COMMISSIONERS SAY BEHAVIOR POLICY DRAFT IS HALF-BAKED
DEIC chair: current version violates the First Amendment
Drew Penner, Editor Los Gatos commissioners are sounding the alarm that a new code of conduct, if approved as-is, would stifle freedom of speech and could lead to public meeting law violations.
While Town staff defended the pair of policies—one for Council members and one for commissioners—saying there was no intention of muzzling elected and appointed officials, they’re now planning a study session to rework the behavioral documents.
“The code of conduct as currently presented is ill-advised and creates serious threats of violating constitutional rights,” said Gordon Yamate, chair of the DEI Commission, speaking during public comment for the item, at a regularly scheduled Council meeting May 6. “The new code requires that, unless authorized by the mayor or Town Manager, all communications from individual commission members to the public—regarding issues within the jurisdiction of that commission—must be copied to the
WILDCATS HOLD ON FOR PIVOTAL WIN AS CARMEL STORMS BACK
LGHS boys baseball can now look forward to their playoff push
Michael Garcia, Contributor The last Los Gatos High School varsity boys baseball game of the regular season was definitely a thrilling show.
The team had an impressive start to the away game in Carmel on Saturday. They stormed out to an 8-0 lead through six innings.
Their pitching was impressive and their defense looked like an impenetrable wall.
Going into the game, the squad had an amazing 23-4 record and their players were looking forward to the playoffs.
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NO INJURIES IN HIGHWAY 17 BUS FIRE
Elementary
students ushered calmly off bus before firefighters arrived
Drew Penner, Editor
The Highway 17 section between Idylwild Road and Redwood Estates known as Moody Curve (because it passes over Moody Gulch) was the site of an unexpected field trip stop, Friday. According to authorities, a bus car-
rying 32 elementary school-aged children and five adults burst into flames, which resulted in a multi-agency emergency response.
“We didn’t have any injuries—that’s something we can say as a positive,” said Officer Ross Lee of the CHP’s San Jose Station. Someone reported smoke coming from the bus at 8:59am. At 9:03am, three fire engines, a water truck and a larger rescue vehicle were dispatched to the scene.
LOS GATAN WINS FIRST CNPA AWARD
Jonathan Natividad's "Going Stratospheric" snap earns silver
Staff Report
Over the weekend, the 2024 California Journalism Awards were handed out in Los Angeles, with the Los Gatan winning second place for an impressive high school football freeze-frame.
This is the newspaper’s first-ever CNPA win. It was nominated last year in a design category.
The photograph by Jonathan Natividad, showing Wildcats player Max
Thomas making one of his six receptions in the Wildcats’ 27-7 loss to St. Francis High in the Central Coast Section championship game on Nov. 29, was only bested in Division 6 by an entry from the San Fernando Valley Sun.
The entry was titled “Going Stratopheric.” Award contributors are: Jonathan Natividad, Emanuel Lee, Drew Penner, Haley Tweedell and Dina Kuhar.
Our publication bested Tracy Press, which came in third for its "THS vs. Franklin baseball" entry. Former Los Gatan editor Erik Chalhoub, who now works for Monterey County Weekly, won second place for his business coverage
“Thanks to the quick actions of the driver and chaperones, all passengers were safely evacuated before firefighters arrived,” an SCCFD spokesperson posted on its Facebook page. “Firefighters from multiple stations responded, quickly contained the fire, and ensured the safety of everyone on scene. A second bus arrived shortly after to transport the children.” Ross said the adults involved seem to have handled the situation in a textbook manner.
“Anytime if we have a bus or a vehicle smoking,” he said, “that’s what we advise: move out of the lanes—move to the shoulder.”
The cause of the fire was under investigation, but the initial investigation indicated a fire in the engine compartment spread to other areas of the coach.
“There is substantial damage to the bus,” Stockman said. “It’s gonna be a total loss.”
When asked whether the Class A foam used to extinguish the flames could get into the Los Gatos Creek watershed and cause problems, Stockman said he doesn’t believe the amount used would result in any issues.
SCCFD Cpt. Justin Stockman said a report of smoke coming from the back and front of the shuttle—and the fact at least some of it was black—is what caused the department to send out a larger contingent than they would for a normal vehicle fire this time of year.
“It must have been pretty well-established at that point,” he said. “That’s what triggered a more robust response from the department.” Engine 84 arrived on scene at 9:07am.
“We’re adding the foam at a very very low concentration—at about .1%,” he said, noting something more along the lines of a five-gallon spill would be more of a problem. “We do always weigh those things.”
Stockman said the incident demonstrates it’s always important to review safety procedures. He commended the chaperones and the driver for their cool-headed actions.
“Those are the heroes,” he said. “Those are adults that deserve recognition and commendation.”
FANCY The weekend gala provided an opportunity for journalism professionals to mingle and share ideas.
of Amazon, as well as third place for a newsletter he helps produce.
The California News Publishers Association event took place in Studio City
at Hilton Universal City and featured professional development sessions, including on AI in the newsroom and newsletter production.
MOPPING UP Dozens of children and five adults were reported safe in Friday’s Highway 17 bus fire.
COMMISSIONERS PUSH FOR CODE OF CONDUCT REVISIONS
Code of Conduct, from page 1
other members, the commission staff liaison and the Council. I think this might create some really important Brown Act issues.”
The new regulations are being introduced just two years after the Town had to rescind the censure of Planning Commissioner Kylie Clark—which her supporters considered a witch hunt against a young, pro-housing official following a minor misstep— after the ACLU stepped in citing free speech concerns.
The incident raised serious questions about the extent to which the mayor or vice mayor could put their
finger on the scale of an investigation to force someone off Council that they disagree with.
Clark’s supporters contended Mary Badame, who was vice mayor at the time, played a role behind the scenes in elevating complaints about Clark to disciplinary action.
While Clark survived that intense public pressure, she ended up leaving her post early anyways, deciding to complete an educational stint in New York.
Jeffrey Suzuki—who supported Clark at the time, and is currently the chair of the Complete Streets and
Transportation Commission—said he worries the draft code of conduct places too much power in the hands of whoever is serving as mayor that year.
“It basically gives unilateral authority to the mayor to make all decisions regarding punishments for disciplinary actions for commissioners. I believe that this is quite problematic in the long run,” he said. “What if the mayor likes certain commissioners over others, and they review a certain complaint?”
He suggested the Town attorney could be the first point of contact, or disciplinary actions could be evaluated by additional Council members.
Emily Thomas, the chair of the Planning Commission, said she felt the draft rules were a bit unclear and said she didn’t think media communications should have been singled out in the way they were.
Yamate said he believes the new code of conduct would have a “chilling effect” on freedom of speech by clamping down on media interviews.
“The new code requires that commissioners refer all media inquiries to Town staff for an official response,” he said. “Many commissioners receive calls from the media on a variety of concerns, and we are mindful to carefully respond to them in our personal capacities, and not on behalf of the commission. To prohibit us from speaking to the press constitutes a clear and unequivocal prior restraint in violation of our First Amendment rights.”
A recent interview Yamate gave to San Jose Spotlight about racist language on property deeds here even landed the Town on the Kent County Levy Court of Delaware’s website.
(“This is how we became one of the most segregated communities in Northern California,” he’s quoted as saying.)
On April 28, he suggested to library and art museum officials that a project (inspired by a New Yorker article) built around transcribing the Constitution could be a good way to unify the community in the face of divisive rhetoric.
Ali Miano, member of the Complete Streets and Transportation Commission and the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition, said she was shocked that
the Town was trying to implement such a strict communications regime, particularly as Donald Trump’s second presidential administration is testing the Constitution.
“In this historical moment, this is not a time to be reducing people’s free speech. This is not a time to be putting, as Mr. Yamate said, a ‘chilling effect’ on people and their voices,” she said. “We’re doing this work because we care about this town, because we want to help better life here for everyone. We’re not in the business of making trouble for anybody. I don’t think we need to be quieted. I don’t think we have to have our mouths zipped.”
“This is not a time to be reducing people’s free speech.”
-Ali Miano, commissioner
Carmen Lo, whose three-year term on the DEI Commission began Jan. 1, 2024, said the way the draft language is overly broad.
“The commission regulations, as written, do not respect this balance. And these regulations restrict the speech of commissioners, not just while we’re conducting business as ‘commissioner,’ but really in our everyday lives as individual citizens,” she commented during the meeting via Zoom, pointing to the provisions around commissioners needing to get their viewpoints reviewed and approved by Council in certain cases. “This essentially means that every time someone that serves on the library commission wants to speak about the library, would need to have that communication reviewed or
Code of Conduct, 12
BRILLIANT A bright red rose blooms outside Los Gatos Council Chambers.
Drew Penner / Los Gatan
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OPINION
LGCA: WE’RE PLEASED, BUT NOT SATISFIED
Grosvenor has come a long way—and should go further
Jak Van Nada , Los Gatos Community Alliance
The Los Gatos Community Alliance applauds the work Grosvenor has done in reimagining their development plans for Phase 2 of the North 40. We recognize how far the proposal has come from its original concept—just 200 units with 40 affordable and a hotel.
The current plan includes 450 housing units, with a total of 77 units proposed as affordable—67 of which are attributed to Eden Housing, a separate developer operating on land deeded to them.
The project also includes a generously sized central public open space, open to all, and a new public pavilion designed to be adaptable for a variety of civic, community, and retail uses. In addition, there is 15,000 square feet of commercial space intended to create vibrancy and a sense of place.
We are pleased with this progress— but we are not satisfied.
The Phase 2 proposal still includes only 10 affordable units integrated into the mixed-income portion of the
Grosvenor development, compared to 373 market-rate units. That’s just 2.7% affordable housing based on the Town’s Below Market Price (BMP) Ordinance—far short of the 20% standard.
This low figure represents a missed opportunity, especially considering that the 2040 Housing Element designates this land as one of the most critical sites for affordable housing in Los Gatos.
Let’s be clear: the Town’s certified 2040 Housing Element planned for 464 units on this site, 253 of which were expected to be affordable to verylow and low-income households. The Eden Housing portion accounts for just 67 of these, and the additional 10 proposed by Grosvenor brings the total to only 77. This is a significant shortfall. Because of this gap, the Town will now be subject to the State’s “No Net Loss” requirement, which obligates the Town to rezone additional land elsewhere — land that must also meet the State’s strict standards for realistic redevelopment — to make up for the loss of affordable capacity.
Grosvenor also claims that they meet and exceed the minimum density requirement of 30 dwelling units per acre. However, this is based on a redefinition of
130-unit goal and the 253-unit expectation formalized in the 2040 Housing Element.
The Eden Housing component, it’s important to note, is a separate project subject to its own development timeline and dependent on securing a complex patchwork of public and private funding. Its success is not guaranteed, and it should not be used to mask the lack of affordability in the core Grosvenor development.
how density is calculated. Instead of using the gross acreage, as clearly required in the 2040 Housing Element certified by HCD—and applied consistently across all parcels in the site inventory—Grosvenor uses net acreage, a smaller figure that inflates their stated density. Based on the legally required calculation using gross acreage, 464 units are required to meet the minimum density standard — a figure Grosvenor narrowly misses with their 450-unit proposal.
To be fair, Grosvenor has been transparent about concerns with affordability assumptions. In a September 27, 2022 letter to the Town, they warned that the Town’s goal for affordable units could not be met under the then-current zoning of 20 dwelling units per acre. They suggested that increasing the density to 30 units per acre might allow for up to 130 affordable units if market conditions allowed them to build more than the 200 units originally planned. The Town went beyond that, increasing allowable density to 40 units per acre.
Grosvenor and Eden Housing then added 250 more units to the plan— but still propose only 77 affordable units, well below both the original
Grosvenor has also made much of the fact that this is not a Builder’s Remedy project. But this claim deserves careful scrutiny. Their position rests on a novel and questionable legal theory: that the project is governed by the January 31, 2023 Housing Element—a version that was never certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and therefore never went into effect. In fact, HCD informed the Town of its noncompliance prior to April 18, 2023, the date Grosvenor’s application was deemed complete. If Grosvenor’s legal theory were valid, it would mean no project in Los Gatos during that period could qualify for Builder’s Remedy status—something we know is not true. Other projects have invoked that status. Grosvenor should be accurate about the compliance status of their 383-unit development. Claiming compliance with a Housing Element that doesn’t comply with State Housing Element Law is a real head-scratcher and makes us wonder why they would make such an outrageous claim. We’ll save that for another day.
So what will make us satisfied? Build more affordable housing. That has always been the primary goal. We would like to see at least 130 very-low and low-income units — an increase of 53 units over the 77 currently proposed. This is a number that is more than reasonable to achieve, especially given the material increase in market-rate housing that will be developed across Phase 1 and Phase 2. Yes, Grosvenor has come a long way. But incremental improvement is not enough in the face of a statewide housing crisis. This project was always meant to be a cornerstone of our Town’s affordable housing strategy. It’s time for Grosvenor and the Town to fulfill that promise. We are pleased. But we are not satisfied.
POPULATED With more than 200 homes sold, so far, the North 40 neighborhood is beginning to look more lively.
WILDCATS PUT AN EXCLAMATION POINT ON LEAGUE TITLE
Softball team prepares for tough Open Division
Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor
For the third time in the last four years, the Los Gatos High School softball team is reigning supreme as the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division champions.
The Wildcats punctuated the regular season with a 11-1, mercy-rule victory over Mountain View on May 15, avenging their only defeat in league play this year. Los Gatos (18-11) received the No. 7 seed in the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs and plays at No. 2 seed St. Francis at 3pm on May 24.
“Our goal every year is to win our league and beyond that everything else is gravy,” Wildcats coach Randy Frey said. “We achieved our goal this year. The girls really turned it on at the end of the season, played well and won some key games, so I’m proud of them.”
In four combined meetings with Homestead and Mountain View—the second- and third-place teams in the final De Anza standings—Los Gatos outscored them, 26-4. Talk about dominating your closest competition.
Even though the Wildcats had clinched at least a share of the championship with three league games remaining, they had to navigate one particular landmine that could’ve derailed it all. After losing to Mountain View in the teams’ first meeting on April 17, Frey said captains Addie Sorto and sisters Lily and Robyn Young stepped up in a pivotal way.
“One of the huge pluses from this team was our senior leadership, especially after that loss to Mountain View,” Frey said. “We were kind of struggling a little bit team chemistry-wise, if you will. And there was some finger pointing going on—all that kind of stuff. But the captains really stepped up, worked hard, got the group back together, and got them focused. You can really tell in the second half of the season, a lot of that (issues) sort of went away. We started having better practices and better
games. There were a lot of girls on this team that stepped up and contributed.”
Super sophomore Ava Norquist has put up an MVP-type season, recording 137 strikeouts to only 19 walks in 107 innings pitched. At the plate, Norquist has been equally potent. She leads the team in several offensive categories, including batting average (.450), onbase percentage (.500) and hits (36).
“Ava has had a great year,” Frey said. “She’s been hitting fourth all year long and been getting a lot of opportunities with runners in scoring position, but she’s bringing them in. Just very steady and consistent throughout the year.”
Frey was also effusive in his praise of Sorto, who was limited last year after suffering an injury before the season started.
“Addie is a gamer,” Frey said. “She came in healthy this season and ended up hitting .370. She stepped in at catcher for Annika Norquist and did a great job.”
Sorto smashed a two-run triple as
part of a three-run second inning in the second game against Mountain View, essentially putting things out of reach. Leadoff hitter Olivia Sickels has been dynamite, leading the team in home runs (six), stolen bases (10), doubles (12), runs scored (25) and slugging percentage (.759).
“Olivia also plays a great second base, is our fastest runner and when she takes a little more controlled swing with two strikes on her, she hits a line drive and gets it over the fence,” Frey said.
In a 5-1 win over Homestead on April 24, Norquist had 10 strikeouts in six shutout innings, while Grace Tucker and Ria Sharma had two RBIs each.
“Ria is another player who is very quietly having an outstanding season,” Frey said. “She’s probably the quietest girl on the team, but she gets up there and has the ability to hit the ball where it’s pitched. She had two big hits in the Mountain View game as well.”
The Wildcats have four players—Sorto, Tucker, Sickels and Ava
Norquist—who have recorded 30 or more hits.
“That’s pretty impressive,” Frey said. “It tells you we don’t just rely on one player. We’ve got enough where if one girl is struggling, the other girl can pick her up and be the leader that day.
That’s a mark of a strong team.”
Frey is one of the longest-tenured coaches at LGHS, having taken over the reins of the softball program in 2013. This year he put together an ultra-competitive non-league schedule to prepare the team for the Open Division, the premier classification in the CCS playoffs.
Los Gatos beat Monterey and lost to St. Francis, Valley Christian and Capuchino—all A league champions or co-champions who will be slotted in the Open Division.
“Hopefully, having played those games will help us,” Frey said. “The whole point of putting together that schedule was to prepare us to play the Open.”
MEMORIES Six Los Gatos High School softball seniors were recognized before their regular-season finale contest against Mountain View on May 15.
Jonathan Natividad / Los Gatan
SUPERINTENDENT CHEERS WILDCATS
Baseball, from page 1
Los Gatos coach Mike Minkle told the Los Gatan they always look forward to facing-off with Carmel. That’s because Carmel is known for playing tough. Minkle said he was pleased with the way the contest started. He just needed his players to finish off strong.
But then, Carmel stormed back, scoring five unanswered runs. Thankfully, the game ended before Carmel could do too much damage.
Minkel’s impressive career has
spanned nearly two decades. He has an immense passion for the game, as well as an MBA and a Masters of Arts degree in teaching.
Now, Minkel explains, he’s getting his team zoned-in to their playoff strategy. Minkel told the newspaper he really enjoys seeing the team's enthusiasm for the game.
But as happy as he was with the early play in this weekend’s game, he couldn’t help but note how they al -
most came unraveled.
Minkel previously told the Los Gatan the team is so talented he rarely selects the same lineup two games in a row.
Coach Minkel says he’s planningto stay with the team for the foreseeable future.
The Los Gatan spotted Acting Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Superintendent Heath Rocha at the game. He said it was exciting to see the team win their final game of the season. It’s been an impressive ride, he added, noting he’s definitely looking forward to the playoffs. Carme against Los Gatos
HEAD COACH & PLAYERS Addison Sorto and Annika Norquist pose for a photo with Randy Frey.
HUDDLE Carmel players gather during their game against Los Gatos on Saturday.
GYMNASIUM On May 12, 19 Los Gatos High School athletes officially signed letters of intent to compete in various sports at the postsecondary level.
LOOKING FORWARD Students committed to dancing or playing softball, basketball, swimming, rowing, track, soccer, volleyball, football or fencing for their respective future educational homes.
Michael Garcia / Los Gatan
Photos by Jonathan Natividad / Los Gatan
FIRE: TOWN CAN CONTROL MESSAGING
Code of Conduct, from page 6
distributed to the Council and Town staff. Any time a commissioner on the DEI commission wants to talk about anything related to the Town makeup, would have to have that reviewed by the Council or Town staff.”
The Town is worried that the federal government will cut millions of dollars in federal funding for things like wildfire prevention and the arts, and has signaled it will be preemptively cutting or freezing spending in various areas in the upcoming budget.
The Trump Administration is already withholding millions of dollars from organizations and threatening governments over diversity concerns
and for not aligning with its agenda.
It was a comment to a State agency about the demographic makeup of the local group pushing back against zoning reform that landed Clark in hot water in the first place.
Meanwhile, this week, a Town staffer told a Los Gatan reporter its policy is “to request that all media questions be submitted in writing” and the Manager’s Office will respond “in writing as time and workload permit. This also allows the Manager to coordinate with the appropriate staff and/ or Mayor as necessary.”
On Monday, Town Manager Chris Constantin clarified to the newspaper
that the Town is open to allowing interviews, but prefers making statements via email to prevent the opportunity for journalists to get something wrong.
During Council’s code of conduct discussion, Town Attorney Gabrielle Whelan said the intention was not to restrict what commissioners can say in public when commenting on their own behalf, just when speaking for the Town body.
Vice Mayor Rob Moore, Clark’s significant other, said the way the policy is currently worded doesn’t draw enough of a distinction between those two things.
Councilmember Rob Rennie said he agrees the wording in the current draft would stifle speech.
Whelan suggested new language that could be incorporated to fix this problem.
Brennen VanderVeen, program counsel, public advocacy, with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, told the Los Gatan the local government does have some latitude in controlling its own messaging.
“As far as the First Amendment goes…to the extent the proposed policy is only establishing procedures around how official government statements are made, it’s constitutionally permissible,” he said in an email. “So long as government employees retain the right to speak freely in their individual capacities, it isn’t really a free speech issue from a legal perspective.”
The Town is planning to hold a study session to rework the code of conduct policies for both commissioners and Council members.
FROM THE DAM Looking towards downtown Los Gatos and San Jose from Lexington Reservoir. The valley is particularly verdant this spring.
PEST Not many hibiscus escape aphid completely.
APHIDS SAVOR FRESH SPRING GROWTH
They can be discouragingly prolific at this time of year
Tony Tomeo, Contributor
Dormant pruning last winter did more than concentrate resources for flowers and fruits. It did more than eliminate superfluous growth, which many pathogens overwinter in. It also directed or concentrated resources for stems and foliage. Such growth now grows faster than some types of insect infestation. Aphids, though, are famously prolific and tenacious.
Hybrid tea roses very effectively demonstrate the advantages of dormant pruning. Those that lacked such pruning are more vulnerable to major aphid infestation now. Those that benefit from such pruning are significantly less vulnerable. Even with minor infestations, they may bloom well. Their vigorous stems grow at least as fast as aphids can proliferate.
It is too late for dormant pruning now. Furthermore, this is the beginning of aphid season. It continues until early autumn. Fortunately, aphids are usually not problematic for too long on the same hosts. Their natural predators often find and control them as their infestation culminates. They might continue to be present, but at a tolerable or unnoticeable degree.
CW
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NC BOARDSHOP DIPS ITS TOES INTO THE ART WORLD
Skate apparel and hard goods store opts to shine light on industry’s visual artists and crafty souls
Drew Penner, Editor
Instead of simply gearing up for another one of their Memorial Day sales, this year, Los Gatos’ NC Boardshop decided to try something more creative.
But Mike Allen, co-owner of the apparel and hard goods shop that serves the skateboarding, surf and scooter communities, said the response to their upcoming one-day art fair has already been so impressive he’s planning to turn it into a series.
“This is the first of many,” he said, in an interview at their storefront at
16203 Los Gatos Blvd. “I’ve got a lot of people signed-up for my next one, whenever we do it.”
The event, set to occur from 11am4pm on Sunday, May 25, will feature work from artists from around the region like Amadeo Abachar, whose creations have appeared in National Geographic and Scientific American, and Jason Arnold, one of the creative directors over at NHS over in Santa Cruz—one of the biggest companies in the skate industry.
Shoppers will also be able to check out handmade houseware items from Angie Black or enjoy eats from food trucks.
“There’s also a charitable arm to what we’re doing here,” Allen said, of their partnership with the Heartworkers Union, a nonprofit based out
“I’m just letting it be organic,” he said. “The emphasis really is getting the townspeople of Los Gatos coming through.”
Attendees can expect to see oil and acrylic paintings, cool jewelry and house goods, and top-notch photography, Allen adds.
They’re even featuring a craftsman who makes furniture out of reclaimed skateboards.
The local shop has been continuing on strong, despite industry turbulence.
During the interview, manager John Pryor was working on an order for an upcoming Google presentation, for example.
“At the end of the day if people are coming through this door, we’re fine,” Allen said. “We’re doing what we can. It’s becoming harder and harder.”
Earlier this year, Liberated Brands— citing rising costs and consumer preferences for fast fashion—announced it would close all of its Billabong, Quiksilver and Volcom retail stores after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
When asked about the changing winds in the sports retail sector, Allen thanks his lucky stars he didn’t sell to a conglomerate.
“It was a conscious decision by us to stay independent. Because in the ’90s, when skateboarding was exploding and people saw the monetary possibilities, we had people who wanted to franchise us out,” he said. “But we didn’t chase that carrot. I’m glad we didn’t. Because we would have been gone by now, most likely.”
Instead, they’re looking forward to their 40th birthday, next year.
NC Boardshop sells footwear, skateboards, scooters, surf gear, apparel for men, women and kids (“—and grandparents,” adds Allen).
of San Jose. “Their mission is to create healthy, mindful communities that are sustainable and strong. They offer opportunities for scholarships and opportunities for personal growth, but they also focus on raising awareness of mental health and physical health.”
The event is truly a family affair, as his wife—better known to local revelers as DJ Kat—will be behind the decks. She’s coming off a recent daytime festival at Hotel Paradox over the hill that was attended by legendary skater Keith Meek and artist Jimbo Phillips and put together with the help of the Faction’s Ray Stevens.
However, Allen says, unlike the more punky atmosphere of that Santa Cruz show, Los Gatans can expect a much more laid-back vibe to his festival.
But the shop needs to continue to evolve in order to stay relevant, he adds. While they’ve had skate demos and film premieres in the past, Allen said the point of the art event was twofold.
On the one hand, it was a way to support people within the local boardsports industry who have other artistic interests, Allen says.
And, on the other hand, it’s intended as a way to reach out to others who may not normally think to pop into a skate shop.
“I’m just doing it really as a way to get the community involved—maybe (to) people who don’t really know that we’re here, to introduce ourselves. And just to support all of our customers as well,” he said. “Some are a bit on the famous side.”
Courtesy of Amadeo Abachar
BLUEFIN / TERNS Amadeo Abachar, who painted this scene of fish and birds living their best lives, will be in attendance at NC Boardshop’s inaugural art fair on May 25 at their Los Gatos Boulevard location.
GUEST VIEW
THE ‘PERFECT DAY’ IN LOS GATOS?
Words carry weight, but lose power with overuse
Jeffrey P. Blum , Contributor
The Laurel and Hardy film “Perfect Day” is a masterclass in irony. In about twenty minutes, it captures the unraveling of a well-intentioned Sunday outing. The boys and their wives are dressed and ready for a relaxing picnic. But the car won’t start. Tempers flare. A next-door neighbor gets into a petty feud with them over a minor inconvenience. And soon, the day spirals into a comic disaster. By the end, the idea of a “perfect day” is in tatters—replaced by sputtering engines, shouted insults, and the defeat of good intentions.
I couldn’t help thinking about this film recently, during a trifecta of mildly annoying but thoroughly ordinary stops around town. I was at the Gardenia Restaurant in Los Gatos, where I was told “Perfect!” by the hostess after merely confirming my reservation. Then it happened again at the Wells Fargo Bank— “Perfect!” said the teller as I handed over my debit card and entered my pin. And again, at Chase, same word, same moment: “Perfect!” after I simply endorsed a check.
Three times, in three different places, I was praised for completing what amounts to unremarkable acts. Nothing about these interactions was perfect. But the word seems to have become a default reaction to any act of basic cooperation. And somewhere around the second or third “Perfect,” I could feel frustration rising—just as Stan Laurel’s did when the car wouldn’t start for the fifth time.
Language matters. Words carry weight, and when we overuse them, they become meaningless. When everything is “perfect,” nothing is. Just as the title of that old comedy became an ironic joke by the end, so too does the word “perfect” start to sound hollow when tossed around like confetti. Rather than lose my temper, as I felt I was on the verge of doing, I asked myself: What would it take to actually
make something perfect? What would a truly “perfect” day in Los Gatos look like—not in the sarcastic Laurel and Hardy sense, but in a real, tangible way?
It wouldn’t hinge on whether the hostess remembered my name, or the teller gave me a compliment for filling out paperwork correctly. A more perfect Los Gatos would start with the community, with the small, real actions that improve the quality of life here in lasting ways.
For instance, imagine if more of our local businesses—restaurants, banks, boutiques—prioritized customer service not just in the form of cheery clichés, but in real attentiveness: learning customers’ names, remembering preferences, going the extra step to make people feel seen. That would be a step toward perfection.
Or picture a scenario where the traffic on Blossom Hill Road moved more smoothly because people were consid-
erate at crosswalks, and cyclists shared the road responsibly. Not perfect in the utopian sense, but noticeably better.
What if our public spaces—parks like Oak Meadow or Vasona Lake— were not just maintained, but enhanced with more seating, better lighting, and community art? What if there were more benches where seniors could rest on their walks, more shaded areas for families picnicking under the sun, and more accessible paths for everyone?
Or take the neighborly feud in “Perfect Day”: it’s easy to scoff at how quickly things escalate over something trivial. But it’s also a mirror. In real life, how often do we let a little noise, a parking spot dispute, or a garden fence become the reason we stop speaking to someone? What if we actively worked to restore neighborly trust? Small block parties, community cleanups, casual get-togethers—they’re not magic bul-
lets, but they chip away at the disconnection that allows small conflicts to turn into big ones.
Let’s make “perfect” mean something again. Not by overusing it, but by striving toward it—not in glossy, unattainable ways, but through collective effort and care. Los Gatos is already a beautiful place to live. We have the backdrop: the redwoods, the charming downtown, the walkable streets, the historic homes. Now we just need to write better scenes. We need to be better co-stars in each other’s stories. So the next time someone at a counter tells me “Perfect!” because I managed to hand over a credit card, I’ll smile and take it with grace. But I’ll also keep quietly pushing for a little less irony, a little more intention. After all, “Perfect Day” may be a comedy, but in real life, we deserve something closer to the real thing.
INTO THE FOREST For some, a trip to Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, three miles south of downtown, could make for a perfect day.
Fictitious Business Name Statements
STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME #715412
The following person(s) / registrant(s) has / have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name(s): Almaden Window & Door, 5807 Winfield Blvd., STE B-7, San Jose, CA, 95123, James Grant Henika, Robin Cristal Henika. Filed in the Santa Clara County on 04/26/2023 under file No. 695062. This business was conducted by: A Married Couple. Filed on 04/14/2025. /s/Peter Nguyen. (pub dates: (Metro 04/30, 05/07, 05/14, 05/21/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #715575
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. PN Architecture & Design, 2. Parvathy Nair Architecture & Design, 3. PNatd, 4. PN.arch.Design., 5. Frameworks, 6. PN Designs, 7. PNd, 1216 Lynbrook Way, San Jose, CA, 95129, Parvathy Nair Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Parvathy Nair. President. #6216172. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 04/218/2025. (pub LG 04/30, 05/07, 05/14, 05/21/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #715758
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Bay Area Mobile Mixers, 3503 La Terrace Circle, San Jose, CA, 95123, Bay Area Mobile Mixers LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Anthony T Laden. CEO. #202565910453. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 04/25/2025. (pub LG 04/30, 05/07, 05/14, 05/21/2025)
File Number: FBN715332 . The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. CENTURY MEDALLION REALTY GROUP, 2. CM REALTY GROUP, 15814 Winchester Blvd, #106, Los Gatos, CA 95030. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, GODINEZ, 15814 Winchester Blvd, #106, Los Gatos, CA 95030. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 04/09/2025 and 04/09/2025 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Godinez, Article/ Reg # 3750779, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Gloria A. Martinez /s/ CFO. (Pub LGN: 04/30, 05/07, 05/14, 05/21/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #715763
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: John’s Bascom Automotive, 1305 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA, 95128, John T Rockafellow, Beverly J Rockafellow. This business is being conducted by a General Partnership. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 01/02/1980. /s/John T Rockafellow. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 04/25/2025. (pub LG 04/30, 05/07, 05/14, 05/21/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #715516
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Coach House Wine & Spirits, 2. Winedelight.com, 3. Coach House Wine & Liquor, 4. Coach House Deli & Market, 5. Coach House Wine, 6. Wine Delight, 1270 Persian Dr., Sunnyvale, CA, 94089, Coach House Wine LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Randeep S Rekhi. Managing Member. #202357318817. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 04/17/2025. (pub LG 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #715782
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Kiyomi Hair Studio, 580 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA, 95050, Kellie Kiyomi Winans. This business is
being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 04/01/2025. /s/Kellie Winans. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 04/28/2025. (pub LG 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #715734
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: The Plants Charm, 2805 Glen Decker Ct., San Jose, CA, 95148, Tram On. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Tram On. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 04/24/2025. (pub LG 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28/2025)
File Number: FBN715875. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: MO3 BARBERSHOP, 1884 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. This business is conducted by: An Individual, VY ANH NHAT NGUYEN, 1884 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95124. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 05/01/2025 and 05/01/2025 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/ Vy Anh Nhat Nguyen /s/. (Pub LGN: 05/14, 05/21, 05/28, 06/04/2025)
File Number: FBN715259. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. Bay Rag Company, 2. San Jose Wipers, 3. San Jose Rag Co, 4. San Jose Box Co, 5. Economy Industrial Wiping Rags, 6. Economy Wipers, 7. Economy Rag Company, 8. Huck and Terry. , 201 San Jose Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. County: Santa Clara. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, #C0802869 CA. San Jose Sterilized Wiping Rags, Incorporated, 201 San Jose Ave, San Jose, CA 95125. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 06/28/1999 and 04/08/2025 is the file date. Refile, previous file #: 665059. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez, Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ San Jose Sterilized Wiping Rags, Incorporated. Douglas Wise, CEO. (Pub LGN 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4)
File Number: FBN715342 . The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Tacos El Compa Food Truck , 1321 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95118. County: Santa Clara. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, #6458670 CA. Ofrenda Mexican Cuisine Inc, 1321 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95118. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 04/03/2025 and 04/10/2025 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader, Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Ofrenda Mexican Cuisine Inc. Hugo Armando Hernandez, President. (Pub LGN 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #716008
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: The Parenting Toolkit, 1580 Hollenbeck Ave., Apt 2, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087, Tanya Nicole Burrell. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 06/15/2020. /s/Tanya Nicole Burrell. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 05/06/2025. (pub Metro 05/14, 05/21, 05/28, 06/04/2025)
File Number: FBN716019. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. Lexington Hills Estate, 2. Lexington Hills Estate and Winery, 3. Lexington Hills Winery, 19802 Old Santa Cruz Hwy, Los Gatos, CA 95033. County: Santa Clara. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, #202357017305. Lexington Hills LLC, 19802 Old Santa Cruz Hwy, Los Gatos, CA 95033. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 05/01/2025 and 05/06/2025 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Nina Khamphilath, Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Lexington Hills LLC. Alexa Ingram-Cauchi, Owner. (Pub LGN 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #715037
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Catered Corner, 15559 Union Ave, #128, Los Gatos, CA, 95032, Nayelli Mcchesney. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 3/28/2025. /s/Nayelli Mcchesney. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 03/28/2025. (pub LG 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11/2025)
File Number: FBN716145. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Hop & Vine , 1435 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126. County: Santa Clara. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, #200613310404 CA. Wine Affairs, LLC, 1435 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/01/2025 and 05/09/2025 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader, Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Wine Affairs, LLC. Douglas Cookerly, Member/Partner. (Pub LGN 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #716214
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Aardvark Architecture, Inc., 65 Southpine Ct., San Jose, CA, 95138. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 05/01/2020. /s/Sean Rinde. President. #5159833. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 05/13/2025. (pub LG 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #716108
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Chochloe Laboratories, 5655 Silver Creek Valley Rd #215, San Jose, CA, 95138, Brittney Dang. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 05/08/2025. /s/Brittney Dang. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 05/08/2025. (pub LG 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11/2025)
File Number: FBN715975. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Raffi Real Estate , 214 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95030. County: Santa Clara. This business is conducted by: An Individual. Raffi Ruben Nalvarian, 214 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95030. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 05/05/2025 and 05/05/2025 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa
Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez, Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Raffi Ruben Nalvarian. (Pub LGN 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4)
File Number: FBN716160. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. Third Degree Communications, 2. TDC, 3. Third Degree Training, 4. Third Degree Investigative Training, 5. APL Group, 6. APLG , 1821 S. Bascom #334, Campbell, CA 95008. County: Santa Clara. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, #202461914068 CA. American Police Leadership Group, LLC, 1821 S. Bascom #334, Campbell, CA 95008. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 05/02/2025 and 05/12/2025 is the file date. Refile: Previous file #: FBN715971. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Fraulein Dominguez, Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ American Police Leadership Group, LLC. William Manion, Owner. (Pub LGN 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #716096
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Americare Silicon Valley Inc., 16165 Monterey Road, STE 202, Morgan Hill, CA, 95037, South Valley Senior Care Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/10/2020. /s/Steve Levy. Owner. #C4558141. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 05/08/2025. (pub LG 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #715975
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Raffi Real Estate, 214 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd., Los Gatos, CA, 95030, Raffi Ruben Nalvarian. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 05/05/2025. /s/Raffi Ruben Nalvarian. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 05/05/2025. (pub LG 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #716346
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: An Organized Legacy LLC, 1346 The Alameda, Suite 7, PMB 372, San Jose, CA, 95126. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 05/01/2025. /s/Michelle Kaelker-Boor. Owner. #B20250101174. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 05/16/2025. (pub LG 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11/2025)
LOCAL SCENE
WEEKEND EVENTS PROVIDE PLEASANT EXPERIENCES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES
Los Gatos is officially an “age-friendly” town; no water at Park Plaza disappoints young girl
Dinah Cotton, Contributor
Los Gatos is famous for being a great place to work and send your kids to school.
But did you know it’s also a fantastic place to grow old in?
Los Gatos has received its official designation as an “age-friendly” community?
There’s a template put out by the World Health Organization that is sort of a roadmap for creating places to live that serve people across the life spectrum.
After all, by 2030, one in four Santa Clara County residents are expected to be over the age of 60.
And in a county-wide effort, led by the Seniors’ Agenda of Santa Clara County, Department of Aging and Adult Services, Los Gatos earned the “age-friendly” title. Read more here: agefriendlysiliconvalley.org
LGS Recreation’s 55-Plus program held a few events recently for the entire community. There was a well-attended Mother’s Day High Tea on May 16, a Resource Fair for seniors on Saturday May 17 in celebration of Older Americans Month (approximately 40 local providers attended) and on Sunday, there was the “Thrifted Treasures Shop & Sell” at the Adult Recreation Center.
Animal blessings were offered Sunday at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, at 15885 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd., Los Gatos. Rev. Andrew Koschmann did the honors. This was followed by a parade.
Selin Cirit, 7, brought her cat, “Lady,” who wore a dress at the event.
No water in the fountain
Milly Moller, age 3 (and ¾), was out at Park Plaza with mom Rachel Moller.
The young girl said, “My heart is feeling sad because the fountain is not turned on.”
Rachel had a bag packed with her swimsuit and towel so Millie could play in the fountain and kiss the bubbling water.
If all else fails, Boogie-Woogie
On Saturday and Sunday the 46th Annual “Boogie: Campbell’s Music Festival” was held in perfect boogie weather. There was plenty of dancing in the street, as bandmembers strutted their stuff on their instruments.
EXCURSION Milly Moller, age 3 (and ¾), was out at Park Plaza with mom Rachel Moller, where the fountain was under construction.
