Los Gatan January 24 2024 by Weeklys

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vol . 3 , no. 20 : january 24-30, 2024 : losgatan.com

basketball updates p6 : upcoming events p11 : ny times crossword puzzle p13 : service directory p14 Courtesy of Flor de Maria

MAN ADMITS TO MURDERING WIFE AFTER NEW YEAR’S EVE FOOTAGE UNCOVERED

Some officials still struggling with State’s directives

Victim filed for divorce in 2020 but it was never finalized

Drew Penner, Reporter

Los Gatos continues to plod along in the revision of its Housing Element, holding hours of community meetings to workshop the critical housing document that has failed State scrutiny five times. Unlike the Scotts Valley Draft Housing Element which was rubber-stamped by its Planning Commission (after no residents spoke during public comment) and sent off to Council over on the other side of the Santa Cruz Mountains a

Drew Penner, Reporter

On New Year’s Eve in a cul-desac neighborhood on Los Gatos’ east side, 40-year-old Yingying “Dawn” Yu seemed aware there was a real possibility she could be murdered that night. And that’s exactly what her husband, John Maxey Yeager, 56, is accused of doing, in a twocount indictment filed by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department in Santa Clara County Superior Court Jan. 16. “Help, help!” Yu shouted in a cry picked up by a security camera on the home of one of their Hershner Court neighbors, about two-and-a-half hours before the arrival of 2024. That’s according to a Statement of Facts prepared by detectives Michael Birley and Riley Frizzell. It notes the video shows her husband chasing her. “Both parties go off camera as Suspect Yeager closed the dis➝ Homicide, 10

TOWN BEGINS 2024 REWORK OF HOUSING ELEMENT

➝ Housing, 4

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RISING DESIGNER After a hectic schedule of cross-country promotions, Flor de Maria Rivera is glad to be back in Los Gatos. Footwear designed by Rivera was worn by actress Janelle James during the Golden Globes. For the story, turn to page 4.

LGSubs.com

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JANUARY 2 4-30, 20 2 4 : LOS GATAN.CO M

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Mike L. Wenstrand 2022 Society of Excellence, Fewer than Bill Lister REALTOR® Fewer than 1% of Coldwell 1% of Coldwell Banker Agents Worldwide Mike L. Wenstrand 2022 of Globally Excellence, Fewer than TOP 1%Society Ranking Banker #1 Small TeamAgents in the Worldwide Los Gatos Office REALTOR® of Coldwell #11% Small Team Banker Agents Worldwide TOP 1% Ranking Globally Voted #1 2022 BestTeam Real in Estate International Society of Excellence Small the Agent of LG #1 Small Team in the Los Gatos Office #1 Small Team Top Producer on the 2011-2022 WSJ List C.Voted 408.387.3885 Los Gatos Office 2022 Best Real Estate Agent of LG International Society of Excellence B I L L mike.wenstrand@cbnorcal.com LISTER 408.892.9300 | cell Top Producer on the 2011-2022 WSJ List C. 408.387.3885 T H E L I mikewenstrand.com S T E R T E A M BLister@cbnorcal.com Voted 2022 Best Real Estate 408.892.9300 | cell mike.wenstrand@cbnorcal.com www.BillLister.com E X C E L L E N T A G E N T SCalRE | U N P A#02068355 RALLELED RESULTS Agent of Los Gatos BLister@cbnorcal.com mikewenstrand.com DRE# 01179611 I T ' S S I M P L E R E A L L Y, I T ' S A L L I N T H E N A M E . . . L I S T E R www.BillLister.com CalRE #02068355 Top Producer on the ©2023 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker RealDRE# Estate LLC.01179611 An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. All rights reserved. This information was supplied by Seller and/or other sources. Broker believes this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their 2011-2022 WSJ List

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

own satisfaction. Real Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Sales Associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License # 01908304. ©2023 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Subsidiary of NRT LLC. All rights reserved. This information was supplied by Seller and/or other sources. Broker believes this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes n own satisfaction. Real Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are Independent Contractor Sales Associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Co

408.892.9300 cell BLister@cbnorcal.com W W W. B I L L L I S T E R . C O M www.BillLister.com DRE# 01179611

WWW.MIKEWENSTRAND.COM W 408.892.9300 W W. B I L L L I S T E R . C O M WWW.MIKE

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

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VOL.3 NO.20 Dan Pulcrano Executive Editor & Publisher Lee May General Manager

EDITORIAL editor@losgatan.com

Erik Chalhoub Managing Editor Drew Penner Reporter Emanuel Lee Sports Editor Jeffrey P. Blum, Alan Feinberg Contributors

ADVERTISING advertising@losgatan.com

Kate Kauffman Senior Account Executive Tiffany Birch, Hailey Sandell , Gordon Carbone Account Executives

PRODUCTION Sean George Production Manager Hon Truong Graphic Designer

WEEKLYS Stephen Buel Director of Strategic Initiatives Mike Lyon Digital Media Sonia Chavez Accounts Receivables Warren Giancaterino Information Technology

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DEATH NOTICES Death notices with basic information that are submitted to editor@losgatan.com may be published on a spaceavailable 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

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.

losgatan.co m : january LOSGATAN.COM JANUARY 2 4-30, 2 02 4

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.

LOS GATOS DESIGNER’S SHOES MAKE AWARDS SEASON DEBUT STAFF SHORTAGES Courtesy of Flor de Maria

Flor de Maria’s ‘BERTA’ platforms worn by Janelle James as part of headlinegrabbing ensemble

JANUARY 4 : LOS GATAN.CO M january 2 4-30, 20 2 0 224 losgatan.co m

Drew Penner, Reporter

It had been a year since Janelle James got in hot water for interrupting a co-star during last year’s Golden Globes, and she wanted to make sure her look was on-point for this year’s edition. And thanks to the insights of one of her stylists, she ended up selecting footwear from Los Gatos designer Flor de Maria to set the foundation for a look that would go on to generate gushing headlines in publications like Women’s Wear Daily, BET.com and Essence.com. “I’m living my dream!” Flor de Maria Rivera told the Los Gatan in an email interview when asked about her contribution to this year’s Jan. 7 spectacle at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. “I always envisioned this—even before I launched my eponymous shoe line, but to actually see it happen is something I can’t exactly put into words.” According to the WWD piece, the “Abbott Elementary” star took on two different stylists—KJ Moody and Samantha McMillen—in order to prepare for awards shows that were bunched-together thanks to the recent labor actions in the film and TV sector. Because Rivera has kept busy over the past year—doing a cross-country media tour to promote the coffee table book she’s featured in, “Cult Heels: Exceptional Talent in Shoe Design,” and opening a series of popup shops in various cities—it created just the buzz she needed to land one of her creations on the red carpet. “Janelle stylist, K.J. Moody, saw the shoes in our showroom in LA and loved them,” she said. “The rest is history.” So, when the 81st Golden Globe Awards rolled around, James, who portrays principal Ava Coleman in the ABC series, was ready. BET proclaimed James “looks absolutely regal;” ESSENCE wrote, “The gown was able to speak for itself rather than relying on any other beauty cues to speak on its behalf. A lack of extravagant jewels also was a smart choice;” E News called her look

STYLISH Flor de Maria’s BERTA shoes recently made an appearance on the red carpet at the Golden Globes.

“effortlessly elegant;” and justjared. com mentioned the Flor de Maria shoes and that James coordinated outfits with Sheryl Lee Ralph, better known to some as Abbot teacher Barbara Howard. It was Ralph who James famously interrupted last year with the classic line, “I love you, Mom!” In an interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show, James blamed her outburst on the free drinks. Rivera says the key to effective shoe selection for an awards show is to find something that complements the overall style. “Shoes can either make or break the look, and I think in this case K.J. Moody nailed it,” she said. “It’s the icing on the cake.” The particular footwear in question are BERTA platforms from the Flor de Maria Season 9 (fall/winter 2023) collection. “I feel so much gratitude, happiness, joy, excitement and love,” she said, when asked about what it’s like to see influencers like James fall for her creations. “It’s the fuel I need to

keep on designing beautiful shoes and to turn Flor de Maria into what I have always envisioned it to be.” The BERTA platforms are designed to be worn multiple ways—as they come with two different strap options. “Our black platforms sold out,” Rivera said. “But the great news is that we just dropped them in pink, in time for Valentine’s Day.” After gallivanting around America, she says she’s glad to have returned. “I travel quite often, but Los Gatos is home,” she said. “If you’ve seen my Instagram, you can tell I’ve been spending a lot of time here. There are a lot of great restaurants, there’s the farmers market, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Catholic Church, where my family and I go.” And 2024 is shaping up to be quite exciting for her brand. “I can’t share much yet,” she said. “What I will tell you is that we are hoping to launch our handbag collection before the end of the year, host more pop-ups and continue to see Hollywood A-list celebrities wear our shoes!”

Housing, from page 1 few weeks back, Los Gatos residents continue to pack the Town’s Council Chambers as emotions run high. That’s because Scotts Valley is part of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, and so it only recently fell out of compliance with State law and hadn’t yet received any Builder’s Remedy applications of the sort Los Gatos has fielded over the past 12 months. Meanwhile, the Town (which is part of the Association of Bay Area Governments), has now counted nine SB 330 housing development applications (including pre-applications), some of which are claiming rights to erect larger projects than they would otherwise be allowed to build (under the Builder’s Remedy) because Los Gatos doesn’t yet have a residential growth plan that measures up. While some Council members had expressed frustration with the absence of consultant Veronica Tam from discussions toward the end of 2023, Town officials are relying on her services, considering she’d played a large role in helping municipalities around the San Francisco Bay win HCD over. In fact, she said, the agency, which has recently been facing chronic staffing shortages as it wades through mountains of Housing Element submissions pouring in from around California, recently included several new hires on one of her calls so they could learn the ropes. On Jan. 16, Councilmember Maria Ristow reminded residents that the whole point of the plan was to allow more homes to get built. “I’m not pro-development, I’m pro meet-the-challenge,” she said. “I think I’m finally seeing the political will by all five Council members to do the work we have to do.” Many of the conversations used a document prepared by Planning Commissioner Melanie Hanssen as a foundation. In it, she combed through Housing Elements efforts from across the region—from Atherton to Hillsborough to San Carlos to Menlo Park—and even a couple from Southern California to get a sense of what Los Gatos has left on its plate. She noted because Los Altos got the thumbs-up from Sacramento less than 120 days from the adoption of its Housing Element, it has three years ➝ Housing, 12

GROUP EXHIBIT Artwork by Tamera Avery will be part of “Lost Wild - Art On The Edge Of The Anthropocene,” opening Feb. 1 at Whitney Modern in Los Gatos.

the United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO).” Last school year, the district had three students place in the 2023 USA Math Olympiad competition: Saratoga High School graduated senior Anthony Wang and current senior Advaith Avadhanam both were awarded gold medals, and senior Victoria Hu received Honorable Mention. “I am incredibly proud of these students for the hard work they put in to these rigorous competitions,” Superintendent Bill W. Sanderson said. “I wish them the best of luck on their upcoming tests and hope these experiences inspire them to continue their love of mathematics.”

and Sheila Metcalf Tobin will share work in diverse mediums including oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, mono-prints, wall decal murals, photography and glass. This group exhibition is curated by Los Gatos artist Marie Cameron. The show runs from Feb. 1-March 30 with a reception and artist talk on Feb. 10 from 3-5pm. The gallery is open 11am-5:30pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Admission and parking are free.

‘LOST WILD’ EXHIBIT SET TO OPEN

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters will host a variety of language workshops aimed at informing voters about the upcoming March 5 Presidential Primary Election. All workshops will be presented in the designated language. The presenters are bilingual and can answer any questions in the specific language, or in English. English-speaking and bilingual members of the public are invited to attend these workshops, where they will learn how to vote and where to vote. “Our mission is to protect and ensure the community’s right to participate in fair, inclusive, accurate

“Lost Wild - Art On The Edge Of The Anthropocene” opens Feb. 1 at Whitney Modern, 24 N. Santa Cruz Ave. (second floor) in Los Gatos. In the exhibit, 10 Bay Area artists share work that is full of mystery, reverence, beauty and hope for the world, a press release states. Artists Tamera Avery, Dean Bensen, Demetra Theofanous, Marie Cameron, Theresa Giammattei, Melissa Mohammadi, Karen Olsen-Dunn, Keith Petersen, Marcia Stuermer

VOTING WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

and transparent elections,” Registrar of Voters Shannon Bushey said. “These workshops serve as essential resources that empower our diverse community to engage in democracy.” Attendees will also learn how they can get involved in the election process, including how to become an election worker or volunteer. All meetings will be held online via Zoom from 6-7pm. Bilingual support will be provided. Registration information can be found online at tinyurl. com/5n95wwdu. The dates of the workshops are as follows: • Jan. 24: Chinese • Jan. 25: Vietnamese • Jan. 29: Nepali • Jan. 30: Tagalog • Jan. 31: Hindi • Feb. 1: Spanish • Feb. 5: Gujarati • Feb. 6: Punjabi • Feb. 7: Telugu • Feb. 8: Tamil • Feb. 13: Korean • Feb. 14: Khmer • Feb. 15: Japanese A workshop in English was held earlier in the week. For information, contact the Registrar of Voters’ Office at 408.2998683, toll-free at 866.430.8683 or outreach@rov.sccgov.org.

losgatan.co m : january LOSGATAN.COM JANUARY 2 4-30, 2 02 4

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District announced that 59 students at Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools have qualified to participate in the American Invitational Mathematics Competition (AIME) on Feb. 1. With more than 100 students taking the American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 10/12 in November, students must score high enough to qualify for the next level of competition, the AIME. The AMC 10/12 is the first in a series of competitions that eventually will lead to the International Mathematical Olympiad. For the AMC test, students took a 25-question, 75-minute, multiple choice exam designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills. The AIME exam, the next step in the competition, will be a 15-question, three-hour examination. The Los Gatos High School students who qualified are: (Hunk) Haohsiang Chen, Andreas Haapalainen, Edwin Hou, Eric Hou, Henry Lee, Nolan Lin, Jack Mei, David Roh, Mehaan Sibal and (Lucas) Zihe Wang. The Saratoga High School students who qualified are: Advaith Avadhanam, Ishani Agarwal, Arinjay Basak, Vihaan Bhaduri, Akshat Bora, Alan Cai, (Redacted Name), Kathy Chen, Muyi Chen, Richard Chung, Lynn Dai, Kirby Fung, Quinn Gifford, Ashish Goswami, Nicole Hao, Florence Hu, Victoria Hu, Benjamin Kuo, Vivian Lei, Bryan Li, Ella Li, Zitian Li, Brady Liang, Alexander Lu, Allan Lu, Andy Lu, Seabert Mao, Skyler Mao, Nikhil Mathihalli, Pranav Murthy, Vedant Padhi, Medha Ravi, Rushil Saraf, Meha Sekaran, Jeremy Si, Ethan Tian, Nidhi Vadlamudi, Derek Wang, Lawson Wang, Nolan Woo, Emily Wu, Victor Wu, Su Xie, Warren Yang, Aiden Ye, Timothy Wei, Lingbo Zhang, Luke Zhang and Vivian Zhong. The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) website states that, “The questions on the AIME are much more difficult than those on the AMC 10 and AMC 12 competitions. Top scoring students on the AIME are invited to take the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) or

Contributed

STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL MATH COMPETITION

LOCAL SCENE

SPORTS Jonathan Natividad

TOGETHER The Los Gatos High girls basketball team has been a cohesive group as it started this week’s action at 16-2 overall and 6-0 in Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division play.

LGHS POISED FOR DE ANZA PERFECTION AGAIN Girls basketball dominating league foes

January 2 4 : los gatan.co m january 2 4-30, 20 2 02 losgatan.com

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

At the midway point in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division season, it’s apparent the Los Gatos High girls basketball team’s toughest opponent will be themselves. Six wins—all by double digits—has stamped the Wildcats as the prohibitive favorite not just to win the league championship, but to go undefeated in the process. To do that, they’ll need to guard against complacency, stay cohesive in their play and focus on all of the small details that have gotten them to this point. Rest assured, Los Gatos coach Sara Quilici Giles intends for the team to stay on track. “I think for us it’s a lot of mental focus right now,” she said after a 52-37 win over Monta Vista High on Jan. 19. “Physically, we know we can do things. But it’s a matter of putting complete games together, and not necessarily just being OK winning by 10 points.

But really wanting to prove dominance for the whole game.” The Wildcats (16-2 overall, 6-0 league) were dominant for two quarters against Monta Vista, a team that was supposed to provide a stiff challenge. Both teams entered the contest with perfect league records, but Los Gatos blitzed the Matadors early, going into halftime with a commanding 34-19 lead. Despite a sloppy third and fourth quarter, the Wildcats were never seriously threatened the rest of the way. They led by as many as 20 points and never saw their lead dip below 13 points despite shooting just 6-of-28 (21%) from the floor and 1-of-14 from 3-point range in the second half. “One of the things I always tell them after a game like this, is my dad used to say it’s better to win ugly than lose pretty,” Quilici Giles said. “And we’ll take an ugly win any day over a pretty loss. It was ugly but we got it done for sure.” Less than 24 hours after beating Monta Vista, the Wildcats whipped Palo Alto, 61-10, capping a busy stretch

in which they played five games over nine days. “It’s tough,” Quilici Giles said. “But we bring it back to last year when we had three, three-game weeks, and they were Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. So if we can get through that, we can get through this, too.” Juniors Nicole Steiner and Ashley Childers have had tremendous seasons and filled up the stat sheet while helping the team win. Steiner shot 7-of-12 from the floor against Monta Vista, finishing with 20 points and 21 rebounds. It marked the third time this season she’s had 20 or more rebounds in a game. Athletic, physical and agile, Steiner was nearly perfect from the field in the first half, shooting 5-of-6. Childers had 11 points one game after finishing with 23 points in a 59-34 win over Fremont High of Sunnyvale. The two along with senior forward Claire Galbo create all sorts of havoc for opponents, flooding the passing lanes and creating steals because of their height and length. Quilici Giles said the team’s defense has come a

long way from the first few weeks of the season. “I think they’re starting to understand that they can really do damage on defense,” she said. “If they show up and put a lot of effort in, then offense really comes easily. Offense sells tickets but defense wins games, and I think they're starting to understand that they can always score more than anybody. But wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have to work so hard on offense if our defense fueled our fire.” Junior guard Ella Rabitz has been one of the team’s unsung standouts. She scored 11 points against Monta Vista, her third consecutive game in double figures which represents the longest streak in her career. Rabitz has done a nice job of finding open spots in the defense, which scrambles to defend her on the perimeter because so much attention is paid to Steiner and Childers whenever they have the ball. Galbo has been a force defensively and on the glass, and Rita Zhou has been providing steady play as a ball handler and perimeter defender. Zhou made a magnificent hustle play against Monta Vista, running down a Matadors player who seemingly had a free path for an uncontested layup. However, Zhou sprinted from halfcourt and amazingly blocked the layup attempt, creating a turnover with 1 minute, 40 seconds left in the third quarter. Quilici Giles said it’s been nice coaching a group of girls who are close off the court, which makes going through a season that much more enjoyable. “They like each other a lot,” she said. “It works out that some of them are best friends in life. And we don’t put up with drama or cliques. We’re all a team, we all love each other. I force a lot of hanging out. If you get a ball and partner in practice, you can’t partner with your best friend because you already see them a lot. Go intermix with somebody else. We’re always that way. In carpools we don’t let them ride with their best friends, we really try to mix it up.” The team’s chemistry has translated to on-court success in its quest to win back-to-back undefeated league championships.

POLICE BLOTTER JAN. 14 • A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on the 100 block of Los Gatos Boulevard at 3:02am. • A caller reported a group of people in two vehicles for “blasting music” and “talking loud” on N. Santa Cruz Avenue at 10:01pm. • A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Highway 9 at 10:38pm.

JAN. 15 • A necklace was reported stolen on Dardanelli Lane and Knowles Drive. • Someone smashed a vehicle’s window on Los Gatos Saratoga Road. • A man was arrested for child abuse and battery on the 100 block of Worcester Loop at 8:40pm.

JAN. 16 • A man wearing pajama bottoms was reportedly walking around the post office on S. Santa Cruz Avenue with a syringe in his hand at 11:43am.

JAN. 17 • A “tall guy” reportedly jumped into a home’s patio and stole a bicycle at 3am on Weldwood Court.

• Someone stole a pair of binoculars from an unlocked vehicle parked on Cleland Avenue. • A group of people were reportedly taking photos of vehicles’ license plates on Victory Lane and Bean Avenue at 3:11pm.

Can you hear the person across from you or next to you but not when someone further away says something? If you don’t catch it, and the conversation moves on, do you feel left behind? Do you find you forget things that were just said? Do you occasionally miss parts of words? Hearing loss in adults is the 2nd most common health condition after heart disease.

JAN. 19

• A van reported stolen on Clifton Avenue was found 30 minutes later on Highway 17 at 2:58pm. • Three suspects stole bottles of tequila at a store on Blossom Hill Road. • A caller got into an argument with their neighbor after they confronted them about their children playing “too loudly” outside on Towne Terrace at 6:31pm. • Two baskets of liquor were reported stolen from a store on N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

Call us today to schedule an appointment for your personalized hearing consultation!

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15899 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd., Suite 8, Los Gatos, CA 95032 Christine Throm, Au.D.

Doctor of Audiology/Owner

(on the corner of National & Los Gatos-Almaden Rd.)

408.351.0565 www.LosGatosAudiology.com

JAN. 20

• A suspect reportedly used nine counterfeit $20 bills to make a purchase at a store on N. Santa Cruz Avenue. • A man was arrested for disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer on W. Main Street and Park Avenue at 4:03pm. • A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Los Gatos Boulevard and Samaritan Drive at 8:17pm. Information is compiled from public records released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.

• A man was arrested for driving outside of suspension restrictions on Los Gatos Boulevard and Highway 9 at 11:36am. • A caller reported a Honda Accord for parking in a Tesla charging spot on Los Gatos Boulevard. • A caller reported “cars screeching and causing a lot of noise” on High School Court at 8:50pm.

When you sit around the dinner table, do you have to work hard to follow the conversation?

lgsubs.com

losgatan.co m : january 244 LOSGATAN.COM JANUARY 2 4-30, 2002

• A bicycle was reported stolen on Oak Rim Court.

JAN. 18

Your Hearing Checklist:

Jonathan Natividad

WILDCATS AIM FOR LEAGUE THREE-PEAT

SPORTS

Boys basketball coming up clutch

January 2 4 : los gatan.co m january 2 4-30, 20 2 02 losgatan.com

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

Through the first half of round-robin play in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division season, the Los Gatos High boys basketball team has proven to be in a class by itself. The Wildcats entered their Jan. 23 game against Mountain View at 15-3 overall and 6-0 in league, two games ahead of second-place Palo Alto. Barring a rash of unforeseen circumstances, Los Gatos appears headed to winning a third consecutive league title. The Wildcats shared the title with Fremont High two years ago, went 11-1 to win the championship outright last season and have an opportunity to go undefeated in league this season. The hallmarks of the team since coach Nick Ward returned for his second go-around with the program three years ago is mental toughness and consistency. The Wildcats seemingly squeeze every ounce of talent out of their roster and have a nice track record against teams that are similar in ability. Nowhere was that more apparent than in a 56-55 win over Milpitas High on Jan. 16. Los Gatos showed why it’s been the premier team in the SCVAL. Milpitas scored the opening bucket of the game, but the Wildcats answered with four straight points and took the lead for good midway through the first quarter. Senior post Nolan Koch had 24 points and Scotty Brennan 15 as Los Gatos held off a late Milpitas charge for the victory.

SOARING Wildcats senior Nolan Koch battles for a rebound in their 50-45 win over Palo Alto on Jan. 20. Los Gatos entered this week’s play with a 6-0 league mark, a full two games ahead of Palo Alto.

Koch said while the team definitely gets amped up for games with first place on the line at the time—Milpitas entered the contest with an identical 3-0 league record—it maintains an even keel. “I’d definitely say it’s a game you get up for, but our big thing is just take one game at a time,” he said. “And coach always says the next game is always your most important. I feel like we play very level headed, we’re ready to play every game and that’s something not every team has. So having that [mindset] has been very good for us” After a tremendous junior season, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound Koch has taken his game up another notch this year. He scores the majority of his points from 12 feet in, using his body

and deft footwork to gain separation from his defender and position himself for high-percentage leaners from in-close. Koch spent the off-season honing those parts of his game, often at Bay Club Courtside. “I usually just worked on my game on my own,” he said. “Did a lot of finishing stuff, a lot of shooting stuff, and obviously lifting weights. I’d just go to the gym and experiment with stuff to see what works.” Things have been working just fine for Koch and his teammates this season. Los Gatos has once again displayed strong chemistry and has playmakers like Koch and Brennan, who scored 25 points in a 66-49 win over Gunn High and didn’t miss a beat after missing the first month of the

season due to the football team advancing all the way to a CIF Regional State Bowl Championship Game. Brennan has the complete game, able to knock down shots from 3-point range and the mid-range—which is a dying art in today’s game—while also possessing the ability to drive to the basket. He creates a lot of steals with his instincts and length, finishes well and is an adept passer. “Having Scotty is good,” Koch said. “We lost a few ones early in the year that we feel like we could’ve had, but it’s great to have him back.” All three of Los Gatos’ losses have been to quality, top-tier teams: Menlo-Atherton (13-4), Branham (16-1) and St. Mary’s of Stockton (16-5). Those defeats were by six, three and three points, respectively, meaning the Wildcats were in each game and in the Branham contest, an opportunity to win. Anthony Martin had 10 points vs. Milpitas on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting, continuing his breakout season. The junior guard can flat-out shoot it and his production has been remarkably consistent all year. Ronan Chinmulgund provides a steadying presence as a senior guard, and has picked his spots offensively this season as the team has superior firepower from last year. Zach Otoupal, Max Brin and Joey Rabitz have excelled in their roles and junior shooting guard Osha Moloney—who is currently injured—is expected to return and provide his usual impact. Moloney is having another fine season and can hit a flurry of 3-point shots on a moment’s notice. Los Gatos has a solid team dynamic, with Koch being a leader by example. He’s one of the most consistent players in the section, and had 21 points vs. Gunn. After last season ended, Koch knew as a returning senior starter teammates would look to him. “Definitely a lot of thought went into taking more of a leadership role because I’m more of a quiet guy,” he said. “But trying to always set a good example was something I tried to think about, and not showing too much emotion, not going up and down too much. Trying to stay level and set a good example for the younger players.”

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NEIGHBORHOOD John Yeager is accused of murdering his wife Yingying “Dawn” Yu after an incident at this Hershner Court home.

SUSPECT REMAINS IN JAIL

January 2 4 : los gatan.co m january 2 4-30, 20 2 02 losgatan.com

Homicide, from page 1

tance on Victim Yu,” Birley writes. “Both individuals then reappear on camera and Victim Yu is seen attempting to walk in a different direction and turn away from Suspect Yeager who is seen grabbing Victim Yu by her arm/shoulders and preventing her from leaving.” Yeager began escorting his wife toward their home, Birley added. “Taking me back so you can beat me to death?!” Yu is heard yelling, according to the document. During the encounter, investigators said Yeager appeared—at multiple points—to be trying to corner Yu between his body and a parked vehicle. But eventually, they both reentered the drab bungalow. On Jan. 13—after Yu didn’t return to work and police hauled Yeager in for an interview to clear up some inconsistencies in his initial statements—he admitted to strangling his wife with a rope and disposing of her body in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Birley said. Divorce filings On Aug. 27, 2020, Yu signed her name featuring three large swooping Y’s at the bottom of a potentially life-changing document. Three days later, this divorce application was entered into the court record. Yu had married Yeager on May 15, 2020. And less than three months later, they had separated.

Yeager had joint custody of two boys from a prior marriage, but no children with Yu—who had moved to Campbell by this point. She cited “irreconcilable differences” but didn’t mention any physical violence that precipitated her decision to dissolve their union. The file was assigned to Family Justice Center Judge JoAnne McCracken. Yu hoped to divide their assets via an agreement to be drawn-up at a future date. But by March 10, 2021, the settlement had not materialized. So, the court followed up with her, to make sure she had a chance to finalize the split. And then, again on April 11, 2021. “The Court will continue to review your case for up to 18 months and will send you a Notice if there is NOT a final judgment in it,” reads the letter. “After 18 months the Court will stop sending you a Notice and if a final judgment is not on file in your case, your case may eventually be dismissed.” The case remained “active” in the system as of Jan. 17, though Yu herself was dead. In 1997, Yeager filed for divorce from a woman named Jun Lu. He was living in Cupertino at the time. He ended up walking away with a condominium in Irvine.

By 2017, Yeager had a new wife named Sunyi Chang, with whom he owned the home on Hershner Court. They had boys aged 5 and 8, and he was making more than $11,000 a month. But after nine years of marriage, the couple had separated. On Feb. 3, 2017, Chang filed for divorce: She got the 2009 Toyota Corolla. He kept the 2015 Scion tC sedan. Yeager agreed to pay $460,000 to become the sole owner of the house. They settled on joint custody, but Chang got the final say in some situations. She cited “irreconcilable differences,” but there’s no mention of any kind of abuse. On the day Yeager was charged with Yu’s murder, Chang filed for a protective order. Judge Audra Ibarra ordered Yeager to stay 300 yards away from his ex, and to have no contact with her whatsoever—except through attorneys. Missing person search On Jan. 8, a coworker called Los Gatos police and informed them that Yu hadn’t shown up for work in 2024. Plus, the woman said the explanation Yeager gave for his wife’s absence seemed odd, according to court papers. That’s when the public safety machine kicked into motion. A missing person investigation was launched, in which a variety of agencies would end up participating, including the US Department of Homeland Security and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Police determined Yeager’s account

didn’t align with the facts they were collecting. Investigators zeroed-in on the Dec. 31 domestic incident captured by the neighbor’s home surveillance video camera. On Jan. 10, LGMSPD assembled a team that included the DA’s Office, the County’s Crime Lab, Special Enforcement Team, Regional Enforcement Allied Computer Team, Search and Rescue, and Department of Family and Children’s Services—all working around the clock to crack the case (while trying to keep the affected children safe). Yeager was arrested and booked into jail on domestic violence charges on Jan. 11 as evidence continued to flow in. Tips from the Summit Road community drew the law enforcement to secure a remote area of the Santa Cruz Mountains, on the evening of Jan. 12, where Yeager had recently visited. Officials from Cal Fire, the DA’s Office, and Search and Rescue joined LGMSPD for the search, which began the next day, a police spokesperson told the Los Gatan. The team exhumed what they suspected to be Yu’s remains on Jan. 14 (though this had not yet been confirmed by the Office of the Medical Examiner-Coroner on Friday). “We appreciate the assistance, trust and confidence placed in us by Dawn Yu’s community, colleagues and family throughout the investigation and express our deepest condolences to all who knew Dawn Yu,” LGMSPD Chief Jamie Field said in a Jan. 16 statement. Yeager was charged with first degree murder, felony false imprisonment, six aggravating circumstance allegations and an enhancement for use of a deadly weapon. A neighbor who asked not to be identified told the Los Gatan Jan. 17 the whole Hershner Court community had been shaken to the core. “We’re close,” she said, referring to just how intertwined the social lives of the residents along the dead-end street had become. Yeager was at the North Main Jail— with no bail allowed—as of Friday. His next hearing—a restraining order modification request—has been set for Jan. 26 at 9am in Department 23. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Mike Birley at 408.827.3219 or email police@ losgatosca.gov.

CALENDAR

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

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

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

MYSTERY LOVER’S BOOK CLUB The Los Gatos Library’s Mystery Lover’s Book Club meets the first Wednesday of every month. The next meeting is Feb. 7 at 5pm in-person and on Zoom. The club will discuss “Razorblade Tears” by S.A. Cosby. ➝ losgatosca.libcal.com/ event/11531263.

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

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

➝ cafarmersmkts.com/losgatosfarmers-market. Campbell Farmers Market The Downtown Campbell Farmers Market is held Sundays, rain or shine, from 9am to 1pm. ➝ uvfm.org/campbell-sundays. The Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos The club meets the first three Thursdays of the month at noon at Double D's, 354 N. Santa Cruz Ave. First two Thursdays of the month feature guest speakers. ➝ lgkiwanisgives.org. 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. ➝ osgatosrotary.org. The Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club The Club meets every Wednesday morning 7:30-8:30am at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road. Program includes featured guest speakers. Los Gatos Lions Club The Los Gatos Lions Club meets every Wednesday. A breakfast meeting is held at Moore Buick, 15500 Los Gatos Blvd., at 8am and a noon meeting at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, with a guest speaker. The club has been active since 1946. Friends of Los Gatos Library Bookstore The Friends of Los Gatos Library Bookstore is open Tuesdays from 4-6pm, Wednesday through Friday from 1-5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm at the library, 110 E. Main St. For information, email friendsoflglib@aol.com.

PUBLIC MEETINGS Town Council The Los Gatos Town Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7pm. ➝ losgatosca.gov/16/Town-Council.

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

This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 05/11/2022. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Krista Wallace. President. #5071749. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/21/2024. (pub Metro 01/17, 01/24, 01/31, 02/07/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #702182 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Guest List Experiences, 306 Andrews Street, Los Gatos, CA, 95030, Katrina Azucena. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Katrina Azucena. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 01/12/2024. (pub Metro 01/17, 01/24, 01/31, 02/07/2024) File Number: FBN701548. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Flores Registration & Insurance Services LLC, 101 Keyes St, San Jose, CA 95112. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, Flores Registration & Insurance Services LLC, 101 Keyes St, San Jose, CA 95112. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 11/30/2023 and 12/20/2023 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 70 W. Hedding St, San Jose, CA 95110. Flores Registration & Insurance, Articles of Incorporation Number 202359817960, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Yesenia Solano /s/ Member. (Pub LGN 01/17, 01/24, 01/31, 02/07/2024 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #702256 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mountain View, 5 Fairchild Drive, Mountain View, CA, 94043, Krishna MV Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 11/19/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Parin Patel.

General Manager. #3152465. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 01/16/2024. (pub Metro 01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 02/14/2024) File Number: FBN702173. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: H Engineering LLC, 3223 Adamswood Dr., San Jose, CA 95148. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, H Engineering LLC, 3223 Adamswood Dr., San Jose, CA 95148. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/01/2024 and 01/12/2024 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 70 W. Hedding St, San Jose, CA 95110. H Engineering LLC, Article/ Reg # 202006510836, Above Entity was Formed in the State of California. /s/ Anwar Halteh /s/ Owner. (Pub LGN 01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 2/14/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #702102 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Securemart LLC, 1309 Coffeen Avenue STE 11023, Sheridan, WY, 82801. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 08/04/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of Wyoming. /s/Alvin Lai. Member. #202358416062. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 01/10/2024. (pub Metro 01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 02/14/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701385 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Macaco Sandwiches, 2. Macaco Sando, 1280 1st St., STE F, Gilroy, Ca, 95020, Macaco Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 11/10/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Ivan Uranga. President. #3979106. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/14/2023. (pub Metro 01/24, 01/31, 02/07, 02/14/2024)

losgatan.co m : january 244 losgatan.com January 2 4-30, 2002

VALENTINE FUN RUN/WALK

round. More than 40 local farmers and food producers sell their wares Sundays from 9am to 1pm at Town Park Plaza on Main Street and N. Santa Cruz Avenue.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Contributed

HORTICULTURE

POLLARD AND COPPICE DURING WINTER Ton y Tomeo, Contributor

This is extreme dormant pruning. Pollard and coppice pruning involve complete removal of all new growth. They typically involve growth from a previous season annually. A two-year cycle involves growth from two previous seasons, and so on. This repetitive pruning to the same origins stimulates distended callus growth there. It is as brutal as it sounds. This is why pollard and coppice pruning are vilified in America. The techniques evolved through centuries of horticulture and several cultures. Both are still practical for various reasons everywhere else. However, American arboriculture classifies them as topping or disfigurement. Consequently, very few arborists here know how or want to do it properly. Like other dormant pruning, pollard and coppice pruning must happen during winter. It is too severe for active vegetation. Also, pollard pruning exposes bark of trunks and limbs. Such bark would scald during sunnier summer weather. Growth from distended callus growth, or knuckles, shades lower stems by summer. It is very vigorous through spring. That is why pollard and coppice pruning is still useful for within other cultures. Vigorous foliage is useful for fodder for livestock, including silkworms. Vigorous

stems are useful for kindling and basketry. Some species bloom more vigorously on vigorous new growth. Others can not bloom to produce unwanted pollen or messy fruit within the same year. Colorful or variegated foliage is more colorful in response to pollard or coppice pruning. Some eucalypti generate juvenile foliage for floral design. Such foliage is more aromatic than adult foliage. Improved foliar vigor enhances resistance to some diseases, such as mildew and rust. Coppicing can renovate some types of overgrown or shabby shrubbery. The difference between pollard and coppice pruning is that pollard pruning retains limbs. Coppice pruning retains only a stump near grade. It is less reliant on repetition, and may never need it again. Pollard pruning compromises structural integrity, which necessitates repetition. Otherwise, pruning to restore structure will eventually become necessary. Not many species are receptive to such extreme pruning techniques. Highlight: California sycamore The tallest, largest and oldest trees of the world are all native to California. So are the rarest pine, rarest fir and largest oak. California sycamore, Platanus racemosa, is loyal to this tradition of distinction. Although not the tallest sycamore, it might be

January 2 4 : los gatan.co m january 2 4-30, 20 2 02 losgatan.com

REVISED DOCUMENT EXPECTED SOON

Housing, from page 4 to rezone where necessary, instead of the one-year timeline Los Gatos was forced into by its own lack of successful action. She laid out a series of new programs Los Altos agreed to implement in order to achieve certification—everything from by-right approval for specific sites, to increasing density bonuses beyond State law requirements, to encouraging the production of granny flats, SB9 units and duplexes or triplexes. Susan Burnett, a Planning Com-

missioner who was speaking as an individual, expressed frustration with the mounting development proposals. “If the staff is short in Sacramento… why aren’t we given a break on the Builder’s Remedy?” she asked. “Why should we suffer with the Builder’s Remedy’s coming in? It’s just not fair.” Council quibbled over the wording of where some proposed updates would apply—for example, whether to allow more housing types in “a variety of ” or “all” low density neighborhoods. But for Vice Mayor Matthew Hudes,

SHOWING ITS AGE California sycamore develops massively gnarly trunks. the grandest. It develops gnarly and sculpturally irregular form. Some develop multiple massive trunks. Because of its scale, California sycamore is uncommonly available from nurseries. It is simply not proportionate to home gardens or even big landscapes. Most old specimens are older than the landscapes around them. They are somewhat adaptable to landscape irrigation. However, increased moisture increases potential for spontaneous limb failure.

California sycamore can grow a hundred feet tall with bulky trunks and limbs. Old trees may exhibit scars from shedding limbs throughout their long lifespans. Their mottled bark is gray and tan, and roughens only slowly with age. The deciduous foliage of such large trees is very copious through a long defoliation. Foliar tomentum (fuzz) is quite irritating.

the changes under discussion at the meeting are anything but trivial. “This is a very weighty decision,” he said, describing it as looking at whether the Town wants to begin “taking something from someone and giving it to someone else.” HCD has said it won’t pass the Town’s Housing Element until it lays out a credible plan for making housing stock available to more people through quantifiable initiatives. But many locals fear this could tank the resale value of their properties. “The people who have property have an expectation when they bought that property,” Hudes said, suggesting that if Sacramento wants Los Gatos to allow more housing in lower-density neigh-

borhoods it should pass a new law specifically forcing the Town’s hand. Tam clarified that HCD is not asking the Town to go beyond State law, as the current law is written in such a way that communities are required to do more than just the bare minimum. On Thursday the Housing Element Advisory Board also dug into the document. At that meeting, new feedback from HCD was discussed. It revealed the Town is, in fact, closing the Housing Element deficiency gap, yet still has a ways to go before it can turn the page on this political process. A revised Housing Element draft is expected to come before Council in early February.

Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.

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We have been providing quality service and meeting your real estate needs in both sales and property management since 1977.

Scotts Valley Property Management 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!

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THINKING ABOUT GETTING A NEW WOOD STOVE?

modern wood stove, insert, or fireplace is an excellent choice as a primary source of heat for your home. Heating your home with a modern wood stove is both economical and eco-friendly, not to mention the bonus of coziness and beauty. While open, wood burning fireplaces do not generate a meaningful amount of heat, modern wood burning stoves, inserts, and fireplaces are intended to be used as the primary source of heat for your home. With overnight burn times and air controls, heating your home with wood is now simple and green.

ARE PEOPLE STILL ALLOWED TO HEAT WITH WOOD?

Yes! Because modern wood stoves are so clean burning and efficient, and because wood is a renewable fuel source, there’s even government incentives for investing in a wood stove or insert. There’s a federal tax credit for investing in a new wood stove or insert that began last year and goes through 2032.

IS HEATING YOUR HOUSE WITH WOOD ECO-FRIENDLY?

Heating your home with a modern wood stove is eco-friendly. Wood is a renewable fuel source, locally sourced and carbon neutral. Efficiency and clean burning go hand in hand. The pollution controls are what make a modern wood stove a better and more efficient heater. A very old wood stove or open, wood burning fireplace can produce 100 grams of emissions per hour. Particulate emissions are fuel going up the chimney and polluting the air, instead of being turned into heat for your home. Modern wood fireplaces have pollution controls that burn those particulate emissions inside the stove, so that what’s coming out the chimney is mostly steam. All modern, EPA certified wood stoves emit less than 2 grams of emissions per hour.

PROJECT COST

Different options for brand and material, along with variables with installation make it so there is a wide range of cost for getting a wood stove. Your local fireplace store will be

able to give you specific pricing, so that you know exactly how much the project will be before you commit to moving forward. With the tax credit that’s happening, now is a great time to invest.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Stop by your local fireplace store and have an industry professional help you pick the right wood stove for you. It’s good to be prepared with the approximate square footage of the space you’re heating. Photos are also helpful, especially if you’re interested in getting an insert. While in the showroom you can look at displays and make choices about which options will be best for you and your home. If you need an installer, a professional installer will then come to your home for a site check. They will put together your pipe list, make sure everything will fit and look nice, then give you an exact bid for installation.

RETAILER

There are many decisions to be made when choosing a fireplace. These decisions can be

made easier by working with a great local retailer. The best stores will have knowledgeable, experienced staff who can help walk you through the project. They’ll be able to provide technical advice, or connect you with a qualified, experienced installer if needed. The store you choose to do business with will help you with post-installation service and answer any questions that come up. A high-quality fireplace is built to last 20-25 years, so the folks you choose to work with are people you’ll be connected to for years to come. Please consider choosing Woodstove & Sun to help you with your fireplace or outdoor living needs. We offer wood, gas, pellet and electric stoves, fireplaces and inserts, as well as Polywood outdoor furniture, kitchens, grills, fire pits, pizza ovens, and umbrellas. Our showroom is located at 510 Soquel Ave in Santa Cruz. Please call, email or stop by! Our friendly staff will be happy to help you and answer any further questions you may have to begin this process. We can be reached at (831) 425-5123 and woodstoveandsun@gmail.com.

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Indoor Living

Fireplaces, Inserts & Stoves Woodstove & Sun has been proudly serving the Central Coast since 1982. Providing top quality products and customer service to the Central Coast, we now offer one stop shopping to perfect your outdoor living space too!

Ask us about the US Tax Credit

WOODSTOVE & SUN 510 Soquel Avenue • Santa Cruz, CA ( Down the Hill from Shopper’s Corner )

www.woodstoveandsun.com • Instagram @woodstoveandsun

(831) 425-5123

Gas, Electric, Wood & Pellet

Outdoor Living

Fireplaces, Fire Tables & Fire Pits, Kitchens, Grills, Furniture, Pizza Ovens, Kit Pergolas & Umbrellas