Los Gatan October 11 2023

LOS GATOS HIGH SCHOOLER LEADS

RESEARCH DRIVE TO UNCOVER LIVER

MYSTERIES

Findings suggest more youth may be at risk of disease than thought

Drew Penner, Reporter

When Julia Ernsting, now 16, was in fifth grade, she was stressed out with more than just the daily grind of a middle school student.

It was because she was frequently traveling up the peninsula to San Francisco to check on an immediate family member who had been diagnosed with liver cancer.

“Because they knew about the cancer early enough, he was able to get a transplant,” she said, remembering how intense the ordeal was, and how she did whatever she could to make his things more manageable for him. “They let me send in my favorite stuffed animal.”

Her loved one recovered, but the experience stuck with her.

Even as she earned a spot on the Los Gatos High School varsity water polo team, she began helping the campus football training staff, filling water bottles and doing preliminary taping.

Because as much as she loved the team aspect of conquering ➝ Research, 4

RISING TENNIS STAR COMES UP ACES FOR WILDCATS

LGHS sophomore is a top talent

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

In most sports at the prep level, the top athletes and college prospects play for their high school.

Tennis happens to be one of those sports where it’s hit and miss, depending on the player. For Wildcats’ sophomore ace Kayla Mitchell, playing in high school gives her a special enjoyment and fulfillment that differs from playing in the more competitive United States Tennis Association (USTA) tournaments.

Ranked in the top 20 in Northern California and top 200 nationally in the U16 age division, Mitchell travels out of ➝ Tennis, 12

ON THE STRINGS Wildcats sophomore Kayla Mitchell is one of the top-ranked players in the Central Coast Section. She’s helped lead Los Gatos to a 5-2 league record entering this week’s action.

Jonathan Natividad

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STUDENT DESCRIBES PROCESS

Research, from page 1

in the pool, she couldn’t let go of her growing interest in the possibilities of the medical world.

She wanted to understand the mysteries of the liver.

“I always knew I wanted to do research,” she said. “It was just a question of how to get my foot in the door.”

She reached out to Los Gatos Research Group, LLC, and embarked on a study that would probe the unknowns of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NFLD) in youth.

Many are aware that drugs and alcohol can wreak havoc on your liver. However, NAFLD—a liver problem that can’t be attributed to such behaviors—is now recognized by experts as the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.

Most of these patients have what’s called “simple steatosis,” a somewhat-harmless accumulation of fat in the blood-cleansing organ, though some face more serious consequences.

For the study to work, Ernsting had to convince a bunch of her friends, as well as total strangers, to go through an examination and respond to a number of personal questions—not exactly at the top of the list of potential extracurriculars for a teen.

Or, to put the endeavor in Ernsting’s words—“social suicide.”

Her dad, Kevin, remembers how the project hit a snag.

“At the beginning it was hard because she was trying to get people to go to the physician’s office,” he said. “People—especially at the beginning when her friends were younger—a lot of them didn’t drive.”

Julia was able to get certified to do the liver scans herself and secured permission from the school to complete on-site examinations of her fellow students.

“Some of them were scared,” she said, adding having a peer completing the research task seemed to put them at ease. “They had a friendly face doing it.”

Thanks to the assistance of people such as Jacob Rojas, the LGHS head athletic trainer, she was able to turn the corner and recruit a total of 83 people.

“I just thought of how much this could help other kids for screening, and how this could show a new side of fatty liver,” she said. “I was lucky to have people help me.”

In some ways, what lay ahead was the most difficult part.

Instead of the regular term paper challenges, she had to figure out how to develop an “abstract”—the introductory portion of a research paper that summarizes the findings.

“It was definitely a little bit stressful,” she said. “Writing the abstract was probably one of the hardest things I’ve done.”

She ixnayed social functions and spent hours on Zoom calls with her research mentor, working out the most efficient and precise way to characterize the data.

They submitted it to the NASPGHAN 2023 conference in San Diego, which is the first step toward putting the research out into the scientific world.

Then, on a Friday afternoon in August, she got an email from the cochairs of the abstracts committee.

“We are pleased to inform you that your abstract entitled, ‘High Prevalence of Fatty Liver Among Adolescents Age 14-19 Based on Transient Elastography’ has been selected for poster presentation at NASPGHAN 2023,” it said. “Congratulations and we look forward to seeing you in San Diego.”

The fact the message’s salutation was “Dear Dr. Ernsting,” underlines how the pediatric gastroenterologists accepted her presentation on its merits, and not as a gimmick to add a plucky high schooler to an otherwise stuffy gathering of specialists.

Ernsting was elated.

“It was like getting into my dream college,” she said. “I actually got accepted.”

But now, this meant she had to develop the research into a poster that could be exhibited at the event.

“It was hours of me just sitting down on my computer and going into InDesign and working out every little detail,” she said, recalling how she had to put in charts by hand, because the original images were too blurry to look good at such a large scale.

She prepared her spiel, went over it again and again, and, over the weekend, headed down to San Diego for the first time in her life.

“I was so stressed the morning of; I woke up at 6am,” she said, remem-

bering how she faced the mirror and ran through her lines, one last time. “I gave myself a little pep talk: ‘You’ve got this. You know everything.’”

Ernsting had nothing to worry about. Having been intimately connected to the data collection and synthesis, the words flowed freely and attendees were intrigued.

She started by reminding them how many people around the world are afflicted with NAFLD—around 10%— then shared how they discovered 21.3% of participants in their study (18 out of 83) exhibited this condition.

This was despite including many athletes.

“This was obviously very surprising,” she said.

While it wasn’t exactly earthshattering to discover that BMI—or obesity— is the main risk factor, their research suggested that students today could be in even greater danger of developing problematic livers than previously thought.

For example, she explained in the conference hall, earlier data points to the quarter of the population that’s most obese as being 50% more likely to develop steatosis.

However, their research suggests that it could be as much as the top 19 percentile that are half as likely to be diagnosed with the fatty liver condition.

“The more surprising part is if you’re only in the 61st percentile, and you didn’t exercise, you were also at a 50% more likelihood to have steatosis,” she said, recalling how attendees seemed to be listening intently. “They were all so sweet to me.”

Of course, every study has its limitations. And that’s been part of the learning process for Ernsting, too.

It was clear that as much of a success as it was to get nearly 100 teenagers to go through a liver scan, this would still

➝ Research, 17

CORRECTION

In the Oct. 4-10 edition, Meredith Keet’s name was misspelled in the photo caption on page 1.

THERAPY DOG COMING TO LOS GATOS HIGH SCHOOL

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Board of Trustees approved a contract on Sept. 26 with Paws-to-Share, an organization that will provide a therapy dog to the Los Gatos High School Wellness Center.

Fully funded through a donation by the Los Gatos Lions Club Wellness Committee, this $17,400 contract is for one dog, six hours a day, each weekday, for the remainder of the 2023/2024 school year.

The Los Gatos Lions Club fundraised for this donation through their “Date Night,” an annual event held each June with proceeds dedicated to supporting mental health in Los Gatos schools. A long-standing tradition since 2010, this ticketed event has sold out every year, with the exception of its first year.

Dave Burt, the Date Night team leader, shared at the board meeting that Los Gatos High School’s wres-

LOCAL SCENE

tling and football teams help with the set up and take down of the event.

The Wellness Center was recently remodeled this past summer, tearing down a wall between two rooms and building five offices for newly hired in-house therapists. Available to students during lunch and breaks, as well as during class with a teacher’s note, the Wellness Center continues to be a popular destination for students, as one in four students at Los Gatos High School have visited the Wellness Center at least once during the school year.

“This type of community partnership is such an important part of the success of our programs and schools,”

Superintendent Bill W. Sanderson said. “All schools throughout the country are still supporting the ramifications of the pandemic on mental health. We are so fortunate to have a board and community that prioritize and support mental health for our youth.”

Los Gatos High School’s new therapy dog will be available to students in early October.

REGISTRAR OF VOTERS SEEKS ELECTION WORKERS

The County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters’ (ROV) office is now accepting applications for election workers for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election.

The 2,000 election workers are needed to assist at the main office and at more than 100 vote centers throughout the county. Bilingual speakers are strongly encouraged to apply.

“At the Registrar of Voters we work every day to ensure fair, inclusive, accurate and transparent elections,” Registrar of Voters Shannon Bushey said. “Election workers play an integral role in helping us deliver on that promise.”

Election workers will have the opportunity to work at the ROV office, in the warehouse or at a vote center.

Opportunities are also available for volunteers and high school students. Volunteers will receive a fixed stipend, while high school students may opt for either a stipend or community service credits.

For information, contact the Registrar of Voters’ Administrative Services Division at 408.918.9169 or visit sccvote.org/now_hiring.

LOS GATOS 4-H’ER SELECTED AS RUNNER-UP FOR NATIONAL AWARD

The National 4-H Council announced Sept. 29 that Michaela Auyeung of Los Gatos is a runner-up for the 2024 4-H Youth in Action Award.

Auyeung is recognized nationally for her commitment to providing STEM access and improving mental and physical well-being for girls in her community.

Auyeung, 17, provides free coding classes and instruction to girls through her program, Girls Who Love to Code. Through partnerships with two school systems, Girls Who Love to Code has engaged more than 250 girls while seeking to close the opportunity and education gap for girls in STEM. She also provided mental health

CHECK PASSING Members of the Los Gatos Lions Club present a check to the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District on Sept. 26 to fund the contract for Paws-to-Share, an organization that will provide a therapy dog to the Los Gatos High School Wellness Center.

workshops to aid students in addressing anxiety and created two school pantries to provide hygiene items, school supplies and snacks to students in need.

A senior in high school, Auyeung plans to continue to advocate for gender and socioeconomic equality in education through her outreach and beyond.

The 4-H Youth in Action Awards began in 2010 to recognize 4-H’ers who have overcome challenges and

used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community. For information about the 4-H Youth in Action program and the 2024 runners-up, visit 4-H.org/ YouthInAction.

HISTORY CLUB SELLING PUMPKINS

The History Club of Los Gatos will hold a pumpkin sale on Oct. 28 and 29

from 10am to 3pm at 123 Los Gatos Blvd. Pumpkins of all sizes, which are hand-decorated with living succulents and other plants, will be available for purchase.

The club is raising money to support its facility, which it rents to the public for social and business events. A portion of the proceeds from facility rentals is donated to charities supporting women and children in Santa Clara County.

➝ historyclublosgatos.org.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS HONORED BY COLLEGE BOARD NATIONAL RECOGNITION PROGRAMS

Nine Los Gatos High School seniors have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. They are:

• Emerson Cruz, National Hispanic Recognition Award

• Agata Fin, National Hispanic Recognition Award

• Natalie Lane, National Hispanic Recognition Award

• Adrienne Lopez, National Hispanic Recognition Award

• Sydney Madrigal, National Hispanic Recognition Award

• Claire Mayder, National Hispanic Recognition Award

• Samantha Wilcox, National Hispanic Recognition Award

Two other students declined to be named.

To be eligible for this National Recognition Program, students had to apply their sophomore or junior year, as well as:

• Earn a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher

• A PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state for each award or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams in ninth and 10th grade

• Identify as African-American/Black or Hispanic-American/Latino

“I am incredibly proud of these students for their strong academic performance,” Superintendent Bill W. Sanderson said. “Balancing PSAT assessments, as well as AP exams on top of rigorous course loads can be incredibly challenging. I’m thrilled that these students have been acknowledged with this honor to support them in attaining their post-high school goals.” Awarded students are able to list this achievement on their College Board account, increasing the number of colleges and organizations that may connect directly with them during the recruitment process.

Sizelove recognized at Biola University

Mark Sizelove of Los Gatos was named to Biola University’s Dean’s List for academic excellence.

Sizelove, a Bible, Theology and Ministry major, was one of approximately 1,500 students who were named to the list in spring 2023.

Biola students are placed on the list to honor those with a GPA of 3.6 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credits and whose cumulative GPA is at least 3.2.

Biola is a Christian university in Southern California.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION Michaela Auyeung of Los Gatos is a runner-up for the 2024 4-H Youth in Action Award.

OCT. 1

• A man dressed like a chef was reportedly yelling repeatedly on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 10:03am.

OCT. 2

• Electrical equipment was reported stolen on S. Turner Street and Lark Avenue.

• A man reportedly trespassed into a locker room on Oka Road and took a shower at 1:23pm.

• A purse was reported stolen from a locked vehicle parked on Garden Hill Drive.

• A wallet was reported stolen from a store on Los Gatos Boulevard.

• Someone stole a vehicle’s license plate on Calle Marguerita.

OCT. 3

• Tools were reported stolen from a vehicle parked on Via De Tesoros.

• A vehicle, which had its keys left

POLICE BLOTTER

inside, was reported stolen on Via De Tesoros.

• A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on San Benito Avenue.

• Someone siphoned gasoline from a vehicle parked on Arroyo Grande Way.

• An unknown suspect smashed a vehicle’s window on University Avenue and Andrews Street.

• Someone entered an unlocked vehicle parked on Old Adobe Road.

• A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on Village Lane.

OCT. 4

• A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on Bachman Avenue and later on Montgomery Street.

• Petty theft was reported on Los Gatos Boulevard.

• A man was arrested for contempt of court on the 600 block of W. Parr Avenue at 3:45pm.

OCT. 5

• A woman who was previously banned from a store on Union Avenue reportedly returned and yelled at employees at 9:27am.

• Petty theft was reported on N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

OCT. 6

• A man was arrested on an outside felony warrant on Winchester Boulevard and Highway 85 at 12:16am.

• An unknown suspect entered an unlocked vehicle and stole items from inside on Alberto Way.

• A caller reported a group of loud children on Harwood Road at 10:21pm.

OCT. 7

• A man was reportedly “walking backwards and stumbling” on Roberts Road and University Avenue at 6:37am.

• A man was reportedly traveling at 25mph on a unicycle on Saratoga Los Gatos Road and Austin Way at 9:54am.

• A woman was reportedly urinating on a sidewalk in front of passersby on College Avenue and E. Main Street at 10:20am.

• A caller reported a man for playing an accordion on Los Gatos Boulevard at 11:45am.

• A man was arrested on a bench warrant on the 600 block of Blossom Hill Road at 8:43pm.

• A battery was reported on Bean Avenue at 8:58pm.

• A man was reportedly walking around recording children on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 9:08pm.

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

lgsubs.com

GROUP SPRINGS TO LIFE TO SUPPORT BUILD-OUT OF SENIOR SERVICES

Los Gatos Foundation for Older Adults to Thrive will raise money for community center

Drew Penner, Reporter

The doldrums of the pandemic, as millions of older adults were killed by the coronavirus across the country, was a wake-up call to local leaders who watched seniors too-often suffering in isolation.

And now, as the novel coronavirus fades from memory for many, efforts to build a suite of services to ensure people in this part of Silicon Valley live full and rewarding lives as they age are ramping up, including with the establishment of the Los Gatos Foundation for Older Adults to Thrive.

“We’re gaining more and more momentum,” said Tom Picraux, who headed up recruiting for the body,

which will largely be focused on building an intergenerational community center in the next decade. “We started in the spring with the fact that, this is what we need to do.”

The inaugural meeting was a luncheon of the Board at the Wine Cellar, Sept. 29.

This was followed by a business meeting to adopt the Foundation’s incorporation papers and to plan for the future.

The names of the officers will be familiar to many: Sandy Decker, chair of the board; Tom Picraux, president; Councilmember Matthew Hudes, vice-president; Ginger McDonald, secretary; Tim Lundell, treasurer.

Teri Hope of Los Gatos Roasting Co. and Alan Feinberg of Discover LOST Gatos will also serve on the board.

“When I was elected to Los Gatos Town Council, I learned that our older

adult community would soon be over 30% of our population—yet at the same time our senior services had fallen dramatically behind,” Hudes said in a release. “Older Adults Thrive aims to fill the funding gap and help create a world-class community center and services that our older adult community and broader community deserve.”

The board will have three advisory committees: the Community Center Committee, the Fundraising Committee, and the Initiatives & Publicity (I&P) Committee.

Hope will chair Fundraising and community leaders Catherine Somers and Nancy Pearson will co-chair I&P.

The Town has set aside $866,000 in remaining federal pandemic funds for community center development, the County is contributing $125,000 for case management services and the State is giving $250,000 each year for

the next four years for LGS Rec’s 55+ program, Picraux added.

“It’s probably going to be 10 years until we have a new community center,” Picraux said. “The concept is to do some interim work and particularly do a few things that demonstrate to the community what could be.”

The type of building being envisioned might carry a price tag in the $40 million range, he added.

Picraux is hoping to have a community center room that different groups could use, as well as rooms that nonprofits could use to provide services to seniors.

He was pleased with how the initial meeting went, and was left with a sense of optimism about the likelihood of a big new capital project.

“We know it’s a big lift, but it’s possible,” he said of the community center plan. “If you don’t go for it, it’ll never happen. Very much like the library experience.”

LOS GATOS FIELD HOCKEY DOMINATES

Wildcats poised to win league again

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

The beat goes on for the Los Gatos High field hockey team, the all-time winningest program in Central Coast Section history.

The Wildcats put themselves in the pole position to win another outright Santa Clara Valley Athletic League championship after earning a 1-1 draw with Mitty on Oct. 5. Los Gatos entered the week at 9-0-1 overall and 7-0-1 in league, three points clear of second-place Mitty.

The Wildcats won the teams’ first meeting, 2-0 on Sept. 12, and edged

St. Francis 2-1 a week later. Outside of those two teams, Los Gatos has dominated opponents, outscoring them by a combined margin of 39-1. The Wildcats are ranked No. 1 in the Central Coast Section, No. 3 in California and No. 8 in the nation by Max Preps.

They’ve allowed just three goals this year, and while that won’t approach the history made by the 2017 team that didn’t allow a single goal all season, it’s still something worthy of praise. Los Gatos allowed just three shots on goal vs. Mitty.

“It really has been [a tremendous defensive team performance],” coach

Henry Reyes said after the Mitty contest. “I thought we played and

minimized the opportunities they really could possibly have, and we’ll just build from there.”

Reyes pointed to a couple of key factors to the team’s tough defensive play from Day One.

“Just the familiarity with each other, the fact they know how to cover, they know how to talk, they know how to adjust,” he said. “All those different things are a big component to it.”

Reyes utilizes 32 to 34 players a game, unrivaled by any team in the section. The roster is talented and deep, led by Alexa Musser, Leaya Cleary, Aanya Gupta, Frankie Sutherland, Juliette Vrijen, Mckenzie Powell and Caitlin Okonkwo—just to name several.

“(Mckenzie and Caitlin) played their guts out, they played very well, they played the whole time,” Reyes said. “Just exhausting for that type of game. It started out around 90 [degrees], 91 air temperature. But on the floor it was definitely hotter.”

Los Gatos found itself in unfamiliar territory against Mitty, trailing 1-0 after the Monarchs scored in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. It marked just the second time all season the Wildcats have trailed in a match in 2023, though it was short-lived.

A couple of minutes later, they equalized on a goal from Cleary, the sophomore standout whose knack for scoring has been one of the key factors in the team’s success. Though it would’ve been nice if Los Gatos had won, Reyes was proud of his team’s performance.

After all, the Wildcats looked like it scored the game-winner with 17 seconds remaining, only to have a goal waived off. Also, on the goal they allowed, Reyes noted Mitty could’ve been called for a dangerous ball penalty.

Offensively, Los Gatos had a handful of nice shots that didn’t miss by much.

“We had balls go by the mouth of the cage and didn’t go in,” Reyes said. “We have things we’re always going to work on. … Hard fought, the outcome. I have to accept it because it is what it is. We just have to move forward.”

Given the way the team controlled the play for long stretches, Reyes was satisfied with the result and has been happy with how the squad has developed and improved since the beginning of the season.

“I thought the kids played and did everything they were supposed to do,” he said. “I thought they met all the objectives, they were under some adversity and pressure yet continued to find focus as to what it was they were trying to do. Very productive and exciting, we’ve seen a lot of good things.”

Reyes has been pleased with the team’s performance given it plays in the toughest league in the section.

“It’s a challenge, it’s so hard,” he said. “I’m shocked at these kids myself that they have to play this tough every single game. Proud of them.”

RELIABLE Wildcats senior Ellie White, seen here making a pass in a match against Fremont High earlier this season, has been key in helping the team to another outstanding start.

Jonathan Natividad

FIRE HAZARD ZONE CAUSES CONSTRUCTION HEADACHES

Public comment results in some hillside building reform

Drew Penner, Reporter

During the Oct. 3 Town Council meeting, public commenter Brandye Sweetnam brought up concerns with the challenges of building in fire hazard zones in town.

From her perspective, the burden on some homeowners in the hillsides seeking to improve their properties is much too heavy, as they must navigate a difficult Alternative Means and Methods Request process.

“The AMMR is based on the applicant’s ability to prove ‘same practical effect,’” she said. “In reality, this more often than not requires infrastructure development that is beyond the financial means, legal responsibility, environmental and structural access of the

applicant—for example, making a roadway wider than it is requires significant capital and infrastructure investment, not to mention the property donation of everybody else on the roadway. Similarly, making a dead-end road not a dead-end road is not something that can be done without land ownership conflicts and exorbitant engineering costs.”

In 1991, California’s Board of Forestry adopted PRC 4290, which established minimum fire safety standards, which have been clarified over the years in regards to construction rules relating to roads, fire equipment access, sign standards, fuel breaks and minimum private water supplies.

Sweetnam recommended Los Gatos follow the following principles to make things fair for landowners through its exception process: Transparency, Objectivity, Feasibility, Reasonability, Consistency and Timeliness.

LIFELONG LOVE FOR TENNIS

Tennis, from page 1

the area almost every weekend for USTA tournaments. It can be a grind at times, which is why Los Gatos’ No. 1 player enjoys the high school experience.

“I love playing on the team because it’s a family and tennis is so individual,” she said. “I really like that I get this opportunity because sometimes USTA tournaments are really stressful. This is good competition, but also your friends are here and you can support each other.”

Mitchell had a thrill teaming up with fellow sophomore Anya Chauhan to play No. 1 doubles in the team’s 6-1 win over Los Altos High on Oct. 5, a victory that improved the Wildcats’ record to 5-2 in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division, the top league in the Central Coast Section for girls tennis.

Mitchell and Chauhan won in riveting fashion, rallying from an 8-5 deficit to take the deciding 10-point super tiebreaker, 10-8.

“It was fun playing with Anya and I really enjoyed it,” Mitchell said. “That was my first time playing doubles with the team, actually, and I had a really great time.”

Los Gatos is proving formidable again coming off a season in which it won the SCVAL El Camino Division championship and advanced to the CCS tournament quarterfinals as the No. 8 seed, losing to eventual runner-up Cupertino High, 5-2.

In the CCS individual singles tournament, Mitchell earned one of the top four seeds but lost her opening match. Los Gatos has made a nice transition stepping up to the top-tier De Anza Division this season. Mitchell aims to excel once again in the upcoming CCS team and individual tournaments.

“I’m going to try to do well for the team and hopefully we can make CCS again and go through a couple more rounds,” Mitchell said. “I know a lot of [top] seniors graduated last year, so the draw’s a little more open this year, so we’ll see. If I don’t do great, I won’t take it to heart. I’m just going to get back out and do better next season.”

Wildcats coach Justin Stenger knew Mitchell was a special player before she even arrived at Los Gatos High. His first stint as the girls and boys coach came in the spring of 2021,

“Right now, the current exception process is opaque to applicants,” she said, complaining that PRC4290 has narrow language. “There’s no path forward that’s documented, and there are no examples of ‘same practical effect’ that can be accepted.”

The laws, as currently written, leave considerable room for subjective assessments, she added.

“Applicants are left in the dark,” she said. “From a feasibility perspective… making a roadway wider or a dead-end road not a dead-end road, are not feasible, and often will cost more than the actual project in question.”

Ironically, many of these projects would provide a net benefit to the community as a whole and to the property, Sweetnam argued.

“This is not considered when the AMMR is completed,” she said. “Much is made of the importance of wildfire

when Kayla was a seventh-grader and her older brother Matt was a freshman playing on the Los Gatos boys team.

“Kayla would be there with her mom supporting Matt,” Stenger said. “A lot of times I was up there with them and the other parents. Kayla wasn’t just watching her brother but all seven courts like a coach. And you could see it then she wanted to be out there competing against the boys.”

Similar to many of the top youth players in the current generation, Mitchell possesses heavy topspin-laden shots off both her forehand and backhand wings, to go along with a potent serve. She’s able to generate tremendous racket head speed and hit laser-like winners from just about anywhere on the court.

But Stenger said what separates Mitchell aside from the talent is her genuine love and passion for the game which manifests in how she competes, whether in practice or in matches.

“It’s rare to see a kid who loves a sport as much as she loves tennis,” Stenger said. “She loves the chance to play for Los Gatos and represent this town.”

Because USTA tournaments are in locations throughout the country, Mitchell has had the opportunity to travel by her estimation to 10 different states, including Michigan and Florida.

“It’s crazy the number of places I’ve

prevention in Los Gatos, with the Town ordinances requiring homeowners to clear brush, maintain a defensible space boundary around your home and ensure appropriate vertical tree clearance. However, the Town does not even enforce this ordinance, particularly in the very, very high-risk fire zones. These rules and requirements are applied inconsistently, thereby creating an inherent hypocrisy in requiring individual property owners to do what the town itself does not even do on our public roadways.”

In her case, it took 10 months and three submissions of an AMMR—working with the Santa Clara County fire department and the Town’s Planning Department—to win approval.

Planning Director Jennifer Armer said when a new home is proposed in the high fire hazard severity zone, a review is triggered.

“There are certain circumstances where there may be a request from Santa Clara County fire for major improvements, for example, if the property is at

been able to go to, and I’m grateful for that,” she said.

Mitchell started playing tennis at 3 or 4 but also started playing softball at an early age, eventually competing for a competitive travel ball team. Mitchell loved both sports but at age 10 decided to focus squarely on tennis and hasn’t looked back since.

“I had to kind of make a choice, to pick one and see where I could go with it,” she said. “I never imagined I would be in a spot where I could potentially commit somewhere with tennis. I never thought about that at the time. I thought it was the better sport for me and then decided to take it seriously and I improved a lot. At age 10, I got a new coach and he was really motivating and opened my eyes to all these things I didn’t even know I could do.”

Tennis runs in the Mitchell family, as her parents play in leagues at Bay Club Courtside. Kayla and Matt who as a junior was No. 2 singles on the boys team last year started playing the sport around the same time and still train together. Matt even serves as Kayla’s warm-up partner in many of her tournaments.

“I enjoy hitting with him and we’re pretty competitive,” she said. “I’m very grateful to have my brother as a hitting partner and it makes for good practice and helps me improve.”

October 11th - 12th

2023 : losgatan.com

CALENDAR

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

MARTIN SCORSESE FILM FESTIVAL

Pruneyard Cinemas, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 100 in Campbell, is hosting the Martin Scorsese Film Festival, a cinematic celebration that pays homage to the filmmaker’s iconic works. The festival will present a series of screenings showcasing some of Scorsese's most influential films, culminating in the lead-up to the release of his upcoming “Killers of the Flower Moon” on Oct. 20. Tickets are available at PruneyardCinemas.com or at the box office.

BLOOD DRIVE

The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Robin Sedgwick and Don Knight of Coldwell Banker Realty, and Stanford Blood Center, is holding a Blood Drive outside its office, 10 Station Way, on Oct. 13 from 10am to 3pm.

➝ sbcdonor.org/donor/schedules/ drive_schedule/12234.

FALL WINE WALK

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

➝ losgatoschamber.com.

DIABETES AND DIET DISCUSSION

Plant-Based Advocates is holding a talk on diabetes prevention and control on Oct. 16 at 5pm at the Los Gatos Library, 100 Villa Ave. Dr. Debra Shapiro, who will give the talk, has practiced medicine for more than three decades and is Board Certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Lifestyle Medicine. She is a Certified Health Coach and a Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator. The event is free.

➝ meetup.com/plantbasedadvocates/ events/296377812.

CAMPBELL OKTOBERFEST

The 28th annual Oktoberfest takes place in Downtown Campbell on Oct. 21 and 22. The event features German music, food and drink plus a KidsZone, Biersch Garten, 100-plus arts and crafts vendors, two stages of live music performed by local bands, a Community Stage, stein holding and costume contests, and more.

➝ CampbellOktoberfest.com.

NAPOLEON DYNAMITE

Campbell’s Heritage Theatre presents “Napoleon Dynamite—A Conversation with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez and Jon Gries” on Nov. 2 at 8pm. Individual tickets are $55, and are available now through the Box Office (408.866.2700 or walk-up), or online at HeritageTheatre.org.

CREEKSIDE SOCIALS

The Creekside Socials Block Party is held in downtown San Jose with various events through Dec. 3, including yoga classes, movie screenings, art workshops and more.

➝ creeksidesocials.com.

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. For information, visit uvfm.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 Tuesdays from 4-6pm, Wednesday through Friday from 1-5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm 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.

Other Town commissions

The Town of Los Gatos has various committees that serve as advisory bodies for the Town Council.

➝ losgatosca.gov/12/BoardsCommissions-Committees.

VOTE FOR PEDRO “Napoleon Dynamite—A Conversation with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez and Jon Gries” visits Campbell’s Heritage Theatre on Nov. 2.

LEGAL NOTICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #698873

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Berryessa Music School, 1155 N Capitol Ave., San Jose, CA, 95132, ATG Education, Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 09/01/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Younming Zhu. Chief Executive Officer. #3992745. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 09/07/2023. (pub Metro 09/20, 09/27, 10/04, 10/11/2023)

TOWN OF LOS GATOS

NOTICE AND SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TOWN CODE

TITLE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING SECTION 18.60.020, “PERMITS FOR RETAILERS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS,” OF ARTICLE VI, “SMOKING REGULATIONS,’” OF “CHAPTER 18, “OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS,” OF THE TOWN CODE TO INCREASE FINE AMOUNTS AND AMEND THE DEFINITION OF “TOBACCO PRODUCTS” TO ALIGN WITH THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY ORDINANCE

Notice is hereby given that that at its meeting of Tuesday, October 3, 2023, the Town Council conducted the first reading of an Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos Amending Section 18.60.020, “Permits For Retailers Of Tobacco Products,” of Article VI, “Smoking Regulations,’” of “Chapter 18, “Offenses And Miscellaneous Provisions,” of the Town Code to Increase Fine Amounts and Amend the Definition of “Tobacco Products” To Align With The Santa Clara County Ordinance. The second reading is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at approximately 7:00 p.m., in person and via teleconference.

The following is a summary of the Ordinance:

In 2017, the Town adopted an Ordinance to regulate tobacco retailers. Pursuant to an agreement between the Town and the County of Santa Clara, the County enforces the Town’s tobacco retailing ordinance.

The County recently updated its ordinance regulating tobacco retailers to 1) increase fine amounts and 2) expand the definition of “tobacco products” to include e-cigarettes. In order to continue its partnership with the County for enforcement of the Town’s tobacco retailing ordinance, the Town needs to amend its Ordinance to conform with the updated County ordinance. The proposed changes are as follows:

1) to increase the dollar amount of fine for a retailer who has a tobacco retailing permit and violates the Town’s tobacco retailing ordinance from:

a. $100 to $1,000 for violation of first instance;

b. $200 to $2,500 for a violation previously committed within a 60-month period; and

c. $500 to $5,000 for a violation twice committed within a 60-month period

2) to increase the dollar amount of fine for a tobacco retailer who is operating without a tobacco retailer permit from and violates the Town’s tobacco retailing ordinance from:

a. $100 to $2,500 for violation of first instance;

b. $200 to $5,000 for a violation previously committed within a 60-month period; and

c. $500 to $10,000 for a violation twice committed within a 60-month period; and

3) include e-cigarettes in the definition of “Tobacco Products.”

Please note that the above is a simply a summary of the Ordinance. To obtain a full understanding of the Ordinance it should be read in its entirety. A copy of the full text of the Ordinance is available in the Town Clerk’s office at Los Gatos City Hall, 110 E. Main Street., Los Gatos, CA 95030.

Wendy Wood

Los Gatos Town Clerk

Published: October 11, 2023

(Pub LGN 10/11)

AROMATIC FOLIAGE ATTRACTS AND REPELS

Tony Tomeo, Contributor

After their invention in ancient Rome, window boxes became overly prevalent in Venice. They contained herbs and vegetables where space was limited within such urban areas. Their produce was close to kitchens, and more visually appealing than nearby buildings. Several window box herbs produced aromatic foliage for more than culinary application.

The popularity of window boxes preceded the availability of affordable window screens. Mosquitoes were a nuisance within the swampy ecosystems around Venice prior to that. Therefore, besides their obvious usages, window boxes also sustained aromatic foliage. Such foliage, which was mostly also culinary herbs, repelled some troublesome insects.

Just as flowers attract pollinators with fragrance, some foliage repels insects with aroma. Some aromatic foliage intends to repel other large consumers, such as rodents and deer. Any potential consumers know that flavor is likely as objectionable as associated aroma. Ironically, some flavors or aromas that are unappealing to them are appealing to people.

Culinary herbs are perfect examples. Their strongly flavorful and aromatic

BLOOMING Lantana exudes a pungent foliar aroma.

foliage is quite repellent to insects and wildlife. However, it is an asset both for culinary and horticultural application. Some such herbs have cultivars for either culinary or landscape application. Trailing rosemary is a groundcover that has a slightly milder flavor than culinary rosemary.

Several cultivars of lavender are popular for home gardens even if not

COUNCIL ADDS APPEAL PRINCIPLES

Fire, from page 12

the end of a dead-end street that is not meeting the width or slope requirements in those locations,” she said.

A renovation wouldn’t trigger this hurdle to development, she said, adding though a replacement of an existing home could.

Councilmember Rob Moore said because the improvements are only required when a large investment is already being made into a property, it makes sense, for safety’s sake, to force landowners to undertake upgrades.

But he asked for a ballpark figure of

what the price tag might be.

“In some cases, we have seen them significantly out of proportion with the proposed project,” Armer said. “If you are at the end of a long dead-end street, it can be very significant in terms of the improvement. However, through this process of requesting an exception, which usually involves alternative means…to address the concerns under these regulations, that can result in much less in terms of required investment.”

Armer added that the Town has been working on finding a way, particularly for rebuilds, to get some improvements

for home kitchens. Their aromatic foliage is as delightful as their foliar color and bloom. The foliar texture of fennel is as striking as its foliar aroma. Thyme is both an herb and an aromatic, although irregular, ground cover. Mint and oregano are a bit more casual, but likely more aromatic.

Some of the most popular aromatic foliage has no culinary application,

instead of waiving all requirements.

Brad Fox, the assistant fire marshal for Santa Clara County Fire Department, said their department isn’t the inspection authority, Cal Fire is.

The exception request goes to Cal Fire and it’s only after a denial that the County offers the opportunity for a waiver.

“Our role in the County actually is the same as Planning Commission for the Town of Los Gatos, in that, we are the appeals body,” he said.

Councilmember Matthew Hudes jumped on Sweetnam’s principles, which he said the Planning Commission could use to make the process smoother.

“I would focus on four of those six— transparency, objectivity, feasibility and

though. Its aroma more than justifies its cultivation. Scented geraniums and sages are remarkably diverse. Although most are quite pretty, a few are simply very aromatic. Most aromatic foliage can not disperse its aroma like floral fragrances. It requires some sort of disturbance to do so. Warmth with humidity enhance typical foliar aroma.

Highlight: lantana

Bloom continues as long as warm weather continues. Within warm exposures within the mildest of climates, it does not stop for long. Within cooler climates, Lantana camara may already be decelerating its bloom. Although remarkably resilient to arid warmth, it can be vulnerable to frost farther inland. Once established, lantana does not require much water.

Umbels of several tiny tubular flowers are about an inch-and-a-half wide. Individual flowers bloom progressively inward from the edges of their umbels. They are typically yellow, but then fade to orange, red or pink. Blooms therefore develop yellow centers within orange, red or pink edges. One cultivar is uniformly bright yellow. Another fades to creamy white. Old-fashioned lantana can eventually grow six feet tall. Congested old specimens might respond favorably to coppicing after winter. After coppicing, new growth can grow six feet high within its first season. Modern cultivars are generally shorter and relatively compact, and a few sprawl. Their very slightly raspy foliage is pungently aromatic when disturbed.

timeliness,” he said, suggesting reasonability overlaps with feasibility and consistency should be left out so as to not give the impression of setting precedents with each decision. “But, I do think that the idea of including these principles for appeals would help the Planning Commission not try to make it up every time.”

Hudes made a motion to continue with the existing appeals process but to add the stated four principles to the Planning Commission to guide their decisions on appeals.

“And the second thing is that we get a regular update on whether the timelines are being met,” he said.

Moore seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

NEW FINDINGS

Research, from page 4

be considered a smaller study in the grand scheme of things.

And Ernsting can think of minor changes she would make to minute details of the survey wording if she were to do it over again—perhaps adjusting the metric for what’s considered an active individual.

Nevertheless, she’s hopeful she’ll be able to develop the research into a complete manuscript for publication in a prestigious medical journal.

Of course, that means she now has a whole new task in front of her.

“I have to make time for it,” she said. “I really want to show other people what can happen. My research shows new information and I want to share that out. So, I’d love to write a paper.”

Her dad, an emergency room physician, is proud of the progress she’s made, so far.

“This is more than I did during my research career,” he said. “She’s got a leg up on me already.”

Plus, it’s been nice to see his daughter fall into something that she connects with.

“Being part of this larger research group allows her to find a place where she fits in,” he said. “It gives her a role to play.”

He says he only provided minor support along the way, like helping with copyediting.

But he knows just how serious liver afflictions can be.

It’s the end stages of liver disease that he ends up seeing in the ER.

However, he’s hopeful that with research—such as the project undertaken by his daughter—the murky area of science can find clarity and result in better outcomes for patients, earlier.

"That’s the goal,” he said, “—understand fatty liver as an early process, provide interventions and prevent progression.”

Whatever happens next, Ernsting says it’s been a beneficial exercise for the Wildcats who offered up their livers virtually for science, teaching them it's possible to do this kind of science, for real.

“It’s also like, what do you want to give up,” she said, remembering the Friday nights she stayed in instead of heading out with her friends. “Anyone can do the research if you want to put the time into it.”

2:00PM, SUNDAY, OCT. 22 WATSONVILLE MELLO CENTER

7:30PM, SATURDAY, OCT. 21 CIVIC AUDITORIUM

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