Los Gatan 12-21-2022

COUNTY PLANNERS FACE OFF WITH MOUNTAIN PIZZARIA

Drew Penner, Reporter

Nonno’s Italian Cafe is the sort of mountain hangout where on a chilly Friday night you’ll hear “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock n’ Roll Band)” by the Moody Blues blaring as bundled-up patrons gather around a fire next to the bocce ball court.

Behind the outdoor bar is the owner, 70-year-old Ralph DiTullio, who wants to retire, but says he’s been struggling to get the permit update he needs from the County.

“They’re very nice,” he says of his dealings with the Santa Clara County Planning Department. “But at the same time, they’re putting the knife in your back.”

DiTullio says his right to use the outdoor seating area has come into question by the Planning Department, which he thinks may be curtailing his property rights because its lost track of important paperwork.

Nonno’s Italian has been rallying the community to support its efforts to get the government to confirm Commercial Variance Permits necessary to sell the business as it is currently operating.

“Ralph DiTullio purchased the property at 21433 Broadway Rd.

➝ Pizzaria, 6

TOWN SEATS NEW MAYOR, COUNCIL

Sayoc lauded for years of service

Drew Penner, Los Gatan

Vice Mayor Maria Ristow became mayor, and Councilmember Mary Badame vice mayor, during the Dec. 13 Council meeting, while Rob Moore was sworn in for the first time and Rob Rennie started his next term.

The evening also marked an end to Marico Sayoc’s tenure on Los Gatos Town Council, with local leaders and state officials sharing heartfelt tributes.

“Together we changed State law—a really consequential State law—protecting the civil discourse of our process that you see before us,” said Patrick Ahrens, an aide to Assemblymember Evan Low, who presented Sayoc ➝ Council, 13

Owner hopes to sell business, but faces paperwork issues

SWORN IN Maria Ristow (left) takes her seat on the dais as Los Gatos’ next mayor during the Town Council’s Dec. 13 meeting.

VOL.2 NO.16

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TEENAGE TWINS LAUNCH FASHION NONPROFIT TO SUPPORT AFRICAN WILDLIFE AND COMMUNITIES

Drew Penner, Reporter

Some of the most impactful ideas aren’t minted instantly, but simmer slowly, as necessary ingredients are added, one after the other.

So, it went with the emergence of a local charity that aims to support wildlife and communities in Africa.

Yes, it’s true that 16-year-old fraternal twins Zoe and Mikaela Swanson went from tennis coaching to running the 501(c)(3) fashion nonprofit called Savanna Sisterhood after a family trip to Serengeti National Park.

But establishing the project wasn’t something that came in a lightning-bolt of inspiration while experiencing a taste of life in the Maasai village of Mdori they went to, near the World Heritage Site in Tanzania.

Instead, it was a gradual progression that involved a change of perspective, careful research and a process of ferreting out trusted partnerships.

The girls are advanced tennis players who host classes for children as young as 6 years old, teaching the basics of the sport and help novices progress to a higher level.

“Zoe and I both feel passionate about female empowerment,” Mikaela said during a recent Zoom interview from their home in Monte Sereno. “We hold free tennis clinics for kids.”

During the Africa vacation, their freshman year of high school, they were thrilled to watch lions hunting and see the cute baby cubs roaming around.

“We were sitting in these sort of safari cars,” Mikaela said. “At one point we saw a cheetah under a tree.”

They noticed the goats in the area and were struck by how different the lives of the villagers were from their own.

“The tribe lives on the outskirts of the park,” she said. “We got to see their family situations.”

They were struck by the specifics of the

daily routines of Maasai girls and women.

“It was definitely different from how I live,” Mikaela said. “One girl’s chore was to walk to get water in the very early hours, so she can take a shower and brush her teeth—whereas I walk 10 feet to my bathroom.”

The trip was a nice break from the stresses of student life back in America, Zoe noted.

And they say there’s no denying the thrill of seeing animals roaming on semi-desert grasslands.

But the lessons of their cross-continent foray wouldn’t fully sink in until later on.

They got the itch to help communities outside of the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno area, but weren’t sure how to go about it.

“We wanted to do something that would impact others,” Zoe said. “We wanted to tie-in the women-empowerment thing.”

SAVANNA SISTERHOOD Fraternal twins Zoe and Mikaela Swanson were inspired to start a California nonprofit after a visit to a Maasai community in Tanzania.

COUNTY SUPERVISOR SETS UP MEETING WITH OWNER

from page 1

27 years ago in 1995,” says the form postcard locals have been sending to Supervisor Joe Simitian. “Redwood Estates was a little Wild West back then, with groups of n’ere-do-wells hanging out causing trouble. Ralph and the neighbors worked hard for three years to clean up the area, and only then did he apply for a liquor license, delaying until he knew it wouldn’t exacerbate the situation.”

The message points to the central role the quaint pizzaria has played in the lives of people, not just from Redwood Estates, Chemeketa Park, Summit Woods, Aldercroft Heights and Lexington Hills, but also Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and all over Silicon Valley.

“Ralph has gone down to the Planning Department multiple times showing proof that he does own the properties and has permits to operate on them, but nothing has been done,” the card proclaims. “We, as patrons and neighbors of Nonno’s Italian, wish to petition you to help with this situation. Nonno’s is such an important part of our community, and losing it would be a real tragedy.”

But County Planning maintains Nonno’s has expanded its business since the time it applied for a liquor license; it wants DiTullio to go through the process to get a Use Permit for the backyard. The beginning DiTullio first opened a restaurant as part of the redevelopment of downtown San Jose in 1981, which he now calls one of the worst mistakes of his life.

“I ran from that program down there,” he said. “I saw it was never going to get better for the little guys.”

He opened two pizza storefronts in Los Gatos in the 1980s and a third in Morgan Hill.

“And then this opportunity came,” he said. “It was actually going to be semi-retirement.”

He says the atmosphere he crafted was partly inspired by the one of the taverns described in JRR Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.”

“That romance is what hooked me,” he said. “Our whole goal was to create a community atmosphere, a gathering place for people to share their stories.”

He endeared himself to the community by helping crack down on underage bootlegging.

“They used to just hang out here,”

he said. “They almost bankrupted the store across the street, because people stopped going there.”

The business focused on take-andbake, and cooked on a BBQ outdoors on the weekends.

In 1998, DiTullio applied for a liquor license that would allow him to serve alcohol in the restaurant and sell beer and liquor to-go.

But he says he was initially denied, because the County couldn’t find the proper permits on file.

His landlord had to go down to the County with a decade-worth of tax returns and rental agreements to prove their position.

“The County then told her in a letter that we did qualify for a commercial variance,” he said. “So we got our license.”

But now that he’s decided to retire, the problem of poor document management at County Planning appears to be rearing its head again.

“There comes a time when you have to find out who you’ve been married to for 40 years,” he said of why he’s calling it quits finally. “When we go to sell it, we find out that we don’t have a Use Permit.”

Nonno’s was seeking a new liquor license, to make the property as attractive as possible to a buyer.

But this required a series of approvals from agencies, including County Planning.

“I almost had a heart attack,” DiTullio said, “because they had no record of me being at the County (getting the first liquor license) or doing anything.”

Thankfully, Simitian’s office brought up the issue with the County a few months ago, he says.

And while the Planning Department conceded he had a Commercial Variance for the building, they refused to pave the way for alcohol service in the backyard.

Community support

A petition on Care2.com to “Keep Nonno’s Italian in Redwood Estates open!” addressed to Supervisor Simitian had gathered more than 1,300 signers by Saturday.

DiTullio says without a liquor license for the backyard the property is less valuable. Since the property has been used for commercial purposes for decades he believes it should be allowed to be used that way in the future.

And without an outdoor liquor license, he says he might just have to sell to a developer, since it would severely restrict what a restaurant owner could do with the property.

When the Los Gatan caught up with Simitian during the Los Gatos Holidays Parade, he said he was aware of the situation and looking into it.

Then, on Dec. 16, when the Los Gatan dropped by and saw the outdoor

Pizzaria,

FRUSTRATED Ralph DiTullio, owner of Nonno’s Italian Cafe, shows a sample of the paperwork he has presented to county planning staff.

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POLICE BLOTTER

DEC. 11

• Someone stole a vehicle’s license plates on Winchester Circle.

• A woman was arrested for vehicle theft on Bascom and Apsis avenues at 10:28am.

DEC. 12

• An unknown suspect smashed the windows of three vehicles parked on W. Parr Avenue.

• Someone stole a vehicle’s license plate on Blossom Hill Road and Oak Rim Way.

• A man, carrying a plate of cookies, rang a home’s doorbell on Harding Avenue and left at 5:26pm.

• A vehicle was reported stolen on S. Santa Cruz Avenue.

DEC. 13

• An unknown suspect cut the lock to a storage container on Montclair Road.

DEC. 14

• A man was arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance on the first block of Miles Avenue at 12:34am.

• Someone stole a vehicle’s catalytic converter on Potomac Drive and on Pinehurst Avenue.

• An unknown suspect stole a package from a porch on Towne Terrace.

• A man was arrested for vehicle theft on the 15100 block of Los Gatos Boulevard at 2:14pm.

DEC. 15

• A driver reportedly threw garbage at someone’s vehicle on Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Lane at 12am.

• A man was arrested for inflicting injury on a cohabitant on the 200 block of Tait Avenue at 3:27am.

• Five electronic devices were reported stolen on N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

DEC. 16

• A woman was arrested for vehicle theft on the 400 block of Leigh Avenue.

• Someone smashed a window of a business on Los Gatos Boulevard.

• An unknown suspect stole a wallet on Pollard Road and used the victim’s credit cards at various stores.

• Two people stole items from a store on Blossom Hill Road.

DEC. 17

• A vehicle was reported stolen on Elm Street.

• A home was burglarized on Calle Marguerita.

• Two children were reportedly throwing Pop Rocks into a store, hitting a customer on N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

SAN MATEO COUNTY ID THEFT CASE

REDUCES CHANCE LOS GATOS ‘PARTY

MOM’ WILL BE FREED

Drew Penner, Reporter

Prosecutors have new ammunition in their arsenal as they seek to keep a Los Gatos woman, who’s charged with hosting out-of-control parties for teens and manipulating them into staying quiet, behind bars.

Bail was initially denied for Shannon O’Connor on April 6, but her legal team’s been making progress with their appeal of that decision.

The case went all the way up to the California Supreme Court in June, which sent it back to the Sixth Appellate District for a second look.

The State’s top legal authority felt more clarity was needed around bail laws.

Last month, the People filed paperwork directing the court’s attention to the San Mateo County case of Gerald John Kowalczyk, an unemployed, homeless resident who’s bail was set at $75,000 in that felony identity theft and vandalism prosecution.

He filed a “habeas” petition in an attempt to be released with rules about not doing drugs and wearing an electronic monitoring device.

“This means that section 12’s general right to bail in noncapital cases remains intact, while full effect must be given to section 28(f)(3)’s mandate that the rights of crime victims be respected in all bail and OR release determinations,” wrote Justice Carin T. Fujisaki. “In so concluding, we reject any suggestion that section 12 guarantees an unqualified right to pretrial release or that it necessarily requires courts to set bail at an amount a defendant can afford.”

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

The request was dismissed, since Kowalczyk had already been sentenced for his crimes.

However, on Nov. 21, California’s First Appellate District—taking direction from the state’s Supreme Court— issued an opinion that outlines how judges should handle bail reviews (not including death penalty cases).

Specifically it looked at which part of the California Constitution—“article I, section 12, subdivisions (b) and (c)” or “article I, section 28, subdivision (f) (3)”—carry more weight.

Section 12 guarantees suspects a right to bail, although this has been limited by voters over the years (via section 28 changes)—such as when there’s “clear and convincing evidence” a “substantial likelihood” exists a defendant’s release would “result in great bodily harm” to others.

With Kowalczyk, the appeals court decided both sections govern bail decisions in noncapital cases.

This is bad news for O’Connor’s legal team, which had argued the offenses she’s charged with aren’t serious enough to keep her behind bars while the legal process plays out.

O’Connor lawyer George Schraer suggested—on Oct. 13, in front of the 6th District Court of Appeal—that even if the offenses in question injured a child, they might not be considered violent acts, and therefore there wouldn’t be a requirement to keep her detained.

Justice Charles Wilson had pushed back against this depiction of what O’Connor is charged with, especially since she’s accused of fostering an environment that resulted in “non-consensual touching” between high school students.

The court has until Jan. 11 to respond, but it could decide sooner. However, the prosecution is hoping the new precedent will guarantee the woman, who the national media has dubbed “Party Mom,” spends another Christmas in jail.

O’Connor’s legal team has argued the offenses she’s charged with aren’t serious enough to keep her behind bars while the legal process plays out.

SPORTS STEINER IS A 3-SPORT STANDOUT

LGHS sophomore stands tall

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

After a standout freshman season, Los Gatos High center Nicole Steiner entered her sophomore year knowing she would need to take on a bigger leadership role on the team.

From scoring points, rebounding, playing defense and encouraging her teammates, Steiner’s role has taken on greater importance after Belle Bramer transferred to Mitty for the 2022-2023 school year. Last season, Steiner would grab rebounds and immediately pass it to Bramer.

“She was the first person I found and that’s why I think Belle and I clicked really well,” Steiner said. “She liked to score but now that she’s not here, I was like, ‘OK, I have to be the person to score.’ But I also looked at it as how I wanted to get the whole team in the flow and be able to have all five people on the court and all five on the bench being able to score.

“I really want to help develop everyone and I definitely came into this season with more of a leadership mindset than the year before, just because of all the experience I gained from last year and knowing this year would be a little different.”

About once every two to three games, Steiner will put up Bill Russell-esque type numbers. In a 50-31 win over Prospect on Dec. 12, Steiner had 20 points and 25 rebounds, including 13 offensive. She followed that superb performance with 25 points and 14 rebounds in a win over Pioneer and 28 points and 14 rebounds in a victory over Aragon.

“Rebounding is wanting to go get the ball and being able to track it and figure out if the shot is going long or deep, but ultimately it’s wanting to get the rebound and put yourself in the right position,” she said.

Having determination to rebound is key, but it also helps that Steiner is a physical specimen, according to Wildcats coach Sara Quilici Giles.

“Nicole is so strong that she’s going up through so much contact, but it doesn't look like it's a foul because she’s so

strong,” Giles said after the team’s loss to Branham on Dec. 7. “She gives (assistant coach Matt) Holm bruises during practice because she’s like a freak of nature that way.”

As the season goes along, Giles hopes Steiner will get the benefit of the doubt in getting foul calls. She hit 6-of-8 free throws against Branham and should get double-digit attempts at the charity stripe every game because she’s always around the basket and going up for shots with multiple defenders around her.

Steiner said one of her highlights was playing perennial NorCal power Pinewood on Dec. 10, a game in which Los Ga-

tos was competitive before losing, 55-48. “Other than the fact we lost, that was a fun game for everyone because we all played really good and had the lead until the fourth quarter against a good team,” she said.

The Steiner family tree has a rich history in Los Gatos. Both of Nicole’s parents graduated from Los Gatos High, Bill in the class of 1979 and Kathy the class of 1986. Bill is a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame and Kathy was an exceptional athlete in her own right.

Nicole said between both her mom and dad’s side, she has a total of 22 cousins, many of whom are or were standout

athletes. However, some members of the family have said Nicole could be the best athlete among them all, a compliment Nicole doesn’t take lightly.

A look at Nicole’s accomplishments so far in her high school career confirms her athletic prowess. As a freshman, Steiner helped lead the girls volleyball and basketball teams to the CIF NorCal playoffs. Then last June, Steiner advanced to the CIF State Track and Field Championships for the shot put.

From there, competing for top club volleyball team Vision took up the majority of her time until high school volleyball practice began in late July, though Steiner did manage to practice or play some basketball whenever she could fit it in her jam-packed schedule.

Steiner attended four college volleyball camps last summer, including Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, UC Irvine and Cal Poly. Attending camps is a crucial part of the recruiting process, as it allows coaches to see recruits and validate the athletes’ skills and makeup.

For an athlete like Steiner, it helps her to narrow down a college should it decide to offer her a scholarship or roster spot on a team.

“They want to show you how they run their practices and a few of them you’re doing the actual identical warm-ups they normally do for practice,” Steiner said. “They have some drills and at the end they evaluate you through that and games. There’s a Q&A at the end and a campus tour, which is really nice. I really liked all of them.”

Though Steiner sees volleyball as her projected sport in college, she’s keeping her options open and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her receive scholarship offers in basketball or track and field. One of the keys to Steiner’s accomplishments is she doesn’t put too much pressure on herself.

Instead, she focuses on getting her work in and enjoying the process, letting the results come. One of her most enjoyable moments of her athletic career was this past volleyball season as she got to play with her older sister Katie.

“It was exciting to watch her grow and to be on the same team,” Nicole said. “[Holm] announced the home games for us and he’s just a great person and whenever we were on the court at the same time, he would always say the Steiner sisters, and we had a lot of fun with it.”

TO THE HOOP Los Gatos High sophomore center Nicole Steiner goes up for two of her game-high 25 points in a 53-30 win over Pioneer High on Dec. 16. Steiner has been a double-double machine again this season.

Jonathan Natividad

LOS GATOS WRESTLING SHINES IN RENO

Wildcats place four in premier tourney

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

A year after not medaling in the Reno Tournament of Champions, EJ Parco returned and showed just how far he’s come. The same can be said for all of his Los Gatos High wrestling teammates.

Parco won the 144-pound division at the renowned tournament on Dec. 18, highlighting a slew of impressive Wildcats’ performances. Freshman sensation Antonio Rodriguez (113 pounds) and sophomore standout Dylan Pile (165 pounds) took home third-place medals, and junior Timmy Murabito took fifth at 138 pounds to round out the top Los Gatos placers and help lead the team to a solid 11th-place finish.

The Wildcats also had Anthony Ramirez, Joseph Ramirez, Lucas Pannell, Om Shastri, Ojas Shastri, Peter Bowen, Teddy Smith and Stewart Cornelius competing in Reno, with Pannell and Joseph Ramirez each going 4-2 in their respective weight classes.

The Reno TOC brings in most of the top prep wrestling programs from the Western U.S. and serves as an early season barometer for some of the best wrestlers and teams as they prepare for their respective dual league meet seasons in January.

Wildcats coach Greg Varela was proud of all of his athletes for shining in Reno, noting the improvement is all across the board.

“My favorite thing about coaching is watching these kids grow and learn right before your eyes,” he said. “It’s exciting to watch them turn the corner.”

Parco went 10-0 over the grueling three-day event, concluding with a decisive 7-2 win over St. John Bosco’s Joseph Antonio. Parco thrived in the white-knuckle matches, winning a 4-3 decision in his first match. In the semifinals, Parco beat Gilroy’s Maxximus Martinez, 7-4.

“Maxximus Martinez is an animal,” Varela said. “We’re going to wrestle him probably three to four times before the State Meet: probably at Mid-Cals, Doc B [Buchanan], and probably wrestle him

at the section [CCS] tournament God willing they both end up in the finals. It’s going to be back and forth—he’ll win some and we’ll win some. It’s whoever is better on that day.”

Winning a Reno TOC championship speaks volumes on a wrestler’s talent level, work ethic and focus.

“EJ was amazing,” Varela said. “It’s a great feeling, a great confidence booster. Last year he didn’t even place, so it’s been a progression of him getting better and better. This just shows how much improvement he’s made over the last year. It’s huge for him.”

Varela said even though Parco has always been good on top, he’s added an extra dimension to his top game which has made him more versatile. Parco has also become more aggressive on his feet, scoring more takedowns in the process.

Rodriguez also produced some memorable performances, coming up clutch as he went through his 113-pound bracket. After an opening-round bye, Rodriguez squared off with the No. 1 seed, Roseburg’s Gage Singleton, an Oregon state champion.

Rodriguez won 9-8 and followed that up with an impressive 7-5 decision victory. The freshman’s only loss came to the powerful Walnut sophomore Ronnie

Ramirez, who is ranked No. 1 in the state.

“What I told Antonio on the drive home is you’re like a young superhero who doesn’t quite know your potential yet, but you know you have something special,” Varela said. “All of those Marvel movies and guys developing their power and coming into their own, that’s what I was trying to relate to him. You’re just like Spider-Man and just starting to realize you’ve got something special, but it’s not just something you rest on but something you develop. There’s going to be highs and lows and you have to keep honing those skills to really understand how good you can be. He hasn’t even scratched the surface yet.”

Pile has been an inspiration coming back from an injury that sidelined him for his entire freshman season last year. His Reno TOC run was nothing short of memorable, as he avenged a loss to Sunnyside’s Michael Avelar in the earlier rounds to lock up third place.

Varela praised Pile for coming back strong after missing an entire year due to injury.

“The pain of injury is not the hardest part—the mental part of sitting and watching all your friends wrestle while you can’t is,” Varela said. “They’re learn-

ing, growing and having success, and it weighs on you a little bit. Going into the season we wanted to see him wrestle free and not worry about the knee and so far doctors have given him a full recovery. That knee is stronger than before the surgery. It is rebuilt, strong and everything tests above level. To Dylan’s credit, he’s attacked the season without any hesitation of his knee.”

Varela gave credit for how Pile learned from his earlier loss to Avelar and won the “chess game” in their second match for third place.

“When it’s between two equally talented guys, it becomes a chess match, and Dylan lost the first chess match,” Varela said. “We weren’t upset. We talked to him on what mistakes he made strategically on the mat. He learned from them and won the chess match the second time and it was great for him to rebound and get that win.”

Varela gave credit to his assistant coaches Danny Chaid, Victor Daza and Brandon Dariano for fostering a thriving, competitive team environment conducive for learning and development which ultimately leads to mat success.

Murabito went 6-2, winning all six of his matches by decision. Three of those victories were by two points or less, and both of Murabito’s losses came to topranked caliber wrestlers.

“Timmy has made a huge improvement from last year,” Varela said. “I think he got beat up pretty good last year at this tournament and now we’re not outclassed when we wrestle these top guys.”

Varela said Murabito’s sudden-death 3-1 victory over Skyler Hickman of Canyon View High epitomizes how far he’s come. Varela said Hickman beat Murabito the last time the two wrestled 18 months ago. Since then, Murabito closed the gap.

“That kid beat us pretty good and for Timmy to beat him in overtime shows his growth and how much time and commitment he’s put in,” Varela said. “Timmy is hitting his stride and it’s a huge confidence booster for him to show tremendous heart and guts in overtime. We’re really proud of his effort and growth as a wrestler. I don’t think people who watched him in the seventh or eighth grade were thinking this kid would one day be a medalist at Reno TOC or a state placer, but I think it’s in the cards for him.”

EMOTION The Wildcats’ EJ Parco, seen here after winning last year’s CCS championship, took home the 144-pound title in the tough Reno TOC Dec. 16-18. The junior standout beat a number of ranked opponents en route to victory.

File photo

LOCAL SCENE

TOWN OFFICES CLOSING FOR HOLIDAYS

Town of Los Gatos administrative offices will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 2.

The library will also be closed Dec. 23-26 and Dec. 30-Jan. 2.

RENTER INPUT SOUGHT FOR HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE

The Town of Los Gatos is seeking input from residents who are currently renting or have a history of renting in Los Gatos to complete an anonymous survey.

This information will be considered in the Housing Element update process. The Housing Element is a strategic plan for housing the Town's present and future residents.

The survey will be open through Jan. 12.

To view a copy of the survey, visit EngageLosGatosHousing.com. Hard copies are available at the Community Development Department and in wthe library.

The electronic and hard copy versions of the survey are also available in Spanish and Russian.

FIRST AID TRAINING IN LOS GATOS

Safety Training Seminars, an official American Heart Association Training Center based in San Jose, has expanded its footprint with three new CPR training centers, including one in Los Gatos, according to a press release. Each of the new locations offers paths to certification in various lifesaving skills, including CPR, BLS, ACLS, and PALS.

In alignment with its existing centers, Safety Training Seminars’ new training centers provide daily training courses with flexible schedules to meet the needs of busy healthcare professionals, says the press release. The new locations are at 236 North Santa Cruz Ave. in Los Gatos; 15585 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill; and 1400 Coleman Ave. in Santa Clara.

Each location offers CPR, BLS, ACLS and PALS certification courses.

Programs consist of online learning components and on-site skills testing, which leads to certification in the relevant area.

“Safety Training Seminars’ mission is to make lifesaving training programs more accessible to Californians so they can advance in their careers or feel confident to step in during an emergency,” said Laura Seidel, owner of Safety Training Seminars. “Our three new locations help us continue to advance this mission by offering flexible training schedules at locations around San Jose.”

Safety Training Seminars is a woman-owned business offering essential lifesaving training and certification courses since 1989, says the press release. With more than 32 locations throughout Northern California, Safe-

ty Training Centers is committed to offering affordable, flexible training in comfortable classrooms.

To learn more about the courses offered at Safety Training Seminars’ locations and to register, visit bayareacpr.org.

BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTS AREA 3 TRUSTEE

On Nov. 28, the Santa Clara County Board of Education unanimously approved the selection of Donald Rocha as the provisionally appointed trustee for Area 3.

Trustee Area 3 includes the Cambrian, Campbell Union, Luther Burbank, Moreland, Union and Campbell Union High School districts and a

small portion of San Jose Unified and Santa Clara Unified school districts. The seat becomes vacant on Dec. 21, when the deferred resignation of Trustee Rosemary Kamei takes effect. Kamei was elected to the San Jose City Council in June.

Rocha will be sworn in on Dec. 21. As the provisional appointee, he will fill the remainder of the term which ends after the November 2024 election is certified. He joins the seven-member county board of education from his current position as a school board member in the Cambrian School District.

Rocha’s first board meeting will be Jan. 18. The public can view the Santa Clara County Board of Education meetings at tinyurl.com/sccboardmeeting.

FIRST AID Safety Training Seminars has opened a new CPR training center in Los Gatos.

SAYOC GETS SEND-OFF FROM COUNCIL

Council, from page 1

with an official resolution honoring her service. “Many young people looked up to you, as you really broke barriers.”

Sarah Chaffin of Support Teacher Housing said Sayoc was instrumental in spearheading a housing project they worked on together.

“You gave an unknown quantity a chance to come and speak before the council,” she said. “Thank goodness construction is actually complete and people are moving in before you leave the council. I just want to thank you so much, because that really will be one of your legacies.”

Catherine Somers, executive director of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, started tearing up as she spoke.

“There are few people, I think, that really understand how to walk in other people’s shoes, and you really have done that so valiantly, so graciously,” she said. “We really appreciate it—the whole town, from the Chamber of Commerce, all the businesses, all the residents. You’ve taught us a lot.”

Somers wished Sayoc good luck in her future endeavors.

“I think it’s interesting that, as we go through life, we sort of pass each other in different seasons, and at different times of our life,” she said. “I know, for one, I feel really fortunate we crosscrossed at this moment.”

Former mayor Marcia Jensen said that while Sayoc faced attacks during her time as mayor, she weathered these political storms with grace and warmth.

“Everyone in Los Gatos owes you an incredible debt of thanks,” she said. “Thank you so much.”

Outgoing mayor Rob Rennie reminisced about getting elected at the same time as Sayoc.

“It seems like a long time ago; but now that she’s leaving, it seems too short,” he said. “In these eight years, we’ve grown together. But Marico has grown faster. That’s why I have to stay another four years, so I can catch up.”

Badame, a former Planning Commissioner, reminded everyone that Sayoc was on that body for eight years before rising to a Council seat.

“I was a new commissioner at the time, and I was so lucky to be seated next to Marico,” she said. “I admired her so much for her expertise, her finesse and her innate ability to make everyone—particularly me who was new—feel welcome.”

Councilmember Matthew Hudes thanked Sayoc for how she managed under pressure.

“They say anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm, but as our mayor, you showed exemplary and extraordinary leadership in the most challenging environment,” he said. “Thank you for your courage, leadership and sacrifice.”

Ristow, who was still vice mayor at the time, said Sayoc had been a friend, a mentor and an inspiration. She said it was a privilege to work on Sayoc’s 2014 campaign.

“It was always my hope and aspiration to serve on the council side-by-side with her,” she said. “I feel a little bit deprived because we were virtual most of the time. But these two years, I can’t even express how much I’ve learned.”

She praised Sayoc for her wisdom, her effective approach to working with Town staff and for highlighting underrepresented voices in the community.

“I think everybody knows how amazing Marico is and I don’t think I can top anybody else’s speech, but I would say that you’ve left us in a very good place,” she said.

“I’m going to miss you a lot, but I’m going to be staying in touch. And I think we’ll find other ways to work together.”

Passion resonated through her voice as Sayoc, who decided not to run for another term, touched on what she called the most impactful part of her Council journey.

“We had very courageous conversations about belonging, and about how people were feeling pain in this community—and they still do,” she said. “So, I may be leaving Council, but I guarantee every one of you, I will not stop working until this town is a town that is inclusive and values love for what it is. And so, I thank all of you—sorry for the tears—for continuing that work. I know it’s in good hands.”

Town Manager Laurel Prevetti presented Sayoc with a gift on behalf of the municipality.

Mayor Rennie was honored with a video montage, before receiving kudos from the rest of Council.

Rob Moore, who was sworn in by Sayoc, will be serving in political office for the first time ever.

“I am so truly humbled to be sitting before you here today,” he said. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what makes our community so special. And I keep coming back to this idea of neighbors. In strong communities like ours, neighbors look out for each other. They share fences, ideas and gardens and meals and holidays together.”

Badame welcomed Moore to the council.

“It’s a pleasure and an honor to have you here,” she said. “I just hope his energy is contagious.”

GUEST VIEW

‘TIS THE

SEASON FOR SCAMS

Jeffrey P. Blum, Contributor

I started my holiday season by getting hacked. The hacking was a product of my foolishness rather than a case of my supposed diminishing faculties due to my age (71 1/2) getting the better of me. Something was fishy (no pun intended) in the message I received about a fellow master’s swimmer having died in an accident. The fact that the message came from Twitter should have been a red flag since I never use Twitter.

This hacking incident caused me to swallow my embarrassment and spend about eight hours notifying people about the hack and changing my passwords. Reading a long article about pervasive fraud perpetrated against seniors and the federal government in the hospice industry, further led me to consider the issue of elder financial abuse. I was prompted to put on my commissioner’s hat.

As a commissioner on the Community Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC), it behooves me to suggest to my fellow commissioners that we consider tackling the issues of elder abuse and financial fraud.

During my years as a family law attorney, I have had several cases involving

elder abuse. Frequently, these cases involved a relative who was entrusted to oversee the financial affairs of an elderly person, lining his or her pockets with assets of the trusting old relative. Several other cases involved home care providers taking unfair advantage of the feeble old person who they were hired to care for. Yet another case involved an aged teacher being conned into allowing his accountant to invest his retirement assets in risky financial endeavors.

An easy protective measure is to not hand financial control to someone who was not hired for that purpose. A home care provider should not have access to the assets of the person he or she was hired to care for. An accountant hired to do your taxes should not be investing your retirement assets.

What I also found in some instances was a second person acting as oversight. For example, when a relative is charged with the power to run an elderly relative’s financial matters, more than one relative should be overseeing the relative’s estate.

As I age, while I still think of myself as sharp as a tack, I observe my 30-plusyear-old children, and Lissa, my signif-

LETTER

WHY TAI CHI?

Give yourself the gift of Tai Chi. While you are standing in line this holiday season, think how nice it would be to stand without your feet and back hurting. That is just one small benefit of regular tai chi practice. Your balance will improve considerably, and who doesn’t need that? It’s a calming, supportive atmosphere, where you can sit when you need to, the instructor will guide you at your pace. Your shoulders, neck, knees, hips will get stronger through regular use of gentle movements. I even

improved my awareness of right and left. There are studies showing I am not alone: visuospatial ability and attention performance have been shown to improve. No sweating, and yet you get stronger, improve posture and balance, and become more limber with gentle movement of the arms, legs and torso.

Research shows Tai Chi slowed down the loss of bone density approximately three-fold. When people with osteoporosis fall, they are more likely to sustain a fracture. Many studies have shown that Tai Chi reduces falls.

Arthritis can discourage people from exercising due to pain and stiffness in the joints. In April 2007, the largest study of

icant other, questioning my actions at times. Fortunately, their concerns are mostly centered around my eating habits (ie. a largely plant-based diet), my failure to regularly hydrate, and my admittedly obsessive workout routine. However, I envision the time coming when they will look for signs that I have become vulnerable to being scammed, due to neurological problems, problems seeing, or problems hearing (I already wear hearing aids).

Financial con games are not just directed against seniors. Nearly every day, I read a story about someone posing as a PG&E worker, cable company worker, or telephone company operator, claiming to need access to a person’s residence or personal financial information. Just about every other day I receive an official looking email from some company, with whom I may or may not do business, informing me that I must click on their email link and provide them with personal financial information, otherwise my account will be locked or closed.

My favorite scam comes from the alleged descendant of some foreign prince or king, telling me that if I cooperate with them in seeking to recover

tens of millions of dollars from a third party, I can share in the financial recovery. These cons are not as prevalent as they used to be, but they still crop up occasionally, leaving me tempted to reply: “Pound sand.” Wisely, I resist the temptation, however.

While these scams and cons seem to increase in volume during the holidays, financial fraud, particularly directed towards seniors, is pervasive year-round.

As a commissioner on the CHSSC, I am tasked with advising the town council about issues bearing on the health and well-being of our residents, and suggesting remedies to ameliorate the concerning issues, while also paying close attention to the needs and issues of our senior residents. We advise and we make recommendations.

Hopefully, my colleagues on the CHSSC will agree with me on the importance of tackling scam-related issues so that our community is better informed and better armed to defend against the dangers they entail.

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

Tai Chi for arthritis was published in the Arthritis Care and Research Journal, in which it was proven once again that Tai Chi is effective and safe for people affected by some type of joint discomfort and has many other advantages.

Los Gatos Recreation has several Tai Chi classes to offer. Linda Scheer is the instructor who I have followed for years. I know enough to do the practice on my own and there is so much more to learn. The learning makes it a challenge, a way to turn off the triggers of life and concentrate. The repetition makes it a relief to join a small group and just follow the instructor if my mind is not up for more at the moment.

The class time options are likely to meet your schedule; there are different levels of challenge; and what could be handier and more rewarding than

meeting at the Los Gatos Rec Center once a week with people who have become friends?

Please join us for a trial session starting in January ($15, returned if you sign up). We look forward to seeing you! Go to lgsrecreation.org, under Adult Classes, then fitness, then qigong/tai chi to see a list of options, times, teachers. Or call 408.354.8700 for the helpful rec staff. You will see a wide range of other classes available too, but don’t skip the Tai Chi for Life! Which is the name of Linda's Tai Chi. There is a $17 drop-in option, or for the next session, from Jan. 4 to March 15, the cost ranges from $130 to $155 depending on your skill level. I hope to see you there!

Julie Groves Los Gatos

While these scams and cons seem to increase in volume during the holidays, financial fraud, particularly directed towards seniors, is pervasive year-round.

CALENDAR

For more events, visit the online calendar at losgatan.com/events-calendar

‘NUTCRACKER’

Los Gatos Ballet will bring its performance of “Nutcracker” on Dec. 20-22 at 7pm at McAfee Performing Arts Center, 20300 Herriman Ave. in Saratoga.

➝ losgatosballet.org/nutcracker.

HOLIDAY SING UNDER THE TREE

The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce will present a night of cookies, cocoa and caroling (led by vocal coach Ruth Gerson and her students) on Dec. 23 at 6:15pm under the Holiday Tree in the Town Plaza. Enjoy the last night of carriage rides, take a picture with Santa and come sing your holiday favorites together.

FANTASY OF LIGHTS

Fantasy of Lights Drive-thru tickets are on sale now. The Drive-thru runs nightly at Vasona Lake County Park through Dec. 30 (closed Christmas Day).

➝ parks.sccgov.org/fantasylights-2022.

TIERRA FIRMA ART EXHIBIT

New Museum Los Gatos presents “Terra Firma,” an art exhibition about our relationship to the land, on view through March 19. “Terra Firma,” a group show organized by guest curator Marianne K. McGrath, brings together work by 15 artists, working in diverse media including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, installation and sound.

➝ numulosgatos.org.

LIVE JAZZ MUSIC

Live jazz performances at the Tasting 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 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. 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 Thursdays 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. For information, visit 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 every 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-Saratoga Road, with a guest speaker. The club has been active since 1946.

SISTERS GROW NONPROFIT

from page 4

One day, their dad forwarded them an article about how the Maasai’s traditional way-of-life has been threatened by climate change.

The piece told of how many Maasai had been forced to switch to herding goats instead of cattle, because of droughts brought on by climate change. Suddenly, the goats they’d seen on their trip carried a deeper meaning.

They read-up on Team Lioness, one of the first all-female ranger units in Kenya (Maasai women who protect traditional lands surrounding Amboseli National Park) and started to formulate a plan.

They decided to reach out directly to Chrissie Lam, an entrepreneur who left her corporate fashion job in 2012 to found Love is Project—after her own interactions with Maasai women—to sell jewelry from artisans around the world to raise money for development projects.

Mikaela says she was impressed Lam had appeared on “Shark Tank” and noticed the brand had racked up co-signs from celebrities like Anne Hathaway and the women of ABC’s “The View.”

They came up with an arrangement where they could sell the bracelets and direct the money to the organizations they care about—specifically Team Lioness, and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an anti-poaching foundation in Kenya.

“We have a lot here in Los Gatos,” Zoe said. “We have a great life. But I wanted to do something that could affect others.”

They built an ecommerce platform and filed the paperwork with the California Secretary of State to become an official public benefit corporation.

“Over the summer, we actually had our bracelets being sold in Time Out Clothing,” Mikaela chimed in, referring to the North Santa Cruz Avenue boutique.

They say they knew they were onto something when they got their first order for $200.

“We’re hoping to expand our scope even more,” Mikaela said, adding some online shoppers chose to purchase from their website this holiday season. “We are hoping to do some more awareness and advertising.”

The money they raise is about more than providing income to artisans, it also goes towards supporting maternity education, protecting animals, gender advocacy in sports and sustainability projects.

“Now they have another source of income,” Zoe said, explaining how selling jewelry helps empower women on the opposite side of the globe.

And they hope to one day be able to return to Africa to see the impact of their efforts.

To find out more, visit savannasisterhood.com.

Savanna,

GOOD CAUSE Proceeds from Savanna Sisterhood’s and Love is Project’s bracelets go to organizations that benefit African communities.

PETITION GATHERS SIGNATURES

Pizzaria, from page 6

service area in operation, DiTullio revealed he’d just heard back from Simitian’s office that evening.

The supervisor’s staffer had told him she was in the process of setting up a meeting with him, their office and County Planning.

“I was elated,” he said. “That’s exactly what I’ve been screaming for.”

DiTullio says he’s frustrated because he feels like he’s getting an inappropriate level of push-back from the County.

The only reason he’s been as successful in his efforts as he has is because he’s been able to track down official documents that the Planning Department hasn’t been able to find, he says.

For example, he dug up a 1998 letter the County sent to Amal Winter, who he used to rent the space from before he bought it.

“The property tax records, Federal Income Tax forms…as well as copies of leases, water bills, telephone records, and business property statement, you have submitted, demonstrate that at the time of purchase, your property was used as a hardware store. Subsequently, your property has been used as a food store, video rental and repair shop, yogurt store, take out pizza establishment, and professional office,” wrote Michael M. Lopez, a zoning administrator, for the county’s Environmental Resources Agency Planning Office. “I have determined…it has been in continuous operation as a business/ commercial use until the present time. Therefore, based on the foregoing, I have determined that you have demonstrated subject property qualifies as a legal nonconforming use.”

Although, the letter does specify the “nonconforming use” can’t be expanded.

DiTullio argues that the commercial use extends to the backyard and points to satellite imagery he uncovered from the 1960s showing what appears to be some sort of commercial use occurring in the outdoor areas of the property.

In a Dec. 9 letter from Santa Clara County Planning & Development Director Jacqueline Onciano to DiTullio, the County asserted its right to demand a Use Permit.

The County found out about expanded service area when DiTullio applied for the liquor license, she said.

“Specifically, the expansion involves the addition of the outdoor restaurant

seating area and related amenities,” she wrote. “While the expansion of area and installation of related amenities is not permitted and in violation of the County Code, there is a process available to permit this expanded area through a Use Permit.”

Onciano noted (in bold lettering) that the County has chosen not to crack down on DiTullio just yet, but pointed out it might chose to start enforcing what it sees as a violation if he doesn’t jump through the Use Permit hoop.

But DiTullio doesn’t want to do this for a couple reasons: For one, he’s afraid that parking—and other—requirements involved in securing a Use Permit would be impossible to implement in this rural fire-prone zone, thanks to the recent introduction of stricter codes.

And further, he has evidence—from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, no less—that his liquor license actually does cover that backyard.

Nadine Coburn, 61, and her husband Brian Coburn, 59, who live along the Santa Cruz Mountains summit, chose to spend Friday evening dining at Nonno’s—their neighborhood haunt.

“I signed the petition because I think it’s bullshit,” Nadine said. “It’s our little gem in the mountains. We love it here.”

It’s not the first time she’s heard the stories of County Planning’s bureaucracy problems, she says.

But this case is particularly galling to her, because she knows DiTullio has been able to produce documents that the County has been unable to locate.

“They’re not organized,” she said. “And now they’re trying to make him suffer.”

Her husband jokes that it would be better for them if the County keeps stonewalling Nonno’s—so DiTullio is prevented from retiring and can keep cooking delicious eats for them.

“We have a perverse interest in him not being able to sell the place,” he said. “He’s been doing it for 30 years.”

Nadine says Nonno’s is one of those rare spots that has managed to create a true sense of community.

“We come here on Sunday night, too, and it’s always the same people,” she said. “It’s kind of like—old school.”

County Planning did not respond to a request for an interview.

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News about local people, school sports and vital community issues will fill the pages of thislocal publication –and a live web site.

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