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vol . 6 , no. 8 : october 21-27, 2026 : losgatan.com

letters to the editor p4 : perry richardson podiums p11 : police blotter p12 : assessor's report p13 Lucille Tepperman / Los Gatan

ON THE PITCH AND OFF IT, TAYLOR HUFF FINDS HER CALLING

Indulge, Restaurant Week enlivens the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills

Bay FC midfielderforward grows in her Christian faith

LuciLLe Tepperman, Contributor

After the successful Taste of Los Gatos culinary festival last month, which attracted more than 4,000 attendees from throughout the Bay Area and beyond, the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce—ushered along by its vibrant CEO Jennifer Lin—moved on to hosting a weeklong celebration of local dining destinations. From Oct. 12-18, Los Gatos offered its historic downtown center up as the setting for the first incarnation of Indulge, Los Gatos Restaurant Week. Over 15 restaurants participated, ranging from fine dining restaurants and chic wine bars, to brunch spots, cafés and dessert favorites. There was something for everyone's palate (and wallet). Highlights included three-course prix fixe dinners

e m a nueL L ee , Sports Editor

When Bay FC midfielder-forward Taylor Huff was in the seventh grade, she pondered much on the existential questions that everyone has to eventually grapple with. Who am I? Why am I here? What is the purpose of life? For Huff, her Christian faith has given her the foundation and answers for understanding who she is beyond soccer, what gives her life meaning and why she believes God has placed her in San Jose for the time being. Perhaps it’s only fitting then that Huff has landed in Silicon Valley, a region known—among other things— for its high achievers. The 24-year-old Huff likewise has a résumé filled with a what’s what of accolades. Three-time NCAA All-American. National championship winner with Florida State. Multiple age group U.S. national team callups. In the 2025 season, Huff was one of only two rookies in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to start every single match. Prior to college, Huff led her high school girls soccer team to a state championship in her senior year, racking up multiple State Player of the Year awards and the United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year honor in the process. ➝ Huff, 10

PARISIAN NIGHT SKILLFULLY DEMONSTRATES GOURMAND SPIRIT OF LOS GATOS

➝ Parisian Night, 8

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CHEF Philippe Leroy, of Chez Philippe, during the calm before the storm on Dinner & A Movie night, during Indulge, Los Gatos Restaurant Week.

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VOL.6 NO.8 Dan puLcrano Executive Editor & Publisher

EDITORIAL

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

FOUR VOTES FOR AN AGENDA, OR FOUR VOTES FOR THE TOWN? On Nov. 3, Los Gatos could hand four of five Council seats to one organization. Mayor Rob Moore recommends a ticket: himself, Steve Raspe and Jeff Suzuki, founder and permanent chair of the Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition. Elect it, add Maria Ristow, and look who holds the seats: the Coalition's founder; a Coalition member; a Council member the Coalition endorsed and who votes to fund it; and the Mayor's handpicked running mate. Three votes is a majority. Four is control: a bloc that can lose a member and still win never compromises. Three votes cost us 525 days without a Housing Element and 15 builder's remedy projects until Mary Badame became mayor and fixed it in months. Four would run the Town through 2028.

RESPONDING TO MAYOR ROB MOORE In “Mayor’s Message: Decades of beach traffic, and the path forward,” Mayor Moore writes, “I support our Transportation Commission’s proposal to give every Los Gatos High School student and staff member a free VTA pass.” That’s great, except there are

The Coalition is entitled to its views. It is not entitled to four Council votes to pursue its agenda. What agenda? Take it at its word. Its bylaws call for “a smaller role for armed police officers.” Mr. Suzuki told a member its “explicit goal is to reallocate resources from the police department.” A hiring freeze? “We will entertain that.” That has a name: defund the police. Mr. Suzuki set out to get “LGARC members into our local government” so commission seats “will be occupied by progressive anti-racists, allowing us to further our influence.” With four votes, every commission is theirs to fill. The Coalition has been awarded $64,500 in Town grants but has not said who sits on its board. It reported $12,169 in officer and director compensation while calling itself all-volunteer, and has not said who was paid. With four votes, it will never have to. The question on Nov. 3: Who do you trust to vote for the Town, not an agenda? p hiL K oen

Los Gatos

a lot of Los Gatos residents in the Campbell Union High School District who can’t send their kids to Los Gatos High. The Town Council needs to serve the needs of all students, not just those able to attend the high school that happens to bear the name of the town. In this case, the obvious fix would be to offer free VTA passes to all high school students and staff who live in Los Gatos. T om h erBerT

Los Gatos

TEENAGERS WITH GO BAGS ARE REACHING FAMILIES WHO THINK THEY'RE ALREADY PREPARED I read your Oct. 14 staff report on the Monte Sereno Youth Commission building go bags for every household in town, with Vice Chair Stella Zeidler and Secretary Corinne Chou focusing on defensible space, home safety and wildfire awareness. I served with the USK, the Bavarian police unit for riots and large-scale public order, and today I work in executive protection as founder of MSB Protection, a licensed private patrol operator in California. In residential protection we see the same gap in large homes: the plan exists, but nobody knows where the bag is when the power goes out. A packed bag by the door shortens the first ten minutes of an evacuation more than any device, and a few additions make it even stronger. Each go bag could include a checklist of what to grab on the way out: valuables, wallets

and credit cards, copies of key documents, medications, and dogs and leashes. Families should also agree on three things in advance. The first is a rally point, a meeting spot outside the house where everyone checks in. The second is vehicle staging, meaning which cars leave first and in which direction so the driveway doesn't jam. The third is what we call a safe haven in high-net-worth protection: a designated place to evacuate to, whether that's a relative's home, a hotel or a friend across town. Having young people lead this effort and get bags into every home is a smart way to reach families who think they are already prepared. Thank you for giving the youth commission's work real space. m ichaeL B raun

Founder, MSB Protection, Beverly Hills

APPROVING PROJECTS SUPPORTS HOUSING ELEMENT COMPLIANCE All six candidates for Los Gatos Town Council have ties to our Town, sharing their love for our community and its character. But some candidates’ actions may hurt our town nonetheless. Housing is the most discussed issue in this election, and candidates have different approaches to our current housing obligations. When the Housing Element failed certification, the town lost some control by becoming subject to Builder’s Remedy development projects. The Town is now in compliance, but those projects remain in progress. If Los Gatos takes noncompliant actions, such as delaying Builder’s Remedy projects, our Housing Element certification could be revoked. This would expose the town to more projects as well as lawsuits and financial penalties. Our town’s character and finances are best served by remaining compliant and out of court. Incumbent Mary Badame’s recent postcard characterized her as someone with “sound judgement, on the record.” It proudly states that Badame voted against our Town’s first and failed submission of the Housing Element, imply-

ing she was the sole voice of reason. The mailer neglects to mention that Badame did not help achieve certification. As Builder’s Remedy projects streamed into Los Gatos, Badame voted against every submission that brought Los Gatos closer to certification, including the one that achieved certification and stopped further Builder’s Remedy applications. On the Planning Commission, Rob Stump voted against the mixed-use development across from LGHS on the grounds that it would negatively affect traffic, even though the traffic study verified there would be no impact. Despite the known risks of noncompliance with the state through excessive demands on Builder’s Remedy projects, Stump has raised issues and voted against projects. Stump’s history indicates that he is unwilling to make the necessary decisions to maintain compliance and avoid Builder’s Remedy. We need forward-thinking pragmatists who are willing to make those decisions, like Jeff Suzuki and Rob Moore. K JirSTe m orreLL Los Gatos

DON'T VOTE FOR THE INCUMBENTS Rob Moore and Mary Bedame were members of the council that failed to enact a Housing Element in time to avoid Builder’s Remedy projects that are springing up all over town. Do not vote for them. And, next time,

vote out the remaining members of

MOTHER PROUD OF BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHER SON

and we’re planning to travel there to see it on display. Erik absolutely loves birds, insects, and all things wildlife. One of his biggest hopes is that sharing his photography will inspire other kids to get outside, explore nature and develop their own love and appreciation for wildlife. As an additional honor, his butterfly photograph was selected as a finalist for the Australia Zoo People’s Choice Award! Public voting is open this week through Oct. 24, and each person can vote once.

My 10-year-old son, Erik, is a passionate wildlife photographer from Los Gatos. He recently won first place in the 10 and Under category of the 2026 Australia Zoo Crikey! Magazine Photography Competition with his photograph of a blackchinned hummingbird sipping nectar. His winning photograph will be exhibited at Australia Zoo in Queensland, Australia,

that council. Elect responsible representatives. T im g afney Los Gatos

c inDy T ucey To vote: australiazoo.com.au/photographycompetition/peoples-choice-voting

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octob e r 2 1-2 7, 2026 : losgata n.co m Photos by Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan

LOS GATOS’ NUMU IGNITES THE COMMUNITY D ina h c oT Ton , Contributor

New Museum Los Gatos is charting new museum territory. The current show, “Community Ignition Partnership and Artmaking in the Disability Arts Community,” is up and will run to March 21, 2027. It is an exciting show with a different slant on art and the artists who create it. This tactile multimedia exhibition in the main gallery is extraordinary. In other display areas, “Reawakening” is up through Jan. 3, and History Hall displays “Los Gatos History Project: Uncovering Untold Stories.”

An endowment

This is all possible, in part due to the very generous creation of the “Michael & Alyce Parsons Art Endowment Fund” established a few years back. Kimberly Snyder, executive director at NUMU, stated, “This endowment helps NUMU with continuing operational expenses over the years, and because of their generosity, it really just helps us. It helps to keep NUMU running. It was that bleak prior to this record breaking gift. The Parsons started the endowment with a million-dollar contribution. It just really helps us operationally. Mike is a past president of our board of directors and remains active—you just missed him. He was here this morning.” Snyder added, “Mike was part of the group that advocated for the museum to come to this location.” This space previously housed the Town library.

ArtNow

Snyder continues, “The Mike and Alyce Parson’s art endowment really helps with our annual high school juried exhibition. The Parsons also contribute to the scholarships that have been awarded to the high schoolers who enter and place in this annual Santa Clara County-wide event. Promoting young people in the arts and on the board at NUMU helps to keep art alive in Los Gatos and the surrounding area. The Parsons’ generous endowment also helps in the creation of shows like this.”

Communities need museums

“What they did was plant some seeds, and it really helped us start gaining momentum; and the museum really just had kind of continued to grow since that point,” Snyder went on. “That gift really made the museum more sustainable over the years.” Note, the Parsons’ gift is structured so that it will continue on in perpetuity. Snyder concluded, “Their gift has just laid a solid foundation for the museum to continue and display shows like this.”

SHOW OPENS Community Ignition: Partnership and Artmaking in the Disability Arts Community is on view at the New Museum Los Gatos through March 21, 2027. The Parsons’ generous endowment helped in the creation of “Community Ignition; Partnership and Artmaking in the Disability Arts Community.” This show reveals how art can be created in any community. The idea is that, through conversation and support with interdependence, art can reach everyone. This is not a typical exhibition. In this show there is art to watch (videos), there are “Resting Rocks.” In a corner there is an interactive loom where you can sit and add rows of weaving, creating a community-made woven hanging. Fabric on the wall invites attendees to add a charm to the “in process” work of art. One might consider that this self-stimulation action helps to soothe sensory overload. At the “Resting Rocks,” by Jullian Crochet, many velvet pouches—pillows of different shapes and sizes containing sand—were displayed. Attendees are invited to gently approach, pick up and arrange the “rocks” with mindfulness. It is an amazing feeling to be able to pick up a display, in a museum and to be part of the art work. Why not? Isn't Los Gatos where the “Pet Rock” was created? Might as well take everyone to see the current engaging and memorable exhibit that includes art that can be touched and enjoyed. You can contribute to the museum’s art while you’re here.

The Los Gatos History Project

NUMU also has a downstairs gallery displaying local and relevant historical objects, helping to keep the past alive. If you are local, you may discover a long lost relative. It’s an effort to catalog and dive deeper into the permanent collection. The current exhibition, the first to come out of the project, presents a selection of objects that have given the museum more questions than answers. By taking a critical look at these objects and the stories they tell, the exhibition will prompt visitors to ask: Who made

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kimberly Snyder welcomes museum members, guests and artists. these objects? Why did the museum collect them? What can we learn from them? And whose stories are missing? Through this exhibition, visitors will gain a greater understanding of museum collecting practices, and a greater appreciation for the hidden complexities of Los Gatos history. Open Thursday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. Take the kids and grandpa and/or grandma, or maybe the next door neighbor? Expose children to museum attendance. In the lower level area, where the “Los Gatos History Hall” is located, there are “Maker

Space” tables. On the upper floor in the “Spotlight Gallery” and in the lobby area, the “Reawaking” exhibition displays the revitalization of the Muwekma Ohlone culture, depicting the Indigenous group’s close ties to nature. There are also monthly lectures in the History Hall. Next month, on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 11am, our executive editor and publisher, Dan Pulcrano, will be speaking. Did you know that the museum is available to rent? Info: numulosgatos.org/rent

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A PREVIEW OF PARIS FROM THE COMFORT OF LOS GATOS

Parisian Night, from page 1 Lucille Tepperman / Los Gatan

at Los Gatos Parkside, Tasting House and Gardenia, a unique lunch at Oren's Hummus, an exclusive dish at Coup de Thai and complimentary beignets for those who enjoyed an entrée at The Bywater. “There's something about breaking bread and sharing food that creates connection,” said Lin. Primarily showcasing flavors, the idea of Indulge was to invite locals and visitors to explore the variety of culinary skills in Los Gatos through special menus, offers and signature events at participating restaurants. “We do have a history of wonderful restaurants, in a walkable, safe and charming setting,” said Lin of her hope to bring even more visitors to the quaint Silicon Valley haven.

Highlights

I attended one such special event on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 15. In collaboration with CineLux Theatres, which operates the historic Los Gatos Theatre, Chez Philippe's French bistro-style restaurant presented Dinner & A Movie: A French Cuisine & Cinema Experience. “They are very much loved here,” said Lin, noting the business provides “an intimate authentic experience.” There was a bustling energy as mostly silver-highlighted diners patiently lined up out the door, ready for a little Parisian magic. The dinner was set to start promptly at 5:30pm, leaving the adept and well-mannered staff scurrying to seat and serve the packed bistro. Time was of the essence, with the clientele arriving all at the same time to enjoy their meal before heading across the street to the 7:30pm movie showing. An open kitchen lines one side of the restaurant. It’s visible from the street, with its outdoor seating. Old leather armchairs and family photographs hang on the tapestries of the bistro's main room, providing a vintage feel—sort of like when you visit an older aunt or relative back east. “We wanted to make you feel like you were in our home in Paris, not in a stuffy French restaurant,” said Deena Elkassed, who co-owns Chez Philippe along with her husband, Chef Philippe Leroy. The chef is a native of France who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. He opened this bistro in June 2022 after spending 30 years in Palo Alto, where he operated restaurants including Pastis and La Bohème. What is a bistro? Well, it's a French casual-style restaurant, with limited seating—usually an unpretentious neighborhood joint—that offers simple, rustic, home-style comfort food, like the classic steak frites or soupe à l'oignon. These are two staples of French cuisine, always on Chez Philippe's menu. At $87.50 per person, the event includ-

TOAST Chef Philippe Leroy introduces the movie for the Paris-themed culinary night, “Midnight in Paris,” at the Los Gatos Theatre, during Indulge, Los Gatos Restaurant Week. ed a French dinner followed by a ticket to the screening of “Midnight in Paris” at the Los Gatos Theatre, accompanied by a complimentary before-movie refreshment and macaron. The French don't do things halfway. The prix fixe dinner presented the choice of one entrée and a dessert in a prix fixe “formule,” or menu, offering three classics: coq au vin (a grandmother-style chicken-in-wine), poached salmon with rice and lemon zest, or a ratatouille crêpe (the vegetarian option). It was a real Parisian bistro experience. My mother, Marie-Helene, 79, who happened to be visiting from France, joined me for the event. “I don't think I've ever had coq au vin in a restaurant,” she said, eager to revisit this very traditional French chicken stew that her mom and grandmother used to make. A generous portion of chicken stewed

in a red wine gravy accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes and steamedyet-still-crunchy green beans didn't disappoint. The dish was rich and flavorful, although a hint more bouquet garni would have really hit the savory spot. (More thyme, please.) Maybe it was an adjustment for the American palate. I went with the 2020 St. Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux (red wine) to accompany the stew. The heavier the wine, the better, in my opinion. This came after the waiter's nudge toward the Sancerre, a Pinot Noirstyle wine. I did not regret the pairing. The 2020 red was exactly what this dish needs and, at $49 a bottle, it was a steal, bringing the experience to the next level. Seated nearby in the outside streetside patio with a friend of hers (both are retired teachers), Jo Ann Shannon, 82, told me they were regulars of Chez Philippe.

A fan of Paris, and frequent visitor there, she comes regularly to get her fill of the Parisian ambiance and flavors. With just enough time to finish the chocolate mousse that was clinging to its glass receptacle, we paid and headed across to the theater. Chef Philippe Leroy joined moviegoers in the continuation of the French experience, introducing the night's screening of Woody Allen's Paris-based film, “Midnight in Paris.” In this continuation of our imaginative Parisian night in Silicon Valley, a protagonist from modern New York is invited on a bistro- and bar-hopping evening drenched in liquor and artistic discussion with the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Zelda Fitzgerald. It was a night of cultural discovery that took us around the world via food and film.

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WONDERFULLY STRANGE STORIES FROM AN INDIE BOOKSHOP OWNER

m a DDy c h a ng , Contributor

Ta n ya S eDneva , Contributor

What do a stolen corpse, a house that's bigger on the inside than on the outside, and a book with 21 sealed chapters have in common? They're all part of this November's Beyond Text Bookstore reading recommendations. I picked a few books that prove you don't need ghosts or monsters to get thoroughly creeped out. Sometimes the strangest stories are true, and sometimes it's the book itself that's unusual.

First, the classics

Beautiful illustrations and interactive editions give us a whole new reason to revisit classic stories. H. P. Lovecraft's works illustrated by François Baranger, Frankenstein in an interactive edition by MinaLima, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with illustrations by Christian Birmingham. These are books you want to read, look at and keep in your collection. If, like me, you've ever missed being a kid when almost every book had pictures, well, I have good news for you. We finally have some books for adults that are just as beautiful.

Contemporary horror: House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

This book might actually mess with your head. You have to see what the pages look like: words jump around, sentences twist sideways; some pages are almost empty, while others are packed with text. You find yourself turning the book upside down, slowing down, getting frustrated, anxious, even disoriented. But, think about that for a second: the way words are PRINTED on a page can actually control how you FEEL while reading. How amazing is that?! And all of this is part of a deeply unsettling story about a house that's bigger on the inside than on the outside.

Mystery-horror: Strange Pictures, Strange Houses, and Strange Buildings by Uketsu

These bestselling Japanese mysteries have one idea in common: you're not just reading a mystery, you're actually looking for clues in drawings, floor plans and strange little details that don't seem

THE KIDS WHO NEVER GOT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH READING The importance of providing literacy support to students who need it most

Beyond Text Bookstore’s Tanya Sedneva suggests spooky reads for Halloween

SHOPKEEPER Tanya Sedneva is the owner of Beyond Text Bookstore.

right. And here's another fun detail: the author is just as mysterious as his books. Uketsu keeps his identity secret and appears in public wearing a white mask.

Young adult horror: 21 Days of Fear by Hervé Commère

This book comes in a very unusual, almost advent-calendar like format: 21 sealed chapters. 21 days to save a missing sister. And you actually have to tear open each envelope to find out what happens next. What a challenge to wait a whole day between them!

Nonfiction: Stealing Saint Nick by M. T. Anderson

Here's a horror story for you: someone stole Santa Claus's dead body. Yes, really. Before he became the jolly guy delivering Christmas presents, Saint Nicholas was at the center of a whole medieval drama. Stolen bones, miracle-working corpse juice, resurrected children, and a very real 11th-century crime. Saint Nicholas was actually a Christian bishop who lived in the 3rd–4th centuries in what is now Turkey. And the book is a whole investigation into his life and afterlife. But beyond the medieval true crime, it also takes us into the world of early Christianity, the Roman Empire and the fascinating ways legends are born and change over time. So, what's your kind of spooky? A good old-fashioned gothic tale? A mystery you can solve yourself? Or a book that messes with your head before you've even finished the first chapter? Whatever your preference, there's something waiting for you at Beyond Text Bookstore, 318 N. Santa Cruz Ave in downtown Los Gatos.

I've loved reading for as long as I can remember. It was my escape hatch—bad day, weird week, whatever, I could pick up a book and just leave for a while. I think a lot of people who Chang grew up as readers know that feeling. What I didn't fully get until a few years ago is how many kids never get to have that relationship with reading at all. For a lot of kids, it’s not for the lack of trying—more so that no one has slowed down long enough to help them get there. That's kind of how this whole thing started, almost by accident. I began helping teachers in the Sunnyvale School District, just tutoring four kids a week after school. Nothing fancy, just sitting with them, going through books together. One of them was a fifth grader reading at a second-grade level. I remember doing the math in my head and just feeling sick about it. By fifth grade, you're supposed to be reading to learn, not learning to read. He was years behind, but it wasn't like anyone had noticed and dropped the ball on purpose. He'd just slipped through, quietly, the way I think a lot of kids do. That one afternoon is basically the reason the Literacy Enrichment Program exists. The idea behind it is pretty simple, even if it took some trial and error to figure out. We match high school volunteers with elementary kids for real, consistent support—the same tutor and the same student each week, for the whole school year. Schools don't have to build a new program or find extra budget for it. We handle the recruiting; we train the volunteers; we do the matching; and then we just get out of the way and let the relationships do the work. Kids doing better in reading, in my experience, has a lot more to do with someone showing up for them consistently than with any specific curriculum. We piloted it for two years at Bishop Elementary, and the results honestly surprised me. Kids went from below-average to above-average on standardized literacy tests, and teachers kept telling us the bigger shift was attitude; kids who used to groan at reading time were suddenly raising their hands, wanting to read out loud, asking for harder books. That part means more to me than the test scores.

Kids who used to groan at reading time were suddenly raising their hands. It's grown a lot faster than I expected—to about 10 school districts for the 2026–27 school year. This upcoming year I'm especially excited about pushing into Campbell-area districts, and we're starting a pilot at Blackford. My focus there— and, honestly, the focus going forward—is Title 1 schools specifically. Those are the schools where kids are most likely to fall behind and least likely to have extra help waiting for them outside of school. If this program is actually going to matter, it needs to matter there first, not just at schools that already have resources. We’re also starting a paid tutoring track at select sites, because it didn't sit right with me that only kids who could afford to volunteer for free would get to be tutors. Some of our best volunteers are ones who never would've been able to do this otherwise. Now they can. Earlier this year, I got to present the program through the California Department of Education's statewide literacy webinar series. It was a genuinely strange experience, explaining something that started with four kids and a folding table to a room full of educators from across the state. But it also confirmed something I already believed, which is that high schoolers can do a lot more for California's literacy problem than we usually get credit for. We're close enough in age that a second grader doesn't see us as another authority figure, just someone a little further down the road who's willing to sit with them. If you're a teacher, parent, or administrator in a Campbell-area district and think your school could use this—especially if it's a Title 1 school—I'd love to hear from you. Maddy Chang is a high school student from Sunnyvale, California. She’s interested in the intersection between adolescent illiteracy and policy, and hopes to pursue a career in local government. Contact: madeline.n.chang@gmail.com

octob e r 2 1-2 7, 2026 : losgata n.co m Bay FC

BAY FC PLAYER SHARES HER FAITH JOURNEY

Huff, from page 1 TopDrawSoccer rated her the 68th overall recruit for the 2021 class. It doesn’t stop there. Huff also excelled in basketball, softball, volleyball and track, advancing to the Ohio State Track and Field Championships in the 400 meter run. She even competed in a co-ed wrestling tournament when she was 7 or 8 years old, placing fourth. “My dad had to have wanted a boy and I was the sacrificial one,” said a smiling Huff, who is the middle of three sisters.

Small town life

Huff was raised in the central Ohio town of Lucas, population 593. Huff ’s family lived on 60 acres of land, encompassing woods and ponds. “I’d always be outside,” she said. “It was kind of like that country lifestyle. It was always going outside and playing, or going to the woods. We’d carve in trees, adventure and do crazy things. I kind of grew up just being able to be in nature and just inviting friends over and being close with their families and their families’ families. I’m thankful for where I was raised— wouldn’t want it any other way.” Huff has an older sister, Hayley, and a younger sister, Ava. She grew up kicking the soccer ball against the garage with Hayley for hours upon end, a harbinger of her indefatigable work ethic. “I was at the fields I think just a few days after I was born, because my sister was at training or games,” Huff said. Though an active sports family, Huff credited her parents, Amy and Zac, for prioritizing academics. She also praised her parents and especially her great grandmother, Garnie, for raising her in the Christian faith. “My great grandma was probably the most influential person in my faith,” Huff said. “I would spend every single Wednesday with her and she would make me tomato soup and grilled cheese, and I just learned so much from her. She’s like my 93-year-old best friend in my family. She knew how talented I was, and she knew it was a gift from God.” In the seventh grade, a precocious Huff began to reflect on the big questions of life. Though surrounded by Christian influences, Huff ’s immediate family weren’t members of a church. “Around seventh grade when you’re going through middle school stuff, you think about who you are, who your friends are,” Huff said. “In a lot of ways I was lost, not wanting to do what ev-

DRIVEN Despite missing most of May, Bay FC midfielder-forward Taylor Huff has appeared in 22 of the team’s 28 matches this season, starting 18. eryone else did. I had a strong morale, maybe, just something in me I guess. So I didn’t really go with the crowd which meant I didn’t really fit in.” At the same time, Huff said her family was experiencing “issues” as all families do at some point, which led her to further soul searching. “It led me to ask, ‘What is going on in my life? Who am I?’ Just questioning a lot honestly,” she said. “So later it was my uncle who invited my whole family to church on this random day. I’m like, ‘Sure, why not? What do I have to lose basically?’ From there I started going to this church and ended up giving my life to Jesus (in the eighth grade). I went to a (spiritual retreat) camp and that kind of solidified it in a lot of ways that yes, this is what I believe and this is what I was longing for all my life (a personal relationship with God).”

Identity set, mission clear

After a stellar rookie season with Bay FC, Huff ’s second season has challenged her with adversity—and grown her faith in God as well. She suffered a foot injury in May, sidelining her for most of the month. For someone whose career

depends on being on the field, Huff could’ve easily responded with negativity. In fact, that’s exactly how she would’ve responded had this injury happened even a year ago, Huff said. What has happened in the last 12 months? In theological terms—because that’s Huff’s reality—she has grown mature in Christ and is continually being sanctified. Sanctification is a believer’s continued growth in holiness that follows conversion. For Huff, it was her spiritual growth in the past year and reliance on Jesus that allowed her to respond to her injury with the proper perspective in light of who she is in Christ. “This was a new challenge in a lot of ways of how am I going to respond,” she said. “It was also a challenge in a lot of ways of who do you trust, who is (ultimately) in control? A lot of times I would’ve thought, ‘Oh, it’s me,’ because I’ve always been able to bounce right back. But I was really brought to a low place—not mentally or anything—but a humbleness of just knowing who God is, how he’s in control and I’m exactly where I’m at for a reason. I can be happy about it, be joyful in it and count it all joy.” With her faith flourishing, Huff has re-

sponded well to adversity and is focused on closing out the season on a positive note. It’s been a disappointing season for Bay FC, which was eliminated from the NWSL playoff race on Sept. 27 and has two matches remaining in its 2026 campaign. Huff has two goals and two assists across 22 of a possible 28 games played, starting 18. Described as a box to box midfielder, Huff has been known to make length of the field sprints and influence the game in both penalty areas, contributing to defense at one end and offense at the other. “I think the biggest takeaway for me is not really on field, it’s off the field and finding my joy outside of the thing that’s always defined me,” she said. “It was about finding who I am outside of that because I’m so much more than a soccer player and what everyone sees on the outside.” Huff elaborated in further detail: “I think the biggest thing for me is that pureness is what I want to be known for, having a pure heart, that alone. I’ve just found peace in knowing that if I’m truly doing what is pure, right, lovely— all those things—that’s kind of been my goal. And seeking first the kingdom of God is having that goal.”

Submitted

octobe r 2 1- 2 7, 2 0 2 6 : los gatan.com

Cutline:

VICTORIOUS After competing at seven different National Championships in three different types of race cars, Richardson got to stand in the top position on the podium at the Road America SCCA Runoffs in Elkhart Lake, Wis. Submitted

A RACE SO CLOSE IT WASN’T CLEAR WHO WON AT FIRST Richardson beats out the defending national champion S Ta ff r eporT

If you attended Los Gatos High School in the 2000s, you might remember a bright “Hugger Orange” 1969 Camaro driving around town. The car belonged to Perry Richardson, a local kid who went all through Los Gatos schools (Daves Ave, Fisher and LGHS). If you know Richardson, you know that he has been a car guy since he put his first go kart together in elementary school. His gift for Fisher Graduation was a $1,500, 1969 Camaro with flat tires, blown engine and rats inside. He spent the next 3-4 years completely refurbishing the car. After high school, Richardson got into racing. In 2009 he competed professionally in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup. He later moved into SCCA SRF and then prototype racing. Richardson set a personal goal of someday winning a national championship. At the 2018 SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Sonoma Raceway, Richardson had some mechanical problems with his car. He was unable to qualify, which meant after he got the car running, he started dead last. He had 18 cars in front of him at the start. By the end of the first lap, he had passed 5 cars. He slowly but surely picked off his competitors one by one and was able to finish in 3rd place. It wasn’t enough, he wanted that National Championship. Fast forward to 2025 at Road America National Championship, Richardson

finished second. He still wanted that National Championship. Now to 2026, Road America again for the Runoffs. Richardson is competing against two drivers who have a crew of mechanics, transport vehicles etc. On top of that, Road America is their home track. Richardson and his girlfriend Jessica Gray, another championship driver, make their way across the country in a motorhome, with 2 dogs, pulling a trailer with his car, and tools. Compared to their competitors, they are a ragtag crew. Richardson was able to qualify “on pole,” meaning he was the fastest driver on track. He started at the front and was leading the crowd by four seconds. Then a crash brought all cars to a dead stop, after 20 minutes of cleaning up debris, the cars lined up in their current positions. That put Richardson behind some slower cars that he was getting ready to lap before the crash occurred. The race restarted and it was a dog fight as there was only time for two more laps. Richardson beat out the defending 2025 National Champion by .007 seconds. It was so close that no one knew who won for about five minutes— they had to verify with a photo finish and transponder readings. After competing at seven different National Championships in three different types of race cars, Richardson got to stand in the top position on the podium. He accomplished his goal. Now it’s time to get back to coaching other drivers and solving mechanical problems. Not bad for a kid from Good Old Los Gatos.

Kidwellinsurance.com

o ctobe r 21-2 7, 2026 : losgata n.co m

POLICE BLOTTER OCT. 15

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A vehicle accident with an unknown number of injuries reportedly occurred at Steele Read on Los Gatos Boulevard at 12:48am.

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A caller reported that someone broke into her vehicle on Overlook Road and rummaged through the glove box at 11:13am.

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Drivers involved in a vehicle accident were reportedly in a disagreement about fault at Oka Road and Lark Avenue at 12:55pm. A caller’s wallet was reportedly stolen at Trader Joes on Los Gatos Boulevard. The theft occurred Oct. 14, but was reported Oct. 15 at 7:22pm.

OCT. 12

OCT. 16

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A woman reportedly trespassed and was feeding cats on Los Gatos Boulevard at 9:55am.

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Baseball gear was reportedly stolen from an unlocked vehicle at Los Gatos High School on High School Court. The theft occurred Oct. 10, but was reported Oct. 12 at 12:02pm.

An electric vehicle reportedly went through the car wash machine at Chevron on Blossom Hill Road overnight and caused approximately $5,000 in damage at 8:16am.

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A person involved in a vehicle accident at University Avenue and Shelburne Way reported chest pain at 11:09am.

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A caller reported his son stole candy from Safeway on North Santa Cruz Avenue multiple times at 3:32pm.

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A FedEx truck reportedly was left in neutral and rolled into two parked vehicles on Los Gatos Boulevard at 3:09pm.

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A mobile restroom was reportedly stolen from a trailer on Los Gatos-Almaden Road at 5:13pm.

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Tools worth approximately $1,000 were reportedly stolen as a vehicle overnight and the doors were pried open on Chirco Drive at 7:23pm.

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Someone was reportedly in the caller’s front yard with a flashlight on Hershner Court at 11:35pm.

OCT. 13 •

A mountain bike veiled at $4,000 was reportedly stolen from the caller’s open garage on Vista Del Monte at 4:19am.

OCT. 17

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Two subjects reportedly stole a deli party tray from Safeway on Pollard Road at 4:50pm.

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A caller reported a dent on her vehicle at Public Lot on Montebello Way at 4:56pm.

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A pedestrian reported minor injuries to his legs after being involved in a driving accident at Massol Avenue and Los Gatos Saratoga Road at 4:55pm.

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A caller reported a driver provided false vehicle and insurance information at North Santa Cruz Avenue and Los Gatos Saratoga Road at 7:28pm.

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A suspicious vehicle was reportedly circling the neighborhood multiple times at Bird and Woodland avenues at 5:28pm.

An officer cited and released a subject at Whole Foods at 9:19pm.

OCT. 14 •

A bicyclist and deer were reportedly involved in an altercation at Hicks Road and Shannon Oaks Lane at 7:01pm.

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A caller reported that the driver she was in a vehicle accident with might have been under the influence at Park Avenue and West Main Street at 10:07pm.

These reports are compiled from publicly available information released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. Prepared by Anika Kapasi

lgsubs.com

Tyler Brunner / Los Gatan

OCT. 11

WHOLE FOODS MARKET TEAMS UP WITH NONPROFIT FOR NUTRITIOUS OUTREACH Ty Ler Bru n ner , Contributor

“We’re basically feeding over 1,000 people a week,” Darrell Bosacki of West Valley Community Services told the Los Gatan. Bosacki, a coordinator for the food programs at West Valley Community Services who’s been volunteering for the past three and a half years, helped pass out free fresh produce, pantry items and meats at a Feeding Our Neighborhoods event Tuesday, Oct. 6. No proof of Los Gatos residency or income verification required; simply an invitation for anyone to stop by and receive whatever food you need free of charge. “A 30% increase year over year,” said Sujatha Venkatraman, executive director for West Valley Community Services and 20-year volunteer. “That's been consistent for the last two years.” That number is soon expected to rise. In March, NBC Bay Area reported “food insecurity for adults who earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level has increased from 26% in 2001 to 46% in 2024.” Feeding Our Neighborhoods is a nationwide initiative launched by Whole Foods Market in 2020. On Tuesday, in coordination with West Valley Community Services, the Los Gatos Whole Foods Market joined six other mobile food markets throughout the U.S. in observance of the company’s Nourishing Our Neighborhoods Day. This wasn’t the first time Whole Foods Market teamed up with the local West Valley Community Services nonprofit. Whole Foods Market donated the refrigerated van West Valley Community Services relies on to deliver stores’ surplus perishables like meat, poultry, milk and prepared food to seven different zip codes in the Bay Area. The van is hard to miss with its colorful fruits and veggies and a large Whole Foods Market decal painted on the sides and on the back. West Valley Community Services, established by three public health nurses, has been providing free food to South Bay communities for over 50 years (since 1973). On this warm summer day, volunteers sorted through food inside the donated van that would go to those experiencing food insecurity. “Sometimes the challenges that we face are basically capacity challenges,” Bosacki said. “‘Can we get this food…to people that need it quickly enough before the food itself fails’? It's, ‘Do we have enough refrigerator and freezer space for the perishables that they can't sit outside?’” The Los Gatos’ Whole Foods Market’s Store Team Lead Kendall Witthans also participated in the day’s activities alongside some of her fellow team leaders. The community service provided by West

THE BOSS Kendall Witthans, Los Gatos Whole Foods Market’s Store Team Leader, stands in front of the prepared foods section. Witthans said prepared foods have helped the store exceed early sales expectations. Valley Community Services and Whole Foods Market mirrored what Witthans said was her store’s biggest return on investment: community and service. “I think the job is a lot of fun.” Witthans said. “It's like a community of a store.” Strategically, Witthans said the Los Gatos’ Whole Foods’ strategy for competing with nearby high-end grocery stores is to provide the best customer service. That return on investment has helped exceed the store’s expectations week over week. The new store has topped their one million dollar quota every week since opening (with the exception of the Fourth of July holiday week). When asked what category she credited most for her store’s success, Witthans replied, “A team that is excelling right now, I'm saying Prepared Foods. Yeah?” she motioned towards her team leaders who nodded in agreement. “Now it's kind of normal, but when we first opened, prepared foods was only supposed to do around $70,000 a week and they're doing over $105,000.” Witthans said she hopes to see the store’s partnership with West Valley Community Services become a quarterly event. “I think we're going to be doing it quarterly,” Witthans said. “I think that's actually the company's promise.” If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, you can reach out to West Valley Community Services at wvcommunityservices.org/food or by calling 408-255-8033 to enroll for services. West Valley Community Center hosts food markets Monday-Friday in both the morning and afternoon (only afternoon on Thursdays).

HOME PRICES DRIVE COUNTY’S RESIDENTIAL TAX WINDFALL, ASSESSOR SAYS

octobe r 2 1- 2 7, 2 0 2 6 : los gatan.com

Da n p uLcr a no , Executive Editor

Santa Clara County property tax receipts continue to grow, and demand for homes in exclusive communities like Monte Sereno and Los Altos Hills lead the charge, according to the annual report released this week by Assessor Neysa Fligor. “Changes of ownership for residential properties continue to be the strongest contributor to growth in value,” Fligor said. Accounting for 49% of the county’s value growth, residential reassessments following property transactions outstripped the commercial properties, new construction and Prop 13 inflation adjustments as a driver of revenue growth, she said. The property taxes fund state and local government services, schools and special assessment districts. The county’s assessed values surpassed three-quarters of a trillion dollars, making Santa Clara County the state’s fourth most valuable chunk of real estate, behind Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. Santa Clara County is worth more than two San Franciscos. Residential transactions remained steady in number, with a slight increase in median sales prices. Los Altos Hills and Monte Sereno, each pegged 5.7%. Largely residential Morgan Hill grew at 5.6%. Los Altos showed the strongest performance of the residential markets at 6.4%. It was second only to Sunnyvale, which reached the top position through commercial property assessments, with a blended growth rate of 7.2%. The countywide average increase overall was 4.7%. Los Gatos’ assessment roll grew 4.64% to $20.8 billion,down from 5.85% last year and slower than the county average. San Jose grew by less, 4.5%, though with $280 billion in contributions, it represents the largest chunk of the county’s tax base. Fligor briefly discussed the impact of data center growth on tax revenues, mentioning that the investment in computing infrastructure contributed property taxes both directly and indirectly via support industries and higher residential values. The Monday morning event was a first for the office, as Fligor nears the one-year mark. She succeeded former Assessor Larry Stone, who delivered remarks on the transition and why he chose not to seek another term after three decades on the job. Fligor has overseen the transition to a new technology platform to manage the office’s assessment system for more than half a million properties.

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octob e r 2 1-2 7, 2026 : losgata n.co m

PUBLIC NOTICES Fictitious Business Name Statements

Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Mike Louie /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Ixta Maya Bautista /s/ (Pub LGN: 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2026)

File Number: FBN730406. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. DashMed Consulting, 4063 Valerie Drive, Campbell, CA 95008. This business is conducted by: An Individual, CONOR HENEGHAN, 4063 Valerie Drive, Campbell, CA 95008. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 09/16/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Conor Heneghan /s/. (Pub LGN: 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2026)

File Number: FBN730391. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. Zavanche, 2144 Bello Ave., San Jose, CA 95125. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Richard Rizio, 2144 Bello Ave., San Jose, CA 95125. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 08/26/2026 and 09/16/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Fraulein Dominguez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Richard Rizio /s/ (Pub LGN: 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2026)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #730412 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Aru Air Care, 385 River Oaks Parkway, #2008, San Jose, CA 95134, Berd Plumbing 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/Almazbek Shamsharbek Uulu. Manager. 202359913979. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 09/16/2026. (pub LG 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2026)

File Number: FBN730683. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. WILD PEACE COUNSELING, 15732 Los Gatos Blvd 3072, Los Gatos, CA 95032. This business is conducted by: An Individual, MICHAELA SUE LUCK, 15732 Los Gatos Blvd 3072, Los Gatos, CA 95032. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 09/25/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Michaela Luck /s/ (Pub LGN: 10/07, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28/2026)

File Number: FBN729532. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. THE EVEREST KITCHEN, 520 Lawrence Expy #310, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, HIMALAYAN SAFFRON CUSINE INC, 1627 Sunnyvale Saratoga Road, Sunnyvale, VS 94087. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 08/17/2026 and 08/17/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Fraulein Dominguez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. HIMALAYAN SAFFRON CUSINE INC, Article/Reg # B20260106756, Above Entity was Formed in the State of California. /s/ PRAKASH BAN /s/ CEO. (Pub LGN: 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2026) File Number: FBN730473. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. LYD LAW, 97 E Brokaw Rd Ste 320, San Jose, CA 95112. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, LYD LAW, 97 E Brokaw Rd Ste 320, San Jose, CA 95112. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/06/2015 and 09/18/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. LYD LAW, Article/Reg # 4014993, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Yuandi Li /s/ Owner. (Pub LGN: 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #729780 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Florecer Arts Company, 2. Florecer Dance Studios, 3454 Tokay Way, San Jose, CA, 95148, Debra C Avelar-Castenada. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/01/2026. /s/Debra Avelar-Castenada. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/25/2026. (pub LG 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #730614 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Viam General, 2189 Monterey Road, Suite 260, San Jose, CA 95125, Tech Bay General. 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/ Steven Chien Tran. CEO. B20260213559. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 09/23/2026. (pub LG 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #730622 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Agape Schools, 2. Neighborhood Christian Schools, 3. Neighborhood Christian Preschool, 4, Neighborhood Christian Center, 5. Hillside Neighborhood Academy, 6. Neighborhood Preschool Academy, 2315 Canoas Garden Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, . 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 06/07/1982. /s/ Genia Sue Phillips. Corporate Secretary. 1075059. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 09/23/2026. (pub LG 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2026) File Number: FBN730311. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. IM B TRADING, 910 South 6th St., San Jose, CA 95112. This business is conducted by: An Individual, IXTA MAYA BAUTISTA, 910 South 6th St., San Jose, CA 95112. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 09/14/2026 and 09/14/2026 is the file date.

File Number: FBN730700. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD PUBLISHING, 20289 Stevens Creek Blvd #1232, Cupertino, CA 95014. This business is conducted by: An Individual, ANNA MARIE RODRIGUEZ, 20289 Stevens Creek Blvd #1232, Cupertino, CA 95014. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 09/25/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Mike Louie /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Anna Marie Rodriguez /s/ (Pub LGN: 10/07, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28/2026) File Number: FBN730704. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. GUS’S COMMUNITY MARKET, 15980 Los Gatos Boulevard, Los Gatos, CA 95032. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, GUS’S MARKET LOS GATOS, LLC, 2200 Jerrold Avenue Suite A, San Francisco, CA 94124. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 09/24/2026 and 09/25/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Mike Louie /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. GUS’S MARKET LOS GATOS, LLC, Article/Reg # B20260218174, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Bobby Vardakastanis /s/ Managing Member. (Pub LGN: 10/07, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28/2026) File Number: FBN730721. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. TOJOPHOTO, 14525 Deer Park Court, Los Gatos, CA 95032. This business is conducted by: An Individual, THOMAS JORDAN, 14525 Deer Park Court, Los Gatos, CA 95032. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 09/28/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Thomas Jordan /s/. (Pub LGN: 10/07, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28/2026) File Number: FBN730923. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. WEAR24 JEWELRY, 1525 Elwood Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95032. This business is conducted by: An Individual, JASPAL KAUR KUMAR, 1525 Elwood Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95032. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 10/01/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Fraulein Dominguez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Jaspal Kaur Kumar /s/. (Pub LGN: 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2026) File Number: FBN730593. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. KIKABOO CREATIONS, 1290 Leigh Ave #1, San Jose, CA 95126. This business is conducted by: An Individual, PAMELA HODGDON LYRA, 1290 Leigh Ave #1, San Jose, CA 95126. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 05/01/2014 and 09/23/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Pamela Lyra /s/. (Pub LGN: 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #730571 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Payhanm, 10316 Scenic Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014, Monisha Gupta. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Monisha Gupta. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 09/22/2026. (pub LG 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2026)

File Number: FBN730272. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. Guest Badges, 201 Twelve Oaks Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95030. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Sheldon Gilbert, 201 Twelve Oaks Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95030. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 09/11/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Hilda Cedillo /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Sheldon Gilbert /s/. (Pub LGN: 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2026) File Number: FBN730272. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. BANAH BAY REMODELING, 2336 Kruse Dr., San Jose, CA 95131. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Alejandro Cruz Aguilar, 2336 Kruse Dr., San Jose, CA 95131. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 09/25/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Mike Louie /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Alejandro Cruz Aguilar /s/. (Pub LGN: 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #730686 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Courtesy Electric Inc, 213 E Maude Ave #105, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Above entity was formed in the state of California. Registrant has not yet began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Mike Valenzuela. CEO. 6031359. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 09/25/2026. (pub LG 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2026) FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #731044 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Little Table Bakehouse, 631 14th Street, San Jose, CA 95112, Wakiko Theodore. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not yet began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Wakiko Theodore. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 10/06/2026. (pub LG 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2026) File Number: FBN731093. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. SHREWD AI, 1225 Somerset Dr, San Jose, CA 95132. This business is conducted by: An Individual, KENNETH NG, 1225 Somerset Dr, San Jose, CA 95132. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 10/07/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Kenneth Ng /s/. (Pub LGN: 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2026) File Number: FBN731019. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. RADIX CARE, 5117 Southwick Ct, San Jose, CA 95136. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, VORKSAKE LLC, 5117 Southwick Ct, San Jose, CA 95136. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 10/06/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. VORKSAKE LLC, Article/Reg # 202565713120, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Vasuki Kasturi /s/ Owner. (Pub LGN: 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2026) STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME. FBN730521, filed on 09/21/2026. The following person(s)/registrant(s) has/have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name(s): Aldo’s Ristorante & Bar, 14109 Winchester Blvd, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Filed in Santa Clara county on 9/24/24 under file No. 709840. Full Name of Registrant (s): 1.Alba Restaurant Services, Inc, 14109 Winchester Blvd, Los Gatos, CA 95032. This business was conducted by: A Corporation. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Fraulein Dominguez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Barbara Lonsbury /s/. Dated: September 21, 2026. (Pub LGN: 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2026) File Number: FBN730158. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. PURE AIR MECH., 1507 June Ave, San Jose, CA 95122. This business is conducted by: A Limited Liability Company, PURE AIR MECHANICAL LLC, 1507 June Ave, San Jose, CA 95122. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 09/08/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Fraulein Dominguez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. PURE AIR MECHANICAL LLC, Article/Reg # B20260369888, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Alejandro Cortes /s/ Owner. (Pub LGN: 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, 11/11/2026)

legals@losgatan.com File Number: FBN731043. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. BILL’S BRUSH WORKS, INC, 373 Genevieve Lane, San Jose, CA 95128. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, BILL’S BRUSH WORKS, INC, 373 Genevieve Lane, San Jose, CA 95128. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 11/04/2015 and 10/06/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Fraulein Dominguez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. BILL’S BRUSH WORKS, INC, Article/Reg # C3423851, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Bill Sullivan /s/ Owner President. (Pub LGN: 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, 11/11/2026) File Number: FBN730878. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. LAULEA CARE, 133 Marcia Ct, Mountain View, CA 94040. This business is conducted by: An Individual, SILIA LAULEA, 133 Marcia Ct, Mountain View, CA 94040. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 09/08/2026 and 09/30/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Mike Louie /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Silia Laulea /s/. (Pub LGN: 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, 11/11/2026) File Number: FBN731237. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. SOUTH VALLEY LANDSCAPING, 2150 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95112. This business is conducted by: A General Partnership, JO’ANN O’CONNEL, TRUSTEE, 2150 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95112 & JAMES MELEHAN, TRUSTEE, 416 Martin Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050 & KEVIN WALTERS, TRUSTEE, 451 Los Gatos Blvd, Suite 107, Los Gatos, CA 95032 & LYNN VAUDAGNA, 13911 Ravenwood Dr., Saratoga, CA 95070 & JAMES VAUDAGNA, 1445 West San Carlos, San Jose, CA 95126 & ANN VAUDAGNA, 1445 West San Carlos, San Jose, CA 95126 & SUSAN VAUDAGNA, 1445 West San Carlos, San Jose, CA 95126. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 01/01/2025 and 10/14/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Jo’Ann O’Connell /s/. (Pub LGN: 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, 11/11/2026) File Number: FBN731238. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1.JPP INVESTMENTS BASCOM, 2150 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95112. This business is conducted by: An Unincorporated Association Other Than A Partnership, JO’ANN O’CONNELL, TRUSTEE, 19360 Valle Vista Drive, Saratoga, CA 95070 & JAMES MELEHAN, TRUSTEE, 416 Martin Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050 & MAUREEN MELEHAN MACHADO, TRUSTEE, 416 Martin Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050 & MAUREEN MELEHAN MACHADO, 16411 Matilija Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95030 & JOHNATHAN MELEHAN, TRUSTEE, 416 Martin Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050 & JAMES MELEHAN, 256 Spreading Oaks Dr., Scotts Valle, CA 95066 & John Machado, TRUSTEE, 416 Martin Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050 & BRITTAIN MELEHAN, TRUSTEE, 416 Martin Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050 & CELESTE MELEHAN, TRUSTEE, 416 Martin Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 09/24/1996 and 10/14/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Elaine Fader /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Jo’Ann O’Connell /s/. (Pub LGN: 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, 11/11/2026) STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME. FBN731219, filed on 10/13/2026. The following person(s)/registrant(s) has/have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name(s): 1. MULBERRY PRINTS, 2. MULBERRY, 3. MULBERRY DESIGNS, 4. MULBERRY LABELS, 5. MULBERRY HOME, 2599 Louis Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303. Filed in Santa Clara county on 11/06/2024 under file No. FBN710938. Full Name of Registrant (s): 1.MULBERRY PRINTS LLC, 2599 Louis Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303. This business was conducted by: A Limited Liability Company. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Patty Camarena /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Jennifer Chien /s/ Owner. Dated: October 13, 2026. (Pub LGN: 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, 11/11/2026) File Number: FBN730439. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. JDLS Insurance Agency, 1650 Zanker Rd Suite 230, San Jose, CA 95112. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Jorge De La Sierra, 1650 Zanker Rd Suite 230, San Jose, CA 95112. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 09/17/2026 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Corinne Vasquez /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Jorge De La Sierra /s/. (Pub LGN: 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, 11/11/2026)

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A WARMER HOME STARTS WITH A BETTER FIREPLACE

f you love the radiant warmth and beauty of a wood-burning fire but wish your fireplace did a better job heating your home, you may be surprised by how much wood-burning technology has improved. Today’s wood stoves, inserts, and fireplaces are designed to provide efficient, reliable heat while burning significantly cleaner than older models. With long burn times, easy-to-use controls, and beautiful designs, modern wood heating is now simple and eco-friendly.

CAN YOU STILL HEAT YOUR HOME WITH WOOD?

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HOW CLEAN ARE TODAY’S WOOD STOVES?

Wood is a renewable, locally available fuel source, and woodburning technology has come a long way. Older wood stoves and open fireplaces produce significant amounts of smoke and particulate emissions. Modern EPA-certified appliances use advanced combustion technology to burn much of that smoke before it escapes through the chimney. This means more of the wood’s energy is converted into useful heat, less fuel is wasted, and significantly fewer particulates are released into the air. Today’s EPA-certified wood stoves meet strict emissions standards, less than 2 grams of particulate emissions per hour.

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