Los Gatan October 4 2023

BOARD DECIDES NOT TO CHANGE HOUSING PLAN BEFORE SENDING BACK TO STATE

Hudes votes in opposition, dislikes

‘self-flagellating’ language

Drew Penner, Reporter

While multiple Housing Element Advisory Board members took issue with some of the more progressive language in the latest draft of the Housing Element, Sept. 28, everyone but Councilmember Matthew Hudes ended up voting to make no changes to the document before submitting the residential development plan to the State for review.

Hudes was concerned, among other things, about not having a chance to hear from the Town’s new consultant, Veronica Tam & Associates, tried to change the wording of how prevalent racially-restrictive covenants were in town (from “popular” to something some locals would find less offensive) and sought to replace language that tied single-family housing to racism with wording Sacramento uses.

“This is a document of the Town, and when the Town says something it means some-

HEAB, 17

AS TWO ICONIC SANTA CRUZ AVENUE SPOTS REACH FINAL CHAPTER, OTHERS OPEN

Chamber: Demand for space in Los Gatos remains strong

Drew Penner, Reporter Margaret Smith, a Los Gatos resident who recently ran for Town Council and helped establish the Silicon Valley Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), was sad to hear that Rural Supply, the Los Gatos’ Ace Hardware location on Santa Cruz Avenue, will be closing. She can’t count how many times she’s shopped there—

➝ Avenue, 16

SETTING UP SHOP Meredith Keeth is the owner of Ethos, which opened earlier this year on North Santa Cruz Avenue. While new businesses are opening in the downtown area, others are closing. Ethos offers sustainable personal care products.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

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All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Publisher will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising are available on an equal opportunity basis.

MEMORY CARE FACILITY SURVIVES APPEAL BY NEIGHBORS

Council split on project’s approval

Drew Penner, Reporter

An approved Swenson Builders memory care and assisted living facility, planned for Los Gatos, survived a challenge that featured two mayoral voices from neighboring Monte Sereno, during the Sept. 19 Town Council meeting.

Former mayor and recent State Assembly candidate Liz Lawler and current mayor Bryan Mekechuk spoke against the proposal, contending the three-story building was too big for the area at 15860-15894 Winchester Blvd. and 17484 Shelburne Way, but ultimately lost after a 3-2 split vote decided the Planning Commission was right to approve it.

“The founding mayor of Monte Sereno, Thomas Inglis, gave this advice, ‘Variances should be viewed skeptically and granted sparingly,’” Mekechuk told the Los Gatan in the days afterwards. “My observation is that three Councilmembers don’t lis-

ten to the community nor do they listen to their constituents. Since they don’t listen to residents of Los Gatos, we can’t expect those councilmembers to listen to what residents of Monte Sereno say.”

Councilmember Matthew Hudes and Vice Mayor Mary Badame voted to support the appeal (and against the project approval).

The other three councilmembers were brought on-side after the developer gave a presentation in which it said it was likely to return with a much taller housing project if Los Gatos were to reject the memory care and assisted living facility.

Everyone on Council seemed to agree that the building itself was quite attractive and possibly better than what might be forced through if Swenson returned with a residential tower that could take advantage of one State-sponsored fasttrack process or another.

But a variance of a couple of feet above the 35-foot maximum for the property was a bridge too far for opponents—who noted the back of the

site (facing industrial land) is actually 50 feet high, due to downward sloping ground.

The appellant, a neighbor, said he would have no problem with the project if it didn’t request those extra feet, among other concessions.

Mayor Maria Ristow said she was not a fan of designing projects onthe-fly—which is what had already occurred at Planning Commission, where Swenson had agreed to drop the height of the building by two-anda-half feet.

Hudes said it would be worth asking Swenson’s planners to rework its plans.

The developer said due to disability rules about elevators, if some of the suggested changes were made, they’d likely have to eliminate the entire top floor and the project might not be feasible.

Ristow said she was concerned if the developer was forced to redesign the project it might languish, as the Los Gatos Meadows senior housing plan has.

PROJECT Swenson Builders plans to build a memory care and assisted living facility at 15860-15894 Winchester Blvd. and 17484 Shelburne Way.

Drew Penner/Los Gatan

2023 : losgatan.com

POLICE BLOTTER

SEPT. 24

• A woman was reportedly yelling and cursing on the corner of the street at High School Court and E. Main Street at 8:44am.

• A man reportedly vandalized a home’s front and back yard on Broadway.

• A caller reportedly witnessed a man spit on two other people on E. Main Street at 2:58pm.

• Two women reportedly stole alcohol from a store on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 8pm.

• A man was arrested on a warrant after he was reportedly yelling while riding a bike with flat tires on E. Main Street and Pageant Way at 8:40pm.

SEPT. 25

• A man was reportedly walking while holding an ax on Hicks Road at 8:09am.

• A building was reportedly vandalized on Church Street.

• Two teenagers reportedly threw toilet paper at a house on Loma Alta Avenue and Cypress Way.

• A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on Los Gatos Saratoga Road.

SEPT. 26

• A woman was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Los Gatos-Almaden Road and Peach Blossom Lane at 1:38am.

• A total of $4,000 worth of alcohol was reported stolen on Blossom Hill Road.

• A man was arrested for driving with a suspended license on the 600 block of Blossom Hill Road at 10:34am.

• A man carrying a duffle bag was reported for walking with his pants down on Los Gatos Boulevard and Camino Del Sol at 11:20am.

• A group of children reportedly shot another child with a pellet gun on Union Avenue.

SEPT. 27

• A man was arrested for presenting an officer with unlawful vehicle registration on the 14000 block of Blossom Hill Road at 4:30am.

• A man was reportedly screaming to himself, “I am going to kill you,” on Los Gatos-Almaden Road and Cherry Blossom Lane at 7:09am.

• Someone smashed a vehicle’s window on Castlewood Drive.

• A bicycle was reported stolen on Oak Rim Way.

• A passenger in a vehicle reportedly shot a person with a BB gun on Pollard Road.

• A caller believed house workers stole jewelry from their home on Glen Ridge Avenue.

• A home was reportedly burglarized on Oak Knoll Court.

• A man was arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance on the 800 block of W. Parr Avenue at 10:20pm.

SEPT. 28

• A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on Escobar Avenue.

• A man was arrested for presenting an officer with unlawful vehicle registration on Loma Alta and Whitney avenues at 9:36am.

SEPT. 29

• An unknown suspect stole propane tanks from a business on S. Santa Cruz Avenue.

• A man was arrested for being in possession of unlawful paraphernalia on the 100 block of Los Gatos Saratoga Road at 6:39pm.

VISIT HEALTH OPENS RECOVERY CENTER

Los Gatos facility offers rehabilitation services

Staff Report

In August, Visit Health celebrated a milestone with the opening of its first residential rehabilitation facility and Intensive Outpatient Clinic (IOP) in Los Gatos, where the company is based.

The IOP, located at 16400 Lark Ave., Suite 240, provides a comprehensive range of recovery services.

Visit Health’s history is rooted in

emergency medical response, aiding in the aftermath of earthquakes, wildfires, and floods across the U.S. It also boasts an expanding network of urgent care clinics across Southern California and multiple partnerships with state and county health departments providing mobile clinical care and Covid-19 testing and vaccination services to disadvantaged communities and congregate living facilities.

The focus on recovery, however, stems from very personal reasons and is a natural fit for the company’s core

values and dedication to making a meaningful impact in the communities it serves.

“For years, our team has provided customized care for those in need,” said Chris Koone, chief operating officer of Visit Health. “My personal journey to sobriety has underscored the importance of leveraging our expertise in rapid-response clinical care and personalized treatment to create another lifeline for individuals—a lifeline that I know has made a profound impact on mine.”

• A caller reported multiple children were yelling at a school on Fisher Avenue at 10:25pm.

• Someone vandalized a home on Oka Lane with toilet paper, ketchup and cheese.

SEPT. 30

• A man was arrested for discharging a firearm in a negligent manner on the 100 block of Olive Street at 12:34am.

• A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Highway 9 at 12:35am.

• A caller reported loud children at a park on Bachman Avenue at 12:58am.

• A home was reportedly burglarized on Elena Way.

• Someone broke into a vehicle on Oka Road.

• Workers reportedly cut internet cables on Forrest Avenue because a neighbor said it was blocking their view.

• A woman was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Camden Avenue and Paseo del Oro at 4pm.

• A caller reported a group of people for singing karaoke on Granada Way and Las Uvas Court at 10:16pm.

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

Founder of Visit Health and Los Gatos local, Benjamin Fanger, emphasized the personal connection to this project, saying, “My own path to sobriety, along with other firsthand experiences with family and friends in our community who need help, have illuminated the urgent need for comprehensive recovery services, especially here in Los Gatos. Visit Health’s commitment to this mission is anchored in our desire to save lives and strengthen our community in the face of this silent pandemic.”

For information about Visit Health and its recovery treatment and service solutions, visit visithealthrecovery.com, call 650.331.0134 or email inquiries@ visithealth.com.

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JOIN US at St. Mary’s 17th Annual HARVEST MARKET on Thursday, October 5th

11am - 4pm (Free entry) & 5pm - 9pm ($20 at the door)

Howley Hall 219 Bean Avenue, Los Gatos

Over 20 specialty vendors will showcase their items that make wonderful gifts...there is decor for the home, gourmet foods, jewelry, handbags, clothing and accessories!

| Enjoy music, appetizers and beverages during the evening session | Check us out!

Facebook #HarvestMarketLosGatos Instagram @harvestmarketatthefair

LOCAL SCENE

VINE-TO-WINE EVENT SET FOR NOV. 4 AT MOUNTAIN WINERY

The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley will be hosting its third annual event on Nov. 4 from 1-7pm at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.

Vine-to-Wine celebrates the end of harvest and highlights Santa Clara Valley wineries and wine makers. Guests can choose a VIP or general Grand Tasting experience.

The VIP experience begins two hours earlier than the general experience. VIPs will be tasting six reserve wines the first hour which will be led by Master Sommelier, Evan Goldstein. Goldstein is one of 269 Master Sommeliers worldwide and has been named Top 100 Most Influential People in the U.S. Wine Industry by IntoWine.com.

The Grand Tasting begins at 3pm with guests tasting award-winning wines from more than 20 wineries—including sparkling and dessert wines at a Bubbly Bar. Gourmet bites will be prepared by Cochi’s Catering, chosen as Morgan Hill’s “Best Catering” businesses for multiple years. A marketplace will showcase local crafters with home décor, jewelry and clothing. The Alex Lucero band will also perform.

“Vine-to-Wine, which describes the life cycle of the grape, is an annual event for us to celebrate the end of harvest and our award-winning wineries, while raising more awareness of our region,” said Stacy Giannini, director of marketing for Wineries of Santa Clara Valley. “We chose to celebrate this year’s event with wine lovers at the Mountain Winery, a venue with stunning views overlooking the Bay Area and that sets the stage for delighting the senses.”

“We are delighted to invite everyone in the Bay Area and beyond to Vineto-Wine,” said Kim Engelhardt, president of the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley, and co-owner of Lion Ranch Vineyards & Winery in San Martin.

“This event celebrates of years of hard work and dedication from our winemakers. Whether you're passionate about local wine or simply seeking a memorable experience, Vine-to-Wine has something special for everyone.”

To purchase tickets, visit santaclarawines. com or VinetoWine_2023.eventbrite.com.

Sales support the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley, a non-profit organization. Its mission is to raise funds to provide

scholarships and grants to graduating high school seniors planning to major in viticultural or enology.

COLLEGE OF ADAPTIVE ARTS COFOUNDER RECOGNIZED

Pamela Lindsay, co-founder of the College of Adaptive Arts in Saratoga, was recognized as one of 15 nonprofit founders chosen throughout the country who are giving back to their communities.

The AARP recently announced its 2024 AARP Purpose Prize Award recipients. The national award honors people age 50-plus who have proven that they are using their knowledge and life experience to make a difference.

Lindsay is one of 10 AARP Purpose Prize Fellows and their organizations who will be recognized with an award of $10,000. All award recipients will also receive a year of technical support to help broaden the scope of their organization’s work.

College of Adaptive Arts (CAA) is an organization providing collegiate education to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It centers on the concept of lifelong learning and serves more than 224 adult students across nine states.

CAA was co-founded by Lindsay and DeAnna Pursai in 2009 after both witnessed loved ones with special needs become sidelined once they exited the public school system.

“I am so honored to be recognized as an AARP Purpose Prize Award Fellow,” Lindsay said. “I know firsthand that the pursuit of our dreams and passions

are not limited by the number of birthdays we celebrate. CAA is rooted in the knowledge that continued learning and related community contribution at any age increases personal purpose, life satisfaction and success.”

SANBORN PARK CLEANUP TO BEGIN SOON

Sanborn County Park site restoration is moving forward with the remediation and clean-up of the former Christensen Nursery, enabling next steps for the Sanborn County Master Plan implementation, which will facilitate the creation of new campgrounds, trail connections and other recreational activities for the community.

“Sanborn County Park is an important public space that serves thousands of residents annually,” Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian said. “I am pleased to see we’re making progress. Efforts to improve the park and build out the amenities most sought after by the public should be a high priority.”

Sanborn County Park is located on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains approximately two miles southwest of downtown Saratoga in the unincorporated county. The nearly 3,500-acre park provides a variety of recreational opportunities for the public, with hiking, biking, camping and picnicking among the most popular activities. Outdoor school and summer programs are also held at the Walden West Environmental Education Center located within the park’s boundaries. The park also provides protected habitat for migratory

birds, mountain lions, coyotes, reptiles and amphibians.

A significant amount of work needs to be accomplished at the former nursery site. Waste material and debris from the former nursery operation needs to be cleared, and existing utilities in and around the 17 structures located within the area will need to be capped. Contaminated soil will be removed and backfilled with native soil; fallen and diseased trees will be cut, chipped or removed. The County will be developing a tree protection plan to minimize the removal of vulnerable trees in contaminated soil areas.

The approved contractor, Brannon Corporation, will have 180 days to complete their work.

“Clean-up is not as simple as it sounds,” Simitian said. “Soils need to be treated to make sure they’re safe for the public. Trees need to be preserved and protected where possible. Once all this work is done, the foundation for a new public space will be in place, and that’s exciting.”

“Sanborn Park is a wonderful public resource, and Saratoga is fortunate to have such immediate access to it,” Saratoga Mayor Kookie Fitzsimmons said. “The park is already one of many great attractions that bring county residents and visitors to Saratoga, and knowing Sanborn will be expanded and improved upon is something to look forward to.”

The Christensen Nursery was purchased by the County in 1993. Located close to the park’s entrance, the approximately 57 acres was at one time a holiday estate, vineyard and nursery. Currently, the land contains the Christensen home, a caretaker’s house, barn and several other structures associated with nursery operations.

LOCAL STUDENT HONORED AT DES MOINES UNIVERSITY

Haley Cornelison of Los Gatos, a student in Des Moines University’s Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program, was a participant in the university's 2023 White Coat Ceremony on Sept. 15.

Among the members of the program's Class of 2027, Cornelison received the white coat as a symbol of the training aspiring health professionals receive.

Across the country, the White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for students as they begin their medical education and prepare to become health care providers. Participating in DMU's ceremony were 149 students.

Located in West Des Moines, Iowa, Des Moines University offers 10 graduate-level professional degree programs.

SIP OF THE VALLEY Vine-to-Wine returns Nov. 4 at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.

Courtesy of Wineries of Santa Clara Valley

The road to recovery is a visit away.

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LOS GATOS STILL CONTROLS ITS DESTINY

Wildcats begin league title quest

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

In the aftermath of a 37-27 loss to Pittsburg High on Sept. 29, Los Gatos High football coach Mark Krail’s message to his team was clear: full steam ahead.

Sure, the Wildcats (3-2) didn’t get the result they wanted, but competing with a perennial Bay Area heavyweight in the Pirates (5-0) will likely prove beneficial in the long run.

“We’re going to be better because of the game tonight,” Krail said. “There’s

no doubt about it. We’re going into league and I told the guys at the end every single goal we set for the season is still right there in front of us, and we’re going to go get it.”

Indeed, suffering a loss to a team from out of the section isn’t nearly as damaging as, say, incurring a defeat to a league opponent like Sacred Heart Prep. Incidentally, that happens to be the Wildcats’ next opponent, and it’s all but certain the coaching staff and returning players haven’t forgotten what happened last year when the Gators edged Los Gatos, 10-7.

Wilcox and Sacred Heart Prep

most likely in that order will prove to be the biggest obstacles in Los Gatos winning the newly formed Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division championship. Since the PAL and SCVAL decided to merge for football only three years ago SCVAL schools compete in one of the five PAL divisions based on competitive strength this is the first time in which the best teams from the PAL Bay Division and the top squads from the SCVAL have been placed in the same division.

That means Los Gatos is in a division with Wilcox, Sacred Heart Prep, Burlingame, Menlo-Atherton and

Mountain View. The Wildcats should be considered the favorites since they’ve gotten the better of Wilcox the last several years.

In the loss to Pittsburg, AJ Minyard completed 16-of-31 passes for 262 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Boxer Kopcsak-Yeung rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, and added four receptions for 62 yards.

Owen Panu proved to be a bigplay threat, with his three receptions going for 33, 22 and 21 yards, respectively. Scott Garwood also was an offensive threat, totaling four catches for 65 yards.

Senior Nate Goldsbury recorded a team-best three tackles for loss, and two-way lineman Lyndon Bailey added two tackles for loss. Goldsbury also led the team with eight quarterback hurries, displaying tremendous ability in getting into the Pittsburg backfield. The Pirates have exceptional athleticism and speed as their ball-hawking secondary finished with three interceptions.

Wildcats’ standout receiver Jaylen Thomas was limited to three catches for 35 yards but did make a spectacular leaping TD grab near the left pylon with 1.7 seconds left until halftime, infusing much-needed juice into the team as it went into halftime trailing, 16-14.

The Wildcats were down 16-0 before scoring on their final two firsthalf drives, and Krail was proud in how the team responded from the early deficit.

“Oh awesome,” he said, when asked to assess the team’s play. “Obviously, we made some mistakes and the score reflected that in the end, but God, I am so proud of the effort of these guys.”

Krail noted the team gains more from losing to a team of Pittsburg’s caliber than winning big against an inferior opponent. Los Gatos rolled Palo Alto 42-0 the previous week, a game that was over by the second quarter.

“That’s why we do this [play teams like Pittsburg],” Krail said. “There’s 50 teams in our section we could’ve played and beaten handily and gotten nothing out of it. We’re going to get stuff out of tonight and we’re going to be better because of it.”

PLAYMAKER Scott Garwood had four receptions for 65 yards in the Wildcats’ 37-27 loss to visiting Pittsburg High on Sept. 29. Los Gatos opens PAL Bay Division play vs. Sacred Heart Prep on Oct. 6.

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A BOXER’S MENTALITY

Kopcsak-Yeung plays tough and physical

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

Entering the 2023 season, one of the biggest questions the Los Gatos High football team had was at running back.

Would there be anyone capable of replacing Emiliano Mejia, last year’s tailback extraordinaire? The answer has been a resounding yes in senior Boxer Kopcsak-Yeung, who has rushed for 471 yards on 76 carries an impressive 6.2 yards per rush and 94 yards a game to go along with seven touchdowns.

Kopcsak-Yeung saw limited action as the backup to Mejia in 2022, but he

made the most of the experience.

“Last year I learned a lot. I was definitely too small so I put on some weight in the offseason,” he said. “I worked hard in the gym and just got better. I learned from Milo who is a great running back, and did everything my coaches told me.”

It shows. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Kopcsak-Yeung interestingly enough, nearly the identical height and weight measurements of Mejia possesses explosiveness to get to the second level. And, despite being undersized, he plows forward on first and second contact, a byproduct of his determination to keep his legs moving.

In the Wildcats’ most recent game, a 37-27 loss to Pittsburg High on Sept.

29, Kopcsak-Yeung totaled a team-best 170 all-purpose yards, 108 rushing and 62 receiving. He also had touchdown runs of 8 and 2 yards, and was on the receiving end of the team’s longest pass play of the game, a 39-yarder to start their last possession.

While noting his strong mental approach, Kopcsak-Yeung credited the Los Gatos coaching staff and the offensive line for his production.

“Obviously, I really appreciate my coach and everything he does is for us and the team,” Kopcsak-Yeung said. “I really appreciate my linemen; I couldn’t do anything without them obviously. And you just have to play with heart and that’s what I try to do, is lay it all out on the field.”

Wildcats coach Mark Krail has enjoyed seeing Kopcsak-Yeung’s emergence as a quality starting running back.

“He’s been great,” Krail said in the aftermath of the Pittsburg game. “Pound for pound, the toughest kid on the field every single Friday night. He runs with passion and he’s a physical football player, and I love having him on our team. He’s awesome and has been good all year. He’s carried the load all year.”

Kopcsak-Yeung played an integral role in the passing game vs. Pittsburg, running dozens of routes while carrying the ball a workmanlike 20 times.

“He’s going to be tired in the morning,” Krail said. “And so am I.”

Kopcsak-Yeung said he entered the 2022 season at 135 to 140 pounds. Since then, he’s packed on approximately 30 pounds, relying on a top-notch strength and conditioning program and quality meals for a clean bulk.

“I worked hard, did everything my strength coach told me and just ate a lot,” he said. “I made sure it wasn’t bad pounds and tried to have a pretty good diet. My mom’s a pretty good cook.”

As a freshman playing on Los Gatos’ frosh-soph team, Kopcsak-Yeung was a 115-pound fullback. Playing that position sped up his learning in how to block properly and give maximum effort, or as he described it, “putting your heart into everything.”

In his sophomore year on the junior varsity squad, Kopcsak-Yeung transitioned to running back and has made incremental progress since, resulting in a strong senior season thus far. Kopcsak-Yeung’s father and grandfather both played football, so the sport runs in the family.

Boxer and his dad Michael watch every single 49ers game together, and they had Stanford football season tickets when current Niners standout Christian McCaffrey played there.

“That’s what inspired me to be a running back,” Boxer said.

Before he was even born, Kopcsak-Yeung displayed a fighter’s mentality. Hence, the name Boxer.

“My parents gave me the name because whenever we did ultrasounds, I guess my fists were balled up and I was punching,” he said.

WORKHORSE Wildcats senior Boxer Kopcsak-Yeung has rushed for 471 yards on 76 carries—an impressive 6.2 yards per rush and 94 yards a game—to go along with seven touchdowns this season.

Jonathan Natividad

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.

MYSTERY LOVERS BOOK CLUB

The Los Gatos Library’s Mystery Lover’s Book Club meets the first Wednesday of every month. The next meeting is Oct. 4 at 5pm in-person and on Zoom. The club will discuss “The Alienist” by Caleb Carr. For information, visit losgatosca.libcal.com/ event/10996889.

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.

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.

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.

➝ 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.

➝ osgatosca.gov/189/PlanningCommission.

GIVING A blood drive will be held at the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 13.

DOWNTOWN’S COMINGS AND GOINGS

Avenue, from page 1

including taking her grandchildren there to see the live baby chickens during the Easter season.

“Those are memories that we’re building for our children and our grandchildren,” she said, characterizing this as a unique experience of the town’s retail environment. “There’s something very special about Los Gatos.”

Santa Cruz Avenue is undergoing a bit of a shuffle, as iconic businesses shutter and others open.

While Rural Supply knocks prices down buy 25%—nearly across the board—in preparation for their end-of-November finale, and the Palms Restaurant has suddenly closed, new shops are trying their luck along the critical corridor.

Smith, who once owned a key anchor store—Domus, a popular home goods retailer in Old Town—is reviving the concept in the former location of the old Pharmaca space at 54 N. Santa Cruz Ave.

It all started with outreach from the property owner, Ed Stahl, the globetrotting Travel Advisors businessman.

“I had like no thought whatsoever of reopening Domus,” Smith said. “My very wonderful landlord, Ed Stahl, who owns Travel Advisors sent me an email asking me to have coffee with him.”

They’re both in Rotary together, so she was prepared to field a request to participate in a service project.

Instead, he told her he’d surveyed a number of people about what they’d like to see in his empty storefront.

“A hundred percent of the people mentioned Domus,” he told her.

“Really?” she replied. “Ed, it’s not even on my wavelength to even think about Domus again.”

After all, Domus hadn’t had the happiest of endings.

She was forced out of the business when her landlord effectively wanted to double rents and she couldn’t find a large enough retail space anywhere in Los Gatos—even with all the people who tried to help her sort something out.

“I’d really like it to be on your wavelength,” Stahl pressed. “I’d really like you to be the business in that space.”

Smith wasn’t so sure.

Over the years she’s served on Planning Commission and as the national

president of NAWBO, which involved trade missions to various states and foreign locales.

And in her run for Council her passion for preserving the classic look and feel of Los Gatos rang through.

But reopening a business that she’d put out of her mind so many years ago?

Was this really the right time and place for such a major life move?

It’s something she thought about upon multiple tours of her potential new business home.

Then, one day, she was walking downtown late at night, and she headed toward the location.

“It was very empty down here,” she said, recalling the thought that just kept nagging at her. “How will I feel if some other retailer goes into this space?”

She didn’t want to see something pop up that didn’t feel right for Los Gatos.

“That was the deciding factor,” she said. “I just wanted to provide a really good retail store in the downtown that people wanted.”

There’s been some positive news emerging from Los Gatos in the wake of the pandemic—from the completion of parklets that are the envy of the entire Bay Area, to the March expansion of Capitola business Ethos to North Santa Cruz Avenue, and “Elvis” serenading the launch of Drywalk Salon, just a little further down the street.

But there’s been plenty of unwelcome news, too.

It started with the mixed-use project pre-application for the US Post Office site. While pro-housing advocates were excited to see a proposal for 72 condos, of which 20% would be affordably-priced, it sent a contingent of others into an uproar about the drawings featuring a five-story building for 101 S. Santa Cruz Ave.

Then, the Los Gatan reported that Rural Supply—directly across the street—was considering closing, after the property owner had elected to sell, after seeking higher rents that the hardware store felt was unmanageable.

On Tuesday, an owner confirmed it was the end of the road for the longstanding mom-and-pop operation.

“We’re shutting it down and we’ve got a close-out sale going on,” said

co-owner Ken Nelson. “End of November we’ll be out of here.”

Rumors of a possible sale have begun swirling, but Nelson but a damper on the possibility that they’d continue on under new ownership of the property.

“We’re definitely done,” he said.

J.J. Taughinbaugh, a senior vice president with Marcus & Millichap handling the listing, said Tuesday morning no deal had “closed escrow.”

And this week, The Palms Restaurant announced it would be closing.

“After many discussions and efforts to secure the future of our beloved restaurant, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of The Palms Restaurant,” read a message posted to Instagram and sent out via email. “We have engaged in extensive negotiations with our landlord in an attempt to renew our lease. Regrettably, we have been unable to come to an agreement that would allow us to continue our operations at the current location. These discussions have been exhaustive and have ultimately left us with no other viable option but to close our doors.”

The restaurant prepared around 36,000 meals during the coronavirus invasion for workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

Tony Loeffler, who was general manager at the time, helped negotiate a lease extension prior to his departure to work at the Campbell location of Flights Restaurant, his wife, Irmina Loeffler noted.

Joe Nigos Jr., chief investment officer at Sridhar Equities, Inc. said their company, which purchased Lyndon Plaza in 2021, said it wasn’t in contract to buy the building housing Rural Supply.

“We are not interested in the Palms

Restaurant building either,” he said in an email Tuesday.

The Palms management thanked its patrons in its message to customers.

“The Palms has been a part of our community for many years, and we are incredibly grateful for the loyalty and patronage we have received from all of you,” read the note, which had racked-up dozens of comments on Instagram as of press time. “Your enthusiasm, your smiles, and your love for our food and service have been a constant source of inspiration for our entire team.”

Jennifer Lin, the executive director of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, said demand for retail and restaurant space remains strong and vacancy levels are still pretty low.

“We understand that Rural Supply and Palms each had leases with below-market rent,” she said. “With the end of their lease terms, there was the opportunity for their respective landlords to exercise their right to pursue new tenants and improve the performance of their investments. Property owners don't usually give up long-term tenants unless demand for space is robust.”

It was the death of a spouse that spurred the sale of the Rural Supply building, she noted.

“The public doesn't see the whole story, so it's all too easy to jump to conclusions,” she said. “We are tremendously excited for the return of Domus, a much-beloved and locally-owned kitchen gadgets, cookware and lifestyle/gifts store. The Domus grand opening, along with that of the much-anticipated Parkside restaurant [145 W. Main St.], really demonstrate that it's a bright time for Los Gatos.”

The Domus grand opening, along with that of the much-anticipated Parkside restaurant, really demonstrate that it's a bright time for Los Gatos.

Jennifer Lin

DRAFT SENT

HEAB, from page 1 thing,” Hudes said. “And if the Town makes statements that are purposefully, as I say, self-flagellating to win some sympathy from someone, I think this is a mistake.”

The decision allowed Los Gatos to resubmit its 6th Cycle Housing Element to the Department of Housing and Community Development on Monday.

Multiple community members requested the Town extend the public comment period for the draft to allow them more time to understand the changes to the expansive volume.

Town Associate Planner Jocelyn Shoopman said no new sites had been added to the list of places where residential development can occur.

She added projections about the potential for various types of developments to occur had been refined.

And Los Gatos recently learned it could take credit for 250 additional units, based on technicalities of how HCD counts the amount of housing municipalities must plan for.

Hudes said it seemed like Los Gatos was planning on double-counting 194 units from the previous Housing Element and asked if that was permissible.

Staff said the Town currently believes this is above-board.

“We were surprised as well when we received the information,” Associate Planner Erin Walters said.

Planning Director Jennifer Armer agreed it was “a little counterintuitive,” but confirmed it was “in compliance with direction from the State.”

Los Gatos Community Alliance member Jak Van Nada questioned, during public comment, why the Town wasn’t planning to address a shortfall of hundreds of lower-income units between what’s in the Housing Element and what’s being planned by the North 40 Phase 2 developer.

Staff said Los Gatos wouldn’t have to address this sort of potential problem until later and didn’t recommend any changes.

Ryan Rosenberg, a public representative on the board, said from his standpoint, it was better to try to get the document across the finish line than to improve language he took issue with in the draft.

“I remember the first time I saw it, to be perfectly honest, I was taken aback,” he said. “I am quite uncomfortable with several things.”

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

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

Lucy Wedemeyer Broker

lucy@serenogroup.com

408-891-6861

DRE# 00640875

Keith Andry Associate/Broker

408-891-4151

keith@serenogroup.com

DRE# 01470

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

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