Los Gatan 10 27 2021 by Weeklys

@losgatan

vol . I , no. 8 : october 27-november 2, 2021 : losgatan.com

volleyball team rolling p 10 : kerouac’s lantern p 12 : frightful fundraiser p 14 : calendar p 14 Katie Lauer/Los Gatan

TOWN SEEKS CALMER, SAFER, BIKE-FRIENDLY SHANNON ROAD

Residents to practice handing out water

Council pauses bollard plan for Shannon Road project

Drew Penner, Reporter

Blossom Hill Elementary, Van Meter Elementary and Fisher Middle School students can frequently be seen travelling along Shannon Road on their way to school. Much of the route doesn’t have sidewalks, and some residents have reported cars racing along at unsafe speeds. On Oct. 19, the Los Gatos Town Council considered three options to improve a stretch of Shannon Road—between Cherry Blossom Lane and Los Gatos Boulevard. This portion was previously identified as an area of need in the Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Local officials have been considering the best type of multi-use path for the street, and have been soliciting feedback from community members for months. Los Gatos already has $980,100 in federal money (a Vehicle Emissions Reductions Based at Schools grant) to put toward what was originally going to be a $1.3 million project. ➝ Shannon Road, 8

DRILL TO HELP LOCALS PREPARE FOR A DISASTER

EEK OUR GUEST The cast of The Haunted Dinner: A Spooktacular Dinner Theatre Experience welcome the evening’s diners to a night of haunts at Immersive: Los Gatos. The new venue is booked through November. For the story, turn to page 6.

The first time 72-year-old Scott Hepworth helped out in a large-scale catastrophe was after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. As an atmospheric river prompted landslide concerns in the Santa Cruz Mountains this past weekend, he said he wants Los Gatos families to make sure they’re prepared for another devastating natural phenomenon. “When it’s a big earthquake or a massive fire or anything— if the dam broke, and everyone kind of goes into a state of shock—we do what we can while we’re all waiting to get things under control,” said Hepworth, who is a member of the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Community Emergency Response Team, explaining their role in the wake of a serious incident. “That’s why we assume there won’t be any power; we assume there won’t be any electricity.” On Nov. 3, the group will hold a drive-thru drill from 10am-noon at Los Gatos Calvary Church, 16330 Los Gatos Blvd. The scenario this time will involve teams dispensing ➝ Drill, 4

VOL.1 NO.8 Dan Pulcrano Executive Editor and Publisher Lee May General Manager Erik Chalhoub Managing Editor Lori Lieneke Advertising Director Phaedra Strecher Production Manager Katie Lauer Drew Penner Reporters Emanuel Lee Juan Reyes Sports writers Judy Peterson Contributor Serenity Polizzi Carrie Bonato Account Executives Marie Hicks Subscriptions

WEEKLYS Stephen Buel Director of Strategic Initiatives Mike Lyon Digital Media Harry Allison Production Director 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.

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.

Silicon Valley Ambulance tapped for pilot project Drew Penner, Reporter

Los Gatos elected officials gave their support to a pilot project that seeks to keep kids experiencing mental health crises from being taken into police custody unnecessarily. On Oct. 19, as part of its consent agenda, Council voted unanimously to contract with Silicon Valley Ambulance for the transport of youth placed on involuntary holds. The decision comes in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests across the country, which—among other things—highlighted the problems with police arresting people who really need psychological assistance, or similar care. “While many recognize that a police presence may not always be the best

vices Mobile Crisis Stabilization Unit Response Team, however, while they do assessments and post-care assessments, neither provide transportation to emergency psychiatric facilities for acute treatment. This year, around 27 youth were placed on a 5150 hold, up to the end of September, according to Tada. If a patient has medical insurance, their provider will be billed first. After that, Los Gatos will pay-out at the federal Medi-Care rate ($300 to $500 for the initial response and transport, plus $10 per mile of transportation). “Based on treatment services and availability, juveniles are primarily transported to Uplift Family Services Emergency Psychiatric Care facility in Campbell,” Tada wrote. “The option to transport to other local emergency psychiatric evaluation facilities or hospitals can be accommodated at the request of the parents and if applicable insurance coverage is available.” Silicon Valley Ambulance currently provides ambulance transportation services for individuals, including children, experiencing mental health crises for the City of Morgan Hill. It was unclear how much the initiative will cost the Town, since its financial impact will depend on the percentage of 5150 patients who don’t have medical coverage, according to staff.

option for those experiencing a mental health crisis, the lack of available clinicians and the need to maintain a balance of public safety while addressing the needs of the person in crisis typically requires a law enforcement response,” Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department Interim Police Chief Clinton Tada wrote in a report to Council. “Police protocol dictates that when a juvenile or adult is transported in a police vehicle, the individual is placed in handcuffs for safety reasons, placed in the rear prisoner area of the patrol vehicle, and transported to a local stabilization facility or emergency psychiatric medical facility for further evaluation and treatment.” An involuntary hold is more commonly known by its Welfare and Institutions Code Number—5150. The Town currently uses Santa Clara County’s Emergency Medical Services, under a contract with Rural Metro Ambulance Company, for all emergency and non-emergency medical calls. But, its paramedics only transport individuals placed on a 5150 holds when there’s a medical or intoxication “co-morbidity” alongside the mental health crisis. The police department uses mental health services from the County Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Response Team and Uplift Family Ser-

Group cleans up Oak Meadow Submitted

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

OPINIONS

TOWN APPROVES YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION PROGRAM

NEWS

About 45 children participated in the Kiwanis One Day Trail Cleanup & BBQ at Oak Meadow Park, which was held Oct. 23. The event, a partnership with the Campbell Kiwanis Club, was held to develop a sense of service while having fun, according to organizers. “We had a great turnout of kids and their families, in addition to Kiwanis Club members from Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell and Willow Glen,” reported Nancy Pearson, president of the Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos. Members of the K-Kids Club at Blue Hills Elementary in Saratoga, as well as from the Key Club from Los Gatos High School, and a few from Van Meter Elementary in Los Gatos, lended a hand. “All did their part in picking up trash,” she said.

compass.com

Compass pairs the community’s best agents with industry-leading technology to make the search and sell experience seamless. Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

Guiding you home in Los Gatos and beyond.

LGS Recreation

SIGNUPS UNDERWAY FOR EMERGENCY DRILL Drill, from page 1

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

408.354.8700 www.lgsrecreation.org

Los Gatan T-shirts Now available for purchase Order online: wklys.co/lgtshirt

BE PREPARED The Hepworths visit the Incident Command Post at St. Mary’s Catholic School. They’re hoping 500 residents will participate in the water-dispensing drill Nov. 3. clean water to the community, as if something terrible had just occurred in the area. According to Hepworth, taking care of your basic needs in a stressful situation allows you to make better decisions. “They have to stay hydrated,” he said. “It doesn’t take long and they can get into trouble.” “That’s why the water drill is so important,” said his wife of 50 years, Lorraine, who is 73. She serves as the CERT Lead for the Almond Grove neighborhood, which includes about 1,200 residents, and the downtown business community. They couple met as missionaries in Australia. “We love doing community service,” Scott said. “We like helping out in anything we can do.” They stand together at an unassuming storage shed at St. Mary Catholic School. Inside is a fully-decked out Incident Command Post, complete with

a wealth of lifesaving equipment— handheld radios, color-coded tape and tarps, and laminated badges denoting volunteer roles. If an emergency were to happen, the group would work under the police department, in cooperation with the Disaster Aid Response Team. “We’ll have teams who are assigned to check whatever the issues are,” Scott said. “We always go with buddies. We never go alone. And we never put ourselves in harm’s way.” The couple preaches preparedness, urging residents to pack a “go bag,” have a bit of small change at the ready so you’re not trying to find someone to break a $100 bill, and keep some extra food in the pantry. “The more people are individually prepared in their own households, the less stress they’re going to have,” Scott said. “We want people to not panic, because panic only makes things worse.” On Nov. 3, San Jose Water will bring a full tanker to simulate how things

might go after a natural disaster. CERT hopes to process 500 cars in 15-minute groups. But the Hepworths say they’ll have about 20 volunteers to make the drill go smoothly. “It’s the first time we’ve done this,” Lorraine said, urging people to sign up online. “We’re testing it out.” To sign up for the drive-thru, visit bit.ly/3mw7awe

CORRECTION

In the article “Los Gatos passes no-picketing ordinance,” published in the Oct. 20-26 edition, a sentence quoting Angelica Ramos-Allen should have read: “She supported such a ban on picketing in front of residences, and noted other municipalities had enacted similar ordinances.”

T HE E BBI ILLLL L L II SSTTEERR T T EA M T TH E AM H E B I L L L I S T E R T E A M THE BILL LISTER TEAM

T H E B I L L L I S T E R T E A M E B I L L I S T E R T E A M T H E B I L L L I S T E R T A M H E B I L L R T E A T HTTIVEH B I L L L I S T E R T E A M E 15400 15400

T E AC V EE I V V I T I ATC AACCT

15400

Bathrooms

BathroomsBathrooms

99 Bathrooms Call Me to Discuss Your Next Move in8 2021

8 99 15400 ie s on 15400 8 99 lor 8 99 15400 15400 15400 15400 interior. Bathrooms Bathrooms 15400 Suview Drive, Los Gatos Bathrooms Bathrooms Bathrooms Bathrooms

EVE I V E I E T E V T I V IIAVC TTC A AAACCCT

s on lor ie s on lor ie f 6 Bedrooms | 8 599Bathrooms ie s on interior. 8 lor 99 interior. ± 7,460 to Space sq.doors ft Living 99| ± 7.673 Acres 99 8888 99 99 f

interior.

ie s on entelor

ie Offered s on lorat $7,995,000 doors tointerior. flor i doors ith on lor to ieie on lor ie sssson on lor interior. ente ie ente fExquisite interior. di doors interior. gated private estate withto spectacular views on interior. interior. f doors i ith to i acres. ith great roomBeautiful Wonderful with custom ff 7.6 glorious i remodeled baths. f f ente doorsdining to room with double French doors di ente fireplace. Formal di doors to doors to doors doors to to d enteInterior i remodeled baths.Newly to iexterior. forith entertaining. ithBeautiful icourtyard ente i igourmet Beautiful baths. ente ente remodeled chef ’s kitchen top of theremodeled line and d with ith re di d di diningBeautiful finishes spacious area – great for hosting and i dii and i ith d i ith ith remodeled baths. and reentertaining. d a rt di d ibathroom. di Beautiful and re i Indoor d Beautiful remodeled baths. remodeled baths. traditional Sauna. a rt di Two private offices/dens. Beautiful remodeled baths. i Beautiful remodeled baths. i Beautiful remodeled baths. and re d i Beautiful Beautiful remodeled remodeled baths. baths. a rt d d bathroom.Radiant Indoorheating, traditional Sauna. new ceiling fans, and ontrolled crown moulding, ad rt bathroom. and rethroughout. d Au Indoor ontrolledddrecessed lighting pair apartment with living and retraditional d Sauna. bathroom. Sauna. and re and and re re Indoor ddd traditional room, bedroom and bathroom. Indoor traditional a kitchen, rt ontrolled ound a Indoor rt traditional Temperature controlled wine cellar.Sauna. Loggias and rtrtontrolled rt bathroom. oundaaa Sauna. verandas with amazing views of the city and onderful si bathroom. Indoor traditional Sauna. bathroom. Indoor Indoor traditional traditional Sauna. Sauna. bathroom. traditional Sauna.verdant bathroom. Indoor traditional Sauna. ontrolled onderful si ound hillsides. In-ground pool/spa. Outdoor .kitchen. ound out of stat3 car garage. ontrolled ontrolled ontrolled ontrolled out of . simotor stat court, onderful Estate includes vineyard, onderful inesi. ard o orchard and fenced ound single inegarden. ardofoWonderful out statliving with gorgeous views level out of si . stat ound ound ound https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Drive onderful out of every ine window! ard o https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Drive ound ine ard o onderful si onderful onderful si si out of . stat https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Drive https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Drive out of stat out outof of https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Drive .. .o. stat stat onderful ine ard stat si ine ard ine ine ard ardout ooo of https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Drive . stat https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Drive https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Drive https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Drive https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Drive

1 Large Team

BILL LISTER 1 Large Team

L RL I S T E R B I L L L IB SITL E T H E L I S T E R T E A M T H E

B I TLELA M L I S T E R

L I S T E R

EXCELLENT AGENTS | UNPARALLELED RESULTS

HE AEL L Y,LI TI' SS A T EA A I T ' S S I M P LT E R L L EI NR T HTE N M EM ... LISTER

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

ine ard o https://beyondre.marketing/15400-Suview-Dri

2020 #1 Large Team I T ' S S I M P L E R E A LELXY,CI ET L' SL EA N L LT I A N TE H ET N E . .P. AL R SATLELRE L E D R E S U L T S NL S A| M 1 Large Team B SIT T EE R R with strong IT HLIGELL LLUINIS A resultsB oriented approach matched in the Los Gatos Office L I S T E R T E A M I T ' S S I M P L E R E A L L Y, I T ' S A L L I N TH EM N A M E . . has . L I Smade TER A results oriented approach matched with strong B I L L L I S T E R negotiating skills and effective marketing TIL H EL LL I ISIS TST ET REET E A B B I L L L R R ILister L LLIIAaISGSSnational L IE S RS|RUTT E XB C EH L LE ENT ET NT N PEAE R AR LLELED RESULTS 1 Large Top Producer onnegotiating theTeam T T M HETE ALLG EAA Real Estate skills effective marketing has E X Cand EBill LTLTEH N ENT TT SE|ER U N PTAE R AALM LM E L E Dmade R Eleader. SULTS 1 Large Team TI M H EE RL E IA LS L T E 'RS ATL LE I A M AEEresults oriented matched with strong IET 'LLSL SNN P LGG Iapproach TRR H MT 2011-2020 WSJ List Bill Lister Ca AA NReal N EE DD UU LL Large Team E XXX C C E E LLnational EEE N TTT A G EEE N N TTT SS S| | U | UY, U N N PPTP AAA RRR AAA LLLLL EE E LLL EN D R EEEE SSU SN LA TT SSES . . . L I S T E R Estate leader. 111Large Large Team Team him a I ETX' S P LT E A R EE A LT LS Y,| and IT L T NUALM C ESLILM EN G NGive U N' PS A A R AL Lcall L IEN L Etoday! DHREE S T SE . . . L I S T E R 1 Large Team negotiating skills effective marketing has made Y,Y,IIT HH NN MM IIT ITT ' 'SS' A S SSISIresults M IMM PP L EEresults E RRR EEE AAoriented A LLLLoriented L Y, ITT ' 'SS' S408.892.9300 AAA LLapproach LLL IIN INN TTT H EEEmatched N AAmatched A M EEE . .. ... .. L . Lwith L IISIST STT EEstrong E RR R approach with strong 408.892.9300 cell APLLhim Give a call today! IT'S SIM P L E Lister R E A L L Y, I T ' Snational A L L I N T H EReal N A M E Estate . . . L I S T E R leader. Bill a A results oriented approach matched with strong negotiating skills and effective marketing has blister@cbnorcal.com 408.892.9300 and effective marketing has strong made A results oriented approach matched with strong A Aresults resultsnegotiating oriented orientedskills approach approach matched matched with with strongmade negotiating skills and effective marketing has made A results oriented approach matched with strong Bill Lister a national Real Estate leader. www.BillLister.com Give him a call today! negotiating skills and effective marketing has made Bill and Lister aeffective Estate leader. negotiating negotiating skills skills and marketing marketing has made made © 1 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensedeffective to national Coldwell BankerReal Real Estate LLC. An Equalhas Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a negotiating skills and effective marketing has Bill Lister aGive national Real Estate leader. Subsidiary of NRT LLC. All rights 01179611 reserved. This information was supplied byBill Seller and/or other sources. Broker believes this information to beS correct butleader. has not verified this made information and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to CalBre# 408.892.9300 Bill Lister aanational national Real Estate leader. Bill Lister Lister a national Real Real Estate Estate leader. him a call today! Give him a call today! B I L L L I T E R satisfaction. Real Estate Agents affiliatedis with Coldwell trademark Banker Bill Residential Brokerage areBanker Contractor Associates and are not employees ofEqual Coldwell BankerOpportunity. Real Estate Each LLC, Coldwell Residential Brokerage or NRT Office LLC. isCalBRE License © 1 Coldwell Banker Real Estatetheir LLC.own All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® a registered licensed to Coldwell Real Estate LLC. Sales An EqualEstate Opportunity Company. Housing ColdwellBanker Banker Residential Brokerage Owned by a# 01908304. Lister aIndependent national Real leader. 408.892.9300 TGive Hhim Icall T Everified R E A M him ahastoday! call today! Give him call today! Subsidiary of NRT LLC. All rights reserved. This information was supplied by Seller and/or other sources. Broker believes thisGive information toEbe correct butS not thisTinformation and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to 408.892.9300 Give him aLaacall today! him today! their own satisfaction. Real Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Give Sales Associates and a are call not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License # 01908304. 408.892.9300 408.892.9300 E X C E L L E N T408.892.9300 A G408.892.9300 ENTS | UNPARALLELED RESULTS 1Estate Large Team © ©2021 1 Coldwell RealEstate All Rights Reserved. is atrademark registeredlicensed trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker EstateOpportunity LLC. An Equal Equal Opportunity Company. Equal HousingBanker Opportunity. EachBrokerage ColdwellOffice Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a 408.892.9300 Coldwell Banker Banker Real LLCLLC. All Rights Reserved. ColdwelColdwell Banker®Banker® is registered to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Real An Equal Company. Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Residential is Owned by a Subsidiary

W W W.BIL L L IS TE R.C O M

Subsidiary of ©NRT LLC. All rights reserved. This information supplied by Seller other be correct but has verified assumes no legal Each responsibility for its Residential accuracy. Brokerage Buyers investigate 1 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rightswas Reserved. Coldwell Banker® licensed to Coldwell Real LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. Coldwell Banker Officeshould is Owned by a these issues to T and/or ' S is Broker Sa registered I Mbelieves Psources. Ltrademark E thisRBroker EA Lbelieves L Y, Ithis T ' information S Banker A L to IEstate Nverified T Hthis E An N Anot MOpportunity E . . .assumes Lthis ICompany. Sinformation T Elegal REqualand of NRT LLC. All rights reserved. This information was supplied by Seller and/or otherI sources. nformation to be butL has information no for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own Subsidiary ofReal NRTEstate LLC. AllAgents rights reserved. was supplied by SellerBrokerage and/or other Broker Contractor believes thiscorrect information to not be and correctarebut not verifiedand information and responsibility assumes no legal for its accuracy. Buyers should these issues to # 01908304. their own satisfaction. affiliatedThis withinformation Coldwell Banker Residential are sources. Independent Sales Associates nothasemployees ofthisColdwell Banker Real Estate LLC,responsibility Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRTinvestigate LLC. CalBRE License satisfaction Real Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Sales Associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage NRT LC. CalBRE License # 01908304. © 1 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a © © 1 1 Coldwell Coldwell Banker Banker Real Real Estate Estate LLC. LLC. All All Rights Rights Reserved. Reserved. Coldwell Coldwell Banker® Banker® is is a a registered registered trademark trademark licensed licensed to to Coldwell Coldwell Banker Banker Real Real Estate Estate LLC. LLC. An An Equal Equal Opportunity Opportunity Company. Company. Equal Equal Housing Housing Opportunity. Opportunity. Each Each Coldwell Coldwell Banker Banker Residential Residential Brokerage Brokerage Office Office is is Owned Owned by by a a their own satisfaction. Real Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Sales Associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License # 01908304. © 1 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a A results oriented approach matched with strong Subsidiary ofofNRT NRT LLC. AllAll rights reserved. This information was supplied bybySeller Seller and/or other sources. Broker believes this information totobebe correct but has not verified this information and assumes nonolegal legal responsibility forforColdwell itsitsaccuracy. accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues totoa © 1 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by Subsidiary Subsidiary of NRT LLC. LLC. All rights rights reserved. reserved. This This information information was was supplied supplied by Seller and/or and/or other other sources. sources. Broker Broker believes believes this this information information to be correct correct but but has has not not verified verified this this information information and and assumes assumes no legal responsibility responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers Buyers should should investigate investigate these these issues issues to Subsidiary of NRT LLC. AllReal rights reserved. This information was supplied by Seller Brokerage and/or other sources. Broker believes thisAssociates information to benotcorrect but has not verified information and assumes no legal responsibility foror its accuracy. Buyers#should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction. Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential are Independent Contractor Sales and are employees Coldwell Bankerthis Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage NRT LLC. CalBRE License 01908304. Subsidiary ofsatisfaction. NRT LLC.Real AllReal rights reserved. information was supplied byResidential Seller and/or other are sources. Broker believes thisSales information be correct but has not this information andEstate assumes legal responsibility for Banker itsBrokerage accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issuesLicense to # 01908304. their theirown own satisfaction. Real Estate Estate Agents AgentsThis affiliated affiliated with withColdwell Coldwell Banker Banker Residential Brokerage Brokerage areIndependent Independent Contractor Contractor SalesAssociates Associates and and are arenot notemployees employees ofofofColdwell Coldwell Banker Real Real Estate LLC, LLC,no Coldwell Coldwell Banker Banker Residential Residential Brokerage ororNRT NRTLLC. LLC. CalBRE CalBRE License ##01908304. 01908304. their own satisfaction. Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Salestoeffective Associates and are notverified employees ofBanker Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Residential Brokerage orLicense NRT LLC. CalBRE negotiating skills and has made their own satisfaction. Real Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Sales Associates and are not employeesmarketing of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License # 01908304.

W W W. BILLLISTE R. C OM Bill Lister a national Real Estate leader. WWW.BILLLISTER.COM WWW.BILLLISTER.COM W W W. I LLLI STER. C OM Give B him a call today! WW. W W W WW. W. BILLLISTE BILLLISTE R. R.C COM OM WW W.BILLLISTE R.C OM W WW.B I408.892.9300 L L L I S TER.COM

An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned b

Devil in the details Katie Lauer/Los Gatan

ThemeDream will transform Immersive: Los Gatos into a different dinner theatre experience each month

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

Katie Lauer, Reporter

Trekking up the stairs to the venue formerly known as Mountain Charley’s was almost like entering the afterlife, where the remains of the beloved saloon now rest in peace. Welcomed by a smiley Count Dracula who had just “woken up from an eternal nap,” Immersive: Los Gatos ushered me into a Halloween world of costume-adorned guests and staff—a family of spirits on stage, a lobster and her chef date on my left, and an uncanny replication of Jack Skellington and Sally across the way. Every few months, ThemeDream will transform Immersive: Los Gatos into a different imaginary world. The Haunted Dinner: A Spooktacular Dinner Theatre Experience (Blood Moon Rising) is the first show to break in the historic space, bringing together mystery and whimsy over good food, drinks and company. The moment Immersive transitioned from a tricked-out pub into a performance reminiscent of Cirque du Soleil was clear: “Our spirits have been waiting for you,” one of the ghostly ghouls declared. “We are not liable for any paranormal activities.” The devil was really in the production’s details: Human faces embedded within lights on stage. Portraits of the cast moving on the walls as if searching for escape—a la Azkaban. One bar fully stocked with high-end cocktails and drinks, the other fully stocked with creepy dolls and skulls. While the space can’t boast excessive size, it’s a welcoming, intimate environment for 70 to 100 people, seated in the main room for a dinner show and theater performance—complete with a cast of characters committed to the bit, starting when doors open continuing as food is served and lingering as guests leave for the evening hours later. The intricate costumes had the actors, hosts and staff dressed to the nines, as the interactive performances

THEMED DRINKS Immersive: Los Gatos’ bar keeps the wine flowing on a recent night.

elevated the experience. At no point did it become painfully obvious it was all make-believe on set. Longtime tenants of the former bar will find solace in the same light fixture that’s hung precariously above patrons for the past 100 years, as well as turn pulley fans keeping the room below cool. The cast of haunted youth and elders paused their spooky storyline skits and talent exhibitions as drinks and appetizers were distributed—in this case, mini cauldrons of cold potato soup, a light yet decadent starter that left palettes wanting more. From the mind of executive chef

Paul Vigil, each course was either catered visually to the theme at hand or anchored to the mood in name, but centering flavor. Dishes throughout the night ranged from finger-shaped prosciutto topping a salad of balsamic greens and bitesized “spider bite” fish tacos adorned with herbs and refreshing lime, to mashed potatoes with beef gravy and mushrooms and an anatomically accurate dark chocolate heart cake (well, as close as culinarily possible). The drinks throughout the evening ran the gamut of sweet, floral and strong, assembled by mixologists Joe Price and Joe Habib, along with wine

pairings from sommelier Joe Habib. But the talent almost made the dining second class: ribbon acrobatic gymnastics, sword swallowing, burlesque dancing and classic card trick magic—all elevated by a live in-house violin soundtrack from one of the living dead hosts. It’s not shocking to see they are booked through November, but curious eyes will keep an eye on Immersive: Los Gatos’ calendar to see what feats (and frights) are next. Immersive: Los Gatos is located at 15 North Santa Cruz Ave. For information, visit immersivenightlife.com.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – CORETTA SCOTT KING

I’m honored to serve as the Chair of the 1% For Good for the Los Gatos office and serve on the board for Sereno’s 1% For Good Charitable Foundation supporting organizations in our community.

CAROL JEANS

OVER

$4M DONATED

COUNTIES

321

ORGANIZATIONS IMPACTED

YEARS OF GIVING

We thank our agents, clients, and community for making the efforts of the Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Fountation possible. Visit sereno.com/giving-report-2020 to read Sereno’s 2020 Giving Report.

•

Ranked Top 1% of Realtors in Northern California Real Trends 2021

•

Top 250 Real Estate Agents Real Trends Wall Street Journal

•

Top 100 Most Influential Real Estate Agents in Northern California Real Estate Executive Magazine

•

America’s Best Realtors Newsweek 2020

•

2018 Joanne Knapp Community Service Award Recipient

•

More than $1 billion in sales

•

80% of clients are either former clients or referrals

•

30 years of market knowledge

•

Founding member of Sereno focused on the quality of the client’s experience

•

Chair 1% For Good Sereno Los Gatos

•

Board Member Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation

•

Luxury Real Estate Specialist

Unprecedented Knowledge of the Local Market and Community

408.313.0067 carol@sereno.com | CarolJeans.com DRE 01117857

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

REALTOR®, Founding Member

COUNCIL CONSIDERS OPTIONS FOR SHANNON ROAD

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

Shannon Road, from page 1

But the Town has been refining its designs, making things a bit more expensive. Originally, the Town was looking at installing a Class 1 path along the north side of the road, but later determined that wouldn’t be the best plan. This would’ve been much too costly and might’ve introduced safety concerns, staff reported to Council. A Class 1 bikeway would provide a completely separated right-of-way for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with crossflows by motorists minimized. This sentiment was further echoed by public speakers during the Oct. 19 Council meeting, who worried about delivery vehicles not having a place to park, difficulties entering or exiting their driveway or leading to bunchedup parking along side-streets. Two plans were prepared by ActiveWayz Engineering, under a $200,000 design contract. The first concept was for a conventional sidewalk with Class 2 bike lanes on both sides of Shannon Road. That would involve painted areas and signs marking out bike lane areas, but no physical barriers. There would be on-street parking on the south side of Shannon Road, but none on the north side. This option had an estimated cost of $1.8 million. Concept 2 proposed a 7-foot-wide street-grade sidewalk and Class 4 bike lanes that would include raised concrete curbs and median islands. The plan would allow for on-street parking on the north side of the street, and bike lanes on both sides of the street in some sections. The concepts were evaluated by the Complete Streets and Transportation Commission Aug. 12. Commissioners voted to support concept 2, noting they liked the protected nature of Class 4 bike lanes. “However, later, staff had to explain that concept 2 may not be feasible, due to its high construction estimate of $2.9 million, which is well over the current project of $1.3 million,” said Town Engineer WooJae Kim. Staff mailed out about 530 postcards for the first community meeting, held Aug. 25. At that time, residents urged planners to focus on the safety of children,

and suggested on-street parking wasn’t a priority, Kim said. The design team took that feedback and came up with a third concept. This plan would have conventional sidewalks, Class 4 bike lanes and green bollards to provide a more secure space for children to travel along. It came with an estimated cost of $1.9 million. “However, this option would drastically restrict on-street parking on Shannon Road,” he said. Class 4 bike lanes with green bollards have already been installed on Blossom Hill Road, west of Los Gatos Boulevard, with more going in on Winchester Boulevard. Several community members said they didn’t like the way bollards look, expressed displeasure with the loss of parking and suggested some of the design concepts represented a solution in search of a problem. In an email, Jimmy Yip shared such feelings. “My family and I live on Shannon Road and we are supportive of the impending road project,” he wrote. “These posts are very unsightly and there is also no evidence that we have seen which shows any improvement in biker’s safety.” During the public hearing, a woman who lives on Shannon Road—and said her husband rides his bike to work every day—commented that some of the

local bollards look “crummy” and have been knocked down. “We really dislike the way that the bollards appear,” she said. “I think it will discourage people from wanting to be on the road. Because it’s not pleasant to be in an area that looks more commercial—and not a green area.” Speaking during the public comment portion of Council, Gillian Verga, the vice chair of Complete Streets, said Town staff has been making adjustments to their plans based on what community members have been saying. “The designs are not final,” she said. “They will be continuing to take feedback from the community.” The group would really like to see some physical separation between the modes of transportation, for safety sake, she noted. “The commission felt that option 3 was the best option,” she said, “because it provides a buffer between walking and biking, and the cars.” If the bollards or other barriers aren’t installed there could be serious problems. “It’s very likely that you’ll have vehicles, such as delivery trucks, parked in the bike lane,” she said. “That essentially makes the bike lane unusable.” Councilmember Maria Ristow, an avid cyclist, said it’s important to build infrastructure that encourages people who may not currently bike to school to

be able to feel safe doing so. Ristow, who previously served on Complete Streets, said the committee’s goals are both safety and shifting people away from using vehicles. “The biggest self-inflicted traffic issues we have in this town is around schools—it’s drop-off and pick-up,” she said. “I feel an obligation to look toward the future, if we’re going to talk about adding a couple thousand houses in the next 8, 10, 20 years.” Ristow said she was “mostly sympathetic” about the aesthetic concerns. She noted that residents on Shannon Road have driveways and garages to handle parking issues, adding there are areas for people to park around each corner. “I really have a hard time prioritizing street storage of vehicles over hundreds or thousands of cyclists or pedestrians,” she said. “For that reason, I move to approve option 3, with the change that we do not put bollards in, and that we leave a decision towards any type of delineator for another time.” The motion also supported a staff-recommended funding strategy to pull $960,000 from various infrastructure pots of money in the budget. Councilmember Matthew Hudes seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

PRESENTATION Town Engineer WooJae Kim discussed the possibility of putting in bollards along Shannon Road during the Town Council meeting on Oct. 19.

Exceeding families expectations, one sale at a time. AWARD-WINNING LOS GATOS SCHOOLS

Stunning Vineyard Estate $4,000,000

Rare 18th Fairway Golf Course Setting $5,150,000

Lucy Wedemeyer Broker

lucy@serenogroup.com 408-891-6861 DRE# 00640875

Keith Andry

Associate/Broker

408-891-4151 keith@serenogroup.com DRE# 01470

Extraordinary Monte Sereno Gated Estate $6,150,000 (REP BUYER)

As founding members of SERENO, they’ve curated an extensive network of professionals as an integral part of enhancing clients properties for market. Both exude unsurpassed pro-active visions as Brokers and Certi�ed Negotiation Experts; re�ective of 90% referral business as they strive to exceed expectations to accomplish client’s goals and dreams.

Marvelous Contemporary Close to Winery $2,300,000

lucyandkeith.com

Fabulous Remodel Near Park and Elementary $2,650,000 This information was supplied by reliable sources. Sales Associate believes this information to be correct but has not veriﬁed this information and assumes no Legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction.

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

Private Culdesac Setting $2,850,000

Extraordinary marketing expertise fueled with contagious enthusiasm de�nes Lucy Wedemeyer as a “RockStar” Real Estate Broker She’s one of the most recognized and highly respected Realtors in the Bay Area, consistently awarded Top 1% distinction Keith Andry with a BS in Finance joined his Award-Winning Mother-in-Law in 2000.

SPORTS

’CATS ON THE ATTACK

Robert Eliason

LG girls volleyball team on a roll

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

Emanuel Lee, Sports Reporter

Even when the other team is making a huge run or winning a game, the Los Gatos High girls volleyball team doesn’t panic. That demeanor starts at the top with coach Brynja Thompson and goes down to the players. That’s why when Palo Alto High took Game 2 of the teams’ Santa Clara Valley League De Anza Division match on Oct. 19, Los Gatos hardly flinched. Instead, the Wildcats won the next two games to clinch the match in four games. Game scores were 25-14, 2325, 25-19, 25-17 . “These girls are working hard for that league and CCS title, but they’re also on a point to point basis where they’re working very hard for the person next to them,” Thompson said. “And that’s why this team is going to go very far. They don’t always consume themselves with the outcome of what’s going to happen in two weeks or what’s going to happen in November. They are truly committed to play each point not for themselves, not for names on their jerseys, but for their best friend and their teammate standing next to them. That’s a special thing that I didn’t teach them to do, and they do it very well.” The Palo Alto match was a microcosm of the entire season. Nine different players had kills, a testament to the Wildcats’ balance and depth. Freshman Nicole Steiner led the way with nine kills, and Hannah Slover and Eileen Chen had seven kills each. Los Gatos also had 12 service aces, a huge total led by Chen’s four and Siena Adams’ three. Allison Black had four solo blocks and Steiner two to lead things at the net. Libero Emily Gouldrup along with others came up with spectacular digs and played solid defense throughout. Thompson praised Chen for her consistency.

KILL SHOT Wildcats senior Eileen Chen, seen here going up for an attack in the team’s match against Palo Alto on Oct. 19, has been a tremendous all-around player this season.

“Eileen does it all,” Thompson said. “She provides such an all-around game that she is going to shine in almost anything she does. Players sometimes have bad days—Eileen doesn’t have bad days—but players sometimes do have bad days so if they struggle in one category, an all-around player is able to pick it up in another category where their team needs them, and that is something Eileen will always have the ability to do for us.” Steiner is a freshman but doesn’t play like one, showing a maturity in her game beyond her years. “Nicole is so valuable and has been through the roof awesome,” Thompson said. The 6-foot-2 Slover had a terrific all-around game and delivered a thun-

derous kill late in the match that drew the Wildcats’ fans out of their seats and oohs and ahhs from her teammates on the sideline. “Hannah is a wonderful player on and off the court,” Thompson said. “No matter where we put her, no matter what job we give her—it could be over here standing with her teammates on the sideline while others go play—she will do it to the best of her ability. Coach Chris (Crader of Palo Alto) is right—she has a cannon of an arm left in her and obviously the setting skills she has is proving to be extremely valuable. Her defense, her serve-receive, she’s an all-around fantastic player.” Natalie Anthony added five kills for Los Gatos, which went 3-2 in

the Milpitas Spikefest II on Oct. 16. Thompson was proud of the players for continually adjusting and wanting to grow as a team. “They played wonderfully at Spikefest and they’re always getting better,” Thompson said. “Maybe it doesn’t look like it sometimes, but what the scoreboard and stats don’t see is all the new stuff they’re implementing from literally the previous day’s practice. They’ve got something new to put out, they try it every single time and they’re not always successful right away, but by golly they never back down, which is awesome. They continue to go at it and they have definitely gotten better since the Spikefest, and all the credit goes to them.”

WILDCATS GET PAYBACK File photo

Los Gatos field hockey team tops Mitty Emanuel Lee, Sports Reporter

CLUTCH Jiwoo Hong, seen here in Los Gatos’ first match against Mitty, came up huge in the team’s biggest week of the season. She scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 overtime win over St. Francis and followed that up with a goal in a 3-1 victory in the rematch with Mitty on Oct. 21.

a dominating 8-2 advantage in the second half. Los Gatos was potent on the short corners, scoring its final two goals on the play. That proved to be the difference from the first meeting as the Wildcats simply couldn’t capitalize on their short corners and time of possession advantage. However, this time they solved Mitty’s defense. “We tried to mix it up a little more on short corners, a little more variety,” Reyes said. “That gave us some chances to score. And also the fact the field allowed us to play ball possession even more than over there (at Mitty’s field).” Most high school field hockey matches are played on a turf that is different from Los Gatos’ home field, whose turf and facility is specifically geared toward the sport and plays more like a college and pro field—the big difference being the ball travels a lot faster. Brockmann scored the first goal on a deflection off a shot from Hong with 5 minutes, 25 seconds left in the opening quarter. She also initiated several

of the short corners with passes from the end line to the top of the circle to Evenden, who ripped an absolute laser for a shot to account for the final score with 5:24 remaining. Evenden has one of if not the most potent shots in the section, and she got the assist on the team’s second goal when she directed a perfect pass to the stick of Hong, who was stationed on the left side and slipped the ball past the Mitty goalie. It was Hong who scored the only goal of the game against St. Francis, a play that came when she got past the defense and received a pass from Evenden. Hong along with Evenden have proven to be top-notch goal scorers who make things happen. Against Mitty, Reyes moved central defender Abby Lo to play some forward to make the offense even more dynamic. “(The strategy for that) was speed, strength, aggressiveness and the simplicity of the defensive mentality to get the ball, collect it and continue the possession of someone upfield,” Reyes said. “But in her case she’s inside the

circle so it’s somebody else who can shoot from there, too.” The impressive play of Evenden, Hong, Brockmann and others including Sam Elliott, Carys Grespan, Sarah Harrell, Maddie Holloway, Madi McDonough, Rachel Henricksen and Natalie Henricksen—just to name several—speaks to the depth of the program. Los Gatos is seemingly on another collision course with Mitty in the CCS tournament, which starts on Nov. 1. “We will see them again somewhere in the semis and finals if we’re lucky enough to get that far,” Reyes said. Despite being a powerhouse team, Reyes knows the squad must continually improve because Mitty and St. Francis will look to do the same. “We’re going to keep trying to increase our options on the short corner, move around a few of our personnel and see if moving them to different spots might give us a little bit more,” Reyes said. “We had a lot of decent opportunities today, so I was happy with that.”

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

Whenever the Los Gatos High and Mitty High field hockey teams play, it has a feel of a Central Coast Section championship match. That’s because the two teams along with St. Francis have combined to win the last 15—yes, 15—CCS championships. So when the Wildcats took on the Monarchs for the second time this season on Oct. 21—Mitty won the first meeting, 1-0—Los Gatos couldn’t wait to get payback. And that’s exactly what the Wildcats did, pulling away for a 3-1 victory in a Santa Clara Valley League De Anza Division contest. If Los Gatos wins its final two matches of the regular-season, it will clinch another outright league title, by far the toughest in the section. “This was a very good week for us and we’re going to enjoy it for a little bit before we prepare on Friday and Monday for Los Altos,” coach Henry Reyes said, referring to a 1-0, overtime win over St. Francis two days prior to the Mitty match. “It was a very hardfought match.” Indeed, players from both teams came out with so much energy and enthusiasm that one had to wonder if they would be able to stay upright by the fourth quarter. With a deep roster, Reyes used a total of 20 players to keep players fresh in a high intensity, high quality match. “(Going all out) is like a full-court press in basketball—it’s not recommended for an entire game,” Reyes said. “You play a team like Mitty and you have to be prepared to see how much of that you can get away with and for how long before you need to go to the bench and start subbing in fresh legs, lungs, bodies, the whole thing.” After each of its three goals, the Los Gatos players jumped together in jubilation, though by the third score they got a little less vertical, a testament to the grueling nature of the match. Rosalie Brockmann, Jiwoo Hong and Natasha Evenden scored goals for the Wildcats, who finished with 10 short corners to Mitty’s six, including

Jack and the Lantern Courtesy of Dawn Davis

Kerouac left his light in Los Gatos

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

John Cassady

Jack Kerouac would stay at my parents’ house whenever he was in town, San Francisco or Los Gatos. He would sit in what we would call “Jack’s chair” in the living room of our home in Monte Sereno. I would sit on the couch across the coffee table and listen to his stories of how the Universe works. Man, where was my cassette tape recorder back then? I remember one night he was sitting in his chair sifting seeds and stems in a shoebox top with a Zig-Zag pack. Carolyn’s in the kitchen. There’s a knock on the front door. Jack freaks out and shoves the box top under the chair. “It’s the cops! They must know I’m here!” Mom comes out in her apron, pats Jack on the shoulder and says, “Don’t be silly, Jack. It’s probably just Johnny’s friend Bill. He comes over here a lot.” She opens the door and there stand two cops. Batons, guns and all. Mom gasps and looks over at Jack, who's slumping down in his chair, trying to look invisible. I’m thinking, “Ooh, this should be good!” The cops say, “Have you seen a neighbor kid named Billy? His mom's looking for him, and she said he comes over here a lot.” She turns to me and asks, “Have you seen Billy today?” I said that I hadn’t, which was true. Billy ran away from home a lot because his alcoholic father would beat him all the time, I assume because Billy was the product of his mom’s previous marriage and the old man couldn’t deal with it, I guess. Anyway, I had left something in mom’s car, and when I went into the garage the next morning, there was Billy, in only his briefs, shivering between two 2x4s in the garage wall. He’d been there all night. Mom was already at work, and the sisters at school, so I drew him a warm bath and gave him some clothes. I said, “Report that bastard to the police!” He said, “I can’t—he’ll kill me.” Very frustrating. Jack used to camp in our big dirt backyard during his Gary Snyder outdoorsy phase. There was a little oak

BEAT GENERATION Jack Kerouac and Al Hinkle are shown in a 1952 photo while working on the railroad. tree in the far left corner, and he’d sit on his sleeping bag under a kerosene railroad lantern that Neal gave him which he would hang on a branch above him. He had his red wine and would read and write into the wee hours. My sisters and I would run out before school and jump on Uncle Jack's chest in glee. Decades later, I drove by 18231 Bancroft Ave. on a whim. The new owners had demolished our old house and built a big two-story on the same lot. The new guy noticed me parked in the street being nostalgic and came out to say, “Can I help you?”

He probably thought I was some weirdo stalker, so I explained the history of the place. He pretended not to know it. I’m sure he knew what he had. Anyway, I asked if I could see the backyard again, just for old time’s sake. He was cool, and said, “Sure. Take your time.” Well, the little oak tree that Jack had slept under was now a giant, of course, but I was amazed to find the old railroad lantern still there! By now the bark had grown over the wire handle, so I couldn’t remove it without a knife, and I didn’t want to borrow one from the new owners, so I popped the lantern off the handle and managed to slide the handle off the branch.

So I put the lantern in the car before going back to thank the owners. Now I had Jack Kerouac’s magic lantern, groovy. Dad got Jack a job on the Southern Pacific Railroad with him out of San Francisco, but he said Jack was a lousy brakeman. Oh well! John Allen Cassady grew up in Monte Sereno in the 1950s and 1960s in a home where many counterculture icons, including Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady and Ken Kesey, visited and stayed.

GUEST VIEW

Jeffrey P. Blum

Los Gatos is not Washington, D.C. where the level of partisanship is extremely high. Nor is it Palo Alto, where I lived for more than 40 years prior to moving to Los Gatos in November 2019, and where I observed the divisiveness our community experienced. In the latter case, the battle lines were often between those wanting to expand development and those who did not. Even in my relatively safe position as a commissioner on the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission, battles raged over whether police cars should have cameras, and whether the police should use tasers, as well as over racial profiling. Arguments occurred concerning whether the Boy Scouts, who did not allow gays to join the organization at the time, should receive city subsidies. Assuming that Los Gatos was different from these places, I expected a less contentious atmosphere when I moved to Los Gatos. Recently, however, I have been disappointed at what I have observed occurring at town council meetings. These meetings have become so heated that they have had to involve the police. The voices are loud. The anger is palpable. Putting on my mediator’s hat, regardless of your political stripes, I implore Los Gatos residents to come to terms. We need to start talking to one another, not past one another. We need to put ourselves in the other side’s shoes. We need to compromise. We need mediation’s toolbox.

Conservatives Conservative values place ideas and principles above personal desire, weaknesses, fears and regrets. Conservative values include the concept of self-help rather than dependence upon government and others. Nothing stops citizens from coming together, discussing differences, arriving at a game plan and presenting it to the town council. We need not wholly de-

Moderates Moderatism may be defined as a political philosophy of avoiding the extremes of left and right by taking a central position or course of action. A moderate person values reaching a mutual understanding after considering all points of view. Moderates value thinking outside of the box. Moderates are turned off by divisiveness leading to stalemate. Mediation is designed to overcome divisiveness by setting up a dialogue. Moderates tend to look at each issue individually and think about the pros and cons of each issue. They discover that conservatives are correct on some issues, liberals are correct on some issues, and there are a few issues where neither side is correct. Moderates are thus open to giving up on some issues in return for concessions by the other side on other issues. This exploration of the strength and weakness of each side’s claims and utilizing a give and take approach, are a major part of mediation.

Liberals Liberalism is a philosophy based on a belief in progress, the essential goodness of people, and the autonomy of the individual. It is a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities. Liberals believe individuals should doubt their own truths and consider fairly and open-mindedly the truths of others.

Conclusion Whether done with or without a facilitator, regardless of your political beliefs, Los Gatos citizens can come to terms on issues of concern, using mediation’s tools, rather than yelling at one another at town council meetings. Jeffrey P. Blum is a family law mediator who lives in Los Gatos.

Was your home built before 1970? TrenchFree is the South Bay’s leader in nondisruptive “no-dig” replacement of water mains and sewer lines. A slow drain or unsatisfactory pressure may be a sign.

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

COMING TO TERMS IN LOS GATOS

pend upon our town council to resolve our differences. If there are issues citizens believe are important to them it behooves them to get educated, dialogue with those with whom they disagree, brainstorm about remedies and compromise.

Contributed

CALENDAR

PARENT SPEAKER SERIES

Damon Korb, M.D., will be featured at the Andover Parent 2 Parent Speaker Series, presenting advice for parents about how to help their children navigate at school and home as Covid-19 restrictions are eventually removed. The presentation will be held at Center for Developing Minds, 15951 Los Gatos Blvd., Suite 6, on Oct. 28 at 4pm.

FUNDS FOR KIDS A screenshot from “A Camping Tale,” one of nine short films that are part of Scares For Cares.

FRIGHTFUL FILM FEST FUNDRAISER Youth-made movies bringing in big bucks for kids

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

Drew Penner, Reporter

A ghastly celluloid extravaganza has reaped bloodcurdlingly impressive results, so far. The youth-led Scares For Cares film fest has attracted a long list of frightening contenders, and just days after launching has already brought in about $3,000 for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. “It’s crazy how we’ve only had it up for a couple days and we’ve already raised so much money,” said 14-yearold Nolan Harr, who spearheaded the charity project with his sister Quinn. “I’ve definitely had a great time filming everything.” This year there’s a devilishly chilling slate of short productions: A Camping Tale, The Candy Snatcher, The Disappearing Tree, Dusk, Escaping Asylum Horror, On The Loose, Saw XXI, The Silencer, and The Spy. “Last year we only had four,” Quinn said. “We got nine submissions, which was really cool.” Viewers vote for their favorite film by making an online donation. Quinn says she got to be in two of them. The Silencer is a sequel to last year’s popular The Scare Witch Project. “It’s about this huge demon that’s about nine feet tall,” she said. “It possesses kids.”

→ devminds.com

THE MEGATONES Local youth Jayden Zhuge was the first child to go missing in that flick, she explains. “They heard a noise while they were in a sleepover,” she said. “We were gonna look for the other kid, but ‘the Silencer’ was still there.” Mom Lani says the children have been working furiously to get all the movies uploaded to the website. “I’m so impressed with all the kids,” she said. “The creativity this year has been amazing.” For example, in The Disappearing Tree, two girls act out several different characters, she reveals. “They’re all about three minutes,” she said of the accessible film length. “So it’s pretty easy to watch them all.” In fact, the video editing was all done by the young movie-makers, too. For example, to create On The Loose, high school sophomore Kyle Brown—the big brother of Cameron Brown—pitched in with editing. And for A Camping Tale, the same crew that did last year’s brooding The Candy Thief, a high school-aged Krisjan Harnish, a crew member's brother, took on editing duties. Lani says for one film, the kids used Testarossa Winery as a stand-in for an insane asylum. Nolan says he’s picked up a few filmmaking lessons throughout the experience. “I definitely learned that we need one director and not many people trying to direct it at once,” he said. “It gets really chaotic.” To watch this year’s films and vote, visit scaresforcaresmovies.godaddysites.com.

The Megatones will perform at Number 1 Broadway, 102 South Santa Cruz Ave. #B (Upstairs), on Oct. 29. Doors open at 7pm, with music starting at 9pm. → number1broadway.com/events/themegatones-4

THE RENEWAL CONCERT The Peninsula Symphony will perform two works by Ludwig van Beethoven, starting with Leonore Overture No. 3 and concluding with the Fifth Symphony. Jon Kimura Parker will perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The concert takes place at Heritage Theatre, 1 Campbell Ave. in Campbell, on Oct. 30 at 8pm. → peninsulasymphony.org/ the-renewal-concert

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DRILL The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Community Emergency Response Team has partnered with San Jose Water to host an emergency preparedness, drive-thru water distribution exercise at Los Gatos Calvary Church, 16330 Los Gatos Blvd., on Nov. 3 from 10am to noon. Each vehicle that drives through the line will receive free water and a reusable water bag. The exercise should take less than 15 minutes per vehicle. To register, visit bit.ly/3mw7awe

OUTDOOR STORYTIME The Los Gatos Library hosts storytime outdoors on the Civic Center lawn. Next event is Oct. 29 at 11am. Adults and children aged 3 and up are encouraged to wear masks. → losgatosca.libcal.com/ event/8366482

THE KIWANIS CLUB OF LOS GATOS The club meets the first three Thursdays of the month at noon at Flights Restaurant, 165 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road #5306. First two Thursdays of the month feature guest speakers.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Disagreements are a given in a free society Regarding “Town Council disruptions” (Los Gatan, Oct 13-19), while our democracy appears to be in flux, disagreements are the hallmark of a free society. Are they getting rowdy? I’d say yes. But I don’t think we can lay all the blame at former President Trump’s feet, which creates more division. “The Resistance,” headed by other players such as Hillary Clinton‘s derogatory remarks about half the country (deplorables) and Auntie Maxine Waters inciting violence against Trump‘s administration and supporters among other resistance members share our current state of affairs. Such is politics which has been nasty

here and there since time immemorial. And when you allow people to burn and loot in the name of “I’m right,” you unleash the worst of the worse. And if you paid attention to the recent brochure explaining the direction of our local education system; Equity Action Team, monthly student surveys concerning Wellness, Steam (?) & Social Intervention, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Student Success Profile (SSP), gender learning which includes blatant pornography in our kids’ library, etc... there’s certainly more division to come. Schools, please teach the ABCs. Leave the indoctrination into “right think” to parents who get very testy about the arrogance of current education standards. Happy trails to you. B Barboza, Los Gatos

POLICE BLOTTER Arnold Breit

• A man was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Shannon Road and Shady View Lane at 10:08am.

OCT. 18

• Two dirt bikes were stolen from a front yard on Ferris Avenue. • A real estate agent selling a home on Mattson Avenue reported that they found an unknown man in the bathtub at 8:22am. • A trailer was stolen on the 16200 block of Los Gatos Boulevard. • A catalytic converter was reported stolen from a vehicle on Los Gatos Boulevard as well as Loma Alta Avenue.

OCT. 19

• A vehicle’s windshield was shattered on Thomas Drive. • An unknown suspect attempted to break into a business on National Avenue. • A catalytic converter was reported stolen from a vehicle on Lora Drive. The owner said it was the second time it had been stolen this month. • No injuries were reported after a rear-end collision on Winchester Boulevard and Lark Avenue at 6:10pm. Police reported that the driver of one vehicle honked at the other that had cut him off, and

that vehicle “brake checked” him, resulting in the crash.

OCT. 20

• A man was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Wood Road and South Santa Cruz Avenue at 2pm. • A laptop was stolen on the 100 block of Villa Avenue at 2:08pm. • A purse was reported stolen on More Avenue at 2:44pm.

OCT. 21

• A dozen mailboxes were reportedly broken into on Mill Court. • A catalytic converter was reported stolen from a vehicle on Palm Avenue. • A phone was reported stolen on Union Avenue at 1:10pm.

OCT. 22

• Locks were reportedly changed on a home without permission on Mistletoe Road.

OCT. 23

• A home and vehicle were egged on Almendra Avenue. Information is compiled from public records released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.

Home Networks Home Networks Security Cameras Home Networks Security Cameras Wi-Fi Upgrades Security Cameras Wi-Fi Upgrades Wi-Fi Upgrades

An experienced Silicon Valley IT manager will help An experienced Silicon Valley IT manager willright help you speed up slow connections, choose the you speed and up slow connections, choose the equipment sort through the ofright An experienced Silicon Valley ITchallenges manager will help equipment and sorttechnology through thedevices challenges keeping your home and you speed up slow connections, chooseon-line theofright keeping your home devices on-line and performing well. Asktechnology us aboutthe whole home audio equipment and sort through challenges of performing well. Asktoo. us Call about audio and smart lighting forwhole a free home consultation! keeping your home technology devices on-line and and smart lighting too. Call for a free consultation! performing well. Ask us about whole home audio

647-4687 and smart lighting too. Call408 for a free consultation!

www.doitforme.solutions 408 647-4687 www.doitforme.solutions Trusted • Owner operated • Locally-based 408 647-4687 www.doitforme.solutions Trusted • Owner operated • Locally-based Trusted • Owner operated • Locally-based

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

OCT. 17

Treat yourself to a worry-free lifestyle! We want to be a resource for you while choosing the right senior living option for you or your loved one. Looking for a luxurious place to call home? Here are just a few of the incredible amenities you can enjoy when you call Loma Clara home: • Spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments • Weekly housekeeping

• Scheduled local transportation • EvaClean touchless disinfection and sanitizing system

These are some sweet treats! Call (833) 581-8885 today or visit our website to learn more about our specials. We would love to tell you why Loma Clara is perfect for you.

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

16515 Butterfield Blvd., Morgan Hill, CA 95037 LomaClaraSeniorLiving.com

License #435202665

Part of the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

November 20 & 21, 2021 SaN JoSe CeNter for the PerformiNg artS SymPhoNy SiliCoN valley.org • 408-286-2600

REAL ESTATE

HOME OF THE WEEK

Pavlovich Residential Real Estate

TAKE A STROLL TO DOWNTOWN This Los Gatos home is steps away from downtown. Located at 466 University Ave., the 2,052-square-foot home includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The home features a gate that leads to the spacious front porch. The yard has mature landscaping with a stone patio and fountain. Inside, the kitchen is equipped with Thermador, Sub Zero appliances, custom Precision cabinetry and stone countertops. Wood floors and custom railings are throughout the home,

Pavlovich Residential Real Estate

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

UNIVERSITY AVENUE Lush landscaping surrounds this Los Gatos home.

which also includes in-ceiling music speakers, plantation shutters, custom tile and fresh paint. The master suite features vaulted ceilings, a chandelier and mountain views from the windows. The master shower recently received new tile. The home, built in 2006, is listed at $2,695,000 by Pavlovich Residential Real Estate. For information, visit bit.ly/3puSosz

INSIDE The kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line appliances.

SERVICES DIRECTORY • Plant-based CleaningProducts • Top of the line equipment used • Vaccinated for COVID-19

I specialize in homes!

ASPHALT

CLUTTER BUG

DONATION BUSINESS

HOUSE CLEANING

Quality House Cleaning Call or Text Kristina:

References • Insured • LIC#108576

HAULING HAULING

SANTOS HAULING SANTOS HAULING The ORIGINAL Santos Hauling The ORIGINAL since Santos 1998 Hauling

since 1998

831-246-4346 831-246-4346 dburjaconst@sbcglobal.net

Lic. #802148 dburjaconst@sbcglobal.net Lic. #802148

UNUSUAL UNUSUALBUILDS BUILDS • Tree• Tree Houses Houses • Van• Van Conversions Conversions • She• She Sheds Sheds • Dude Shacks • Dude Shacks MasterMaster Craftsman w/over 40yrs experience Craftsman w/over 40yrs experience

call Christopher 831.431.0828 call Christopher 831.431.0828

PAINTING Feeling Overwhelmed? PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Organizing challenges of any kind Home or Office Relocations/Downsizing Nonjudgmental

Christy Best 831 247-0988

LIC#108576

- Clean Ups - Clean Ups - Yard Work - Yard - TreeWork Trimming or Cutting - Tree Trimming or Cutting - Dirt Removal - Dirt Removal

- High Weed Cut High Weed Cut --Brush Cleaning Brush Oak Cleaning --Poison - Poison Oak Tear Off Tear Off - Demolition - Demolition Lowest Cost, Bonded, References

Lowest Cost, Bonded, References

FREE ESTIMATES FREE ESTIMATES CALL MARIO OR J SANTOS

CALL MARIO OR J SANTOS 831-252-5353

831-252-5353 Lic. #76915

Lic. #76915

HANDYMAN HANDYMAN

ESSENTIAL

HANDYMAN SERVICES

650-703-5179

cleansweep1989@gmail.com

LANDSCAPING

(831) 239-4645 (25+ YRS. EXP.)

ClutterBug.net

MOON PAINTING PAINTING

“You rest and relax, and I’ll clean your windows”

Randy Sauro 831-588-4243

Professional - Timely - Courteous

Providing quality service and meeting your real estate needs in both sales and property management since 1977

INTERIOR - EXTERIOR PRESSUREPAINTING MOON WASHING - EXTERIOR INTERIOR PRESSURE WASHING SAUL: 831-331-0111

Broker, Jeanne Jensen Shada

438-2208 PROFESSIONAL

4615 Scotts Valley Dr, Suite B DRE #00606749

SAUL: ANSWERS 831-331-0111 CROSSWORD

cleansweep1989@gmail.com A T W O Window O Cleaning D

R&R

SCOTTS VALLEY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

D R I N K I N

D A R E D N O T

L I E F

E T T A S

T W O E V E R S A N S S L I T A I G Y U M A M A L B L A M A A L A S T O N H A R E R I O

I O N S

L O L Z A D S T E S T S A P I A F R O U N C U T A P P I N G L O U D M O U T H C E D E A R P R O M L E A S R U T E R I N I B L E T K P O P N O T A T E D F I E S W E B D A S A N I L E T T E R W O R D S Y O G A O R T I REAL S OESTATE A K I N N O S P A T B L M I S I T D O U B L E C R O S S P E T E R R S O A R S T E A S E D I C E B F F J I N N T H R E E F E E T U N D E R W I M D S C U S T O M E R O D O M E M O T T A P E S R N A C H O W H A E A P Housing K E A K I T too expensive F O U Rhere? B A L L S Now O U with P working P O Pin place A W you H EcanE live L where I E NyouTwant H forTmuch W I less T andSKEEP N EYOUR E ZJOB. E S O D O N C E A R D E N

To adverstise call Serenity Polizzi A 408.200.1323

A I R I E S T

L O S G ATA N . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 1 , 2 0 2 1

CONSTRUCTION Home Remodel Home Remodel Kitchen/Bath All Kitchen/Bath Home Repair All Home Services Repair Services

Insured

Call or Text Kristina: (25+ YRS. EXP.)

408.200.1323

DANIEL BURJA CONSTRUCTION DANIEL BURJA

CLUTTERBUG

(831) 239-4645 • • References

PLUMBING

ClutterBug.net

I specialize in homes!

FIND LOCAL SERVICES ALL IN ONE PLACE FROM A-Z

CONSTRUCTION

Christy Best 831 247-0988

• Plant-based CleaningProducts 650-703-5179 • Top of the line equipment used • Vaccinated for COVID-19

GUTTERS

CONSTRUCTION

Feeling Overwhelmed? Organizing challenges of any kind Home or Office Relocations/Downsizing Nonjudgmental ORGANIZER

LOOKING TO MOVE FROM THE BAY AREA?

• Carpentry • Home Repair • Landscape

GREG EIMAN

831.588.1260

FIND LOCAL SERVICES ALL IN ONE PLACE FROM A-Z

408.200.1323 LANDSCAPING

Let me find you a real estate broker out of the area in Ca. or out of state. No cost to you. This is part of my service. I will do the leg work. I will also give you a $100. gift certificate when you purchase through my referral. All I need to know is the city you want to move to.

To adverstise call Serenity Polizzi 408.200.1323

o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com

Quality House Cleaning

20 o ctobe r 2 7- nove mbe r 2, 20 2 1 : los gatan.com