Los Gatan January 31 2024 by Weeklys

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vol . 3 , no. 21 : January 31-February 6, 2024 : losgatan.com

socc e r sta r p 8 : u p c o m i ng e vent s p11 : ny times crossword puzzle p 13 : serv ice d ir ectory p 14 Heroes Martial Arts

TOWN PURSUES FORMER STAFFER IN COURT OVER COMPUTER STOLEN IN MAUI

Heroes Martial Arts headed up by Alan ‘Gumby’ Marques

Los Gatos’ former engineer appeals order to pay for work property

Drew Penner, Reporter

The Town of Los Gatos’ former top engineer WooJae Kim is appealing an order to repay money for a town-issued laptop he reported stolen while in Hawaii. Kim left his post in Los Gatos in December 2022 and became Public Works Director/City Engineer in Los Altos Hills. “It seems like a total waste of everybody’s time,” said Kim when asked about the case. The two communities are peer municipalities, with similar pay ranges. While the current budget (2023-24) for a Los Gatos Town Engineer is $154,934$209,162, in 2020-21 Los Altos Hills had a salary schedule of $136,882-$206,234 for the Public Works Director & City Engineer slot. According to Transparent California, Kim was making $211,396 in regular pay in Los Gatos in 2022, for a total of $299,940.71, when benefits are factored in. Based off those figures, this ➝ Computer, 5

JIU-JITSU BUSINESS MOVES INTO FORMER FERRARI DEALERSHIP ON E. MAIN STREET

Inside the building with the curved façade along South Main Street, assistant instructor Bruce G. Nardone looks out over the “no-gi” jiu-jitsu class, where a couple of students are practicing various techniques. Leading the Jan. 25 session, Sean Whitmore indicates fulcrum points on the body and walks the learners through the grappling rhythm. As Heroes Martial Arts expands into the space that once hawked top-tier cars (there’s still a stone slab with the Aston ➝ Jiu-jitsu, 4

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BLACK BELT Alan “Gumby” Marques is the founder of Heroes Martial Arts, which opened a new location on E. Main Street in Los Gatos.

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2022 Society of Excellence, Fewer than 1% of Coldwell Banker Agents Worldwide #1 Small Team in the Los Gatos Office Voted 2023 Best Real Estate Agent of Los Gatos 2022 Society of2011-2023 Excellence,WSJ List Top Producer on the 408.892.9300 | cell Fewer than 1% of Coldwell BLister@cbnorcal.com Banker Agents Worldwide www.BillLister.com Small Team in the DRE##1 01179611

JANUARY 31- F EB RUARY 6, 20 24 : LOS GATAN.CO M

BILL LISTER

Los Gatos matched Office A results oriented approach with strong BILL LISTER negotiating skills and effective has made T H E L I S T E R T E A M Voted 2023 marketing Best Real Estate Bill Lister a national Real Estate leader. EXCELLENT AGENTS | UNPARALLELED RESULTS Agent of Los Gatos Top Producer on the 2011-2023 WSJ List

©2023 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered Itrademark Coldwell Estate Equal Opportunity Company. T ' S S Ilicensed M P L Eto R E A L LBanker Y, I T Real 'S A L L LLC. I N An TH E N AME... L I S T E REqual Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. All rights reserved. This information was supplied by Seller and/or other sources. Broker believes this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction. Real Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Sales Associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License # 01908304.

408.892.9300 cell BLister@cbnorcal.com www.BillLister.com DRE# 01179611

A results oriented approach matched with strong negotiating skills and effective marketing has made Bill Lister a national Real Estate leader. Give him a call today!

WWW.BILLLISTER.COM 408.892.9300

©2023 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. All rights reserved. This information was supplied by Seller and/or other sources. Broker believes this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction. Real Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Sales Associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License # 01908304.

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Kim Richman Realtor® | DRE 01076556 408.406.9533 kim@kimrichmanteam.com

Local Expertise; Proven Results! I am proud to be recognized as the 2023 Best of Los Gatos in real estate and #286 Top Producing agent in California!*

*Source: 2023 America’s Best Real Trends Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01076556. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. License Number 01991628, 01527235, 1527365.

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TEACHING THE TECHNIQUES Sean Whitmore leads a Jan. 25 class at Heroes Martial Arts in Los Gatos.

INTRODUCTORY CLASS SET

Jiu-jitsu, from page 1

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January F eb ruary 6, 20 24 : los gatan.co m january 3131-f e bruary losgatan.com

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Martin logo outside), you get the feeling it won’t be this empty for long. “There’s no striking,” said Nardone, describing the type of class underway. “It’s more body control.” Nardone is a sponsored athlete who has won major championships around the world, such as a gold in the open category at the IBJJF fights in Rome in 2019. He came to martial arts after a rough upbringing in New Jersey and New York. “I was always getting jumped,” he said. “I needed self-defense.” For Nardone, there was the physical element that was alluring. But he found there was a beauty to the mental game, too. “There’s a lot of give-and-take,” he said. “It’s like playing chess.” Heroes has three locations in the South Bay, including one in Campbell. This will be their fourth. “I love this location,” Nardone said, pointing out how close it is to a popular trail. “Everyone’s walking to the loop and hiking.”

And students now have another physical activity option right near the Los Gatos High School campus, he notes. “It keeps your mind off of anything that’s negative,” he said. “Any kind of a good distraction is better than a bad one.” It’s also an opportunity to spread his love of jiu-jitsu to a new audience. “They have the option to condition their body here with jiu-jitsu,” he said. “It’s just rewarding to see new faces.” At the same time, the company founder, Alan Marques—who everyone calls Gumby—was teaching a different class on the other side of the South Bay. Marques, 50, says he did judo as a kid after being bullied. But it was the buying decision of a roommate that cemented his future career path: his housemate decided to purchase UFC#1 on pay-per-view. So when Ralph Gracie, of the preeminent ultimate fighting Gracie clan, opened a gym in the South Bay, he was one of the first students to sign up. “I was one of the first American black belts in the area,” he said. “It was

a huge opportunity. I kinda knew it’d be big. But I didn’t know how big.” As ultimate fighting and jiu-jitsu took off like a rocket, Marques was along for the ride, working as a reporter for the onthemat.com website. “I was a journalist for years in that space,” he said. “I was considered at one point to be the voice of jiu-jitsu in America.” The site was revolutionary, he explains, because they were uploading videos before YouTube became a thing. He recalls how he’d download content overnight via a dial-up modem, compress the file to the Quicktime standard and then send it out to their growing legion of UFC fans. Over time the site ran its course, as more platforms got on the streaming bandwagon, and Marques put more emphasis on his work at the dojo. “It was kind of time to branch out and do my own thing,” he said, of the decision to start his own gym. “It was a natural progression.” That was a decade-and-a-half ago now. “We just celebrated our 15th anniversary,” he said. “Last year I took over a gym in Campbell.” Marques says it’s great to have the two West Valley locations so close to each other. “It’s close enough that there’s a synergy,” he said. “They’re different cities, they’re different demographics.” It’s not that Marques was chomping at the bit to get into the former Ferrari location. California Strength—which Heroes now shares a building with—reached out, he explains. “An opportunity came up in Los Gatos that was such a good deal—I couldn’t refuse it,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to open multiple gyms…During Covid I wasn’t sure I was going to have one gym.” Whitmore, the instructor, is also a part-owner in the gym, too. Marques says jiu-jitsu isn’t just something to pass the time in the evenings, it’s a lifestyle. “This is part of your identity, like you surf or you golf; jiu-jitsu’s along the same lines,” he said. “You’re part of a larger community.” Heroes Martial Arts will hold a free introductory workshop on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 66 E. Main St. in Los Gatos. No experience is necessary, but participants are asked to bring comfortable workout clothes.

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means Los Gatos took its former engineering department leader to court to claw-back an amount that works out to .46% of his yearly earnings. After Kim left, his name was brought up during a hearing over Shannon Road bikeway improvements as a rigid force that wasn’t open to altering his engineering vision in the direction of some residents who sought to maintain the rural feel of the traditional suburban neighborhood. This put the project, which had ballooned in cost from $1.9 million to $2.3 million, at risk of losing access to $1.1 million in grant monies. Public Works Director Nicolle Burnham and then-mayor Maria Ristow played key roles in salvaging the multi-modal route, in part through holding additional meetings and reworking designs. Kim says pushback from neighbors is just part of any good public infrastructure debate. It was during this period that Kim took a trip to Maui. “We were actually there for a timeshare presentation,” Kim said. “I took my laptop everywhere I went.” He’d brought it with him to Korea earlier in the year. In Maui, he used it to make sure his team was staying on task. The Town isn’t trying to claim Kim defrauded taxpayers by filing a false theft report or anything of that nature. “Defendant took the laptop on vacation and it was stolen on 11/25/22,” Burnham wrote in filing in Santa Clara County Superior Court. “Defendant reported theft to Maui PD and Town. Defendant had indicated he would pay for the laptop from insurance proceeds.” Kim said someone swiped his hotel key and used it to get into the room. Kim said he returned to find that— along with the laptop—$500 and his wife’s wedding ring had vanished. “It felt like an inside job,” he said. Kim attempted to go through the Westin Ka'anapali’s insurance, but says its Liberty Mutual coverage refused to shell-out, since his own keycard had been used to gain access to the room. “It pretty much ruined our whole vacation,” he said. “They claimed it was not the hotel’s fault. Somebody used our key to get into the room.”

The Los Gatan has reached out to Marriott International, Inc., which owns the Westin Brand, about the situation but didn’t receive a response by deadline. According to the Town, the laptop itself is worth $1,379.04, plus a $235 service plan and a $125.91 environmental fee. When Kim left, the Town sent him a $1,744.73 invoice, which went unpaid. On Nov. 3, Los Gatos’ IT manager Sai Kim, as well as Burnham, appeared in Small Claims Court in front of Commissioner Christine Copeland, who also heard evidence from Kim. In the end she ordered Kim to pay $1,000 for the laptop plus $142.05 to cover additional costs incurred by the Town. Then, on Jan. 2, Kim appealed the $1,142.05 verdict. Kim says he did a public records request and confirmed the Town doesn’t normally treat staff members who have been victims of theft this way. Plus, he adds, used laptops like his are currently going for about $200-$300 online. “It really left a bad taste in my mouth,” he said. “It wasn’t even a partial payment they asked for, it was a full (payment demanded).” Kim says he isn’t sure why Burnham would have valued the Dell computer at such a high price. “For the Town to actually take me to court for something like that, it wasn’t a good feeling,” he said. In a Tuesday phone call, Burnham hinted that Kim never produced a police report and suggested the Town only takes legal action when “extenuating circumstances” are involved. She declined to say whether Kim resigned or was fired. Kim said it was frustrating to try to deal with the police in Hawaii. Despite the parting, Kim remains curious about how the Shannon Road project will improve life in the town he once played a pivotal role in designing. He says he recently swung by to see the results of Blossom Hill Road restriping. But he’s kept pretty busy with his work up the peninsula. “We’re a very small team over there,” he said, noting he appreciates how City Manager Peter Pirnejad puts a lot of emphasis on staff retention. “It’s been great. I’ve been there a little over a year. I work with the community a lot.”

January F eb ruary 6, 20 24 : los gatan.co m january 3131-f e bruary losgatan.com

To improve traffic flow for area residents and visitors at Sanborn County Park, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a set of resolutions restricting parking on Black Road, an unincorporated County road located near Los Gatos. Parking will be prohibited from dusk till dawn on Black Road about a third of a mile west of Beggs Road to approximately 610 feet west of Beggs Road on the north shoulder of the westbound lane. Additionally, there is a “No Parking Any Time” restriction on the south side, from a point approximately a quarter-mile west of Beggs Road, to a point approximately 1,100 feet west thereof. The Board’s action was made in response to a request from County park rangers on behalf of local residents for an evaluation of this portion of Black Road, approximately one mile east of Skyline Boulevard near the Sanborn County Park John Nicholas Trailhead entrance, where illegal parking, including overnight, has been occurring. County staff concluded that implementing the recommended restrictions on Black Road, adjacent to the trail entrance, would provide adequate shoulder area parking for visitors during operating hours at Sanborn County Park and reduce parking violations. “This is a simple parking management measure that should result in better traffic flow for drivers on Black Road,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian, who represents the area. “It has the added benefit of making Black Road safer for our residents, as well as park visitors.” Signage designating the new “No Parking” zones on Black Road is scheduled for installation by March. Last year, in response to concerns raised by Los Gatos residents residing on Black Road, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to extend a 30mph speed limit on Black Road between Thompson Road and Highway 17 Frontage Road. This action allows for speed limit enforcement by the California Highway Patrol using radar.

Contributed

SUPERVISORS’ DECISION AIMS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AT PARK TRAILHEAD

LOCAL SCENE

delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Payments can also be mailed to: Department of Tax and Collections, 110 West Tasman Drive, San José, CA 95134-1700. A list of special assessment tax exemptions for seniors and persons with disabilities is also offered. ➝ sccdtac.org.

LOCAL STUDENT RECOGNIZED AT UNIVERSITY OF IOWA Adriana Amatriain Martinez of Los Gatos was among the more than 7,900 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa named to the dean's list for the 2023 fall semester. Martinez is a second year student in Iowa’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is majoring in Nursing Interest. To be named to the dean’s list, a student must earn a grade point average of 3.50 or higher on 12 semester hours or more. FIRE DESTROYS GARAGE No one was displaced when a fire tore through a garage on Stetson Road in Los Gatos on Jan. 23. According to Cal Fire, firefighters were dispatched around 2:40am to the fire. When Engine 1791 from Burrell Cal Fire Station 47 arrived, they found a fire in a detached garage in the unoccupied grandmother unit to the home. Crews had the fire knocked down within five minutes. The cause is under investigation. Cal Fire CZU, Cal Fire SCU, Loma Prieta Fire and Rescue Volunteers and PG&E responded.

“These are basic safety and quality of life measures,” Simitian said, “but they are also a reminder of how important it is for County staff to hear, understand and respond to community concerns.” The County maintains the entirety of Black Road from Skyline Boulevard to Highway 17 Frontage Road.

SUMMER MEDIA CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN KCAT TV’s Summer Media Camp is now taking registrations. The in-person multimedia camps are for ages 9-14, covering live TV, movie making, podcasting and more. The weekly summer camps are held June 10 through Aug. 9, Monday through Friday. Camps are held at KCAT TV15 Studio on the Los Gatos High School campus. Scholarships may be available. ➝ tinyurl.com/43pnrrve.

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR SECOND INSTALLMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES The deadline to pay the second installment of the 2023-24 annual secured property taxes is approaching. The second installment of the property tax is due Feb. 1 and becomes delinquent at 5pm on April 10. The second installment may be paid separately only if the first installment has been paid. The County of Santa Clara Department of Tax and Collections (DTAC) announced in October the availability of the annual secured Fiscal Year 2023-2024 property tax bills. These bills can be accessed, viewed, printed and paid online at sccdtac.org. For taxpayers who have opted for electronic copies, bills were delivered to the email address on file as of Oct. 2. For all other taxpayers, tax bills were

OPPERMAN NAMED TO DEAN’S LIST AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY Bridget Opperman of Los Gatos was named to the Fall 2023 Dean's List at Montclair State University. Opperman is a Liberal Studies major. Opperman was among more than 6,000 Red Hawks named to the Fall 2023 Dean's List. To qualify, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Montclair State University is located in Montclair, NJ.

NAPILTONIA HONORED AT UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA Colette Napiltonia of Los Gatos was named to The University of Alabama President’s List for fall semester 2023. A total of 13,950 students enrolled during fall semester 2023 at The University of Alabama were named to the dean's list with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the president's list with an academic record of 4.0 (all A's).

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.

Donations can be made to: COACHES AGAINST CANCER (501c3) PO Box 20773 San Jose, CA 95160. Visit: www.santaclaraallstar.com.

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This information was supplied by reliable sources. Sales Associate believes this information to be correct but has not veriﬁed this information and assumes no Legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction.

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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.

SPORTS

MIKE VICK IS A TRUE GAME-CHANGER Jonathan Natividad

LGHS senior averages a goal a game

January F eb ruary 6, 20 24 : los gatan.co m january 3131-f e bruary losgatan.com

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

Mike Vick is making his first and only season of high school soccer well worth it. The Los Gatos High senior is averaging a goal a game, including the lone tally in the Wildcats’ 1-0 win over Milpitas High on Jan. 26. The victory strengthened their position atop the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division standings. Los Gatos entered this week’s action 9-2-2 overall and 6-0-1 in league, three points ahead of second-place Wilcox but having played one less contest. With only five league matches remaining, the Wildcats are in prime position to win the championship and lock up an automatic berth into the Central Coast Section playoffs. Several players have made an impact, with Vick being a game-changing difference-maker. Due to club commitments with De Anza Force MLS Next, Vick wasn’t allowed to play for the high school squad until this season. “I decided this year I really wanted to represent the school and play high school ball,” he said. “I know everybody on the team and the experience has been everything I expected and more. The coaches are amazing: Joel [Fumia], Rick [Morin] and Tomer [Meridor]. It’s a great group of guys, everybody is so committed and I would not have thinked high school soccer was going to be this an amazing experience to be honest.” In November, Vick signed a letter of intent to play for Division I program Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. It was no surprise given that Cal Poly coach Oige Kennedy and Vick began talking to each early in Vick’s junior year, when Kennedy was then an assistant coach at Stanford. “Mike is a quality soccer player who shows great composure on the ball. He’s someone that we’ve watched a lot

TOUR DE FORCE Mike Vick is averaging nearly a goal a game for a Los Gatos High boys soccer team that entered this week’s play at 9-2-2 overall and 6-0-1 for first place in the SCVAL El Camino Division.

over the past year and we’re excited he’s joining us next fall,” Kennedy said on Cal Poly’s athletics website. “We can already tell the passion Mike has for Cal Poly.” Vick praised Kennedy and the Cal Poly program, and his decision was made relatively easy after he took a visit to the Cal Poly campus in March 2023. “As soon as I stepped on campus, I kind of knew,” Vick said. “The area was beautiful, I had a great greeting by the players, it felt like I was at home, like a regular night in Los Gatos hanging out with my friends. It was great.” A versatile player who is projected to play left back in college, Vick mans the central midfielder position for

Los Gatos. Wherever Vick is playing, he’s adept at joining the attack and is particularly lethal in the open field. Vick was drawn to Cal Poly because of Kennedy’s coaching acumen and style of play. “What Oige said he liked about my game was being able to get up the field and put in crosses,” Vick said. “In today’s modern game, left backs have to be able to get up the field and that’s what he wants, getting up as many people in the attack.” When the Wildcats are threatening to score, Vick is often in the middle of the action. Fast and dangerous with the ball on his feet, Vick’s talent was on full display in the team’s first matchup with Monta Vista, a 3-2 victory.

Vick scored two goals and assisted on the third in what Vick called a “scrappy game from the start.” Both of Vick’s tallies came after dribbling past a couple of defenders near the top of the 18-yard box. When the match was level at 2-2, Vick delivered a free kick on frame that led to a rebound and Los Gatos goal. “Probably one of our better wins of the season,” he said. Admittedly, Los Gatos wasn’t at its best in the rematch vs. Monta Vista, which ended in a 1-1 draw on Jan. 24. However, the team responded nicely in the win over Milpitas. “The second time vs. Monta Vista was kind of a rough game for us,” Vick said. “Probably should’ve won the game but soccer is soccer. We know we’re capable of beating them and we hold ourselves to a high standard. We thought that tie was a loss which is a great mentality to have. We had to get over the fact we tied and move on to the next game.” The Wildcats are having their best season since the 2018-2019 campaign, when they won the upper De Anza Division championship and earned a berth in the Open Division playoffs. Vick was born in Galway, Ireland, before his family moved to the U.S. when he was 7 years old. In his time in Ireland, Vick played several sports, including Gaelic football, hurling, golf and soccer. Once he arrived stateside, Vick started focusing on soccer. As the years went on, it became apparent Vick had the potential to eventually earn a Division I scholarship. “I remember my first-ever word was ball, so maybe I was destined to play soccer,” he said. As his prep playing days wind down, Vick would love nothing more than to lead Los Gatos to a CCS title. He’s known most of his teammates for years, including Louis Eldridge, as the two have attended the same school since the fifth grade. “It’s been great, just to be on the same team as him,” Vick said. “A fun experience with him and a few others of couse. Dom (Zisa) is also a great friend of mine. To share the field with all of these guys is great. It’s like a dream come true.”

Jonathan Natividad

SPORTS

FOCUSED Wildcats senior EJ Parco is a two-time CCS champion and fifth-place finisher in the CIF State Championships. He’s currently ranked No. 3 in the 150-pound weight class.

EJ PARCO AIMS TO FINISH ON TOP LGHS senior ready to make history Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

“For sure, I’ve been getting my mindset ready the past couple of weekends,” he said. “Definitely been practicing pretty hard, lifting, doing all the necessary things to win that state championship.” Parco has probably envisioned getting his hand raised in victory under the lights at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, the annual site of the State Championships. “I’ve been thinking of State the past couple of months,” he said. “It’s been on my mind. It would mean a lot to win a state championship, obviously. I think I’m in the right spot mentally and physically, so it’s definitely there for me. I can definitely win it.” To do it, he’ll need to best the likes of top-ranked Mantanona, No. 2 Miguel Estrada, No. 4 Laird Root and possibly Zepeda should he decide to move up a weight class. “If I just tweak some things, keep working at it, I can beat those guys,” he said. “I feel I’m ready for those

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After a second consecutive fifth-place finish in the CIF State Wrestling Championships last season, EJ Parco knew he needed to keep on improving if he wanted to reach the summit. And that’s exactly what the Los Gatos High senior has done. Currently ranked No. 3 in the state in the 150-pound weight class, Parco—along with teammates Antonio Rodriguez and Dylan Pile—are attempting to become the first Los Gatos High boys state champions in program history. Following Parco’s fifth-place showing at 145 pounds at State last year, Wildcats coach Greg Varela had Parco work on finishing his matches with authority. “Pushing all the way through and I definitely think I’ve improved on that,” Parco said. One only has to look at Parco’s two matches with Gilroy High’s Daniel

Zepeda—who won the state title at 132 pounds last year—as proof. Parco edged Zepeda 6-4 in the Reno Tournament of Champions in December and again at the Doc Buchanan Tournament in January, 3-2, in the Ultimate Tiebreaker. “My matches with Zepeda both went into OT, and I think I pushed pretty hard through those matches,” he said. A Stanford-signee, Parco has suffered just two losses all season, both to top-20 nationally ranked wrestlers. His most recent defeat came to Palm Desert High senior Brock Mantanona in the final of the Doc Buchanan, one of the toughest high school tournaments in the nation. Mantanona prevailed 3-1 in Sudden Victory 1, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the two meet again at State. Parco’s postseason begins Feb. 2-3 in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League Championships. From there, Parco has the Central Coast Section Northern Regional Meet, CCS Masters and CIF State Championships. Parco likes how he’s been wrestling and the position he’s in.

matches, playing a lot of scenarios in my mind.” Parco’s career bears a resemblance to his brother Kyle, who is a redshirt junior at Arizona State and a three-time NCAA All-American. Kyle prepped at De La Salle, where he won the 2019 CIF State Championship at 132 pounds in his final opportunity. Five years later, EJ looks to replicate what Kyle did. Quite the symmetry, but hardly a surprise. After all, the brothers grew up competing and practicing against each other, both in wrestling and jiu-jitsu. Together, they sharpened each other to the point where both developed into elite level wrestlers. Since Kyle is four years older, EJ has always revered his older brother. “He was always an idol for me,” EJ said. “I was always ready to chase him and have the same goals. His senior year he won state, so hopefully the same thing happens with me.” Since Kyle—who has already completed enough units to graduate—still has athletic eligibility left, there’s a small chance the two could face off in college next year. EJ might take a redshirt year, but regardless, he has aspirations to win an NCAA championship and after that, excel at the highest level. For now, of course, he’s laser focused on taking each match as they come, not looking ahead or taking things for granted. “Outside the mat [room], I’m eating well, sleeping, getting my studies in,” he said. “One of the things I do sometimes is meditate after a run or hop in the sauna to focus my mind and get it alright.” Parco loves the thrill of competition, which is why the Reno TOC and Doc B. have been the highlights of his season thus far. “Those are the best moments, especially those high level matches when you know you’re facing a nationally-ranked wrestler,” Parco said. “It’s just fun to go out there and scrap.” Parco’s scholarship to Stanford is a testament to his achievements on and off the mat. It’s well known Stanford has tougher admission requirements for incoming student-athletes compared to their Division I counterparts. Parco was deciding between Stanford and Arizona State, the latter because he would get to wrestle on the same team as Kyle. However, the Cardinals won out in the end. “Stanford has been one of my top colleges ever since I was a kid,” EJ said. “Once I signed with Stanford, it was a really big relief. I could focus on school again and wrestling.”

GUEST VIEW

‘FUGITIVE DREAMS’ AND FORGOTTEN REALITIES

January F eb ruary 6, 20 24 : los gatan.co m january 3131-f e bruary losgatan.com

Jeffrey P. Blum, Contributor

I’m not a movie reviewer. In fact, I wasn’t even much of a movie watcher, until the pandemic hit, which pretty much coincided with my semi-retirement (more like 90% retirement) from working as a family law attorney. Since then, I’ve watched hundreds of movies. Recently, I watched “Fugitive Dreams.” Despite my lack of credentials as a movie buff, I view “Fugitive Dreams” as a natural movie for me to write about since its story aligns with my duties as a member of the Community Health and Senior Services Commission (CHSSC) and my role as a member of the Rotary Club of Los Gatos. In those roles, I strive to do my small part to improve the lives of our residents. “Fugitive Dreams” captures the struggles and dreams of unhoused individuals. The movie is a raw portrayal of human resilience amidst societal neglect. We witness the dreams and aspirations of unhoused individuals clashing with the limitations imposed by their circumstances. This makes one wonder about the experiences of the unhoused residents in Los Gatos, who, few in number and largely voiceless, have stories that rarely break through the veil of our privileged bubble. One of the film’s protagonists is a young woman who is forced into homelessness after a string of misfortunes. We see her navigate the treacherous landscape of survival, battling hunger, loneliness and the constant fear of assault in one form or another. But “Fugitive Dreams” isn’t just about individual hardship; it’s a stark mirror held to the community itself, forcing viewers to confront the complexities of homelessness and the role we all play in addressing it. Los Gatos paints a picture of affluence. However, the harsh realities of housing insecurity and lack of adequate support services lurk beneath the surface. “Fugitive Dreams” serves as a poignant reminder to confront these shadows and explore potential solutions. Here's how “Fugitive Dreams” can guide us: • Emphasize Human Stories: The film personalizes the struggles of the unhoused. Los Gatos can incorporate these narratives into our advocacy efforts, allowing policymakers and residents to connect with the issue on an emotional level.

• Prioritize Preventative Measures: “Fugitive Dreams” highlights the factors that contribute to homelessness, such as economic hardship and mental health concerns. We can advocate for programs that address these root causes to prevent individuals from falling into homelessness in the first place. • Promote Collaboration: The film hints at the power of diverse communities working together to support their unhoused members. Our town can continue to foster partnerships with local organizations, businesses and faith-based institutions to create a comprehensive support network for those in need. But beyond awareness and advocacy, “Fugitive Dreams” calls for action. Here are some concrete steps we can take: • Press for Funding: Advocate for increased funding for affordable housing initiatives (admittedly, a somewhat sore subject in our town), mental health programs and support services specifically designed for the unhoused population. • Support Outreach Programs: Work with local organizations to develop outreach programs that connect with unsheltered individuals and offer them access to vital resources. • Promote Public Education: Organize film screenings, community forums and workshops to educate the public about the realities of homelessness and dispel myths and stereotypes. • Community Engagement: “Fugitive Dreams” presents an opportunity to bridge the gap between the homeless community and the broader Los Gatos population. We can facilitate volunteer opportunities, mentorship programs and community outreach initiatives to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment. “Fugitive Dreams” is a painful reminder that homelessness exists even in seemingly idyllic communities like Los Gatos. It’s not just a movie; it’s a call to action. By amplifying the voices of the unhoused, empowering our service providers with effective tools, and fostering a spirit of collaboration, we can ensure that the dreams of every individual, housed or unhoused, have a chance to take flight. Let's not let these “fugitive dreams” remain unseen; let’s turn them into tangible realities of hope and dignity for all. Jeffrey P. Blum is a family law mediator who lives in Los Gatos. He can be reached at blumesq@aol.com.

POLICE BLOTTER JAN. 21 • A woman was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and resisting an officer on University Avenue and Boyer Lane at 1:02am. • A man was arrested for being in possession of unlawful paraphernalia on the 600 block of N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 5:36pm.

JAN. 22 • A man was arrested for making annoying calls to 911 on the 15900 block of Los Gatos Boulevard at 9am. • A caller requested a group of transient people to be “moved along” on a property on Alberto Way at 11:36am.

JAN. 23 • A vehicle was tampered with on Los Gatos Saratoga Road. • Unknown suspects stole items from one vehicle and siphoned gasoline out of multiple others on Los Gatos Boulevard. • Two women reportedly stole two bags of medicine from a store on N. Santa Cruz Avenue. Twenty minutes later, another business on Blossom Hill Road reported two women stealing medicine.

JAN. 24 • A caller said there was a person in a parking lot on Montebello Way “lurking around and hiding” at 11:06am. • A caller reported a dog off its leash at Town Plaza Park at 2:54pm, saying the owner “needs to be informed of the rules.” • A man was reportedly sitting on the sidewalk “smoking an unknown substance out of what looks like a pipe” on University Avenue and Blossom Hill Road at 4:07pm. • Five packages were reported stolen from a front porch on Loma Alta Avenue.

• A man was reportedly defecating on a property and harassing people on Blossom Hill Road at 7:17pm. • A man was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Blossom Hill Road and Camden Avenue at 9:52pm.

JAN. 25

• A man was arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance at Kings Court at 12:34am. • A man reportedly tried to pry open the door of a business with a crowbar on Los Gatos Saratoga Road at 4:50am. • Someone stole a vehicle’s registration on Winchester Circle.

JAN. 27

• A caller reported a driver honking a vehicle’s horn non-stop for five minutes on Mary Alice Drive at 12:06am. • Someone smashed a window of a business on University Avenue. • Two juveniles were reportedly throwing things at passing vehicles on S. Santa Cruz Avenue at 4:23pm. • A caller reported five juveniles riding electric bicycles on Via Santa Maria, with one of them pounding on their door at 7:21pm. • A woman showed up to a business “very” drunk on Los Gatos Saratoga Road at 7:43pm. • A man was reportedly yelling for help on Alberto Way and Cuesta De Los Gatos Way at 9:24pm. • A vehicle was reported stolen on Withey Road. Information is compiled from public records released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.

lgsubs.com

CALENDAR

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

AUTHOR TALK Friends of Los Gatos Library welcome Heather White, author of “One Green Thing,” for a conversation around climate change and what each of us can do to make an impact. White is a nationally recognized conservation and environmental policy expert and a frequent spokesperson in national media on climate, energy and conservation issues. The talk will be held Feb. 1 from 1-2pm at the Los Gatos Library, 100 Villa Ave. For information, visit losgatosca.libcal.com/event/11687877.

round. 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.

LINCOLN TRIO The Los Gatos Concert Association will welcome the Lincoln Trio on Feb. 4 at 2:30pm at the Los Gatos High School Theater, 20 High School Court. The Grammy-nominated, Chicago-based Lincoln Trio has been praised for its presentations of well-known chamber works and contemporary repertoire. ➝ lgcca.org.

MYSTERY LOVER’S BOOK CLUB The Los Gatos Library’s Mystery Lover’s Book Club meets the first Wednesday of every month. The next meeting is Feb. 7 at 5pm in-person and on Zoom. The club will discuss “Razorblade Tears” by S.A. Cosby.

VALENTINE FUN RUN/WALK Campbell’s 47th annual Valentine 5K Fun Run/Walk returns Feb. 10 at 9am. Those who register by Jan. 29 will secure a race day shirt and medal. ➝ campbellca.gov/270/ValentineFun-Run.

ONGOING Los Gatos Farmers Market The Los Gatos Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara County year-

➝ 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.

Legal Notices FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701869 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Nick The Greek, 632 Tennent Station Way, Morgan Hill, CA, 95037, The Greek Foods Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 12/27/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Yadwinder Singh. President. #5861793. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 01/02/2024. (pub Metro 01/10, 01/17, 01/24, 01/31/2024) File Number: FBN701822. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Daves Body Shop, 2145 Old Middlefield Way, Suite B, Mountain View, CA 94043. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Gregory Scott Bedford, 532 Tyrella 44, Mtn View CA 94043. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 01/2/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Ronald Nguyen /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Greg Bedford /s/ (Pub LGN 01/10, 01/17, 01/24, 01/31/2024) File Number: FBN701594. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Cari Proofreads, 1461 N. Peter Dr, Campbell, CA 95008. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Carolyn F Holmgren, 1461 N. Peter Dr, Campbell, CA 95008. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 12/22/2023 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 70 W. Hedding St, San Jose, CA 95110. /s/ Carolyn F Holmgren /s/ (Pub LGN 01/10, 01/17, 01/24, 01/31/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701557 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Love’s Gateway, 1478 Four Oaks Circle, San Jose, CA, 95131, Kyndred Corporation. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 05/11/2022. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Krista Wallace. President. #5071749. This statement was filed with the

County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/21/2024. (pub Metro 01/17, 01/24, 01/31, 02/07/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #702182 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Guest List Experiences, 306 Andrews Street, Los Gatos, CA, 95030, Katrina Azucena. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Katrina Azucena. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 01/12/2024. (pub Metro 01/17, 01/24, 01/31, 02/07/2024) File Number: FBN701548. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Flores Registration & Insurance Services LLC, 101 Keyes St, San Jose, CA 95112. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, Flores Registration & Insurance Services LLC, 101 Keyes St, San Jose, CA 95112. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 11/30/2023 and 12/20/2023 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 70 W. Hedding St, San Jose, CA 95110. Flores Registration & Insurance, Articles of Incorporation Number 202359817960, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Yesenia Solano /s/ Member. (Pub LGN 01/17, 01/24, 01/31, 02/07/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #702256 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mountain View, 5 Fairchild Drive, Mountain View, CA, 94043, Krishna MV Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 11/19/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Parin Patel. General Manager. #3152465. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 01/16/2024. (pub Metro 01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 02/14/2024) File Number: FBN702173. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: H Engineering LLC, 3223 Adamswood Dr., San Jose, CA 95148. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company,

H Engineering LLC, 3223 Adamswood Dr., San Jose, CA 95148. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/01/2024 and 01/12/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 70 W. Hedding St, San Jose, CA 95110. H Engineering LLC, Article/Reg # 202006510836, Above Entity was Formed in the State of California. /s/ Anwar Halteh /s/ Owner. (Pub LGN 01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 2/14/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #702102 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Securemart LLC, 1309 Coffeen Avenue STE 11023, Sheridan, WY, 82801. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 08/04/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of Wyoming. /s/Alvin Lai. Member. #202358416062. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 01/10/2024. (pub Metro 01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 02/14/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701385 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Macaco Sandwiches, 2. Macaco Sando, 1280 1st St., STE F, Gilroy, Ca, 95020, Macaco Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 11/10/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Ivan Uranga. President. #3979106. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/14/2023. (pub Metro 01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 02/14/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #702539 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Slim Fit Lifestyle, 1622 46th Ave, Oakland, CA, 94601, Theodore Dixon Jr. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 1/24/2024. /s/Theodore Dixon Jr. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 01/24/2024. (pub Metro 01/31, 02/07, 02/14, 02/21/2024)

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➝ losgatosca.libcal.com/ event/11531263.

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.

PUBLIC NOTICES

HORTICULTURE Contributed

January F eb ruary 6, 20 24 : los gatan.co m january 3131-f e bruary losgatan.com

DIVERSE CITRUS Most ripe limes are greenish yellow.

CITRUS FRUIT RIPENS THROUGH WINTER Ton y Tomeo, Contributor

Winter is bare root season, which is the best time for installation of deciduous fruit trees. It is also the best time for dormant pruning of deciduous fruit trees. Evergreen fruit trees do not get much attention. Installation and any pruning of evergreen fruit trees happens after winter. However, regardless of perceived neglect, winter is actually citrus season. Technically, citrus are always in

season here. That is because most citrus fruits last so long on their trees after ripening. Also, some types produce a few fruits sporadically after their primary season. The latest “Lisbon” lemons can still be good as the earliest of the following season ripen. “Eureka” lemons ripen in minor phases after their primary phase. Therefore, winter is citrus season merely because it is when most citrus fruit ripens. The schedule is ideal. It begins as pear and apple season fin-

ishes. It finishes as cherry and apricot season begins. Pears and apples, and especially cherries and apricots, are less predictable than citrus. Fortunately, citrus can begin a bit early or finish late if necessary. All citrus are species or hybrids of the same genus of citrus. Kumquats also classify as Fortunella, though. The primary components of the flavors of their fruits are sweet, sour and bitter. The most familiar oranges are sweet oranges, but sour and bitter

oranges also exist. Most lemons and limes are sour, but there are also sweet lemons and sweet limes. Oranges, which are generally sweet oranges, are the most popular citrus. Navel oranges are traditional eating oranges. “Valencia” is a traditional juicing orange. Blood oranges are a bit more tart, with blushed or red flesh and juice. “Seville” sour orange is useful for marmalade. Rare bitter oranges provide flavoring for teas, and fragrance for perfumery. Lemons are the second most popular citrus. Mandarin oranges, or mandarines, should probably be more popular. They are the more perishable of citrus though, because their rinds are relatively loose. Tangerines are merely mandarines of the Americas. “Rangpur” lime is a sour mandarine. Real limes are very diverse, but mostly ripen greenish yellow. Grapefruits combine sweet, sour and bitter. Highlight: lime Among citrus, limes are the most diverse. They include more species and hybrids than other types of citrus. Only a few of countless cultivars from centuries of development are available here. Yet, each of these few is very distinct from the others. Most provide juice for culinary application. At least one provides herbal foliage. Few limes are eaten intact. Dwarfing understock is one commonality of almost all home garden lime trees. Not many grow more than 12 feet tall. With occasional pruning, most might stay less than eight feet tall. All have bright green evergreen foliage and small white flowers. Most have tiny but sharp thorns. Some are more bothersomely thorny. Fruit is green or greenish yellow. “Bearss” lime is the most popular. Its ripe fruits are about three inches long, and resemble greenish lemons. “Mexican” lime provides fruits that are about an inch and a half wide, on thorny stems. “Palestine” lime is thorny also, with round and yellowish fruit that is edible intact. “Rangpur” lime produces bright orange fruit because it is really a sour mandarine. Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

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