cool even when she could’ve blown a gasket.

“Lily wasn’t happy, but Lily has grown up quite a bit,” he said. “There’s some games she gets really frustrated, and today was a day where she didn't let that show. She got hammered a few times and she stuck with the game plan and made sure she was making the best choices for the team. She is one of our more physical players and we need that kind of pres ence in the pool when you have such a young team. So she did a really good job of walking that line between being a real physical player and knowing the differ ence between physical and finesse and when to use each attribute.”

The ability to stay mentally tough and disciplined propelled the Wildcats to an impressive 11-6 win over their closest competitors to a second consec utive league championship. Both teams entered the contest with undefeated division records, but Los Gatos showed its superiority by never letting the Gators in the match.

The Wildcats led 5-3 after the first quarter and Castilleja never got closer the rest of the way. Van Putten had a gamehigh four goals, and Abby Lockman, Ella Ralston and Karly Frangieh had two goals each and Karissa Elliott one.

Julia Ernsting made a terrific play to end the opening quarter, warding off a defender before delivering a nice pass to Ralston in front for a score. Entering the week, Los Gatos had an overall record of

13-1, with its only loss to a Clovis team that is ranked No. 4 in the state by MaxPreps.

It was a match that the Wildcats led 6-3 at halftime, only to fade a bit. Ap pleton said playing Clovis and a couple of other tough teams in the Woodcreek Invite (Sacramento area) Sept. 23-24 served a valuable purpose because of the rough and tumble nature of play that characterizes that particular region.

“It’s a little more physical of a game out there and it’s also the referees and the way they call the game is a little different as well,” he said. “We made the adjust ment, and those are the games we want. That’s why we go to those tournaments.”

Appleton said the tournament got the team ready for a tough Castilleja side. What made Los Gatos’ win all the more impressive was it did it without the ser vices of one of its best players in center Maily Isaacs, who suffered a concussion during the Woodcreek tournament.

“Maily is usually good for two to three goals a game and has a lot of experience on defense,” Appleton said.

With the absence of Isaacs, enter Lockman, who stepped up and played a disciplined game.

“Abby played smart and she played tough,” Appleton said. “She got drilled a couple of times and she bit her lip and stuck with the game plan, so I’m super proud of her there.”

First-year varsity goalie Rachel Ste phens has been strong in the cage a season after the program graduated two Division I goalies. Despite being smaller in stature, Stephens has shined.

“She's not a big goalie so she has to play a more aggressive, out of the cage type of game and she’s doing a real good job of that,” Appleton said. “She’s coming up with a lot of steals that are helping us move forward.”

Indeed, whenever Stephens had the ball, she was always looking to make a long outlet pass down the pool. A cou ple of times, her passes led to goals by Frangieh, who is one of the fastest play ers in the section and is coming off an appearance in the CIF State Swimming Championships last spring.

Frangieh has been a goal-scoring machine and utilizes her speed and ability to swivel and change directions to juke defenders to get herself in prime scoring range.

“Karly knows her game plan and we’re lucky to have one of the fastest kids in the section,” Appleton said. “She is keeping us in games and a kid with that kind of speed having that two or three goal cushion almost guaranteed every game is a huge help.”

Van Putten did a ton of work in the off-season and it’s paid off.

“Lily has supreme confidence in her

scoring and shooting (ability),” Appleton said. “And now we’re really finding that line where she’s using her confidence to put herself in goal scoring situations and how she’s also learning to be a distributor in those situations. Because when it comes to the postseason, it’s not just about one kid who can go and get it done. And we’re lucky we have more than one kid, but now Lily is learning those situations on when she needs to take the initiative, on when she can be the goal scorer and when she can be the distributor as well.”

Appleton takes pride in the team’s defense and to that end it utilized a new drop defense against Clovis which prepared Los Gatos to face Castilleja’s standout player, Sydney Lowell, who earned De Anza Division Field MVP honors last season.

So, even though the Wildcats have a sparkling won-loss record, Appleton fo cuses on the daily process of improvement.

“I really don’t care about the wins and losses right now,” he said. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. Winning is great, but the improvement we’re seeing out of these girls every game is big. It’s a double-edged sword when you have this much success early, especially when it comes to league stuff. So, we’ve done the work so far but we can’t be riding on past performances—we need to keep improving.”

ALL AROUND TALENT Lily Van Putten looks to make a pass in the Wildcats’ 11-6 win over Castilleja on Sept. 27. The victory gave Los Gatos the inside track to win the SCVAL De Anza Division championship.

Jonathan Natividad

SPORTS

LOS GATOS BOYS WATER POLO’S BEST IS YET TO COME

of skills, scoring from close range, skip shots beyond five meters and on breakaways. Twice Amburgey beat Woodside down the pool before tak ing pinpoint passes from goalie Jake Cannon and going in for uncontested scores.

Sullivan also scored on breakaways and one-timers, a testament to his playmaking ability. He and Dirven displayed solid chemistry, each as sisting the other on a couple of goals. Los Gatos’ depth was evident against Woodside.

Several players made quality plays, including when Jake Walton got a steal and delivered a nice pass that led to a Sullivan goal midway through the first quarter. Koret said sophomore Jacob Weber has been coming along nicely and there are high expectations for Dirven, who possesses enormous potential. Gregoire Leroy assisted on Schubert’s goal with three seconds left until halftime. Schubert made a nice move to gain separation from his defender before getting to point-blank range and scoring to make it 10-3.

Return of Schubert provides big lift

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

The Los Gatos High boys water polo team has good reason to believe its best is yet to come.

That’s because one of the Wildcats’ top players, Lars Schubert, played in his first game of the season in a 19-5 non-league win over Woodside High on Sept. 27. The senior standout broke a finger in his right hand in mid-Au gust, which sidelined him for nearly two months.

However, as Schubert makes his way back to what coach Davor Koret hopes is a full recovery—meaning Schubert is shooting with his domi nant right hand instead of his left like he was against Woodside—the team will continue to ascend.

Even though losing Schubert for a long period of time was a blow, Koret said the team made the most of the situation.

“Missing Lars was like a dou ble-edged sword,” Koret said. “Obvi

ously, he’s one of our better players but on the other end his absence opened up a lot of room for the young players to get a lot of minutes, which will defi nitely help us by the end of the season. And now having him back will defi nitely increase our quality of defense and create opportunities on offense. I think we’ll be a completely different team when we face Palo Alto again (on Oct. 20).”

Los Gatos is looking up to Hark er and Palo Alto in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Di vision standings. Entering the week, the Wildcats were 5-2 in league play, just a half game back of both Palo Alto and Harker.

The Wildcats lost to Palo Alto 13-8 in the league opener on Sept. 6 and fell to Harker 18-10 on Sept. 22. Their rematch with Harker comes on their Senior Night on Oct. 13.

“They’re good, but I think we’re improving,” Koret said. “I think we’re right up there with them. Harker has a little more advantage and a deeper

roster. But I don’t doubt that we can compete with them and Palo Alto.”

Koret said freshman Ryan Madsen and junior Connor Sullivan have been the team’s most consistent players thus far. Madsen is one of three fresh men on the team, and they all make an impact. Madsen and Mathijs Dirven are starters and Henry Bakota con tributes quality minutes as a reserve.

Koret said the freshmen have come a long way since the season-opener against Palo Alto.

“They didn’t look as sharp in that game,” he said. “They looked pretty nervous and right now they look com pletely different.”

Madsen had three goals and Dirven two in the Woodside game. Junior standout Liam Amburgey and Sulli van had five goals each, scoring all sev en of the team’s goals in a first-quarter blitz. Woodside actually scored the game’s first goal 32 seconds in before Los Gatos buried the visitors by scor ing seven of the next eight goals.

Amburgey displayed an array

Schubert practiced for the first time without a cast the day before the Woodside match, so he’s still using his non-dominant left hand.

“He’s one of our captains and a pool leader,” Koret said. “He’s one of our most experienced players so having him back will definitely be a great boost not only for the quality of the game, but also for all the guys because everybody loves having him around.”

Koret said for the team to reach another level it must improve defen sively. Even though Los Gatos was clearly the superior team to Woodside, Koret wasn’t overly impressed with his team’s press defense at the start of the match or its zone defense for parts of the second half.

“It wasn’t at the level I wanted it,” he said. “I think we did some good things overall. We try to stay humble and try to stay on the same page re garding not flying way too far away from the ground because we still have a lot of room to improve. But it’s going to be a fun second part of the season for sure.”

UNSELFISH Junior standout Liam Amburgey looks to make a pass in the Los Gatos High boys water polo team’s 19-5 non-league win over Woodside High on Sept. 27. Amburgey had five goals in the victory.

Jonathan Natividad

LOCAL SCENE

ARTIST PROVIDES SATIRICAL TAKE ON FINE ART WORLD

In “Koons Ruins at the James Estate” at New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) (on view through Nov. 27), Bay Area artist Kathy Aoki provides humorous relief from the “art market tyranny” of artist Jeff Koons with her conceptual and satirical exhibition, according to a press release.

Aoki uses a sharp tongue to poke fun at the patriarchy of the fine art world and create an immersive experi ence for visitors.

The exhibition tells the story of fictional art collector Dorothea James whose growing dislike of Koons’ art leads her to take destructive action. James begins to acquire some of his most famous pieces, sticks them in the ground on her secluded estate, and subjects them to accelerated degrada tion with the help of hired chemists. When James passes away, her estate is open to the public and becomes known to the world as “Koons Ruins.”

Set up as a faux history museum exhibit, Koons Ruins treats visitors to this satirical story of the James es tate, complete with depictions of Bal loon Dog and other works by Koons half-buried in the dirt. Visitors can even “visit” the James Estate through a peephole diorama featuring Koons’ Lobster sculpture stuck in an acid pit.

Known for her mock museum in stallations that question the impor tance of society’s foibles from the Hel lo Kitty brand to the ubiquitous nature of cosmetics, Aoki began the Koons Ruins series in 2012 with a drawing of an abandoned Balloon Dog sculpture deteriorating in a field. In 2019, she followed up with images of Lobster hidden in the bushes.

When NUMU curator Julie Erics son reached out to Aoki about creat ing a show this year, the two decided that this was the perfect opportunity to create an immersive and satirical Koons Ruins exhibition.

“Using revisionist tactics, my work operates both within and against the language and signifiers of institutions such as museums and monuments,” Aoki said of her practice. “I often employ didactic wall labels, audio tours, and reverential vitrines to par ody the ubiquitous authority, pomp,

and self-assurance of institutional conventions. The humor is key...Sat ire and a feminist agenda are present consistently throughout my visual arts career, regardless of medium.”

“We were able to subvert the ‘nor mal’ process of creating a museum ex hibition and instead curate something new, witty and thoroughly enchanting for our visitors,” Ericsson said. “When guests find themselves at the James Estate, they are forced to not take ev erything at face value, and this rewires how they view the rest of the museum. It’s captivating to watch that process time and time again.”

A reception is scheduled for Oct. 20 from 5-8, featuring a performance by Aoki as “curator.”

➝ numulosgatos.org.

SANTA CLARA VALLEY WINERIES CELEBRATE

END OF HARVEST

The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley will be hosting its second annual Vineto-Wine event on Oct. 23 from 1-4pm at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. Vine-to-Wine will be an afternoon

celebrating the end of harvest and is where Santa Clara Valley wineries and wine makers are highlighted.

Wine lovers can choose a VIP or general tasting experience. The VIP experience begins an hour earlier than the general and is where participants will sample nine reserve tastings led by Matthew Kaner—named one of the Sommeliers of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine and named as one of the 40 Under 40 Tastemakers by Wine Enthusiast. A 30-minute tour of the historical Paul Masson winery will follow the tasting.

The general tasting begins at 1pm. Wine lovers will be tasting award-win ning wines from more than 20 winer ies—including sparkling and dessert wines at the Bubbly Bar. Gourmet bites will be prepared by Kneaded Bread & Catering, a non-profit, nocost culinary arts vocational training program for youth and young adults in Santa Clara County.

A marketplace will showcase Barrel Dreams custom wine barrel furni ture and home décor, California Craft House will showcase their lasered wood products, including wine boxes, and Coravin will be demonstrating their wine preservation products. Two

local bands will also perform: Matt Masih & The Messengers, and The Singer and Songwriter Duo.

Those arriving from out-of-town are encouraged to take advantage of dis counts being offered by two local hotel partners—Hotel Valencia in Santana Row and Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos.

“Vine-to-Wine, which describes the life cycle of the grape, is an annual event for us to celebrate the end of har vest and our award-winning wineries, while raising more awareness of our region,” said Stacy Giannini, director of marketing for Wineries of Santa Clara Valley. “We chose to celebrate this year’s event with wine lovers at the Mountain Winery, a venue with stun ning views overlooking the Bay Area and that definitely sets the stage for delighting the senses.”

To purchase tickets, visit san taclarawines.com.

Sales support the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley, a non-profit organization. Its mission is to raise funds to provide scholarships and grants to graduating high school seniors planning to major in Viticultural or Enology. Funds will also be used for operations, to market the Santa Clara Valley AVA and mem ber wineries.

PARODY Kathy Aoki’s digital painting, “Buried Bourgeois Bust,” is part of a new exhibit at New Museum Los Gatos.

Kathy Aoki

Locals’ can-do attitude pulls off great things

Jeffrey P. Blum, Contributor

Los Gatos residents must have had “The Little Engine That Could” read to them when they were children. They seem to have taken on the mantra that if you think you can do something, you will probably get it done.

How else can you explain the amaz ing activities and service projects resi dents do on a seemingly weekly basis? It takes a can-do attitude and a lot of planning, personnel, time and effort to pull off these events and complete these projects.

The latest example of a can-do at titude leading to a major successful event in our town was the OktoberFest, to support our local cable television station, KCAT. This was KCAT’s first attempt at putting on an OktoberFest event, yet it came off exceptionally well. I suspect it will become an annual event, to join the numerous other ma jor traditional events our residents put on in our town.

The OktoberFest event was very well-attended, which must mean it was well-publicized. The “oompah” band was great; it was perfect for the occa sion. Although I do not eat bratwurst and I do not drink beer, I heard that the food was great, and the beer hit the spot with many people at the event on a hot day. The event on the lawn of the Civic Center was very well organized, as was evident from walking around and see ing the many sponsors, volunteers, and the large and tented eating area. Kudos to KCAT for pulling this off.

Prior to the OktoberFest, the town had its health fair, which is yet another example of motivated and optimistic people coming together to accomplish a goal. The event included more than 30 service providers and vendors pres ent to explain their services and offer information with a focus on mental health. The overriding message of the health fair was to work to destigmatize mental health conditions. Lissa Kreis ler (full disclosure: Lissa is my better half), formerly on the radio for many years and currently the interviewer for a show at KCAT, was the Master of

Ceremonies, and as usual, she brought her energy and her humor to the event, thus keeping it lively and entertaining. Numerous luminaries spoke at the event, including our County Supervi sor Joe Simitian. Free ice cream was provided and there was a dunking booth, in addition to other kid-relat ed activities. Once again, the efforts of many individuals, including Tyler Taylor from Saratoga Area Senior Co ordinating Council, who spearheaded the organizing, went into making the event happen.

I don’t have to look beyond the Com munity Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC), where I serve as a commissioner, or the Los Gatos Rotary Club, where I am a member, to find other examples of doers getting things done. Recently, Eleanor Yick from CHSSC, and Lisanne Kenney from Los Gatos/Saratoga Recreation, put together an easily accessible infor mation hub, to serve as a resource cen ter about senior-related local activities and services. Meanwhile, Rotary Club of Los Gatos has several service proj ects occurring soon, including a collab oration with Rebuilding Together.

The community-based activities and volunteer endeavors our residents engage in are too numerous to list. Regardless, it is evident our residents understand the importance of looking beyond themselves and engaging in the community. Their can-do attitude and accomplishments re mind me of the closing lines of “The Little Engine That Could,” which I sometimes say to myself after I do something tough: “I thought I could, I thought I could.”

Jeffrey P. Blum is a family law mediator who lives in Los Gatos.

Our residents understand the importance of looking beyond themselves and engaging in the community.

CALENDAR

JUAN SÁNCHEZ: SPANISH MUSIC FOR FAMILIES

Musical artist Juan Sánchez will perform an afternoon of Spanish mu sic on Oct. 5 at 4pm at the Los Gatos Library, 100 Villa Ave. All ages are welcome.

MYSTERY LOVER’S BOOK CLUB

The Los Gatos Library’s Mystery Lover’s Book Club meets the first Wednesday of every month. The next meeting is Oct. 5 at 5pm on Zoom. The club will discuss “The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins. ➝ losgatosca.libcal.com/event/9527475.

AUTHOR TALK WITH GARY SINGH

The Friends of the Los Gatos Li brary presents an author talk with Gary Singh, author of “Silicon Alleys,” a collection of columns that "explore the underbelly of San Jose and Silicon Valley from a bent perspective that only a native wacko could offer.” The talk takes place Oct. 6 at 5pm. The book signing will follow.

COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM

The Los Gatos Chamber of Com merce is presenting a virtual forum with Los Gatos Town Council candi dates on Oct. 6 at 7pm. Questions will center around local business and eco nomic topics. It will be moderated by Jim Foley, president of the Chamber Board of Directors. The forum will be conducted in a Zoom webinar format.

➝ bit.ly/3E2sHHk.

BEER & WINE WALK

The Los Gatos Chamber of Com merce’s first-ever Los Gatos Beer & Wine Walk takes place downtown on Oct. 15 from 1-4pm. Local wineries and breweries will be set up inside merchants and restaurants, providing a selection of tastes.

➝ losgatoschamber.com/ beer-wine-walk.

MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER

Throughout October, Discovery Shop Los Gatos, 39 E. Main St., is par ticipating in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer by offering a 25% off discount coupon certificate good for 30 days to customers who make a $25 donation to the American Cancer Society.

TIERRA FIRMA ART EXHIBIT

New Museum Los Gatos presents “Terra Firma,” an art exhibition about our relationship to the land, opening Oct. 21 and on view through March

19. “Terra Firma,” a group show or ganized by guest curator Marianne K. McGrath, brings together work by 15 artists, working in diverse media including drawing, painting, print making, photography, installation and sound.

➝ numulosgatos.org.

LIVE JAZZ MUSIC

Live jazz performances at the Tast ing House, 368 Village Lane, take place Fridays and Saturdays from 6-9pm, and Sundays from 11am-2pm.

ENTERTAINMENT AT GARDINO’S

Gardino’s, 51 N. Santa Cruz Ave., features entertainment four days a week.

➝

bit.ly/3OSvPHS.

ONGOING

Los Gatos Farmers Market

The Los Gatos Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and veg etables from Santa Clara County yearround. More than 40 local farmers and food producers sell their wares Sundays from 9am to 1pm at Town Park Plaza on Main Street and N. San ta Cruz Avenue.

➝ cafarmersmkts.com/losgatosfarmers-market.

Was your home built before 1970?

Was your home built before 1970?

TrenchFree is the South Bay’s leader in nondisruptive “no-dig” replacement of water mains and sewer lines. A slow drain or unsatisfactory pressure may be a sign.

TrenchFree is the South Bay’s leader in nondisruptive “no-dig” replacement of water mains and sewer lines. A slow drain or unsatisfactory pressure may be a sign.

TrenchFree is the South Bay’s leader in nondisruptive “no-dig” replacement of water mains and sewer lines. A slow drain or unsatisfactory pressure may be a sign.

REAL ESTATE

HOME OF THE WEEK

SURROUNDED BY NATURE

This recently remodeled home is located in Los Gatos’ Broadway His toric District.

Located at 50 Clifton Ave., the 2,020-square-foot home includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The main floor features cathedral ceilings, hardwood flooring, a dou ble-sided stone fireplace, and expan sive windows that look out to the sur rounding nature. The open-concept kitchen includes stainless steel appli

ances, a farmhouse sink and reclaimed wood accents.

The downstairs primary suite boasts ample natural light, white wood-paneled walls, vaulted ceilings, and a fireplace.

Other amenities include approved garage and ADU plans, circular drive way, wine cellar, workout room, and garden beds.

The home, built in 1975, is listed at $3,295,000 by Compass. For information, visit bit.ly/3BaGSZ6.

CLIFTON AVENUE This Los Gatos home features expansive windows that offer views of the trees.

INSIDE

home was recently remodeled and expanded.

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