LOCAL SCENE

LOCAL STUDENT PLACES IN CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION

Los Gatos High School freshman Kiara Zhou was awarded third place for her entry “Tender Trust” in the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for California’s 16th Congressional District. Announced earlier this month by Congressmember Anna G. Eshoo, Kiara was honored at a virtual reception on May 4.

With entries from 59 student artists who submitted their work from throughout the South Bay, Mid-Peninsula and coastal San Mateo County, entries were judged by an independent panel of members of the art community, including artists Kit Coleman of Woodside, Meredith Forster of Mountain View and Summer Lee of Pacifica.

“Our student artists are among the best I’ve seen in my career,” said Superintendent Bill W. Sanderson. “Our exemplary arts, graphic design, and elective courses offer such an incredible support and launching pad for our talented students. I am thrilled for Kiara’s recognition.”

Since 1982, the Congressional Institute has hosted an annual visual art competition for high school students to recognize artistic talent throughout the nation. Attracting almost 700,000 participants nationwide to date, the competition calls for submissions of paintings, drawings, collages, photographs and computer-generated art.

The winning artwork from each congressional district is exhibited in the U.S. Capitol for a year, and the winner receives two round-trip tickets to Washington D.C. for the annual awards ceremony and launch of the exhibition courtesy of Southwest Airlines.

SALT & STRAW OPENS NEW ICE CREAM SHOP IN LOS GATOS

Ice cream brand Salt & Straw is set to open a new scoop shop June 2 in Los Gatos, bringing their cult-favorite flavors to the Old Town community center at 50 University Ave., D200.

In addition to its popular signature flavors such as Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons, Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Pear & Blue Cheese, the Los Gatos location will also have its recently launched Upcycled Food Series menu. Available through the month of June, the series features five flavors, each in partnership with brands focused on reducing food waste in the U.S.

The Upcycled Food Series includes:

• Day-Old Bread Pudding & Chocolate Ganache: Created in collaboration with Urban Gleaners, the Portland-based nonprofit redistributing food from high-end restaurants and grocery stores to schools and agencies working to end hunger. The custard bread pudding ice cream is layered with housemade chocolate ganache. Salt & Straw worked with Urban Gleaners to gather a year’s worth of bread from around Portland that would have gone to waste to feature in this flavor.

• Cacao Pulp & Chocolate Stracciatella Gelato: Created in collaboration with Blue Stripes, the cacao brand founded by famed chocolatier Oded Brenner. The cacao gelato, which is made using the whole pod including the shell and pulp, is striped with ribbons of dark chocolate stracciatella.

• Lemon Curd & Whey: Created in collaboration with The Spare Food Co, the culinary innovation company co-founded by chef Adam Kaye, who reduces food waste at farms and processors by capturing overlooked and unused ingredients. The tart, tangy gelato is infused with whey-based Spare Food Lemon & Ginger sparkling tonic.

Salt & Straw Los Gatos will be open from 11am-11pm. For information, follow Salt & Straw on Instagram @saltandstraw.

TASTING HOUSE OPENS CHAMPAGNE BAR

The Tasting House, 368 Village Lane in Los Gatos, has opened the Champagne Bar, a new lounge-like space that will offer an extensive list of champagne.

The $75 flight includes five varieties of champagne. It will also be serving a selection of new and old world still French wines with classic food pairings, such as caviar, oysters, crab, pomme frites and a selection of artisanal cheeses. Other menu items include fresh salads (Arugula, Strawberry and Goat Cheese, Ahi Tuna Niçoise, Beet Salad with Feta), Boujee Tater Tots, and Truffle Grilled Cheese on local Manresa Bread.

The Champagne Bar at Tasting House will be open Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 10pm (closing at 9pm on Sundays).

➝ tastinghouse.com.

DROTAR NAMED TO SPRING DEAN'S LIST AT FULBRIGHT COLLEGE

Reese Drotar of Los Gatos was named to the Spring 2023 Dean's List in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Drotar joins more than 2,000 additional Fulbright College students on the Spring 2023 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.

“As we wrap up another remarkable academic year in Fulbright College, it’s such a pleasure to recognize Reese for this spectacular achievement and for making Fulbright College and the University of Arkansas so incredibly proud,” said Kathryn Sloan, the college’s interim dean. “In being named to the Dean’s List, Reese represents the very best of Fulbright College and demonstrates excellence in academics and a commitment to our mission of peace through education.

“I’d be remiss not to also recognize and thank the family, friends and Fulbright College faculty and staff who have supported Reese. We’re immensely grateful for their continued influence and support.”

LOCALS RECOGNIZED BY WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

Three local students were among 2,054 undergraduates who achieved the criteria required for Worcester Polytechnic Institute spring 2023 Dean’s List.

The criteria for the WPI Dean’s List differs from that of most other universities as WPI does not compute a grade point average. Instead, WPI defines the Dean’s List by the amount of work completed at the A level in courses and projects.

The students are:

• Alessandro Brianti of Los Gatos, class of 2026, majoring in Computer Science

• Jamie Rapal of Los Gatos, class of 2025, majoring in Computer Science

• Alex Ryan of Monte Sereno, class of 2026, majoring in Biology and Biotechnology

“WPI’s academic programs are rigorous and require a level of independence beyond what is required in traditional courses. WPI students work on open-ended problems for communities around the world. The problems are important and the impact is real,” said Professor Arthur C. Heinricher. “Some of this nation’s best and brightest students come to WPI to study engineering and science and business and the humanities. Those named to the Dean's List have excelled in all of their work, and we are exceptionally proud of these outstanding students.”