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vol . 3 , no. 16 : december 27, 2023-january 2, 2024 : losgatan.com
local scene p3 : wrestling p6 : upcoming events p9 : ny times crossword puzzle p13 Jonathan Natividad
STUDENT MUSICIANS CONTINUE SUCCESS
Girls soccer team off to fast start
Los Gatos, Saratoga music departments recognized
Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor
Through the first seven games of the season, the Los Gatos High girls soccer team showed it just might be one of the elite squads in the Central Coast Section. Currently on break, the Wildcats are 4-1-2 overall and 0-0-1 in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division. They next play Jan. 2 at home against Homestead High. In its most recent game, Los Gatos easily handled Aptos, 3-0, receiving goals from a senior (Caitlyn Simons), a junior (Ruby Kruse) and a freshman (Maddie Kohli).
Staff Report
The Los Gatos (LGHS) and Saratoga High School (SHS) Music Departments earned top marks once again in music competitions this season. In addition to winning multiple competitions, student musicians have been selected to represent their school in regional, state and national competitions and performances, including the All-State Choir and the Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music Conference last week.
➝ Soccer, 7
Cupertino Tournament of Bands (Oct. 14): • Saratoga HS Marching Band and Color Guard placed third in 5A Division • Saratoga HS Percussion placed first in individual judged category, 5A division Scarlet Regiment Tournament of Bands in Hollister (Oct. 28): • Los Gatos HS Marching Band and Color Guard placed ➝ Music, 8
LOS GATOS PRIMED FOR TREMENDOUS SEASON
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PLAYMAKER Caitlyn Simons moves the ball down the field in the Wildcats’ 1-1 tie with Palo Alto in a SCVAL De Anza Division opener on Dec. 14. Simons is one of the catalysts for the 4-1-2 team.
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VOL.3 NO.16 Dan Pulcrano Executive Editor & Publisher Lee May General Manager
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REAL ESTATE ADVERTISING 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.
NEW FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH GRANTS Community organizations that provide health-related services in Santa Clara County are invited to apply for grant support from the El Camino Healthcare District and El Camino Health for the coming year. “The purpose of the El Camino Healthcare District is to maintain and operate facilities, services and provider groups that improve physical and mental health in the district communities,” said George O. Ting, M.D., chair of the El Camino Healthcare District Board of Directors. “One of the district’s most important functions is to assess these healthcare needs and provide taxpayer dollars for community programs that improve healthcare access across age, education and income levels through its Community Benefit Program.” Applications will be accepted through Feb. 23, 2024. Grantees will be notified in late June for funds to be used from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. During the past decade, the Community Benefit programs of the El Camino Healthcare District and El Camino Health have contributed more than $100 million in community benefit grants. “Each grant creates a partnership between the recipient organization and us,” said Dan Woods, CEO of El Camino Health. “Through these partnerships we create lasting relationships that improve the overall health of the community by expanding the care we provide beyond the walls of our hospitals and healthcare system.” In the current funding cycle, the boards of directors for both El Camino Hospital and the El Camino Healthcare District approved funding for 100 grant proposals totaling $11 million. More than $7.7 million of the total came from the El Camino Healthcare District. Funding went to programs and agencies such as school districts, nonprofit organizations, safety-net clinics and community service agencies that help create
healthier populations and ensure health equity for community members in Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Mountain View, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. ➝ elcaminohealth.org/about-us/ community-benefit.
COUNTY EXPERIENCING LOW COVID VACCINATION RATES Covid vaccination rates are much lower this year compared to previous years, in Santa Clara County and across the country. Only 19% of county residents have received the latest Covid vaccine, as of Dec. 18, according to county officials. Vaccination rates are even lower amongst Latino and African/African ancestry people in Santa Clara County: only 9% of Latinos and 11% of African/African ancestry individuals are up to date with their Covid vaccination compared to 22% of whites and 19% of Asians. This is the first time the Covid vaccine is being distributed through the commercial market and not guaranteed at no-cost, officials said. “One of Public Health’s most important roles is to track systemic factors causing health inequities and to raise the alarm about the impact on Santa Clara County communities. Culturally centered outreach and education must be strengthened, to remove barriers and to connect people to the preventative care they need,” said Dr. Sarah Rudman, Deputy Health Officer for the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department. Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to receive the updated Covid vaccine released in September. For those who do not have health insurance or a regular doctor, a community clinic or the County health system can help with health coverage enrollment. Call 1.866.967.4677 or visit the Patient Access Department at 770 South Bascom Ave. in San José between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. ➝ sccphd.org/ProtectThem.
LOS GATAN NAMED TO DEAN’S LIST AT BELMONT UNIVERSITY Sophia Ramacciotti of Los Gatos qualified for Belmont University's Fall 2023 Dean's List. About 52% of Belmont's 7,338 undergraduate students qualified. Dean's List eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C. Located two miles from downtown Nashville, Tenn., Belmont University comprises nearly 9,000 students from every state and 33 countries.
COURT IMPLEMENTS NEW POLICIES ON JAIL BOOKINGS, WARRANTS The Santa Clara County Superior Court launched two new policies this year on reducing unnecessary jail bookings and to improve court efficiency. One of the policies allows anyone with an active bench warrant to self-schedule their matter and appear in court on an out-of-custody basis. The warrant remains active until the person shows up for the court appearance, where the judge may review the person’s custodial status. The other new policy pertains to an out-of-custody arraignment that may be scheduled before the Court by people who receive notice of an arrest warrant, and this may be done through counsel. This allows them to appear in court without first being taken into custody while the judge at arraignment may review their custodial status. According to the Court, all charges are eligible for this policy. The new bench warrant policy took effect in May while the new arrest warrant protocol took effect in November in partnership with the Sheriff 's Office, District Attorney's Office and Public Defender’s Office. The new policies are available to all cases in Santa Clara County, including those originating out of the Palo Alto and Morgan Hill courthouses, court officials said. Copyright
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OPINIONS
LOCAL SCENE
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MOORE PROPOSES EXPLORING TAX TARGETING NETFLIX AND SIMILAR BUSINESSES Drew Penner / Los Gatan
Council sees a lot to like— but also downsides— to a new levy
d ece mb er 2 7, 2 0 23-january 2, 2 0 24 : losgatan.com
Drew Penner, Reporter
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On Christmas Eve, Los Gatos-based Netflix was once again thrust into the national political spotlight as Kevin Spacey (as “House of Cards” character Frank Underwood) reminded the world that, “Netflix exists because of me. I put them on the map and they tried to put me in the ground,” during a fireside interview with ousted Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson. Days earlier, the company’s name was inserted into the local political fray, during a pre-Christmas Council discussion about how to deal with a looming fiscal crisis. “We have this behemoth of a company in our backyard that isn’t contributing very much,” said Councilmember Rob Moore, who recently marked his first year in elected office, but who— like Underwood—previously spent time in the political melee of Capitol Hill. “I’m especially sensitive to this.” During its Dec. 19 meeting, Council was considering whether to send a consultant out to draw-up parameters for a new tax on residents. Assistant Town Manager Katy Nomura reported an 1/8th-cent sales tax would raise $1.1 million annually; a parcel tax would bring in between $1-$4 million, suggesting the Town could charge $78.25 (on the low end) or $390.82 (on the high end) annually per parcel. Moore wondered why local citizens would be asked to foot more of the municipality’s bills, when the Town could require blockbuster corporations like Netflix to pay more. He said Netflix hasn’t been anywhere near as good of a corporate citizen as Apple has been to its home base of Cupertino, just a hop-skipand-a-jump up the road. “I went and looked at their philanthropy this past year and Apple was incredibly philanthropic,” he said. “They donated literally millions of dollars to your West Valley Community Services, your Second Harvest Food Bank.” He added that Google has contributed tens of millions of dollars this year to Mountain View and San Jose. “And we don’t get that from Netflix,” he said. “That’s just not their culture.
‘NEED TO COMPEL THEM’ Councilmember Rob Moore tried to steer a Dec. 19 discussion about taxing residents toward asking large businesses to pay more in taxes. That’s not the company they are.” One of the places Moore grew up in Los Gatos, he shared, was the Charter Oaks neighborhood, right next to where Netflix is now located. “The community members there really feel like they were sold a bill of goods when they were told that Netflix was coming into our community,” he said. “They were told, Netflix is going to generate all of this money; it’s going to bring all of these good things; it’s gonna be such a big, big player in our community. And for a short while, I think they did—with the sales tax on DVDs. And then their model changed. So, they no longer pay sales tax on those DVDs, which is essentially a cut to the money that the Town is bringing in.” He said if Los Gatos required Netflix to pay an additional $600,000, that would represent around .002% of the firm’s annual revenue—and be like asking someone making $100,000 a year to pay $2 annually. TheShareWay, an online directory of corporate donors, backs up Moore’s perspective about the Netflix approach.
“The short answer to the question, ‘Does Netflix donate to nonprofits?’ is no,” reads a recent blog post. “Netflix does not accept donation requests or offer any in-kind donation program. They choose to focus their resources and efforts on building new opportunities for underrepresented communities within the entertainment industry.” The next day, Netflix would go on to post a press release about participating in the Asian New Media Summit, featuring Taiwanese filmmakers. Moore suggested a Utility Use Tax or a Head Tax might be good ways of going about getting more out of the streamer. “Right now, they don’t contribute anything, and I think that’s a huge, huge problem,” he said. “I have approached lots of folks at Netflix, lots of times, to try to get them to contribute literally anything—anything to any program, the schools, any service, any of our nonprofits—and they’re not interested. And that’s OK. They don’t have to be. But I think if they’re not interested, we need to compel them. Because I think that’s the role of government here.”
An inquiry to a Netflix spokesperson Dec. 26 was not immediately returned. Councilmember Rob Rennie said a utility tax is really hard to implement. “That was something we explored five, six years ago,” he said. “I am a little bit warm—maybe quite warm—on the idea of a commercial-only tax on the large businesses, but want to think (it) through.” Rennie noted that the recent changes to the business-license tax actually hit-up Netflix for an extra half-million to $1 million annually. “It was already a big number,” he said. “And we kind of worked out with them that they wouldn’t complain. We found something that worked out, and then we turn around and sneak another one in on them…maybe we do want to do that, I just wanted to point that out.” However, Rennie’s bigger argument was that it’s unclear a tax is needed at all, because financial projections have swung around so much. “I’m not comfortable with the parcel tax with the information we have,” he said. “It seems that we may be way over-taxing for what we need.” Rennie says he thinks planners might’ve been too conservative (by more than $2.2 million) when forecasting property tax revenue and too liberal when plotting expenses (he pointed to a $7.9 million increase). Vice Mayor Matthew Hudes agreed, pointing out how this year’s actuals were nowhere close to what was predicted. “We ended up with significantly more funds than we projected,” he said. “That’s probably my biggest concern.” Councilmember Maria Ristow said Los Gatos just spent around $270,000 to remove some eucalyptus trees, noting a tax could be a way to provide the services residents want from the Town. “I am concerned that if we don’t do anything, we will start to feel the pinch,” she said. “That said, maybe our revenue will go up faster than our cost this year.” She added there’s an education tax plan that residents are already going to be asked to support. Moore didn’t find any takers for a motion that sought to examine how to force Netflix to contribute more funds. Instead, Council voted unanimously to put-off a decision about a tax plan until more fiscal data emerges in the New Year.
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New Year
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SPORTS
LOS GATOS CONTINUES MAT PROWESS Jxxxxn Natividad
Wrestling team has two Stanford commits
dec e mbe r 27, 2 023 -january 2 , 20 2 4 : losgatan.com
Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor
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After the best season in program history, what can the Los Gatos High wrestling team possibly do for an encore in the 2023-2024 campaign? Keep on improving. “We have to keep evolving and keep growing,” coach Greg Varela said. “We’ve got to start looking bigger than the state of California. We want [our graduates] to be NCAA champions or think about eventual world titles.” Last season, the Wildcats finished eighth in the CIF State Championships with 89 points and three medalists—all program bests. The three medalists—Stanford-signee EJ Parco, Stanford-commit Dylan Pile and sophomore standout Antonio Rodriguez— are all back, a year older and better. Varela makes sure of that. “We have to analyze our weaknesses and make those our strengths,” he said. Varela points to Pile as a great example. Since last season ended, Varela and the coaching staff have made it a point to get the junior out of his comfort zone. Pile, a skilled and highly conditioned athlete who was the Central Coast Section champion at 160 pounds last year and fourth-place finisher at State, has certain maneuvers he defaults to under duress. However, Varela has forced Pile and all of his wrestlers for that matter to improve their weaknesses while honing their strengths. “Dylan definitely has some tricks he likes to go to,” Varela said. “We always tease him because we know what his security blankets are, the two to three main things he likes to do under pressure. And we kind of took that away from him because the theme is we have to grow in our wrestling and training and add offense. He’s been doing other moves and he knows it’s hard, but he’s being challenged and growing because of it.” Pile is currently ranked No. 3 in the state at 165 pounds and finished second
POWERHOUSE Wildcats senior EJ Parco recently signed a letter of intent to wrestle for Stanford University. He’s a two-time CCS champion and is currently ranked No. 4 in California at 150 pounds.
in the Reno Tournament of Champions Dec. 15-16, falling to State No. 2 Joseph Antonio in the final, 4-1. Parco and Rodriguez also had strong showings at Reno TOC, one of the nation’s premier early season tournaments. Parco also took second in Reno at 150 pounds. He’s ranked No. 4 in California, which boasts perhaps the strongest 150-pound division in the country. Frontier’s Miguel Estrada, Palm Desert’s Brock Mantanona and Poway’s Laird Root are ranked ahead of Parco, and Gilroy’s Moses Mirabal is No. 5 in the state. “EJ’s weight class is arguably the toughest in the country,” Varela said. “I
think those top five guys are ranked in the top 15 in the country.” Parco, a two-time CCS champion who took fifth at 145 pounds in last year’s State Meet, edged Gilroy’s Daniel Zepeda—the state champion last year at 132 pounds—in the Reno TOC semifinals in triple overtime. Zepeda is currently the top-ranked wrestler at 144 pounds. Varela said Parco rode Zepeda out in the second OT period and then chose bottom in triple OT, when he scored on a reversal to earn the victory. Parco has been working on elevating his offense and while that has been key, his recent signing with Stanford has freed him up to really let loose.
“EJ is doing great and it was a little relief for him to sign,” Varela said. “That was a big weight off his shoulder and now that he’s got that out of the way, he can really focus on training [with no distractions]. He’s excited and had a great tournament in Reno.” Rodriguez is ranked No. 3 in the state at 120 pounds, and took third in Reno. The sophomore is in a stacked weight class after finishing second in the state at 113 pounds last year. Similar to the 150-pound division, California’s 120-pound class features five of the nation’s best. However, Rodriguez has diversified and evolved his mat skills, comple-
Jonathan Natividad
SCORE IT Wildcats standout Macie Yannoni, seen here scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw with Palo Alto on Dec. 14, is part of a deep and talented Los Gatos team that has aspirations for league and CCS titles.
WILDCATS RELY ON TEAM CHEMISTRY Soccer, from page 1 The talent in each grade level has everyone around the program excited, especially second-year coach Jessica Ingram. “It’s great that we have goals and assists coming from everywhere on the field,” she said. “It shows we are building depth within our lineup, and not just relying on seniors and juniors to score goals, but anyone on the varsity team playing as much as possible and contributing. They just have to remember their strengths and how they add to each other.” It’s hard to believe Los Gatos finished 1-16 just two years ago. Last season, the Wildcats turned things around in a huge way, winning the SCVAL El Camino Division championship and a Central Coast Section Division I playoff game before being ousted in double overtime in the semifinals. Despite graduating 12 seniors off that squad—six of whom were starters—Los Gatos hasn’t missed a beat, relying on a deep reservoir of talent and chemistry and focusing on the everyday objectives to achieve results on the field. “I think the goals and the discussion with the girls is really continuing the process we started last year of having an
inclusive culture,” Ingram said. “Similar to last year, we set a long-term goal to make CCS and come in the top three, but in reality we want to take it game by game and focus on development and the ability to come together as a team. It’s a good group of girls. They’re willing to work hard, they’re very coachable and last year they really bought in to what we want as a program.” Simons is a tremendous playmaker in the midfield and a UC Santa Barbara-commit. She’s one of three senior captains on the team along with Mckenzie Powell and defender Kate Gruetter. Ingram has lauded the trio for being solid examples for the underclassmen to model themselves after. “The leadership within this team is very much them taking the lead with the girls and showing not only on the field, but off the field what it means to be a team player,” Ingram said. “They experienced that 1-16 season and they’ve continued to blossom into a leadership role to be positive and get the team to work together.” Senior Ellie White and freshmen Abby Nelson and Avery Edson are part of a backline that has been downright
solid, limiting the opponent’s opportunities. Returning sophomore goalie Cora Bryant has also shined, a big reason why the Wildcats have posted five shutouts and yielded just three goals in seven matches. “Cora is playing really well and growing a lot,” Ingram said. “She’s been super important to our team. She’s been coming up big as a leader back there and I’m really excited to see her blossom in that position.” Junior standout Macie Yannoni, sophomore Leighton Ozawa, freshman Teagan Kaefer and Simons have excelled in the midfield. Yannoni is a returning starter and a key component in helping the team switch the field on a moment’s notice. Kohli and sophomore Jordan Park have made immediate impacts up top. The deep and talented roster also includes Isabella Ramos, Maci Schwab, Darcy Armstrong, Gracie Sloan and Adrienne Lopez. “We have a good group of freshmen that came in and brought fresh energy and a senior class that has led the group,” Ingram said. “The experience from last year provided the seniors wisdom of what it looked like two years ago and where we are today. The team is a great blend of personnel, work ethic and a wanting to do it together which is the biggest key.”
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menting his single leg takedowns and sweeps with a variety of attacks. “He expanded his offensive focus in the offseason so it’s not just two to three moves with him and that’s it,” Varela said. “He’s adding to his stuff and it’s been working. He’s hitting different shots against quality opponents in Reno. He’s getting more dangerous and for a kid like him to get more dangerous than what he already was is huge.” Outside of the Big Three, senior Timmy Murabito is an impact member of the team. A two-time, CCS thirdplace finisher, Murabito is ranked No. 15 in California at 144 pounds. He went 2-2 in the CIF State Championships last year at 138 pounds. Varela said he’s been pleased with Murabito’s improvement with his top game, noting the senior has been working on minimizing the big mistakes in a match that can often prove to be the difference between a narrow win or loss. Two of the team’s other top-line wrestlers—sophomores Lucas Pannell and Joseph Pavlov Ramirez—are in line for strong seasons again. Pannell took fourth place in the CCS Championships last year at 170 pounds but is now competing at 157 and 165 pounds, his ideal divisions. “Lucas, the poor guy, was up two weight classes last year because of Dylan and EJ,” Varela said. “We’re expecting some huge things out of him now that he’s down a weight class. We expect him to be a state qualifier and pushing for a state medal.” Pavlov Ramirez is ranked No. 14 at 138 pounds and had a nice showing in Reno, going 3-2 to finish in the top-12 in the 138-pound division. He took third in the CCS Championships last year at 126 pounds. “Joseph quietly had a great season last year,” Varela said. “He played football this year and after their extended season went straight to wrestling. He’s working his way back into wrestling shape and we kind of expect him to place at State. We think he can do it. It’s how fast can he knock off the ring rust and then make the big gains. We’re excited to see what he does.” Varela is in his sixth season and has the program humming. He half-jokingly said the wrestling team needs to step up their game to keep up upon the success of the school’s football team and field hockey teams. Make no mistake: the wrestling squad has become an elite CCS program, the second best behind national power Gilroy.
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MUSIC STUDENTS SELECTED FOR TOP COMPETITIONS Photo by Isabelle Gecils
Music, from page 1 first for Class 4A, as well as Best Visual, Best Effect and Best Music for Class 4A. Foothill Band Review (Oct. 28): • Saratoga HS Marching Band and Color Guard placed first in 6A division and second overall, including first in percussion and woodwinds. SHS was also awarded music sweepstakes for having the highest overall score in music. Folsom Fall Festival (Nov: 4): • Saratoga HS Marching Band placed first overall, including winning individual categories for woodwinds, brass, color guard, general effect, visual performance and percussion.
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Disneyland Imagination Campus Marching Band Performance: • The Los Gatos HS Marching Band auditioned and was accepted to perform as a Disneyland Imagination Campus Marching Band. Student musicians marched the parade route on Main Street at Disneyland on Nov. 10.
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Santa Clara County Honor Band • With more than 200 student musicians auditioning from high schools across Santa Clara County, 16 students from Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools were accepted into the Santa Clara County Honor Band. The Santa Clara County Honor Band has more than a 70-year history in this region. Those selected were: Kathy Chen (SHS, clarinet, 10), Kian Egami (LGHS, Oboe, 12), Jayden Ham (SHS, clarinet, 11), Dylan Huang (SHS, saxophone, 10), Nathan Lee (SHS, trumpet, 11), Anthony Luo (SHS, trombone, 10), Ryan Sanders (SHS, horn, 11), Daniel Schwartz (SHS, trombone, 11), Jet Tsang (SHS, trumpet, 10), Alex Vash-Muñoz (SHS, saxophone, 11), Hector Vash-Muñoz (SHS, trumpet, 11), Barbara Vasilyeva (SHS, saxophone, 10), Lucas Xu (LGHS, Clarinet, 10), Jed Yao (SHS, saxophone, 11), Julius Zhou (SHS, euphonium, 11), and Travis Zhu (SHS, saxophone, 11). Regional Honor Choir Twenty Los Gatos and Saratoga High School vocalists auditioned and were accepted into the California Cho-
PERFORMANCE Los Gatos High School freshman Alex Freiman performs with the LGHS choir at their 2023 holiday concert. ral Directors Association Regional Honors Choir. Students auditioned in the beginning of the school year and were selected after performing a solo, and demonstrating their musicianship and ability to sight read. Those selected were: Isabella Argonza (LGHS, 2025), Shaurya Banjara (LGHS, 2025), Nikila Bashyam (SHS, 2025), Brianne Blum (LGHS, 2025), Logan Campbell (LGHS, 2024), Audrey Caulkin (LGHS, 2024), Mia Clevenger (LGHS, 2024), Owen Fugit (LGHS, 2025), Tanya Goel (LGHS, 2024), Aadya Jain (LGHS, 2025), Sahana Kumar (SHS, 2026), Joyce Lee (SHS,2026), Sara Niemeyer (LGHS, 2025), Ainsley Northrop (LGHS, 2025), Emilia Orendain (LGHS, 2025), Niru Raghuvir (LGHS, 2024), Navya Rao (SHS, 2026), Medha Sarkar (LGHS, 2025), Aria Zhang (SHS, 2025), and Kiara Zhou (LGHS, 2026)
California All-State Band and Orchestra The California All-State Band and Orchestra saw a record-breaking number of applicants this year. Of the thousands of applicants, 24 local student musicians were accepted into the All-State Band and Orchestra. They are: Kathy Chen (SHS clarinet, 10), Brandon Ha (LGHS, Cello, 11), Brian Ha (LGHS Cello, 9), Jayden Ham (SHS clarinet, 11), Dylan Huang (SHS saxophone 10), Jenny Jiang (SHS violin, 9), Sarah Jiang (SHS violin, 9), Ian Kim (SHS bass, 11), Jenna Kim (LGHS Viola, 10), Jiho Kim (SHS viola, 11), Ethan Lee (SHS cello, 9), Nathan Lee (SHS trumpet, 11), Jay Lim (SHS clarinet, 12), Brad Ma (SHS trombone, 12), Eric Miao (SHS flute, 12), Ryan Sanders (SHS horn, 11), Daniel Schwartz (SHS trombone, 11),
Ethan Shi (LGHS, Flute, 11), Gabriel Shyh (SHS trumpet, 12), Pothan Tang (SHS trumpet, 12), Tejas Tirthapura (SHS viola, 12), Florence Wei (SHS cello, 10), Nolan Woo (SHS cello, 10), and Travis Zhu (SHS saxophone, 11). All-State Choir After acceptance into the CCDA Regional All-State Choir, interested vocalists are considered for the All-State Honors Choir. The All-State Honors band, orchestra and choir will perform at the annual California All-State Music Educators Conference (CASMEC) in February. Those selected were: Shaurya Banjara (LGHS, 2025), Nikila Bashyam (SHS, 2025), Logan Campbell (LGHS, 2024), Aadja Jain (LGHS, 2025), Sahil Muthukrishnan (LGHS, 2027), Medha Sarkar (LGHS, 2025), and Kiara Zhou (LGHS, 2026). Music for All Honor Band of America Six Saratoga High School students (plus one as an alternate) were accepted to the Music for All Honor Band of America. This highly competitive application process draws the top high school student musicians from across the country. The students will have the opportunity to work with clinicians and the guest conductor this year, Col. Timothy J. Holtan (the 10th Leader and Commander of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”). Those selected were: Jayden Ham (clarinet, 11), Dylan Huang (saxophone, 10), Nathan Lee (trumpet, 11), Daniel Schwartz (trombone, 11), Barbara Vasilyeva (saxophone, 10), Jed Yao (saxophone, 11), and Arjun Krish (jazz saxophone - alternate, 10). Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic The 52-member Saratoga High School Strings, “Saratoga Strings,” was selected to perform at the 77th Annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic last week in Chicago, Ill. One of only two groups from California invited to perform, the conference boasts an attendance of 18,000-20,000 attendees from all 50 states, in addition to 44 countries internationally. CASMEC (California All-State Music Education Conference) Saratoga High School’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Saratoga High School has been selected to perform at CASMEC (California All-State Music Education Conference) in February along with the All-State Band, Orchestra and Choir.
CALENDAR For more events, visit the online calendar at losgatan.com/events-calendar
FANTASY OF LIGHTS Santa Clara County Parks is commemorating the 25th anniversary of Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos. From Dec. 5-30, the public is invited to experience the 1.5-mile drive-thru adorned with holiday lights and more than 50 themed holiday displays. ➝ parkhere.org or call 408.355.2201.
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.
➝ 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.
Friends of Los Gatos Library Bookstore The Friends of Los Gatos Library Bookstore is open Tuesdays from 4-6pm, Wednesday through Friday from 1-5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm at the library, 110 E. Main St. For information, email friendsoflglib@aol.com.
PUBLIC MEETINGS Town Council The Los Gatos Town Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7pm. ➝ losgatosca.gov/16/Town-Council. Planning Commission The Los Gatos Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7pm. ➝ losgatosca.gov/189/PlanningCommission. Santa Clara County Supervisors The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors meets virtually on Tuesdays at 9am.
Other Town commissions The Town of Los Gatos has various committees that serve as advisory bodies for the Town Council.
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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.
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.
➝ losgatosca.gov/12/BoardsCommissions-Committees.
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➝ bit.ly/3oy2Zmq. Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District The board meets every other Tuesday at 5pm. For information, visit bit. ly/3DaJRi9. Los Gatos Union School District Board of Trustees The board meets monthly at either 6:30pm or 4pm. ➝ bit.ly/3oywlRA.
COMPANY OWNER SENTENCED TO JAIL FOR EMBEZZLEMENT Man pled guilty to grand theft in 2022
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Bay City News
An owner of a hotel management company was sentenced to six months in county jail last week for embezzling more than a dozen clients, Santa Clara County prosecutors said. Henry Flynn, 57, owner and CEO of hotel management services firm Kubo, pleaded guilty to grand theft in 2022 after being accused of pocketing tens of thousands in fraudulently obtained insurance funds. He was also previously convicted in 2008 of grand theft for embezzling from his then-employer, Vasona Management, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said in a statement. According to prosecutors, Flynn's firm provided management services to hotels throughout California, including in Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area. He employed staff to manage his firm's clients and obtained workers' compensation insurance for those employees. According to Kubo's records from 2015 to 2018 obtained by authorities, the firm overestimated the insurance needs of some clients, resulting in premium overpayments of tens of thousands of dollars per year. But when the insurance providers refunded the overpayments, Flynn pocketed the refund checks and put some of them into his accounts, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said that in 2018, a client reported concerns about potential criminal conduct by Flynn and Kubo to the District Attorney's Office. They obtained records from Kubo's workers' compensation insurance carriers, which exposed the theft to which Flynn pleaded guilty. Flynn has paid back over $195,000 in restitution to the victims, the District Attorney's Office said. Besides his jail sentence, he will also be placed on probation for three years, during which he cannot own or operate a business that handles the bookkeeping, accounting, or financial matters of others and during which he must notify his clients of his conviction, prosecutors said.
10 Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.
DEC. 17
POLICE BLOTTER
• A man was arrested for being a minor in possession of alcohol on University Avenue and Grays Lane at 12:58am. • A man was arrested for presenting an officer with unlawful registration on Farley Road and Izorah Way at 2:50am. • A man was arrested for driving with a suspended license on Samaritan and National avenues at 3:15am.
DEC. 18
• A man eating food reportedly refused to pay for it at a store on E. Main Street at 11:47pm.
DEC. 19
• Wine was reported stolen from a business on University Avenue. • A woman reportedly used a fake $100 bill at a business on N. Santa Cruz Avenue. • A man was reported as suspicious because he was standing outside a home on Forrester Road with a flashlight at 7:42pm.
• A vehicle was reported stolen on Carlton Avenue.
• A business was reportedly vandalized on N. Santa Cruz Avenue.
• A group of boys were reportedly fighting on Rose Avenue at 10:47pm.
• A vehicle was reported stolen on Woodland and Bird avenues.
• A man was arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance on the 100 block of Knowles Drive at 11:37pm.
DEC. 20 • Four males were reportedly screaming at Bachman Park at 1:34am. • A man reportedly walked into a business on Blossom Hill Road and stole a basket of merchandise at 9:25am. The caller said it is a daily occurrence with this man. • Someone stole tools from a truck on University Avenue. • An unknown suspect stole a vehicle’s license plates on College Avenue.
DEC. 21 • A man was reportedly checking door handles of vehicles parked on Ellenwood Avenue at 8:36am.
• Grand theft was reported on Riviera Drive. • A man was caught on surveillance footage trying to squeeze through a home’s gate on Belgatos Lane. • A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on Royce Street.
DEC. 22
• A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on Villa Avenue. • A man pushing a shopping cart reportedly walked into traffic on Los Gatos Saratoga Road and Massol Avenue. • Someone stole a bottle of cologne on N. Santa Cruz Avenue. • Grand theft was reported on Andrews Street.
Information is compiled from public records released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.
INTRODUCING THE NEW STATE MUSHROOM Golden Chanterelle grows under live oaks K aty St. Clair, Bay City News
A mushroom nearly big enough to seat a hookah-smoking caterpillar comfortably will be California's official mushroom beginning in 2024 thanks to a new bill signed by the governor this year. The Golden Chanterelle, or Cantharellus californicus, is a yellowish “monster chanterelle” that is the largest in the world. The Bay Area Mycological Society says the mushroom can “feed a family of four—with leftovers.” The mushroom was first described in 2008 and grows on the ground
under live oaks, where they are quite content to produce spores over a period of weeks or months, according to BAMS, “growing ever larger and more complex in shape over time,” the organization says on its website. And though foragers prize them, harmful fungi-ingesting insects steer clear, giving them another chance to thrive. They also seem to be shunned by squirrels and wild pigs, according to BAMS. But every rose has its thorn, as they say, and every mushroom has its doppelganger that may be poisonous. In the Golden Chanterelle's case, this is Jack O' Lantern mushroom, or Omphalotus olivascens. Foragers beware. But why a mushroom? According to the bill's text, we have a state flower
and tree, so it's time to recognize a fungus. "Mushrooms are important for both wildlife and people," reads the bill. "Their extensive belowground networks nourish forests and grasslands via symbiotic connections with plant roots. They decompose dead wood, improve groundwater quality and quantity, store carbon in soil, and play a critical role in climate resilience and healthy soils." The bill was introduced by state Assemblymember Ash Kalra, D-San Jose. For intrepid wannabe mycologists, look for our new state mushroom after fall and winter rains. Copyright
© 2023 Bay City News, Inc.
STATE APPROVES RULES THAT TURN SEWAGE INTO DRINKING WATER Regulations were more than a decade in the making R achel Becker, CalMatters
In a milestone for creating a major new source of drinking water, California has approved its first standards for turning sewage into potable water supplies delivered to homes and businesses. The State Water Resources Control Board, in a unanimous vote Dec. 19, outlined for the first time how water suppliers can treat recycled water and send it directly to taps. Currently, recycled water is mixed into aquifers or used for irrigation and other non-drinking purposes. The new rules—which have been more than a decade in the making and were mandated by a state law—outline a slew of requirements aimed at ensuring that germs and chemicals are scrubbed from treated sewage. Often dubbed "toilet-to-tap," the process is actually much more extensive and complex, requiring multiple treatment steps overseen by 63 pages of detailed rules. The new rules also call for extensive monitoring to ensure the treatment is working.
The sewage will be bubbled with ozone, chewed by bacteria, filtered through activated carbon, pushed at high pressures through reverse osmosis membranes multiple times, cleansed with an oxidizer like hydrogen peroxide and beamed with high-intensity UV light. Valuable minerals, such as calcium, that were filtered out will be restored. And then, finally, the wastewater will be subjected to the regular treatment that all drinking water currently undergoes. California will be following Colorado, which already has regulations, and Texas, where the nation's first direct potable reuse plant was built a decade ago. Rules are in development in Florida and Arizona, as well. Nothing will go into effect immediately; the regulations must undergo a final review by the Office of Administrative Law before being implemented, likely next summer or fall. The first facilities are several years away. "A city produces wastewater during a drought, and having that source available to augment other (drinking water) supplies can be critical," said Darrin Polhemus, deputy director of the state water board's Division of Drinking Water.
The water is expected to be more expensive than imported water, but also provide a more renewable and reliable supply for California as climate change continues. The expense of the treatment and monitoring means that it will likely be limited to large urban water providers, Polhemus said. "It will offer a resilient source in drought times for large water systems to be part of their portfolio. It's not going to be a singular water source for some small community on the coast—that's just not going to work out well the way these regs are written," Polhemus said. Fewer than a dozen people commented about the regulations at Dec. 19’s meeting, all in support. These regulations "really herald a new era for water reuse in California," said Jennifer West, managing director of the trade association WateReuse California. "Communities across California will be able to benefit from this new, safe, resilient supply." Some environmental groups urged the board to adopt deadlines for more aggressive monitoring to reassure consumers about safety and
NEW LAWS AIM TO MAKE OPIOID-REVERSAL DRUGS EASIER TO ACCESS K aty St. Clair, Bay City News
As California tackles its fentanyl crisis, two new laws will be taking effect in January that will make drugs that reverse the effects of opioid overdoses easier to access in certain places and updates the so-called good Samaritan law to include those who administer anti-overdose medication. Opioid antagonists such as naloxone are administered to people suspected of overdosing. Naloxone—known mostly by the commercial nasal spray container that administrates it called Narcan— binds to opioid receptors in the body and blocks the effects of drugs like heroin, morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl. According to a 2020 report from the California Department of Public Health,
overdoses have surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of unintentional injury leading to death in the U.S. Assembly Bill 234 was introduced by state Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-Burbank, and makes naloxone available in places accessed by age groups that are at higher risk of overdose. Stadiums, concert venues, and amusement parks will now be required to have unexpired doses of naloxone on site at all times, with at least two employees aware of their location. According to Portantino, an earlier version of his bill included public school campuses, but the governor included that provision into the 2023 adopted budget instead. Another new law expands protections for people who intervene in a suspected overdose and administer an opioid antagonist.
Assembly Bill 1166 updates the state's good Samaritan law, which says that any person who, in good faith and not for compensation, renders emergency medical care at the scene of an emergency cannot be sued due to an "act or omission" beyond gross or willful negligence or misconduct. This new law adds opiate overdoses to the mix, shielding anyone who administers Narcan from liability in most cases. AB 1166 was introduced by Jasmeet Bains, D-Delano, who is also behind Assembly Bill 33, which created a fentanyl task force in the state. The Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force will collect data on fentanyl use and misuse in the state, provide outreach and education on the problem, and report its findings to the governor and the Legislature by the end of 2025. Copyright
© 2023 Bay City News, Inc.
This story originally appeared in CalMatters at calmatters.org/ environment/2023/12/california-rulesturn-sewage-into-drinking-water.
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More places required to have naloxone on site
ensure no outbreaks or other health scares derail the projects. Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel directed the staff to report back within the next year to update the board on monitoring, contaminants and other issues. A panel of independent experts determined that the regulations "adequately protect public health," but reported that some requirements, such as for removing disease-causing germs, might be on the more conservative side, driving up costs. This could "push utilities toward less environmentally desirable alternatives, such as extracting groundwater without replenishing it," the panel said in a memo to the state board in September. It could also "limit the ability of smaller communities to use" the recycled water as drinking water. "I don't think anyone should be surprised that a water board regulator would choose to err on the side of public health," said Kevin Hardy, executive director of the National Water Research Institute, a non-profit that coordinated the expert panel. The Metropolitan Water District, the giant agency that imports water to Southern California, is already on its way to being among the first to directly use recycled water for drinking supplies with Pure Water Southern California, a multi-billion dollar project with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. By 2032, the plant is expected to produce about 115 million gallons of recycled water a day, enough for 385,000 Southern California households. Most will replenish groundwater, but some is expected to be added to drinking supplies upstream of Metropolitan's treatment plant for imported water. Mickey Chaudhuri, interim chief of operations at Metropolitan, applauded what he called a historic milestone. "This marks a pivotal moment in California's water management history," he said at the public hearing. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for increasing recycled water use in California roughly 9% by 2030 and more than doubling it by 2040. Most treated sewage—about 400 million gallons a day in Los Angeles County alone—is released into rivers, streams and the deep ocean.
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Contributed
HORTICULTURE
WINTER BLOOM MIGHT BE LIMITED BY COMPARISON
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Except for flowers that bloom randomly throughout the year, most autumn bloom is done. Much of the formerly spectacular autumn foliar color succumbed to wintry rain and wind. Many colorful winter berries have already gone with migratory birds who consume them. Overwintering birds appreciate what lingers. Fortunately, some winter bloom continues. Cool season annuals likely provide most winter flowers prior to spring. Ornamental kale generates a foliar display like a pastel version of summer coleus. Snowdrop bulbs bloom only white, but look sharp if other bloom is scarce. A few species contribute winter bloom merely because they lack regard for seasons. African daisy blooms whenever it wants to. However, winter bloom is not comparable to spring bloom. That is an unfortunate reality. Most species that bloom randomly throughout the year bloom best for spring or summer. Most species that bloom specifically during winter are relatively subdued about doing so. Although pollinators are less active, competition for their pollination services is minimal. Witch hazel is becoming more popular locally for its fragrant winter bloom on bare stems. Modern cultivars bloom with earthy tones of yellow, orange, red, and burgundy red. They prefer cool wintry weather though. Bloom may be inhibited somewhat within mild coastal climates. Winter jasmine bloom, although limited to only brilliant yellow, is more reliable. Some species of Mahonia likewise bloom reliably but exclusively bright yellow. They are evergreen instead of deciduous. So is andromeda. Its pendulous ivory white or pale pink blooms are more striking in form than color. Daphne, which likely fin-
ished bloom already, is more striking in fragrance than color. Its light pink bloom is mostly obscured by foliage. Camellias are among the most reliably colorful of winter bloom. Their floral color ranges through all hues between white and red. Floral form and abundance are notably diverse. Some bloom rather sparsely. Various cultivars bloom at various times throughout winter. Sasanqua camellias generally bloom earlier, with relatively smaller but profuse flowers. Camellias unfortunately lack fragrance.
COLORFUL Some camellia varieties bloom for winter. Contributed
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Ton y Tomeo, Contributor
Highlight: ornamental kale Flowering cherry trees are prettier but fruitless versions of their fruiting counterparts. So are flowering peach trees. It seems only fair that some vegetables could also be prettier than culinarily useful. Gourds are ornamental squash fruit that can qualify as vegetables. Ornamental kale, Brassica oleracea, is an actual vegetable that is primarily ornamental. Ornamental kale is also known as flowering kale, or ornamental or flowering cabbage. It is more foliar than floral though. Its dense foliar rosettes unfurl like big ruffly roses. Some are very ruffly. Some are intricately lobed. Foliar color can be white, pink, red or purplish. Ornamental kale is as edible as culinary kale, but a bit more bitter. It is a splendid garni. Like cool season annual flowers, ornamental kale performs between autumn and spring. It grows quite slowly though. Seed that starts in August grows into seedlings for October. Seedlings that start in October only begin to get colorful during November, a month later. Their seemingly floral but foliar display ironically ends as they actually bloom for spring. Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.
ORNAMENTAL Flowering kale really seems to bloom.
PUBLIC NOTICES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700773 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Impact 365, 3251 Pruneridge Ave., Santa Clara, CA, 95051, Beautiful Day. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 01/01/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Phil Alne. CFO. #4188011. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 11/27/2023. (pub Metro 12/06, 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700930 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Net Zero Water Heating, 28 N 1st Street, STE 804, San Jose, CA, 95113, Core Energy Group, Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Andrew Campbell. Secretary. #4133161. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/01/2023. (pub Metro 12/06, 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700558 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Hello Boba, 1090 S. Milpitas Blvd #1033, Milpitas, CA,
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700873 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Pontag LLC, 2. Pontag, 3. Hurricane 3D Printing, 171 Branham Lane, STE 10-641, San Jose, CA, 95136. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 11/29/2023. /s/Tung Hsieh. Owner. #201830910218. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 11/29/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701112 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Realty World Santa Clara Valley, 1101 So Winchester Blvd Suite A-109, San Jose, CA, 95128, Kelly Michael Aronica. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 01/01/2024. /s/Kelly Michael Aronica. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701145 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Simpletech IT Solutions Inc, 1425 Koll Cir. Suite 103, San Jose, CA, 95112. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 12/01/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Houman Vafai. CEO. #5998112. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara
County on 12/08/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700353 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Elos Air, 315 Gloria Ave., San Jose, CA, 95127, Eddies Home Care Services Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 07/06/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Eduardo Espinoza Mar Jr. CEO. #48390531. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 11/07/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700663 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Jeonju, 50 Dixon Rd., Milpitas, CA, 95035, HC Ricennoodle-Dixon LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/ Zhubin Zhai. LLC Member. #202-355-118-331. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 11/20/2023. (pub Metro 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701126 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Willow Glen Auto Registration, 1400 Coleman Ave STE F15, Santa Clara, CA, 95050, Willow Glen Automotive Electric. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant has began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/14/2022. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Dieu-Qui Nguyen. Managing Member. #202204711001. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. (pub Metro 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701424 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Free And Clear, 5314 Cribari Glen, San Jose, CA, 95135, Judy Ann Wessler. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/ Judy Wessler. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/18/2023. (pub Metro 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10, 01/17/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701519 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: One Acre Estates Winery, 9548 Estates Drive, Gilroy, CA, 95020, Phoung Kim Nguyen. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 12/18/23. /s/Phoung Kim Nguyen. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/19/2023. (pub Metro 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10, 01/17/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701125 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Laura Lane Fiduciary, 1400 Cloeman Ave STE F15, Santa Clara, CA, 95050, Heatherfield Healthcare LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 01/01/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Dieu-Qui Nguyen. Managing Member. #201931210276. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. (pub Metro 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701140 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Biting Dog Books, 2. Hired Guns, 16090 San Pedro Avenue, Morgan Hill, Ca, 95037, Joe Heinrich. This business is being conducted by an Individual.
Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Joe Heinrich. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/08/2023. (pub Metro 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10/2024) File Number: FBN701238. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Forte Salon, 52 North Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, CA 95030. This business is conducted by: A General Partnership, Andres Orozco, 52 North Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030 and Kendy M Acuna, 52 North Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/01/2024 and 12/12/2023 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Andres Orozco /s/ (Pub LGN 12/20, 12/27/2023 and 01/03, 01/10/2024)
identity + strategy + design
los gatan .co m : D ece mbe r 2 7, 20 23- January 2, 2 02 4
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700107 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: A & L Realty And Property Management, 1047 Lincoln Ave Suite 202, San Jose, CA, 95125, A & L Estates, inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 01/01/2004. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/ Adrian Lopez. President. #202250517007. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 11/30/2023. (pub Metro 12/06, 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023)
95035, Rydhan Ventures LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Sameer Rydhan. Managing Member. #202359211709. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 11/14/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024)
legals@losgatan.c0m
13
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15
THINKING ABOUT GETTING A NEW WOOD STOVE?
A
modern wood stove, insert, or fireplace is an excellent choice as a primary source of heat for your home. Heating your home with a modern wood stove is both economical and eco-friendly, not to mention the bonus of coziness and beauty. While open, wood burning fireplaces do not generate a meaningful amount of heat, modern wood burning stoves, inserts, and fireplaces are intended to be used as the primary source of heat for your home. With overnight burn times and air controls, heating your home with wood is now simple and green.
ARE PEOPLE STILL ALLOWED TO HEAT WITH WOOD?
Yes! Because modern wood stoves are so clean burning and efficient, and because wood is a renewable fuel source, there’s even government incentives for investing in a wood stove or insert. There’s a federal tax credit for investing in a new wood stove or insert that began last year and goes through 2032.
IS HEATING YOUR HOUSE WITH WOOD ECO-FRIENDLY?
Heating your home with a modern wood stove is eco-friendly. Wood is a renewable fuel source, locally sourced and carbon neutral. Efficiency and clean burning go hand in hand. The pollution controls are what make a modern wood stove a better and more efficient heater. A very old wood stove or open, wood burning fireplace can produce 100 grams of emissions per hour. Particulate emissions are fuel going up the chimney and polluting the air, instead of being turned into heat for your home. Modern wood fireplaces have pollution controls that burn those particulate emissions inside the stove, so that what’s coming out the chimney is mostly steam. All modern, EPA certified wood stoves emit less than 2 grams of emissions per hour.
PROJECT COST
Different options for brand and material, along with variables with installation make it so there is a wide range of cost for getting a wood stove. Your local fireplace store will be
able to give you specific pricing, so that you know exactly how much the project will be before you commit to moving forward. With the tax credit that’s happening, now is a great time to invest.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Stop by your local fireplace store and have an industry professional help you pick the right wood stove for you. It’s good to be prepared with the approximate square footage of the space you’re heating. Photos are also helpful, especially if you’re interested in getting an insert. While in the showroom you can look at displays and make choices about which options will be best for you and your home. If you need an installer, a professional installer will then come to your home for a site check. They will put together your pipe list, make sure everything will fit and look nice, then give you an exact bid for installation.
RETAILER
There are many decisions to be made when choosing a fireplace. These decisions can be
made easier by working with a great local retailer. The best stores will have knowledgeable, experienced staff who can help walk you through the project. They’ll be able to provide technical advice, or connect you with a qualified, experienced installer if needed. The store you choose to do business with will help you with post-installation service and answer any questions that come up. A high-quality fireplace is built to last 20-25 years, so the folks you choose to work with are people you’ll be connected to for years to come. Please consider choosing Woodstove & Sun to help you with your fireplace or outdoor living needs. We offer wood, gas, pellet and electric stoves, fireplaces and inserts, as well as Polywood outdoor furniture, kitchens, grills, fire pits, pizza ovens, and umbrellas. Our showroom is located at 510 Soquel Ave in Santa Cruz. Please call, email or stop by! Our friendly staff will be happy to help you and answer any further questions you may have to begin this process. We can be reached at (831) 425-5123 and woodstoveandsun@gmail.com.
ed n i g a m i e R h t Warm
■
Indoor Living
Fireplaces, Inserts & Stoves Woodstove & Sun has been proudly serving the Central Coast since 1982. Providing top quality products and customer service to the Central Coast, we now offer one stop shopping to perfect your outdoor living space too!
Ask us about the US Tax Credit
WOODSTOVE & SUN 510 Soquel Avenue • Santa Cruz, CA ( Down the Hill from Shopper’s Corner )
www.woodstoveandsun.com • Instagram @woodstoveandsun
(831) 425-5123
Gas, Electric, Wood & Pellet
Outdoor Living
Fireplaces, Fire Tables & Fire Pits, Kitchens, Grills, Furniture, Pizza Ovens, Kit Pergolas & Umbrellas