@losgatan
vol . 4, no. 17 : january 3-9, 2024 : losgatan.com
police blotter p10 : upcoming events p11 : horticulture p12 : ny times crossword puzzle p13 Drew Penner/Los Gatan
TOWN COUNCIL AGREES TO $800K DEAL FOR BODY-CAMS, NEW TASERS
HERE ARE SOME OF THE LAWS THAT ARE NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE NEW YEAR
Town faces 16% price hike, following Axon’s software update
From fungus to fentanyl, bills address variety of topics
Drew Penner, Reporter
Todd Guild, Reporter
With no members of the public offering any comment on the item, the Los Gatos Town Council agreed to a $800,000 deal for body-worn cameras, tasers and digital evidence management with Axon Enterprises, Inc. over a five-year period for the police department. The item sailed through unanimously as part of the Dec. 19 consent calendar, a collection of items Town officials deem uncontroversial or routine that can all be approved at once. The item included a $68,356 budget adjustment from the General Fund Capital/Special Projects Reserve. “The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department was a pioneer in Santa Clara County by deploying Officers with BodyWorn Cameras (BWC) beginning in 2008,” Support Services Capt. Clint Tada wrote in a report. “The Department was an early adopter in the integra-
Every year, California’s legislators send a flurry of bills to the governor in hopes he or she will sign them. And that’s before the byzantine legislative process that leaves most proposed laws on Assembly and Senate curtting floors. In 2023, the lawmakers sent off 1,046 bills, of which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 890 into law. Often, these affect everyday life, impacting such areas as criminal justice, food safety, traffic, education and civic life.
➝ Cams, 6
➝ Laws, 8
Subscribe to receive Los Gatan home delivery every week.
MORE RAIN ON THE WAY Los Gatos recently got a soaking as seen on South Santa Cruz Avenue. Forecasters with the National Weather Service said lingering showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the first half of Wednesday before dry weather returns Thursday. Unsettled weather returns late week and into the upcoming weekend, forecasters said.
LGSubs.com
THHE EL I SBT EI RL L L EINS T E R T E A M T & W S T R A N D T E A ML I S T E 2024 T H E L I S T E R & W E NCallSMe TtoRDiscuss A NYour DNextTMove EHAinEM 20758 LOWENA COURT, SARATOGA TTEDH E L I S T E R & W E N S T R A N D TEAM m 20758 LOWENA COURT, SARATOGA D p E -4 m D pm
IS T D m p 7 T LLISTE1p -42/17
m m1 1 D S S JUST LIUSEE 1SpUNN12S/TE m-4p17 USTHOUS& SU LI 1p 12/ JU J EN H2O/166 & ST USE SUN PEN 1 /1 JU HO & OP T 12 N OS 16 AT PE 12/ A O S T SA
E
3 Bedrooms | 2 Full & 1 Half Bathrooms | ± 2,163 sq. ft Living Space | ± 12,510 sq. ft Lot 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full & 1 Half Bathrooms | ±at 2,163 sq. ft Living Space | ± 12,510 sq. ft Lot -4 7 Offered $3,750,000 20758 LOWENA COURT, SARATOGA m 1 p Offered at $3,750,000 Beautiful renewed one story styleBathrooms home on|a±quiet kitchen 3 Bedrooms | 2 Fullranch & 1 Half 2,163cul-de-sac. sq. ft LivingRemodeled Space | ± 12,510 sq. 1 ft Lot 12/ Beautiful one story ranch style home on a quiet cul-de-sac. Remodeled kitchen with whiterenewed cabinets, slab quartz counter tops, subway tiled backsplash, newer stainless Offered at $3,750,000 SEsteel UN U S with white cabinets, slab quartz subway tiled backsplash, newerbar stainless steelkitchen appliances, built-in oven, winecounter refrigerator, and cooktop. Breakfast and informal Beautiful renewed one storytops, ranch styleglass home on a quiet cul-de-sac. Remodeled O & H appliances, built-in oven, wine refrigerator, and glass cooktop. Breakfast bar and informal with white cabinets, slabcombination quartz counter tops, subwaycabinets tiled backsplash, newer stainless steel eat-in area. Kitchen/family room with built-in and N 16Separate /Separate Efireplace. eat-in area.living Kitchen/family room combination with built-in cabinets andPfireplace. 2 appliances, built-in oven, wine refrigerator, and with glass cooktop. Breakfast bar and informal formal room with fireplace. Formal dining room bay window. Newly updated 1 O T and updated formal living room withKitchen/family fireplace. Formal dining room and with bay window. Newly eat-in room combination withshower/tub. built-in cabinets fireplace. Separate half bath and hallarea. bath with new vanity, double sinks, Remodeled primary A S formal living room with fireplace. Formal dining room with bay window. Newly half suite bath and hall bath with new vanity, andcloset. shower/tub. primary bathroom with new tiled floorsdouble and asinks, walk-in Crown Remodeled moulding new lightupdated half bath and hall bath with new double sinks, and shower/tub. Remodeled suite bathroom with new tiled and avanity, walk-in closet. Crown moulding light fixtures, recessed lighting, andfloors hardware throughout. Inside laundry roomnew with storageprimary suitelighting, bathroom with new tiled floors and aInside walk-in closet. Crown moulding light fixtures, recessed and hardware throughout. laundry room with storage cabinets. Large lot with in-ground pool and spa, entertaining areas, and storage shed.new Huge fixtures, recessed lighting, and spa, hardware throughout. Inside laundry room Huge with storage cabinets. Large lot with in-ground pool and entertaining areas, and storage shed. oversized garage. Blue Hills Elementary, John F Kennedy Middle, Monta Vista High cabinets. LargeHills lot with in-ground poolFand spa, entertaining areas, Vista and storage oversized garage. Blue Elementary, John Kennedy Middle, Monta High shed. Huge School. Close to allgarage. major shopping, commute routes, and downtown Saratoga. oversized Blue Hills commute Elementary, John Fand Kennedy Middle, Monta Vista High School. Close to all major shopping, routes, downtown Saratoga.
T
S JU
T LIS
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 12/16 & SUNDAY - 4:00PM) School. Close to all major shopping, commute12/17 routes,(1:00PM and downtown Saratoga. OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 12/16 & SUNDAY 12/17 (1:00PM - 4:00PM)
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 12/16 & SUNDAY 12/17 (1:00PM - 4:00PM)
A results orientedmatched approachwith matched with strong negotiating skills and effective Virtual Tour Aresults resultsoriented oriented approach strong negotiating skills and effective BILL LISTER A approach matched strong negotiating skills and effective marketing has madewith The Bill Lister Team a national Real Estate leader.
January 3-9 , 2 0 2 4 : los gatan.com
VirtualTour Tour Virtual
2
marketing has made The Bill Lister Team a national Real Estate leader.
Virtual Tour
A resul
marketing has made The Bill Lister Team a national Real Estate leader. m 2022 Society of Excellence, Fewer than 1% of Coldwell Bill Lister Mike L. Wenstrand Banker Agents Worldwide Bill Lister Lister MikeL.L.Wenstrand Wenstrand #1 in the Los Gatos Office International President’s Bill Mike Bill Lister #1 in in the the#1 LosSmall Gatos Office Voted 2022 Best Real InternationalPresident’s President’s Premier Team 2019-2022 #1 Los Gatos Office International Team in the #1 in the Los Gatos Office Voted 2022 2022 Best BestEstate Real Agent of Los Gatos #1 Small Team 2012-2022 Premier Team 2019-2022 Voted Real Premier Team 2019-2022 Los Gatos Voted 2022 Best Real TopOffice Producer on the #1 in Los Estate Agent Agent ofLos Los Gatos BSmall I L Team LTeam L2012-2022 I2012-2022 S TGatos E ROffice Small Estate of Gatos #1#1 Estate Agent of Los Gatos 2011-2022 WSJ List Top 1% Worldwide T H E L I S T E R T E A M Top Producer Producer on the Best Real #1 in Los Gatos Office Top the Votedon 2022 Estate #1 in Los Gatos Office Top Producer on the 408.892.9300 cell 408-387-3885 | Cell 2011-2022 WSJ List Top E X C E L L Top EN T 1% A 1% G EWorldwide NWorldwide TS | UNPARALLELED RESULTS 2011-2022 WSJ List Agentcell ofBLister@cbnorcal.com Los Gatos 2011-2022 WSJ List MikeWenstrand.com 408.892.9300cell 408.892.9300 408-387-3885 | Cell | ACell I T ' S S I M P L 408-387-3885 E R E A L L Y, I T ' SMike.Wenstrand@cbnorcal.com LL IN THE NAME... LISTER www.BillLister.com 408.892.9300 cell BLister@cbnorcal.com BLister@cbnorcal.com Top Producer on the MikeWenstrand.com MikeWenstrand.com DRE# 01179611 DRE#02068355 BLister@cbnorcal.com www.BillLister.com www.BillLister.com Mike.Wenstrand@cbnorcal.com 2011-2022 WSJ List A results Mike.Wenstrand@cbnorcal.com oriented approach matched with strong www.BillLister.com ©2023 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registeredDRE#02068355 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 DRE# 01179611 DRE# 01179611 DRE#02068355 Subsidiary of NRT LLC. All rights reserved. This information was supplied bynegotiating 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 investigate01179611 these issues to their DRE# skills and effective marketing has made owncell 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. 408.892.9300 ©2023 Coldwell Coldwell Banker Banker Real Real Estate Estate LLC. LLC.All AllRights RightsReserved. Reserved.Coldwell ColdwellBanker® Banker®isisa registered a registered trademark licensed Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is Owned trademark licensed toto Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. AnAn Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. EachEach Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage OfficeOffice is Owned by a by a Bill Lister ainformation national Real Estate leader. Subsidiary of NRT NRT LLC. LLC.All All rights rights reserved. reserved.This Thisinformation informationwas wassupplied suppliedbybySeller Sellerand/or and/orother othersources. sources. Broker believes to be correct but verified information assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues their Reserved. Coldwell Banke ©2023 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. AlltoRights Broker believes thisthis information to be correct but hashas notnot verified thisthis information and and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their BLister@cbnorcal.com own satisfaction. satisfaction. Real Estate Estate Agents Agentsaffiliated affiliatedwith withColdwell ColdwellBanker BankerResidential ResidentialBrokerage Brokerageare areIndependent Independent Contractor Sales Associates employees of Coldwell Banker Estate Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License # 01908304. Real Contractor Sales Associates andand areare notnot employees of Coldwell Banker RealReal Estate LLC,LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License # 01908304. Subsidiary of NRT LLC. All rights reserved. This information was supplied by S Give him a call today! own satisfaction. Real Estate Agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residentia
www.BillLister.com W W W. B I L L L I S T E R . C O M 408.892.9300 DRE# 01179611
W W W. B I LLLLLLIISSTTEERR..C CO OM M
WWW.MIKEWENSTRAND.COM
W AA N DW . C.W. OO M WW WW W. M . MI K I KEEW WE ENNS T S TRR N D C W B IML L L I S T E R .
©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.
WWW.BILLLISTER.COM
Love
Prosperity
Peace
Faith
Health
Friendship
Praying for New Beginnings in 2024
Together HAPPINESS
Lucy Wedemeyer
Broker lucy@serenogroup.com 408-891-6861 DRE# 00640875
Keith Andry
Associate/Broker
408-891-4151 keith@serenogroup.com DRE# 01470
Faith
Family
Prosperity
As founding members of SERENO, they’ve curated an extensive network of professionals as an integral part of enhancing clients properties for market. Both exude unsurpassed pro-active visions as Brokers and Certi�ed Negotiation Experts; re�ective of 90% referral business as they strive to exceed expectations to This information was supplied by reliable sources. Sales accomplish client’s goals and Associate believes this information to be dreams. correct but has not verified this information and assumes no Legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction.
los gatan .co m : January 3- 9, 20 2 4
Gratefulness Success Together Health
Love
HAPPINESS
FRIENDSHIP
Peace
Extraordinary marketing expertise fueled with contagious enthusiasm de�nes Lucy Wedemeyer as a “RockStar” Real Estate Broker. She’s one of the most recognized and highly respected Realtors in the Bay Area, consistently awarded Top 1% distinction Keith Andry with a BS in Finance joined his Award-Winning Mother-in-Law in 2000.
3
VOL.3 NO.17 Dan Pulcrano Executive Editor & Publisher Lee May General Manager
EDITORIAL editor@losgatan.com
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
LEGAL ADS legals@losgatan.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@losgatan.com
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
january 3 -9 , 2 0 24 : losgatan.com
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
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.
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.
WHO WE ARE Los Gatan is published Wednesdays by Weeklys. Contents copyright ©2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without written permission.
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.
Candidate worked to eliminate election misinformation at tech giant
Contributed
Erik Chalhoub Managing Editor
MAN RUNNING FOR CONGRESS BRISTLES AT POLL’S MISSPELLING OF NAME Drew Penner, Reporter
A former Google policy advisor who is facing off with political heavyweights, such as Supervisor Joe Simitian and former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, for the Congressional seat Representative Anna Eshoo is exiting, says he’s appalled to have been confused with a convicted Mountain View rapist, due to a misspelling of his name in a poll. The candidate, Ahmed Mostafa, found this particularly galling, considering he founded the Survivors’ Pro Bono Clinic at Stanford. “As a candidate for California’s 16th Congressional District, I firmly believe that I have a responsibility to call out instances of racism and misinformation when they occur,” he said in a Dec. 23 release. “Recently, I was informed that a poll sent to voters included a misspelling of both my first and last name that led voters to believe I was another local man, who was previously convicted of multiple offenses including torture and sexual abuse. As someone who has spent nearly their entire career as an attorney advocating for the rights and dignity of survivors of sexual violence and fighting against misinformation, this error is a blatant misrepresentation of my values and character.” The voter was sent a text message claiming to be from market research firm Dynata, stating the company was gathering data “on issues important to San Jose.” A link led to a surveynetwork.com poll, which contained the incorrect candidate information. The Los Gatan has reached out to Dynata for clarity about the situation. The criminal, Ahmad Moustafa, was sentenced to a life behind bars after being found guilty in 2017 of torture, forced sexual penetration with a foreign object, trafficking, criminal threats, and corporal injury, according to the Daily Mail. One of the man’s victims went on
CANDIDATE Ahmed Mostafa is running for California’s 16th Congressional District.
to work for the Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit of the Alameda County DA’s Office. Mostafa—the candidate—worked on a social networking platform for Muslims that was acquired by Minder Apps, Inc., which offers the “Salams: Where Muslims Meet” dating app on Google Play and the Apple Store. He told the Los Gatan about how they built a screenshotting feature to allow women to maintain a more truthful picture of men they interact with. After clerking with the Santa Clara County Public Defender Office, Mostafa joined Google to work on policy, five years ago. Over time he says his role shifted so he was less focused on implementing
changes and more focused on writing the rules. “I crafted many of Google’s policies and worked with an entire team of folks,” he said, adding his last day at the company was Dec. 4. He says he was involved with launching an artificial intelligence disclosure policy for elections, reducing human trafficking on the platform and figuring out how to curb misinformation about climate change. “How do we do it efficiently?” he said they would ask themselves. “How do we do it fairly?” Mostafa says some voters have asked if the misspelling was part of a malicious effort to discredit him. “I really hope that this wasn’t on purpose,” he said. “It’s my reputation.”
A SELEC TION OF 2 02 3 PROPERTIE S. . . OU R Y EAR IN REV IEW
19943 VIA ESCUELA DRIVE
105 BOND COURT
3956 W. CAMPBELL AVENUE
1256 HUSTED AVENUE
5 BD | 5 BA | 3,565 SF | $4,350,000
4 BD | 3 BA | 2 ,496 SF | $3, 225,000
4 BD | 3 BA | 2 ,804 SF | $2 ,700,000
4 BD | 3 BA | 2 ,467 SF | $2 ,415,000
108 MILL ROAD
2191 E MAIN AVE
303 PROSPECT HEIGHTS
7244 WILD CREEK DRIVE
4 BD | 3 BA | 1,994 SF | $1,690,000
4 BD | 3 BA | 2 ,976 SF | $1,600,000
2 BD | 1 BA | 1,069 SF | $1, 500,000
3 BD | 3 BA | 1,470 SF | $1, 270,000
425 PROSPECT HEIGHTS
171 SHELLEY AVENUE
16/170 SPRING AVENUE
16143 LORETTA LANE
3 BD | 3 BA | 1, 501 SF | $1, 230,000
4 BD | 2 BA | 1,663 SF | $1,000,000
2 BD | 3 BA | 1,318 SF | $949,950
3 BD | 3 BA | 1,774 SF | $1,260,000
Realtor® | DRE 01076556 kim@kimrichmanteam.com 408.406.9533 kimrichmanteam.com Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01076556. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. License Number 01991628, 01527235, 1527365.
los gatan .co m : January 3- 9, 20 2 4
KIM RICHMAN
5
STATE STIFFENS PENALTIES FOR FENTANYL TRAFFICKING New law aims to reduce availability of deadly drug Nigel Duar a, CalMatters
People convicted of distributing fentanyl will face stiffer criminal penalties in the coming year under a new law shaped by rising overdose deaths. The law increases the penalty for selling or distributing more than one kilogram of fentanyl by an automatic addition of three years to the original sentence. The penalties continue to increase with weight, topping out at an additional 25 years for trafficking in weights exceeding 80 kilograms. Addiction experts warn the law could have deadly consequences if the “threat of police involvement and harsh prison sentences” makes someone reluctant to help an overdose victim by calling emergency responders. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in September. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it in October, along with
TOWN AGREES TO PUT $50K EXTRA INTO DISABILITY PLAN Staff requesting transfer after discovering money was already spent
january 3 -9 , 2 0 24 : losgatan.com
Drew Penner, Reporter
6
As the Town prepares to bring forward a comprehensive disability infrastructure plan to Council in February, Council agreed to top its consultant up with an additional $50,000. The increase, which brings the total amount for Disability Access Consultants to $220,000, was approved unanimously as part of the Dec. 19 consent calendar. It authorizes the Town Manager to execute a second amendment to the original agreement and allows for an expenditure budget transfer in an amount of $35,150 from the fund for the Curb, Gutter & Sidewalk Maintenance project. This follows the hundreds of thou-
several treatment-focused fentanyl bills. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be fatal in small doses when taken on its own. Heroin and cocaine dealers have also sometimes laced products with fentanyl—which is cheaper than either drug—leading to accidental overdoses by people who unwittingly ingest it. Now, fentanyl is the most common drug causing fatal overdoses in California. Law enforcement groups, including the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, generally supported the new law. They said increased penalties will deter traffickers. Those who opposed the bill, including the California Public Defenders Association, said increasing penalties does little to deter people from using or selling drugs, including fentanyl. Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc. This story first appeared in Calmatters at calmatters.org/justice/2023/12/ fentanyl-new-california-laws-2024/.
sands of dollars in legal penalties brought by disability rights activists in recent years, which wreaked havoc on the local business community. In March 2021, Council authorized a budget to recognize a $35,000 Joint Powers Authority Liability Assurance Network grant in the amount of $35,000. Staff says the grant fund was spent in a prior year and the Town recently “discovered that the grant funding had not been previously received and the funds are no longer available for the project.” Staff is now planning to develop a new funding plan for the $35,000, with the expectation it will bring the item to Council as part of the mid-year budget process. “Staff recommends that Town Council authorize the transfer of available funds,” staff wrote in a report to Council. “With the proposed budget transfer, there are sufficient funds in the project budget to cover the amendment to the consultant services agreement for the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan project.” The consultant charges up to $110 per hour for services. Council approved the consent calendar unanimously.
CONTRACT UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED Cams, from page 1 tion and use of Axon Enterprises Inc. Tasers as a less lethal de-escalation of force option.” In February 2020, the Council approved $377,130 in funding for two five-year agreements with Axon for the purchase and maintenance of bodyworn cameras, use of the Evidence. com digital cloud storage platform, and conducted energy weapons—better known as Tasers—to last through the end of fiscal 2023-24, Tada said. “With the evolution and expansion of technology, demands for increased transparency, and legislative mandates, the Police Department incurred additional costs during this agreement term,” he told Council in a Dec. 14 report. “These added costs included the purchase and maintenance of additional body-worn cameras for civilian field personnel and the need to increase digital evidence storage capacity due to the increase in digital evidence collected and requested for the prosecution of cases.” Plus, new State laws (AB 748, SB 1421, SB 2, SB 16) have meant extra costs for LGMSPD, according to Tada. Between 2021 and 2023, the department bought another three body cams from Axon. It also signed up for six terabytes of digital storage on the Axon Digital Evidence System. That brought the total up to $398,405. As Axon upgraded its “Officer Safety Plan” platform to OSP 10, local police were faced with a major price hike. “Axon Enterprises Inc. has changed their pricing structures and plans to incorporate additional options to bundle specific Axon products, features, and platforms,” Tada said. “Beginning in January 2024, Axon has indicated to existing customers that all currently offered OSP 10 pricing plans will increase in excess of 16% immediately, and thereafter incur additional inflation increases.” The department themselves called this a “significant” jump, though it admits it will get additional capabilities and licenses for the extra price. “Body-Worn Cameras have proven to improve law enforcement legitimacy by enhancing transparency and aiding in the investigation and resolution of community complaints, as well as providing
better evidence for criminal prosecutions, and reduced time for Officers in criminal court,” Tada said. “From 2020 to 2023, the Police Department has uploaded and maintained over 81,000 digital files to Axon’s secure, cloud-based digital evidence management system for evidentiary purposes.” This meant Los Gatos police were able to place videos and other evidence “in the cloud” for 1,400 criminal cases, which were then submitted electronically to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. More than 125,000 “community contacts” were recorded and 13 terabytes of data is being stored. “Switching providers would cause the District Attorney and the Police Department to incur significant increased costs as well as lost productivity to replicate processes utilizing a different vendor’s technology and resources,” Tada said. “A change of this nature would also negatively impact the ability for video management and evidence discovery for criminal justice proceedings.” According to LGMSPD, Los Gatos doesn’t have much of a choice other than to pay for the increased costs. “Staff recommends approving a sole-source purchase agreement because the materials manufactured and distributed by Axon are unique and specialized, and there is no other source for this equipment with the integrated platforms and technology capability already in use by the Department,” Tada said. “There are no other vendors capable of meeting the requirements of this service.” A law introduced in 2019 changed procedures across the State, requiring police to release video and audio recordings of incidents where officers shot at someone or used force that resulted in death or serious injuries. So, staff reworked the fine print of the agreement with Axon to state that any lawsuits will be dealt with in the County of Santa Clara, and to remove a requirement that the Town notify Axon when a Public Records Act request arrives. The total cost of the proposed Axon OSP 10+ agreement is now $780,612.55, which works out to about $156,000 annually. No member of Council commented on the item before approving it.
NEW LAW ALLOWS CRUISING AND SPEED CAMERAS Statewide ban on lowrider travel limitations takes effect Ly nn La, CalMatters
Two new laws taking effect Jan. 1 could affect safety on California’s roads. Cameras at intersections across California already flag drivers who run red lights. Under one law, six cities can begin a pilot program to catch and fine speeding drivers with cameras, with hopes to curb the number of traffic deaths. Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach and San Francisco have the authority to launch speed camera pilot programs that will last five years or until Jan. 1, 2032 (whichever date is sooner). After a 60-day introductory period of issuing only warnings to violators, fines will start at $50 for drivers who go at least
11 mph over the speed limit—though amounts can be reduced depending on income. Money from the fines will go toward covering the cost of the programs, as well as “traffic calming measures,” such as raised crosswalks and speed tables that slow down drivers. Cities must also submit reports about their programs, detailing any improvements to street safety and impacts on communities. Local officials and groups that advocate for traffic safety such as Walk San Francisco have praised the measure, citing research that speed cameras are effective at reducing the number of traffic accidents and fatalities. In a statement, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said that data also shows that “traffic violence overwhelmingly impacts Black residents, elders, and youth” and the law “will help us save lives.”
Cameras capture license plate numbers, not faces of drivers, but critics of the law, which include Electronic Frontier Foundation, ACLU California Action and Human Rights Watch, cite concerns about over surveillance, privacy and data security. Freedom for lowrider cruising On Jan. 1, California ended its statewide ban on cruising, when drivers show off classic, typically customized lowrider cars, by leisurely riding on city streets. The new law follows the lifting of cruising limits in cities including San Jose, Sacramento and Modesto. Cruising bans have long been criticized by enthusiasts, and more recently Democratic lawmakers, as discriminatory against Latino communities. The activity is deeply rooted in car culture, and is a way of “expressing our love for art,” said Democratic Assemblymember David Alvarez of Chula
Vista upon introducing the original bill in February. By lifting the ban, the state acknowledges the artistic and social merits of cruising. The law will also undo a ban on modifying vehicles to a certain low height. One member of the Sacramento Lowrider Commission said in a statement: “Low and slow, is not a crime.” But law enforcement groups, the cities of Beverly Hills and Pico Rivera and the California Contract Cities Association argue that cruising is a threat to public safety. In its opposition statement, the association said that cruising can be deadly to pedestrians and lead to “street takeovers that are extremely dangerous.” Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc. This story originally appeared in CalMatters at calmatters.org/ politics/2023/12/california-traffic-newlaws-2024.
NEW HOUSING LAWS AIMED TO STREAMLINE BUILDING PROCESS TAKE EFFECT Slew of bills for 2024 tackle environmental review, ADUs Ben Christopher, CalMatters
headline from late summer: “YIMBYs” — short for so-called yes in my backyard activists who push for more building — “are winning.” Other notable victories from that camp include AB 1287, a bill by San Diego Democratic Assemblymember David Alvarez, that will give developers permission to build denser, taller buildings if they set aside additional units for middle-income earners, and SB 684, which will make it easier to divide up large parcels of land for modest clusters of townhomes and cottages. It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for the pro-development caucus. That second bill, by Merced Democratic Sen. Anna Caballero, will only apply to parts of the state already zoned for multifamily housing. Historic single family home neighborhoods got a last minute carve out, leading one of the bill’s sponsors to take the unusual step of asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to veto their own bill (he didn’t). That eleventh hour switcheroo demonstrated that though the political coalition opposed to state pro-density policies are
on the back foot, they are still a force to contend with. That coalition of local governments, certain organized labor groups and environmental justice advocates also prevented housing supply boosters from entirely rewriting the state’s signature environmental law, as some advocates had hoped earlier this year. But a host of new laws will make it more difficult for opponents of proposed housing projects to use the California Environmental Quality Act to delay certain types of housing projects. Oakland Democratic Assemblymember Buffy Wicks wrote a bill that instructs judges not to consider the noise of future residents as a pollutant in need of environmental mitigation, a response to one of the most headline grabbing California court decisions of the year. Wicks’ bill, which went into effect in September, may have gotten much of the media attention, but other, similarly intentioned bills that will become law in 2024 may prove more ➝ Housing Laws, 13
los gatan.com : january 3-9 , 2 0 2 4
If California wants to build its way out of its long-term housing shortage, plenty of things stand in its way in 2024: high interest rates, sluggish local approval processes and a persistent shortage of skilled construction workers, among others. But a slew of housing bills from the 2023 legislative session going into effect on Jan. 1 promise to ease or eliminate some of the other burdens. Among the batch of fresh housing laws are an especially high profile set by San Francisco Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener: Senate Bill 423 re-ups and expands a law that speeds up the approval of apartment buildings in which some units are set aside for lower income Californians, while SB 4 does something similar for affordable housing on property owned by religious institutions and non-profit colleges.
Wiener’s two new laws set the tone of housing legislation in 2023, where ripping out barriers and boosting incentives for housing construction emerged as the dominant theme. “The era of saying no to housing is coming to an end,” Wiener said in a statement after the two bills were signed. That was especially true for developers of purpose-built affordable housing, per policy analysts at UC Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation in an end-of-year legislative summary. Lawmakers, the analysts wrote, in the continuation of a “remarkable run over the last several years,” gave “more flexibility to exceed or override local zoning, greater certainty on the timing and likelihood of planning approvals, and substantial relief from (environmental) review and litigation.” “I’ve never seen this type of consensus in the Legislature before,” said Michael Lane, state policy director for the San Francisco-based urban planning think-tank SPUR. Or as Politico put it succinctly in a
7
no more than one month’s rent for security deposits. Previously, new tenants could face up to three months’ rent for their security deposits. Senate Bill 267 prohibits landlords from requiring credit reports as part of the rental process, and instead can ask for alternative means of proof of ability to pay. Electricity Bills Assembly Bill 205 mandates that electricity bills be based on income levels rather than usage. Under the law, low-income customers will save roughly $300 a year, while households earning more than $180,000 would pay around $500 more per year. In the Shop Assembly Bill 1084 requires retail stores with 500 or more employees statewide—and which sells children’s items— to have a gender-neutral section.
FUNGI The golden chanterelle mushroom is California’s official state mushroom thanks to new legislation that went into effect Jan. 1.
A SLEW OF NEW LAWS FOR 2024
january 3 -9, 2 0 24 : losgatan.com
Laws, from page 1
8
But occasionally, they do none of these. That’s the case with Assembly Bill 261, which establishes the golden chanterelle mushroom—Cantharellus californicus—as the state’s official mushroom. The edible fungus is the largest chanterelle in the world, and prized by foragers. In an online post, author Ash Kalra said the bill “seeks to enhance biodiversity education to better protect our fungi.” This is actually pretty cool, and a refreshing change from the often tedious nature of lawmaking. Tongue-in-cheek jesting aside, many of the laws taking effect in 2024 are worth noting. Minimum Wage California’s minimum wage, already among the nation’s highest at $15.50 per hour, increased to $16 on Jan. 1. Beginning in April, the minimum wage will be $20 for fast food workers, thanks to Assembly Bill 1228 by Assemblyman Chris Holden. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill in September. On June 1, Senate Bill 525 will in-
crease the minimum wage for health care workers. Crime and Drugs Assembly Bill 701 increases the punishments for fentanyl dealers, and sets harsher penalties for those caught with more than one kilogram of the drug. Newsom also signed bills that require amusement parks and stadiums to carry overdose reversal drugs, and colleges to have fentanyl test strips on hand. Healthcare California already protects doctors from prosecution who provide abortions to women that come from other states. Senate Bill 345, authored by Nancy Skinner, furthers that protection by shielding doctors who mail abortion pills to other states. The law also bans authorities from cooperating with out-of-state investigations, and bars social media companies from complying with subpoenas. Assembly Bill 616, by Lorena Gonzalez, raises the number of sick days to which employees are entitled from three
to five, and prohibits employers from retaliating when workers take sick days. Smoke Up—In Your Free Time Californians legalized recreational marijuana in 2016, but the stigma surrounding its use remains. That includes from employers, who until now could consider cannabis use in employment consideration. That is ameliorated somewhat by Assembly Bill 2188 and Senate Bill 700. AB 2188 prohibits employers from using urine or hair follicle tests— which can detect traces of marijuana for weeks—from firing or punishing employees, and from using those results when making hiring decisions. Federal workers and those in the construction industry are excluded. Under AB 700, employers cannot ask about applicants’ past pot use. Family Bereavement Leave Senate Bill 848, by Susan Rubio, requires employers to provide five days of bereavement leave for a parent who suffers a “Reproductive loss event,” which can include a failed adoption, failed surrogacy, miscarriage or stillbirth. For Rent Under Assembly Bill 12, authored by Matt Haney, landlords can charge
On the Road Under Assembly Bill 256, police cannot use an expired registration tag as the sole reason for stopping a vehicle for two months after its expiration. Assembly Bill 413, written by Alex Lee and sponsored by Streets For All, prohibits vehicles from being stopped or parked within 20 feet of a marked crosswalk or intersection. This pedestrian safety measure, known as “daylighting,” is believed to make all forms of transportation safer for everyone. Assembly Bill 436 removes the authorization from local jurisdictions to enact cruising bans. Lowrider cruising is a culture unto itself, created after WWII by Mexican-Americans. Cruising bans, therefore, are believed to have primarily affected Latinos. Law enforcement officials will no longer be able to begin with the question, “do you know why I pulled you over?” under Assembly Bill 2773. Instead, they must state the reason for the stop. Responding to rising instances of catalytic converter thefts, Assembly Bill 641 makes it a misdemeanor crime for unlicensed automobile dismantlers to possess nine or more that have been cut from vehicles. Repair shops and other legitimate businesses are exempt. Senate Bill 55, meanwhile, makes it a misdemeanor to remove the serial number of a catalytic converter. Assembly Bill 1125 repeals a court’s ability to take away a person’s driver's license if they cannot pay court costs and fines. Authored by Gregg Hart, the law is intended to reduce the harm to low-income people who rely on their vehicles.
PUBLIC NOTICES Fictitious Business Name Statements FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700558 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Hello Boba, 1090 S. Milpitas Blvd #1033, Milpitas, CA, 95035, Rydhan Ventures LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/ Sameer Rydhan. Managing Member. #202359211709. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 11/14/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700873 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Pontag LLC, 2. Pontag, 3. Hurricane 3D Printing, 171 Branham Lane, STE 10-641, San Jose, CA, 95136. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 11/29/2023. /s/Tung Hsieh. Owner. #201830910218. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 11/29/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700353 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Elos Air, 315 Gloria Ave., San Jose, CA, 95127, Eddies Home Care Services Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 07/06/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Eduardo Espinoza Mar Jr. CEO. #48390531. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 11/07/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #700663 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Jeonju, 50 Dixon Rd., Milpitas, CA, 95035, HC Ricennoodle-Dixon LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/ Zhubin Zhai. LLC Member. #202-355-118-331. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 11/20/2023. (pub Metro 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701126 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Willow Glen Auto Registration, 1400 Coleman Ave STE F15, Santa Clara, CA, 95050, Willow Glen Automotive Electric. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant has began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/14/2022. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Dieu-Qui Nguyen. Managing Member. #202204711001. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. (pub Metro 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701125 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Laura Lane Fiduciary, 1400 Cloeman Ave STE F15, Santa Clara, CA, 95050, Heatherfield Healthcare LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 01/01/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California /s/Dieu-Qui Nguyen. Managing Member. #201931210276. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. (pub Metro 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701140 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Biting Dog Books, 2. Hired Guns, 16090 San Pedro Avenue, Morgan Hill, Ca, 95037, Joe Heinrich. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Joe Heinrich. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/08/2023. (pub Metro 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10/2024)
Let us help you with your next rebranding, product launch, media campaign, digital initiative, website redesign or image refresh.
identity + strategy + design
File Number: FBN701238. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Forte Salon, 52 North Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, CA 95030. This business is conducted by: A General Partnership, Andres Orozco, 52 North Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030 and Kendy M Acuna, 52 North Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/01/2024 and 12/12/2023 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 110 West
Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Andres Orozco /s/ (Pub LGN 12/20, 12/27/2023 and 01/03, 01/10/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701519 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: One Acre Estates Winery, 9548 Estates Drive, Gilroy, CA, 95020, Phoung Kim Nguyen. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 12/18/23. /s/Phoung Kim Nguyen. This statement was filed with the County
Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/19/2023. (pub Metro 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10, 01/17/2024) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701424 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Free And Clear, 5314 Cribari Glen, San Jose, CA, 95135, Judy Ann Wessler. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Judy Wessler. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/18/2023. (pub Metro 12/27/2023, 01/03, 01/10, 01/17/2024)
los gatan .co m : January 3- 9, 20 2 4
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701112 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Realty World Santa Clara Valley, 1101 So Winchester Blvd Suite A-109, San Jose, CA, 95128, Kelly Michael Aronica. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 01/01/2024. /s/Kelly Michael Aronica. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/07/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #701145 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Simpletech IT Solutions Inc, 1425 Koll Cir. Suite 103, San Jose, CA, 95112. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 12/01/2023. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Houman Vafai. CEO. #5998112. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 12/08/2023. (pub Metro 12/13, 12/20, 12/27/2023, 01/03/2024)
legals@losgatan.c0m
9
GUEST VIEW
WHERE SENIOR SNEAKERS MEET PICKLEBALL POLITICS
january 3 -9, 2 0 24 : losgatan.com
Jeffrey P. Blum, Contributor
10
While a bingo hall with a triple-blackout jackpot is exciting for us older adults, one thing exceeds even this heart-thumping experience. That scintillating topper is the release of the Community Health and Senior Service Commission’s (CHSSC) goals for 2024; a year that promises more laughter lines than wrinkles. Without further ado, here are CHSSC’s resolutions (we call them “goals”): Resolution #1: Eradicating Stair-Induced Hip Fractures: We will introduce the “Senior Stair Stepper Dodge.” Those treacherous inclines leading to park benches and doctor's offices are becoming public enemy number one for our intrepid older adults. Enter Operation "Rise of the Chairlift," a mission to blanket the town with more plush-seated ascenders than Silicon Valley has startups. Expect heated debates: “But they might get used to not climbing stairs!” cries one indignant resident. "They're already used to not climbing walls!" retorts a sassy commissioner sporting a “Pickleball Queen” sweatshirt. Resolution #2: Bridging the Generation Gap (with a Polka Bridge): Millennials: avocados. Boomers: bell-bottoms. Gen Z: memes. Seniors: “Can you turn the thermostat up? It's colder than a penguin's armpit here!” The communication chasm yawns wider than Los Gatos Creek on a rainy day. The commission's solution? Polka lessons. A knee-slapping, accordion-squeezing, foot-stomping good time. Polka is about as universally loved as prune juice, and the rhythmic handholding involved guarantees intergenerational bonding stronger than superglue. Just imagine octogenarians twirling with teenagers, their laughter drowning out the cacophony of TikTok notifications. Resolution #3: Transforming Retirement Homes into Silicon Valleys of Silver: Forget bingo nights and endless bridge games. The se-
niors of Los Gatos are ready to code their way into the future. Picture this: sprightly grandmas mastering coding bootcamps, their nimble fingers flying across keyboards faster than a hummingbird on a sugar jag. Senior citizen startup hubs will sprout like well-watered geraniums, churning out apps for “Medicare Made Easy” or “Knitting Knot Solutions.” Just wait till your grandkids ask for help with their homework, and you nonchalantly reply, “Sure, honey, let Grandma fix your AI essay algorithm!” Resolution #4: Defeating the Tyranny of Tiny Print: Tired of squinting at menus like a mole peering out of a sunbeam? Project “Eagle Eyes, Not Eagle Claws” is here to equip your peepers with the magnification power of a hawk scoping out a juicy squirrel. Expect restaurants to stock up on reading glasses like they’re going out of style. Local businesses, brace yourselves for menu requests that sound like optometrist appointments: “One steak, medium rare, font size 48, please, and hold the bifocals.” Resolution #5: Pickleball: An Olympic Hopeful in the Making: Move over, figure skating and synchronized swimming, there's a new contender in town. Yep, pickleball is aiming for gold, and the seniors of Los Gatos are its fiercest champions. Forget training montages with Rocky music, these senior athletes are fueled by prune danish and motivational speeches about early bird specials. Watch out, Paris 2024, the Los Gatos Golden Retrievers (their pickleball team name) are coming for you, canes, and all! Seriously, folks, guided by the Senior Services Roadmap and the unwavering commitment to sustaining an age-friendly community, CHSSC has laid out ambitious goals to enhance the lives of older adults in the coming year. In 2024, the CHSSC will continue to implement the Senior Service Committee Road Map, report to the town council on year one of the Road Map
POLICE BLOTTER DEC. 24
DEC. 27
• A man was arrested for disorderly conduct and battery on a peace officer in the Municipal Parking Lot 5 at 1:33am. Another man was also arrested for disorderly conduct.
• A caller reported a group of children on the roof of a school on Daves Avenue at 3:12am. • Burglary was reported on Roberts Road.
• Two people reportedly stole packages from a porch on Montalvo Oaks Circle.
• A caller reported someone put stickers on her vehicle’s windows that stated “she parked poorly” on Los Gatos Boulevard.
DEC. 25
• An ice cream machine was reportedly broken into on Los Gatos Saratoga Road.
• A man was arrested for being in possession of burglary tools on Los Gatos Boulevard and Lark Avenue at 2:27am.
• A caller reported their neighbor for “being loud” in their hot tub on Almendra Avenue at 9:17pm.
• A stolen vehicle was recovered on W. Main Street.
DEC. 28
• A man on a bicycle was reported for going through garbage on the side of the road on Arroyo Grande Way and Lark Avenue at 6:45am.
• A man was arrested on an outside felony warrant on Blossom Hill Road and Meridian Avenue at 5:32am.
DEC. 26 • A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Roberts Road at 2:20am. • A vehicle was reportedly burglarized on Riviera Drive. • Burglary was reported on Lark Avenue. • A man who was reportedly cited for trespassing at a business on Blossom Hill Road returned and refused to leave at 3:33pm. and address the governance issue for the coordination of senior services. The CHSSC will also face the challenge of the upgrade/reconfiguration of the Adult Recreation Center, to ensure that the needs of seniors are considered in the planning and implementation process. Additionally, CHSSC hopes to create a road map for improving the delivery of mental health services and possibly follow through with its implementation in 2024, in accordance with the Mental Health and Substance report it prepared. CHSSC raises a toast to a year filled
DEC. 29 • A man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Highway 9 and Lexington Drive at 12:25am. Dec. 30 • A vehicle was reported stolen on Vasona Avenue. • A man was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon on Bruce Avenue and Winchester Boulevard at 10:37am. Information is compiled from public records released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.
with laughter, innovation and a touch of polka. 2024 promises to be a year where senior power isn’t just a political slogan, it’s a way of life, complete with sensible shoes, sharp wit and a pickleball paddle at the ready. Grab your polka shoes, dust off your coding skills, and get ready for a year that proves life after 65 is just the beginning—a tap-dancing, chairlift-riding, pickleball joy ride. Jeffrey P. Blum is a family law mediator who lives in Los Gatos. He can be reached at blumesq@aol.com.
For more events, visit the online calendar at losgatan.com/events-calendar
Drew Penner/Los Gatan file
CALENDAR
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 Jan. 3 at 5pm in-person and on Zoom. The club will discuss “Chasing the Boogeyman” by Richard Chizmar. ➝ losgatosca.libcal.com/event/11531262.
CHAMBER NIGHT AT THE CLUB The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce will hold its January mixer at The Club at Los Gatos, 285 E. Main St., Jan. 10 at 5:30pm. Alex Anderson, owner of The Club at Los Gatos, will speak on lifestyle, habits, fitness and specialty offerings at The Club at Los Gatos. Admission is $5 for chamber members or $20 for guests and non-members. ➝ losgatoschamber.com.
‘EATING OUR WAY TO EXTINCTION’ Join Plant Based Advocates at the Los Gatos Theater on Jan. 11 at 4:30pm for a screening of "Eating Our Way To Extinction" and a discussion to follow. ➝ plantbasedadvocates.com.
NATURE WALK AND MUSEUM TOUR
➝ numulosgatos.org/events/walkand-tour.
LINCOLN TRIO The Los Gatos Concert Association will welcome the Lincoln Trio on Feb. 4 at 2:30pm at the Los Ga-
tos 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.
ONGOING Los Gatos Farmers Market The Los Gatos Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara County yearround. More than 40 local farmers and food producers sell their wares Sundays from 9am to 1pm at Town Park Plaza on Main Street and N. Santa Cruz Avenue. ➝ cafarmersmkts.com/losgatosfarmers-market. Campbell Farmers Market The Downtown Campbell Farmers Market is held Sundays, rain or shine, from 9am to 1pm. ➝ uvfm.org/campbell-sundays. 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. For information, visit losgatosrotary.org. The Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club The Club meets every Wednesday morning 7:30-8:30am at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road. Program includes featured guest speakers. Los Gatos Lions Club The Los Gatos Lions Club meets every Wednesday. A breakfast meeting is held at Moore Buick, 15500 Los Gatos Blvd., at 8am and a noon meeting at Los Gatos Lodge, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, with a guest speaker. The club has been active since 1946. 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. For information, visit losgatosca.gov/16/Town-Council. Planning Commission The Los Gatos Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7pm. ➝ losgatosca.gov/189/PlanningCommission. Santa Clara County Supervisors The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors meets virtually on Tuesdays at 9am. ➝ bit.ly/3oy2Zmq. Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District The board meets every other Tuesday at 5pm. ➝ bit.ly/3DaJRi9.
losgatan.co m : january 3 -9 , 2 0 24
Hike the Los Gatos Creek Trail with New Museum Los Gatos and Santa Clara County Parks on Jan. 13, then visit the museum, 106 E. Main St., for a tour of the exhibition, “The Hiking Club: A Vocabulary of Yearning.” Meet at NUMU at 9:30am, or at the trailhead, located at the Highway 17 overpass, at 10am.
IN NATURE Hike the Los Gatos Creek Trail on Jan. 13 before touring NUMU’s exhibit, “The Hiking Club: A Vocabulary of Yearning.”
11
HORTICULTURE
BAREROOT SEASON BEGINS IN JANUARY Ton y Tomeo, Contributor
Christmas trees and associated items are no imposition for nurseries. They are seasonal while not much else is appealing to a retail market. They occupy retail area that summer and autumn commodities relinquished earlier. Then, they relinquish their same space as bareroot stock becomes seasonable. The chronology is very coincidentally very efficient.
Bareroot season is not actually contingent on the end of Christmas tree season. It begins with winter dormancy of bareroot stock. This dormancy merely and fortuitously coincides with Christmas. It is as effective as anesthesia for surgery. Basically, dormant stock goes to sleep on a farm, and awakens in a new home garden. Timing of the process is critical. Bareroot stock initially grows in the ground rather than within nursery cans.
Separation of its roots from the soil they grew is harmless during dormancy. Both roots and stems need simultaneous pruning. Then, stock is ready for transport without soil. Some gets packing of moist sawdust in plastic bags. Most awaits resale from bins of moist sand at nurseries. Bareroot stock has several advantages to more familiar canned nursery stock. It is much less expensive. It is also much less cumbersome. So, not only are more items affordable, but Contributed
Highlight: heath Heaths, which are several species of Erica, derive their name from their natural habitats. They are endemic to shrublands of acidic and seasonally dry soil of inferior quality. Such ecosystems, or heaths, do not sustain many big trees or shrubbery. Species from heaths should be resilient to dry chaparral summers. However, they dislike locally alkaline soils. This is unfortunately why heaths are quite rare within gardens here. They are popular as blooming potted plants for winter, but become scarce afterward. Within planters of potting media, they may grow and bloom for many years. In the ground though, they are likely to languish without acidifying amendment. They prefer the company of coniferous species. Heath blooms for winter or very early spring. Heather is a similar relation, but blooms for summer or autumn. Floral color ranges from white to pink to rustic purplish pink. Flowers are dinky but abundant. Comparably dinky evergreen leaves are like soft juniper scales. Almost all available heaths grow less than five feet high. Most grow less than a foot high.
january 3 -9, 2 0 24 : losgatan.com
12
also, more fit into a car at the nursery. Their relatively small roots systems are easy to install. More importantly, without binding, their new roots disperse much more efficiently. Deciduous fruit trees are the most popular bareroot stock. This includes stone fruits such as apricot, cherry, plum, prune, peach and nectarine. Also, it includes pomme fruits such as apple, pear and quince. Roses and cane berries are likely the second most popular of bareroot stock. Persimmon, pomegranate, fig, mulberry and nut trees are also available. Some of the more unusual bareroot stock is available only from online catalogues. More variety seems to become available locally, though. Elderberry has only been available in California for the past several years. Currant and gooseberry are variably available here. Artichoke, asparagus, rhubarb and strawberry are perennials that are available bareroot. Cultivars of blueberry and grapevines are available.
SEASONAL Heath for winter. Heather for summer.
Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.
HELPING HOUSING Housing Laws, from page 7
This article originally appeared on CalMatters.org, calmatters.org/ housing/2024/01/california-housinglaws-2024.
7:30PM, SATURDAY, JAN 20 CIVIC AUDITORIUM 2:00PM, SUNDAY, JAN. 21 WATSONVILLE MELLO CENTER
PROGRAM GUSTAV MAHLER JEAN AHN
Soloist: Hwayoung Shon
Adagio from Symphony No. 10 Ja-jang, for Gayageum and Orchestra Concert Soloist: Hwayoung Shon (U.S. Premiere Performances)
Intermission MAURICE RAVEL
Daphnis et Chloe: Suite No.2
los gatan.com : january 3- 9, 20 2 4
consequential. One, SB 439, by Berkeley Democratic Sen. Nancy Skinner will make it easier for courts to slap down “frivolous” environmental lawsuits, a second, AB 1449, by Alvarez will shield many affordable housing projects from environmental review and a third, AB 1633, by San Francisco Democratic Assemblymember Phil Ting will force cities to either approve or deny a project’s environmental review within a set time limit. “This just points out the reason we need to continue to have this fight at the state level,” said Ting in a recent webinar touting the new policy. “We know we have these two million homes to get built and they’re not getting built fast enough…Local governments just aren’t getting the job done.” Ting has also carved out a reputation as a champion of accessory dwelling units. Sometimes called in-law units or granny flats, these pint-sized add-ons have become an increasingly popular way for local governments to meet their state-set housing production goals. They’ve also come to make up a significant share of California’s new housing stock in recent years. That’s largely thanks to a suite of recent state laws that make it increasingly difficult for local governments to say no to these developments or to tack on costly requirements. Starting in 2024, a new bill by Ting may help to reshape the existing ADU market. AB 1033 will let homeowners spin off their ADUs as separate for-sale condos, so long as local governments opt in. That’s a big “if,” but the condoization law has many backyard cottage builders optimistic about the future, even at a time when California’s residential construction industry appears to be slowing. “I am deeply concerned about the market and how few young buyers can actually afford to get into the game anymore,” said Seth Phillips, founder of the Los Angeles-based development and consulting firm ADU Gold. “If they do it right, if they really get the processes right…young homebuyers could have a whole bunch of new stuff to pick from, which basically doesn’t exist right now.”
13
Services Directory Auto Body Fine Rug Home Repair & Remodeling Repair Cleaning
158 pt Starling Heavy on 131 with -50 tracking
Free towing and delivery
Our services include dent removal, paint matching, mechanical repair, frame repair, alignment and adjustment.
Make your car look and run like new.
Auto Shield Collision Center Santa Clara autoshieldcollision.com 408-216-9904
& Repair 74 years in business! We clean, restore and protect your fine rugs. Our experts specialize in cleaning pure silk rugs of any size. This process involves meticulous care and expertise. We specialize in cleaning Persian, Turkish, Afghan, Indian, and Oriental rugs of all shapes and sizes. Free pick up and delivery.
25 Union Street San Jose, CA 95110 408-294-6644 martinousrugs.com
January 3-9 , 2 0 2 4 : los gatan.com
& Composite Flooring
Balconies. Fences. Metal Doors. Railings. Stairways. Furniture. Please visit our gallery on the web at www.yeswelding.com/projects Email sales@yeswelding.com or call 408 887-3488 or 408 533-2858 Since 1990.
We’ve installed 4,224 floors in nine
manufacturers and pass savings on
quality, please give us a call.
“You “You rest rest and and relax, relax, and and I’ll I’ll clean clean your your windows.”— windows.”— Randy Randy Sauro Sauro
R&R Window Cleaning 831 588-4243
Lic # 956218
Asphalt Sealcoating Striping
Cabanex Floors · 404 Queens Lane San Jose, CA 95112 cabanexfloorsinc.com
Unusual Builds?
Designer’s Tailoring Professional Alterations for Men and Women 469 N. Santa Cruz Ave Across from Safeway
408-354-8903
The Abbot’s Thrift
The best thrift, antiques & collectibles
Donations Accepted Daily Mon-Sat: 9am-7pm Sun: Noon - 5pm 6164 Hwy 9 | Felton, CA 95018 (831) 335-0606
EV chargers, solar, service panel upgrades and more
Josh Sladwick Engineering 831.566.3324 Santa Cruz, CA Tree houses, van conversions, she-sheds and dude-shacks...
I’ve got you covered! Master craftsman with over 40 years of experience. Call Christopher 831.431.0828
Carpentry Home Repair Landscape Contact Greg Eiman by calling 831.588.1260
The Original Santos Hauling Since 1998
Find your treasure 408 568-5475 408-857-4669
Professional. Timely. Courteous.
Santos Hauling
years. We buy direct from major
to you. If you appreciate value and
Asphalt Services
Handyman Services
We do it all! Yard and Tree Work. Demolition and clean ups. Re-roofing and tear off. Dirt and poison oak removal.
Lowest cost, bonded, references
Free Estimates Call Mario or J Santos
831-252-5353 Lic. #76915
Kittricks Hauling for over 4 SLV 0y ng
83
rs! ea
14
Window Window Washing Washing To advertise call Tiffany Birch 408.200.1365
Lic. #802148
831.419.2553
408-218-4990
R&R Window Cleaning 831 588-4243
831.246.4346
Starling Roman 28 on 41
Ornamental Iron, Welding & Custom Metal Fabrication
Voted #1 Thrift Store 3 years in a row!
Martinous Rugs Inc.
“You rest and relax, and I’ll clean your windows.”— Randy Sauro
dburjaconst@sbcglobal.net
Real Wood Floors
54 pt Starling Heavy on 59 with -50 tracking
Patching, sealing, striping
Motorcycle Towing
Professional service by an experienced, reliable specialist.
Daniel Burja Construction
30 pt 2 pt
Ser vi
30 pt 2 pt
1. 4 1 9 . 0 0 70
Quality House Cleaning I use plant-based cleaning products and top of the line equipment. I am vaccinated for COVID-19 and follow all proper protocols for your safety.
Los Gatos Electric, Inc. 408.458.9977
I specialize in homes!
1550 Dell Ave. Unit C Campbell, CA
References and insured. Lic # 108576
Call or Text Kristina: 650-703-5179
To advertise call Tiffany Birch 408.200.1365 Hailey Sandell 408.200.1319
Allstar Construction Innovations LLC. New Construction Kitchen & Bath Remodels Proudly Serving the Bay Area
650-400-9071 www.allstar.construction
Get an Estimate Today!
Clean Sweep House Cleaning
Looking to SPECIALIZING De Tagle IN Got Piano? Careful Careful FINE JEWELRY Jewelers & Management Management Move from the LOOSE GEMS Bay Area? Goldsmiths CUSTOM DESIGN Specializing in RESTORATION Fine Jewelry REPAIR
GIVE US providing A CALL! •WeLoose Gems have been -7000 (408) 377 •quality Custom Design service and meeting 14400 UNION •your Restoration real estate needsAVE in SAN JOSE 95124 •both Repair sales and property management since 1977.
Scotts Valley
Give Us A Call! IN SPECIALIZING Property Management
FINE JEWELRY -7000 408 377 Broker, Jeanne Jensen Shada
Premium service and resonable rates Call today for a free estimate! 25+ years of experience, references, bonded and insured.
(831) 239-4645 cleansweep1989@gmail.com
Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar
LOOSE 14400 UnionGEMS Avenue 831.438.2208 DESIGN 4615CUSTOM Scotts Dr, Suite B San Jose Valley 95124 DRE RESTORATION #00606749 REPAIR
15% OFF
408-868-5500
Lic# 258540
Call Rich at 408.260.2740. No text
831-252-5353
Doscher Painting Interior and Exterior Satisfaction guaranteed. Free estimates.
Your Gutter & Copperworks Expert
pH Home Care &Repair Phillip
Scotts Valley Chiropractic
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!
All I need to know is the city you want to move to.
management 1977. -5354 831 588since
CA Li# 837645
Scotts Valley Property Management
The Rodino Realty Group Give me a call or text at 408.431.6640
• Pavers •WeRetaining Walls have been providing •quality Demo & Grading service and meeting •your Yard realCleanups estate needs in •both Trash salesRemoval and property
Broker, Jeanne Jensen Shada 831.438.2208 4615 Scotts Valley Dr, Suite B DRE #00606749
losgatan.com
Bonded/Insured/PL, PD/CA Lic. #550327
Are you looking for a way to control the rain that falls on your home or business? We do more than just gutter and downspout installations and repairs. Give us a call!
FREE ADS FOR YOUR EVENT
(831) 345-3490 slvraingutters.com
Dr. Paige Thibodeau, D.C.
831.438.0308 Lic. #813878
cure Simple | Robust | Se
Third generation chiropractor, established in 1976
REMODELING
Over 40 years experience to serve you. New construction Remodels Water heaters Repipes and repairs
Kitchens Baths & More General Contractor
Give us a call at 831.610.8147 or email hwy9plumbing@gmail.com
MV Construction
831-325-3166 Lic # 1045811
marvinvalle330@gmail.com CA#1100499
650-703-5179
CalTix rewards your business by helping spread the word Free marketing assistance from this and other newspapers in the Weeklys local media group
CONTACT US
EVENTS@CALTIX.COM
los gatan .co m : January 3- 9, 20 2 4
Only one per client. Offer does not include diagnosis fee. Does not apply to major equipment replacement or accessories. Valid through Dec 31, 2022
I have 48 years experience in the piano business as a PTG Registered Craftsman serving the Bay Area.
GIVE US A CALL! •Experienced (408) •Knowledgeable 377-7000 •Professional 14400 UNION AVE SAN JOSE 95124
4736 Scotts Valley Dr, Ste B scottsvalleychiropractic.com
Your Entire Repair Bill
Give me a call for a free piano refinishing estimate.
Rick Doscher (831) 335-9084
831.233.9449
Mention LOS GATAN for
I buy and sell quality used pianos or can place pianos on consignment.
Handyman
Local in Los Gatos
The Home of Old Fashioned Service Since 1962.
OWC Bobcat Careful Services Management
15
Get a Pickleball Punch Card $100 for 10 individual Pickleball Reservations Each individual reservation = 1 punch Returning a fully punched card enters you into a raffle for a free pickleball class.
Email membership@jvalley.org