Los Gatan 12-28-2022

STATE OFFICIALS SAY TOWN IS ON TRACK WITH ITS HOUSING PLAN

Council agrees to select additional housing sites in effort to avoid by-right developments

Drew Penner, Reporter

For all the haranguing about potential housing coming down the pipe, when it came time for a long-awaited intel report at Town Council about the State’s view on Los Gatos plan, Dec. 20, you could practically hear the crickets.

Despite the referendum that sidelined the work of Town planners, and the seemingly endless stream of residents who complained in recent months about increasing density, when Council heard an update from staff about how the California Department of Housing and Community Development feels about the Draft Housing Element, no one spoke up during public comment period.

Meanwhile, the Council—including the new, unabashedly pro-housing Councilmember Rob Moore—were faced with the tough question of what action to take, as the Jan. 31 deadline to approve the Housing Element approaches.

Cities across California have ➝ Housing, 11

STATE SENATOR INTRODUCES BILL TO TACKLE YOUTH FENTANYL CRISIS

Staff Report

State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) recently introduced legislation to prevent opioid and fentanyl overdoses and death among California’s youth.

Senate Bill (SB) 10, should it be approved and signed into law, would expand statewide prevention and education efforts to combat the skyrocketing overdoses and fentanyl-related deaths that have plagued youth statewide.

“We have a crisis of fentanyl poisoning and death among our youth that we must meet with urgency and the sweeping action it requires,” Cortese said.

“I am committed to working with our educational partners and community to reverse the

Cortese, 9

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HELPING OUT Shmuel Katzoff (left) and Shmuel Vilenkin of Brooklyn, New York visited Los Gatos’ Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 22. For the full story, turn to page 4.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

Park like setting, tucked away from the street. This gated property is located in the heart of Portola Valley. Fully remodeled baths with a unique welcoming feeling. Primary suite with a freshly remodeled bathroom & walkin closet. The home has a gourmet Chef’s kitchen, Calcutta marble, custom cabinets & commercial grade appliances. Wonderfully high ceilings and high end custom finishes throughout. Two outdoor living rooms for entertaining, antique stone hot tub, raised planters for a vegetable garden, space ideal for a chicken coop, tons of usable lawn, and a playground for the young at heart. On cooler nights, there is a spacious theater that insures many hours of entertainment. No detail was ignored, this home speaks of quality and a comfortable elegance.

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VOL.2

‘CELEBRATING TOGETHER’

Hanukkah in Los Gatos attracts guests from across Silicon Valley, Northern California—and Brooklyn

Drew Penner, Reporter

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About 200 people gathered outside the Los Gatos Civic Center, Dec. 22, to mark one of the most important dates on the Jewish calendar.

Hanukkah on Main Street attracted dignitaries including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Los Gatos Mayor Maria Ristow, Ambassador Marco Sermoneta, the Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest, who is based in San Francisco, and District 4 County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg.

Addison-Penzak JCC, Congregation Beth David, Congregation Shir Hadash, Congregation Sinai, Jewish Silicon Valley, PJ Library, Temple Emanuel and Yavneh Day School partnered to bring the event to life.

Adam Walsworth, 49, of Saratoga brought his daughter, who attends kindergarten at Yavneh Day School.

“We’ve had her over there since she was three years old,” he said. “I’m not Jewish. Mom is Jewish. Mom speaks full Hebrew.”

Walsworth says he’s been to plenty of Hanukkah events in various places—including in Cupertino and Las Vegas.

“The Vegas one was huge,” he said. “It was crazy.”

It was nice to be able to attend one so close to home, he noted.

His 5-year-old daughter Ariella was having a blast.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “I love some Hanukkah song (singing and) spending time with my family.”

It’s a special time of year for Ariella, who has light-up dreidels for the season, her dad shared.

As if on cue, the performers on stage reached the chorus of their song, singing, “Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel…” as members of the crowd sang along and children ran around.

“Yesterday I (had) the Hanukkah party,” Ariella chimed in.

Organizer Tami Segal, 46, was pleased with how the event came together.

“This was the first time we’re doing it in Los Gatos,” she said, adding she was happy

the weather cooperated with the Jewish Silicon Valley initiative. “It never rained.”

Segal said she was happy to hear the AG’s speech, since Bonta outlined a commitment to standing against antisemitism.

“He wanted to talk to the Jewish community,” she said. “He said that he’s here for us and he will make sure that no hate crimes will go unpunished.”

And, Hanukkah is the perfect time to gather and build community, she added.

“I think it’s amazing,” she said, looking around at the crowd. “It’s heartwarming.”

The Los Gatos gathering allowed the wider Jewish community to demonstrate their values in a public setting, Segal said.

“It gives us hope,” she said. “We all have our little light and together we make a big light. That’s what I felt today.”

This was one of the first events Ristow was attending in her new official capacity, as mayor.

She said she was touched by the lighting of the candles, which represent the internal light that we can share with others.

“Each of us are a small light,” she said, echoing Segal’s refrain. “But together we make a big light.”

Los Gatos can learn from the kindness and hope demonstrated during the evening by the Jewish community, according to Ristow.

”It’s really a sign that we are embracing the diversity of our community,” she said.

Ristow told the Los Gatan she wants to end her term as mayor by incorporating the Hanukkah light motif into one of the town’s oldest rituals—the Holiday tree lighting.

Ristow said it was nice to see the State's chief law officer participate in the Hanukkah event in Los Gatos.

“I think it’s a show of solidarity,” she said. “He stands with our Jewish brothers and sisters.”

But Sacramento wasn’t the furthest away people at the event had come from.

Two teenagers—both named Shmuel—had made it all the way from the Crown Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.

“I’ve been here for the week,” said Shmuel Katzoff, a 19-year-old in traditional garb. “We’re helping out the Rabbi Mendel Chabad.”

Extra hands are always needed during the High Holy Days, he noted.

Shmuel Vilenkin, also 19, said they wanted to attend to share their own light with Los Gatos.

“You see that wherever you are, the light of Hanukkah is shining to light up all the darkness,” he said.

While the pair weren’t involved with organizing the event, they handed out jelly donuts and boxes of candles to add to the holiday cheer.

“Tonight was the fifth night,” Katzoff said. “Here it’s nice. Everyone knows each other.

“We’re all celebrating together.”

CORRECTION

An opinion column by Quirina Geary in the Dec. 14 edition of the Los Gatan misstated the year of withdrawal from the federal recognition process. The correct year was 2000.

HOLIDAY TUNES Live music was part of the festivities during the Hanukkah celebration at the Los Gatos Civic Center on Dec. 22.

AROUND TOWN

Photos by Drew Penner/Los Gatan

BAKERY GOODNESS Last-minute holiday shoppers flock into Manresa Bread at 40 N. Santa Cruz Ave. during the week before the Christmas weekend. Manresa Bread opened its new flagship location in October.

DECKED OUT Los Gatos Soda Works, 21 College Ave., fully embraced the holiday spirit.

LOCAL SCENE

BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED IN LOS GATOS

The American Red Cross is asking donors to set aside a time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays.

Throughout the season, several factors can disrupt the ability of the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients across the country:

• Travel: According to a recent study, nearly half of Americans plan to travel over the holidays this year, which may negatively impact the blood supply if fewer people come out to donate.

• Seasonal illness: The U.S. is seeing a rise in respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV, which can decrease the availability of healthy donors.

• Weather: Parts of the country have already seen storms bring several feet of snow this year. Winter weather often leads to hazardous road conditions, canceling blood drives and making it dangerous for donors to venture out to give.

The Red Cross will host a blood drive in Los Gatos at Addison-Penzak JCC, 14855 Oka Road, on Dec. 30 from 9am to 3pm.

Those who come to give will get a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1.800.733.2767.

CORTESE TOURS COLLEGE OF

ADAPTIVE ARTS

On Dec. 2, Senator Dave Cortese, representing Senate District 15, and his wife Pattie took part in a tour of the College of Adaptive Arts campus.

College of Adaptive Arts, a 501 c3 non-profit organization, provides a lifelong collegiate experience to adults with differing abilities and offers more than 65 classes in 10 different schools of instruction.

College of Adaptive Arts is located on the campus of West Valley College in Saratoga and is a partner in serving the West Valley community as a service learning, work-study and leadership training program for the

host campus students and faculty.

“We were thrilled to have Senator Cortese join us to see our campus and meet all our students and instructors,” CAA Executive Director DeAnna Pursai said. “As a non-profit, we depend very much on the support of community members who can help us champion our mission of lifelong learning.”

“I was pleased to tour the one-ofa-kind College of Adaptive Arts on the West Valley College campus and see the lifelong, inclusive collegiate educational experience and handson job training that it provides to our adults with differing abilities,” Cortese said. “Thank you to Executive Director DeAnna Pursai, and everyone at CAA for expanding equitable learning access in California.”

BREATHE TOGETHER CELEBRATES 12TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FREE CLASSES

Breathe Together Yoga, 14107-H Winchester Blvd. in Los Gatos, marks its 12th year of operations on Jan. 1. In celebration of that occasion, the community is welcome to attend classes either in-studio or online at no cost.

The free classes offered on New Year’s Day include Yoga Basics and Gentle, which help ease students into the practice. Those interested in moving at a faster pace can take one of the Flow or Vinyasa classes. For those looking to slow down or even relax

on the floor, the Restorative and Yin classes are good options. Lastly, for those curious of what a yoga practice might feel like using a hammock suspended from the ceiling, two Aerial classes will be offered (only in-studio).

“We are grateful for this practice, and to serve this community, near and far, in a variety of different ways for the past 12 years,” said owner and co-founder Jennifer Prugh. “We welcome you and yours—those who have never stepped foot on a mat, the regular practitioner, and even those who simply want to stop by and journey through the space. Join us in celebrating our 12th year anniversary.”

Those interested in taking a free class on New Year's Day can register at the studio, by calling 408.370.9642, or online at BreatheTogetherYoga.com.

SENATOR VISIT State Senator Dave Cortese recently toured the College of Adaptive Arts campus in Saratoga.

NATIONALLY

TO

KELLER

WILLIAMS BAY AREA ESTATES

KW Bay Area Estates announced that Julie Wyss and the Wyss Group have returned to its Los Gatos office. The group is a family enterprise that consistently ranks among the top 1% in the country and has closed more than $1.1 billion in sales.

“Julie is a world-class professional at the top of her game, and we are honored to welcome her back,” said Mark von Kaenel, Managing Broker of KW Bay Area Estates. “The return of the Wyss Group is a testament to our agent resources and growth opportunities, supporting agents to achieve more for their clients.”

The Wyss Group is comprised of Julie, her husband Mark, daughter Bianca Yu, and son Kyle Wyss, plus a transaction coordinator. With a team of design, marketing and construction professionals providing additional support, Wyss said, “I have an entire team behind each transaction, which provides me the opportunity to focus on building relationships and supporting our clients to the highest degree in every way.”

Wyss returned to KW Bay Area on Dec. 20 and will operate out of the Los Gatos office at 16780 Lark Ave.

FOUR VALLEY WATER BOARD

MEMBERS BEGIN TERMS

Valley Water held a ceremonial swearing-in on Dec. 13 for newly elected directors Jim Beall and Rebecca Eisenberg and re-elected directors John L. Varela and Tony Estremera.

Beall represents District 4, which encompasses the City of Campbell and parts of west and south San José. Communities and neighborhoods include San José’s San Tomas, Cambrian Park, Parkview, Branham, Blossom Hill, and the northern portions of Almaden Valley and Santa Teresa.

He is embarking on his fifth decade of public service. He entered public office at age 28 and served as a San José councilmember (1980-1994), Santa Clara County supervisor (1994-2006), and as a Legislator in the state Assembly and Senate (2006-2020). Beall graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory and earned a degree in Political Science from San José State University with a focus on Urban Planning and Public Finance.

Eisenberg represents District 7, which encompasses the cities of Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Monte Sereno, the towns of Los Altos Hills and Los Gatos, and parts of South San José. Communities and neighborhoods include the unincorporated community of Redwood Estates along Highway 17 in Los Gatos and the southern portions of Almaden Valley in San Jose.

She has 30 years of experience as a Silicon Valley attorney, social activist and entrepreneur. Most of her career has been with Silicon Valley startups where she has served as an early employee and executive including PayPal, Trulia and Reddit. Eisenberg majored in Decision Science at Stanford University and attended Harvard Law School, which spurred a career in legal justice and social change.

In addition to the two new board members, Varela and Estremera were re-elected to represent Districts 1 and 6, respectively.

BROKER

Julie Wyss and the Wyss Group have returned to KW Bay Area Estates.

POLICE BLOTTER

DEC. 18

• A home was burglarized on Viewfield Road.

• A caller reported two people took fruit from the persimmon tree in their front yard on Larga Vista Drive.

• A man was arrested for being in possession of unlawful paraphernalia on Los Gatos Boulevard and Chirco Drive at 3:28am.

DEC. 19

• An unknown suspect stole two leaf blowers from an unlocked shed on Winchester Circle.

• Someone stole jewelry from a residence on Blossom Hill Road.

• A man was arrested for battery on the 100 block of Ivy Hill Way at 4:35pm.

DEC. 21

• A man was arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance on Los Gatos Saratoga Road and Highway 17 at 9:30pm.

DEC. 22

• A man was arrested for drug violations and driving with an open container of alcohol on the 200 block of Belgatos Road at 1:51am.

• An unknown suspect stole a basket full of snacks for delivery drivers on Longmeadow Drive.

• A man was arrested for being in possession of unlawful paraphernalia on the 1700 block of Blossom Hill Road at 10:36pm.

• A caller reported a group of people playing basketball were being loud on Englewood Avenue at 10:57pm.

• A man and a woman were arrested for disorderly conduct on the 100 block of Broadway at 11:36pm.

DEC. 23

• A caller reported someone tore the head off of a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer decoration on Prospect Avenue. The person who did it left a note, reportedly stating he was sorry and was peer-pressured by his friends.

• A transient man reportedly threatened a person who told him to clean up his mess on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 11:33am.

• A driver was reportedly driving recklessly in the high school parking lot at 8:57pm.

DEC. 24

• A caller reported two people in a vehicle were throwing garbage out of the window on Spruce Hill Court at 9:21am.

• A caller reported that a vehicle parked in front of a residence on Dardanelli Lane at 8pm was suspicious because a flashlight “keeps shining on and off” inside.

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

BAIL DENIED FOR MAN ACCUSED OF SELLING FENTANYL-LACED PILLS TO HIGH SCHOOLERS

Drew Penner, Reporter

The San Jose man accused of selling pills containing fentanyl to Los Gatos High School students who later overdosed has failed to make bail.

According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, 23-year-old Simon Armendariz was known around the campus—and across the community—as “Risky” and “Madman.”

Prosecutors say the young buyers were so aware of the danger of the product in his inventory that they often carried Narcan, an emergency opioid treatment.

“This is not a war on drugs, this is a struggle to save lives,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a release. “There are no good excuses with fentanyl. It kills and everybody knows it: the dealers, the manufacturers.”

Armendariz would peddle the drugs in the Los Gatos High School parking lot, and at a church down the street, according to prosecutors.

Rosen said he is committed to cracking down on those in the fentanyl business.

“We will find them, arrest them, and hold them accountable for selling poison for profit,” he said. “I want to thank the Santa Clara Police Department, the Santa Clara County Specialized Enforcement Team and the investigators from my office for their continued work in addressing the fentanyl epidemic.”

The arrest of Armendariz sprung out of an investigation into a report of a 15-yearold girl overdosing in a bathroom at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting.

“The pill she overdosed on—a counterfeit Percocet pill laced with fentanyl—was traced back to Armendariz,” a DA’s Office spokesperson said. “Santa Clara PD, SCCSET, (and) DA investigators then traced the drugs to several other students, one of whom would get the $10 pills delivered from the dealer at school before first period, or at a nearby church parking lot.”

Armendariz encouraged the teenagers to share his contact information in order to generate new clients, prosecutors say.

“The additional investigation led to more charges and strike allegations

FENTANYL DEATHS SKYROCKET

Cortese, from page 1

alarming rise in fentanyl overdoses and deaths. Through universal preventative measures, we can save lives.”

The Santa Clara County Fentanyl Working Group works to distribute information on the impact of fentanyl in partnership with the Santa Clara County Office of Education, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services and the Santa Clara County Opioid Overdose Prevention Project. Since its development last spring, this group has already saved the lives of two students in San Jose in one month, according to Cortese’s office.

This model inspired SB 10, Cortese said.

“The Santa Clara County Office of Education is proud to sponsor this

important legislation which will help spread awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and establish better access to lifesaving medication,” Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan said. “Narcan kits and training provided to school staff in Santa Clara County over the last few months have already been successfully used to save students' lives."

The bill will include:

• Requiring local education agencies (school districts, county offices of education and charter schools) to embed opioid overdose prevention and treatment in their School Safety Plans, including synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl.

• Distributing Opioid Antagonist Training and School Resource

filed by the DA’s Office,” the spokesperson added.

Armendariz had his first court appearance Dec. 22.

Deputy District Attorney Eunice Lee, who was in the courtroom, said the case remains an open investigation.

“I was asking that he be remanded on no bail,” she said. “And really the crux of my argument is there’s a dire safety need.”

Already four minors—that authorities know of—have been injured by his actions, she said.

“Fentanyl can kill with one use,” she said. “There’s planning and sophistication on his part.”

Plus, Armendariz has two prior “strike” offenses on his record, she added.

“A strike is something very serious and violent,” she said. “He was on probation.”

According to Lee, the case is an example of a crisis of vulnerable victims being preyed upon by someone wielding a dangerous substance.

“This isn’t necessarily a ‘war on drugs,’” she said. “We are struggling to save lives here. There may not be a second chance with fentanyl.”

That’s because just a small amount of the drug can lead to a fatality.

“I think we’re all thankful this is not a homicide case at this point,” she said. “It’s a public health and safety issue that we have.”

Armendariz faces four Health and Safety Code violations for furnishing a controlled substance, as well as a felony ammunition possession charge and a misdemeanor fentanyl possession charge.

While the judge sided with the prosecution, keeping Armendariz behind bars for now, the defense may seek bail again at a future date, Lee said.

Guides to all local education agencies regarding the emergency use of opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, on school campuses.

• Distributing safety advice to families regarding opioid overdose prevention including through student orientation materials and through posting online information.

• Establishing a State Working Group on Fentanyl Overdose/ Abuse Prevention focused on public education, awareness, prevention and minimizing overdoses.

• Setting up a framework to incentivize County Working Groups on Fentanyl Overdose/Abuse Prevention like the model in Santa Clara County through a new state grant program.

According to news reports, fentanyl was responsible for one in five youth deaths (ages 15 to 24) in California last year. In one year alone (2019-2020), fentanyl overdoses among youth nearly doubled.

Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids were responsible for more than 105,000 deaths in America from October 2020 to October 2021, with 69,000 deaths being caused by fentanyl.

“There is such a sense of urgency to the fentanyl crisis that I commend Senator Cortese for using Santa Clara County’s Fentanyl Working Group as the prototype for a statewide response to fentanyl poisoning deaths,” Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez said. “When I established the Fentanyl Working Group in early 2022 with Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, we hit the ground running. Within a few months we have been able to get Narcan into most high schools, held meetings with parents and students and developed a communications campaign to connect with teens and young adults who are buying pills online not knowing they are laced with fentanyl.”

losgatan.com : december 28, 2022-january 3, 2023

losgatan.com : december 28, 2022-january 3, 2023

Simon Armendariz

SPORTS

POWELL FUELS WILDCATS’ RESURGENCE

LG girls soccer on the ascent

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

The Los Gatos High girls soccer team got an early indication that things would be different from last year when it beat perennial Central Coast Section power Mountain View in their season-opener on Nov. 29. Since then, the Wildcats have done nothing to prove the result was a fluke. They entered the week 3-2-2 overall and 0-0-1 in Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division play. This coming off a season in which they won all of one game.

Junior McKenzie Powell is one of those glue players that every team needs in order to be successful. As an outside back, Powell’s main role is to patrol the wing areas and contain opposing players who are dangerous on the attack.

“My highlight is being able to go against girls on other teams who are committed [to play in college] and being able to stop them,” Powell said. “Just getting more playing time as the season has gone on has also been an individual highlight.”

Powell said the team’s highwater mark came in that Mountain View match because it showed the players what they were capable of doing.

“Mountain View won CCS last year so no one expected us to win,” she said. “Everyone was thinking about last season and not winning a lot of games, and so a lot of people didn’t know how to feel after the game. Since we’ve gotten a few wins, we’re still trying to make sure we’re bonded but also our coach [Jessica Ingram] really is trying to get us to have more confidence on the field. Because of what happened last year, we’re not as confident as we should be, so we’re trying to get more girls to get shots on goal.”

Powell is in her first season on the varsity team after playing on the junior varsity squad last year. She’s literally a lifelong player, having started playing soccer since she was 3 years old. She plays the sport year-round with club team Los Gatos United outside of the high school season.

Ingram also coaches at Los Gatos United and thus knows Powell well.

“McKenzie is a strong athlete and an impact player in our program,” Ingram said in a text message to the Los Gatan. “She has a great attitude and a relentless work habit.”

Entering this season, Los Gatos wanted to build a new identity and culture after a tough 2021-2022 season.

“For a lot of the girls, it's mostly about being closer and having more fun,” Powell said. “But in that, we grew our team chemistry which made us better on the field. For a lot of the seniors who were on varsity last year, it’s been really fun to win while having so much fun in the process.”

Even though Powell has played soccer for virtually her entire life, she’s never been too much of a fan until recently,

and she watched the World Cup with great anticipation.

Similar to the literally hundreds of million people across the world, Powell got into the world’s most popular sporting event, viewing as many games as she could not only because they were entertaining, but to help her learn and see areas of her game she can further develop.

“I’ve been trying to watch more the last few years to help me improve,” she said. “Watching soccer at a really high level has really been helpful in building my skill set.”

When Powell took up field hockey in her freshman year, it made her schedule that much busier in the summer and fall months because that is prime

time for the high school field hockey and club soccer season.

Playing on the Los Gatos field hockey team which is the section’s all-time winningest program has been both spectacular and special.

“The field hockey program at Los Gatos is a lot like the soccer team where it’s family,” she said. “It’s where I’ve met some of my closest friends. Our coach [Henry Reyes] obviously loves to win, but he also likes to see us having fun and improve. His big point is taking girls who have never played before and building them into a winning team. You get new freshmen every year who pick up a stick for the first time and then build them up with confidence and skills, and it’s just cool to see everyone connected from JV to varsity.”

Powell has a broad range of interests, including Spanish and architectural engineering. Last summer she spent three weeks in Costa Rica as part of the Amigos de las Americas program which inspires teenagers into community service and immersion experiences.

Founded in 1965, Amigos is an international non-profit whose vision is a “world where all people are lifelong learners sharing responsibility for our global community.” Powell went with a group to three different cities in Costa Rica, helping with planting and making bracelets which would be given to the surrounding community.

Powell had ample reasons to take the three-week trip, as she’s currently taking Spanish 4 honors.

“I wanted to build my Spanish because when I was younger I had a nanny who spoke Spanish and part of me being closer to her she died this past year was to build up my Spanish and solidify my understanding of it,” she said.

And as Powell quickly found out, there’s nothing like being in a foreign country to speed up your language learning skills.

“At the beginning of the program, I was scared to hold a conversation in Spanish,” she said. “But by the end of the three weeks, it didn’t really matter if I was saying the wrong things. Everyone there wanted to help you so it built my confidence and now I can hold a conversation whether I’m speaking perfect Spanish or not. It was a great confidence boost.”

POWERFUL Junior outside back McKenzie Powell, seen here at a joint Los Gatos High soccer practice in late November, is part of a resurgent girls team that entered the week with a 3-2-2 overall record and 0-0-1 mark in league play.

File photo

HOUSING ELEMENT HEADS TO COMMISSION

from page 1

been learning just how risky it is when they don’t have an approved Housing Element—particularly if they govern a highly-desirable landmass.

Santa Monica, for example, suddenly had nearly 4,000 units of housing foisted upon it by developers after its initial Housing Element was rejected by HCD; the Department had issued a scathing rebuke of the community for not going far enough to address racial inequity.

The stakes are high for Los Gatos to get something to the State that will pass muster.

And the long-awaited comments from HCD were surprisingly positive, Council heard.

These informal indications—a hand-tip ahead of the official response to come in the next few weeks— showed HCD seems OK with the direction Los Gatos is heading, although it wants things fleshed out further in a few areas, according to Town staff.

The preliminary comments included requesting more information about the status of the referendum that upended the 2040 General Plan’s housing provisions, about the housing needs assessment (using local knowledge), the sites inventory, governmental and non-governmental

constraints, data about Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH), more details about implementation programs in the General Plan, how Los Gatos is falling in line with laws such as SB 330 and AB 139, and more details about how Los Gatos came up with the figures it used for ADUs and SB9 units.

Town planners say they are confident that they can satisfy these requests, although it may be more challenging to justify the SB9 (lot-split) units, as the initial number was selected relatively arbitrarily and the program is so new as to make projections difficult.

If Los Gatos approves a Housing Element that gets rejected, the socalled “Builder’s Remedy” laid out in the Housing Accountability Act would kick in.

If the Town doesn’t have a Housing Element in place by Jan. 31, a developer that proposes at least 20 percent low-income units or 50 percent moderate units would automatically get the go-ahead.

Although, staff noted that no such project emerged the last two times Los Gatos missed the Housing Element deadline.

Los Gatos’ Housing Element still needed to be looked over by the Planning Commission before coming back to Council for a final approval, so the elected officials understood the importance of making a decision about what to do that evening.

If they allowed the document to head to Planning Commission and then it got approved as-is without making the changes HCD said it wants to see, that could lead to a rejection—and the Builder’s Remedy would be available to developers.

However, if Council directed staff to make significant changes right away, then the Housing Element would head back to the Housing Element Advisory Board, which would then lengthen the process and cause Los Gatos to miss the deadline.

Councilmember Rob Rennie said some things on HCD’s improvements-needed list have already been completed and just need to be added to the text of the Housing Element. However, there’s still work to do on other items—like a proper justification for the 96 SB9 units Los Gatos predicts.

“I wasn’t aware that we’d done that, for example,” Rennie said. “Which

items are we good on, and which ones are we not so good on?”

Staff said Los Gatos had communicated to HCD that it would insert a calculation for SB9 units based on current planning entitlements and building permits—similar to the approach for ADU projections—and said the State reviewer did seem OK with that approach.

Code enforcement records could be used to justify the housing needs assessment, staff added.

To get the site inventory section to pass, staff suggested using a strategy Menlo Park used—going with “minimum density” to avoid having to go into too many details about each property.

However, that would mean Los Gatos would have to add a few extra sites to the list, to remain in compliance with the Regional Housing Needs Assessment.

HCD told Los Gatos officials it might want to look at loosening parking requirements to make it easier for developers to build housing.

Staff said it’s expecting a report from a consultant in January about how to fall in line with the federal AFFH program, which seeks to reduce segregation across the country and promote inclusive communities.

Los Gatos officials are already putting together timelines and other details for implementation program specifics, Council heard.

Because current ADU and density bonus ordinances are out of compliance with State law, fixing that would need to be added as an implementation program, for example, staff said.

Town officials say enough tweaks could be made to the draft Housing Element as it heads to Planning Commission that it’s likely to be acceptable to HCD by the time Council sees it again in the coming weeks.

“I’m really worried about a Builder's Remedy,” said Vice Mayor Mary Badame. “So, I would actually be in support of adopting a Housing Element before Jan. 31.”

Badame made a motion to use minimum densities for site calculations and to send the current version of the Housing Element to Planning Commission. Rennie seconded it.

Councilmember Matthew Hudes said Los Gatos should come up with a Plan B, in case the full HCD review lands in a more unfavorable place than the initial comments did.

Badame’s motion was approved unanimously.

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Housing,

COUNCIL CHAMBERS The Los Gatos Town Council discussed its Housing Element strategy on Dec. 20.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

TOASTING 2022

Chez Philippe’s New Year’s Eve bash includes a DJ and dancing with menu options featuring Lobster Bisque Soup, Filet Mignon Rossini, Wild Alaskan Salmon and more. By reservation only. 34 N Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos | 408.442.5353

Indeleble Super Clave and DJ Sweet, there will be confetti cannons, a balloon drop and a midnight champagne toast. Free admission; private tables with 24 cervezas. 1733 Story Road, San Jose | 408.509.2575 | Information on Facebook

At Mama Kin, a downtown San Jose live music spot that still has that new club smell, The Humidors will lay down funk and soul for the masses starting at 9pm. Tickets are $30 ($350 for VIP table). 374 S 1st St, San Jose | mamakinsj.com or caltix.com

Over the hill, fans of Los Lobos can find the band sharing its almost five decades of music history at the Rio Theatre. Tickets start at $85.05; the band hits the stage at 9:30pm. 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz | folkyeah.com

Not in the mood for music? Cum Town podcast host Nick Mullen is booked for five shows at the San Jose Improv, including two on New Year’s Eve. The comedian will bring his internet-savvy wit to Silicon Valley, drawing fans who follow him on his podcasts and social media feeds, and his blog on Thought Catalog. Tickets are $40; shows are 21 and older. 62 S 2nd St, San Jose | 408.280.7475

In the lull between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, one flurry of excitement comes in the form of the Champions of Magic, an evening of illusions and special effects featuring four acts: Young & Strange, Alex McAleer, Hollie England and Fernando Velasco. Shows take place Dec. 27-29. San Jose Civic, 135 San Carlos St, San Jose | 408.792.4111 | championsofmagic.co.uk

Where to raise a

glass on the last day of the year

New Year’s Eve falls on a Saturday in 2022, providing an extra day to recover before the work week begins. Clubs and venues around Los Gatos and the South Bay have planned accordingly. All events are on Dec. 31, unless otherwise noted.

The focus is on dancing at Charley’s LG, with a house band that features musicians from some of the region’s top tribute bands. DJ Paige Lauren gets the party started at 7pm on New Year’s Eve, as the appetizers are passed, with live music at 9pm. Dance contests with $500 in cash prizes

(single, couple, group) will keep folks moving until the balloons drop and the bubbly is popped. 15 N Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos | $50 ($30 in advance) | 408.898.9568 | charleyslosgatos.com

Number 1 Broadway rings in 2023 with appetizers from 7-9pm, party favors, hats, balloon drop, champagne toast and desserts and coffee after 12:30am. There will be entertainment all night long with DJ Cris Campos from 7pm - 9pm and performances and music from Drive. 102 South Santa Cruz Ave. #B (Upstairs), Los Gatos | $30 online and $50 at the door (if available) | number1broadway.com

Cardiff & Cocktails pours out shots of music from a quartet of high-powered DJs. Mr. V, Julius Papp, BB Hayes and Rated R will hit the decks for an action-packed farewell to 2022. The music begins at 9pm and flows all the way to 2023. Tickets include champagne toast at midnight and New Year's party favors. 260 E Campbell Ave, Campbell | $10-$15 | nye2022-cardiffandcocktails.eventbrite.com

Pepe Promotions presents un Gran Celebración De Año Nuevo 2023 at Tacos Al Carbon Bar and Grill. In addition to performances by Banda La

Aside from Enchant at PayPal Park (enchantchristmas.com) and Christmas in the Park (christmasinthepark. com), there are other kid-friendly ways to ring in the new year.

Happy Hollow's Noon Year's Eve at Happy Hollow Zoo is all about outdoor fun for the little ones. From 11am to 4pm on Dec. 31, guests can enjoy activities, crafts, games and entertainment, all included in admission. 748 Story Road, San Jose | happyhollow. org/noonyearseve

Over at California’s Great America, New Year's Eve at WinterFest starts at 4pm on New Year’s Eve. Rides will be open and the celebration lasts until 12:30am. 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara | 408.988.1776 | cagreatamerica.com

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT With New Year’s Eve falling on a Saturday, there’s even more to celebrate.

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DORMANT PRUNING ENHANCES FRUIT PRODUCTION

Tony Tomeo, Contributor

Adding new fruit trees to a garden is reasonably easy. Maintaining them properly as they mature is more of a challenge. Centuries of extensive breeding to enhance production of such trees has also increased their reliance on horticultural intervention. Most deciduous fruit trees consequently need specialized dormant pruning during their winter dormancy.

Without adequate dormant pruning, most deciduous fruit trees are unable to support their unnaturally large and unnaturally abundant fruit. Dormant pruning actually enhances the size and quality of fruit. However, it also limits the weight of excessiveness, and confines it to sturdier branch structure. It concentrates resources into fewer fruit of superior quality.

Dormant pruning, or winter pruning, likewise concentrates resources into more docile but healthier vegetative growth. It eliminates or at least diminishes the four D’s: dead, diseased, damaged and disfigured growth. Confinement of potentially rampant stems not only improves structural integrity, but also limits wasteful production of unreachable fruit.

Almost all deciduous fruit trees, and most nut trees, require specialized dormant pruning. So do grapevines, kiwi vines, berry canes and roses. Evergreen fruit trees, such as citrus and avocados, are exempt for now though, since such pruning promotes new growth that is vulnerable to frost. Most of such trees do not require such aggressive pruning anyway.

Almonds, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums, prunes and all their hybrids are stone fruits of the genus Prunus. Almonds are actually seeds, or stones, of leathery fruits that are merely hulls. Various stone fruits need various degrees of similar pruning. Heavy peaches need aggressive pruning. Lightweight cherries might need only minor trimming, or no pruning at all.

Apples, pears and quinces are pomme fruits that, like stone fruits, need various

CALENDAR

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

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.

MYSTERY LOVER’S BOOK CLUB

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.

➝ uvfm.org/campbell-sundays.

pruning may not be pretty, but it provides various benefits for trees.

WORK

degrees of similar pruning that conforms to their distinct characteristics. Persimmons, mulberries, pomegranates and figs each need specific types of pruning as well. Familiarity with each of the dormant pruning techniques that each fruit tree in the garden requires is essential.

Highlight: cherry

Cherry, Prunus avium, is one of the most popular fruits of summer. However, winter is the season for planting new trees and pruning mature trees. Pruning is comparable to that of other stone fruits, but to a lesser degree. Their sweet fruits are typically less than an inch and a half wide, so are relatively lightweight. Docile trees may not need annual pruning.

Home garden trees with dwarfing rootstocks should grow no taller than about 15 feet. Some stay less than 10 feet tall. Orchard trees with standard rootstock grow significantly taller. Wild or feral trees can grow 40 feet tall, with their fruit beyond reach. Old cultivars mostly require another compatible cultivar for pollination. Some modern cultivars do not.

Cherry fruits are mostly rich deep red, but can be dark blackish red or pale orangish pink. Early spring bloom is brief but profuse and splendidly clear white. Three- to four-inch long leaves that are deep green through summer become bright yellow or golden yellow prior to defoliation during autumn. Even the silvery young bark of some cultivars is appealing.

Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

The Los Gatos Library’s Mystery Lover’s Book Club meets the first Wednesday of every month. The next meeting is Jan. 4 at 5pm in person and on Zoom. The club will discuss “The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton. ➝ wklys.us/Bau-.

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’

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.

➝ 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.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Town Council

The Los Gatos Town Council meets virtually on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7pm.

➝ losgatosca.gov/16/Town-Council.

Planning Commission

The Los Gatos Planning Commission meets virtually on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7pm.

➝ losgatosca.gov/189/PlanningCommission.

losgatan.com : december 28, 2022-january 3, 2023

losgatan.com 2023

WINTER

Dormant

REAL ESTATE

HOME OF THE WEEK

LARGE ESTATE WITH PARK-LIKE GROUNDS

This Los Gatos estate combines classic design with modern amenities.

Located at 14841 Clara St., the 2,336-square-foot home includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The floor plan features an open beam living room, separate family room and formal dining room, along with a separate bedroom wing complete with a primary ensuite retreat. The kitchen is equipped with a built-

in banquette and newer stainless appliances.

The 27,000-square-foot grounds include expansive lawns, mature trees and gardens, a pool, multiple patios and more.

The home, built in 1952, is listed at $3,489,000 by Christie's International Real Estate Sereno. For information, visit bit.ly/3uUAvFc.

Christie's International Real Estate Sereno

CLARA STREET Brick paths weave through this Los Gatos home’s mature landscaping.

Christie's International Real Estate Sereno

INSIDE The living room features open beam ceilings.

To advertise call

Serenity Polizzi 408.200.1323 Eric Bocanegra 408.200.1309

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