Los Gatan July 12 2023

LG

LUXURY CARS

ASKS PLANNERS TO APPROVE EXPANSION PLAN

Dealership seeks to add 3,914 square feet with new showroom and service center

Drew Penner, Reporter

Los Gatos Luxury Cars is the sort of place you might go to score a 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost, a 2023 Lamborghini Urus or a 2022 Bentley Continental GT.

And now the dealership is planning a major expansion—tearing down 8,584 square feet of existing space to put in a 6,395-square-foot service center and a 6,103-squarefoot showroom.

The Los Gatos Planning Commission is set to consider a renovation plan for the 620 Blossom Hill Road site, a 2.65acre parcel zoned “CH,” at its 7pm meeting today.

It won’t have to go through the standard environmental review process because it’s an existing facility.

Derek Frahmann of Integrity Design and Construction submitted the application and Sean Mullin is the Town’s project planner on the job.

Owner Price-Simms, Inc. and Bower Family Trust representative John Thomas (prop-

➝ Cars, 4

SOAKING UP THE ENERGY AT JAZZ ON THE PLAZZ

Pleasant evening as Pamela Rose serenaded the crowd

Drew Penner, Reporter

Blues is a Woman Band dished up pleasant sonics at Jazz on the Plazz, July 5, with San Francisco jazz and blues singer Pamela Rose belting out rousing vocal lines in the early evening light.

To the right of the stage, a group of longtime fans of the musical series were satisfied with the performance.

“It was fabulous,” said Robin Hays of Milpitas, when asked for her assessment of proceedings. “I’ve been coming here for years and I think this year is the best in years.”

Mayor Maria Ristow was also in attendance.

➝ Jazz, 6

TRIUMPHANT HOMECOMING The Beach Boys’ new lead guitarist, John Wedemeyer, grew up in Los Gatos. Locals turned out at Saratoga’s Mountain Winery last week to give him a hometown welcome. More photos by Dave Lepori on page 10.

hollywood visit p9 : ll breakthrough p12 : discover lost gatos p14 : ny times crossword puzzle p17

Dave Lepori

Call Me to Discuss Your Next Move in 2023

Welcome to this beautiful single family home within strolling distance to Sunny Cove Beach, Twin Lake’s Beach State Park, Schwan Lagoon. Gourmet chef’s kitchen features stainless steel appliances, 5 burner gas cook top, refrigerator, slab granite counter tops, light wood stained cabinetry, tumbled marble back-splash, tiled floors. Breakfast nook with bay windows. Living & dining rooms with cathedral ceilings & numerous windows. 1st floor primary suite with walk-in closet, high ceiling, romantic bath, stall shower, soaking tub, double sinks, marble surfaces. 2nd level with 2 bedrooms, stone surfaced bathroom. 4th bedroom/office/ bonus. Recessed lighting. Solar is owned. Serene backyard with a Wave Wall, waterfall, dining area gazebo, beautiful landscaping, multiple sitting area’s. Inside laundry, finished garage and painted floor. Located in a quiet cul-de-sac.

Dan Pulcrano

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PELLERIN NAMED HEAD OF ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

28th District rep brings 27 years of experience to chair Staff Report

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin last week was appointed Chair of the Assembly Elections Committee by Speaker Robert Rivas.

Pellerin, who represents the 28th Assembly District which includes Los Gatos, served as the chief elections official in Santa Cruz County from 1993 until her retirement in 2020. As County Clerk, Pellerin managed all local elections and served as the Commissioner of Civil Marriage.

In June 2018, Pellerin was elected to her fourth term as Santa Cruz County Clerk, and served as President of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials from 2010-2012.

She has also served as co-chair of the Secretary of State’s Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee, according to Pellerin’s office.

In a statement, Pellerin said it is an “honor” to be appointed chair of the Assembly Elections Committee.

“I’m honored to have the confidence of the speaker and continue to work to ensure that California is the gold standard for secure, accurate, transparent and accessible elections,” Pellerin said.

“I look forward to continuing the work to improve the voter experience, ensure voting system integrity and enhance the accuracy of our voter rolls.”

Pellerin added she is grateful for the immediate past chairs of the Elections Committee Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan for his work to prevent the disenfranchisement of incarcerated people; and Assemblymember Marc Berman, who led the committee to pass reform that made vote-by-mail permanent.

Pellerin was elected to the 28th Assembly District in the June 2022 election.

Rivas, a Hollister resident who represents the 29th District that encompasses San Benito County and portions of South Santa Clara County, was sworn in June 30 as the speaker of the California Assembly.

The ascension of the Hollister Democrat—who represents the 29th Assembly District—to lead the lower chamber of the Legislature brings to a definitive close (for now) a dramatic power struggle that bitterly divided the majority

DEALERSHIP OUTLINES PLANS

Cars, from page 1

erty owner) are looking to use cement fiber board siding, painted stucco and metal accent features in the build.

Robert A. Karn & Associates, Inc. of Fairfield was engaged for civil engineering.

“The project proposes site improvements in addition to the proposed building construction, including a new customer patio, reconfigured parking areas, and a new emergency access driveway located at the western edge of the property,” staff wrote in a report to commissioners. “The project complies with the zoning require-

ments related to lot coverage, building height, parking and circulation.”

However, the dealership currently has an issue with its vehicle service center it has to iron out with the Town.

Its current Conditional Use Permit allows for 18 service bays, but staff notes the facility has 27, at the moment.

The proposal aims to demolish the eastern shop, which has 17 service bays, then add 11 back.

Since there’s already 10 service bays in the shop on the western portion of the property, even though that’s tech-

caucus of the Assembly last summer and fall.

Internal changes that shake up how the state Capitol operates, such as rewarding close allies with powerful leadership roles and committee posts, are likely coming in the months ahead. What Rivas’ tenure will mean for the average Californian is less certain.

Rivas has a similar ideological profile to his longtime predecessor—the outgoing Speaker Anthony Rendon, a progressive Democrat from Lakewood—so supporters do not expect a dramatic shift in the priorities of Assembly Democrats. But they note his promise, as he cobbled together votes last year from a diverse coalition of members, to establish an inclusive decision-making process, which supporters hope will lead to a more coherent and intentional legislative agenda.

Rivas said Pellerin’s experience managing elections was a factor in her appointment as Chair of the Elections Committee.

“I am proud to name Assemblymember Gail Pellerin as Chair of the Assembly Elections Committee,” Rivas said in a statement. “With her 27 years of experience as a County Clerk, Assemblymember Pellerin is well-prepared to improve the accessibility of our elections while ensuring they remain secure and fair.”

This story includes reporting by Alexei Koseff of calmatters.org.

nically a reduction from the current setup, it’s still three more than they’re supposed to have.

The Town has not received any comments about the commercial development plan.

In its May 20, 2022 letter of justification, TWM Architects & Planners explained that the dealership, branded as “The Luxury Collection” has been growing. It now represents several new brands of “European Exotic” vehicles that require their own showroom “to display their unique identity fully.”

“The need for new display showrooms outweighs the quantity of service stalls for this vehicle type,” the letter states.

The company also wants to put in additional accessibility amenities.

Gail Pellerin

NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN

Jazz, from page 1

Hays came to meet her friends, and commented that she liked the upbeat rhythms.

“Very danceable,” she said, adding she’d just purchased the An Etta James Summer Card from Jazz on the Plazz.

Her friend, San Jose resident John Jennings, who was a police officer in town for three decades, said the music series is an integral part of community life.

Plus, he added, it was nice to see some “dear friends” during the peaceful Wednesday gathering at the Los Gatos Town Plaza.

“We feel very much a part of this town,” he said. “This is a wonderful town to be a part of.”

He wasn’t one of those twirling and swaying on the dance floor. That’s because he broke his ankle recently.

“But in a couple weeks I’ll be danc-

ing up a storm,” he said. “People love this venue. People come to this venue to be part of it.”

Another contingent member, DebRenée McCarty, resides in Los Gatos. For her, Jazz on the Plazz has an even deeper significance.

In 2004 she went to her Los Gatos High School 30-year reunion and met Sgt. Tam McCarty, now a retired Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department officer.

But things didn’t truly escalate until the following year.

“We fell in love in August of 2005 at Jazz on the Plazz,” she said. “It was the time and the place.”

July 12 will feature Ren Geisick, a Silicon Valley singer/songwriter with Americana roots. On July 19, the Lao Tizer Band will take the stage, followed by MJF Regional Band and Vocal Ensemble, July 26.

MOVE TO THE RHYTHM The crowd gets up to dance to the tunes of Blues is a Woman Band.

ROUSING PERFORMANCE Pamela Rose sings during Jazz on the Plazz on July 5 at the Los Gatos Town Plaza.

Photos by Drew Penner/Los Gatan

JULY 2

• A man wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts was reportedly sitting in the middle of the road on a chair holding a sign on University Avenue and Andrews Street at 11:29am.

• A purse was reportedly stolen from a home on Benedict Lane.

• Clothing was reported stolen from a business on University Avenue.

• A caller reported needles and blood in a gutter in front of a residence on Loma Alta Avenue.

JULY 3

• A caller reported people were being loud in a pool on Charter Oaks Circle at 12:45am. Dispatchers advised the caller of the “proper use of 911.”

• A man was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance on the Northside Lot at 11:30am.

• A home was reportedly burglarized on Belblossom Way.

• Someone reportedly stole the front wheel of a bicycle on N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

POLICE BLOTTER

• A laptop was reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked on Winchester Boulevard.

JULY 4

• A caller thought there was underage drinking happening at a party on Loma Alta Avenue at 11:28pm.

JULY 5

• Two tables and six chairs were reported stolen on Bicknell Road.

• A woman was arrested for forgery and mail theft on W. Younger Avenue at 3pm.

JULY 6

• A caller reportedly found drug paraphernalia on E. Main Street.

• A woman was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Union Avenue and Charmeran Drive at 9:54pm.

JULY 7

• A man was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Hacienda Avenue and Capri Drive at 12:37am.

• Battery was reported on Garden Hill Drive.

• A boy riding a bike on the creek trail on Charter Oaks Drive and Willow Hill Court was reportedly pushed over by a man riding by on an electric motorcycle.

• A woman driving a truck on Pleasant Street reportedly pulled up to a man and “started screaming at him like she was on the phone with 911” at 4:03pm.

• A purse was reported stolen on Blossom Hill Road.

JULY 8

• Battery was reported on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 2:32am.

• A man was arrested for disorderly conduct on the 200 block of Mary Alice Drive at 2:58am.

• A man reportedly forced his way into a bathroom on N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

• A man was arrested for vandalism and being under the influence of a drug on the 15500 block of Union Avenue at 1:02pm.

• Two people soliciting “religious materials” reportedly refused to leave on Blossom Hill Road at 4:10pm.

• A man was reportedly walking in the middle of the roadway on Quito and Bicknell roads at 5:26pm.

• Four teenagers driving an SUV in the wrong direction on Pleasant Street reportedly threw a water balloon at a dog at 9:48pm.

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

lgsubs.com

SCHWARZENEGGER VISITS SARATOGA ELEMENTARY

Actor, former governor shares importance of learning

Drew Penner, Reporter Arnold Schwarzenegger has been in full-on hype mode down in Hollywood as he’s at the center of two major projects for Los Gatos streaming giant Netflix: “FUBAR,” an action-comedy TV series, and “Arnold,” a Lesley Chilcott-directed docuseries about his life.

Yet, he still found time to pop in to the Bay Area to surprise students at Saratoga Elementary School—and his niece, a second-grade teacher who is his goddaughter—for the last day of the school year.

A June 9 video obtained by the Los Gatan shows the “Terminator” actor in a swivel chair at the front of a class below a helium balloon shaped like the number “2,” with children on the floor in front of him.

They discuss amongst themselves about one of Schwarzenegger most famous movies, “Kindergarten Cop.”

“That’s old,” said one student.

“I know that,” a second child retorted.

“I never even watched that,” a child said with a shrug.

Schwarzenegger took it in stride that the kids weren’t familiar with his full catalog, and framed the reality with humor.

“I did a lot of movies that you kids are probably not allowed to see,” he said.

The mysterious day developed, as a stratagem worthy of the silver screen— or at least an afternoon children’s TV special—was put into play.

It all started as Principal Kristin Murphy knelt, to the right of Schwarzenegger, facing the class, taking in a cheer from the excited students. Their voices were so loud one boy even covered his ears.

“I love the enthusiasm,” Schwarzenegger said with a smile, pointing toward the children. “Very nice.”

Murphy knew she’d need to get the children on board if her plan was to work.

“We’re going to try to surprise our school,” she said. “They don’t know that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s here—and our teachers don’t know that he’s here.”

One girl rolled onto her back, then resumed a seated position.

“So, we’re going to be very quiet, and

if it’s OK with Uncle Arnold,” she said, turning to the girl on her left, to ask if she like what she heard, so far (the girl nods), “—we’re going to sneak him into the multi-purpose room, and I’m going to tell all the teachers to come down. They’re going to be mad at me.”

“Why?” asked one pupil.

“Because they’re going to be like, ‘What?...Calling an assembly? You didn’t even tell us?’” she said. “And then we’re going to have a surprise.”

A short time later, students were apparently asked who they thought would be speaking at the outdoor gathering. Suddenly, Schwarzenegger stepped into view.

“You guessed actually very well, when you say ‘a teacher,’” he said, complimenting the students. “Because I played a teacher in ‘Kindergarten Cop.’”

This inspired an eruption of cheering and clapping.

“When you said, ‘police officer,’ well, that one I played in many, many movies. So, you were actually right,” he said. “But, the fact of the matter is, I only played those parts. In reality I’m just Arnold Schwarzenegger, an actor. I was governor, one time, of the State of California.”

Back in January 2004, Schwarzenegger set out an education agenda that

included expanding charter school access, developing technical career pathways and investing in staffing.

He would go on to unleash $2.7 billion for up-to 488 low-performing schools through the Quality Education Investment Act, which provided $2.7 billion over seven years to schools, and introduced open-source digital textbooks in classrooms.

Years later, here he was, visiting the school where his goddaughter teaches. He seemed pleased with the legacy he’d left behind.

“She has told me about how beautiful this school is,” Schwarzenegger shared with the children. “—and how wonderful it is to study here, and to learn here.”

Schwarzenegger said he just thought it would be great to celebrate his niece’s final day of teaching second grade before beginning to instruct third-graders.

“And I know that you all are moving onto the next grade,” he said. “So, a big hand to all of you for your great, great work. And a big hand to the teachers.”

Schwarzenegger also complimented the job the students’ parents had done to help them succeed, and told the audience he was enjoying his time on campus.

But it was the next segment of the speech that Saratoga Elementary

School PTA particularly liked.

“Continue on all the great work. Listen to your teachers,” he said (an audible “Yes, yes,” came from the audience). “Just remember, learn, learn, learn. You can never learn enough. The smarter you get, the more successful you will be. OK, so, listen to your parents, listen to your teachers, and get really smart. I promise you, then, I’ll be back.”

Nielsen streaming data shows “FUBAR” had the best streaming numbers of any TV show in the days before he appeared at the Silicon Valley elementary campus.

He was, once again, on the top of the entertainment world. But Schwarzenegger chose to share this mountaintop moment with his goddaughter, while seeking to instill a love of learning amongst youth.

In a Facebook post wishing the children well over the break, the PTA confirmed the assembly had, indeed, been quite the surprise.

“Hope everyone has a wonderful summer,” its message read, “—and hasta la vista, sea turtles!”

Visit the Los Gatan’s YouTube channel to watch the video clips.

HOLLYWOOD VISIT Arnold Schwarzenegger surprised students and their teachers on the last day of the school year at Saratoga Elementary School on June 9. He told the children that a love of learning is the key to a successful life.

LOS GATOS’ BEACH BOY

STANDING ROOM ONLY John Wedemeyer (foreground) performs with the Beach Boys in front of a packed house at the Mountain Winery on July 6.

GOOD VIBES John Wedemeyer (third from left) joins original member Mike Love (far left) and other newer Beach Boys on stage.

LOCAL GUY Wedemeyer was besieged by local well wishers who he greeted and posed for photos with after the show.

PHOTOS BY DAVE LEPORI

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LGLL’S INTERMEDIATE BREAKTHROUGH

New team wins Section 5 tourney

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

If many of the names on the Los Gatos Little League Intermediate All Star team sound familiar, it’s because the vast majority of them played on the 12U team that advanced to the Northern California Divisional Tournament last year.

Well, the boys aged up a year and in the process have made history.

Manager Andre Torres believes this is the first time in LGLL history it has fielded an Intermediate squad, which is a 13-and-under division. Los Ga-

tos rolled the Section 5 Tournament competition, culminating with a 163, mercy-rule victory over Capitola/ Soquel on July 3 at Quimby Middle School in San Jose.

In three games, Los Gatos outscored its opponents by a combined margin of 40-7. The competition got ramped up in NorCals, as Los Gatos lost its first game but rebounded to win its second contest on July 9 in Yuba City. Whatever happens the rest of the way, it’s been a historic season.

“It’s kind of sinking in with the boys that this is probably the first Intermediate championship in Los Gatos Little League history because I don’t think we’ve had a team in this division

before,” manager Andre Torres said. “It was good to see it come all together.”

The roster includes Lucas Bottoms, Grant Browder, Ryan Carlisle, Cruz Catipon, Aarav Chugh, Nico Flores, Colton Kalin, TJ Lombardi, Cristian Machado, Kyle Matar, Brixton Mentz-Bonnifield, Jimmy Mort, Dexter Torres, and Skyler Levine with Andre Torres as manager and assistant coaches CT Kalin and Dave Lombardi.

The Intermediate Division is also known as 50/70, which refers to the differences in dimensions to the 12-and-under division and the Junior/ Senior League, the 14-and-up division. The first number, 50, refers to the distance in feet from the mound

to home plate, and the second number refers to the distance between basepaths.

In the 12U division, the distance from the mound to home plate is 46 feet and 60 feet between the bases. In the Junior/Senior League, the numbers match the Major League Baseball’s dimensions of 60 feet, 6 inches from the mound to home plate and 90 feet on the basepaths.

LGLL decided to form an Intermediate Division for a variety of reasons. Torres said Intermediate bridges the gap between the Majors 10-12U field dimensions and the Junior League specifications.

“Personally the jump from Majors to Juniors is kind of too big for some boys to play on,” he said. “So it’s more conducive for 13-year-olds who haven’t grown up all the way so to speak to play on the 50/70 field.”

With a couple of exceptions, this is largely the same group of boys who have aged up together for at least the last three years. Their dynamic run started at 10U and continued through last year to the NorCal round. In every age level, they’ve won District and reached the Sectional round. In some years, they’ve advanced all the way to NorCals.

“It’s a special group of boys and they find ways to keep going,” Torres said.

Los Gatos plays in District 12, which Torres said is the only district in the surrounding area that prior to this year didn't have an Intermediate league with multiple teams. Thus, as the only Intermediate squad in District 12 this season, Los Gatos received a walkover into the Section 5 Tournament.

Despite its dominant run in sectionals, things didn’t actually start out well for Los Gatos as it lost No. 1 pitcher Bottoms in the opening game just 10 pitches in.

“Things started off rocky and the team was kind of shell shocked in the moment,” Torres said. “But they rallied to close it out.”

Even with the big loss of Bottoms, Los Gatos is deep and balanced. Mentz-Bonnifield, Lombardi and Bottoms’ added injury replacement, Levine, are more than capable of getting the job done on the mound. Carlisle has been an offensive tour de force along with Chugh.

CHAMPIONS The Los Gatos Little League Intermediate All Star team celebrates after a 16-3 win over Capitola/Soquel in the Section 5 Tournament championship game on July 3 at Quimby Middle School in San Jose.

Jim Mort

Mort hit a walk-off home run in the Section 5 opener and Dexter Torres hit a walk-off homer in the second game. Catipon, an effective lefty, pitched four scoreless innings.

“When you win games the way we did in Section, everyone is contributing in one way or another,” Torres said.

Torres started floating the idea of assembling an Intermediate team for 2023 during last year’s all star tournament season. Like many other parents in LGLL, Torres didn’t even know there was an Intermediate Division until he turned on ESPN one day and saw the Little League World Series.

“It was weird,” he said. “I was flipping through channels and I saw this Intermediate Division, which I had never heard of before. Found out it was for 13-year-olds.”

Torres started spreading the word and encouraged and reminded the parents about the potential for an Intermediate Division in 2023. He credited LGLL President Chad Kutting and the board of directors for providing support and the framework to launch the division.

Last fall, Torres said they did a test run, asking other teams including Junior League squads to play some 50/70 scrimmages. And once one player and his family committed, it started a ripple effect.

CALENDAR

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

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: July 23: Traveling Wilburys Review. July 30: Suburban Bliss. Aug. 6: Aardvark. Aug. 13: Ruth Gerson. Aug. 20: Tortilla Soup. Aug. 27: Andre Thierry.

➝ LosGatosCA.gov/MIP.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

The Campbell Summer Concert series runs weekly on Thursday nights, with a bonus concert squeezed in on July 31.

back the HUEmanity Salons Series program titled “Drums in the Park” and “Drums of the World” on July 15 and Aug. 27. Scheduled workshops include making musical percussion instruments, drum playing and use of traditional African fabrics for collage creations. “Drums in the Park” will be July 15 at Town Plaza Park from 2-6pm, and “Drums in the World” will be Aug. 27 at Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos. Those interested in attending can register for free at awocenter.org/ drumsinthepark. For information, email askawo@awocenter.org or call 408.601.0364.

‘MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE’ SCREENING BENEFIT

“We banded together as a family and league,” Torres said.

The manager was encouraged because he said approximately 38 boys played in the league this year, from which an all star team was assembled.

“The goal now is to keep this going,” Torres said. “The Intermediate Division is great because it’s a bridge for that one year for them to get bigger and stronger to play on the Major League Field dimensions when they’re 14.”

It’s also a way to keep players in the Little League organization. Typically, players upon aging out of 12U will latch onto a travel ball club for the remainder of their careers through high school. But the Intermediate Division provides an avenue upon which friends can stay together at least one more year beyond 12U in the Little League umbrella.

For this Los Gatos Intermediate team, it wanted to run it back one more time as most of them have been on the same team since they were 10 years old.

“A lot of boys do just travel or quit baseball [after 12U] and this is an opportunity for another year to hang out with their buddies,” Torres said.

“We keep eight to 10 boys instead of losing them, keep the boys playing baseball together which ultimately is the end goal.”

➝ downtowncampbell.com/ event/2023/summer-concerts.

WEST VALLEY YOUTH THEATER

The summer season continues for West Valley Youth Theater, formerly known as Los Gatos Youth Theater. “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” runs July 13-15 at 7pm, July 15 at 2pm and July 16 at 1pm and 6pm. Tickets are $17 for children over 3, students, seniors and military; and adults are $20. “Rent,” for audiences ages 13 and up, runs July 20-22 at 7pm, July 22 at 2pm and July 23 at 1pm and 6pm. Tickets are $18 for children over 3, students, seniors and military; and adults are $20. All performances at Leigh High School Performing Arts Center.

➝ wvyt.org/tickets.

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 bring

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

➝ bit.ly/4183sMr.

SARATOGA CLASSIC & COOL CAR SHOW

More than 250 classic cars will gather at Saratoga Village along Big Basin Way for the 12th Annual Saratoga Classic & Cool Car Show on July 23 from 10am to 4pm. The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and the Cool Car Club of Saratoga, Los Gatos and Campbell host this free public event. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from local restaurants and a few food vendors. The week before the car show is Saratoga's Car Show Week consisting of the following events: July 18: Fuel Up Rally at 5pm at Big Basin Burger Bar; July 20: Revvin Up Rally at 5pm at Jake’s of Saratoga; July 22: Tri-City Cruise starts at the Saratoga Village 76 gas station and travels to Los Gatos and Campbell, arriving at 10:30am and leaving at 11:30am.

➝ saratogacarshow.com.

SPEEDY Grant Browder rounds the bases during the Los Gatos Intermediate All Star team’s 16-3 win over Capitola/Soquel in the Section 5 Tournament championship game on July 3 at Quimby Middle School in San Jose.

REMEMBERING THE PAGEANTS OF SUMMER

Alan Feinberg, Contributor Summer has arrived, and there’s no shortage of live music for us to enjoy here in Los Gatos, from regularly scheduled Jazz on the Plazz and Music in the Park concerts to special events like the multi-cultural Drums in the Park celebration.

Our tradition of regular summer entertainment began with great fanfare on June 21, 1919. The all-day festivities started with an afternoon band concert in front of the Hotel Lyndon followed by a flag raising by the Boy Scouts. There was a parade to Glen Ridge Avenue to watch an “Automobile Hill Climbing Contest.” A tennis tournament and baseball game were held at the high school, and there were picnics in Bunker Hill Park. The grand finale was the “Pageant of Fulfillment—A Symbolical and Historical Representation in Pageant-Play Form, in Four Movements, With Incidental Music.”

The live evening performance was held at the new Pageant Grounds, a large natural amphitheater behind the original Town Hall on E. Main St. It was the perfect site for elaborately staged theat-

rical productions. The main stage was on the concrete foundation of the old Los Gatos Cooperative Winery, which burned down in 1888. At 90 feet by 65 feet, it was large enough to accommodate a galloping horse! The San Jose Mercury made special note of the large orchestra pit in front of the stage and described the acoustics as “remarkable.”

The audience was seated under the stars on a gently sloping hill which is now occupied by the Civic Center. Benches made from rough wooden planks were supported by prune boxes, but uncomfortable seating did nothing to diminish an atmosphere of excitement and romance for thousands of people.

Each year’s pageant told a different story, often related to the history of the area. Up to 500 Los Gatos residents were involved, acting and singing on the stage, sewing costumes, building sets, dancing in the chorus, and playing in the orchestra. With a population of only 2,300, each pageant must have been quite a community-wide event.

On a summer evening in 1924, 3,000 people gathered to watch an original pageant called “El Gato de los Gatos.” It

was set on a rancho near Los Gatos in the year 1830, during the “golden age of the dons.” That idealized and legendary era, when Mexico ruled California, was a time of fiestas and great hospitality.

As word spread, people including the Governor traveled long distances to Los Gatos just to attend a pageant. The performances became so popular that a movement was started to plan a permanent outdoor theater with bowl-style seating.

Pageants ran for 12 consecutive years, from 1919 to 1930, and then intermittently until 1947 when interest waned. The tradition was revived once, with a special Centennial Pageant in 1987 on the 100th anniversary of the town’s incorporation.

In 2013, as part of the new Los Gatos Library project, the remaining Pageant Grounds were rescued from obscurity and reconstructed for public use as Pageant Park. The small landscaped park (less than half an acre) is easily accessible via a short pathway between the library and Civic Center. It features several picnic tables and benches surrounding a small lawn. You can still see remnants of a lighted waterfall which was powered by a fire hydrant on Cleveland Avenue

behind and above the former stage. Pageant Park is a hidden gem. Grab a book from the library or the Friends bookstore and relax in the tranquility of our newest municipal park.

Content and photos from “Discover LOST Gatos” historical walking tours by Alan Feinberg, Peggy ConawayBergtold and Sandy Decker. Download the free mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Contact us at discoverLOSTgatos@gmail.com.

LIVE PERFORMANCE Water nymphs frolic in the 1919 “Pageant of Fulfillment.”

GOLDEN AGE Local residents portray Carmencita Riz and Hernando de Hernandes in the 1924 pageant “El Gato de Los Gatos.”

Photos by Discover LOST Gatos

SOUVENIR Official program from “El Gato de Los Gatos."

Roberta

PURSUING THE BETTER ANGELS OF OUR NATURE

Jeffrey P. Blum , Contributor

Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural address included his appeal to “the better angels of our nature.” The potential outbreak of a Civil War loomed. Lincoln hoped his conciliatory words would stave off what we know with hindsight, was inevitable, a bloody and divisive war.

The “better angels” phrase came to mind as I participated in several starkly different events, where my emotions swung between hope and despair about the number of better angels who are at work in Los Gatos.

What does the phrase “better angels of our nature” mean? I’ve always taken it to require each of us to dig deeper into ourselves, to strive to exercise restraint in our words and manner. It aspires to act with enlightenment and virtue in dealing with others. Sadly, this deep digging in search of the better angels of our nature doesn’t occur nearly enough.

One speaker at a recent meeting I attended involving housing in Los Gatos, made negative comments about two Los Gatos leaders, one of whom was present to hear the speaker’s hurtful words. I lost track of the underlying message of the speaker as I thought about how I would react to such comments if they were spoken in a mediation setting. I would have said in reply: “That’s unproductive; Remember our ground rules to keep our discussions positive.”

As a commissioner on the Community Health and Senior Services Commission, I occasionally attend town council meetings. At the outset of these meetings, we are reminded to keep discussions civil and to act in an undisruptive manner. Despite this reminder I’ve witnessed several speakers personally attack our town council members while sharply criticizing their actions. I attended the town council meeting occurring more than a year ago that was so disruptive it led to Los Gatos making the national news, restraining order requests, hateful speech directed at the mayor’s son,

and a temporary change from in-person meetings to Zoom meetings due to the intense hostility.

I’ve also attended several one-on-one meetings where sniping about other town leaders is aired. I file these angry comments away and again wonder, are these negative statements productive?

I generally avoid Facebook and other social media because I come away feeling stunned at how angry people are about things that are, most of the time, completely out of their control.

By contrast, I recently attended a distinguished citizen award ceremony at the Terraces. I was there to honor Maureen Heath, Dick Konrad and several other worthy Los Gatos residents. I also recently attended a Rotary Club of Los Gatos Roast and Toast dinner, where Rotarians poked fun at Mike Norcia, our outgoing president, spoke glowingly of his successful tenure, and honored other Rotarians for their good deeds. Both activities left me feeling uplifted and thankful for the warm and caring attendees.

I am not so naïve as to expect political meetings to be warm and fuzzy events like the distinguished citizen’s ceremony and the Rotary Club of Los Gatos dinner. Nevertheless, I was struck by the contrast in tenor between the former events and the latter ones. This contrast made me wonder whether it must be the case that political meetings are divisive, whereas the latter events are civil and respectful occasions.

I’ve read many books about how to develop effective communication and negotiation skills in the context of mediation, government operations and volunteer endeavors. These books emphasize the importance of putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and trying to arrive at a resolution that addresses the other person’s concerns as much as possible. The deep digging into us to act in an enlightened, virtuous and even conciliatory way, is emphasized frequently. The call is indeed to the better angels of our nature.

Whether the discussion occurs in the context of government operations, while debating potentially politically charged issues, during attendance at award recognition ceremonies, or elsewhere, I suggest we try to dig deeper and grab the better angels of our nature. It is worth remembering that in most cases, our town council members, commissioners, board members and volunteers affiliated with service providers are striving to improve the human condition.

REAL ESTATE HOME OF THE WEEK

CLASSIC MEETS MODERN

This contemporary farmhouse built in 1925 was extensively remodeled in 2018. Located at 17216 Buena Vista Ave., the 2,762-square-foot home includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The home features many modern luxury touches, including an open kitchen, skylights and more. Two laundry areas and a two-car garage are also part of the home.

The backyard has drought-tolerant plantings, an expansive lawn and separate patio areas. The property also includes a 500-square-foot guest house.

The home is listed at $3,798,000 by Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno. For information, visit tinyurl. com/3fsnkuua.

BUENA VISTA AVENUE This Los Gatos home is built in the contemporary farmhouse style.

Many windows let the natural light in.

Jeffrey P. Blum is a family law mediator who lives in Los Gatos.