TOWN COUNCIL STRIKES DEAL TO DOWNSIZE SWENSON PROJECT
Disagreement over how to respond to Trump Admin
Drew Penner, Editor
Over a pair of items that packed the Los Gatos Council Chambers on March 18, Los Gatos’ elected officials showed that, on some contentious issues, they’ll band together despite differences. On others, common ground is harder to find.
A developer’s proposal to extend Builder’s Remedy housing rights (which allow more intense construction than normal) drew unanimous Council support. The petitioner, Swenson Builders, sought a deadline extension in exchange for a promise to shelve its seven-story condo application, which has elicited neighborhood opposition.
However, when considering how to respond to federal threats to pull funding for municipalities and as part of the new administration’s initiatives to reshape American life in other ways, the body split along ideological lines.
For Swenson’s Newtown development, all Council members
ENTREPRENEURS SHOWCASE THE LATEST LINEUP FROM ALAMITOS VINEYARDS
Former winemaker at Saratoga’s Cinnabar now works for New Almaden company
Laura Ness, Contributor
Every St. Patrick’s Day, I’m reminded of the enormous fun our high school had putting on the musical “Finian’s Rainbow.” The music was lively. The sets featured a luminous rainbow and a huge pot spilling over with goofy looking gold. The costumes were even goofier, and it was a hoot listening to my classmates trying to spoof Irish accents.
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STUDENTS PICKED FOR COUNTY’S ‘ARTNOW’ EXHIBIT
9 budding SHS and LGHS artist make the cut
Staff Report
The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District announced last week three Los Gatos High School students and six Saratoga High School students have been accepted to an annual juried Santa Clara County high school art exhibition. The educational program, titled “ArtNow,” is presented by New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU). It’s set to open April 4.
The artsy learners’ contributions were picked from a pool of more than 700 entries throughout Santa Clara County, putting these students in the top 10%. Participating artists can win scholarship money and awards in eight artistic categories: painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, photography, digital art and video/animation.
Students selected:
• Clara Choi, 10th grade (SHS)
• Seoyoung Choi, 11th grade (LGHS)
• Gonzalo Fernandez da Ponte, 11th grade (SHS)
• Estelle Paduano, 11th grade, (LGHS)
OVERHEAD COLOR This piece by Saratoga High freshman
Shi will be on view, along with those of other student artists, until July 20
• Amy Pan, 12th grade (SHS)
• Milla Petersen, 11th grade (LGHS)
• Celina Ren, 11th grade (SHS)
• Olivia Shi, 9th grade (SHS)
• Joanne Zhang, 11th grade (SHS) This year’s theme, “Dreamscapes,” was co-created with the ArtNow Teen Council as a way to show how art re-
flects our dreams—and how dreams reflect our hopes, fears, values, environment and aspirations. Students were instructed to create an original work on this theme.
The exhibit will be on view at NUMU from April 4-July 20.
TO THE EDITOR
THE TERRACES OPEN HOUSE SHOWCASES COMMUNITY WITHIN A COMMUNITY
Residents gave the public a glimpse of what life is like beyond the front gates
Dinah Cotton, Contributor
The Terraces of Los Gatos held a Spring Open House, last week, at its 800 Blossom Hill Rd. digs, not too far off Los Gatos Boulevard. This nineacre residential campus has been welcoming downsizers since 1992. Those who live here say they enjoy an active, intellectually stimulating lifestyle. The open house provided a peek at recent multi-million dollar renovations.
The ambiance at the galleria offers feelings of well-appointed living with style and grace. Here residents lounge before heading into dinner, or off on a walk downtown.
The water feature in the front of the galleria has a stone ball that rolls with water pouring over it, providing a tranquil yet kinetic feel to the entire area. The two pillars behind seem connected to the water's fluidity.
➝ Terraces, 11
Old Fire House could be saved for local veterans groups
We (American Legion, Post 809 of San Jose) recommend you to look more into future possibilities for the old Fire House. We are aware that it was built in 1926, so it could be declared a historical landmark. We are aware that repairs need to be done—that is nothing new. But the important thing is to think about the people of Los Gatos.
The American Legion was established in 1919, and our pillars of service are: the veterans, veteran’s families, military service members, military service members’ families, the youth and community. American Legion Post 99 does a lot for the Town of Los
Gatos and many other surrounding towns and cities. They do not expect anything in return, not a pay check or recognition. Why? Because, when we serve, we serve from the heart of the community, the heart of the legion. We serve from our hearts.
Do not make the mistakes other cities are making by selling off the Town’s property to some rich company to come in and build their projects. For, like most cities, the more of the Town’s property you allow to be destroyed, the more you allow the culture, the history, the identity of the city to fade away and be forgotten.
Therefore, we respectfully ask you as the Town Council—not the
Town Manager, but the Council, the representatives, the elected leadership of Los Gatos—to come together in having the Fire House become a historical landmark. You should allow the organization that shares the same intent as you to serve the community of Los Gatos and to safely meet in the Fire House.
Clifford R. Rodriguez American Legion, Post 809
Reader pleased with police cooperation for arrest
The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department, along with the Healdsburg Police Department, deserves a special thanks from us Los Gatos residents for prioritizing
our public safety—through a collaborative effort to remove a dangerous suspect who had escaped from Sonoma County Sheriff's Office and a California Highway Patrol helicopter. They relayed information he was hiding out in our community and were coming in to apprehend the suspect while our LGMSPD helped secure a perimeter. Personally, I am thankful the enforcement agencies can/will work together to make our community safer, despite recent ideology that would restrict such cooperation.
Craig
*Letters are edited for length and clarity
Olivia
at NUMU.
Steen —via email
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CONSIDERING THE PROS AND CONS
Council, from page 1
sought a solution to the Builder’s Remedy project, and were motivated by the offer of much lower building heights.
Which action to take in the moment, however, seemed less clear.
Because Los Gatos failed to get a Housing Element plan approved in a timely manner, it opened the door to the development in the first place.
But a key deadline was approaching, and Swenson still had more paperwork to file.
It was seeking a “tolling agreement” to essentially preserve the rights it had gained due to the Town’s foot-dragging on facilitating new housing.
(A tolling agreement is a deal between parties to extend a deadline period.)
In exchange, Swenson pledged to do away with the highrise and build three-story town homes instead. But the developer wanted to remove the deadlines.
There was a line of thinking that
the option to reject the tolling agreement.
Whelan said if Council went with the new agreement, this would give the applicant more time to work on a townhome project—but they could also keep working on the tower plan and bring it back later.
“There’s pros and cons for the Town Council to weigh,” she said.
Councilmember Mary Badame asked if it was typical for an agreement like this one to omit an end date.
Whelan said there was a mechanism either party could use to terminate the contract.
Several residents spoke against Newtown’s seven-story building during public comment, though there was disagreement about whether to go the tolling agreement route or not. Swenson Builders did not opt to speak during public comment.
So, Badame invited the company’s vp of development, Mark Pilarczyk, up to the podium, later on.
Pilarczyk claimed the company had everything ready to go, but was just trying to get a new option on the table that would please the community more.
“We have a Builder’s Remedy application for a seven-story building,” he said. “We’ve held off on submitting.”
“Why not come forth earlier with that, rather than wait five days before the Builder’s Remedy is due to expire?” retorted Badame.
Pilarczyk said his presence at Council, pushing for a tolling agreement, was proof the company is serious about charting a new course, and not just buying time.
after meeting with local residents. He agreed to a Dec. 31, 2027 end to the tolling agreement (with an initial deadline of March 31, 2026 for submitting plans).
Given the Town’s weak bargaining position—due to HCD’s efforts to erode the power of the Builder’s Remedy deadline—and because of Swenson’s new project falling in line with what neighbors prefer, Council voted unanimously in support of the tolling agreement.
“I hope that other developers are listening,” said Mayor Matthew Hudes. “While we can’t declare victory at this point, I think we can celebrate progress.”
Federal Fears
Council was much less in harmony when it came to how to respond to the second Trump Administration, including its budget-slashing, immigration policy and other actions.
It’s not that there were elected officials who discounted the possibility of millions of federal dollars evaporating, potentially overnight.
But Mayor Hudes wanted to constrain future discussions on the topic to limited matters of funding in relation to Town services, while Vice Mayor Rob Moore and Councilmember Maria Ristow hoped to have more wide-ranging discussions.
Hudes and Councilmember Badame both argued having vent-sessions about things the body doesn’t even control wouldn’t be productive.
said the Town should allow the development rights to expire and force Swenson to return with a project that follows Los Gatos’ regular land use rules.
But during the course of the meeting, it became clear that the state no longer really considers this particular date much of a meaningful deadline at all.
“The Town’s view is that the 90-day periods are limited,” said Town Attorney Gabrielle Whelan, responding to a question from Councilmember Rob Rennie (appearing via Zoom) about the correspondence from the Department of Housing and Community Development, which, she said, suggests they feel these may go on indefinitely.
Given this new information, Rennie said it could be too much of a risk to rely on the developer not making the deadline at the last minute and that courts would side with the Town’s position.
“We’re really rolling the dice,” he said of
“Are you planning on meeting with town residents?” Badame asked.
“Yes, we’ll be available to meet,” he said, adding they’d even accept a hard deadline for the town homes, too.
Councilmember Rennie asked if Swenson was planning on asking for an exception to the Town’s affordability requirements.
Pilarczyk responded by referring to an initial project concept (that was never officially submitted) that showed an 11-story building with around 500 units, which some neighbors believe was drawn-up to make the seven-story tower seem more palatable.
“We revised our application down,” he said, suggesting they probably would seek an exception from below-market-rate program rules. “We’re doing a substantial drop in total units.”
Pilarczyk told the Los Gatan Swenson was genuinely planning on building 11 stories in the first place, until
After hearing passionate contributions from a range of locals with divergent viewpoints, Council discussed instituting a regular staff check-in on the subject, every other month.
Rennie, often a swing vote, signaled he was planning to side with Hudes, this time.
The politicking got so complex that Vice Mayor Moore introduced an alternate motion to Hudes’ alternate motion.
When that failed, Ristow and Moore voted in support of Hudes’ motion, to at least get something official moving forward. Badame voted against.
During the discussion, Town Manager Chris Constantin said staff is already drawing-up a more conservative budget this year, so that Los Gatos isn’t caught flat-footed if federal funding disappears.According to a staff report, of the $10 million awarded to the Town by the feds, about $7.7 million of this has yet to be received, putting funding for the library, emergency management and the Los Gatos Creek Trail-Highway 9 connector project at risk.
BUILDING REAL ESTATE Mark Pilarczyk, Swenson Builders’ vp of development, responds to questions from Council. The developer got an extension for its seven-story tower project by promising to work on a town homes plan.
Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan
BARREL TASTING
Alamitos, from page 1
This St. Patrick’s Day, with unsettled weather and a cool breeze, proved ideal for rainbow-watching in the emerald hills along the Almaden Reservoir. My destination was Alamitos Vineyards, perched in the steep terrain adjacent to Quicksilver Park.
Alamitos Vineyards owner Shaun Coleman and winemaker George Troquato, who made wine for Cinnabar for decades, had invited me to check out the 2024 whites they were about to bottle, along with the 2023 pinot noir. Barrel tasting is a privilege that really helps you hone your sensory skills. Also, it sharpens your prediction abilities, as you try to project how a wine will evolve. The basic premise is, if it tastes pretty darn good right now, has no rough edges or attitudes—and wouldn’t benefit from more snooze time on the barrel—then it’s time to bottle.
Planted in 2015 and opened in 2021, Alamitos Vineyards is the agricultural passion project of proprietors Shaun Coleman and Chris Maune. They’re tech entrepreneurs who’ve built several companies, and who have family histories that include farming. Coleman’s Portuguese heritage led him to plant touriga nacional, from which they make rosé. His grandfather made wine in Livermore Valley, for Cresta Blanca, Concannon and Wente. Maune’s grandfather and father were Iowa soybean and wheat farmers.
Each year, the two have learned important, if sometimes painful, lessons about grape-growing. Their sixacre vineyard is planted to sauvignon blanc, which is along the bottom of the property—influenced by the chilly breeze off the reservoir. Syrah and touriga nacional inhabit the warmer upslope. The couple purchased the parcel—including several residences tucked among majestic live and blue oaks, surrounded by a velvety lush lawn—in 2014, from owners who used the property for weddings and events.
In the shadowed light that played between the ominous dark clouds to the west, the cover crop between the sauv blanc vineyard rows practically glowed with different shades of green. “Vineyards are a monoculture,” explained Troquato. “Planting a mix of seeds for the cover crop creates biodiversity, adds nutrients to the soil, attracts beneficial insects and helps the
vines grow stronger. All these clovers, legumes and burdock help build the soil. We won’t till it or mow it, but just let it naturally become absorbed.”
Troquato says the vineyard is getting healthier each year, through proper pruning and soil amendments. Healthier vineyards yield better wine. And, yes, you can taste the difference.
With the wind driving raindrops sideways from the spitting clouds above, we tasted from the steel and wood barrels inside one of the many refrigerated railroad cars that’ve been turned into storage sheds.
First up: a dawn pale rosé of albarino, touriga and syrah, with a welcoming perfumey nose of fresh rhubarb and rose petals. The Albarino delivers nectarine and lime on the palate, while the syrah adds a bit of grip, and the touriga leaves the impression of a fruit hard candy on the finish. It’s fresh and lively and enormously tasty, and I must admit most of it landed on my boots when I dumped it out, just as the wind whipped around from the north. This job does have its perils.
The 2024 estate sauvignon blanc
is a confluence of two styles: fumé, which is overtly oak influenced, and pure stainless—with zero oak. The former is associated with Napa, while the latter is the winning formula of New Zealand. Not a fan of either, but preferring to marry the two approaches, Troquato says, “We went for the middle. We’re not looking for oak flavors per se. Just the texture.” The candied pineapple melds with stonefruit, kiwi and papaya for a lovely compromise. Their very first chardonnay comes from the Tondre Grapefields in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Neither Coleman or Maune even like chardonnay, and didn’t plant it. But they disappointed far too many chard lovers who won’t drink any other white. So, they resolved to add this to the portfolio. Opening with nice orchard fruit on the creamy palate and finishing with more than a hint of toasty oak should please those who like the California sunshine style of chardonnay. It began to rain more decidedly as we headed down the hill to the trailer where the reds rested in their barrels. Troquato wanted me to try three dif -
ferent samples of the same pinot noir. All were 2023 pinot noir from the Tondre Grapefields, the same source as the chardonnay.
The first barrel sample had a distinctive rose petal and strawberry aroma, with vivid red current, red raspberry and pretty red cherry on the palate. A hint of tarragon and lavender kept it fresh and exciting. Barrel #2 was more nuanced and delicate, with lovely incense, sandalwood and orange peel. Its elevated acid and citrus drive kept it zinging in my head. The third sample was a little simpler, tasting of strawberry soda, with a bit of skin tannin on the finish.
Each was intriguing in its own right, with the second sample seeming to stand apart. Perhaps they’ll all be blended together. Maybe they’ll bottle the #2 barrel on its own, to provide club members two different experiences.
“We want the absolute best wine we can make: we can’t afford to make mediocre wine,” Troquato says, with Coleman affirming. “If you are going to be a winery, why not make the best wine possible?”
AGRICULTURAL Alamitos Vineyards was planted in 2015 and opened in 2021. It’s a project of proprietors Shaun Coleman and Chris Maune.
Laura Ness / Los Gatan
SPORTS
WILDCATS RELOAD FOR ANOTHER TITLE RUN
Softball team aims for Open breakthrough
Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor
Having returned all but one starter off a team that went undefeated in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division last year, the Los Gatos High School softball team looks poised to run the table again this season.
The Wildcats entered this week’s action at 4-3 overall and 1-0 in De Anza Division play, including a 10-1 win over Homestead in the league opener on March 20. Los Gatos has qualified for the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs in three of the last five years, but has yet to walk off the field with a victory.
“Getting a win in the Open Division would be the next logical step for the program,” coach Randy Frey said. “Los Gatos High School softball hasn’t won CCS since 1993, so we’d like to fix that as well.”
With the returning sister battery of pitcher Ava Norquist and catcher Annika Norquist—the duo were the 2024 SCVAL De Anza Division co-MVPs— Los Gatos has the ability to match up against the top teams in the CCS.
That was evident in a season-opening 2-0 loss to Mitty, a traditional Northern California power.
Ava, a sophomore, has 34 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched. As dominant as Norquist has been in the circle, she’s been equally as potent at the plate.
Ava and Danica, pitching is not going to be our problem. And actually, I don’t really know what our problem is going to be. We can hit, we can play defense and we can pitch.”
Of that, there is no doubt. The Wildcats have already bashed four home runs from four different players, surpassing their total from last season. They return shortstop Grace Tucker, who was the 2024 De Anza Division Offensive Player of the Year.
Second baseman Olivia Sickels is a five-tool player who boosts the team in several ways.
“She may be one of the best pure athletes ever to come through the program,” Frey said. “She runs like a deer, hits, slides everywhere, hustles everywhere.”
Twin sisters Lily and Robyn Young round out the infield at first base and third base, respectively. Both players are reliable and have had some standout performances. Frey has been encouraged by the play of Addie Sorto, who has been starting as the designated player but can also play catcher, third base and outfield.
“Last year, Addie sprained her ankle in a club game in January, and that basically caused her to miss all of preseason conditioning and a lot of practices,” Frey said. “She got off to a really slow start and sort of never recovered. But this year she’s come out on fire and is tearing the cover off the ball.”
Norquist leads the team with 13 hits in seven games, producing a .565 batting average and nine RBIs while hitting from the cleanup spot. Annika, a senior, provides a steadying presence behind the plate with her ability to call pitches and play rock-solid defense.
In sophomore Danica DeSantis, the Wildcats have a strong No. 2 pitcher who can spell some innings for Ava Norquist—a luxury they didn’t have last season. DeSantis has allowed just two hits in 11 innings pitched and sports a 0.00 ERA and .182 WHIP.
“Danica has pitched really well, which is great for us,” Frey said. “The plan is to let her pitch her fair share of innings so we can keep Ava strong through the end of the season. With
Sorto leads the team with a robust .579 batting average to go along with eight RBIs and seven runs scored. The outfield is also stockloaded with talent, including Sophia Krish, Ria Sharma, Tessa Lillienstein and Keira Kelly.
To further elevate the team, Frey put together arguably the toughest nonleague schedule in program history.
Los Gatos has already played CCS powers Mitty and Valley Christian and still has St. Francis, Capuchino, Carlmont and Westmont in nonleague action—just to name a few.
“We’ll probably have our ups and downs this year because of the competitiveness of our schedule,” Frey said. “The girls need to realize they can play with these teams because they can and they showed it against Mitty. So we'll continue to get better and better and I’m happy with what I’ve seen from the team so far.”
ATHLETIC Wildcats junior Olivia Sickels (right) is a five-tool player and can play second base, shortstop and the outfield.
SENIOR LIVING
Terraces, from page 4
Life Transitions
Choosing to downsize is a huge latelife decision. Here at the Terraces, options range from Independent Living to Memory Support. Residential units range in size from alcove to patio homes and are cleaned twice a month. The pool is kept at 85 degrees. There is even an area to garden, if that is your passion.
I caught up with resident Sharon Roth and her dog Roxi, who have been living here for a decade now. I also met Ruth Sporer and her dog Daisy, who arrived Jan. 8. We headed off the byway, through the residences, to the individual garden area. “The team here are kind, supportive and just plain lovely,” Ruth said.
We passed the gated pool, where Sue Livingstone joined. Livingstone drew our attention to her home— which sports an American flag on the patio, as we continued on to the individual gardens.
Beyond the bocce ball court, we came upon Roland Von Huene, tending his beet patch and planting snap peas. Marshall and Sue Heller also appeared in the sparkling sunshine.
The Terraces of Los Gatos is owned and managed by HumanGood NorCal, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation serving seniors. There is a 1-3-year waiting list to get in. Potential residents are tested mentally and physically prior to getting the okay to move in, to this thriving community within a community.
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FRONT DOOR A unique water feature at the galleria entrance.
EVERYBODY NEEDS A LIFELINE IN THE BLOOD BANK
A Rotary inspiration, shadowed by the Ides of March at St. Luke’s
Jeffrey P. Blum, Contributor
For two years, I’ve organized blood drives, transforming St. Luke’s Church in Los Gatos into a hub of hope, in partnership with the American Red Cross and our dedicated Rotary Clubs. What began as a logistical dance of appointments and volunteers has become a visceral understanding of community power.
Alongside my fiancé, Lissa Kreisler, as co-chair of our Rotary Community Service Projects and Grants Committee, we’ve strived to bridge the gap between need and generosity In the case of these blood drives, this has ensured a steady stream of life-saving donations.
This, in essence, is our own ongoing Rotary inspirational story, one of collective action and tangible impact. But even as we build this lifeline, the specter of the Ides lingers, a reminder
of the fragility of even the most welllaid plans.
It was only recently, however, that the true gravity of our efforts hit home, a realization sharpened by the approaching Ides of March.
As a commissioner on the Los Gatos Community Health and Senior Services Commission, I recognized that facilitating these drives wasn’t just community service; it was a direct investment in the very health of our town.
We were, in essence, bolstering the frontlines of local healthcare, a defense against the unseen vulnerabilities that can strike without warning, like the treacherous blows of the Ides.
The reality is stark, a truth as unyielding as the calendar’s march toward March 15: blood is a constant, desperate need.
Hospitals are perpetual battlefields where surgeries, traumas and chronic illnesses demand this irreplaceable resource.
Consider these chilling facts, courtesy of the American Red Cross, facts
powerful testament to collective action, a bulwark against unforeseen calamities.
• The Power of Narrative: Dispelling myths and sharing compelling stories proved more potent than any statistic, a way to arm the community against ignorance and fear.
• Logistical Symphony: Coordinating appointments, managing donor flow, and ensuring a seamless experience became a finely tuned art, a precision necessary to maintain the flow of life.
• The Amplification of Small Acts: Each pint, a seemingly small sacrifice, reverberates through the community, a testament to the power of individual generosity, a counterpoint to the forces of entropy.
• Commissioning Community Health: I now see blood drives as a crucial pillar of our community’s well-being, a direct manifestation of our Community Health and Senior Services Commission’s mission, a safeguard against the unexpected. Beyond the tangible impact, these drives have been a crucible of personal growth. I’ve forged connections, honed my organizational prowess, and experienced a profound sense of purpose, a purpose that feels ever more vital as the Ides approached.
that echo the suddenness of betrayal:
• Every two seconds, someone in the US cries out for blood or platelets, a desperate plea in the face of an unforeseen crisis.
• Imagine: 29,000 units of red blood cells vanish daily in America, a silent hemorrhage that demands constant replenishment.
• Nearly 16 million blood components surge through veins across the nation each year, a testament to the constant struggle against mortality.
• A single car accident can devour 100 units of blood, a stark reminder of fragility, a sudden, devastating blow.
• And for those battling cancer, like the estimated 2 million diagnoses in 2024, blood is often a daily necessity during chemotherapy, a relentless battle against an insidious foe.
The Anatomy of a Lifeline: Key Takeaways
• Community Alchemy: We witnessed the transformation of disparate individuals into a unified force, a
This Ides of March, the response was overwhelming. We saw a steady stream of donors, so many that we reached our capacity.
The sheer volume of support was a powerful testament to our community's commitment.
The generosity I’ve witnessed is a constant source of inspiration, a reminder that even in a world often marked by division, humanity’s capacity for compassion remains boundless, a light against the shadows.
I urge you: join us.
Become a part of this lifeline. Whether as a donor, a volunteer or an advocate, you can make a difference.
As a Community Health and Senior Services commissioner and a Rotarian, I am committed to continuing this vital work, strengthening the ties that bind our community and ensuring that the lifeblood of Los Gatos flows strong. Just as we share inspirational stories at Rotary, let this blood drive be a story that inspires action and hope, a beacon against the darkness that the Ides can represent.
GIVING OF YOURSELF Blood is collected from Rotarian Rachelle Lopp during a drive at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Los Gatos, March 15.
Name Change
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME. CASE NO. 25CV456603
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petition of: Joshua Ushik Choe for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: Joshua Ushik Choe. Proposed name: Joshua Choe Tran. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name change described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: March 5, 2025 at 8:45 am, room: Probate. filed on: January 15, 2025 (pub dates: 02/26, 03/05, 03/12, 03/19/2025)
Fictitious Business Name Statements
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #712795
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Bay Area Design And Wear, 1850 Norseman Drive, San Jose, CA, 95133, Miguel Angel Hernandez Juarez. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 01/01/2025. /s/Miguel Angel Hernandez Juarez. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 01/16/2025. (pub LG 02/26, 03/05, 03/12, 03/19/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #713508
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Vuelo Barber Studios, 7787 Suite A Monterey St., Gilroy, CA, 95020, Reyly Alvarado. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/06/2025. /s/Reyly Alvarado. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 02/06/2025. (pub LG 03/05, 03/12, 03/19, 03/26/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714041
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Derma Corrections, 2986 Meridian Ave., San Jose, CA, 95124, Vanessa Christine Loque. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Vanessa C Loque. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 02/25/2025. (pub Metro 03/05, 03/12, 03/19, 03/26/2025)
File Number: FBN713835. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: LiButti Capital , 6203 San Ignacio Ave # 110, San Jose, CA 95119. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, Grenadicci LLC, 6203 San Ignacio Ave # 110, San Jose, CA 95119. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 02/19/2025 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Grenadicci LLC, Article/Reg # 202250419517, Above Entity was Formed in the State of California. /s/ Anthony LiButti /s/ Managing Member. (Pub LGN: 03/12, 03/19, 03/26, 04/02/2025)
File Number: FBN714156. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: A HERO DRIVING SCHOOL , 80 Gilman Ave Suite 31 A, Campbell, CA 95008. This business is conducted by: An Individual, TAWFIQ ASAD, 17298 Reunion St, Lathrop, CA 95330. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above
PUBLIC NOTICES
on 02/28/2025 and 02/28/2025 is the file date.
Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Tawfiq Asad /s/. (Pub LGN: 03/12, 03/19, 03/26, 04/02/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #713999
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Pro Realty, 18312 Swarthmore Drive, Saratoga, CA, 95070, Monte Tajik. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/ Monte Tajik. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 02/24/2025. (pub LG 03/05, 03/12, 03/19, 03/26/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714227
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Rapid Baths & Showers, 7052 Santa Teresa Blvd., San Jose, CA, 95139, Kory E Rushing. This business is being conducted by a Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 03/04/2025. /s/Kory Rushing. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/04/2025. (pub Metro 03/12, 03/19, 03/26, 04/02/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #713954
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Tricore Panels, 2175 De La Cruz Blvd Suite 3, Santa Clara, CA, 95050, Mish-Ra Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 08/21/2013. /s/Hellia Misha Homara. CEO. #3490622. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 02/21/2025. (pub LG 03/12, 03/19, 03/26, 04/02/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #713603
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CG Therapy, 1930 Camden Ave Suite 1A, San Jose, CA, 95124, Cheryl Ann Gittens. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/10/2025. /s/Cheryl Ann Gittens. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 02/10/2025. (pub LG 03/12, 03/19, 03/26, 04/02/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714327
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: PMI Willow Glen, 4414 Stone Canyon Drive, San Jose, CA, 95136, Willow Glen Corp. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 3/7/25. /s/Nabeel William Khashan. President. #6454803 This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/07/2025. (pub LG 03/19, 03/26, 04/02, 04/09/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714475
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 2 The Core Cleaning Services, 1990 Lavender Way, Gilroy, CA, 95020, Lucia C Franco. This business is being conducted by a, Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 03/12/2025. /s/Lucia C Franco. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/12/2025. (pub LG 03/19, 03/26, 04/02, 04/09/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714301
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Loan Factory, 2195 Tully Road, San Jose, CA, 95122, Loan Factory Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 10/01/2016. /s/Thuan Nguyen. President. #2887317. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/06/2025. (pub Metro 03/19, 03/26, 04/02, 04/09/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714139
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Carlos Garage Door Services, 1064 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, CA, 95125, DA General Contractors Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Danny Atar. Owner. #C4717496. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 02/28/2025. (pub Metro 03/26, 04/02, 04/09, 04/16/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714696
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Mike’s Signs, 308 N. Abbott Ave., Milpitas, CA, 95035, Michael J. Macias. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 03/18/2025. /s/Michael J. Macias. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/19/2025. (pub Metro 03/26, 04/02, 04/09, 04/16/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714061
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: The Michelada Lady, 701 Vine St., San Jose, CA, 95111, Katelynn Marie Dawson. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Katelynn Marie Dawson. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 02/25/2025. (pub LG 03/26, 04/02, 04/09, 04/16/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714292
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Jojoba Arts&Crafts, 3355 Octavius Drive Apt 255, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, Xiaodong Huang. This business is being conducted by an Individual.
legals@losgatan.com
Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/ Xiaodong Huang. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/06/2025. (pub LG 03/12, 03/19, 03/26, 04/02/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714496
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Best-2-own Homes, 20035 Orchard Meadow, Saratoga, CA, 95070, Summit Solutions Team Corp. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant has not begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Mehran Aminzadeh. President. #C3189805. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/12/2025. (pub Metro 03/26, 04/02, 04/09, 04/16/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714755
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Baguinon Trucking, 1967 Anders Pl., Manteca, CA, 95337, Ryan Anas Baguinon. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 01/29/2020. /s/Ryan Anas Baguinon. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/20/2025. (pub Metro 03/26, 04/02, 04/09, 04/16/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #714405
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: LaVoie Acupuncture, 1054 Courtland Ave., Milpitas, CA, 95035, Derek K. Lavoie. This business is being conducted by an individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Derek K. Lavoie. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/11/2025. (pub LG 03/19, 03/26, 04/02, 04/09/2025
LIVES
Billie Carol Gordon
March 7, 1943 – February 11, 2025
Billie Carol Gordon, beloved mother, sister and friend passed away on February 11, 2025, at the age of 81. Born in Wheeler, Texas, on March 7, 1943, Billie with her late husband, Bill Gordon, later made her home in Los Gatos, California.
Billie had a passion for travel, a deep love for animals, and an eye for the beauty of the natural world. She was an avid birdwatcher, rock hound, gardener and traveller. She loved to laugh and make others laugh along with her. She could turn any time into a good time.
She once told her daughter that she wanted her gravestone to say that her last words were ‘ Hey Bubba, watch this’. That is how she lived her life.
Billie will be remembered for her laughter, her generous heart and the love she shared with both people and animals alike. She is deeply missed, but her spirit lives on in the laughter of good friends and the quiet wonders of nature she cherished— the call of a bird, the sparkle of a found stone, and the joy of a well-told story.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date, where family and friends will gather to honor her memory, share stories, laugh and maybe even pocket a rock or two in her honor.
