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vol . 5 , no. 52 : august 26-september 1 , 2026 : losgatan.com

monte sereno picnic p4 : post office investigated p6 : mayor's message p9 : girls field hockey p12 Laura Ness / Los Gatan

SHOE DESIGNER TEAMS-UP WITH MÉLODIE FOR A SEPT. 2 POPUP Flor de Maria’s highfashion heels sported by the rich and famous

Gabrielle Whelan plans to leave role in November

Obadiah Casperson, Contributor

Drew Penner, Editor

This year in footwear, I spy a maximalist style, as Los Gatos’ very own Flor de Maria continues to stun on red carpets and award show afterparties. And now she’s preparing for a popup event on Main Street, in partnership with upstart retailer Mélodie Luxe. This high-fashion designer, Flor de Maria Rivera, has been leading the way through the high-profile fashion landscape alongside industry titans. That included a turn at the 2026 Met Gala, as Miranda Kerr was spotted wearing the Flor’s Taylor Swift-inspired, crystal-embellished heels—then kicking back in them at the after party too. For Rivera, the way heels make a woman feel is what gives shoes their soul. “For me, the most exciting part of designing is creating shoes that are not only beautiful, but that make a woman feel glamorous, confident and unforgettable,” Rivera said in an email interview. Since launching in 2019, Flor de Maria shoes have appeared on musicians, models and actresses—becoming a staple in the closets of figures like Mindy Kaling, who wore a pair of snakeskin heels on Jimmy Kimmel Live recently. These luxur y heels have adorned the feet of Eva Longoria, Alex Consani, Winnie Harlow, Zara Larsson and Kesha, just to name a few more. ➝ Flor de Maria, 8

TOWN ATTORNEY READY TO HANG UP HER CLEATS, STUDY ART Town Attorney Gabrielle Whelan has announced she’s stepping down. “I am retiring because I have served as a municipal lawyer since 1995 and it is simply time for the next chapter,” she told the Los Gatan in an email on Monday. “Los Gatos is obviously a very beautiful Town, and the work has been incredibly stimulating.” She says she’s enjoyed working on “cutting-edge legal issues” for “a very informed and engaged” population. “I have loved my time working with the Town Council and Town staff—they are dedicated, principled and extremely intelligent,” she said. “My plan for retirement is to rest, travel and take art classes.” Whelan informed Council in June she’d decided to quit. She’s planning to continue in her role into November. On Aug. 17, Council authorized a search to find Whelan’s replacement.

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LOOKING UP Ridge Vineyards’ Cosimo Linstadt at the bottom of the company’s wine cellar stairs. Join writer Laura Ness for an ATV tour of the Santa Cruz Mountains site. P10.

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VOL.5 NO.52 Dan Pulcrano Executive Editor & Publisher

EDITORIAL

august 2 6- s e p te mbe r 1, 2 0 2 6 : los gatan.com

editor@losgatan.com

Drew Penner Managing Editor Emanuel Lee Sports Editor Obadiah Casperson, Amanda Senior, Dinah Cotton, Laura Ness, Jonathan Natividad Contributors

ADVERTISING advertising@losgatan.com

Kate Kauffman Senior Account Executive Tiffany Birch Account Executive

PRODUCTION Cindy Couling Director of Creative Services Deb Fischer Creative Services Production Manager Zk Bradley Editorial Production Manager Haley Tweedell Assistant Editorial Production Manager Saoirse Alesandro Editorial Production Designer Jen Meyer, Jackie Mujica, Elena Razgonov, Rowdy Tompkins, Graphic Designers

WEEKLYS Mike Lyon Digital Media Sonia Chavez Accounts Receivables

A Smile Is Forever

Warren Giancaterino Information Technology

LEGAL ADS legals@losgatan.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@losgatan.com

Dr Leticia Lozada Ortega has 16 years of clinical experience as a Cosmetic and General Dentist. She recently moved to Los Gatos in 2025, took over this Dental practice in 2026 and is excited to be starting a new home here with her husband and 8-yearold son.

DEATH NOTICES Death notices with basic information that are submitted to editor@losgatan.com may be published on a space-available basis only. To place a paid, unedited obituary with a photo, call 707.353.1148 or email LifeTributes@Weeklys.com.

OPINIONS 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

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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.

CORRECTIONS We strive to avoid errors in news and ads. Mistakes sometimes occur. To report errors, call or email; corrections will appear in the next edition and online.

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.

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RECORD TURNOUT FOR MONTE SERENO’S ANNUAL CITY PICNIC Drew Penner / Los Gatan

Days after election cancelled, community agencies reach out to public at Sunday event Drew Penner, Editor

FAMILY FUN The Lakeview Group Area at Vasona Lake County Park proved the perfect venue for the picnic. Drew Penner / Los Gatan

Drew Penner / Los Gatan

About 300-400 Monte Sereno residents headed down to Vasona Lake County Park on Sunday around noon for the annual city picnic—a record turnout. Ismael Candelas was there representing the Santa Clara County Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency’s Weed Abatement Program. “We’re just educating the community on minimum fire safety standards,” he said. “It’s been good. It’s been a nice flow of people going through.” Matt McKenna, senior deputy fire marshal with Santa Clara County Fire Department, fielded a question about how PG&E goes about undergrounding power lines. “We’re pretty safe,” he told the middle-aged Asian man with a tucked in shirt and glasses, informing him that, while it’s generally a good thing to be in a low-fire-risk area, it probably means the city will be last in line for undergrounding of wires. Rimple Paul, a deputy fire marshal said the event offered a perfect opportunity to promote the concept of home hardening. “We are just educating the people on the wildland-urban-interface,” she said. And they’re trying to educate the public about “Zone 0” rules that are going into effect next year, which add stricter regulations about flammable materials around buildings. Weslie McConkey, an outreach manager for West Valley Recycles, was pushing their battery collection program. They switched from special orange to fluorescent yellow bags in 2024 to help drivers identify the used electric energy items. And now, they’re experimenting with a new sticker for 400 Monte Sereno trash bins, to see if that will help increase adoption of the service—which is already available across the Silicon Valley communities they cover. Drivers who are otherwise able empty bins without getting out of their truck, are meant to spot the transparent yellow bags, dismount, and put the used batteries into a separate area. Then, they’re taken to West Valley Recycles’ San Jose yard. From there, a third-party vendor (though McConkey was unsure who that is at the moment) takes them off their hands and brings them—somewhere (it was unclear how the batteries are brought back to life). Linda King, a Monte Sereno resident herself, was there on behalf of the League of Women Voters, which was founded in 1920. She’s the local chapter’s membership chair.

DEMOCRATIC AIMS Linda King, a Monte Sereno resident herself, sat at a booth with the rest of the League of Women Voters crew.

WITH HONOREE Councilmember Ken Toren with “Citizen of the Year” Javen Ellahie, a former Monte Sereno mayor.

“Monte Sereno is a very small city of just over 3,000 people, and there are not a lot of opportunities where they gather together,” she said, when asked about the significance of turning out. “It’s just a great pleasure.” The League of Women Voters is known, more than anything else, for holding candidate forms so voters know who they want to support. That won’t be needed in Monte Sereno this year, as, days earlier, City Council voted to cancel the election, as none of the seats were contested. King noted that every single eligible Monte Sereno resident had a legitimate opportunity to throw their hat in the ring, but opted not to for one reason or another. “So, the Council has done a very logical thing,” she said. “I don’t see any opposition to the appointments.” Juliette Pascual and Cheyenne Lippe were at the Silicon Valley Clean Energy booth. The agency is the electricity company that uses PG&E power lines but markets the power to users themselves.

Both are tasked with community engagement, with Lippe learning the ropes as an intern. “I’ve always wanted to be in the environmental space,” she said. “It’s been really cool to talk to the community.” City Manager Diana Perkins enjoyed the City’s picnic for the second time since taking on her new role with the municipality. She said she spoke with no fewer than three families who had just moved to Monte Sereno. Councilmember Ken Toren said he was pleased with how the gathering went. “It’s great to have such representation out,” he said. “It shows good community spirit.” He said while it’s not unusual to have to cancel an election, he says he’d like to see more people seek public office next time. “One of my goals is to get more engagement,” he said. Former mayor Javed Ellahie, who recently stepped back from public life to focus on his health, was named Citizen of the Year at the event.

“It’s a great honor,” he told the newspaper. “This is probably one of the best cities out there. “You should move here.”

CORRECTIONS In last week’s story about the grocery sector, Los Gatos Almaden Road was incorrectly identified as Blossom Hill Road. And the Cornerstone Shopping Center in Los Gatos, former site of a Whole Foods Store, has not been sold. Sand Hill Property Company has never owned that site. In our Aug. 12 edition, the County Department of Planning and Development was mistakenly referred to as the Department of Planning and Community Development one time. We regret the errors.

august 2 6- s e p te mbe r 1, 2 0 2 6 : los gatan.com

ROTARY CLUB OF LOS GATOS

48 ANNUAL TH

GREAT RACE

Saturday, September 26th 4 Mile, 2 Mile & 1 Mile Kids Fun Run ~ Walkers Welcome ~

S.J. Sharkie will be there to cheer on the kids

SCAN TO REGISTER

(408) 335-2028 losgatosgreatracechair@gmail.com

Race Day Registration 6:30 am - 8:00 am

Where:

Vasona Park, Los Gatos Main Entrance

Time:

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Thank You to our Sponsors!

APJCC

Los Gatos

Rotarian Friends: Myron Smith, Paul Christensen, The Lopp Family, Doug and Marjorie Brent, Dynamic Ladies Race Funders

LOS GATOS

august 2 6-se p te mbe r 1 , 2026 : losgata n.co m

SERENO WOMAN LOS GATOS LIBRARY PROVIDES ACCESS TO MONTE LEARNS $13K CHECK ESSENTIALS FOR THOSE MOST IN NEED WENT MISSING FROM Amanda Senior / Los Gatan

You may know it’s a cooling center, but have you heard about the Comfort Cabinet? Amanda Senior, Contributor

Libraries are one of the few places in Silicon Valley where people enter for free and leave the richer for it. And I’m not just talking about the knowledge found between the covers of a book. Discreetly located in the entrance of Los Gatos Library is a Comfort Cabinet; a series of trays brimming with travel-sized essentials for those most in need. “The Comfort Cabinet began when we received a grant from the PLP (Pacific Library Partnership),” said Los Gatos Library Director Ryan Baker. “We wanted a way to provide extra supplies to our patrons who needed a little extra help.” Since launching the Comfort Cabinet two years ago, the program has shared over 500 items with the community—on a no-questions-asked basis. Baker said the initial $12,000 grant lasted two years. It will pay for furniture, trays, supplies, marketing and Clipper Cards—a sought-after item discontinued after the first year. Since then, donations from the library’s generous community have kept the Comfort Cabinet stocked. “We host an Amazon wish list, where community members can purchase items for the Comfort Cabinet,” he said. “That way, we can provide the most consistent supply of items. The library cannot accept or share anything that has been opened, and most of the things we give out need to be individually wrapped. We do not supply razors, medication or perishable foods.” The wish list offers a wide range of items for patrons to choose from. A pack of 144 antibiotic wipes, which prevent infections from cuts, scrapes and blisters, come to just $12. Hats, gloves and socks are cheaper-by-the-dozen, costing as little as $1 per item. Advertising the wishlist throughout the year generally leads to an increase in donations, though Baker said there are a few patrons who donate to the Comfort Cabinet regularly. Nutrition plays an important role in health and wellness at-risk communities here. Granola and protein bars run out first, then tea bags, and first-aid items like Band-Aids. Protein bars are a convenient snack that can be pocketed for later. Immunity-boosting vitamin C tablets and electrolyte sachets are also available—critical elements during heatwaves. “These are individually wrapped and

LG POST OFFICE

Kim Simon traces what happened to missing payment to general contractor Drew Penner, Editor

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES Librarian Rachael Johnson replenishes stocks of protein bars, labelled with meal service information. all are nut-free,” he said. “For more substantive food products we encourage our patrons to visit the West Valley Community Services (WVCS) Park-It Market mobile food pantry twice a month when it visits the Library parking lot. For hot meals, we direct people to the Live Oak Nutrition hot lunch service a block over from us.” As items are single-use, the Comfort Cabinet runs the risk of running low amidst periods of inclement weather. Hand warmers go like hot cakes; ponchos prove essential during downpours. During the summer, the risk of heat-related illness increases. Thankfully, the Los Gatos Library serves as a cooling center seven days a week, from 10am to 6pm. A water bottle refill station is located inside; sticks of sunscreen can be found in the Comfort Cabinet. Even when the weather is within a more normal range, you can’t beat a brand new toothbrush and some toothpaste to feel human. (FYI a set of 30 toothbrushes can be purchased from the wish list for the price of a single coffee!) The 2025 Point-in-Time Count Report for Santa Clara County found a 37% increase in families experiencing chronic homelessness, with women making up 28% of the unhoused population. However, the Comfort Cabinet trays lacked any menstrual or sexual health products. “We stock free menstrual products in all restrooms, where people are most likely to need them,” Baker said. “Men-

strual products were not funded by the grant, but Town funds.” With 37% of Santa Clara’s unhoused population sheltering in cars, and 33% outdoors, per the count, access to restrooms promotes good health and hygiene and greatly increases quality-of-life for those individuals. When asked about plans to expand the program, Baker remarked, “There's always need. We are limited in what we can provide by space and funding. We are consistently reviewing our offerings to adapt to changing seasons and the needs of those in our community that need additional support.” Andrew Carnegie once said libraries are, “A never-failing spring of all good influences.” The Comfort Cabinet falls squarely within that tradition. Community flyers are there to assist those affected by homelessness, mental health challenges and substance abuse issues. You’ll also find information on transportation and the “Park-It Market” mobile food distribution system. In case you didn’t know, the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition’s Rental Assistance Program is open to all Santa Clara residents, assisting with a one-time emergency rental relief. Info: lgarc.org The Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Navigator Program offers free, peer-led support services and connects people with a variety of other resources, including related to substance use and suicide prevention. bhnavigator.org

On May 10, Monte Sereno resident Kim Simon was making last-minute arrangements ahead of a quick trip to Los Cabos, Mexico with her husband. She figured they better catch up with their general contractor, who was midway through the construction of their pool house. She dashed off a $13,634.81 check from her Wells Fargo account, then popped it into their mailbox by the street. A couple weeks later, their contractor reached out to ask if they were planning on paying him any time soon. “I just ended up writing a new check and handed it to him,” she said. “And that was that.” She figured he could just rip up the original when it turned up. She realizes now that was a big mistake. Suddenly, on June 8 at 3:06pm, she got a notification from her Wells Fargo app that her balance had dropped precipitously low. That doesn’t make any sense at all, she thought. “And that’s when I knew something was wrong.” Simon called Wells Fargo and spoke with someone who told her it appeared the original check had been stolen and “washed.” That’s when a real check is altered—sometimes with chemicals, sometimes digitally— and diverted to a different account than that of the intended recipient. The transfer of funds was “pending” at the time. “They tried to stop payment on it,” she said. About a week-and-a-half later, she got a letter with the good news. “The money was never transferred out of my account,” she said. Then, she shifted her attention to the mystery at hand: What the heck happened? “I have proof that my check was in possession of the postal service,” she said, referring to footage—from a neighbor’s security camera—of a postal worker on their street doing their rounds shortly after she’d put the check in. “I care deeply because the theft occurred in the postal service itself. And I think that’s incredibly alarming and should be disturbing for anyone that hears this.” Simon clarified she was not pointing any fingers at anyone within the federal agency. She just wanted to learn the truth about what happened. She handed the video over to the ➝ USPS, 13

august 2 6- s e p te mbe r 1, 2 0 2 6 : los gatan.com

august 26-se p te mbe r 1 , 2026 : losgata n.co m

LOCAL SCENE

Lilas Blano, Gordon Smedt show us a ‘Happy Place’ Dinah Cotton, Contributor

Located on the second floor of Gallery24, at 24 N. Santa Cruz Ave., the “Happy Place” show is now open at the Whitney Modern Gallery. The current exhibition features two artists: Lilas Blano and Gordon Smedt. This show, which runs through Sept. 27, is a joyful one. Several pieces have already been sold.

Lila Blano

Though they create in two different styles, both Blano and Smedt project bright ambiance. Blano’s works are mixed-media portrayals of figures with mysterious faces that draw you in. Her vibrant colors and patterns place dreamy surroundings on canvas. Her works are vibrant and

expressive; the upbeat contemporary figures look playful and, perhaps, a bit rebellious. Blano’s works recall historical portrait composition, set amidst amazing places. Viewers of her work get a vibe of a sacred space located— somewhere. Blano studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Reims, France. That’s where her studio is located. Blano did not attend the opening reception.

Gordon Smedt

Gordon Smedt’s creation space is situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where he lives. Originally from Mill Valley, he studied art in Pasadena. He mentioned that he “does not wish to be remembered as the sunflower guy.” Note: not all of his work in this show depicts sunflowers. Smedt is concerned with objects that bring up childhood memories. This shows in all of the carefully rendered items: a

Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan

TWO ARTISTS FEATURED IN LATEST WHITNEY MODERN EXHIBITION SOLD Gordon Smedt stands in front of his painting “Happy Place,” which made quite the impression on one couple in particular.

pair of boots, a child’s tricycle, a red wagon with sunflowers. His soft realistic work shows a command of reality and light with added touches of—you guessed—it sunflowers. These works are from his past eight months of concentration.

How to buy a “Happy Place” During the reception, I spoke with a couple (who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons) who’d purchased Smedt’s work, “Happy Place” (64”x 64” oil painting; around

$22,000). The buyers, who’ve followed Smedt for a number of years, just bought a new home that has many empty walls. They felt it was the perfect time to make the purchase, as they’re celebrating 39 years of marriage. It was as if the work spoke to them, they said. They plan to hang the painting outside their bedroom, so they can see it every morning. The wife said she hoped it would help make every day a happy day. Info: whitneymodern.com/exhibit/ 150-happy-place

Flor de Maria

FROM THE MET GALA TO MAIN STREET Flor de Maria, from page 1 Her statement pieces emphasize a stylist’s vision while allowing celebrities to shine during hours of photographs and interviews. Sure, few dare to wear four-inch heels on a day-to-day basis, outside the worlds of Carrie Bradshaw or Betty Boop. But when Australian model Miranda Kerr walked the red carpet in Flor de Maria’s superstar-singer-inspired selection, Rivera’s designing dreams came full circle. Crystal-embellished mules with faux mirrored leather inspired by Taylor Swift? That’s a Met Gala shoe, no doubt. Designed with Swift in mind as muse, Rivera crafted an emblem of the musician’s femininity and confidence. “It wasn’t just about creating a beautiful sandal,” she said. “It was about capturing the energy, confidence and essence that makes Taylor Swift who she is.” As she first sketched the footwear item, she envisioned them having a moment on some of the biggest red carpets in the world. “I always believed they were meant for a moment like this,” Rivera said of Kerr’s Met Gala foray this year. But it wasn’t just a series of freezeframes. Kerr reportedly kept the shoes on for the after-party. “Knowing that she felt confident and loved wearing them beyond the red carpet made the moment even more mean-

ingful,” Rivera said. “For me, that represents exactly what I want Flor de Maria to be: shoes that make a statement, but are also comfortable enough for women to truly enjoy wearing.” The emphasis on comfort is a common topic of conversation, as elegant footwear like high-heels often carry a hard-towear reputation. Stylists who work with industry professionals rather than celebrities must seek durability and have to make walkability a priority. Although Bay Area fashion lifestylist and personal brander Victoria Hitchcock hasn’t partnered with Flor de Maria herself, she knows a little something about wardrobes that can hold up to long hours, given her own work with high-performing executives. “Footwear is often the detail that decides whether an outfit reads as put-together or just ‘dressed.’ It sets the tone and grounds everything else,” said Hitchcock. Hitchcock sees Flor de Maria shoes as “bold, editorial and built to make a singular statement rather than integrate into a daily rotation.” This perspective highlights a common thread in fashion conversations: How do stylists and designers balance vision and comfort? Rivera’s has a unique take on this. As her momentum in the industry contin-

STYLISH The Taylor Swift-inspired luxury shoes designed by Flor de Maria Rivera (pictured) carried Miranda Kerr through this year’s Met Gala avant-garde glitz. The Los Gatos designer will hold a popup at Mélodie Luxe on Sept. 2.

ues to pick up steam and new shoes drop on her website, Rivera says she’s excited to see her shoes reaching new audiences around the globe. “My vision has always been to build a luxury footwear brand where craftsmanship and comfort are at the forefront, while also creating the shoes women have always dreamed of—shoes that make them feel confident, powerful and unstoppable.” And now, after numerous turns in the spotlight, Flor de Maria is readying her sartorial magic for her hometown. Flor de Maria will hold a popup at

Mélodie Luxe along Main Street in Los Gatos on Sept. 2. “Since I spend a lot of time in LA and travel quite a bit, I’m really excited to be bringing Flor de Maria to Los Gatos and connecting with the local community,” she said. “It will be an opportunity for people to come by, shop the collection and experience the brand in person.” The Flor de Maria popup will happen Sept. 2 at Mélodie Luxe, at 45 W. Main St., in Los Gatos, from 2-7pm.

august 2 6- s e p te mbe r 1, 2 0 2 6 : los gatan.com

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

WHAT I SAW ON MY RIDE-ALONG WITH LOS GATOS' FIRST RESPONDERS KCAT

Los Gatos mayor takes unexpected trip to burning building during ride-along Rob Moore, Los Gatos mayor

KCAT REPORTER Mayor Rob Moore pictured with Santa Clara County Fire Department while shooting a segment for the local community access TV station. Rob Moore

Last month, I had a front-row seat to the bravery of our first responders. I joined the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department (LGMSPD) for what was to be a routine evening ride-along. The officer I was riding with said we were going to do some traffic enforcement, take a few calls and then visit our hardworking dispatchers. About 15 minutes in, LGMSPD received a Priority 1 call, and those plans quickly changed. We responded to a significant structure fire near Blossom Hill Park. The officer I was riding with sprang into action the moment the call came through, and we sped down Blossom Hill Road with lights and sirens to get to the home as quickly and safely as possible. We arrived on scene within minutes, with another LGMSPD officer just ahead of us. Both officers ran into the smokefilled home to evacuate someone who was still inside trying to douse the flames himself. Fortunately, no one was harmed, though it was an incredibly difficult day for the family involved, especially since they had lived in the home for decades. LGMSPD then set up a perimeter. The officers made sure every person—and pet—was safe and clear from the house, checking in with neighbors along the way. The Santa Clara County Fire Department arrived about five minutes after the initial call, and what followed was a large, well-coordinated operation. Several engines arrived in quick succession, ultimately about 10 total, along with dozens of personnel. The fire had engulfed the garage roof, with flames flicking nearby trees and threatening to spread beyond the garage. Firefighters pumped thousands of gallons of water into the blaze, then climbed onto the roof with chainsaws to cut holes for ventilation. As the holes were carved, flames and smoke burst out of the opening, releasing heat trapped inside. Other firefighters worked in and around the structure, using every tool at their disposal to get the fire out as quickly as possible. Senior staff, including the Battalion Chief and Assistant Chief, were on scene as well, directing the response and checking in with the family throughout. Amid it all, firefighters still took the time to pull some family photos out of the garage before the flames could reach them. The fire was out within about an hour. Only the garage was seriously damaged,

HOUSE FIRE Rob Moore was on the scene pronto after a blaze ignited at a local home a few weeks ago. avoiding what could have been a much worse outcome. Most residents will never see a response like this firsthand, since we're fortunate to live in an overwhelmingly safe community. Yet, our police officers and firefighters respond to calls like this regularly. That evening, I saw just how seriously both LGMSPD and SCCFD treat every call. I noticed their calm, practiced professionalism, and I saw just how much coordination goes into a response most residents will only ever read about in a headline, if that.

As mayor, I often hear about our public safety budget, staffing and response times in meetings and reports. Spending time on a ride-along makes all of that much more tangible. It's a concrete reminder that LGMSPD thrives on relationships, showing up for residents and embracing community policing. Seeing our first responders move in sync, communicate clearly under pressure and still make time for the human side of the job, gives me an immense amount of faith in our public safety system—and especially in LGMSPD and County Fire.

If you see an officer or firefighter around town, say, “Thanks!” And if you're inspired to learn more about the work of LGMSPD, consider joining the Community Police Academy, which begins Sept. 17. You can learn more on LGMSPD's Community Police Academy webpage. If you want to learn more about the Santa Clara County Fire Department, check out their Community Education Programs on their website.

august 26-se p te mbe r 1 , 2026 : losgata n.co m Laura Ness

TOURING SUMMIT MONTE BELLO BY ELECTRIC ATV Delving high and deep into the history of Ridge Vineyards Laur a Ness, Contributor

It was a warm, breezy day as my intrepid history-loving guide, Cosimo Linstadt, adroitly piloted the electric ATV past a riot of yellow Scottish broom that swept into the roadway. The sun’s rays released their heady perfume into the summer air. Linstadt, the retail sales and hospitality lead at Ridge Vineyards leading the Summit Monte Bello tour of their estate vineyards, a new experience designed exclusively for Ridge Club members. We rounded a corner on the narrow road that dead-ends past Vidovich Vineyards, ending at the gate to the 3436-acre Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. Suddenly, a gust caught my hat, sending it spiraling towards an uncertain fate. Lanky yet limber, young Linstadt showed all the moves of an accomplished valet, as he hit the brakes and fetched my flyaway hat. Turns out, Linstadt grew up in Los Altos, never realizing that Ridge was right in his backyard. He went off to college and started a job as a valet in a parking garage, which means he can drive anything. After his Dad retired, his parents started wine tasting and discovered Ridge: a perfect job for a son with an outgoing personality and an eye for detail. He now knows the place—and its wines—intimately. Our first destination was the Monte Bello Vineyard at the Rousten Ranch. We popped open a bottle of 2024 Estate Chardonnay, admiring the exquisite view of the golden hills, the surrounding vineyards, and the house that Paul Draper made his home until current CEO and head winemaker John Olney moved in. The vistas to the ocean must be stunning from that deck. I toasted the thought as I thanked the nearby chardonnay vines. Below us, Linstadt pointed out the Ridge production facility, a marvel of modern engineering combined with the indispensable aura of an antiquated storage cave. It was hand-hewed into the mountainside by a San Franciscan named Dr. Perrone. He terraced the 180 acres on the hillside, planted them to vines and built the gravity-fed winery in the late 1880s. Back then, horses pulled wagons laden with grapes up the steep hill to be crushed in the old basket presses. Then, they went into barrels in the cool, rock-walled cellar. On the crushpad, the heat glared off the presses. I admired the scale of the

AGRICULTURAL View of the Ridge Vineyards production facility just north of Los Gatos. The company has recently launched ATV tours for members.

operation. All the estate fruit is processed here, as well as some of the Lytton Estate fruit from Sonoma. I imagined the harvest frenzy—grapes weighted and destemmed, then dumped into the press to release juice that makes its way into barrels and tanks down below. Ah, the cellar. Walking down the stone steps through the huge wooden door to where all the winemaking magic happens was electric. I couldn’t help but wonder what the facility looked like in the 19th century. Linstadt opened a short and narrow door. (Dr. Perrone was obviously not a tall guy.) Linstadt pointed to a steep, narrow staircase, beckoning me down. I flashed back to my youth growing up in an 18th century farmhouse, where steep stairs would usher us into the root cellar where my mom stored all her canned goods and the jars of veggies and fruits she preserved throughout the summer. There is nothing like the smell of damp, primordial earth. Here, hundreds of barrels rest in the cool darkness at a fairly even temperature year-round. The old-fashioned lollipop thermometer read 63. Linstadt had one more thing to show me: the actual original barrel cave,

arched to the heavens like an underground church, complete with stained glass. It was installed by the Ridge founders in the 1960s, when they took over the property and revived its winemaking birthright after Prohibition had decimated the once vineyard-rich growing region that extended from Woodside to the Santa Clara Valley. Descending into that cellar gave me a true sense of the ingenuity and determination behind the original winery. What a precious gift Dr. Perrone left for future generations to steward. The stack of old case goods, showing the strain and stains from years in a cave, sent my mind racing. Just imagine what those vintages must taste like now. Whisking me back to the tasting room, Linstadt regaled me with more anecdotes about the property, conveyed with the reverence that comes from being a lover of history. My seated tasting that day (in the Heritage Room surrounded by aging bottles) was filled with gems. Linstadt provided detailed descriptions of the vineyards, as well as maps and visuals, to help explain their unique properties. I left with a much deeper appreciation for the scope of the effort involved in preserving the

myriad zinfandel vineyards from which Ridge sources. This place is responsible for preserving a treasure trove of historic vines across the state. So many old fieldblend vineyards have been sacrificed to the false god of progress. And it's a testament to Paul Draper that he saw these vines as living witnesses whose voices need to be preserved. If you want a peek into the magic, soul and soil of Ridge, take the Summit Monte Bello tour. You’ll be amazed. For more info: ridgewine.com/visit/ monte-bello

DETAILS: • $150 per person (member exclusive) • Limited to groups of 2-5 adults • Offered daily, by reservation, at 11am and 2pm • About two hours long • All visitors must be 21+

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CAT BEST FEVER Step out and be a rock star. Voting is now open

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august 2 6-se p te mbe r 1 , 2026 : losgata n.co m

SPORTS

WILDCATS’ FIELD HOCKEY PROGRAM SYNONYMOUS WITH CHAMPIONSHIPS Jonathan Natividad

Los Gatos reloads with a new season on the horizon Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

The Los Gatos High School field hockey program is certainly challenging the proverb that all good things must come to an end. The Wildcats are coming off a 22-1 season that was capped by an ongoing record 18th Central Coast Section championship. They outscored three playoff opponents by a combined margin of 7-0, one of the more dominant runs in recent memory. For the past 3 ½ decades—all with coach Henry Reyes at the helm—Los Gatos has seemingly been immune to the reality that all dynasties eventually end. Or do they? “We have a tremendous, optimistic outlook for what the season could be for the next three months,” Reyes said. “We have a number of strong seniors and juniors who are still taking strong roles, so we’re pretty excited about that.” Despite graduating 24 seniors off last year’s team, the word “rebuilding” isn’t a part of the Wildcats’ vocabulary. Los Gatos simply reloads, as its unprecedented run of success attests. “We did lose a lot of seniors, but we also have 24 players returning who are playoff hardened and ready to jump in and take the new shots,” Reyes said. “So we’re going to have business as usual.” That’s bad news for the rest of the CCS powers who were hoping the Wildcats would suffer a noticeable drop-off coming off a season in which they outscored opponents 176-4 and posted 21 shutouts in 23 matches. Through the first couple of weeks of practice, Reyes said the players are focused and as determined as ever to uphold the rich Los Gatos field hockey tradition. “Everyone understands the dynamics of what we do and the girls got to business right away,” Reyes said. “It was pretty much Los Gatos hockey as usual. Obviously, we’re still honing certain things, but we’re meshing and the chemistry is there.” Reyes points to a couple of seniors who will lead the way, including Stella Musser and Stiene Bastien. Musser’s older sister, Alexa, was also a senior captain a couple of years ago. Stella anchors the defense while Bastien powers the offense. “We have a really experienced, attacking group on that defensive line,” Reyes said. “Overall as a team, we have kids who played in the Junior Olympics and played Nexus (USA Field Hockey) competition this summer. We have a lot of talent and a lot of experience.”

DYNAMIC DUO Wildcats’ senior co-captains Stiene Bastien (left) and Stella Musser will play key roles as the team aims to repeat as SCVAL and CCS champions.

Since taking over the program in 1992, Reyes has built an environment that keeps churning out championship-level teams every year. Yes, the area is teeming with talent, but it takes more than talent to win 18 section championships over a three decade-plus run. “People understand the dynamics of the culture and what we’re trying to achieve here,” Reyes said. “We have very focused kids. Great kids who are a band of sisters. They play for each other, they enjoy the school community and they have the same goals and objectives to help each other.” Over the last several years, Los Gatos has stood out as the only public school that can consistently compete with the private schools in the West Catholic Athletic League for section titles in a handful of sports. That Los Gatos is an anomaly in that regard speaks volumes to the community support, school and student-athletes locally. “You and I both know public schools have no business running with the private schools and yet this program says it will give you the best chance because we will play for each other,” Reyes said. “I can’t teach that completely. They have to

want it and they have to own it—I’m just a coach. I think we’ve developed enough of a reputation and the school has a tremendous academic reputation that we can keep pace at a very competitive level.” Reyes and his coaching staff are also keen to adapt to whatever changes come to the sport. “We try to provide the girls with the technique and information so they can continually adapt to the modern game,” Reyes said. “They’re very receptive to applying all of the information, and that is kind of the mix of the secret sauce as well.” Reyes credits the tremendous community and parental support as also key in keeping the dynasty going. He points to the Musser family as one shining example. “The Musser parents are always helping, whether it’s cooking or always being in the stands,” Reyes said. “Helping never gets old.” Even though Los Gatos field hockey routinely draws huge numbers from a participatory standpoint, Reyes said the majority of players who come into the program start with other sports first before transitioning into field hockey in middle school. “We still get most of our kids playing

starting in junior high or on the eve of high school,” he said. “It’s an anomaly to see kids younger than that, but they learn a lot in a short amount of time. We have a number of kids who play multiple sports and enjoy playing field hockey for the school.” More than anything, Reyes is proud of what the athletes go on to do after they graduate and leave the school. “They’ll be captains of different industries,” he said. “We have sent kids to every single college in the country: Northwestern, the New York ones, Cornell, Rutgers, Davidson, all of the Pac-10s when they used to be the Pac-10, Michigan. We’ve sent them everywhere.” The Wildcats open the season with a non-league matchup at Homestead on Sept. 2, followed by a game against Branham the next day. They also have non-league tilts with St. Francis and Stevenson in mid-September, which should provide the club with a good barometer on the area it needs to strengthen as it looks to defend its CCS championship. “We’re trying to pick some folks who give us a good idea of what we’re doing and the things we need to get down, like our communication and timing,” Reyes said.

ORGANIZED CRIME USPS, from page 6

Jump Head: Organized crime blamed for thefts

Drew Penner/Los Gatan file

Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department (she says they were “super responsive”)—specifically Officer Nathan Delia. “The officer with LGMSPD just confirmed to me today that he has forwarded his report to the USPS as he has determined that the theft occurred within the USPS system,” she told the newspaper on June 15. Simon was feeling disheartened about the whole thing; she was not confident she’d get a satisfactory outcome. “I filed a report with the USPS Office of Inspector General and included the police report,” she said in an Aug. 7 email. “I was, soon after, called from the USPS OIG local inspector…she explained that, due to the recent dramatic increase in reports of mail theft, she investigated the LG post office. What she found out was there was an area at the post office that was not secured nor under video surveillance. Additionally, they had identified a group of individuals who have stolen ‘batches of mail’ from this area.” Simon didn’t ask how exactly they figured out who they were looking for. “They have since addressed this lapse in security and she feels they are nearly 100% confident they’ve resolved the issue,” the Monte Sereno homeowner added. “She assured me that this was not an internal employee, that this has been a set of crimes by people outside the system. Yet, I can’t imagine that this unsecured area at the post office was somehow randomly found without the help of someone who works there.” And so, despite the progress made in the fraud investigation, Simon remains suspicious. On Aug. 21, the Los Gatan spoke with Matthew Norfleet, a USPS inspector based in the Bay Area. He declined to discuss the specifics of Simon’s case. He said a $13,000 payment would fall into the “medium-sized” amount of money to go missing, and noted, sometimes the thefts are in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. And while Norfleet says they take the possibility of internal theft seriously, he notes check-washing suggests an organized crime syndicate could be involved. “Mail theft is not the kind of thing that somebody does one time,” he said. “In the Bay Area there’s absolutely a layered network.” He urged others who’ve had money taken out of their bank account to report the crime. “Banks have fraud protection, so they don’t end up missing anything,” he said, adding financial institutions often don’t bother reporting these thefts. “Please report that.” Sunnyvale DPS recently arrested suspected mail thieves, finding mail from several different counties, Norfleet noted. “We have been investigating back dock theft elsewhere on the peninsula as recently as last week,” he said.

august 2 6- s e p te mbe r 1, 2 0 2 6 : los gatan.com

Let us help you with your next Credit: Jonathan Natividad PHOTO rebranding, product launch, media campaign, digital initiative, (END) Mitty/SF/Presentation/ returners Stienne Bastein, Frannie Tolich; we had prett good finish to our aseaosn last year we were all kidnof seniors, website redesign orhappy,12 image refresh. but 12-14 juniors so already that makes for pretty decent repsresntaiotnk, 2-3 DYNAMIC DUO Wildcats’ senior co-captains Stiene Bastien (left) and Stella Musser will play key roles as the team aims to repeat as SCVAL and CCS champions.

soph that will prob make jp up, captains sr stella musser, stienne bastein,, stienne forward belgian, on 18th 19th we will see sf and stevenson at pebble beach, 35 years ago lg was team that won some, llot ssome, and though colcigely with coach marotti that we could do better than win some, lose some, first year quarterinfal and next year we won the whole thing, so we tried to ramp up pretty uicly, follo year semifnal and next year after taht champions again, busiest time of year for me in conjunction with other job, my other job never goes away but there’s time during off-season when get chance to do other things and still little bit of training and compete in club activities, Perofrmaocne, field hockey, kids selectively allowed to compete and train with other programs to get other exposure and see coaching styles from dif perspectives, we do field a comp team but we do iminial things, think about retooling that comes to place, we only go as needed to see if we are understanding the transitional information and instruction, and we go back to factory and keep working on them, most of them to other comp club programs they’re looking for a chance to expose talent to other colleges across country, we don’t decline calls or letters,, they’ll be captains of indurys, over years we have sent kids to every single college in country, we make phone calls and letters, we’re pretty well known around the country,

identity + strategy + design

august 2 6-se p te mbe r 1 , 2026 : losgata n.co m

PUBLIC NOTICES Town of Los Gatos

NOTICE AND SUMMARY OF AN ORDINANCE TITLED: AN OMNIBUS ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS TOWN CODE TO CORRECT GRAMMATICAL ERRORS, CLARIFY LANGUAGE, CONFORM THE CODES TO CURRENT STATE LAW, CONFORM CODES TO ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES AND FACTS, AND TO MAKE OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND NON-SUBSTANTIVE AMENDMENTS Notice is hereby given that at its meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos introduced the Ordinance titled above. The Town Council adopted the Ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, by the following vote: Ayes: Maria Ristow, Rob Rennie, Matthew Hudes, Mary Badame, Mayor Rob Moore Nays: None Absent: None The following is a summary of the Ordinance: An omnibus ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos amending the Town of Los Gatos town code to correct grammatical errors, clarify language, conform the codes to current state law, conform codes to administrative practices and facts, and to make other administrative, technical, and non-substantive amendments, such as updating position titles, updating meeting requirements, and updating insurance and bonding requirements. Please note that the above is a summary of the Ordinance. To obtain a full understanding of the Ordinance it should be read in its entirety. A copy of the full text of the Ordinance is available in the Town Clerk’s office at Los Gatos Town Hall, 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030. Wendy Wood Los Gatos Town Clerk Published: 8/26/2026 (Pub LGN 8/26) WHITE

PANTONE 4505 CVC PANTONE 576 CVC PANTONE 802 CVC

PANTONE PROCESS BLACK CVC PANTONE 1355 CVC

Fictitious Business Name Statements FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #728897 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Hidden Talent Art Studio, 4846 Pine Forest Place, San Jose, CA 95118, Jean Skamra. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 10/01/2006. /s/ Jean Skamra. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/28/2026. (pub Metro 08/05, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #728793 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Rootandring Woodworks, 3504 Kenyon Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95051, Patrick John Connor. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Patrick John Connor. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/24/2026. (pub LG 08/05, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #729052 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Epic Daze Media, 847 Spindrift Way, San Jose, CA 95134, Merlin Law. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Merlin Law. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/03/2026. (pub LG 08/05, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26/2026) File Number: FBN728932. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. REGPRO, 25 S Central Ave, Campbell, CA 95008. This business is conducted by: An Individual, BILLIE JOE LOWE, 25 S Central Ave, Campbell, CA 95008. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 07/29/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Billie Joe Lowe /s/ (Pub LGN: 8/05, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #728947 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Glam Medspa, 200 W. Mckinley Ave, Suite 103, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, Quan Nguyen MD Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant began business under

legals@losgatan.com

the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 07/29/2026. /s/Quan Nguyen. President. B20260104540. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/29/2026. (pub LG 08/05, 08/12, 08/19, 08/26/2026) File Number: FBN728800. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. DL ELECTRIC, 162 College Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030. This business is conducted by: An Individual, DANIEL LUNDELL, 162 College Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 05/31/2026 and 07/24/2026 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/ Daniel Lundell /s/ (Pub LGN: 08/12, 08/19, 08/26, 09/02/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #729246 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Anderson Window And Door Installation, 696 Auzerais Ave, San Jose, CA, 96126, John Scalmanini. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 08/24/2000. /s/John P Scalmanini. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/06/2026. (pub LG 08/12, 08/19, 08/26, 09/02/2026) File Number: FBN728978. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. ART BEAT STUDIO, 68 E Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, ZONE44 LLC, 68 E Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 06/15/2026 and 07/30/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. ZONE44 LLC, Article/ Reg # 20260207448, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Tran Tran /s/ Managing Owner. (Pub LGN: 08/12, 08/19, 08/26, 09/02/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #729035 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Mckenzie Financial Consulting, 212 N 3rd St Apt 3, San Jose, CA 95112, Mckenzie Capital Holdings LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant has began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/21/2026. /s/Brooke Miller. Owner. B20260090915. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/31/2026. (pub LG 08/19, 08/26, 09/02, 09/09/2026) File Number: FBN729001. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. ProRock Remodeling, 14850 Oka Rd #48, Los Gatos, CA 95032. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, ProRock Construction LLC, 14850 Oka Rd #48, Los Gatos, CA 95032. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 07/31/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. ProRock Construction LLC, Article/Reg # B20250184978, Above Entity was Formed in the State of California. /s/ Denis Chinko /s/ Manager. (Pub LGN: 08/19, 08/26, 09/02, 09/09/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #729384 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Jersey Mikes Subs 20220, 1088 E Brokaw Rd #70, San Jose, CA 95131, LCP Subs LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant has began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 07/27/2024. /s/ Lauren Perkins. Member. 202460911924. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/11/2026. (pub LG 08/19, 08/26, 09/02, 09/09/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #729023 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: The Greyhound Parking, 70 S Almaden Ave, San Jose, CA 95113, Park Greyhound San Jose LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 07/01/2026. /s/Sophia Ahmed. Owner. B20260304797. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/31/2026. (pub LG 08/26, 09/02, 09/09, 09/16/2026) File Number: FBN729452. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. DEVEAUX COUNSELING SERVICES, 987 University Ave, Suite #22, Los Gatos, CA 95032. This business is conducted by: An Individual, STEPHANIE MONIQUE DEVEAUX 987 University Ave, Suite #22, Los Gatos, CA 95032. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 08/12/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Stephanie Monique Deveaux /s/. (Pub LGN: 08/26, 09/02, 09/09, 09/16/2026)

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OBITUARIES

Darby Lynn McSorley April 21, 1937 — August 5, 2026

iss Darby was born in Northern California and spent most of her childhood living at the beach with her two brothers and one younger sister. She was a born leader and was “in charge” of her brothers and sisters while happily growing up at the California coast. After high school graduation, she went to work at Lenkurt Electric

Company and was one of the first employees at Apple. Darby’s real passion was her four-legged children. Darby served as a AKC judge, a member of the American Lhasa Apso Club, bred and showed many of her beloved Lhasa Apsos. She also was an avid skier and at one point served on a rescue team at a ski resort. She loved to travel and had many wonderful trips with close friends. She loved yachting as well and was a member of the St. Francis Yacht Club. Darby also had more than a casual interest in orchids. She was a member of the Royal Horticulture Society and the Southern California Orchid Society. She even was involved in cultivating a new species and has an orchid named after her. The Cymbidium Darby McSorley, New Horizon Orchid 2009 and, as expected, is as lovely as she. Darby was also an excellent cook thanks to her classes and position at Sur La Table, where she made many long-lasting friendships. Anyone who knew Darby was taken by her radiant smile and her joyful and soothing voice. She was one of a kind, a true friend, generous, and kind to everyone. She is preceded in death by her father, Frank Amo; mother, Lucille Amo; brothers Frank Amo and Greg Amo; and sister Mary Schelin. She is survived by her step-sister, Janice Berglund; and half-sister, Marti Steiner. She also left behind many friends, nephews and nieces and of course her beloved fourlegged children. A Celebration of Life will be held later this year in Los Gatos, California.

Celebrate a Life Well Lived

lifetributes@weeklys.com 831.761.7332

SEPT 18, 2026 - FEB 21, 2027 CUUTED BY ZOË LATZER

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LifeTributes@ Weeklys.com

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