Los Gatan August 16 2023

COMMISSION APPROVES MEMORY-CARE AND ASSISTEDLIVING FACILITY

Compromise achieved after developer agrees to reduce height by 2.5 feet

Drew Penner, Reporter

The Planning Commission recently agreed to support a memory-care and assisted-living facility proposal from Swenson Builders.

The 7-2 decision (commissioners Susan Burnett and Melanie Hanssen were opposed) came after company representative Jessie Bristow confirmed they’d be willing to drop the height by a foot on each of the two upper floors and decrease the roof by six inches.

“I don’t know that we have much of any buildings in Los Gatos that are 50 feet—we may have to go there for the Housing Element,” Hanssen said. “Is this the building where we’re going to do it for the first time? And is this the right location to do that?”

The developer had pitched 107 assisted-living units, 18 memory-care units and 54 parking spaces at 15860-15894 Winchester Boulevard and 17484 Shelburne Way.

Commission, 13

SURGERY CENTER BUILDER CREDITS CONTRACT FOR EFFICIENCY

Agreement set parameters that saved $3 million

Drew Penner, Reporter David Sharkey, 32, spent part of his childhood in San Jose, and so when he was offered the chance to return to spearhead the construction of a medical office and surgery center project on the city’s border with Los Gatos for Skanska USA Building, he jumped at the chance.

Now that physicians are seeing patients at the Samaritan Court Ambulatory Care and Surgery Center, he says it was the nature of how the contracts with Sutter Health were set up that helped them complete it three months early and $3 million under budget.

➝ Samaritan, 12

RED CARPET ROLLOUT Local students premiered their films they created during KCAT TV’s Summer Media Camp Film Fest on Monday at the Los Gatos Theatre. For the story, turn to page 10.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

Call Me to Discuss Your Next Move in 2023

Quiet & serene, this park like setting is tucked away from the street. This gated property is located in the heart of Portola Valley with a unique welcoming feeling. Chef’s kitchen with Calcutta marble, custom cabinets & commercial grade appliances. Formal living room with fireplace and access to exterior second living room. Separate family room with fireplace, builtin cabinetry, and access to exterior. Primary suite with a freshly remodeled bathroom & walk-in closet. Wonderfully high ceilings and high end custom finishes throughout. Two outdoor living rooms for entertaining, antique stone hot tub, raised planters for a garden, tons of usable lawn, and a playground for the young at heart. On cooler nights, there is a spacious theater that insures many hours of entertainment. No detail was ignored, this home speaks of quality and a comfortable elegance. Two potential pool sights, photo is a rendition.

This recently updated spacious and sunny duplex privately located on an expansive 10,552 square foot lot offers a rare and once in a lifetime opportunity in a prime cul-de-sac location for either investment or living. Consider either the current rental of 265 and occupying the other or renting both or the possibility of having an extended family compound. Each unit lives like a single family home ensuring privacy- includes garages and fully fenced backyards with 267 enjoying an oversized yard complete with expansive lawns, patios, fruit trees, mature trees, gardens, raised garden beds and a garden shed ideal for additional storage. Both updated units have newer windows, beautifully updated kitchens, engineered wood flooring and have been recently painted. Located within minutes of Downtown Mountain View’s famed Castro Street for fabulous dining, shopping and cultural events, tech companies, excellent schools, parks and with easy access to freeways.

Spacious Separate Living Room - 265 Andsbury Sunny Spacious Living Room - 267 Andsbury

265 Andsbury

Rare and Private Spectacular Backyard - 267 Andsbury

Dan Pulcrano

Executive Editor & Publisher

Lee May General Manager

EDITORIAL editor@losgatan.com

Erik Chalhoub Managing Editor

Drew Penner Reporter

Emanuel Lee Sports Editor

Jeffrey P. Blum, Alan Feinberg Contributors

ADVERTISING

advertising@losgatan.com

Kate Kauffman

Senior Account Executive

Serenity Polizzi, Eric Bocanegra, Carrie Bonato

Account Executives

PRODUCTION

Sean George Production Manager

Hon Truong Graphic Designer

WEEKLYS

Stephen Buel Director of Strategic Initiatives

Mike Lyon

Digital Media

Sonia Chavez

Accounts Receivables

Warren Giancaterino Information Technology

LEGAL ADS

legals@losgatan.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

subscriptions@losgatan.com

DEATH NOTICES

Death notices with basic information that are submitted to editor@losgatan.com may be published on a spaceavailable 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

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.

NEW CENTER AIMS TO BOLSTER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Facility near Santa Clara Valley Medical Center campus will welcome residents starting this fall

Staff Report

A former detox facility adjacent to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center campus has been transformed into a residential treatment center for people with serious mental illnesses.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Behavioral Health Services Department and operating partner Momentum for Health celebrated the completion of the new center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 8.

“Twenty months ago, we made a call to action to treat and alleviate the ongoing mental health and substance use crisis in the county,” said Supervisor and Board President Susan Ellenberg, who co-authored the January 2022 declaration of a mental health crisis with Supervisor Otto Lee. “Since then, we have greatly increased funding to add treatment beds for mental health and detox services, launched the comprehensive 988 hotline with mobile response teams, broken ground on a new adult and adoles-

cent psychiatric hospital, and now we’re opening a place to help steer people back to independent living. This is a lot of progress and still just the beginning.”

The 28-bed Adult Residential Treatment (ART) program will serve people who have significant mental health needs but are not in crisis—people who are stepping down from more acute settings and transitioning back to independent living. The facility will be staffed 24/7 by Momentum and welcome the first clients this fall.

“We know the need is there,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian, a longtime advocate for the expansion of behavioral health services and chair of the County’s Health and Hospital Committee. “But I’m encouraged. We’ll soon have new facilities that help address that need, whether that’s getting beds for young people going through a crisis or giving people transitional care on their path toward independent living.”

Renovations to the existing building began in late 2022 and cost about $1.8 million. Additionally, services at the facility will cost approximately $2.8 million annually. The facility serves as a middle ground for people who no longer require the highest level of behavioral

health care but have specialized needs that preclude them from living independently. They still may need nursing care and one-on-one attention, which will be available at the site at all times. They may require an extended stay at the facility, and can remain there for up to two years.

“People with serious mental health disabilities—particularly those on social security or fixed, limited incomes—face many challenges in finding a place to live,” said Sherri Terao, director of the County’s Behavioral Health Services Department. “This new treatment center is an important part of the County’s care system, allowing clients to live in the least restrictive community setting while avoiding lengthy stays in costlier inpatient psychiatric hospitals or mental health rehabilitation centers.”

In addition, the facility will provide nutritionally healthy meals to all residents; housekeeping and laundry; transportation or arrangement of transport to all medical appointments; and activities to encourage the development of selfhelp skills and appropriate social behaviors to promote self-sufficiency.

Residents will also receive support with activities of daily living, such as grooming and hygiene. Depending on their clinical needs, people can receive services for up to two years.

The new program is located at 650 S. Bascom Ave. in San José, across the street from Valley Medical Center, the

GOOD WORK State Sen. Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward) and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian exchange a fist bump Aug. 8 at the ribbon-cutting for a new residential mental health treatment facility in San José.

Lucy Wedemeyer Broker

lucy@serenogroup.com 408-891-6861

DRE# 00640875

Keith Andry Associate/Broker

408-891-4151

keith@serenogroup.com

DRE# 01470

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.

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.

LOCAL SCENE

PERFORMERS VISIT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Young residents at Children’s Healthcare Organization of Northern California (CHoNC) in Campbell, an inpatient facility for severely ill or catastrophically injured children, were treated to live, musical performances on Aug. 9.

The performance featured students from Starting Arts, a nonprofit that provides arts education to more than 40,000 K-12 students in 125 Bay Area schools, thanks to Starting Arts’ newest board member, Dr. Amelia Hausauer, a dermatologist with Aesthetx, a plastic surgery and dermatology practice in Los Gatos.

The children’s hospital, which is close to Hausauer’s office, had long intrigued her. In fact, the performance is part of what Hausauer hopes will be an ongoing partnership.

“The arts have a profound ability to transcend human pain and suffering,” she said. “They are a way of expression and healing, especially in children who have fewer ways to communicate. It’s immensely gratifying to be part of such a project.”

Kathleen Tuckness, CHoNC’s activity director, said she was excited about the performance and the possibility of more to come.

“Starting Arts is bringing us a professional experience that’s not usually accessible to our kids,” she said. “Music, art and dance are things all of our patients—and their families—can enjoy.”

Hausauer herself is no stranger to the healing power of art. Growing up in the North Berkeley Hills, she saw her father, a prominent therapist, suffer the life-alerting effects of polio he had contracted as a child. His determination to live life to the fullest despite his physical limitations were lessons she took to heart as a young ballerina with the Oakland Ballet.

Hausauer eventually melded her love of science and art into a career in aesthetic dermatology, skills she brings to her clinical practice.

Her dedication to enhancing the lives of others through art and medicine came full circle when she joined Aesthetx, a practice which is itself committed to community giving. (Among other endeavors, Partner Dr. Laurence Berkowitz has worked to

provide life-saving cleft palate surgery in developing countries; another partner, Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler, recently dedicated part of her salary to helping war-stricken Ukraine.)

“As a dancer, I became intimately aware of how we can use our bodies to create beauty and vitality,” Hausauer said. “At Aesthetx, we work to help patients claim this same sense of self and become better, more productive members of our community.”

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Hausauer on our Board of Directors and honored to bring joy into the hearts of the children at CHoNC,” said Ann Watts, executive director of Starting Arts. “Her efforts embody our mission: Making the healing power of the arts accessible to all children.”

ARTNOW RECEIVES STATEWIDE HONORS

New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) was awarded the 2023 Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Muse-

um Education for ArtNow, NUMU’s annual juried Santa Clara County high school art exhibition and educational program established in 2012.

The Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Museum Education competition recognizes the outstanding achievements in California museum programs that serve K-12 students and/or educators. The competition is a joint project of the sponsors, the California Association of Museums (CAM) and the California Department of Education (CDE).

Since 2012, the competition has recognized 66 programs, presented by a diverse range of institutions that demonstrate the contributions museums make to California’s K-12 educational system.

In 2023, CAM and the CDE recognize six programs that took place in 2022. For information, visit calmuseums.org/superintendentsawards.

The ArtNow exhibition and supporting programs offer opportunities for high school student artists, from Palo Alto to Gilroy, to gain real-world

experience in participating in a juried museum exhibition. Each year, a new theme is chosen for the exhibition and students are asked to submit works based on that theme.

A total of $16,000 in scholarships and awards are given to select participating students. Accepted students have the opportunity to win awards in eight artistic categories as well as an overall Best in Show prize and a People’s Choice Award. The categories are Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, Digital Art and Video/Animation.

“ArtNow 2023: Unarmed Truth” marked 12 years of showcasing the voices and experiences of high school students throughout the county. NUMU received 800 submissions from 37 high schools, the highest number of individual submissions ever received, and accepted works from 83 high school artists across 23 high schools.

For the first time, the exhibition

BRINGING SMILES Dr. Amelia Hausauer of Aesthetx, a plastic surgery and dermatology practice in Los Gatos, visits with children at Children’s Healthcare Organization of Northern California in Campbell on Aug. 9. The visit was part of a musical performance by Starting Arts.

STUDENTS LEARN MUSEUM PROCESS

Local Scene, from page 6

theme was co-conceived by the ArtNow Teen Council.

“ArtNow offers students the real-life experience of what an artist goes through to get their work exhibited in a museum,” said Los Altos High School teacher Christine An. “The experience fosters self-confidence, critical thinking skills and creative expression, as well as teaching students the intrinsic value of art. ArtNow is one of the rare programs that reward students for the inherent value of art. I wanted my students to work with a sense of hope and to take on the challenge of visually expressing the future world they want. By participating in the program, students were able to bring their voices and artworks outside the confines of classrooms.”

➝ numulosgatos.org/artnow.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY SEEKS POET LAUREATE APPLICANTS

The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) and the County of Santa Clara, in partnership with SVCreates and Poetry Center San José, announced a call for 2024-2025 Santa Clara County Poet Laureate applications.

The Poet Laureate is an honorary post that acts as an advocate for poetry, literature and the arts.

The next Poet Laureate will serve from January 2024 to December

2025 and will receive a stipend of $6,000 per year, a budget of $1,000 per year for reimbursable expenses related to their activities, and the opportunity to publish a chapbook through Poetry Center San José. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 22 at 5pm.

“The Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for the art of poetry and the spoken word across the county,” County Librarian Jennifer Weeks said. “We look forward to working with the new County Poet Laureate to host and participate in poetry and other events for the community at our libraries.”

The honorary post of Santa Clara County Poet Laureate was created by the Board of Supervisors in 2008. The Santa Clara County Library District works in partnership with SVCreates to identify a nominee, who is then appointed by the supervisors to fill the two-year post.

Current Poet Laureate Tshaka Campbell conceived and produced “Bringing the Light: In Our Words,” a series of initiatives to uplift youth poets through the publication of an anthology, projections of images of poems in public spaces, and postings on VTA vehicles.

“Santa Clara County is a wonderful mix of influences from many cultures across the world. The County Poet Laureate is a great opportunity to represent and grow our vibrant ar-

STUDENTS RECOGNIZED “ArtNow 2023: Unarmed Truth” exhibiting artists gather recently at the Awards Ceremony. ArtNow was awarded the 2023 Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Museum Education.

tistic community in new and exciting ways,” said Alexandra Urbanowski, associate director for SVCreates.

Among the eligibility requirements, the individual must be a current Santa Clara County resident who has resided in the county for the past three years and has been published or recognized for poetry and literary contributions. For information, visit bit.ly/SCCPoetLaureate. For accommodation for application submissions outside of the online process, contact Alyssa Erickson at alyssae@svcreates.org or 408.998.2787, extension 204.

ART PROPOSALS SOUGHT FOR UTILITY BOX PROGRAM

The Town of Los Gatos is currently accepting applications for the “Outside the Box” Utility Box Art Program Phase VIII until Aug. 31 at 5pm. Successful proposals will integrate diversity, equity and inclusion while demonstrating a sense of community, sustainability, diversity, inclusivity and creativity. The chosen designs will be converted into a vinyl wrap and installed on select utility boxes around Town.

➝ losgatosca.gov/2208/Utility-BoxArt-Program.

POLICE BLOTTER

AUG. 6

• A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Chirco Drive and Benedict Lane at 1:26am.

• A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Harwood and Blossom Hill roads at 5:03am.

• Someone smashed a vehicle’s window on Lu Ray Drive.

• An unknown suspect smashed a vehicle’s window and stole items from inside on Danville Drive.

• A woman reportedly dumped items on a curb on Rushmore Lane and Towne Terrace at 10:29am.

AUG. 7

• A man was arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance and obstructing an officer on the 3400 block of S. Winchester Boulevard at 12:08am.

• A man was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Camden Avenue and Vista Loop at 2:27am.

• A woman was arrested for being in possession of unlawful paraphernalia on Camden Avenue and Vista Loop at 2:41am.

• A man was reported for sleeping in front of a store on Pollard Road at 10:44am.

• A vehicle was reported stolen on Los Gatos Boulevard.

AUG. 8

• A man was reportedly urinating on the creek trail at Roberts Road at 11:14am.

• A man was reportedly trying to get into a side yard on Thomas Drive.

AUG. 9

• A boy was reportedly “hitting, kicking and biting his mom” on Carlton Avenue at 1:19am.

• A woman, who appeared to be

under the influence of drugs, was making the caller “uncomfortable” in a store on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 12:21pm.

• A suspect reportedly continues to place a sticker with the letters “wo” in front of the word “man” on the Veterans Memorial on E. Main Street.

• Two suspects reportedly stole a bag from a vehicle while the driver was sleeping inside on Blossom Hill Road at 2:18pm.

• A home was reportedly burglarized on Robin Anne Lane.

• A suspect in a pickup truck with a “big American flag hanging out the back” was reportedly throwing eggs at people on Bean Avenue and N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 9:55pm.

• A caller reported a dog barking on El Porton at 11:14pm.

AUG. 10

• A man reportedly jumped in front of a moving vehicle holding a bottle of alcohol on Los Gatos Boulevard and Kennedy Road at 2:51am.

• An unknown man was reportedly inside the caller’s house on Alberto Way at 12:08pm.

• A caller reported a driver because they “drive like a jerk” on University Avenue and Blossom Hill Road at 3:58pm.

• A man was reportedly running on Los Gatos Saratoga Road and Highway 17 “completely naked” at 4:38pm.

• A woman was reportedly “defecating all over the bathroom” at a business on E. Main Street at 5:17pm.

AUG. 11

• A package was reported stolen from a mailbox on Jackson Street.

• A caller reported a person playing basketball at Bachman Park at 5:42am.

• Items were reported stolen from inside a vehicle parked on Oak Rim Court.

• A home was reportedly burglarized on Via Encantada.

• A man reportedly followed a woman inside a store on N. Santa Cruz Avenue, making “inappropriate comments” at 3:46pm.

• Grand theft was reported on College Avenue.

• Multiple juveniles reportedly kicked a front door on Massol Avenue.

• A man was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Camden Avenue and Blossom Hill Road at 4:38pm.

AUG. 12

• A man was arrested for violating the town’s social host ordinance on the 18600 block of Withey Road at 1:16am.

• Registration was reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Oak Rim Court.

• A home was reportedly burglarized on Prospect Avenue.

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

MOTHER CONFIRMS BODY FOUND WAS TEENAGER WHO WENT MISSING

Olivia Wynkoop, Bay City News

The mother of a missing 17-year-old girl confirmed on social media Sunday that human remains found near Castle Rock Park were her daughter's. Nola Schneider, the mother of Katherine “Katie” Schneider, said her daughter died in a car accident. The girl was reported missing on July 5 and was last seen leaving her Saratoga home in a white 2019 Honda Accord. The mother confirmed that the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office found Katie's remains near her car in a ravine. The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation, she said.

She continued to thank the community for their assistance, and requested privacy as the family grieves their loss.

“It is hard to put into words how much Katie will be missed. Katie was a bright light that brought emotional vibrancy to our everyday lives,” Schneider wrote on Instagram. “She radiated authenticity, thoughtfulness, a great sense of humor, and an unyielding determination.”

Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

CENTER ADDRESSES MENTAL HEALTH

Health, from page 4

County’s Emergency Psychiatric Services, and Barbara Arons Pavilion (the County’s inpatient psychiatric facility).

Lee said he was very pleased that the project was finished and ready to open its doors to community members in need of a step-down residential mental health care.

“When I got involved in this project at the end of last year, there were still a number of hurdles in the way of opening day,” Lee said. “But I knew that this type of facility was needed as fast as possible, and by working closely with the County’s Health and Hospital System, we were able to expedite the process and bring

this vital project to completion.”

State Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San José) called the County of Santa Clara a leader when it comes to addressing the mental health crisis.

“With recent state and local investments, the County is now beginning to move into a continuum of care that helps people at every stage of their treatment process,” Cortese said. “The new 28-bed Adult Residential Treatment program is an excellent step for patients needing intensive services. It will expand sorely needed behavioral health capacity in our community.”

ENTERING THE POTATOVERSE: KCAT FILM FEST BRINGS STUDENT CREATIONS TO LIFE ON BIG SCREEN

Summer media camp taught youth podcasting, filmmaking and live TV skills

Drew Penner, Reporter

Melissa Toren, the executive director of KCAT TV (Comcast), gazed at the red-carpet scene surrounding her, Monday morning, as student actors, directors, writers and cinematographers filed into the Los Gatos Theatre for the big end to summer camp.

She lifted her hand to her heart.

“I don’t know what to say,” she said. “I’m more excited for them.”

There were 202 students and seven counselors (officially, counselors-in-training) who took part in the program, which involved putting on live TV shows, producing commercials, recording podcasts and making short films.

And now, they were getting the chance to also help throw a glitzy premiere.

On the bill at the Summer Media Camp Film Fest was “The Last Westernbottom,” “The Deaths of KCAT,” “The Search for the Crown,” “Potato Noir: the Crispy Cost of Crime,” “The Ring” and “Dumbkirk: Two Nines.”

There’d been a few technical glitches to be sorted—but the KCAT team was on it.

“Hey, let me know when people go in,” 18-year-old Zachary Benitez radioed from where he stood next to Toren.

As KCAT’s TV manager—a recent promotion—he helped with technical aspects of the camp.

“I also taught them podcasting,” he said. “They get real-world experience. They get to broadcast live on TV.”

Toren explained that KCAT is focused on helping encourage people to pursue their film and television passions.

“Our overarching theme is ‘next-gen storytellers and creators,’” she said. “That’s what we do.”

This initial step on students’ “exhilarating multimedia journey” was also an education in journalism and scriptwriting, she added.

Ashton Ross, a 16-year-old counselor going into his junior year at Los Gatos High School, was dressed in Old West garb, alongside fellow mini-stars, in the lobby.

“I’m about to present a Western film,” he said, noting his parents are from Arizona and his grandfather is from Mexico; he’s been delving further into

this subject matter on his own time, too. “I’m currently working on my film about California history: ‘California Long Story Short.’”

A few years ago, Ross was one of the KCAT campers.

The short films themselves had intricate storylines—sometimes painstakingly genre-adherent, in other cases more meandering and surreal. They incorporated Los Gatos-specific humor (for example, a joke about the pain of having to commute to Milpitas for work) and seemed to tell the broader tale of a KCAT cinematic universe (in one case referred to as the “potatoverse,” due to a recurrent spud motif).

In “The Last Westernbottom,” chil-

dren at the saloon drink from coffee cups instead of beer glasses.

It was a fitting start to a program that allowed adults to have a look at the community through the eyes of its younger residents and visitors.

Melody Pan, 10, played the interviewer in the serial-killer flick “The Deaths of KCAT.”

“I feel like it has the best idea,” she said in an interview afterwards, adding she enjoyed giving one of the counselors a makeover for a crucial plot point. “It was so funny.”

Co-star Ainsley Reys, a 9-year-old from San Jose, said the film was way scarier on the big screen.

“It was fun,” she said, revealing how

one hilarious moment came into being. “I chose to be clumsy.”

Her older brother Logan, 11, said it was cool to see their work presented on the CineLux silver screen.

“It was big!” he exclaimed.

He downplayed the workload involved in bringing their creations to life.

“I have a good memory,” he said. “So, I just memorized my lines.”

Their mother, Liza, was clearly proud.

“It was great to see all of it,” she said.

With “The Search for the Crown,” it started to become clear that the same camp counselor was going to be killed off—like a South Park trope—in every production.

It told the story of a princess hoping to get her crown back, whose journey intersects with other characters who have their own motivations.

“Potato Noir: the Crispy Cost of Crime,” sketched out a major dual between two cult-like sects—Wafflism and Potatoism—to the toe-tapping pace of a gritty 1950s black-and-white spectacle.

Particular highlights were the foley work and the “Godzilla vs. King Kong”style opening graphic of a giant waffle and a potato towering over a city skyline, slowly approaching.

“The Ring” played on elements of “Star Wars,” “Kill Bill” and the “Godfather” to guide its action.

Each film was introduced by a skit relating to the content of the upcoming selection.

However, prior to the ensemble-based “Dumbkirk: Two Nines,” Toren got serious.

“I’m overwhelmed,” she said. “I don’t want to cry.”

Her voice broke up a bit, but she regained her composure.

“KCAT generates magic,” she said. “Their passion just comes through.”

She talked a bit about what went into setting up a creative space for kids to catch the media bug, and described how they channel this in a productive direction, for example with cover letter-writing advice.

“I hope you had a great summer, because we sure did,” she said. “Thanks for giving us your kids for a week.”

And with that, moviegoers were treated to another dualistic clash, one that referenced horror film “Us” using a rework of Luniz’ song “I Got 5 on It.”

It explored whether or not pineapple slices will reign supreme on pizzas everywhere.

While we won’t give away the ending of the movie, we will say it caused this reporter to immediately head out and purchase a personal-sized Hawaiian pizza afterwards.

PREMIERE KCAT TV Executive Director Melissa Toren (right) joins the stage with counselors-in-training prior to the screening of “Dumbkirk: Two Nines” at the Los Gatos Theatre on Monday.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

ROBOT ASSISTS IN BUILDING

“I was born right down the road in south San Jose, right off of (Highway) 85 there,” he said, reflecting on how the project allowed him to come full-circle. “It’s surreal, just in general. You blink an eye or two, and life kind of flies right by.”

Sharkey was born at a Kaiser Permanente hospital, and later moved to the Central Valley, and then to the East Coast.

He was involved in the private health care facility from the early stages.

It was the way they structured the deal with Sutter—through an “integrated

form of agreement” (IFOA)—that really helped pave the way for an efficient and cost-effective build, despite rising price tags for materials and a global pandemic, he said.

“It really pushes our team to be more creative,” he said. “We like innovation. We get excited about it.”

Essentially, he explains, the document explicitly laid out timelines and bonuses for the various layers of contractors and subcontractors. It also set the stage for forethought on all aspects of construction.

Mechanical, electrical, plumbing,

framing and drywall professionals all collaborated on design in partnership with Dusty Robotics, Takt Planning and Boulder Associates.

“We asked all those people to come in before we even started construction,” Sharkey said. “We wanted to heavily rely on our coordination effort and our model to influence how we lay out the building.”

The three-story, 69,000-square-foot facility for 34 physicians, from Sutter’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation division, is full of complex systems meant to operate under the most stressful conditions while instilling a sense of calm in visitors and workers.

Drawing up the plans and carrying out the vision was never going to be easy. Their approach was to model-out

as much as possible, to avoid having to fix issues that would undoubtedly crop up later.

According to Skanska, the average “punch list” of problems that contractors have to go back and iron out can run around 250 items per 10,000 square feet.

Sharkey says they caught hundreds of potential snags.

For example, they were able to redesign a procedure room on the computer, whereas they likely would’ve had to burrow through a wall to deal with a conflict.

“You have all those cool light fixtures and operating equipment for the gasses,” he said. “There’s a fair amount of overhead equipment in those ceilings.”

The solution, in this case, was to reposition the patient table.

“There would have been a ton of modifications,” he said. “We were able to catch a lot of those issues during that virtual process.”

Skanska says this likely saved them more than $100,000 and helped them avoid a month-long delay.

They actually brought a robot to the site to establish markings for the various teams, so that each contractor didn’t have to swing by and individually run chalk lines.

“We came in when there was nothing inside; it was just pure concrete slabs,” he said. “The first thing we did was we did our layout with the robot.” While turning to automation to streamline a project or avoiding quagmires is admirable, isn’t there a risk to driving the production of health care infrastructure through a contract that puts such a heavy-emphasis on meeting or exceeding targets?

Sharkey says it was just the opposite for Samaritan Court. He says the IFOA caused managers to think in more detail to ensure that risks were avoided.

“You have more to lose or win in this type of method,” he said, noting that they’ve worked with Sutter for more than a decade. “You have to have this trust; you have to have this transparency.”

Sharkey says he finds working in healthcare fulfilling, creating built space that’s literally designed to improve people’s lives.

It’s even better when you overcome the odds to beat expectations.

“We were able to hit our targets through each phase,” he said. “It’s a good feeling no doubt. Because it can be a challenge to do.”

Samaritan, from page 1

NEW FACILITY The Samaritan Court Ambulatory Care and Surgery Center recently opened near the San Jose/Los Gatos border.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

COMMISSION DEBATES HEIGHT

Commission, from page 1

It’s a place where an office project had been approved in 2017, but then was never developed.

Commissioners agreed that Los Gatos needs more assisted living capacity, and many praised the design.

But some struggled with the overall size of the three-story structure or its location—along a residential portion of Winchester Boulevard.

Planning Manager Jennifer Armer said, due to changes in State law, because the assisted living units would include a kitchen, they should count toward the number of homes Los Gatos is required to plan for under its Regional Housing Needs Allocation mandate.

Town Attorney Gabrielle Whelan said the Town’s Below Market Rate rules could not be applied.

Commissioner Kathryn Janoff said while Swenson was hoping to build a 39-foot structure—as viewed from one side—it would actually be 50 feet on the other, due to the topography.

She wondered if it might be possible to get back to the 35-foot limit, at least on one side.

Janoff also frowned upon the request for a lot of coverage variance, on top of the extra height ask.

“It’s like too much, too much,” she said. “We want these units. But we want them to reasonably fit within the visual element of town.”

Several neighbors raised objections to the project.

This included Monte Sereno Mayor Bryan Mekechuk, who lives across the street and a few doors down. He used his limited time to lay into Bristow.

“He’s being disingenuous in terms of outreach to the community. Disingenuous,” he said, adding he was ignored after a lengthy conversation they’d had in the vestibule outside Council Chambers. “What did I hear from him? Crickets. In fact, I felt dissed. OK?”

Mekechuk said he thought the size was unsightly, although he couched this with claims he’d support something similar to what’d previously been approved for the site.

In his comments, Bristow outlined the steps the developer took to get to this point, including incorporating feedback from neighbors and submitting drawings voluntarily to the Community Development Advisory Committee.

“We said, ‘Hey, would you prefer a mixed-use or a 100% apartment project? Or would you prefer a senior care facility?’” he recalled. “The consensus was a senior care facility. And the University Oaks neighbors actually expressed they didn’t want to be next to an apartment building. So that’s the direction we took. And the CDAC also said that they would like to see Mediterranean architecture.”

And he apologized to the mayor of the neighboring city for not following up.

“It was clear that he was frustrated,” Bristow said. “There was nothing that I could have adjusted at that time.”

After Bristow agreed to the 2.5-foot height reduction, it got most of the commissioners on board.

Vice Chair Steve Raspe made the approval motion with Commissioner Kylie Clark seconding it.

CORRECTION

Due to a reporting error by another news outlet that was picked up by the Los Gatan, the Aug. 8 article titled “Developer eyes post office site for five-story development” contained inaccurate information. 14859 Los Gatos Blvd. (Phase 2 of the North 40 development), 405 Alberto Way and 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road are all targeted for Senate Bill 330 projects and are not currently Builder’s Remedy sites.

: losgatan.com

CALENDAR

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

JAZZ ON THE PLAZZ

Los Gatos Music and Arts presents Jazz on the Plazz Wednesdays through Aug. 23 from 6:30-8:30pm at the Los Gatos Town Plaza. The schedule is as follows: Aug. 16: Tiffany Austin with Full Spectrum Jazz. Aug. 23: David Benoit.

➝ jazzontheplazz.com.

MUSIC IN THE PARK

Since 1988, Music in the Park has been a free public summer concert series held on Sunday afternoons, from 5-7pm on the Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn, 110 E Main St. This year’s lineup is as follows: Aug. 20: Tortilla Soup. Aug. 27: Andre Thierry.

➝ LosGatosCA.gov/MIP.

DRUMMING AND STORYTELLING SHOWCASE

To celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day and to promote inclusion, equity, transformative action and unity throughout Los Gatos, San Jose and the Bay Area, AWỌ is bringing back the HUEmanity Salons Series program titled “Drums of the World” on Aug. 27. Scheduled workshops include making musical percussion instruments, drum playing and use of traditional African fabrics for collage creations. “Drums in the World” will be Aug. 27 at Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos from 1-4pm. Those interested in attending can register for free at tinyurl.com/2x2ryus5. For information, email askawo@awocenter.org or call 408.601.0364.

AUTHOR TALK

Author Jeff Selingo will discuss his book, “Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions,” named one of the 100 Notable Books of 2020 by the New York Times, during an online author talk hosted by the Los Gatos Library on Aug. 30 at 11am. For information, visit losgatosca.libcal. com/event/11052298.

WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN MEETING

A public outreach meeting for the Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan will be held Aug. 30 from 6-7:30pm at the Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road. By having this strategic plan for all local agencies, they are able to prioritize forest health projects, shaded fuel breaks, escape routes, and public education campaigns. The CWPP aims to further wildfire preparedness initiatives throughout the county, and provide support for residents seeking resources to be better prepared for wildfire.

➝ sccfiresafe.org/cwpp.

FALL WINE WALK

Tickets go on sale Sept. 1 for the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Wine Walk. The walk takes place Oct. 14 from 1-4pm in downtown.

➝ losgatoschamber.com.

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.

➝ .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.

Rotary Club of Los Gatos

The Rotary Club of Los Gatos meets Tuesdays from noon to 1:30pm at Shir Hadash Synagogue, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane. ➝ losgatosrotary.org.

The Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club

The Club meets every Wednesday morning 7:30-8:30am at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road. Program includes featured guest speakers.

Los Gatos Lions Club

The Los Gatos Lions Club meets every Wednesday. A breakfast meeting is held at Moore Buick, 15500 Los Gatos Blvd., at 8am and a noon meeting at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, with a guest speaker. The club has been active since 1946.

Friends of Los Gatos

Library Bookstore

The Friends of Los Gatos Library Bookstore is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1-6pm at the library, 110 E. Main St. For information, email friendsoflglib@aol.com.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Town Council

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

➝ losgatosca.gov/16/Town-Council.

Planning Commission

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

➝ losgatosca.gov/189/PlanningCommission.

Santa Clara County Supervisors

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors meets virtually on Tuesdays at 9am.

➝ bit.ly/3oy2Zmq.

Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District

The board meets every other Tuesday at 5pm. For information, visit bit. ly/3DaJRi9.

Los Gatos Union School District Board of Trustees

The board meets monthly at either 6:30pm or 4pm.

➝ bit.ly/3oywlRA.

RIBBON-CUTTING & BLOWOUTS Mayor Maria Ristow and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jennifer Lin attended the opening of Drywalk Salon, on Aug. 10 at 422 N. Santa Cruz Ave., where owner Michelle Reno even sang alongside an Elvis impersonator.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

ROSEN PROPOSES BALLOT INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE

Law would assist victims and crime investigators, offer treatment, impose fee on ammo

Staff Report

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen announced Aug. 3 that he is sponsoring an “unprecedented” statewide ballot initiative that seeks to “transcend the bitter politics of gun control and save the lives of crime victims, the suicidal and children.”

If approved by voters, the Gun Violence Prevention Act would impose a fee on ammunition purchases to fund enhanced treatment for mental health patients who may be dangerous; require all crime labs in California to take steps to solve shooting crimes; and improve healthcare for gunshot victims, says a press release from Rosen’s office.

Each year, more than 10,000 Californians are shot, Rosen said. There is a mass shooting, on average, almost every week in the state.

The financial cost of this “preventable carnage” is estimated at more than $18 billion a year, says the press release. Rosen is seeking to put the measure on the ballot for the next statewide election in 2024.

“We cannot just give up knowing that in the next few weeks, a mentally ill gunman somewhere is going to shoot a lot of people,” Rosen said. “Practical Californians will lead the way beyond thoughts and prayers toward action and safety.”

Provisions of the GVPA proposal include:

Stopping potential shooters, assisting law enforcement

GVPA mandates that the State of California offer mental health treatment to people found dangerous to themselves or others, who are ordered to turn in their firearms because they violated a Red Flag Law or Domestic Violence Restraining Order, says the press release. GVPA requires law enforcement and crime laboratories to collect and analyze all firearms and shell casings recovered from crime scenes, Rosen added. “That provision will connect shootings, identify perpetrators and solve more gun crimes more quickly.”

Make guns and gun owners safer

GVPA mandates trigger locks or gun safes for all stored guns; and in five years, all firearms in California will have a biometric locking mechanism if the initiative passes.

GVPA will enhance the education of lawful gun owners about vital health, legal and gun safety information, the press release continues. GVPA will require all gun owners to take at least four hours of gun safety training and pass an in-person test.

Care for victims

GVPA will require California to create a statewide network of Trauma Recovery Centers to provide gun violence victims with mental health assistance, critical counseling services and state-funded restitution to help victims recover, Rosen said.

Charge fees on ammunition and gun registration

GVPA will pay for these programs through an ammunition fee and a yearly firearm registration fee, Rosen said. GVPA's ammunition fee will be the first of its kind in the nation.

If it qualifies through the state ballot initiative process—which includes the gathering and verification of signatures from registered voters— GVPA would appear on California’s Presidential General Election ballot on Nov. 5, 2024.

For information, visit gvpanow.org.

We cannot just give up knowing that in the next few weeks, a mentally ill gunman somewhere is going to shoot a lot of people.

Jeff Rosen

Happy Hour pricing all day long!

FADS INFLUENCE CONTEMPORARY GARDEN DESIGN

Tony Tomeo, Contributor

Landscape design and gardening trends change like every other sort of fashion. Several fads of the past were quite practical and justifiable. Many were not. Whether justifiable or not, many merely became old fashioned. Some evolved into a more contemporary style. Others were not so adaptable. Planning for a landscape is easier than planning for fads.

For example, plants seem to be disproportionately small within a new landscape. That is because someone planned for them to have sufficient room to grow. Shade trees should eventually mature to be proportionate to their respective spaces. In fact, all plants should mature accordingly. However, overly trendy queen palms can become passe at any time.

Many home gardens contend with fads from the past that are awkward to accommodate. Strict symmetry that was very common long ago has become more than old fashioned. It is now considered to be unappealing. Relaxed asymmetry is now common and popular. Of course, this is an advantage as aged trees of symmetrical rows begin to die randomly.

Queen palms that became popular in the 1990s are getting more expensive to maintain. Only professional arborists can groom them as they get too tall to reach from the ground. Queen palms at rear fences of backyards were a fad. Sadly, most utility cable easements are above such rear fences. Palms that encroach too closely necessitate costly removal.

Living Christmas trees was another fad that caused serious problems later. Most of such trees were either Italian stone pine or Canary Island pine. Many found permanent homes within confined home gardens after Christmas. They seemed to be so docile while small and potted. The problem was that both species grow too big for compact home gardens.

Sustainability is presently a fad that actually has potential to be beneficial in the future. It only needs proper execution. The results of fads may linger long after the fads are gone. Many

REAL ESTATE HOME OF THE WEEK

trees that are fads now could survive for centuries. No fad demonstrates that more accurately than sustainability. That which is truly sustainable can evolve with future fads.

Highlight: Norway maple

The botanical name of Norway maple, Acer platanoides, means “maple like a sycamore.” It resembles Platanus X acerifolia, which means “sycamore with maple foliage.” Platanus X acerifolia is London plane (“sycamore”), which serves similar purposes. Norway maple lacks the irritating foliar tomentum of London plane. It has more aggressive roots, though.

Norway maple was likely never a fad, but was common as a street tree during the 1950s. It naturalized as an invasive exotic species in parts of the Pacific Northwest. It is not such a nuisance locally. Most domestic trees are sterile or almost sterile cultivars. If their roots were more complaisant, they could have been ideal street trees. Their shade is splendid.

“Schwedleri,” with bronzed foliage, was likely the most popular cultivar originally. Modern cultivars are darker bronze, golden, variegated or simple green. Their deciduous foliage is not so impressive for autumn, though. It turns somewhat brownish yellow. The palmate leaves are about five to nine inches wide. Defoliation is efficient. Refoliation is quite late. Not many Norway maples get more than 40 feet tall within the mild climates here.

AMENITIES IN THE MOUNTAINS

This mountain home is located in the Villa del Monte neighborhood.

Located at 23342 Deerfield Road in Los Gatos, the 3,112-square-foot home includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The two primary suites are situated on both floors. A family room has access to one of two private decks with views.

Other amenities include open beam ceilings, recessed lighting, oversized win-

dows, skylights, hardwood flooring, an island, gas range and breakfast bar, fireplace, owned solar, EV charger, whole house batteries, wine cellar and more.

The one-acre property also has an ADU, two-car garage and plenty of storage space.

The home, built in 1964, is listed at $2,150,000 by Coldwell Banker Realty. For information, visit tinyurl. com/5n95c4ba.

DEERFIELD ROAD This Los Gatos home sits on one acre.

INSIDE Open beam ceilings are in the living room.

Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

TRENDY Even boulders can become a fad.