This November we were grateful to engage with so many 55 Plus members! We had 80 people come to our Member Mixer to celebrate reaching a record high of 1000 members this year. We enjoyed socializing, hors d’oeuvres, meeting new people, seeing everyone get involved in our games, and handing out raffle prizes from awesome community partners. Thank you to local dentist James Lin for sponsoring this event. Thank you to local businesses who kindly donated raffle prizes: Domus, Beyond Text, Maple Leaf Donuts, Double Ds, Athletic Performance, and dentist James Lin. At Thanksgiving Lunch, we served 90 pounds of turkey from 16 whole turkeys to over 170 members! Los Gatos Meats cooked up a delectable Thanksgiving Feast. Leftovers were donated to Live Oak Nutrition. Members, you blew us away with your kind donations of high-quality socks and underwear. These items were donated to the Comfort Cabinet at the library, St. Luke’s and Live Oak Nutrition so that they can have an impact in our community. Thank you to Vasona Creek Healthcare for providing sponsorship and volunteering. We are grateful to the Los Gatos Lions who provided a super hardworking team of volunteers! There were plenty of opportunities to get creative this month making clever morse code bracelets, painting snowmen, and painting custom door mats! Guest speaker Katie Cooney discussed Life Transitions and Food for Thought participants learned all about Turkish foods from Jackie.
We look forward to continued merriment in December. There are a lot of fun ways to get social and try something new this month. There will be FREE yoga on Wednesdays with Angela. FREE Chair Zumba will continue Mondays and FREE Sit and Be Fit with Angela on Fridays. Get crafty with clothespin snowflakes and crafting handmade holiday cards. Don’t miss Coco and Caroling with live music by Wednesdays Art and Music Appreciation instructor Ed and member Claudette. Join the Holiday edition of Team Trivia. Check out the calendar for Helping Hands, we are looking for volunteers to help prep supplies for a youth event, serving breakfast at family holiday events, and a very special task of becoming an elf and responding to letters from Santa! On Monday, December 15th we will host our Holiday Social across the street at the Youth Recreation Center. Dress in your favorite Christmas sweater or red and green and join us for music, a train display from Golden State Trains, Christmas card photo opportunities, clay gift tag making, refreshments, fun and games! A few reminders, our offices will be closed starting on December 22nd and re-opening on January 5th. Be sure to renew your membership before January for a discount! Thank you to over 200 of you who have already chosen to renew and be 2026 members!
1:00PM-3:00PM Healing Hearts: Grief Support (Lounge) 1:30PM-3:00PM
Bridge (Hall) $5 *RSVP
9:30AM-12:30PM Canasta (Rm 3)
9:30AM-12:30PM Ping Pong (Rm 5)
10:00AM-12:00PM
Art & Music Appreciation (Lounge) *RSVP 12:40PM-1:55PM NEW Holiday Coco & Caroling (Hall) *FULL 2:00PM-2:45PM Yoga - Chair or Mat (Hall) *Free 3:00PM-4:00PM
Sit and Be Fit w/ Angela (Hall) *RSVP 1:00PM-2:00PM NEW ZUMBA Gold (YRC Rm B) *Register $5 1:00PM-1:50PM
CLASSES AND GROUP DESCRIPTIONS
• AARP DRIVER SAFETY - 2 Day Course and 1 Day Refresher offered in person bi-monthly. Contact the 55 Plus Office to schedule.
• AARP TAX AIDE - In person appointments will be at the Los Gatos Library in 2026. Available for booking 1/6/2026 on library website.
• ART AND MUSIC APPRECIATION – Interactive class exploring and discussing influential artists and musicians. Partnership with West Valley College. Sign up with the 55 Plus office required.
• ARTIST WORKSHOP - Open workspace. Bring in your materials and work on your individual projects with our welcoming community of artists. No formal instruction.
• BADMINTON - Drop-in play. All levels welcome. Equipment provided.
• BALANCE AWARENESS - Develop a foundation of balance for functional fitness and fall prevention. Partnership with West Valley College. Sign up with the 55 Plus office required.
• BEADING WORKSHOP - Piece together your own jewelry with Jackie. All levels welcome. Materials and projects provided.
• BINGO - Get out your dauber and get ready to have some fun! Join us monthly for prize BINGO.
• BINGOcize® - Evidence based 10-week program that combines BINGO with gentle exercises and fall prevention tips. Stay active, boost your brain and connect with others. Instructor: Santa Clara County
• BOOK CLUB - Meets on the 4th Thursday of each month. Pick up the booklist from the 55 Plus Office.
• BINGO – Get out your dauber and get ready to have some fun! Join us monthly for prize BINGO.
• FOOD FOR THOUGHT – Bring your appetite for learning something new about food and sample the subject matter.
• GREAT GETAWAY – Local bus trips arranged monthly. Additional fees and registration required. $10 discount for members.
• GUEST SPEAKER – Bringing a variety of local experts to share their knowledge with us. Suggestions welcome!
• HEALING HEARTS – Grief support group open to both women and men. Led by Jackie. Find solace in the company of other singles as we process our grief together and make new friends. Leave with some journaling prompts to work through until our next meeting.
• HAND & FOOT CANASTA – Calling all Canasta players! See the 55 Plus office for a list of rules and a description of play.
• HANDS ON ART – Tap into your creative side with a new project each month exploring different mediums. All levels welcome. Materials provided.
• HEALING HEARTS – Grief support group open to both women and men. Find solace in the company of other singles as we process our grief together and make new friends. Leave with some journaling prompts to work through until our next meeting.
• HICAP – In-person appointments with a trained volunteer for free and objective information and counseling about Medicare. Call 408-350-3288. Funded by the California Department of Aging and Sourcewise.
• MAH JONGG – American Mah Jongg players group, some knowledge of game play required. Interested in learning to play? Inquire with the 55 Plus office.
• MEXICAN TRAIN DOMINOES - Be the first player to lay down your dominoes. It's a lots of fun and just a few key rules. All levels.
• PAINT PARTY - Sip, paint and socialize with us. Follow a video tutorial creating a fun seasonal painting. All materials provided. All levels.
• PING PONG – Drop in to socialize and play. Equipment provided.
• SALA - SENIOR LEGAL AID – On site appointments for free legal services. Contact the 55 Plus Office to schedule.
• SIT AND BE FIT – Chair exercise class aiming to improve balance, strength, coordination, and flexibility. Low to moderate intensity and use of resistance bands. Sign up with the 55 Plus office required.
• SPECIAL EVENTS (MONTHLY) – Dances, High Tea, Boats & BBQs, July Picnic, Thanksgiving Lunch, Holiday Social, Bocce, and more!
• STAY FIT – Seated exercise class focusing on range of motion and building strength with resistance bands. Partnership with West Valley College. Sign up with the 55 Plus office required.
• ST. MARY’S BRIDGE – Looking for intermediate level bridge players interested in subbing. Inquire with 55 plus office. NO DROP INS
• TEAM TRIVIA – Teams of three or four put their knowledge to the test with a variety of topics.
• TUESDAY TOWN WALKERS - Get Moving! Walk to local areas at your own pace, socialize and explore Los Gatos.
• WEDNESDAY GAME DAY/BRIDGE - Staff coordinate tables of over 40 Bridge players each week! Sign up with the 55 Plus office required.
• WOOD CARVING – Turn pieces of wood into objects of art. Group helps mentor all levels of carvers to improve your skills.
• YOGA – Practice from a chair or mat or both. Boost energy, reduce stress, improve flexibility and balance. Pre-registration required $5/class.
• ZUMBA GOLD - Join this easy-to- follow dance workout that focuses on balance, range of motion, coordination and fun! Perfect for an active older adult. Pre-registration required $5/class.
COMMUNITY HOLIDAY EVENTS IN LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS IN LIGHTS
INFO - Music, light show and more!
WHERE - Town Plaza Park
WHEN - Friday December 5, 5:00PM – 7:00PM
69TH ANNUAL CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY PARADE
INFO - Parade starts on Almendra Ave. at North Santa Cruz Ave., proceeds south on North Santa Cruz Ave. to Main Street, east on Main Street to Church Street. https://bit.ly/losgatosparademap
WHERE - Downtown Los Gatos
WHEN - Saturday December 6, 11:00AM
NUMU FESTIVE NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
INFO - Enjoy hot drinks while immersing yourself in stunning art, festive crafts, and live music.
WHERE - New Museum Los Gatos, 106 E Main St
WHEN - Friday, December 12 @ 4:00PM-8:00PM
KIWANIS LOS GATOS HOLIDAY MARKET
INFO - Holiday Fare from over 100 Artisans, Live Music, Food Trucks, and fun!
WHERE - Civic Center Lawn
WHEN - Saturday and Sunday December 13 & 14, 10:00AM-5:00PM
COMMUNITY EVENTS
LG THRIVES FOUNDATION MONDAY MORNING MOVIES
INFO - Tickets are $10 for movie, coffee, and pastry. Purchase online at losgatosthrives.org/monday-movie
WHERE - CineLux Los Gatos Theatre, 43 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95
WHEN - 9:45AM-12:45PM on Monday December 1st showing Wicked: For Good
LIVE OAK PROGRAMS
INFO - Weekday meal program for older adults call 408.354.0707. Day program for seniors with mild to moderate dementia & respite for caregivers call 408.354.4782.
WHERE - Los Gatos Methodist Church, 111 Church St.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NAVIGATOR PROGRAM
INFO - Peer support and referrals.
WHERE - Los Gatos Library, 100 Villa Ave, Los Gatos
WHEN - Tuesdays @ 10:00AM-3:00PM
DROP IN TECH HELP @ LOS GATOS LIBRARY
WHERE - 100 Villa Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
WHEN - Tuesdays 3:00PM-4:30PM
WVCS MOBILE FOOD PROGRAM
INFO - FREE access to food including fresh produce, meat, dairy, dry goods, and canned food. Call for more info 408.471.6123
WHERE - Next to Los Gatos Library, 100 Villa Ave WHEN - 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 10:00AM- 11:15AM
VTA RIDE AND TASTE LOS GATOS TO DOUBLE D’S
INFO - RSVP with 55 Plus Office. Gain confidence taking public transportation with a free ride on the 27 bus to a complimentary lunch stop. Call for more info 408.471.6123
4.“Mom, please sign my permission ____ for the school trip.”
5.Cigar residue
6.Midweek days
9.Butterfly-to-be
10.Koi containers
17.Broadcasters and news people are some
18.It may be pitched
19.Pasted together
20.Hula ____ (it gets around)
21.More and more
23.How to swear?
24.Apex
26.Completely overpowering
29.____ as a rock (well built)
30.___ up, unearthed
31.Mud dauber, for one
13.Increasing (optically)
14.Pharmacist
16.In My Opinion, abbrev.
20.Billboard listing
22.“___ questions?”
23.Reserves
25.Birds in barns
27.“I’ve been ___!” (fooled)
28.Little shaver
Answer
Celebra'ng the New Year
Change the First Le.er
1.Change a noontime meal _________ to a cluster _________.
2.Change strength _________ to late evening _________.
3.Change a project step _________ to an act of pursuit _________.
4.Change a postal item _________ to an Irish dog _________.
5.Change a type of grain _________ to what you can do to onions ________.
6.Change a residence _________ to a small rodent _________.
7.Change a shoreline _________ to impart knowledge _________.
8.Change merriment _________ to a hospital delivery _________.
9.Change a Lego unit _________ to a timepiece _________.
10.Change garbage _________ to a market worry _________.
11.Change an imperfection _________ to a safe _________.
12.Change a noise _________ to a dog _________.
Twelve Days of Christmas
Match each item to the correct part of the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”
1.First day 2.Second day 3.Third day 4.Fourth day 5.Fifth day 6.Sixth day
7.Seventh day 8.Eighth day 9.Ninth day 10.Tenth day 11.Eleventh day 12.Twelfth day
PICK
UP FOR ALL TRIPS FROM:
Los Gatos Adult Recreation Center
208 E Main St, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Joan Pisani Community Center 19655 Allendale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070
55 PLUS PROGRAM
New to 55 Plus? Become a member now for benefits through 2026. Current members, renew your membership for 2026 before January for a discount.
Join our community of vibrant older adults! The LGS Recreation 55 Plus program provides comprehensive free or low-cost programs for people age 55 and over. You do not need to be a Los Gatos resident to join. To enjoy a variety of groups, programs, classes, social events, guest lectures, and services. Members receive special discounts for Great Getaway Adult Day Trips, Table Tennis, LGS Pickleball League, social dances, and exclusive activities at Vasona Boating and the LGS Aquatics Center.
55 Plus Members receive $10 off all Great Getaway trips!
Note: Trips are non-refundable.
To register call 408.354.8700, visit Great Getaways or scan the QR
GREAT GETAWAY ADULT DAY TRIPS
• WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21ST – SUGAR TOWN, CROCKETT, CA - $145 - Tour the Crockett Museum to learn about the historic town's history tied to C & H Sugar, dine at The Dead Fish on the Carquinez waterfront, and tour the Carquinez Model Railroad Society. *Must be able to walk one block and climb up and down one flight of stairs with a handrail.
• FRIDAY, JAN. 30TH – PASTA AND PEANUTS - $145
- Enjoy a three-course meal at Cucina Paradiso Ristorante Italiano before heading to the Charles M. Shultz Museum for a private tour exploring the endearing and nostalgic characters of the Peanut's comic strip and movies.
• FRIDAY, FEB. 13TH – DANDELION CHOCOLATE CLASS & TOUR - $160 - Snag some chocolate for your sweetie, family, or friends from the Dandelion Chocolate Factory after a private tour and a Chocolate 101 class or bring them along for a fun date! Free choice of lunch at Pier 39.
• SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22ND – WARRIORS VS. NUGGEST DAY GAME - $190- Come cheer on Steph Curry. Grab your blue and gold and rally your friends for a fun-filled Sunday at Chase Center. Seats are in rows 16-19 in Section 202 and 7-16 in Section 203.
LGS Recreation has a web resource page to help connect older adults to services and information. We also offer several service providers in house. Contact the 55 Plus office for more details.
