Los Gatan 10-26-2022

IN FIRST MEETING BACK IN PERSON, COUNCIL HEARS FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT HOUSING

Members agree to delay decision on referendum

Drew Penner, Reporter

Los Gatos’ first in-person Council meeting in a year brought out a full house on Oct. 18, as members debated what to do about a referendum brought by a group concerned with an increasing pace of residential development.

While there was disagree ment over how to proceed— with plenty of citizens frustrat ed with efforts to densify the community sharing their pub lic comments—in the end, the elected officials unanimous ly decided to punt a decision about the plebiscite to at least next year.

The 2040 General Plan’s Land Use and Community De sign elements were suspended when the Los Gatos Commu nity Alliance gathered signa tures from more than 10% of the electorate in their drive to have those chapters tossed out completely.

In their place, Council has temporarily reinstated the ele ments from the 2020 General

OFFICIALS LIFT BOIL WATER ADVISORY IN LOS GATOS

impacted

Drew Penner, Reporter

Utility officials said Monday evening they had lifted a boil water advisory for Los Gatos residents affected by a service outage to 577 customers.

Fresh water flows were shut off after a digging crew struck a main around noon Thursday on the 100 block of Villa Avenue near Los Gatos High School that was set to be replaced, according to San Jose Water officials.

The break happened when a piece of heavy equipment nicked the old transmission pipe, said Sharon Whaley, a utility spokesperson.

Stunning Tuscan style home was built circa 2011 and offers an abundance of amenities. Formal entry with a living room and a dining room. Great kitchen/family room with a large center island, stainless steel appliances, breakfast bar, and informal eat-in area. Throughout are barrel, cathedral, and volume ceilings, Knotty Alder Wood cabinets & doors, skylights, and custom wood floors & trim. 5 suites with private baths. Primary suite on the main level is quite spacious with a glorious bathroom and walk-in closet. Lower level offers a 2nd kitchen with a large entertaining bar & cooktop, half bath, walk-in wine cellar, huge great room, and theater room. Full bedroom with full bath on the lower level. Stone floors and high-end carpeting. Beautiful in-ground pool/spa with waterfall & slide. Outdoor enclosed Loggia with outdoor kitchen & gas fireplace. 4 car

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DISTRICT TO PAY $5.1M IN SEX ABUSE CASE

Teacher was sentenced to 35 years in prison

Staff Report

Los Gatos’ public elementary school system has agreed to pay a total of $5.1 million to two men who were sexually abused as children by Blossom Hill El ementary School teacher Joseph Brian Houg, the lawyers for the victims said Oct. 21.

The Los Gatos Union School Dis trict had been headed for trial in Santa Clara County Superior Court, Nov. 7, in the civil action brought by San Josebased Corsiglia McMahon & Allard.

John Doe, who was sexually as saulted in early 2020, will receive $900,000, a spokesperson for the law firm said. John Doe 2, who was sex ually abused in the 2008-2009 time period, will receive $4.2 million.

“John Doe 2’s abuse was so horrific that he’s still suffering from what hap pened to him when he was a little boy,” attorney Mark Boskovich said. “He can use this settlement to get the help he needs since he continues to suffer from anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.”

The settlement comes as the AB 218 statute-of-limitations-extension for victims of sexual abuse at public in stitutions is about to expire. Plaintiffs have until the end of the year to file historic claims.

Houg, the school’s youth theater director, was sentenced in November 2021 to 35 years in prison for molest ing 10 former Blossom Hill students, including Doe 2. Houg was convicted of three felony counts of lewd and las civious acts on a child by force, duress, menace or fear, for his abuse of Doe 2.

The boy was so ashamed and dis gusted by the abuse that he took a cup of scalding hot water and purposely poured it onto his penis in an attempt to genitally mutilate himself, his law yers said.

Parents also accused Houg of ver bally abusing students.

“The school district failed to dis cipline Houg or supervise him more closely after multiple verbal abuse and sexual harassment complaints and this settlement acknowledges that fact,” Boskovich said. “We uncovered evidence of at least 11 complaints that were brought to the school’s attention between 2001 and 2020.”

Superintendent Paul Johnson

Joseph Brian Houg

LGUSD Superintendent Paul Johnson confirmed the settlement without mentioning a specific dollar amount.

“The lawsuit involves two plaintiffs in connection with the criminal ac tions of Brian Houg, a former teacher who pled no contest to criminal com plaints of child sexual abuse last year,” he said. “For the good of our school community, including current and former students and their families, the District believes it was best to settle this matter so we can continue to focus on the education, health and well-being of all our LGUSD students.”

The settlement was reached through mediation, he added.

“LGUSD takes these matters seri ously and works closely with students and staff to ensure that safety policies and procedures are in place to pre vent such actions from ever happen ing again,” he said. “We hope this set tlement agreement will help to bring closure to the families involved.”

The other plaintiff, John Doe, was abused in January 2020 when he was 10 years old during a dress rehearsal for a school play.

During the pandemic, Houg asked two 13-year-old boys to engage in in appropriate conduct during separate videoconferences.

The boys reported Houg and he was arrested in September 2020 by Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies. He was suspended without pay by the school district shortly afterwards.

Boskovich says Houg’s abuse was “unprecedented,” adding school ad ministrators didn’t do enough to pro tect the students under their care.

“Had the District documented and investigated the early complaints and properly supervised Houg, many kids would have been spared,” he said.

The Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District recently agreed to pay $3.485 million to a former Los Gatos student who was sexually abused by her track coach.

Meanwhile, just up the road to the north, San Jose’s Union School Dis trict was ordered to pay two abused female students $102.5 million by a jury. It also settled another case involving five men (who are now in their 50s) for $7.5 million.

“One of the reasons there are so many cases involving schools is be cause pedophiles go where the kids are,” Boskovich said. “It’s imperative schools understand they can’t protect teachers who are hurting kids.”

Boskovich is calling on elementary school leaders in Los Gatos’ district to “look at the administrators who failed to take action against Houg and make sure they are held accountable for their actions.”

Dan Pulcrano

For the good of our school community, including current and former students and their families, the District believes it was best to settle this matter so we can continue to focus on the education, health and well-being of all our LGUSD students.

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COUNCIL IS BACK IN THE CHAMBERS

Council, from page 1

Plan, but needed to figure out how to handle the referendum.

They had three options:

1. A standalone special election that would cost $900,000-$1 million ($600,000-700,000 for mail-in only); this could be completed at some point in 2023.

2. Place the measure on the Nov. 5, 2024 general election, costing about $145,000.

3. Rescind the elements in question and replace them with updated ones.

Town Attorney Gabrielle Whelan said if Los Gatos wants to replace these two elements, the new versions would have to be substantially different from initial ones.

Vice Mayor Maria Ristow said she was mystified about why the referendum proponents opposed the Community Design Element, since it doesn’t seem to have much control over development; the 2020 version now in place is quite outdated, she added.

Mayor Rob Rennie, who is currently standing for reelection against candidates supported by the LGCA, asked staff for clarification about some of the main fac toids being circulated by the group.

“Could we talk a little bit about the numbers?” he began, referencing the supposed 12,000 potential housing units figure in LGCA materials.

Community Development Director

Joel Paulson confirmed that the state

mandate plus a 15% buffer is only 2,292 for the State’s upcoming eight-year resi dential-planning cycle.

He said the LGCA’s 12,000-unit num ber was apparently based on imagining every single parcel would be able to be built out to the maximum densi ty allowed—and that developers would choose to construct as much housing as possible in every single one of these areas.

A more accurate estimation for the entire 20-year period would be less than 4,000 units, he added, confirming this was based on development rate assumptions selected by a consultant (of about 5-15%).

Councilmember Matthew Hudes said much of the housing construction that might happen in the coming years could be “by right” development that the Town doesn’t control.

On a question from Councilmember Marico Sayoc—who opted not to seek reelection in November—Paulson con firmed just 619 homes have been built in the current Regional Housing Needs Assessment period under the 2020 Gen eral Plan.

“We now have to build 2,000 in the next eight years,” she said, suggesting that could be unrealistic, considering the old system is now back in-place.

Councilmember Mary Badame, one of the names on the ballot supported by the LGCA, argued that the 5%-15% redevel opment rate was just “the opinion of one consultant,” and could be way higher.

Dressed in a National Rifle Associa tion T-shirt, Ronald Meyer, a Los Gatos resident since 1988, took to the micro phone during verbal communications to raise concerns with the General Plan process.

He said he thinks the community needs to be able to vote on the residential development portions of the plan, as part of ensuring private property rights are protected.

“When are we going to see the plan?” he asked. “I would like to see more trans parency.”

Ristow confirmed with staff that the public documents are currently online.

Meyer said he had trouble finding them on the website.

The Mayor directed staff to follow-up with Meyer by email.

Diana Pleasant, another local res ident, said she understands what is happening is that Sacramento doesn’t want to allow Los Gatos to be a tiny com munity anymore.

She urged council to put the phrase “small town” back into a section of the General Plan from which it was eliminated.

In his public comments, Rob Stump, another Council candidate supported by the LGCA, claimed the 2040 General Plan would actually usher in “more than 12,000” units.

“What I'm recommending is that the Town Council rescind and re place,” he said.

Jason Xu, a father of two, had learned the topic would be coming to Council via a message from Hudes the day before.

He was out jogging nearby when

he noticed, through YouTube, that the meeting had begun.

“Why don’t I come in, instead of watching the video?” he thought to himself.

So he did.

“Good evening Council members. So, I was actually a new member of the town,” he said by way of introduction, referring to his recent move from San Jose. “One keyword that I heard repeat edly is ‘small town’ again and again. I loved that...This is a number one issue to decide my vote, my wife’s vote.”

Afterwards, in an interview with the Los Gatan, Xu explained he’s generally happy with the services available to Los Gatos residents—such as policing, and fire protection.

“We really love downtown Los Ga tos and the schools,” he said. “But I think, at this moment in this town, the high density development is the num ber one issue that I can see.”

Like so many in the community, he’s worried additional residential housing production could threaten the “char acter” of the community.

Melanie Hanssen, the chair of the Planning Commission, which had rec ommended higher density rates in some areas that ultimately made it into the 2040 General Plan, said at this point she believes the right move would be Option 3, to scrap the initial 2040 General Plan elements in dispute.

That’s because she’s concerned voters could be bombarded with misinforma tion ahead of a referendum.

“Maybe there’s a creative solution,” she commented over Zoom, contending the 2020 density levels won’t be enough to reach the bar set through the California Department of Housing and Communi ty Development process.

Council heard it might make more sense to wait to hear back from HCD on the draft Housing Element, which was submitted Oct. 14.

The agency has 90 days to respond, but may give Los Gatos clues about which way it's leaning, sooner.

Because the 2020 General Plan rules are now active again, Council members felt it made more sense to push a deci sion about the referendum off after that happens—when their own ranks could look quite different (depending on what happens in the election).

The Los Gatos Community Alliance argues the Town should just reverse-en gineer the 2040 General Plan’s housing provisions once HCD tips its hat about the minimum amount Los Gatos will have to plan for.

BACK IN THE CHAMBERS Councilmember Matthew Hudes speaks as Town Attorney Gabrielle Whelan and others listen in during the council’s first in-person meeting since 2021 on Oct. 18.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

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OCT. 16

OCT. 16

• Someone damaged a toilet on Miles Avenue.

• Someone damaged a toilet on Miles Avenue.

• Two juveniles were reportedly tagging street signs with graffiti on Hicks Road and Shannon Oaks Lane.

• Two juveniles were reportedly tagging street signs with graffiti on Hicks Road and Shannon Oaks Lane.

OCT. 17

OCT. 17

• A vehicle was burglarized on Blossom Hill Road.

• A vehicle was burglarized on Blossom Hill Road.

• Campaign signs were reportedly stolen on Union Avenue.

• Campaign signs were reportedly stolen on Union Avenue.

• A man lying in a parking lot on N. Santa Cruz Avenue reportedly told the caller to “f off” when he was asked to leave at 2:29pm.

• A man lying in a parking lot on N. Santa Cruz Avenue reportedly told the caller to “f off” when he was asked to leave at 2:29pm.

• A caller was approached by two men who told them they could fix a small dent on their vehicle parked on Los Gatos Boulevard. Later, the caller found a larger dent and footprints on the vehicle.

• A caller was approached by two men who told them they could fix a small dent on their vehicle parked on Los Gatos Boulevard. Later, the caller found a larger dent and footprints on the vehicle.

POLICE BLOTTER

POLICE BLOTTER

OCT. 18

OCT. 18

• A man was reportedly taking a bath in an employee bathroom on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 1:13am.

• A man was reportedly taking a bath in an employee bathroom on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 1:13am.

• An unknown suspect stole gro ceries from a store on Blossom Hill Road at 4:46pm.

• An unknown suspect stole gro ceries from a store on Blossom Hill Road at 4:46pm.

• Someone stole a vehicle’s cat alytic converter on Winchester Circle.

• Someone stole a vehicle’s cat alytic converter on Winchester Circle.

OCT. 19

OCT. 19

• A man was arrested for being in possession of unlawful parapher nalia on Winchester Boulevard and Lark Avenue at 1:19am.

• A man was arrested for being in possession of unlawful parapher nalia on Winchester Boulevard and Lark Avenue at 1:19am.

• A man was arrested for disobey ing a court order on the 800 block of W. Parr Avenue at 9:08am.

• A man was arrested for disobey ing a court order on the 800 block of W. Parr Avenue at 9:08am.

• Three homes were reportedly burglarized on Lexington Drive, La Rinconada Drive and Long meadow Drive.

• Three homes were reportedly burglarized on Lexington Drive, La Rinconada Drive and Long meadow Drive.

• A group of “20-25” dirt bikes were “causing a menace” on Win chester Boulevard and Lark Ave nue at 7:01pm.

• A group of “20-25” dirt bikes were “causing a menace” on Win chester Boulevard and Lark Ave nue at 7:01pm.

• A man was arrested for inflicting injury on a cohabitant on the 200 block of Lester Lane at 9:44pm.

• A man was arrested for inflicting injury on a cohabitant on the 200 block of Lester Lane at 9:44pm.

OCT. 20

OCT. 20

• A vehicle was stolen on Oka Road.

• A vehicle was stolen on Oka Road.

• A woman was reportedly looking through a home’s window on Gar den Hill Drive at 8:38pm.

• A woman was reportedly looking through a home’s window on Gar den Hill Drive at 8:38pm.

• A vehicle was burglarized on Frank Court.

• A vehicle was burglarized on Frank Court.

OCT. 21

OCT. 21

• A burglary was reported on Vine land Avenue.

• A burglary was reported on Vine land Avenue.

• A group of 12 teenagers were re portedly “cursing and yelling” at Bachman Park at 9:19pm.

• A group of 12 teenagers were re portedly “cursing and yelling” at Bachman Park at 9:19pm.

OCT. 22

OCT. 22

• A caller reported their neighbor’s music was so loud that it was “shaking walls for 15-20 minutes” on Winchester Circle at 3:05am.

• A caller reported their neighbor’s music was so loud that it was “shaking walls for 15-20 minutes” on Winchester Circle at 3:05am.

• A man and a woman were ar rested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful paraphernalia on Highway 17 and Hamilton Avenue at 3:50am.

• A man and a woman were ar rested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful paraphernalia on Highway 17 and Hamilton Avenue at 3:50am.

• A man reportedly kept spitting on a car on University Avenue.

• A man reportedly kept spitting on a car on University Avenue.

• A man was arrested for vandal ism on Blossom Hill and Roberts roads at 1:51pm.

• A man was arrested for vandal ism on Blossom Hill and Roberts roads at 1:51pm.

• Someone stole a vehicle’s license plate on E. Main Street.

• Someone stole a vehicle’s license plate on E. Main Street.

• A group of juveniles were reported ly ringing doorbells on Massol and Nicholson avenues at 9:39pm.

• A group of juveniles were reported ly ringing doorbells on Massol and Nicholson avenues at 9:39pm.

Information is compiled from public records released by the Los GatosMonte Sereno Police Department.

Information is compiled from public records released by the Los GatosMonte Sereno Police Department.

WATER NOTICE

WATER NOTICE

San Jose Water representatives hand out water at a distribution center at the Los Gatos Library on Monday afternoon while a boil water advisory was in effect.

San Jose Water representatives hand out water at a distribution center at the Los Gatos Library on Monday afternoon while a boil water advisory was in effect.

RESIDENTS RECEIVE BOTTLED WATER

RESIDENTS RECEIVE BOTTLED WATER

Water, from page 1

Water, from page 1

“We are replacing a 16-inch water main, originally installed in 1946,” she said Friday, adding the shut-off was re quired because it's a high-pressure pipe line. “It can’t just be throttled back. This

“We are replacing a 16-inch water main, originally installed in 1946,” she said Friday, adding the shut-off was re quired because it's a high-pressure pipe line. “It can’t just be throttled back. This

was not planned, so notification to cus tomers could not happen in advance.”

was not planned, so notification to cus tomers could not happen in advance.”

Repair teams worked through the night to solve the problem, she added.

Repair teams worked through the night to solve the problem, she added.

Distribution officials with the util

Distribution officials with the util

ity reported workers tried to put a clamp on the mid-20th century asbes tos-and-cement pipe. But that didn’t work, so they moved onto Plan B— which involved bringing in a different set of equipment.

ity reported workers tried to put a clamp on the mid-20th century asbes tos-and-cement pipe. But that didn’t work, so they moved onto Plan B— which involved bringing in a different set of equipment.

“Unfortunately, the pipe was damaged more than originally expected,” a SJ Wa ter spokesperson told affected customer Rick Van Hoesen. “A different repair approach was tried and did not work.”

“Unfortunately, the pipe was damaged more than originally expected,” a SJ Wa ter spokesperson told affected customer Rick Van Hoesen. “A different repair approach was tried and did not work.”

Van Hoesen said he didn’t get this response until more than 18 hours after the service disruption began.

Van Hoesen said he didn’t get this response until more than 18 hours after the service disruption began.

SJ Water officials said they expect ed to have service back up-and-run ning by 6pm Friday.

SJ Water officials said they expect ed to have service back up-and-run ning by 6pm Friday.

“We apologize for the inconve nience,” Whaley told the Los Gatan.

“We apologize for the inconve nience,” Whaley told the Los Gatan.

“It has just been a very difficult repair. Our crews have been there nonstop, but there have been estimated repair times for the restoration of service that have slipped.”

“It has just been a very difficult repair. Our crews have been there nonstop, but there have been estimated repair times for the restoration of service that have slipped.”

San Jose Water said all customers were “restored” by 3:30pm Friday, al though the utility noted it would take longer to actually get water flowing through the system properly.

San Jose Water said all customers were “restored” by 3:30pm Friday, al though the utility noted it would take longer to actually get water flowing through the system properly.

Officials issued a boil water advi sory and utility representatives went door-to-door delivering bottled wa ter. Cases of bottled water were given out from an outdoor distribution point that was staffed 24/7.

Officials issued a boil water advi sory and utility representatives went door-to-door delivering bottled wa ter. Cases of bottled water were given out from an outdoor distribution point that was staffed 24/7.

The Villa Avenue main replace ment project is just one section of the approximately 24 miles of water pipelines that are upgraded by the utility each year.

The Villa Avenue main replace ment project is just one section of the approximately 24 miles of water pipelines that are upgraded by the utility each year.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

SPORTS

WILDCATS BASK IN CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE

Los Gatos wins 3rd straight league title

Senji Torrey, Correspondent

Halfway through the third quarter, the Los Gatos High football team was holding a steady seven-point lead over Wilcox High in their Santa Clara Val ley/Peninsula Athletic League game on Oct. 21.

But over the next three minutes, Wild cats receiver Wil Brennan scored two touchdowns to secure a surprisingly easy 28-7 victory over their previously unde feated rival, crowning them as the SCVAL/ PAL De Anza Division champion.

In a flash, Brennan—who finished with 196 receiving yards—had TD touchdown receptions of 74 and 73 yards. These two catches alone sur passed all of Wilcox’s receiving yards on the night.

“It was a stop and go [route], he was pressing me, he was up right on me,” Brennan said. “I knew if I could beat him with speed, I could beat him, and my quarterback Jake Boyd threw me a perfect ball.”

Speed has been a staple of Brennan’s game, who is coming off a terrific track and field season last spring when he qual ified for the CIF State Championships in the 400 meter run and 4x400 relay.

His work on the track has allowed him to create wide gaps of separation from his defenders all season, resulting in an av erage of 24.8 yards per catch. Brennan’s conditioning from track would come in handy just minutes after his first TD, when he caught a short lob pass, then proceeded to sprint halfway down the field to nail in the final score of the game.

“[Running track] factors in a lot. That’s where I get the speed. I train on the track, so it really pays off out here,” Brennan said.

Brennan added about the win: “Man, it feels really good…Every year, we know it’s going to be a battle, it’s going to be a dogfight, and you know, it feels so good to come away with the dub.”

A wide receiver’s speed is only as ef fective as a quarterback’s passing ability, and for Los Gatos, Boyd was on point. In fact, though Los Gatos’ first two touch

downs were rushes, Boyd’s downfield passes—a 42-yard throw to Brennan and a 30-yarder to senior Jaylen Thomas, each of which placed the ball inside the 5-yard line—were what set up the scores.

Boyd completed 5 of 8 passes for 182 yards and just as important, had no in terceptions or fumbles lost.

He also had a 2-yard rushing TD in the second quarter to give the Wildcats the lead for good at 14-7. Wilcox was effective in holding Los Gatos’ normally potent run game to 54 yards on 27 carries.

However, senior running back Emilia no Meija continued to ram his way to vi tal yards, averaging just under 4.1 yards per carry. Mejia’s 3-yard scoring run in the first quarter extended his TD streak to four games.

“Their defense is really sound, they pride themselves on stopping our run game. So we know to beat them, we’ve gotta be able to throw the ball,” coach Mark Krail said. “By in large, he [Boyd] had time to throw…We had some one-

on-one coverages and our guys just made plays. It was great.”

Preparations for this rivalry matchup were extensive for Los Gatos.

“When you play Wilcox, it’s not just four quarters of football,” Krail said. “This is one we always mark on the cal endar and know that it’s going to prob ably determine a league champion. And so the preparation was pretty intense this week.”

The intensity paid off for the Los Gatos defense, which held the Chargers—who entered the contest averaging 38 points a game—to 31 below their season average.

Though Wilcox had glimpses of stellar playmaking late in the game, Los Gatos was able to tighten up before points were scored. Henry Masters (14 tackles) halted a promising drive late in the third quarter when he intercepted a stray pass; two plays later, the Wildcats were celebrating their fourth and final TD of the game.

Wilcox saw its next drive foiled as

Ryan Bernat intercepted a pass at the Los Gatos 25-yard line.

“I saw [the quarterback] release the ball, the receiver didn’t get his head around in time,” Bernat said. “I knew he wouldn’t get the ball, it was coming straight to me the whole way, I knew it.”

The Wildcats’ defense finished off Wil cox’s final drive with a forced fumble that was recovered by senior lineman Luchi Casale. Nicolas Ramos had a game-high 16 tackles and two sacks. Bernat vouched for the efficacy of the intense practices leading up to game day, attributing the defense’s success to them.

“Our week of practice was the hardest work we’ve done. We were working our butt off to be good,” Bernat said. “We really just trust one another. Our team fits together so well, there’s no grade division, we’re one.”

Los Gatos travels to Mountain View for its final league game on Oct. 28. Fol lowing this, it plays at Menlo-Atherton for a league crossover game to finish off the regular-season.

PLAYMAKER Wil Brennan had touchdown receptions of 73 and 74 yards in the Wildcats’ 28-7 win over Wilcox on Oct. 20. With the victory, Los Gatos clinched the SCVAL/PAL championship.

Jonathan Natividad

SPORTS

LOS GATOS SET TO WIN ANOTHER TITLE

Field hockey juggernaut uses loss to get stronger

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

It wasn’t but a New York minute when Los Gatos High field hockey coach Henry Reyes started looking at the video to dissect his team’s play in their 2-0 loss to visiting St. Francis on Oct. 18.

“It was a tough one, it hurts, like anything else, they all do,” Reyes said. “You play three quarters of a pretty decent game, but ultimately you have to play all 60 minutes. Sixty minutes is not what materialized.”

Despite the rare defeat, the Wild cats had reason to smile two days later when Mitty beat St. Francis to put them back into the pole position to win yet another outright Santa Clara Valley Athletic League championship.

Had St. Francis beaten Mitty, the Wildcats would’ve most likely ended up as league co-champions. Now, if they beat Los Altos on Oct. 25 and Saratoga on Oct. 27 to close out the league season, they will stand alone atop the SCVAL once again.

That’s a major accomplishment considering the SCVAL is far and away the premier field hockey league in the Central Coast Section. In fact, the SCVAL is so good that the top six teams are seeded Nos. 1-6 for the CCS playoffs.

“Ninety-eight percent of the CCS champions are from this conference,” Reyes said.

The Lancers’ victory over the Wild cats meant the teams split their reg ular-season series, with Los Gatos beating St. Francis in the first contest in overtime. Of course, the teams could very well meet again in the CCS semifinals or finals.

“I think having coached in this league long enough, we’re going to see each other again,” said Reyes, who is in his 32nd season as the Los Gatos coach. “We’re going to see a Mitty again, we’re going to see a St. Francis again. And we just have to be more prepared the next time. That’s all we can do.”

Wildcats goalie Keira Lin made several nice stops against the Lanc ers, including a kick save from close range with 7 minutes, 55 seconds left in the third quarter that kept the game scoreless. Los Gatos controlled the third quarter and the first couple of minutes of the fourth before St. Francis put the pressure on to close things out.

The Lancers scored both of their goals in a two-and-a-half-minute stretch midway through the final quarter.

“One of the captains who controls the midfield was serving a five minute penalty, so that didn’t help,” Reyes said. “But that happened moments be fore the other captain who controls the front line came out with an injury, so we had a little bit of no one controlling the steering wheel in that four, five minutes where the two scores came. That hurt us.”

Jiwoo Hong, Sam Elliott and Abby Lo have been solid if not spectac ular throughout the season. Elliott displayed her potent hitting ability throughout, unleashing hard shots off short corner passes from teammates. She also delivered a nice pass to Aanya Gupta on a play that nearly scored ear ly in the fourth quarter.

“Sam played well, Jiwoo played well, Abby Lo played her heart out,” Reyes said. “In general, the defense played really well. They played three quarters and then some good defense. But once again, teachable moments, things to learn, they’re only kids.”

Hong was shaken up after awk wardly colliding with a St. Francis player in the final period. She had to exit the game but did return a few minutes later. Reyes commended Hong’s toughness and determination afterward.

Reyes also pointed to the play of

junior Ellie White, who made several nice defensive plays. In addition to those already mentioned, Los Gatos also has a core nucleus of Macy Den non, Caitlin Okonkwo, Greta Tolich, Teagan Fogerty, Mackenzie Powell and Hailey Stone.

The Wildcats were at their vintage best in the third, connecting on passes, making strong runs all over the field and unleashing potent shots on goal.

“The kids calmed down just a little bit (at halftime) and played a more possession game, more white to white (lines), more teammate to teammate as opposed to throwing the ball ran domly in areas and hoping we’d get to it,” Reyes said.

On the rare occasion Los Gatos faces defeat, Reyes uses those moments as valuable learning lessons for the team to continually improve. That’s why it’s been the premier program in the CCS for the last couple of decades.

STALWART The Wildcats’ Abby Lo battles for possession during their Santa Clara Valley Athletic League match against St. Francis on Oct. 18. Despite a 2-0 loss, Los Gatos is poised to win another outright league title.

Jonathan Natividad

Turkish actress selects Los Gatos as base for Californian adventure

would stay here whenever he rolled through the area.

It’s also provided some needed respite from her life as an actress overseas.

“We make a new film before I came,” she said, of a movie she describes as “fantastic.”

“Gizemli Ada: Mençuna,” the latest from director Bora Onur, is set to be released in 2023.

Hadivent plays the role of an an chorwoman in the story of a bunch of children who become trapped on an island, and have to overcome a series of challenges.

The film also serves as a counterpoint to our global hyperconnected society, since the youth on the magic island are separated from the devices they have become accustomed to.

“In the new world, the kids are not go ing outside to play,” she said, motioning to her cellphone. “Because everything is here on the phone, on the tablet...Has advantages, has disadvantages.”

Hadivent, diplomatic and yet sincere, has a whimsical way of musing on the spread of technology.

“When I was a child, I was all day outside,” she said. “I feel the life outside. Now it’s difficult. The film is about this.”

was in the middle of planning its second season. It was broadcast in 2007-08.

“I feel freedom,” she said. “I feel like ice skater—and Olympians.”

She recalls the challenging produc tion schedule, but also the glorious television moments—like the time she and Gelenyse skated together to a Liza Minnelli song.

Hadivent even made it all the way to the finals, facing off against soccer pro İlhan Mansız, a Turkish national team player who is known internationally for an extra time goal against Senegal in the 2002 World Cup—sending the team to the semifinals for the first time.

Hadivent is a strong advocate for main taining a positive outlook and engaging in continual self-improvement.

“Every day you should learn some thing,” she said, adding it’s smart to head out each day with something to give to the world. “You have to read. You have to watch.”

While she appreciates many of the values underpinning socialism, she says she doesn’t necessarily want to claim that label for herself.

“I don’t like to say, ‘I’m this, I’m this, I’m this,’” she said, adding she wants to see wars end and human rights protected. “Yes, very important. I feel close to this.”

Hadivent pictures the world as a big garden where everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

Drew Penner, Reporter

Yasemin Hadivent strode confidently up West Main Street in Los Gatos, rock ing a colorful, comfy coat she’d picked up while at a shop in Italy, her bright green eyes full of optimism and wonder.

Just a few weeks ago, the Turkish tabloids were abuzz with the news that— after wrapping on her latest film—the 40-year-old Istanbul-based star was off to America, following in the footsteps of several of the country’s other celebrities. It was unclear when she’d return.

“This is my first time here in San Francisco,” she said Oct. 19, on her 10th day using Los Gatos as a home base for

her Californian adventure. “Nice warm place, is here.”

She carried a book with her called Bir Sürgün (“A Deportation”) a semi-autobiographical novel by Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoğlu, in which the main character flees to Paris after liv ing a life of exile in Turkey.

Hadivent had enjoyed the Beat Mu seum and a jaunt to City Lights Books, she said over coffee at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co.

While this is her inaugural Bay Area foray, she previously studied in New York, and has been to Miami several times. And she has a thing for SoCal, too.

“I love the shopping,” she said. “I love to go to Disneyland.”

Los Gatos has provided an ideal springboard for her broader American ramblings, she said.

She seemed amused to learn that Jack Kerouac, the author of “On the Road,”

As she leafs through the latest issue of the Los Gatan, she explains she still enjoys the feel of a print newspaper in her fingers. She can’t help but love its aroma.

“This is the real life,” she said. “I like this.”

Sometimes, however, telecom visions are transmitted into reality.

For example, as a child Hadivent would watch the figure skaters perform ing at the Olympics.

“I was dreaming…to dance,” she said. “Skating is freedom.”

Then in adulthood—after attending Müjdat Gezen Art Center and rising to prominence via the “Stars of Turkey” competition—she was able to claim this reality for herself.

One day she responded to an audition call for ice skaters and ended up working on a production with Canadian, Joel Gelenyse, who grew up on a farm south of Ottawa.

The Show TV figure skating competi tion series called “Buzda Dans” (a spinoff of British program “Dancing on Ice”)

“I believe this: Black or white, no matter; the important thing is to be a good person,” she said, reflecting on how hardship is universal. “We all have so little time. Life is so hard for everybody.”

So why make things more difficult for one another?

These are the questions that flit through the mind of the Turkish actress on a dreamy Wednesday afternoon in Los Gatos like a playful flute line, a sun ny bossa nova tune, or heartfelt blues. But as the conversation turns serious, it becomes clear that these are not the idle concerns of a disconnected member of the acting class.

As the subject of Iranian protests comes up, she clinches a fist and pounds her hand. She pauses to collect her thoughts and uses her phone to check the translation of what she’s about to say. After all, while her mother was born in Bulgaria, her father is from Iran, and his family still calls Tebriz home.

“If we do not protect the freedom of others, we will not observe our own freedom,” she said. “A part of my heart is with the people of Iran, who are fighting honorably against an oppressive regime.”

Yasemin Hadivent shares passion for newsprint, the environment and support for Iranian protesters in interview

VISITING ACTRESS Yasemin Hadivent walks down West Main Street in Los Gatos on Oct. 19 during her visit to California.

Children lead environmental project in Plaza Park

‘Camp Clean-Up’ engages young residents in beautification initiative

Drew Penner, Reporter

A few months back, neighbors Mag gie Contro, an 8-year-old third-grader at Daves Avenue Elementary, and Arlo Britz, a 7-year-old boy a grade below, were sweeping her home’s porch, when they realized they were doing something worth scaling.

Contro had been wanting to start some kind of club forever, so she thought, Why not get their friends together to im prove a much larger area?

Fast-forward to lunchtime on Oct. 19, and a group of eager elementary students headed over to Town Plaza Park, to plant native vegetation as part of the inaugural “Camp Clean-Up” excursion.

“We have to dig a big hole to put the plant in,” Contro said. “We have to take the plant out to squeeze it to give the roots a massage.”

“—so that the roots can grow,” Mon te Sereno 8-year-old Sydney Chuba chimed in.

Violet Rizvi, 9, who’s originally from Idaho but lives in Los Gatos now, says she was excited she got to use a pickaxe.

Town of Los Gatos Park Service Officer Ethan De Groot said the ini

tiative is a way for the children to get out of the classroom to take part in a service project.

“The whole entire purpose of today is for a group to come out and help us beautify the park,” he said. “It gets them focused on nature.”

The Town provided 25 drought-toler ant plants, while Camp Clean-Up mem bers and their families brought gloves and tools, and donated their labor.

“They get a good idea how to help out the community,” he said. “Today was fantastic.”

Emma Richards, 8, revealed she just got some great news from the parks official.

“He said in three or four months we will possibly be able to go to Bachman Park and pick up trash,” she said, adding she’s excited for the chance to make that greenspace look prettier.

Rizvi agreed.

“I think it would be fun,” she said, explaining she’s noticed lots of glass and trash at Bachman Park.

Britz reveals the secret behind how he came up with the name—simplicity.

“It’s kind of like a camp and you clean,” he said, adding he loves how so many children came out to lend a hand.

Lisa Britz, Arlo’s mother, confirms the kids developed the plan all on their own.

“They still want to put up signs around

HADIVENT WEIGHS IN ON TOPICS

Actress, from

We shouldn’t overlook the significance of the moment, she continues.

“This is very big what happened there, because they want freedom,” she said, her face turning to anger on the subject of Mahsa Amini, whose death in the custo dy of morality police sparked the unrest. “They killed that young woman—just for hair.”

She calls the protesters “sisters,” and beams while describing an image of schoolgirls—with their backs to the cam era—giving a middle-finger salute to the authorities.

“They are fighting for their lives, their freedom,” she said. “They’re not scared. They’re on the street. And they believe this regime will have to change.”

Given this bravery, it’s crucial we come alongside in support, she urges.

“We just have to be in solidarity togeth er,” she said.

In times like these, Hadivent reaches for lessons from her favorite literary works.

“I want to tell you from Tolstoy,” she said. “‘If you can feel pain you’re alive. If you can feel the pain of others, you are human.’”

And then there’s Rumi:

“He say, ‘Before I was clever—I want to change the world. Today I’m wise. I’m changing myself.’”

And don’t forget, she notes, Jean-Paul Sartre impressed upon the world the importance of taking responsibility for our actions.

But what about modern responsibil ity?

Hadivent, who is as fascinated by tech

town to get more people involved,” she said. “The actual physical labor was ac tually much harder than I think we anticipated.”

The young environmentalists may have been a bit worn out, but their en thusiasm had not been dampered much.

“You guys did a really great job,” she praised.

De Groot said he hopes the hands-on

nology as she is worried by it, has touched down in a community filled with the peo ple who helped design some of the most critical components of the digital age.

Los Gatos is the location where the company (Netflix) that upended her business (motion pictures) is headquar tered. And just up the road, TikTok— which only recently took the media world by storm—has been on a hiring binge for content moderators, after being accused of allowing harmful short-form videos to proliferate on its platform.

Hadivent doesn’t try to hide her af fection for the wares Silicon Valley has on offer.

“Look, I’m using the Apple phone,” she said.

But, she says, she believes it’s import ant to temper the advances in technology with old-school scientific knowledge— and a serious appreciation for the envi ronment.

“Balance in life all the time is very important,” she said, pointing out that

project will encourage the children down a long-term path of volunteering.

And he was clearly wowed by the effort the kids put in.

“It really brings a sense of good faith and good hope,” he said, adding he hopes the children will be left with a positive impression, thinking, “We did this for the Town and we like helping out the Town— and making it more beautiful.”

doesn’t necessarily mean it will be easy. “Life is full of contradictions.”

The previous day, for example, she took a break from the algorithm-medi ated existence to consider the beauty of some local trees.

“I feel the heartbeat,” she said, adding she imagined she could crawl inside and get enveloped in one of them. “I feel the tree feel.”

And she garners encouragement for her love of the environment in the words of another classic author—Hermann Hesse.

“He’s a nature-lover,” she said. “Yes, I’m a humanist.”

While many people see California as a land of celebrity to flock to, Hadivent is reveling in her West Coast obscurity.

“I didn’t come here to be famous,” she said. “I came just for visiting my friends.”

And this, too, can be utterly liberating.

“Here nobody knows me—I’m free,” she said. “I’m just a normal person. I’m Yasemin.”

NATURE FOCUS Camp Clean-Up focused on Town Plaza Park on Oct. 19 by installing native plants.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

CALENDAR

POETRY BOOK CLUB

Join Los Gatos Poet Laureate Jen Siraganian for the poetry book club. The club will be reading Don Mee Choi's “DMZ Colony,” winner of the 2020 Na tional Book Award for Poetry. This col lection explores the intersection of per sonal and the political, South Korea and the United States, image and text, and more. The club meets Oct. 27 at 5pm at the Los Gatos Library, 100 Villa Ave.

➝ losgatosca.libcal.com/event/9666661.

‘NOT-SO-SCARY HALLOWEEN SHOW’

The Los Gatos Library will host “The Not-So-Scary Halloween Show with Mike the Magician” on Oct. 28 at 4pm. The magic show is full of Hal loween fun appropriate for all ages.

➝ losgatosca.libcal.com/ event/9513916.

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 do nation 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 organized by guest curator Marianne K. Mc Grath, brings together work by 15 art ists, working in diverse media includ ing drawing, painting, printmaking, 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 vegetables from Santa Clara Coun ty year-round. 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. Santa Cruz Avenue.

➝ cafarmersmkts.com/losgatosfarmers-market.

Campbell Farmers Market

The Downtown Campbell Farmers Market is held Sundays, rain or shine, from 9am to 1pm. For information, visit uvfm.org/campbell-sundays.

The Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos

The club meets the first three Thurs days of the month at noon at Double D's, 354 N. Santa Cruz Ave. First two Thursdays of the month feature guest speakers.

➝ lgkiwanisgives.org.

Rotary Club of Los Gatos

The Rotary Club of Los Gatos meets Tuesdays from noon to 1:30pm at Shir Hadash Synagogue, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane.

➝ losgatosrotary.org.

The Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club

The Club meets every Wednesday morning 7:30-8:30am at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road. Program includes featured guest speakers.

Los Gatos Lions Club

The Los Gatos Lions Club meets ev ery Wednesday. A breakfast meeting is held at Moore Buick, 15500 Los Gatos Blvd., at 8am and a noon meeting at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Sara toga Road, with a guest speaker. The club has been active since 1946.

Dale Stewart Hill

REAL ESTATE

HOME OF THE WEEK

LosGatos resident from 1965 – 2018

Dale Stewart Hill died peace fully in the presence of her family. She was born and raised in Pasadena, the first child of Dorothy and Frederick Walker. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UC Berkeley in 1949, followed by a certificate in Physical Therapy from UCSF in 1950. At Cal she met her hus band, Robert Hill, PhD. They wed in 1951 and would go on to have three sons. They raised their family first in Orinda and then in Los Gatos. Dale moved to the senior community at Rossmoor in Walnut Creek in early 2018.

Dale devoted her active years to rais ing a family and running the household while also pursuing her passion for community service through volunteer and civic organizations. Her activities include many achievements in addition to long term membership and leader ship positions:

• American Association of Universi ty Women, board member in the 1960s – 70s.

• Los Gatos-Saratoga-Monte Sereno League of Women Voters; Presi dent from 1971 – 73

• Santa Clara County Charter Re view Committee; Chair 1973-75

• Santa Clara County Grand Jury; Forewoman 1974 – 75 (first woman appointee since 1919).

• Los Gatos Planning Commission; 1976 – 82 (2 years as Vice-Chair)

• Los Gatos Union School District Facilities Committee, Chair 1979-81

• League of Women Voters of Califor nia; State Board, Vice-President for Management and Training 1981 -85

• Santa Clara County 2020 Open Space Task Force; 1986 – 87

• Live Oak Adult Day Services (Los Gatos); board member from 1986-97

• Library Board of the Town of Los Gatos; Chair from 1996 – 97

• Friends of the Los Gatos Library, President 1998 – 99 Honors and awards (partial list):

• San Jose Mercury-News Woman of Achievement in Community Ser vice award, 1976

• AAUW Named Grant Honoree, 1978

• Santa Clara County Human Rela tions Commission, Award of Spe cial Recognition, 1990

• Los Gatos Senior of Distinction, 1990

• San Jose Junior League “Silver Bowl Award” for Volunteer Recog nition, 1991

• Live Oak Adult Day Services, Board Leadership Award, 1997

Predeceased by her husband and by her brothers Robert and Stewart, Dale is survived by her sons Barry (Mildred) of Benicia, CA, Allan (Mary Jayne) of For estville, CA, and Lorin (Anne) of Berke ley, CA, as well as seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life event will be held at a later date. Inquiries may be sent to lorin.f.hill@gmail.com

Friends are invited to contribute in her memory to any non-profit orga nization that works to preserve and strengthen voting rights and to resist the current assault on civil society and our democratic institutions.

AREAS TO ENTERTAIN

City lights and mountain views are a constant with this Los Gatos home on an oak tree-studded lot.

Located at 490 Santa Rosa Drive, the 5,265-square-foot home includes five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms.

Living spaces include a grand living room, formal dining room, custom gourmet kitchen, family room, of fice and private primary suite. Red

oak floors with mahogany inlays are throughout, along with remodeled bathrooms, Victorian crown molding, fresh paint in and out and new carpet.

Outside, there are several areas to relax or entertain among the natural landscapes, patio and bocce ball court.

The home, built in 1984, is listed at $4,865,000 by Compass. For information, visit bit.ly/3Djf9pZ.

INSIDE

Red oak floors with mahogany inlays are throughout.

SANTA ROSA DRIVE This Los Gatos home features mature landscaping.

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