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vol . I, no. 30 : march 30-april 5 , 2022 : losgatan.com
lax goes to the max p10 : radio station sold p12 : calendar p14 : ny times crossword puzzle p17 Drew Penner/Los Gatan
FIVE JOIN ELITE GROUP THAT INCLUDES ‘THE WOZ’ AND FLIGHT 93 HEROES Los Gatos celebrates ‘characters’ at awards ceremony
Suit claims county covered up roadway’s problems during annexation process
Judy Peterson, Reporter
The first-ever Los Gatos “Character Awards Ceremony” was held March 25 at Loma Brewing Company, celebrating five residents whose lives are characterized by acts of selflessness, integrity and resiliency. The awards were sponsored by the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce and also recognized Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Mike Wasserman, who is termed out of office in November. Wasserman served two terms on the Los Gatos Town Council, including two years as mayor, before being elected to the county board in 2010. “In December I’m retiring from 20 years in political office,” Wasserman said. “You are now represented by Supervisor Joe Simitian and although I’m still in office, you could not be in better hands.” Last summer, the supervisors adopted a redistricting map that moved Los Gatos and Monte Sereno out of Wasser➝ Chamber Awards, 8
LOS GATOS ACCUSES SANTA CLARA COUNTY OF FRAUD IN $5.5M LAWSUIT Drew Penner, Reporter
The Town of Los Gatos filed a lawsuit against the County of Santa Clara earlier this month, claiming fraud, breach of contract and negligence, and is seeking more than $5.5 million in damages. At the heart of the case is a dispute about repairs along a 1,300-foot-long stretch of Shannon Road, a meandering 22-foot-wide route through the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and whether the ➝ Lawsuit, 6
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AVID TRAVELER Ed Stahl of Travel Advisors of Los Gatos was among the five “characters” recognized by the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce on March 25.
LGSubs.com
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los gatan.com : march 30 -A pr il 5 , 2 0 22
1635 Everett Avenue, San Jose 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1600 Sq Ft | $1,895,000 compass.com
3
VOL.1 NO.30 Dan Pulcrano Executive Editor and Publisher Lee May General Manager Erik Chalhoub Managing Editor Lori Lieneke Advertising Director Phaedra Strecher Editorial Production Manager Drew Penner Reporter Emanuel Lee Juan Reyes Sports Writers Judy Peterson Contributor Serenity Polizzi Eric Bocanegra Carrie Bonato Account Executives Marie Hicks Subscriptions
WEEKLYS Stephen Buel Director of Strategic Initiatives
TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST LOS GATOS’ COUNCILMEMBER’S HUSBAND DROPPED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE GROWS SLIGHTLY Sheehan tells judge she had a family emergency Drew Penner, Reporter
It was oddly quiet in the Santa Clara County Superior courtroom Tuesday, as Jeffrey Scott, the husband of Councilmember Marico Sayoc, prepared for the start of the civil harassment trial against him, brought by frequent civic disruptor Cyndi Sheehan. That’s because neither Sheehan, nor any of her conservative-activist supporters, had shown up. A bailiff decided to do a sweep of the building to see if they’d gone to the wrong room. “I’m in the doctor’s office today,” Sheehan told the court when finally reached over an audio line through Microsoft Teams. “I really need to reschedule it.”
Mike Lyon Digital Media Harry Allison Production Director
Judge Eric S.
Sonia Chavez Accounts Receivables
Geffon noted
Warren Giancaterino Information Technology
this request had
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OPINIONS
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Commentaries and letters to the editor on our Opinion pages reflect the opinions of the authors. We welcome letters to the editor and commentaries on all topics of local interest. Email your submissions to editor@losgatan.com Letters must include the writer’s name and hometown (for publication) and phone number (for verification). Submissions may be edited, and will be published as space permits. Letters are limited to 250 words, commentaries to 500 words.
been denied and asked for more information about why Sheehan suddenly couldn’t make it.
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Scott has been under a temporary restraining order following a confrontation between the two parties at a municipal building in Los Gatos last fall. Sheehan has been seeking a permanent order.
“I’m not prepared,” Sheehan said, noting she’d asked for a continuance. Judge Eric S. Geffon noted this request had been denied and asked for more information about why Sheehan suddenly couldn’t make it. Her husband has seizures and has an operation today, she said. “Emergencies happen,” she said, expressing her annoyance with the question. Geffon pointed out the surgery would’ve been on the books when she asked for the latest delay. Nicole Ford, one of Scott’s attorneys, argued Sheehan had had ample time to find a better date. “This matter was set on the 14th,” she said. “She had more than two weeks.” The judge asked Sheehan which hospital she was at and if she could get to court later in the day. Sheehan said she was at Good Samaritan Hospital and wouldn’t be able to make it, adding she doesn’t know why this information would be anyone’s business. And, sounding frustrated, she attempted to make claims against Scott and his family, before the judge shut these outbursts down. Ford asked the judge to dismiss the case, noting Scott is living with a cloud over his head while the temporary restraining order remains in place. “My client continues to be prejudiced by this,” she said. “Ms. Sheehan elected not to show up.” Geffon said he was willing to give Sheehan the “benefit of the doubt,” especially considering the hearing was supposed to be on for two days. The trial was originally scheduled to start Monday, but had been bumped to start Tuesday—meaning Scott’s attorneys were only available for a single day this week. Geffon said he’ll need to see proof Sheehan’s husband actually was receiving care at Good Sam. He ordered the parties to an in-person trial on April 22 at 9am. And in a major victory for Scott, he allowed the temporary restraining order to expire at the end of the day.
losgatan.com
January statistics reflect winter Covid-19 surge Staff Report
Silicon Valley's unemployment rate increased by 3.2 percent in January due in part to a drop in seasonal employment and a significant spike in Covid-19 cases that occurred before the holidays. Los Gatos’ unemployment rate grew to 3% in January, according to statistics released by the California Employment Development Department on March 11, up from 2.4% in December. Santa Clara County’s unemployment rate stood at 3.3% in January. California’s unemployment rate remained steady from December 2021 into January 2022 at 5.8 percent as the state’s employers added 53,600 nonfarm payroll jobs to the economy, according to the EDD. Employers in Silicon Valley cut nearly 13,400 workers between mid-December and mid-January, according to Robin Doran, a spokesperson for Joint Venture Silicon Valley. That decline represents more than half of the job gains experienced between mid-October and mid-December of last year. The region—identified as Santa Clara County and the southern portions of Alameda and San Mateo counties — saw the total number of unemployed workers rise to 47,500 by mid-January, representing a decrease of nearly 5,000 since mid-December. Total employment in the region is up nearly 171,000 since April 2020, and the initial job losses associated with the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Joint Venture Silicon Valley, this represents job growth of 13.5% over that nine-month period. The January unemployment rate in Silicon Valley was 2.5 percentage points lower than in January 2021, and 8.8 percentage points lower than April 2020. Copyright © 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved.
G DIN N PE
CAROL JEANS REALTOR®, Founding Member
17660 Vista Avenue, Monte Sereno PICTURE PERFECT IN DESIRABLE DAVES AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD Charming, updated home in highly desirable Monte Sereno neighborhood within walking distance to highly acclaimed Daves Avenue elementary school. Visitors are greeted by a beautiful arch of roses, quadruple picture front window, raised garden beds, lawn, and mature landscaping leading to a covered porch with travertine tile, restoration style exterior lighting and a custom door with leaded glass and sidelights. The formal entry extends a special welcome into the light-filled home with an open floor plan, travertine flooring, stunning custom wrought-iron staircase railing, designer chandelier, skylight, soaring ceiling, and large windows and doors flooding the home with natural light. Elegant style and modern amenities create an inviting ambiance and ease of living including a spacious great room with sliders leading to the backyard for a seamless integration of indoor/ outdoor living, four well-appointed bedrooms, and two full and one half bathrooms. The beautiful and spacious kitchen offers granite slab countertops, custom cabinets with built-ins providing ample storage, built-in desk and spacious eat-in dining area. The serene backyard is ideal for family fun and entertaining with views of the surrounding mountains, a black bottom pool and spa, raised deck, spacious patio, lawn area and mature landscaping.
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• Spacious hall bathroom + powder bath on main floor.
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Chair 1% For Good Sereno Los Gatos Board Member Sereno 1% For Good Charitable Foundation Luxury Real Estate Specialist Unprecedented Knowledge of the Local Market and Community
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los gatan.com : march 30 -A pr il 5 , 2 0 22
• Elegant 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in desirable Monte Sereno neighborhood.
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SUIT: REPAIRS INSUFFICIENT ON SHANNON ROAD
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county disguised deficiencies before Los Gatos annexed the area. “Low density hillside residential areas are problematic because their low residential densities mean they generate too few public revenues to fund the services they require,” the Town’s attorneys, led by Michael Colantuono of Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, said in the complaint. “Eager to unload a particularly problematic stretch of Shannon Road in the hills adjacent to Los Gatos, County public works staff actively concealed from the Town that the road needed a multi-million-dollar repair.” A spokesperson for Santa Clara County declined to comment. According to the suit, filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court on March 4, the County of Santa Clara arranged for band-aid repairs that weren’t properly documented and passed these off to Los Gatos as legitimate fixes. The work was so shoddy that it began “peeling” just months after Los Gatos had officially expanded its boundaries into the county’s old territory, yet county staff refused to come clean, per the complaint. In a section of the lawsuit titled “Shannon Road: A Failed Unincorporated Road,” Los Gatos’ attorneys describe the area in question as between Santa Rosa Drive and Diduca Way, and rising from 570 to about 685 feet above sea level. Los Gatos claims that by 2011 the county’s Roads and Airports Department already knew the outside shoulder was slipping down the hillside, and Khoa Vo, a civil engineer with its Engineering Division, was asked to investigate. And by November 2015, Vo concluded the road “needs to be completely reconstructed” with a retaining wall, but, he added, “Unfortunately, there is no funding” and suggested the project be placed on the county’s capital projects list, the suit states. Meanwhile, the county was hearing from its citizens, who reached out with warnings of their own, such as, “the shoulder area is continuing to deteriorate,” “it is not going to hold much longer,” and “please have this addressed per neighborhood concerns ASAP, before something terrible happens,” per the complaint. After a storm, Herbert Naraval, a
county engineer, raised the matter himself. “Please evaluate Shannon Road between Diduca Way and Santa Rosa Drive for traffic safety,” he is quoted in the lawsuit as reporting, noting part of the outside lane “continues to slide” resulting in uneven pavement and cracks. “Crews have been paving more often to smooth out the surface.” But by September 2017, Naraval was told all the Department could do was continue to resurface when cracks appeared, Los Gatos’ lawyers argue. Back in 2001, the State made it easier for municipalities to take over, or “annex,” pockets of unincorporated land. But by 2015, Los Gatos still had no intention of gobbling up the 30 or so of these islands in the vicinity. On Oct. 13, 2017, after a land island that included the deteriorating stretch of Shannon Road came up for possible annexation, Los Gatos Public Works Director Matt Morley called out the county. “Shannon Road is failing significantly within the County jurisdiction,” he wrote in an email to Harry Freitas, the director of the county’s Roads and Airports Department. “Annexation would create a significant obligation for deferred maintenance with no possibility for any future development. We understand the desire to reduce pockets through annexation. In this case, the Town does not have the resources to be able to accomplish the proposal.” Freitas wrote back later that day, saying he’d been under the mistaken impression that Los Gatos wanted to take over that island. In early 2018, Graniterock’s subcontractor Uretek, a polyurethane-based ground stabilization company out of Texas, began placing 4-5-foot pipes in the road and injecting a polymer solution inside, but within days “unsigned daily inspection reports evidenced concerns these injections were ineffective,” according to the complaint. So, Vo directed Uretek to dig deeper and add more plastic to the terrain, but this just increased the strain on the road, Los Gatos’ lawyers claim. By Feb. 7, 2018, Freitas was getting on Morley’s case about pushing Council to merge with that particular land island. “I need to understand how you plan to complete your end of our agreement to take the orphaned road,” Fre-
Drew Penner/Los Gatan
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Lawsuit, from page 1
PROBLEMATIC ROAD This section of Shannon Road used to be part of unincorporated Santa Clara County, but was later annexed by Los Gatos after repairs the Town says were just a band-aid solution to safety problems. itas wrote in an email, attaching photos showing a pristine-looking route with a fresh coat of pavement. County Senior Construction Inspector Steve Wilson signed off on the repair March 1, 2018, on the word of county engineer Naraval, but didn’t investigate it himself, the lawsuit states. Within two months Wilson had become so concerned about the depth of Uretek’s injections he asked Vo to conduct a survey for “their own internal records,” per the suit. By June 14, the suit claims, Wilson inspected the road himself and found significant cracking along the downhill lane and shoulder. “Because of the annexation, Mr. Wilson’s findings were relayed to Mr. Jackson and Mr. Freitas—but the information was never disclosed to the Town or documented by a supplemental Final
Notice of Inspection,” and the county instead directed Uretek and Graniterock to complete superficial repairs “to conceal deep cracking, settling and Uretek’s pipes protruding through pavement” the lawsuit states. Los Gatos’ annexation of the land was certified in February 2018. Before the year was out, the road was already looking so bad, Town staff tried to get it repaired under warranty. The County initially refused a meeting and to hand over repair designs, and while it did share information about the warranty policy, it conveniently forgot to mention that the actual work performed wasn’t covered, according to Los Gatos’ lawyers. Los Gatos decided to hire geotechnical firm NCE and Cal Engineering & Geology to have a look, learning a $5.4 million retaining wall was necessary.
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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.
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FORMING THE CHARACTER OF LOS GATOS Drew Penner/Los Gatan
MIX AND MINGLE Attendees fill Loma Brewing Company during the Character Awards Ceremony.
WELL-KNOWN BIRDER Lisa Myers is the owner of Birdwatcher.
Los Gatos. Stahl opened Travel Advisors of Los Gatos in 1961 and is still an avid traveler: he just returned from the Dubai World’s Fair. Stahl, who is 90, says space travel is now on his bucket list, which is “getting longer, not shorter.” Award-winner Sue Tuttle received kudos for her efforts to clean up downtown streets during the pandemic. A member of the town’s Beautification Committee, Tuttle has become a fa-
Drew Penner/Los Gatan
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man’s District 1 and into Simitian’s District 5. So, when Simitian took the stage, he used the opportunity to introduce himself to an overflow crowd of more than 150 constituents. “I am yours and you are mine,” Simitian said. “I am actually a recycled representative…because I represented this community in the California State Assembly 20 years ago.” In keeping with the event’s primary focus of recognizing the characters of Los Gatos, it fell to Mayor Rob Rennie to mention some of the town’s most notable characters: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Olympic figure skater Peggy Fleming, Pet Rock creator Gary Dahl, and Los Gatos High School graduates Todd Beamer and Mark Bingham—the heroes who battled 9/11 hijackers aboard United Flight 93. “We always talk about the character of Los Gatos and preserving the character of Los Gatos,” Rennie said. “But it’s the characters that are the ones that have formed the character of Los Gatos.” The 2022 Los Gatos characters include Birdwatcher owner Lisa Myers, whose store was deemed “essential” during the pandemic, providing comfort to birders young and old. “I had a wife tell me once that her husband sits on the back porch and looks at the birds in the yard because he was going through cancer treatment, and if it wasn’t for the birds she doesn’t know what would have happened because it helped him get through all the chemo,” Myers said. The owner of the Pastaria & Market, Donna Novi, was honored for her ability to pivot during the pandemic— turning out meals for hospital workers instead of the usual restaurant menu. “My staff is amazing,” Novi said. “And friends who are really supportive and family, customers walking in off the street and giving me an envelope with $1,000 in it, saying, ‘I want you to stay open.’ I mean, there’s been so many things, so I’m just really grateful for that and I think you learn to take those little pieces of gratitude and you learn to see the best in it so you can keep going.” Award winner Ed Stahl is grateful for spending the last 60-plus years in
Drew Penner/Los Gatan
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Chamber Awards, from page 1
SAFETY HERO Rob Stump was recognized for his efforts to help the town develop a wildfire safety plan.
miliar sight with her litter pick-up stick, grabbing masks, candy wrappers, you name it, and stuffing them into a plastic bag. “The feeling of volunteering makes me believe that I’m making the world a better place,” Tuttle said. “I will continue to pick up litter as long as people keep dropping things.” Longtime resident Rob Stump is described as a “Wildfire Safety Superhero” for his efforts to help the town
develop a wildfire safety plan that included developing neighborhood evacuation routes. “I focus on a goal until it’s achieved and that’s really been my approach for wildfire preparedness for our neighborhood and for the town of Los Gatos,” Stump said. The town will be putting Stump’s plans to good use during an April 2 wildfire evacuation drill for the College Hills neighborhood.
THE BEST IS BACK BestOfLosGatos.com Advertising information: 408.829.0448
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SPORTS
LOS GATOS LAX GOES TO THE MAX Jonathan Natividad
Wildcats lacrosse team puts it all together
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Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor
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Boasting a No. 12 state and No. 38 national ranking, the powerhouse Los Gatos High girls lacrosse team looks to be on a collision course to play St. Ignatius or Sacred Heart Prep—two of the top 10 teams in the nation—in the semifinals of the Central Coast Section playoffs in May. Wildcats coach Tes Hayton acknowledged it would be a huge undertaking to beat one of those teams—St. Ignatius is No. 1 in the nation and Sacred Heart Prep is the defending CCS champion—but even a loss to SI or SHP wouldn’t dampen what the Wildcats (8-0 overall, 5-0 SCVAL) have already accomplished and what they expect to achieve this season. They already own wins against Robert Louis Stevenson and St. Francis, two section powers. Barring a rash of injuries that take half the team’s roster out, they’ll cruise to the Santa Clara Valley League championship. And they’re building a program that has the benefit of having strong club programs Verve and the Red Hawks in the area feeding into the high school. That means most of the players who enter as freshmen have experience and even the ones who don’t learn quickly because of the competitive yet fun environment. “It’s a great team dynamic. Everyone is super close to each other and everyone loves to be around each other,” said senior goalie Maddie Holloway, who is set to play at Division I program George Mason next year. “Everyone here wants to win and is super passionate about lacrosse so we all share that same passion and it’s great to see it all work together on the field.” Holloway showed why she’s a Division I-bound goalie, intercepting numerous passes and displaying catquick reflexes in a 13-0 win over Palo Alto High on March 24. Possessing fast hands and feet, Holloway deflected or made a save on every Palo Alto
PLAYMAKER Alex Evans is part of a powerhouse Los Gatos High girls lacrosse program that is ranked No. 2 in the Central Coast Section, No. 7 in the state and No. 38 in the nation.
Everyone here wants to win and is super passionate about lacrosse so we all share that same passion and it’s great to see it all work together on the field. Maddie Holloway
shot that came her way. Hayton said Holloway and another senior captain Lily Brennan are key to the defense. High school girls lacrosse tends to have a lot of scoring so it’s no small feat when a team can produce a shutout. “Maddie and Lily help coordinate
the defense,” Hayton said. “They both do a great job. Maddie is just amazing and was born to be a lacrosse goalie. She’s done a lot of work, lots of different programs and just worked her butt off to get to where she is.” The Wildcats go 28 players deep, or usually double what most opponents
have. That means Hayton can substitute liberally and not worry about too much of a dropoff in play. Nine different players scored against Palo Alto, led by Sam Elliott and Alex Evans who scored three goals each. Elliott and Tessa Dennon had several nice give and go combinations in the first half which resulted in the two scoring four of the team’s first five goals. Los Gatos put on a clinic with their stick work, ball handling, zone play and transitions. “Transitions at Los Gatos, that is something we are proud of,” Hayton said. “We want to have the (best) transitions and you can’t have them without well formulated stick work and ball work. The girls come into the program with good lacrosse IQ as well.” A good portion of the game was spent in Palo Alto’s 8-meter arc, as Los Gatos had the superior athletes and experience to control the possession and make strong runs. Players like Ava Bannon often juked Palo Alto players in the open field en route to the goal. Natasha Evenden, Keira Dodd, Elliott, Dennon and Evans along with others helped the team dominate the possession time. Four players from the Wildcats’ field hockey CCS championship winning team are on the lacrosse team, so it’s no coincidence the latter squad is having tremendous success. There are parallels between the two sports and players like Elliott, Evenden, Holloway and Teagan Fogerty are standouts in both. Holloway was ecstatic with the Palo Alto shutout because she knew it took a terrific team effort. “Communication is always key on defense and that is probably one of the biggest things that helped us get that shutout,” she said. Hayton said the team was actually a little out of sorts in the early going before it found its rhythm. “The first 15 to 20 minutes was a little bit chaotic,” Hayton said with a chuckle. “All in all the girls had a lot of different motivations for the game and I think they ended up being happy with it.”
WILDCATS ROAR BACK FROM ST. FRANCIS LOSS Los Gatos softball on track to win league title Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor
Frey said. “They have zero weaknesses. I thought I had good pitching and their pitching was lights-out. Their starter struck out eight of our first nine batters and I thought we had a good hitting team—and I do have a good hitting team—but they’re just at a different level. So I told the girls to flush down that game and to focus back on league because our goal is to win a league championship.” Outside of the St. Francis game,
Bean has pretty much been lightsout in the circle this season. The right-hander utilizes a strong fastball, change-up and her favorite pitch, the riseball. The key for Bean is forgetting the past and focusing on the present. “You can’t think about what’s already happened,” she said. “So the key for me is getting the next out. …This year’s team is a lot of fun. I’ve been playing with a lot of these girls my whole life, which is really nice.”
Jonathan Natividad
STALWART Four-year varsity player Lynsey Chiala has been a force in the circle and at the plate this season. The senior has committed to play for Northwest Nazarene, a Division II program in Nampa, Idaho.
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After a 2021 season that saw the Los Gatos High softball team finish as the runner-up in the Santa Clara Valley League’s De Anza Division and an out away from advancing to the Central Coast Section Division I championship game, the Wildcats have two big goals left to accomplish this year: win league and CCS titles. Los Gatos has been rolling league foes in 2022, beating three opponents by a combined margin of 45-4. Wildcats coach Randy Frey expects to duke it out with a familiar foe for this year’s title: Los Altos, which won it last year after edging Los Gatos in both league meetings by one run each. “Los Altos I think is going to give us a run for it,” Frey said. “They beat us twice last year and I thought we had a stronger team player for player. But they outplayed us in the two games we played them in and they deserved it, they won. Hopefully our girls remember that and get something out of that so we can get it done this year.” Los Gatos, which entered its March 29 non-league game against Valley Christian at 9-1, plays Los Altos on March 30 and April 27. The Wildcats routed Mountain View 17-3 in a mercy-rule game on March 23, one day after they were rolled by national power St. Francis, 12-0. For Los Gatos, dealing with the St. Francis loss was simple. “You definitely have to forget about it,” junior standout Anna Bean said. “If you think about it, you’re not going to come back so you flush it and do what you can.” Athletes and coaches know they need to have a short memory—whether it’s a win, loss, good moment or bad—so they can focus intently on the next game or practice. That’s exactly what Los Gatos did after the St. Francis game, rolling a Spartans team by scoring at least four runs in four of the game’s five innings. In addition to earning the win in the circle, Bean hit a grand slam in the top of the third inning, then was intentionally walked in her next two at-bats
and understandably so. Bean is a force with the bat and has the capability to hit a home run each time she steps to the plate. “Two intentional walks in one game, I haven’t had that happen to me before,” Bean said. “It feels a little good but I’m also thinking, ‘Come on, I want the chance to hit the ball.’” Los Gatos banged out 13 hits with freshman Annika Norquist leading the way with three hits and three runs scored. Addie Payne had a two-run double in the fifth and drew three walks, Sara Martin had a two-run triple in the fourth and Alexa Musser and Lynsey Chiala drew two walks apiece. Bean allowed one run in four innings while striking out six. Payne drove in three runs, the first via a walk and the final two on a double. Both of those opportunities came after Bean was intentionally walked. “I got Addie Payne hitting behind Bean and she’s got just as much power, so I'll take it,” Frey said. Frey has been pleased because everyone is contributing, whether it's as a courtesy runner, fielding, pitching or hitting. “If we play like we have been playing minus the St. Francis game, we’ll be good,” he said. “We’re playing solid defense, we’re hitting, getting good pitching, it’s a good mix.” Chiala has been pitching well and four different players have hit home runs through the Mountain View game, a testament to the Wildcats’ power. “In nine games we’ve hit eight home runs,” Frey said. “That’s a pretty good stat.” Los Gatos’ 7-6 win over Branham on March 11 was a significant one because the Bruins are a strong A-league team. “That was a huge victory,” Frey said. “After that win, we came out and scored 10 runs (or more) in each of the next four games, so that victory gave the girls a big jolt of confidence and they played a lot better.” Not much can be taken from the St. Francis result, other than that the Lancers are playing at a different level. They went 26-0 last season and are currently ranked No. 2 in the nation by Max Preps. “I’ve never seen a team that good,”
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LOS GATOS WOMAN HELPING MORE LOS GATOS’ COUNTRY STATION UKRAINIANS ENTER AMERICA Contributed
Biden: United States will welcome up to 100,000 people
VP: “It’s not ‘Goodbye,’ it’s, ‘What’s next?’”
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Drew Penner, Reporter
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Men hold babies in their arms, women are bundled up in blankets and jackets to fight off the cold. Volunteers hand out coffee and soup. Kids are coughing. Some people have surgical masks on. Many don’t. It was a frustrating scene at the U.S. border Sunday morning, reported Laura Kramer Rahmil, the former vice chair of the Town of Los Gatos’ Community Health and Senior Services Commission. The Los Gatos woman has been assisting multiple displaced Ukrainians who are attempting to seek refuge with family members in America. Her sister crossed safely to San Diego. But, as previously reported in the Los Gatan, two other families had made it to Bulgaria and were trying to figure out their next move. After President Joe Biden announced, on March 24, the United States would welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war, Kramer Rahmil urged the women to come to the Bay Area, where they have relatives. At 3am Sunday, one of the families—18-year-old student Anna Melnikova, and her mother Yulia, from Odessa—made it to the border line. There appeared to be more than 100 people ahead of them when they arrived. The border seemed to be processing about five families an hour, she told the Los Gatan, relaying information from her daughter-in-law who’d gone to Mexico to fetch the women. “Government is accepting people and they should not make them suffer more than they have suffered already,” she said. According to Kramer Rahmil, after the Melnikovas flew from Amsterdam to Mexico City, they were questioned by customs officials who couldn’t communicate with them, since they don’t speak Spanish. So, they didn’t understand why their phones were seized temporarily, she said. But at least it only took about 30 minutes before they received tourist visas, she added.
SELLING TO K-LOVE OWNER FOR $3M Drew Penner, Reporter
WAITING Ukrainian refugees lined up for hours at the Tijuana border crossing, Sunday morning. Kramer Rahmil’s own sister had been isolated in Tijuana for several days, however, when she actually did arrive at the border, the crossing was relatively painless. But now that the Biden Administration has flung wide the floodgates, things are different. Kramer Rahmil wonders if the White House is doing enough to respond to the Ukrainian refugee crisis. “Either they are purposely delaying, or they don’t have enough people,” she said. “All they need to do is to take their fingerprints and look at their paperwork and let them in.” While so much about the war in Ukraine is out of the hands of the American government, this, to Kramer Rahmil, seemed like one thing Biden should be able to make a little less stressful for people who’ve been through so much already. “People are worried, what’s going to be their future,” she said. “Many are crying and distressed and tired.” Her daughter-in-law from San Francisco was so overwhelmed by the situation that she burst into tears while talking about it. “It’s unacceptable, you know,” Kramer Rahmil said, around 1:30pm Sunday. “I don’t want others to go through that.” On Tuesday she confirmed that the Melnikovas did make it across the border Sunday and are now on their way to start the next phase of their lives in the Bay Area.
It traces its roots to North Santa Cruz Avenue. Its second studio was on Royce Street. And even after moving its air room to San Jose, Los Gatos has remained 95.3 KRTY’s home, as far as the Federal Communications Commission is concerned. The independently-owned station may broadcast “San Jose’s Hot Country,” but the transmitter is located on Blackberry Hill. But now, Empire Broadcasting Corp. is selling its bastion of “new country” to Christian broadcasting group Educational Media Foundation for $3.138 million. EMF broadcasts “positive encouraging K-LOVE,” a contemporary Christian format that has more in common, sonically, with secular Top 40 hits than traditional worship music.
But this won’t be a rerun of the classic sitcom WKRP’s plot, where an easylistening station switches to cuttingedge rock n’ roll and hilarity ensues. According to Wikipedia, EMF already has K-LOVE stations in Moss Beach (89.3 FM), Los Altos (97.7 FM) and in Livermore (107.3 FM). Its own website notes it also operates 90.7 FM in Tracy and 89.1 FM in Gilroy, with signals that reach San Jose’s borders. And it has a ‘90s Christian pop sta-
tion that can be heard in parts of the San Jose area at 88.9 FM. Rocklin-based EMF had around $800,000 in assets at the end of 2020, according to an audit report. But this won’t be a rerun of the classic sitcom WKRP’s plot, where an easy-listening station switches to cutting-edge rock n’ roll and hilarity ensues. KRTY’s staff are all out of a job as of June 1. Nate Deaton, KRTY’s vice president and general manager, said the disc jockeys weren’t too surprised when they got their pink slips. “The last few years have not been kind to local media ownership,” he said, recalling their unsuccessful efforts to find a buyer nearby. “We tried to put together some local groups to buy it.” EMF, America’s largest Christian radio leviathan, has been on a buying spree. It acquired six radio signals for $3.21 million as of May 18, 2021—and paid $3.17 million of this in cash. At the time it had already entered into agreements to acquire six other signals for $8.41 million. EMF also operates Air1—a format that started out as Christian rock but is now essentially indistinguishable from K-LOVE’s uber-produced saccharine content. At a two-and-a-half hour drive away, in Sacramento’s suburbs, EMF’s headquarters is currently quasi-local, however, last year it announced plans to move its home base to Nashville. That being said, EMF already has a station based in Los Gatos. On Dec. 1, it renewed a license for K205BN, which lasts until Dec. 1, 2029. In the filing, the company notes it’s exempt from regulatory fees, since it’s technically a non-profit corporation. The KRTY deal still requires FCC approval. Heading south out of town toward the Lexington Reservoir, KRTY is one of the only stations that can be picked up clearly—along with such signals as Silicon Valley Asian Media Group’s Bolly 92.3, National Public Radio member 88.5 KQED and Pacific Radio Network’s KPFA 94.1. Deaton says the sale was in line with the wishes of the estate of founder Bob Kieve, who died two years ago at age 98. But, because EMF didn’t buy the intellectual property, a country music rebirth—online or otherwise—remains a possibility. “Thanks for 30 years of an amazing run of a radio station,” Deaton said. “It’s not ‘Goodbye,’ it’s, ‘What’s next?’”
POLICE BLOTTER
MARCH 20
• A vehicle was reported stolen on Grays Lane. • Grand theft was reported at a home on Carlton Avenue. • A man was arrested for being in possession of unlawful paraphernalia on Blossom Hill and Harwood roads at 4:55pm.
MARCH 21
• Someone stole a vehicle’s catalytic converter on Overlook Road. • A woman reportedly refused to leave after she asked people for money on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 6:43pm. • A man, who a caller said seemed “high,” was attempting to sell a phone service at a home while making “inappropriate comments” on University Avenue at 7:13pm.
MARCH 22
• A battery was reported on Winchester Boulevard at 2:44pm.
MARCH 23
MARCH 25
• Someone siphoned gas from a vehicle on Newell Avenue. • A patient reportedly left a rehab center without permission and struck an employee of a nearby business on Los Gatos-Almaden Road at 5:10pm. • An intoxicated individual, who fell down, was singing and staggering on the 100 block of N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 6:31pm. • A group of juveniles in a vehicle were reportedly spraying water at people on the first block of N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 9:14pm.
MARCH 26
• A man was arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance and unlawful paraphernalia on Blossom Hill Road and Regent Drive at 3:24am. A woman was also arrested for being in possession of unlawful paraphernalia.
SMALL PLATES!
• An unknown suspect broke a window of a vehicle parked on Palm Avenue and stole items from inside. • A stolen vehicle and trailer were found on Harwood Road and Belhaven Drive.
• A solar panel was damaged by someone throwing rocks at it on Thomas Drive.
• Someone smashed the window of a vehicle parked on Bayview Avenue.
• A bike was stolen out of a truck on Blossom Hill Road. The caller reported that the suspect left a different bike in its place.
• A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on the 1500 block of Pollard Road at 2:31pm.
• A man, carrying a stuffed monkey, was reportedly “flipping people off” in front of a store on W. Main Street at 10:46am.
Information is compiled from public records released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.
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• A wallet was reported stolen on Los Gatos Boulevard.
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• Someone reportedly stole a phone from a shopping cart on N. Santa Cruz Avenue.
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The Los Gatos Library, in conjunction with The Pulitzer Center, will welcome award-winning journalist Melissa Lyttle in a virtual program on March 30 from 5-6pm. Lyttle is an independent visual journalist who covered the fall of Confederate monuments across the U.S. following the 2020 uprisings.
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COLLEGE HILL EVACUATION DRILL
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An evacuation drill for the College Hill neighborhood is scheduled for April 2 from 9am to noon. The neighborhood includes residences on College Avenue, Reservoir Road, Prospect Avenue, Cleland Avenue and connecting streets. Attendees will receive automated AlertSCC text messages and follow traffic control to the “evacuation” site. ➝ bit.ly/3uErgtP
MONDAY MORNING BOOK CLUB The Los Gatos Library’s Monday Morning Book Club returns in person in the library’s conference rooms, 100 Villa Ave. The next meeting is April 11 at 11am. The club meets on the second Monday of every month. ➝ losgatosca.libcal.com/event/8584482
losgatan.com
➝ cafarmersmkts.com/losgatosfarmers-market Campbell Farmers Market The Downtown Campbell Farmers Market is held Sundays, rain or shine, from 9am to 1pm. 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.
WESTMONT HIGH SCHOOL SPRING MUSICAL
➝ bit.ly/3MIriHN
Park Plaza on Main Street and N. Santa Cruz Avenue.
➝ uvfm.org/campbell-sundays
➝ losgatosca.libcal.com/ event/8866039?hs=a
Westmont High School presents its spring musical “Disaster!” on April 1-2 at 4805 Westmont Ave. in Campbell. “Disaster!” is a new disco musical from Broadway, featuring songs of the 1970s. Showtimes are at 7pm, with an extra 1pm show on April 2. Advance tickets are $15 general or $10 ASB, or $20 at the door.
Judy Peterson/File photo
VIRTUAL JOURNALIST VISIT
CALENDAR
➝ lgkiwanisgives.org
BE PREPARED Community Emergency Response Team members Brian Whitaker (left) and Michael Parker participated in the July 24 wildfire drill that tested radio communications, among other things. Another drill is scheduled on April 2 for the College Hill neighborhood.
EASTER EGG HUNT The Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos will hold a free Easter event for families on April 16 from 10am to noon at Oak Meadow Park, 233 Blossom Hill Road. The Easter Bunny will be there for photo opportunities and games, and there will be some limited “egg hunts” and games with small prizes. The event takes place in the park’s main lawn/grandstand area. ➝ lgkiwanisgives.org
SPRING WINE WALK The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Wine Walk returns April 23 from 1-4pm in downtown Los Gatos. Dozens of local wineries will be participating in the event that includes wine tasting, food samples and shopping. Admission is $50, or $55 on the day of the event. Open to ages 21 and older. ➝ losgatoschamber.com/wine-walk
SPRING INTO GREEN Spring into Green returns April 24 at Town Plaza Park from 10am to
1pm for a morning of environmental sustainability. Mayor Rob Rennie will welcome attendees and lead the town in the annual tree planting ceremony to honor Arbor Day and Los Gatos’ 42nd Tree City USA award. ➝ losgatosca.gov/2225/ Spring-into-Green
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME The 17th Induction Ceremony of the Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame will take place April 30 at La Rinconada Country Club, 14595 Clearview Drive. The evening begins with a no host reception at 5pm. Tickets cost $110 and include dinner and wine. ➝ bit.ly/3tgUHA6
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
Rotary Club of Los Gatos The Rotary Club of Los Gatos meets Tuesdays from noon to 1:30pm at Shir Hadash Synagogue, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane. ➝ losgatosrotary.org The Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club The Club meets every Wednesday morning 7:30-8:30am at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road. Program includes featured guest speakers. Los Gatos Lions Club The Los Gatos Lions Club meets every Wednesday. A breakfast meeting is held at Moore Buick, 15500 Los Gatos Blvd., at 8am and a noon meeting at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, with a guest speaker. The club has been active since 1946.
PUBLIC MEETINGS Town Council The Los Gatos Town Council meets virtually on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7pm. ➝ losgatosca.gov/16/TownCouncil Planning Commission The Los Gatos Planning Commission meets virtually on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7pm. ➝ losgatosca.gov/189/PlanningCommission
LOCAL SCENE
COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABLE AT REC CENTER
LOW-INCOME SENIORS MAY APPLY FOR SPECIAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
The Town of Los Gatos is again partnering with Santa Clara County to offer Covid-19 testing. Testing will be offered on March 31 from 9:30am-4pm inside of Adult Rec Center at 208 E Main St. To make an appointment, visit scl.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment.
LOCAL DANCERS TO PERFORM IN SAN JOSE More than 60 dance organizations from across the Greater Bay Area will gather April 23-24 at Eastridge Center Mall, 2200 Eastridge Loop in San Jose, for the Spring Dance Festival. Dance companies, from young children to professional companies and everything in between, will represent Los Gatos and beyond, presenting many styles of dance on the festival stage during a free non-stop seven-hour program each day. The professional dance portions of the show are from noon to 1pm and 5-6pm. Free dance classes will be offered at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 5pm. The celebration is part of Bay Area Dance Week and National Dance Week (April 15-24) and showcases the diversity of the Bay Area dance community. For information, visit sjDANCEco.org.
For information about the Safe, Clean Water low-income senior property tax exemption, or to apply, visit valleywater.org/senior-parcel-taxexemption.
DANCE WEEK The Spring Dance Festival returns to Eastridge Center Mall on April 23-24, featuring local dance groups.
losgatan.com
los gatan.com : march 30 -A pr il 5 , 2 0 22
Photo by Fred Corpuz, courtesy of sjDANCEco
Santa Clara County seniors, 65 and older, could qualify to be exempt from paying the Safe, Clean Water property tax if they own their home and live in it as a primary residence. Valley Water offers an exemption for qualifying low-income seniors from the Safe, Clean Water special property tax. The tax was renewed and approved by the voters in November 2020. The application period for the 2022 Safe, Clean Water low-income senior property tax exemption is open from April 15-June 30. Santa Clara County seniors could be exempt from the tax if they meet all of the following criteria: • Born before June 30, 1958. • Have a total household income for 2021 below $62,292. Total household income is the total gross income for every person over 18 years old who lives in the home. It excludes capital gains. • Live in and own the home the tax is assessed on. Mobile homes in parks and homes that are in an irrevocable trust are not eligible. Seniors who meet the requirements should complete the application, and return with proof of age, such as a copy of a driver’s license, copy of birth certificate, copy of passport, or copy of a medical card that shows date of birth. Applications can be submitted via regular mail or as a legible scanned copy via email. The application is available online at valleywater.org/senior-parcel-tax-exemption.
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TUCKED AWAY IN A CUL-DE-SAC This remodeled home in the Heritage Grove development is at the end of a cul-de-sac within the hills. Located at 110 Ayala Court in Los Gatos, the 3,326-square-foot home includes four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The open floor plan features wide plank hardwood floors throughout, recessed lighting and a ground floor
office that features French doors leading out to a patio. The main suite includes a bathroom with a tub, steam shower and closet. Outside, the property features a detached office, turf play field, hot tub and pool. The home, built in 2000, is listed at $3,895,000 by Sereno. For information, visit bit.ly/3ICjlk5 Sereno
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AYALA COURT This Los Gatos home was recently remodeled.
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SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM IN LOS GATOS Join us as a charter subscriber! The team that launched the original Los Gatos Weekly has come together once again to give the town the quality of journalism it needs.
LET’S MAKE YOUR DREAM HOME HAPPEN. Golden 1 and Deborah Merchain delivers financial solutions with value. She is highly respected among the real estate community, solution driven, service oriented and serves with integrity, reliability, and respect.
News about local people, school sports and vital community issues will fill the pages of thislocal publication –and a live web site. Los Gatos deserves real reporting.
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Tree houses, van conversions, she-sheds and dude-shacks...
I’ve got you covered! Master craftsman with over 40 years of experience. Call Christopher 831.431.0828
Los Gatos Electric, Inc. 408.458.9977 1550 Dell Ave. Unit C Campbell, CA
Window Washing To advertise call Serenity Polizzi 408.200.1323 Eric Bocanegra 408.200.1309
“You rest and relax, and I’ll clean your windows.”— Randy Sauro
R&R Window Cleaning 831 588-4243
To advertise call Serenity Polizzi 408.200.1323 Eric Bocanegra 408.200.1309 HOUSE CLEANING
LANDSCAPING
Jesse’s General Quality House Cleaning Landscaping & Masonry I use plant-based cleaning products and top of the line equipment. I am vaccinated for COVID-19 and follow all proper protocols for your safety.
I specialize in homes! References and insured. Lic # 108576
Call or Text Kristina: 650-703-5179
Pavers and concrete Patios Landscape design Yard work Improvements and installation
House Cleaning
Premium service and resonable rates Call today for a free estimate! 25+ years of experience, references, bonded and insured.
408-608-9335
(831) 239-4645
Professional Alterations for Men and Women
Call Christy Best at 831-247-0988
CLUTTERBUG
HVAC clutterbug.net
PAINTING
(831) 331-0111
15% OFF
Got Piano?
I buy and sell quality used pianos or can place pianos on consignment.
408-868-5500
Lic# 258540
LANDSCAPING
Alvarado Landscaping
Tree cut service. Concrete. Fences Maintenance. Clean up & hauling.
(831) 818-4324 unlicensed operator
Satisfaction guaranteed. Free estimates. Bonded/Insured/PL, PD/CA Lic. #550327
Only one per client. Offer does not include diagnosis fee. Does not apply to major equipment replacement or accessories. Valid through Dec 31, 2022
We have been providing quality service and meeting your real estate needs in both sales and property management since 1977.
Broker, Jeanne Jensen Shada 831.438.2208 4615 Scotts Valley Dr, Suite B DRE #00606749
Housing too expensive here? Now with working in place, you can live where you want for much less and keep your job. Let me find you a real estate broker out of the area or out of state. I will do the leg work. I will also give you a $100 gift certificate when you purchase through my referral!
All I need to know is the city you want to move to. The Rodino Realty Group Give me a call or text at 408.431.6640
PLUMBING
Over 40 years experience to serve you. New construction Remodels Water heaters Repipes and repairs
I have 48 years experience in the piano business as a PTG Registered Craftsman serving the Bay Area.
Call Rich at 408.260.2740. No text
Order online: wklys.co/lgtshirt
losgatan.com
831.438.0308
4736 Scotts Valley Dr, Ste B scottsvalleychiropractic.com
In these times, expert travel advice is needed more than ever. We do the planning so you can enjoy the trip! We’ve been serving Los Gatos for 60 years.
Your Gutter & Copperworks Expert Are you looking for a way to control the rain that falls on your home or business? We do more than just gutter and downspout installations and repairs. Give us a call!
(831) 345-3490 slvraingutters.com
Give us a call at 831.610.8147 or email hwy9plumbing@gmail.com
Lic # 1045811
R&R Window Cleaning 831 588-4243
Give me a call for a free piano refinishing estimate.
RAIN GUTTERS
Interior and Exterior
Window Got Washing Shirt? “You rest and relax, and I’ll clean your windows.”— Randy Sauro
Scotts Valley Property Management
Third generation chiropractor, established in 1976
Doscher Painting Rick Doscher (831) 335-9084
Your Entire Repair Bill
Looking to Move from the Bay Area?
LOS GATAN GEAR
56 N Santa Cruz Ave Los Gatos • 408.354.6531 Lic. #813878
los gatan.com : march 30 -A pr il 5 , 2 0 22
Mention LOS GATAN for
Careful Management
408-354-8903
831-252-5353 Valley Heating, Cooling, Moon Painting Scotts Valley Electrical and Interior and exterior. Chiropractic Pressure washing Dr. Paige Thibodeau, D.C. Solar Call Saul:
The Home of Old Fashioned Service Since 1962.
REAL ESTATE
469 N. Santa Cruz Ave Across from Safeway
Feeling Overwhelmed? Organizing challenges of any kind. Home or office. Relocations, downsizing. Nonjudgemental.
cleansweep1989@gmail.com
Designer’s Tailoring
REAL ESTATE
Affordable Rates
ORGANIZER
Clean Sweep
PROFESSIONAL
19
FIRST PLACE BEST STEAKHOUSE
march 30 -Apr il 5 , 2 0 22 : los gatan.co m
Easter Holiday Prime Rib
20
7lb.
Prime Rib
7 lb. Prime Rib - Seasoned and par-cooked, ready to bring to the desired temperature ( Serves 6 guests ) - Au Jus & Creamed Horseradish - Large Caesar Salad - Broccolini / garlic / chili / roasted tomato / pecorino - Truffle Mac ‘n Cheese / white truffle oil / white cheddar - Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes / butter / more butter
ORDER BY THURSDAY, APRIL 14
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino (408) 446-2222
SCAN TO ORDER
PICK UP ON SATURDAY, APRIL 16
ALEXANDERSSTEAKHOUSE.COM