LOCAL SCENE

CAT’S HILL CLASSIC RETURNS MARCH 25

The San Jose Bicycle Club and Mike’s Bikes present the 47th Cat’s Hill Classic on March 25 in downtown Los Gatos.

The Cat's Hill Classic is a particular type of race called a criterium, where bicyclists zoom around a short loop (in this case the course is about 0.9 miles long) multiple times during a given time slot. The primary feature of this loop is a steep (23%) hill.

The day is split into 11 individual races for male and female cyclists ranging from 9 years old and up, for all skill levels.

Racers from Los Gatos as well as throughout Northern California and Nevada are expected to compete.

Title sponsor, Mike's Bikes, has a store located near the start/finish line, and a number of other Los Gatos businesses will be sponsoring races and prizes.

There will also be a race for children on all sorts of bikes at 12:15pm, sponsored by Nicolette and Marlene Rodman of Sereno Real Estate.

The Cat’s Hill Classic returned in 2022 after being on a hiatus for a few years.

Registration opens at 7:15am.

➝ teamsanjose.org/section/catshill.

LOCAL SHOE BRAND LANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH PUERTO RICAN DESIGNER

Luxury shoe designer Flor de Maria Rivera, who was raised in Los Gatos, has partnered with world-renowned Puerto Rican designer, Gustavo Arango, to create a retail space in his flagship store in Puerto Rico.

Rivera, a University of San Diego graduate, started a career as a sports anchor for multiple media outlets. After 12 years, she quit her job to launch a bilingual fashion blog and moved to New York City.

After collecting more than 500 pairs of shoes, she decided to create her own shoe line: Flor de Maria.

Her shoes have been worn by celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, Halle Bailey, Saweetie and Carrie Underwood.

“After seeing my namesake shoe line featured in major fashion magazines and worn by some of today’s most recognized celebrities worldwide as they walked the red carpets, it was clear to me the time had come to take things to the next level,” Rivera said. “It is my pleasure to announce we are entering the retail space with an exclusive partnership with Gustavo Arango. This is the first boutique to carry my shoe brand exclusively.”

Flor de Maria’s curated collection will be available in Arango’s flagship boutique in the “Mall of San Juan” in Puerto Rico.

“I have dreamt this for a long time; to be able to create my designs with the perfect shoe by my side, because the designs I make call for a stunning shoe to complement them,” Arango said.

Arango is billed as a household name in haute couture and bridal design.

ROBERTS NAMED TO UM HONOR ROLL

Bayley Roberts of Los Gatos was named to the University of Mississippi's Fall 2022 Honor Roll list.

Roberts was named to the Chancellor's Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester grade point average of 3.75-4.00.

In order to be eligible for honor roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester.

DROTAR EARNS DEAN'S LIST HONORS IN ARKANSAS

Reese Drotar of Los Gatos was named to the Fall 2022 Dean's List in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

Drotar joins nearly 2,500 additional Fulbright College students on the Fall 2022 Dean's List. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must achieve at least a 3.75 grade point average for the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours.

Drotar is one of more than 8,000 students who study and research in Fulbright College, which has degrees across the fine arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences.