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OUTDOOR FUN Two-time Grammy-winner Mads Tolling is the first headliner for this year’s Jazz on the Plazz music series.
MADS TOLLING TO KICK OFF JAZZ ON THE PLAZZ
Gold Thursdays and Seniors of Distinction events; West Valley Clean Water Authority’s new name
Dinah Cotton, Contributor
What could be better than being outside, munching on gourmet foods and sipping fabulous wines under towering redwood trees, listening to cool jazz with musical greats, onstage and off?
With the long-awaited summer lineup for Jazz on the Plazz now announced, it’s time to plan for eight weeks of listening pleasure.
On June 25 at 6:30pm, Jazz on the Plazz begins its 23rd summer of presenting a series of outstanding jazz concerts on Wednesday evenings.
Supported by donor sponsorship, local businesses, volunteers and community members, Jazz on the Plazz is an institution in Los Gatos. Many locals get series tickets every year. Veterans plan ahead and grab a cool
outfit from a local boutique, a to-go box or slice from a nearby restaurant, and then arrive early to spread their blankets out on the grass.
Los Gatos Music & Arts is the nonprofit that produces Jazz on the Plazz. It also provides scholarships to musical youth. Teri Hope, Jonathan Knowles and Ginger Taylor McDonald are the faces behind the magic, making sure things go according to plan.
Jazz in the Plazz runs every Wednesday (except July 2) from June 25 to Aug. 20. Bike, e-bike, skateboard, Uber, hitch-hike or wander on over. Get out those beach chairs and picnic baskets. Put on your highheel sneakers and git on down to the Plazz.
First up: Mads Tolling
The first performance will be by Mads Tolling (yes, that is his name). He’s an internationally renowned violinist and composer, originally from Denmark, who now lives in San Francisco.
Tolling graduated from the Berklee College of Music and now leads his
GOLD Thursdays
Again this year, on the first Thursday of each month (until October), our Chamber has planned “GOLD Thursdays.”
Why leave our ZIP codes, when shopping trips, dining adventures, kid fun and catching up with the neighbors is possible right here at home?
On the first Thursday of each month, wander downtown and find out what’s new. (Because a lot is.)
Seniors of Distinction
On Thursday, May 22, from 3-4:30pm, the Terraces of Los Gatos will host the 25th Seniors of Distinction Awards Reception.
Seniors selected by service groups and commissions across town will be honored for their volunteer service and contributions to the Los Gatos and Monte Sereno communities.
There will be a champagne reception, live music and a ceremony.
Thursday protest
Vehicles honked as they drove by Thursday’s peaceful protesters on Main Street at Park Plaza in downtown Los Gatos. Around 100150 people (largely seniors) were counted in attendance by the Los Gatan
There was a celebratory atmosphere at the anti-Donald Trump demonstration that also featured anti-Elon Musk messages.
“I am here because I am against the illegal, immoral things that the president is doing,” said protester Noreen Clark. “That is against the constitution.”
own groups: Mads Tolling Quartet and Mads Tolling & The Mads Men.
Tolling’s been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition and even wrote several arrangements of Grateful Dead tunes for the band (some of which are now part of the Mads Men repertoire).
He’s been commissioned to write violin concertos for the Oakland Symphony and the Pacific Chamber Orchestra.
Kenny Washington will be performing that night, too. The New Orleans native, now based in the Bay Area, grew up singing gospel in church and played saxophone in school bands.
Washington took up jazz in his senior year of high school, and after college he played with the honorary US Navy Band Guam, followed by the US Navy Band 7th Fleet, stationed in Japan. He was a featured vocalist with both.
Washington performed with the Navy bands across Asia, Russia, Australia and America for nine years.
One woman was seen engaging in conversation with four passing boys in casual attire. The Gen Zers told the Los Gatan they don’t support the protest and think the demonstrators are just Kamala Harris supporters who are unhappy she lost the presidential race. They added, a lot of kids their age are fans of Donald Trump.
Water Authority name change
West Valley Clean Water Authority has become West Valley Stormwater Authority, its executive director, Sheila Tucker, told the Los Gatan. This switch is to highlight their stormwater-pollution-prevention mission.
“This new name better reflects our role in managing stormwater and preventing pollution in local waterways,” Authority Board Chair Dan Furtado stated.
Unlike water providers, the agency focuses on managing and reducing pollution from stormwater runoff to protect local waterways.
Learn more at cleancreeks.org
LG KIWANIS MEMBER'S UKRAINE AID DROP
Ukraine Aid, from page 1
of children’s causes, including the recently completed 45th Annual Kiwanis Special Games, Turn-Around Scholarships and Children’s Hospital of Northern California.
“Kiwanis of Los Gatos really showed me the value of giving back to the community and how even one person can make a big difference,” Dutcher said.
A Czech Republic-based charity and Stary Sambor Ukraine—run by
Jan Kubaty—provided the cargo van, customs documentation for the aid and thousands of pounds of humanitarian supplies.
Over the course of three days, Bob and Ian shuttled the cargo from the Czech Republic and Poland to a warehouse in western Ukraine. A total of 40% of this aid was provided by Agnieszka Szyluk, a volunteer known as “Our Lady of Krakow,” which was passed off to volunteers in Ukraine
that transported and distributed the aid to Kramatorsk (a small frontline city in the Donbass region).
The remaining aid was transported and distributed by Russell and Dutcher to Sumy, a city of over 250,000 people located 15-20 miles from the front line between Russia and Ukraine.
Sumy’s city center had just been attacked days earlier by two Russian ballistic missiles that killed at least 34 people, wounding over a hundred people, including women and children.
“The people in Sumy and Ukraine in general were amazing given the daily challenges and risks that they face,” Dutcher said. “They were so kind and
went out of their way to make sure that Ian and I were taken care of and kept as safe as possible.”
On the way to Sumy, Russell and Dutcher distributed smaller quantities of aid outside Lviv, Kyiv, and a small town in eastern Ukraine.
In Sumy, over 2,000 pounds of stuff was offloaded.
“The aid we delivered was very important,” Dutcher said. “But, I think the fact that an American and a Brit came to Sumy to help was also important to the Ukrainian’s, because it showed them that they were not alone in their fight for survival.”
DELIVERY Russell and Dutcher took aid to Sumy, a city with over 250,000 people located 15-20 miles from the front lines.
I <3 SUMY Dutcher leans against a giant heart, while on the humanitarian trip.
EMPTYING THE VAN It’s been more than three years since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Photos courtesy of Los Gatos Kiwanis
Partnering with you never stops.
Imagine a true partnership with your personal doctor. As a member of Los Gatos Concierge Medicine, you’ll experience:
•In-depth appointments that focus on your goals for sleep, diet, fitness, mental health and social support.
• Easy access to your care team, even on weekends and holidays.
• Coordinated care with specialists at Sutter and beyond.
Explore more membership benefits by calling 408-523-3344 or emailing ConciergeMedicineLosGatos@sutterhealth.org.
sutterhealth.org/concierge-medicine
Left to right:
DOUG SOUVIGNIER, M.D.
KRISTIN WELTER, M.D.
NANCY TIBBS, M.D.
NEW SOCCER COACH AIMS TO SPARK NEW ERA OF BRILLIANCE SPORTS
After impressive season, Lisa Mitchell looks to keep fire roaring on the pitch
Jayden Borgna, Contributor
After more than a decade of coaching youth soccer and a lifetime spent immersed in sports, Lisa Nunes Mitchell is stepping into a new chapter as the head coach of the Los Gatos High School girls soccer team.
A Los Gatos alumna herself, Mitchell brings both personal ties and professional experience to the program, with a clear goal in mind: building a competitive, positive and unified team culture.
Mitchell, who coached youth soccer for 12 years before accepting the high school head coaching position, credits her love of the sport and her experiences with influential coaches throughout her life for inspiring her to step into the role.
“I had so many inspirational coaches growing up—from youth leagues to college and even professional influences,” Mitchell said. “I fell in love with the coaching aspect early on. I’ve
been around sports my entire life, especially soccer, and I’ve always wanted to give back.”
Her athletic background speaks for itself. During her time at Los Gatos High School, Mitchell was a multisport athlete, participating in soccer, track and field, basketball, and softball. But soccer was always her mainstay— the sport she felt most connected to and the one that shaped her future path.
Now, as she takes the reins at her alma mater, Mitchell is focused on fostering a team identity grounded in unity and resilience.
Her primary objective for the upcoming season is to develop a cohesive group capable of making a deep run in the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs.
“My biggest goal is to build a positive and competitive environment,” Mitchell explained. “I want all the girls to come together as one, to play together, to support each other. Every player has assets—we want to bring those together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. I
want us to be one of the top teams competing to win CCS.”
For Mitchell, however, success is not only measured by wins and rankings. She places a strong emphasis on the mental and emotional well-being of her athletes, especially given the unique pressures faced by high school student-athletes— particularly young women.
“Mental health is a big thing in our lives, and it often gets overlooked, especially in female athletes,” Mitchell said. “These girls aren’t just soccer players—they’re students, daughters, friends. There are so many factors outside of the sport that impact their performance and their lives. I want to be someone who understands that, who they can come to not just as a coach, but as a person.”
This athlete-centered approach is at the core of Mitchell’s coaching philosophy. She encourages open communication, honesty and trust within her team—elements she believes are essential to both individual and team success.
“Everyone has off days or bad days; being able to push through those—
and be open and honest about what’s going on—is huge,” she said. “I want my players to feel like they can talk to me and I’ll be there for them.”
When it comes to expectations, Mitchell makes it clear that she holds her players to high standards—not only because of their potential, but because of the legacy of Los Gatos High School athletics.
“There’s a strong history here,” she said. “Los Gatos has had so many top athletes and soccer players come through this program. I expect the best from these girls—effort, hard work, strong character, and a commitment to the team. Giving 100% is the baseline.”
Mitchell knows that building a championship-caliber program won’t happen overnight. But she’s confident that with the right mindset and a strong foundation of trust, this team can achieve something special—not just on the field, but as individuals.
“I’m here to support them and push them. I want them to grow as players and as people,” she said. “This team has so much potential. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish—together.”
With preseason preparations underway, the Los Gatos community is eager to see where Coach Lisa Nunes Mitchell will take the girls soccer program.
FINAL GAME The girls soccer team huddled in prior to their last regular season contest against Gunn on Feb. 19. The girls soccer team went undefeated in league play this past season, clinching the SCVAL De Anza division title with a 9-0-3 league record (12-3-6 overall).
AIR TIME Los Gatos High School seniors Tanner Ford (10) and Cullen Wood celebrate a goal in their 22-11 victory over Soquel on May 1.
sheet, but the intangibles he brings to the team are paramount.
“What he brings is hustle,” Lehman said. “He’s an amazing midfield defender, knows how to dodge and probably has one of the fastest shots on the team. He’s definitely unselfish and wants his teammates to succeed.”
Lehman was an assistant last year under then-coach Chris Nespor, who moved to San Luis Obispo last spring. Nespor laid down a strong foundation for the program in the seven years he was at the helm, and Lehman is looking to build upon it.
“My vision for the future of this program is that come spring people are chomping at the bit to come watch Los Gatos High School boys lacrosse play,” he said. “Hopefully be the talk of the town and people will be attending the weeknight lacrosse games. Creating that type of program starts from the youth level up.”
To that end, Lehman works as a coach at South Bay United, one of the rising club lacrosse programs in the area. Lehman’s greatest desire is to grow the game, which will benefit not just Los Gatos but many other high schools throughout the region.
“We’re working with youth kids and we even have a team as young as a U10 now,” Lehman said. “The big thing is we’re trying to build the youth programs around here and those kids will start feeding into the high schools. The way we create success and sustainability is by exposing the game to them at a young age and piquing their interest. We’re just really excited to grow all levels of lacrosse in this region and the entire state of California.”
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A SERIES OF NO-CONFIDENCE VOTES
Sheriff, from page 17
plaint with the California Public Employment Relations Board, alleging that the sheriff and Aenlle had created a toxic work environment and were retaliating against union members.
On Nov, 12, the county published Cordell’s report.
Then, the mess at the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office turned into full-blown chaos.
Deputies’ union president arrested Hours before Cordell’s report was published, the president of the deputies’ union was arrested and charged with time card fraud.
The sheriff’s office alleged that the president, Carlos Tapia, was doing union business on company time and falsified the record of his working hours. But an investigation by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office found no reason to charge Tapia, determining that the errors on his time cards were clerical and concluding that Tapia “should not have been arrested.”
A captain in the sheriff’s office resigned rather than arrest Tapia, and Tapia alleged in a lawsuit filed against
rying a concealed weapon.
Aenlle denies all of the allegations against him. He, like Corpus, believes he’s a victim of a long-entrenched good-old-boys network that was loath to release its grip on the county.
“The minute I received that title (of executive director of administration), the jealousy ensued, and they had to do everything they could to break us down,” Aenlle said.
Aenlle said he and Corpus arrived as reformers and immediately ran into resistance, followed by the allegations of an intimate personal relationship.
He disputes several elements of the Cordell report, beginning with its design; Aenlle said it’s unfair to grant anonymity to people who were free to make unsubstantiated claims about him and Corpus.
“They had to do everything they could to break us down.”
