Los Gatan 4-19-2023

O’CONNOR IS CONSIDERING PLEADING TO ALL CHARGES

Witnesses set to share stories with judge on Friday

Drew Penner, Reporter

As Shannon O’Connor, the Los Gatos mother charged with throwing illegal parties for teens and facilitating sexual assault, sat in Department 29 of the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice talking to her lawyer, Monday, it wasn’t for the start of the two-week preliminary hearing that had been contemplated.

Because, that event had been officially postponed earlier in the morning, as she was on the way from jail.

“The defense is seeking an offer from the court to resolve the case,” Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise told members of the media outside the courtroom, walking the reporters through the new step in the case, commenting, “This process is so confusing.”

O’Connor stands accused of 29 criminal counts relating to gatherings she hosted for teens at the Arroyo Del Rancho Road home she owned with technology executive Robert Amaral, who filed for divorce in January, ➝ Charges, 4

WATER DISTRICT ENDS WATER USE EMERGENCY

Supplies have ‘improved considerably’ according to Valley Water

Staff Report

The Santa Clara Valley Water District’s board of directors voted unanimously April 11 to rescind a “water shortage emergency” that was declared in 2021 during a historic statewide drought.

But Valley Water officials still want local residents, businesses and other customers to conserve water. The board also at the April 11 meeting implemented a 15% voluntary water use reduction for Santa Clara County, according to Valley Water staff. The seven-member board also directed CEO Rick Callendar to return at a future meeting with recommendations for further actions to ➝ Water, 4

golf team excels p10 : upcoming events p12 : Local Scene p14 : ny times crossword puzzle p17

‘HACKING A TEDDY BEAR’ Los Gatos High School junior Mia McKee (left) and senior Avni Hulyalkar won Honorable Mention in the Girls Who Code National Cybersecurity Challenge. For the full story, turn to page 14.

Courtesy of Los Gatos High School

Dan Pulcrano

Executive Editor & Publisher

Lee May

General Manager

Erik Chalhoub

Managing Editor

Lori Lieneke

Advertising Director

Phaedra Strecher

Editorial Production Manager

Drew Penner Reporter

Emanuel Lee, Juan Reyes

Sports Writers

Jeffrey P. Blum, Alan Feinberg

Contributors

Kate Kauffman

Senior Account Executive

Serenity Polizzi, Eric Bocanegra, Carrie Bonato

Account Executives

WEEKLYS

Stephen Buel

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Mike Lyon

Digital Media

Sonia Chavez

Accounts Receivables

Warren Giancaterino Information Technology

DEATH NOTICES

Death notices with basic information that are submitted to editor@losgatan.com may be published on a space-available basis only. To place a paid, unedited obituary with a photo, call 707.353.1148 or email LifeTributes@Weeklys.com.

OPINIONS

Commentaries and letters to the editor on our Opinion pages reflect the opinions of the authors. We welcome letters to the editor and commentaries on all topics of local interest.

Email your submissions to editor@losgatan.com

Letters must include the writer’s name and hometown (for publication) and phone number (for verification).

Submissions may be edited, and will be published as space permits. Letters are limited to 250 words, commentaries to 500 words.

CORRECTIONS

We strive to avoid errors in news and ads. Mistakes sometimes occur. To report errors, call or email; corrections will appear in the next edition and online.

WHO WE ARE

Los Gatan is published Wednesdays by Weeklys. Contents copyright ©2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without written permission.

REAL ESTATE ADVERTISING NOTICE

All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Publisher will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising are available on an equal opportunity basis.

RESERVOIRS HIT CAPACITY COUNTYWIDE

Water, from page 1

support water conservation “as a way of life in our county and state.”

Water authorities will continue to enforce its water waste restrictions, including a two-day-per-week watering limit for residential non-functional turf, said Valley Water spokesperson Matt Keller.

Valley Water initially declared a water shortage emergency in Santa Clara County in June 2021, after the region and state had suffered through several years of abnormally dry winter seasons.

But the winter of 2022-23 has been one of the wettest in California in recent memory, resulting in reservoirs filling to capacity and the Sierra snowpack piling higher than it has been in years.

The U.S. Drought Monitor, a federally run classification system, has steadily removed portions of California out of “severe” and “extreme” drought zones throughout the recent winter. Most of the state, including the Bay Area, is now completely drought-free, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

In March, Gov. Gavin Newsom rescinded a statewide call for 15% voluntary water conservation—an action that helped the local board decide to follow suit.

“Valley Water’s water supply outlook has improved considerably, due to several atmospheric rivers since December 2022,” says a Valley Water staff report presented at the April 11

HEARING SET FOR FRIDAY

Charges, from page 1

as well as in Lake Tahoe and Santa Cruz.

After defense lawyer Brian Madden left O’Connor’s side, the Los Gatan asked him to comment on the recent incident that led five women to court, accused of beating up his client while in custody, but he declined to comment.

Madden, as well as Wise, will have the chance to present evidence on Friday, as O’Connor considers pleading to all charges—the way they are currently proposed—as a way to avoid trial and potentially get a better deal than what the District Attorney might be willing to offer.

“When a defendant pleads ‘as

charged,’ it essentially takes the control out of the People’s hands,” Wise said, adding she’s preparing to present Judge Elizabeth C. Peterson with plenty of evidence. “The judge is going to hear from the victims and witnesses.”

It was a similar approach Wise employed successfully in arguing for O’Connor to remain behind bars— despite her lawyers appealing the decision all the way to the California Supreme Court.

Early in 2022, Judge Johnny C. Gogo heard from several witnesses and people who described being victimized directly by O’Connor.

board meeting. “In January 2023, California experienced one of the wettest three-week periods on record, yielding a snowpack that is well above average. In response to the improved hydrologic conditions, imported water allocations have been increased significantly. In addition to imported water allocations improving, Valley Water’s 10 local reservoirs are collectively at 180% of restricted storage capacity and the 2023 end of year groundwater storage is projected to be in the normal range.”

Valley Water staff released a video showing the dramatic effect this winter’s storms have had on its reservoirs. Coyote Reservoir in Gilroy was at 21% capacity in August 2021, and had reached 108% in January 2023. Uvas Reservoir was at 18% in August 2021, and 103% by January.

“The court does find a high likelihood that these charges will be found to be true after a jury trial,” Gogo said at the time.

In addition to witness testimony, Wise said she plans to hand over video and photographic evidence to Judge Peterson.

“We will submit that to her on Friday,” she said. “Defense may submit something on Friday, as well.”

O’Connor is scheduled to appear at 9am on Friday in Department 39, and an additional hearing would be needed for the judge to formally present an offer after considering the evidence, Wise said.

If O’Connor decides to reject such an offer, a new preliminary hearing would be scheduled and her lawyer could try to whittle down some of the charges by negotiating with the DA’s Office.

NEARLY FULL Valley Water released this image comparing the water level of Lexington Reservoir from 2021 to 2023.

Courtesy of Valley Water

Thank you to our Sponsors

For tickets & specific winery and host information, scan the QR code or visit losgatoschamber.com

POWERBALL TICKET WORTH $1.5M STILL UNCLAIMED

Winner has until Monday to claim

Bay City News

A Powerball ticket worth more than $1.5 million after being purchased in Los Gatos in October will expire next week if no one comes forward to claim it, California Lottery officials said Tuesday.

The ticket purchased at a Mobil gas station at 15380 Los Gatos Blvd. matched the five numbers—19, 36, 37, 46 and 56—from the Oct. 26 drawing, missing only the Powerball number 24. The ticket is worth $1,556,855, but that money will instead go to public school funding if it is not claimed by Monday, according to lottery officials.

Another ticket matching the same five numbers from the Oct. 26 drawing was also purchased in Southern California and has already been claimed.

Whoever has the winning ticket should sign the back of it and then go to one of the California Lottery's nine offices around the state, including in Milpitas and Richmond in the Bay Area, to fill out a claim form. The winner can also send in a claim form and winning ticket by mail, but it must be postmarked by Monday.

If the winner does not claim the ticket by the Monday deadline, the money will go to public education.

California Lottery officials say more than $1 billion in unclaimed prizes have gone to the state's schools since lottery tickets first went on sale in California in 1985.

More details on claiming lottery winnings can be found at calottery. com/claim-a-prize.

Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

LOS GATOS SETTLES FRAUD LAWSUIT AGAINST COUNTY FOR $1.5M

Town had filed $5.5M suit over Shannon Road

Drew Penner, Reporter

When, at a recent public meeting, Councilmember Rob Rennie commented that this year Los Gatos is having to clean up the messes left by the County of Santa Clara, he was referring, in part, to how its fraud lawsuit against Silicon Valley’s regional government panned out.

In a $5.5 million civil suit, the Town had accused the County of deceiving it about the quality of a stretch of Shannon Road when Los Gatos took over some previously unincorporated land.

On March 7, Council voted unanimously—as part of its consent calendar—to approve a settlement that didn’t quite go the way it had hoped.

It agreed to accept $1.5 million from the County, $50,000 from Graniterock and $15,000 from subcontractor Uretek, to settle the case.

“These funds will be used to make repairs to Shannon Road,” staff reported, referring to the section between Santa Rosa Drive and Diduca Way. “In exchange for these payments, the Town will ask the court to dismiss the Town’s lawsuit.”

A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge had been scheduled to hear arguments from the County and Graniterock on the matter in early May.

Keith Severson, Graniterock’s director of marketing and community involvement, said he was happy the case was coming to a conclusion.

“We’re aware of the settlement talks going on and we look forward to the resolution of the matter,” he said Monday.

MAN SUFFERS MAJOR INJURIES AFTER TRUCK ROLLS OFF JACKS

Bay City News

A 59-year-old Los Gatos man was hospitalized with major injuries after a pickup truck he was working

on rolled over him on Monday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man was lying underneath a

The lawsuit highlighted the unintended consequences of a municipality expanding its boundaries.

And it provided a lens into the way the County pressured the Town to accept a deal that would leave it with millions of dollars of repair work on its plate.

For example, Harry Freitas, who was the director of the County’s Roads and Airports Department, wrote to Matt Morley, who was Los Gatos’ public works director, in February 2018, seeking to move the annexation process along.

“I need to understand how you plan to complete your end of our agreement to take the orphaned road,” Freitas wrote in an email, attaching photos showing a route that had been resurfaced.

Lawyers for the Town contended in the lawsuit that the County agreed to repair Shannon Road prior to Los Gatos taking responsibility for it, but only did a Band-aid fix.

Santa Clara County didn’t respond to a request for comment about the settlement.

Los Gatos had originally been told by a State agency that extending services in the hillsides would be “challenging” for the Town, “particularly with regard to road improvements and infrastructure needs such as retaining walls.”

A section on the Town’s website— touting the benefits of annexation— was drawn up, including the fact Los Gatos has “more resources to maintain roads,” meaning the new Los Gatos residents would see increased road maintenance over what Santa Clara County was offering.

On June 18, 2019, Council voted to absorb 24 unincorporated County pockets.

2000 GMC Sierra that was elevated on jacks in the area of Skyland Ridge Road. When the vehicle started to roll away, he was crushed at about 1:50pm, the CHP said.

He was taken by ground ambulance and later transferred to an air ambulance and flown to the Stanford Medical Center.

Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

These funds will be used to make repairs to Shannon Road. In exchange for these payments, the Town will ask the court to dismiss the Town’s lawsuit.

Town of Los Gatos staff

POLICE BLOTTER

APRIL 9

• A caller reported a group of teenagers were playing volleyball “loudly” in their backyard on Spreckles Avenue at 12:27am.

• A bicycle was reported stolen on E. Main Street.

• A person called police because their neighbor was using a “loud” saw in their backyard on Kennedy Road at 2:28pm.

APRIL 10

• A home was reportedly burglarized on S. Kennedy Road.

• Copper wire was reported stolen from a construction site on Lark Avenue and S. Turner Street.

• Tires and wheels were reportedly stolen from an open garage on Weldwood Court.

• An unknown man was reportedly in a backyard on Howes Drive at 8:59pm.

• A man was arrested for violating a court order for domestic violence on the 100 block of Sierra Linda at 10:30pm.

APRIL 11

• A woman was arrested for being in possession of unlawful paraphernalia on the 400 block of Alberto Way at 2:40am.

• A business was reportedly burglarized on the 15200 block of Los Gatos Boulevard.

• A group of children playing basketball in their backyard were reported to police for “being loud” on Englewood Avenue at 10:57pm.

APRIL 12

• A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on Vasona Avenue. The caller said a handgun was stolen from inside.

• Three men stole items from a store on the 400 block of Blossom Hill Road.

• A man was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Lark Avenue and Los Gatos Boulevard at 9:23pm.

APRIL 13

• A woman was arrested for threatening to commit a crime on the 400 block of San Benito Avenue at 12:53am.

• A man was arrested for obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct on the 100 block of N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 2:48pm.

APRIL 14

• A man was arrested for reckless driving on N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Andrews Street at 11:37pm.

APRIL 15

• A man was arrested for carrying a loaded firearm in public that was not his on Los Gatos Boulevard and Lark Avenue at 4:06am.

• A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Los Gatos Boulevard and Highway 9 at 11:43pm.

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

SWENSON BUILDERS WINS EXCEPTION TO OUTLINE-DEMONSTRATION RULES

Monte Sereno mayor, previewing potential project pitfalls, speaks in opposition

Drew Penner, Reporter

A split Los Gatos Town Council on April 4 approved a San Jose developer’s request for an exception to the community’s rules for marking the proposed outline of future construction for a stalled project.

Green Valley Corp.—better known as Swenson Builders—was arguing to be able to simply post a link to a digital model of what could spring up at 15860-15894 Winchester Blvd. and 17484 Shelburne Way.

“To me it looks like an abandoned project,” said Monte Sereno Mayor Bryan Mekechuk, who lives nearby the subject properties, adding current renderings don’t show the Class IV bike lanes they’re supposed to include.

“They haven’t done any outreach to the community.”

But Jessie Bristow, a development project manager with Swenson, said they’ve been held up from moving forward because their contractor installed the wrong story poles the first time and, after that, inclement weather has prevented them from being able to re-do the install. The company was allowed to forgo netting but was supposed to put up two rows of flags.

Swenson aims to turn a 1.31-acre swath of the community—where three single-family residences, a commercial construction business and some accessory buildings sit—into an assisted living and memory care facility.

As of August, “Winchester Assisted Living” was envisioned as 135 residential units—18 memory care units and 117 assisted living units, with two separate dining rooms, a commercial kitchen, theater and library.

Los Gatos’ height-demonstrating

pole and netting policy is meant to help residents and officials visualize what projects working their way through Town procedures could end up looking like in reality. They also serve as a way to provide community members with a unique form of notice that their opportunity to have a say on a development is upcoming.

Bristow said the latest renderings were completed just for the Class IV bike lane aspect added to the street.

“It would behoove the town to have a project like this,” Bristow said, referring to the large number of units the development would contribute toward the thousands Los Gatos is promising the State it’s trying to pave the way for. “We did the best we could.”

Neighbor Eric Hulser pushed for Los Gatos to reject the exception request.

“I think it’s really important for the community to be able to see just the size,” he said, opining that the digital version doesn’t allow you to visualize

as well how the end product will look.

Councilmember Rob Rennie asked Bristow when Swenson expected it could bring the project to Planning Commission.

“November,” Bristow replied.

“You’re still not at Planning Commission for months later,” Rennie remarked rhetorically.

Nevertheless, he managed to see the applicant’s point that redoing the story poles wouldn’t significantly change the public understanding of the potential addition to Los Gatos’ built environment, since there are trees on the site that would still be obscuring the poles.

“We’ve hidden the project from the public because it’s been sitting there derelict for so long,” he said.

Councilmember Rob Moore was inclined to grant an exception, noting streamlining the permitting process was one of Los Gatos’ stated strategic priorities. But he wondered about requiring a new sign to be posted every 50 feet.

Councilmember Matthew Hudes said he wasn’t too sure denying a story pole exception would say anything whatsoever about the Town’s permitting regime.

“I think we already have a compromise solution, which is what’s supposed to be there now,” he said, arguing that de facto trying to rewrite story pole rules by Council votes would be unwise.

Mayor Maria Ristow said she was on the fence about what to do.

“The concern I have is our residents have an expectation that when a project comes forward they will see the outline of the building,” she said. “I feel like we owe our residents a form of notification they’re accustomed to.”

Although she said Bristow’s presentation, which included slides showing renderings of a blocky, upscale structure, did communicate the project in a way story poles alone can’t.

“I have to say, when I viewed it, it’s pretty remarkable,” she said. “I did get a feeling for the massing.”

Vice Mayor Mary Badame said Swenson should have to stick to the current rules—since severe weather is likely in the rear-view mirror.

“We’re in spring. I see baseball has resumed on surrounding fields,” she said. “Flags draw attention and that’s the purpose (of story poles). I think we owe it to our residents.”

Council voted 3-2 to approve a story pole exception (Badame and Hudes in opposition), with the requirement that Swenson put a bright new 6-by-8-foot sign with a link to the project rendering on each parcel.

FUTURE PROJECT Swenson Builders was supposed to install two rows of flags on this property on Winchester Boulevard and Shelburne Way, but has faced delays due to inclement weather.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

Hmmm… What to Wear?

Spring Fashion Show

Celebrating Women of all Ages

Saturday, M ay 6, 2023 11am-1:30pm The Palms Los Gatos

115 N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos

Featuring fashions from our local boutiques

Brunch

Bottomless Mimosas

Tickets $85 each

Table of 4 $340

Tickets on sale at losgatoschamber.com

Thanks to our Champagne Toast Sponsor

WILDCATS A HIT ON THE LINKS

Boys golf talented and deep

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

Although the Los Gatos High boys golf team doesn’t have a player who will likely contend for a Central Coast Section individual championship, it has a lineup that goes eight deep with

every player at those positions being of quality.

That type of depth is why the Wildcats could strike into contention in the team portion of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League and CCS Championships. If it does well at the latter event, it could earn a berth in the coveted CIF State Tournament.

There’s a lot that has to happen be-

fore then, but coach Dave Denight has been ecstatic with the way the team has played with approximately a third of the season remaining. A lineup of senior Kirin Desai, sophomore Quin Cristofano, senior Theo Lohrer, freshman Tyler Purcell, freshman Kabir Khanna along with senior Tim Papageorge have excelled all season and will be further strengthened by the

return of senior Henry Wong, who is awaiting full medical clearance to play after suffering a torn ACL during football season.

Wong was the team’s No. 2 player last year and will provide the team with additional experience and quality play. Junior Ben Fox will also receive an opportunity to be among the starting six, Denight said.

In the team’s first three duel meet league matches all victories Los Gatos shot 202, 204 and 211.

High school golf duel meets feature a nine-hole round taking the top five scores from each team with the low

Jonathan Natividad

DRIVER Los Gatos High senior Tim Papageorge tees off during a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division match at Coyote Creek Golf Course on April 3.

score being the winner. In most cases, teams have a big dropoff from their Nos. 1 and 2 players to the Nos. 5 and 6 golfers, the bottom of the lineup.

However, the Wildcats are loaded with depth, a key reason why they’ll be able to make some noise come postseason time. In a 202-211 win over Los Altos at Bayview Golf Club in Milpitas, Desai was the medalist with a 38.

Cristofano and Khanna each shot 40, Lohrer a 41 and Purcell and Papageorge each shot 43. When Los Gatos beat Cupertino 204-225 at the Golf Club at Moffett Field and scored a 211222 win at Coyote Creek vs. Saratoga, the Wildcats’ top low score was just six strokes better than their high score.

With consistency like that, it’s no surprise that Los Gatos is in for a potentially special season.

“It’s a good group of kids with good camaraderie,” Denight said. “I’m proud of them because they’re able to come out there and shoot lower 40s on a consistent basis. We’ve made CCS the last two years, and when you can keep everyone in the 40s and be confident about it, it's a relief because if you can’t trust your last two [Nos. 5 and 6], it’s tough.”

The boys golf program has had success over the years but hit a bit of a lull when Covid hit. It’s taken a couple of years but Los Gatos is once again a team to watch out for. Denight said success breeds success.

“The boys team is attracting more golfers who are at a higher level, which is good,” he said. “I’ve never had two freshmen that could shoot 40 before.”

For the second straight year, Coyote Creek is serving as Los Gatos’ home course. The Wildcats have a decent drive to get to the Morgan Hill-based golf club, but it’s been well worth it as Denight said their support along with the LGHS athletic department has been instrumental to the team’s success.

“We’re being supported well by both of them and being able to practice and play at Coyote Creek is a big deal,” Denight said. “The first day we had tryouts we played nine holes and then

had another tryout and they’re able to accommodate our team. The kids get better, they’ve got range balls, a nice chipping area, a sand area, so it’s been a real pleasure.”

Denight said that Lynbrook and Palo Alto are “probably the top teams in the league,” and Los Gatos plays Palo Alto on back-to-back days, April 19-20.

“Palo Alto is 5-0 in league so far so we’re looking forward to playing them,” Denight said.

From there, the Wildcats compete in the league finals on May 2, and a strong showing there will put them into the opening CCS Regional a week later.

FOCUSED Wildcats senior Kirin Desai lines up a putt during a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division match at Coyote Creek Golf Course in Morgan Hill on April 3.

HORTICULTURE

CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS GROW WILD

Tony Tomeo, Contributor

California native plants seem like they should be very appropriate for home gardens. In the wild, they require neither irrigation nor maintenance. They are quite satisfied with the local climate and soil. Of course, gardening with natives is not so simple. Home gardens are very different from wild ecosystems.

Furthermore, wild ecosystems here are very different from wild ecosystems elsewhere. California is a very big place, with many different ecosystems. Some alpine species from the Sierra Nevada would be unhappy on the coast. Some coastal species from Del Norte County would be unhappy in the Mojave Desert. California native plants should be regionally appropriate.

Therefore, chaparral species are generally most appropriate for local chaparral climates. Many riparian species perform satisfactorily here as well, but expect more irrigation. However, appropriateness to a climate is not the same as appropriateness to a garden. Actually, many chaparral species are unappealing within home gardens. Some are difficult to domesticate.

A few species of California lilac are native here. Any of them are pleased to inhabit local home gardens. However, some grow quite large, and then die after only 10 years or so. They may not last even that long with typical irrigation. Few respond favorably to pruning. They prefer to grow wild. Such big, awkward and temporary plants are undesirable within many compact and refined home gardens.

Combustibility might also be a concern for chaparral plants. Some chaparral ecosystems rely on fire for periodic renovation. In the wild, some such ecosystems may burn as frequently as every few decades. After burning, fuel begins to accumulate for the next fire. Even if not copious enough to be hazardous, such accumulation can be unkempt.

Only a few specialty nurseries provide wild California native plants. Most nurseries provide cultivars of such plants that are more adaptable to home gardens. “Carmel Creeper” is a densely sprawling California lilac that

CALENDAR

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

SPRING WINE WALK

Tickets are now on sale for the Spring Wine Walk, held by the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce on April 22 from 1-4pm. Dozens of local wineries will set up shop in downtown Los Gatos to offer samples.

➝ bit.ly/42eXBGa.

SPRING INTO GREEN

grows only a few feet tall. It is commonly available. The original species can get more than 15 feet tall, with open branch structure.

Highlight: California lilac

Almost all California lilacs that inhabit refined landscapes are cultivars of native species. Ceanothus thyrsiflorus is one of such native species that grows wild near here. It is a bit less adaptable to home gardens than cultivars are. However, it can be splendid within unrefined and wildland landscapes. New plants need irrigation only until they establish their root systems. Wild plants need none.

Wild California lilac can get taller and wider than 15 feet. That is larger than cultivars, but with more open branch structure. Their evergreen foliage is somewhat glossy. Individual leaves are only about an inch and a half long, with prominent veins. Fluffy floral trusses that bloom in spring are about two or three inches long. Tiny individual flowers are sky blue or pale blue.

Like many chaparral species, California lilac does not respond favorably to pruning. It performs best where it can grow without disruption. Wild specimens perform well for only about 10 years. They might then die suddenly. Some may survive for nearly 15 years. They grow faster with occasional irrigation, but do not survive as long.

The Town of Los Gatos’ annual Spring Into Green event will be held April 23 from 10am to 1pm in Town Plaza Park. Celebrate sustainability, Keep Los Gatos Beautiful Month and Earth Day. The festivities include environmentally focused exhibitor booths, a tree planting ceremony, the weekly Los Gatos Farmers Market, family-friendly activities, live music and more

➝ LosGatosCA.gov/SpringIntoGreen.

GREAT RACE

The Rotary Club of Los Gatos’ 45th annual Great Race returns April 29 at Vasona Park. The event includes a one-mile kids run and a four-mile run. Register online by April 28 at lggreatrace.com. For information, call 408.472.9026 or email lggreatracedirector@gmail.com.

LOS GATOS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

The Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame will hold its 18th Induction Ceremony on May 6 at La Rinconada Country Club. This year’s inductees are: Jack Anti (Class of 1931), Dick Whiteman (1951), Bob McArthur (1964), Jeff Robinson (1975), Karen Freedman Thompson (1978), A.J. Matthews (1982), Samantha Copenhaver Van Devender (1983), Virginia Fritsch (2003) and Kiko Alonso (2008). The reception begins at 5pm, followed by the dinner at 6:45pm and ceremony at 8pm.

➝ tinyurl.com/2023lghshalloffame.

‘MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE’ SCREENING BENEFIT

The Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation will host an evening at the CineLux Los Gatos Theatre on July 19 for the premier showing of the new movie “Mission: Impossible.” It will start at 7pm and the cost will be a $50 donation to the Veterans Foundation.

➝ bit.ly/4183sMr.

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 Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, along with Sunday afternoons.

➝ 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.

Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

NATIVE California lilac lacks lilac fragrance.

DEVELOPER ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 437 HOMES, INCLUDING 88 AFFORDABLE UNITS

Grosvenor pledges to set two acres aside for public use as a park

Drew Penner, Reporter

Grosvenor Property Americas, the developer of the large mixed-use project called the North 40 located just south of San Jose and Campbell, says it will donate nearly two acres of land to Eden Housing, so it can build 88 units of affordable housing.

As part of its Phase II plan, Grosvenor proposes to dedicate two acres for use as a public park and is promising to build 437 total residential units.

That’s to include 20 additional homes for lower-income Los Gatans, beyond what Eden would like to construct. The drawings also feature about 15,000 square feet of retail.

The initial plan was submitted to the Town Monday, under California’s SB 330 process.

“We are really excited to be working with Eden Housing again,” said Steve Buster, senior vice president of development for Grosvenor. “When we meet with community members, we hear quite a bit how their kids or people they know cannot afford to live in Los Gatos, and I think it’s important to provide housing for a very diverse set of buyers and renters.”

Eden Housing says it will build units for people earning up to 60% of area median income.

These could be units categorized as for families of four making up to $101,100 a year, or a single person making as much as $70,800 annually, said Dixie Lira-Baus, director of real estate development for Eden Housing, adding some may be reserved for people who make much less.

“Just to get the land donation is so valuable to affordable housing developers, because in a town like Los Gatos there’s a scarcity of land everywhere,” Lira-Baus said.

Walnut Grove, Eden’s 55-plus community on Phase I of the North 40, just leased out its 50 apartments in a matter of weeks. A Grand Opening is scheduled for June.

Lira-Baus said Eden is hoping to have success again in applying for the

“Section 42” IRS tax credit that was worth about $12 million last time.

“It’s so competitive,” she said. “Because of the location and the value of the land we were able to score… extremely high, so we won that ‘beauty contest’ at the state level.”

According to the Association of Bay Area Governments, 441,176 homes need to be created in the Bay Area by 2031 to account for a deficit brought on by municipalities like Los Gatos not building enough over the years—including 65,892 Low Income units, for people making 50-80% of Area Median Income.

Los Gatos must plan for 310 Low Income units in that time, meaning Phase II of the North 40 could help the community account for 22% of its total allocation in that category—all in one go—if the units all end up falling into the Low Income bucket.

Los Gatos must also pave the way for 537 Very Low Income homes.

The 88 units proposed for Phase II of the North 40 represent just over 10% of what’s needed in those two categories. The 437 total units proposed could cover 22% of the 1,993 homes Los Gatos has been told it must try to get built.

Los Gatos-based Harmonie Park Development and architects Perkins&Will, Dahlin Group and Heller Manus are also involved in Phase II, which envisions a mix of housing including townhomes and multi-family rentals that meets the 30 dwellingunits-per-acre requirement.

Grosvenor says it will now embark on an outreach campaign to gather community feedback.

Mayor Maria Ristow said Grosvenor’s plans for Phase II could go a long way to helping the Town meet its housing targets.

“Given the post-pandemic decline in demand for office space, I’m not surprised by the pivot to more housing,” she said. “Personally, I’m excited to see the plan for Eden to provide affordable family housing, and I know our residents support open space in any residential development.”

Ristow says the developer will still need to submit further paperwork before Phase 2 can go to the Planning Commission.

Once we recieve your email Serenity will then contact you to go over the information to refine it for you.

If you have any questions on this, please don’t hesitate to email us your contact phone number at Serenity@weeklys.com, as well.

LOS GATOS HIGH STUDENTS HONORED IN CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGE

Los Gatos High School senior Avni Hulyalkar and junior Mia McKee won Honorable Mention in the National Girls Who Code (GWC) Cybersecurity Challenge earlier this year.

Competing against middle and high school students from throughout the country, participants were challenged to create projects that explain what cyber-attacks are and present solutions in their own communities on how to prevent them.

Regular members of the Girls Who Code program hosted at the Los Gatos Library, Hulyalkar and McKee were honored for their project “Hacking a Teddy Bear.” CloudPet stuffed toys connect over Bluetooth to an app that allows a parent to upload or download audio messages for their child. Based on the 2017 accusation that the personal information of people who purchased Cloud Pet toys were being compromised, Hulyalkar

LOCAL SCENE

and McKee hacked into their own Cloud Pet toy to spread awareness about the cyber threat of bluejacking (using a Bluetooth device to connect to another device and send threats or phishing messages).

“By physically experiencing the process of hacking, we could truly appreciate the need for protections against cybersecurity,” the students shared in their project gallery.

Hulyalkar and McKee shared three steps in their project to protect someone from cybersecurity threats:

• Make your Bluetooth unfindable.

If your device is Bluetooth enabled, set it as hidden. It will prevent other Bluetooth devices from recognizing your device.

• Have two-factor authentication.

If bluejacking were to be used to harm someone, hackers would be able to find data and passwords to different accounts. Having two-factor verification can help prevent hackers from finding ways to take over your account.

• Be aware of phishing messages and emails. If a bluejacker were to

successfully hack into your device you should make sure to never open files or follow links found in emails or texts.

The Los Gatos Library has partnered with @GirlsWhoCode to create a club that is open for youth ages 12-18. Participants are encouraged to impact the community in a positive way through learning how to build animations, games, apps and more. The club offers tutorials in Python, HTML/CSS, JavaScript and Java.

ALMA COLLEGE SITE RECOGNIZED FOR PRESERVATION

The California Preservation Foundation (CPF) has announced six projects from the Bay Area are among this year's Preservation Design Award winners, including the Alma College site in Los Gatos.

The awards are part of CPFs larger Preservation Design Awards program recognizing preservation projects

throughout the state. Winners will be presented with awards at the annual California Preservation Conference, this year taking place April 19-21 at Fort Mason in San Francisco.

Sixteen total projects across the state will receive awards for work done in categories including restoration, rehabilitation, craftsmanship and preservation technology, cultural resource studies and more.

The Alma College Site is a winner for the 2023 Preservation Design Award for Preservation. Located in the Bear Creek Redwoods, the site illuminates important historical periods emblematic of California's history. Throughout its history, the eightacre property has hosted successive lumber mills, elaborate estates and Alma College, the West Coast’s first Jesuit school of theology.

Site rehabilitation has allowed the public to safely access and appreciate its cultural significance despite lying on the San Andreas fault.

➝ californiapreservation.org/ awards/alma-college.

PRESERVED The Alma College site in Los Gatos was recognized by the California Preservation Foundation.

Peter Lyons

BOATING SEASON BEGINS

April 15 marked the official opening of boating season in Santa Clara County. Coyote Lake and Stevens Creek reservoirs are set to reopen thanks to the copious amount of rainfall received this winter. They will now join Calero and Lexington reservoirs, which have remained open throughout the year. Anderson Lake will remain closed long-term in order to perform a seismic retrofit on the dam.

Boating is permitted on Santa Clara County Parks’ Reservoirs from 8am to a half-hour before sunset. Reservations are required for holidays and weekends beginning with Memorial Day weekend through the end of September. Call 408.355.2201 or visit gooutsideandplay.org to make a reservation.

The Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department is reminding boaters to prioritize safety while enjoying the County Reservoirs. This includes equipping recreational vessels with proper safety equipment, following state boating laws, avoiding alcohol and checking weather conditions to reduce the risk of accidents.

To avoid any regrets, make sure you are well-informed before heading out on the water, and take the necessary steps to clean, drain and dry your vessel before arriving at the lake for inspection. This inspection program is co-sponsored by Santa Clara County Parks and Valley Water, with the goal of ensuring safe water usage for generations to come.

➝ parkhere.org.

HERITAGE THEATRE ENDS SEASON WITH TWO PERFORMANCES

Campbell’s Heritage Theatre wraps up its 2022-2023 season with two music performances in one evening.

Taylor Dayne and Sheena Easton will perform beginning at 8pm on April 27. Between them, these two pop icons have garnered nine Grammy Award nominations, two Grammy Awards, two Billboard Music awards, one American Music Award, six Platinum albums, five Gold albums, 39 Billboard Top 20 singles, and 11 #1 Billboard singles.

With a career spanning three decades, Dayne’s debut single “Tell It To My Heart” turned her into an overnight international star in 1987. She

has sold more than 75 million albums and singles worldwide, earned three Grammy nominations, an American Music Award, multiple New York Music Awards, received New York Music Hall of Fame honors and ranked as the Number 18 Female Dance artist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Easton’s recording career has included Gold and Platinum albums in the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has sold more than 20 million records worldwide. She received two Grammys, and was the first—and still only— artist to have a Top 5 record on each of Billboard’s primary singles charts.

Individual tickets are now on sale for $70 and are available online at HeritageTheatre.org, by phone at 408.866.2700, or at the Box Office (hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday, 10am-2pm).

KIWANIS TO CELEBRATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES

The Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos will hold its 25th annual Turn-Around Scholarship Awards on May 4 at noon

at The Wine Cellar Restaurant, 50 University Ave.

The Kiwanis Turn-Around Scholarship (TAS) Program provides scholarships for graduating at-risk high school seniors for their continuing education. These students often began their high school career confronting issues such as substance abuse, addiction, abusive parents or guardians, poverty, homelessness or an illness.

The program is a non-profit that raises funds for scholarships for students from more than 50 high schools in 10 different school districts throughout Kiwanis’ Division 12’s boundaries in Silicon Valley. The TAS Program annually awards over $220,000 to more than 170 students.

Many of these students are often the first in their family to graduate from high school and go on to college.

Winners are also offered a mentorship relationship with a Kiwanis member.

A scholarship is typically $1,500 per recipient per year.

Former Los Gatos Mayor and County Supervisor Mike Wasserman will emcee the luncheon.

➝ bit.ly/43xhh8M.

RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN HAZARD MITIGATION SURVEY

Santa Clara County residents are encouraged to take part in a hazard mitigation survey that will help coordinate efforts to reduce the risk of injuries, loss of life and property damage, emergency management officials announced.

The Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Management is working with nearby cities, towns and districts to create a new Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which will prepare local departments on climate adaptation and natural disasters.

County emergency officials are asking residents to share their experiences on natural disasters and other hazards that impact their communities.

The survey is available in five different languages on the emergency management department's website at bit.ly/3KL0dUn.

Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

POP ICONS Sheena Easton and Taylor Dayne will wrap up Heritage Theatre’s 2022-2023 season on April 27.

This Los Gatos home on a corner lot offers foothill views on two sides.

Located at 209 Old Adobe Road, the 2,808-square-foot home includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The remodeled kitchen is equipped with stainless appliances (Dacor, KitchenAid, Bosch), stone counters, solid cherry cabinets with ample pot/pan storage under range and a large pantry.

The living room features large bay windows, while the separate family room with a fireplace opens up to the backyard with a brick patio and pergola, lawn and five fruit trees.

The home, built in 1961, is listed at $3,068,000 by Coldwell Banker Realty. For information, visit bit.ly/403DVCI.

The team that launched the original Los Gatos Weekly has come together once again to give the town the quality of journalism it needs.

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