Not a single resident spoke against the high-end restaurant, design studio and furniture store proposal from RH—formerly Restoration Hardware—for Old Town Los Gatos, during public comment period, as it made it through Planning Commission, Aug. 27, with plenty of support.
Only Commissioner Susan Burnett voted against the "Architecture and Site" and "Planned Development” grouping of documents, though, in a second vote, she joined her fellow commissioners to recommend Council approve the Conditional Use Permit.
“It’s going to create a destination,” Commissioner Steve Raspe said. “It really does show who we are—puts us higher up on the map.”
Several residents shared how they’d become fans of the company’s approach to design and the culinary arts upon visiting their locations around the Bay Area.
Vice Chair Kendra Burch and Commissioner Rob Stump were absent.
At first, no one brought up any potential conflicts of interest.
But then, Raspe thought he better say something.
He admitted his house is “stuffed full” of RH furniture, but, he added, he was quite confident he could take an impartial look at the plans.
➝ RH. 12
LG
MAN HELD AFTER WITNESSES SAY HE FILMED MINORS
Police: He’ll face attempted kidnapping charge
Dan Pulcrano, Executive Editor
An alert parent walking his kids to school around 8am last Thursday detained a man outside Los Gatos’ Louise Van
Meter Elementary School after he spotted him following girls with a smartphone in his hand. By 8:15am, 63-year-old Los Gatos resident John Alan Hale was in handcuffs along Los Gatos Boulevard.
The parent, who identified himself as Khalid, said Hale was walking behind students and was holding a device obscured by a wallet below their skirts. Khalid said that when he spoke to the man—whom police later identified as Hale—the suspect took off running. Khalid was able to grab and hold the suspect until police arrived. He said Hale punched
Arrest, 7
EYES HAVE IT Senior student Portia Zeidler is determined to lead the Wildcats to an SCVAL De Anza Division championship this season. P8
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VOL.5 NO.1
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CHAMBER CEO REVEALS DELICIOUS DEETS ABOUT UPCOMING STREET FESTIVAL
Lin shares plans to highlight Los Gatos as food & bev “oasis” via Taste of LG
Drew Penner, Editor
While this year’s Taste of Los Gatos will feature Rush cover band R50 and Livewire headlining the main stage, with Chain of Fools, Identity Problem, Phill & Rob and Sam Marshall scattered throughout the one-day street party, make no mistake, the essence of the fest will be the nibbles and libations.
Last week, in an interview with the Los Gatan , the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce shared more details about their plan to turn the downtown core into a food and beverage “oasis,” Sept. 6, from noon to 5pm.
“It’s really telling the story of Los Gatos as a culinary destination,” said Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Lin. “I really do feel like we’re experiencing a culinary renaissance here.”
Lin was in a buoyant mood, after Planning Commission supported the food-and-furniture plan by RH, the upscale company based up in Marin County’s Corte Madera. (Read more on P1.)
“They recognize that Los Gatos is a destination,” she said of the business known as Restoration Hardware until 2012. “And if approved, it will only help us to elevate that reputation and drive even more regional traffic here.”
Meanwhile, Barnes & Noble has been renovating the former Vini Vidi Vici space on Grays Lane.
“There's actually a lot of energy and momentum in our downtown, and the Chamber is conscientiously—and strategically—building on that,” Lin said. “It’s amazing what we offer without having to drive very far.”
It’s been all-hands-on-deck at the Visitor’s Bureau at 10 Station Way,
IT OUT Beth
where the organization has its offices, as Beth Foley, multimedia designer, and Rita Kelly, events and marketing coordinator, poured over maps and sifted through details about the eats and sips to be offered at Taste.
At the time of the interview, selections were continuing to pour in from the 27 restaurants and 20 local wineries that are participating. But here’s a sneak peek…
• Oren’s Hummus: mini falafels and pita wedges.
• Telefèric Barcelona: duck confit empanadas with spicy aioli
• The Pastaria & Market: tortellone a la vodka and peas
“We find people just love being in the middle of the street connecting with
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Raising concern with the word ‘commit’
I am a lifelong Los Gatos resident and an active member of our community, including serving as vice-president of the Los Gatos Morning Rotary and other community groups. I am very involved in mental health education and advocacy, including serving as co-chair of Santa Clara County’s Suicide Prevention Intervention Workgroup, although I am not writing on behalf of that group, just as an individual.
In any case, I enjoy reading your articles in the Los Gatan, and found Jeffrey
P. Blum’s recent article, "CAUTION: This article contains warnings!” to be humorous and well written.
At the same time, you reference suicide in the article, with the term “commit suicide.” FYI, this term is not considered best practice when referring to suicide, as it is stigmatizing language. The preferred terminology is “die(d) by suicide” or “take own life.”
This website, created by the leading suicide prevention groups, lists best practices for media when referring to
issues of suicide: reportingonsuicide.org
This webpage also provides additional guidance: afsp.org/ethicalreporting, including a video clip by NBC Senior National Correspondent Kate Snow on not using the word commit.
Take care, Dr. Chris Miller steinberginstitute.org/champion/chris-miller/
*Letters are edited for length and clarity
neighbors and making new friends,” Lin remarked. “And we do think that this festival is one of the best ways that we can share who we are.”
The Chamber’s leadership believes that creating a unique and impactful experience for out-of-towners will help to generate economic lift over the longer term.
“Once people come and discover us, we find they come back over and over again,”
➝ Taste of LG, 11
CORRECTIONS
Last week’s Taste of Los Gatos article included incorrect information about the number of participating restaurants and wineries. Correct figures can be found in the above article. The climbing wall is not “returning;” it’s a new addition this year. We regret the errors.
MAPPING
Foley, multimedia designer for the Chamber, prepares a visual list of participants to send to the Town.
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CLASS IS BACK IN SESSION AT COLLEGE OF ADAPTIVE ARTS
A lifetime learning center that educates and empowers
Dinah Cotton, Contributor
On the 143 acres that make up West Valley Community College campus, there is a single building that houses the Colleges of Adaptive Arts “CAA.” A tour was arranged with Nicole Kim, last week. Kim is the executive director at CAA. As she welcomed me in, I noticed the music class had just ended. Students were milling about, everybody was smiling. For some of these students attending college was an impossible dream-till they enrolled. Some students carry trauma from past “educational” experiences.
Kim introduced me to Dr. Pamela Lindsay, a professor in arts and education and DeAnna Pursai, a special education teacher. Together in 2009 they co-founded CAA. The mission “to provide lifelong equitable college education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities” was their vision.
What started with 12 students has grown into a “forever school”. This college has grown with hybrid classes, filling an educational gap for intellectual and developmental disabled students. Both Lindsay and Pursai have been recognized locally and nationally for their work creating lifelong learning “colleges”. These colleges bring together students and support their efforts. Here they offer higher education, above age 18 without any age limitation to any adult with disabilities.
Lifelong learning
All of the students at CAA have a place where they belong. Some travel to get to class and some stay at home and zoom in. Everyone belongs. I felt very welcomed in this inclusive education atmosphere. This “college” within a college provides students a place to be a lifelong learner.
At age 20-21 most students at CAA have aged out of what is called traditional education. At CAA students may continue to learn pathways for job training and/or to continue on with college education. The enrollment has doubled over the past five years. Being included in student-empowered course design, computer education make this a very inspirational college.
The curriculum is adjusted for the needs of the students. There is a high ratio of professors to students. During covid, when classes went online enrollment actually increased. Going online changed the game for many students. Today around 80% of students take online classes.
EXECUTIVE
Social events
Victoria Rivera, age 33, is an event planner. Rivera said “I like the vibe here. I especially like “Lounge Night". I make sure that everyone is comfortable. What I really like is being an ambassador and letting everyone here know that you are welcome and not alone.” Rivera will also co-emcee the upcoming gala with Mr. Rowan Timmermann. Rivera added “did you know we will have a politician attending our Gala on Sept.14?”
On Sept. 14, 2-4pm, at Mission College, in Santa Clara, CAA will hold its annual Gala fundraiser “: Writing the next chapter in inclusive higher education”. The benefit fundraiser is the largest event for this worthy cause. Everyone is welcome. I then chatted with Rowan Timmermann, age 26 also an emcee at the gala. He said “what I like about coming to classes is that I can make friends. I have been coming here for five years and I am honored to be part of the gala”.
On the job training
The workforce development program blends classroom instruction with OJT for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities “I/DD”. Pre-OJT training provides students with handson learning. CAA sets up students for success and a successful life while attending college and participating in lifelong learning.
College of Adaptive Arts is a non-profit which serves more than 225 adults with IDD. I/DD higher education schools exist across 9 different states. CAA offers a mix
of online learning and in-person classes. With 10 different schools of instruction in things like Digital Media Studies, Communication, Business, Coding and Visual Arts. The vision of the College of Adaptive Arts is to be able to replicate its innovative educational model on college campuses across the world so that any adult
with IDD has access to higher education, wherever and whenever they want.
College of Adaptive Arts is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing a lifelong, equitable collegiate experience to adults with special needs. collegeofadaptivearts.org
DIRECTOR Nicole Kim introduced Dinah Cotton to the students who will be part of CAA’s annual gala, Sept. 14.
MUSICALITY Curtis Kitaji has been working on his electric guitar skills. He will be performing at the upcoming afternoon gala at Mission College.
ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING ACCUSATION
Arrest, from page 1
and bit him. Khalid was bleeding from his leg and hand as he stood outside the Old Adobe Hair Shop, a short distance from the handcuffed man, who asked for an attorney.
Khalid added that the smartphone appeared to be still in recording mode when it was placed on the seat of a police vehicle.
Hale was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail, and bail was set at $200,000. According to jail records, he was released before the three-day holiday weekend was over. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office confirmed that Hale posted bail and was released, but that the case has been assigned to a senior investigator in the sexual assault unit and is “under investigation.”
The Los Gatan contacted the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department to ask about the incident and was directed to send an email to pio@losgatosca.gov. The department later posted the suspect’s identity to Facebook and Instagram, large, privately-run social media services based in Menlo Park that are sometimes used by government agencies to disseminate official information.
Hale “was taken into custody on charges related to annoying and harassing minors and battery,” according to the social media update.
“In addition, the investigation revealed that Hale had attempted to temporarily restrain a juvenile in the course of his actions and therefore he is being
charged with attempted kidnapping,” LGMSPD said.
A spokesperson for the Los Gatos Union School District declined to go into detail before notifying parents and staff members about the case.
“Our focus is taking care of our school community,” said Karen Briones, the communications official. “We are working closely with the police department on this.”
“Should you have additional information related to this incident or the suspect involved, please contact Detective Heather Murphy at the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department at 408-824-3228,” LGMSPD posted.
ARRESTED John Alan Hale was taken into custody on Thursday morning before 9am on suspicion of battery and annoying / harassing minors.
BY THE SCHOOL The arrest occurred near Louise Van Meter Elementary.
PORTIA ZEIDLER IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE
Jonathan Natividad
Wildcats’ senior, Notre Damecommit a tour de force
Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor
The last time the Los Gatos High School girls volleyball team won a league championship, Portia Zeidler was in the eighth grade.
Now in her senior year, Zeidler would love nothing more than to lead the Wildcats to a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division title this season.
“Winning league is definitely something we can do if we work hard in practice,” said Zeidler, a University of Notre Dame-commit. “It’s been a goal since I was a freshman. We definitely have the potential and I think we can do some great things.”
After playing middle blocker in the first three years of her high school career, Zeidler has transitioned to right side hitter. So far, so good.
“I’m definitely excited to be playing right side,” she said. “We have so many middles which is different from most teams, and we’re doing some fun combo plays.”
The biggest adjustment for Zeidler has been the timing on her attacks. Middles typically hit fast tempo sets, while right side has a more deliberate leadup to the attack. Zeidler has been hitting a lot from the three zone for Los Gatos, which entered the week 2-3.
Despite graduating the majority of their starting lineup off last year’s team, the Wildcats return a talented lineup that includes outside hitters Capri Allen, Stella Kanter, Kate Langner and Nadia Wilk.
“Capri has been playing super well,” Zeidler said. “We have a lot of new, different players on the court this season and I’m excited to see how we come together.”
Juniors Sienna McGrath and Sadie Bins return to fortify the middle blocker position, and another junior, Silvia Miletich, can play the middle and right side. Zeidler said the team will rely heavily on sophomore libero Caylin Thomas and senior Annette Bassani to provide rock-solid passing and defense.
Seniors Britt Melinauskas and Ammie Vo-Robinson return after playing well last season. Violet Ford-Pustelnik, Leilah Bakhtiari and Grace Krasniewicz provide the team with quality depth at nearly every position. In Zeidler, Los Gatos has an undeniable talent who can take over matches with her ability on the block and on the attack. The 6-foot-4 Zeidler can terminate the ball with efficiency and has made tremendous improvement in the last few years.
“I’m looking to get better and expand my skill level,” she said. “It’s also really
Zeidler started playing volleyball as a sixth grader and two years later was on a travel team.
important for me to help build this team up and encourage the younger players to be at their best.”
Zeidler attended a Notre Dame camp last summer after which time the Fighting Irish offered her a scholarship.
“I knew immediately after going out there the first time, that I wanted to play there,” she said. “The team culture is amazing and the coaching staff is great.”
Zeidler comes from a family of athletes. Her dad and uncle both high jumped at the Division I level and her second cousin, McKenna Vicini, played volleyball at Stanford and is currently competing at the professional level for the San Diego Mojo.
“McKenna is definitely someone I looked up to if I had questions to ask and she would give me advice,” Zeidler said. “She was at Stanford just as I was really getting serious into volleyball, and I have some great memories of going to Stanford and watching her play.”
Zeidler started playing volleyball as a sixth grader and two years later was on a travel team. At the time, Zeidler was still growing into her current 6-4 frame, but she said strength training helped her become more athletic on the court.
“It was certainly difficult when I was at that awkward stage and getting really tall,” she said. “But I started weight lifting and that helped me to move faster and jump higher, and as the years progressed, I really saw a difference that made in my game.”
A love letter to Los Gatos GUEST VIEW
Creatives from Santa Cruz and the East Bay meet in the town of cats
Laura Elliott and Edna Cabcabin Moran
Many thanks, Los Gatos, for inspiring us for 15 years and counting. Thank you for being our creative sanctuary when the world, writing, life and our dreams needed the kind of grounding and encouragement that could only come from the kind of solace we’ve discovered in your charming village and in the comfort of our 20-year-old friendship.
At first, we sought you out of convenience. Edna, an author-illustrator and poet with credits in children’s and middle-grade literature, lives up north in Alameda. Laura, an author of memoir, and ghostwriter of books and screenplays, lived down south in Los Angeles, then eventually moved up to Big Sur, Carmel Valley, and settled in Santa Cruz.
We got to know each other in an online critique group through the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. In the early years of our friendship, when fate brought us within driving distance, Los Gatos started as a convenient “in the middle” place to meet. While we tried a few other places, like Salinas and San Jose, they didn’t feed our soul and creative spirit the way Los Gatos does. Here, we feel relaxed and a world away from our RL (real life). This is our place to “talk story,” as Edna likes to say.
Talking story can mean anything from reading each other’s writing, giving heartfelt feedback, chatting about our latest writing escapades, sharing our hopes and dreams, laughing about life and love, getting caught up with the latest news about our growing families, hugging during times of trials and heartache, encouraging each other to keep going in our creative pursuits no matter what (with silver bracelets that we wear inscribed with “keep f******* going,” lest we forget), and creating artwork to unleash our creative powers in new ways.
The art projects Edna coordinated for us over the years would eventually heal Laura’s spirit in such a way that it brought her writing back to life (she had lost her ability to write during a tumultuous time). Our meetups over the decades have given us the gift of time––to create, to simply be painters, artists, writers… whatever. Without judgment. Without expectation. Without labels.
Over the years, we’ve dealt with rejections, stuck with our WIPs (works in progress), powered through (the now-defunct) NaNoWriMo, celebrated publications, and made resilience, perseverance and laughter our North Star. As writers, our special bond has flourished on our day-long writer get-
aways in Los Gatos. Over time, we started calling each other “Tita,” which means “sister” in Hawaiian. Edna, who has danced hula professionally with N Lei Hulu I Ka W kiu, a critically acclaimed h lau (school of hula) and dance company for over 30 years, welcomed Laura to the sisterhood even though she’s hula-challenged.
When the world opened up again after the pandemic, we met up in the village park in Los Gatos for the first time IRL (in real life). It had been over two years. We’ll never forget what it meant to hug each other again, get some food, and spend hours seated on one of the benches in the shade, reconnecting.
Our writing journey in Los Gatos is fueled by equal parts food, conversation and laughter. At first, we met at the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, back when they had a specialty grocery store attached to the establishment. Then we discovered Fleur de Cocoa, where we continue to enjoy tasty lunches and incredible chocolate creations. The salade niçoise, onion soup and chocolate treats are among our favorites. Laura discovered the place when she needed macaroons to create gifts for her daughter’s bridal shower guests.
Great Bear Coffee is another special place, introduced to Laura by her assistant who lived in Los Gatos. This charming spot is perfect for getting your creative vibe on for hours (they had us with their Rose Cardamom and Apple Spice Lattes!). Having the Apple store close by has come in handy on a few occasions, too.
Last Wednesday, at the Great Bear Café, we celebrated some big milestones. Laura released her first memoir (38 years in the making) in mid-August on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day––Dear Laura, A Lost Chapter of WWII: A Father-Daughter Adventure of Courage, Faith & Freedom (Merack Publishing). Edna has a new comic out this October in LET’S GO!, a middle-grade comic anthology successfully crowd-funded on Kickstarter through Kids Comics Unite. In March 2026, Edna’s new poem will appear in the middle-grade poetry anthology, “FOR THE WIN, Poems Celebrating Phenomenal Athletes” (Lerner/Carolrhoda). Here’s to another 15 years!
Edna’s latest book: Honu and Moa (Beachhouse) beachhousepublishing.com
Edna’s website: kidlitedna.com
Laura’s latest book: Dear Laura, A Lost Chapter of WWII: amzn.to/4lJsNpj
Laura’s website: laurasmagicday.com
Gallery celebrating Community Day on Sunday
The 11am-6pm event will honor 60 years of “museums”
Dinah Cotton, Contributor
Our NUMU has a lot going on. For starters, this is the 10th year at its current location, and a celebration has been planned. In 2015, two existing museums combined into this one museum. So, this is actually the 60-year anniversary of museums in Los Gatos. This will be celebrated with an Anniversary Community Day, see below for details on this event.
History
Museum–Los Gatos Museum Association become NUMU
In 1992 the History Museum of Los Gatos was located at Forbes Mill annex. The Firehouse Museum occupied, you guessed it, in the old firehouse at the corner of Main Street and Tait Avenue, changing its name to Los Gatos Museum Association in 1967. Currently NUMU rents space that the library was in prior to the new library. It is near the Town of Los Gatos Plaza at 106 E Main St., just off the Civic Plaza.
Communicating upcoming events
Last week I sat down with Jamie Donofrio, NUMU’s development + communication manager, to catch up with planned happenings. Coming up on Sept. 7 from 11am-6pm is the “60th Anniversary Community Day.” This daylong event will feature artists, live music, local history, tours, crafts and a ’60s costume contest with prizes. Hootenanny will provide the live music. There will be hands-on crafts and tours. This event is free with online registration. Walk-ins will be welcomed.
NUMU talks and tours
Monthly happenings are an interesting and important part of the museum’s Programs & Events lineup. These events feature details on current art and local historic exhibits. Coming up on Sept. 19 there will be a guided history talk featuring Roland Hsu, director of research, on the Chinese Railroad workers in North America project at Stanford University.
Tour and visitor services
Cheryl Huguenor, Tour and Visitor Services, hosts these talks and tours. Huguenor stated, “Our next tour (of our history exhibits) and talk is here on Friday, Sept. 19. I will discuss the role of the railroad in LG history, then we have a Stanford professor and researcher who will discuss the Chinese laborers who helped to build the Transcontinental Railroad.”
Newspaper ‘Wars’
On Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at 11am, NUMU will hold a talk about the newspaper wars. There was quite a newspaper rivalry in the late 1800s. This was a time when local newspapers literally tried to drive each other out of business. Think Los Gatan and Weekly-Times.
Los Gatos Roadshow: the ’60s live on
Were you living here in the ’60s? Do you have objects from these times? The museum is asking for items from this era that it can borrow. This is part of the year-long celebration of 60 years of the museums. Bring your items in with their history. Mementos, photographs, clothing and ticket stubs are being collected—but no bongs, please. These selected items will be on display Jan. 23-May 24, 2026.
Coming up, the first museum ‘Art Benefit’
The first Peace, Love + Art Benefit will be held on Nov. 15 at La Rinconada Country Club (’60s attire is suggested). A live art auction is planned. The theme is “groovy.” There will be dancing, eating and an awards celebration. Contact NUMU for tickets. And support our museum and have a bit of fun.
Awards will be Awarded
From the NUMU brochure on this event—awards will be awarded: The Dr. Ethel Dana Award recognizes members of the Los Gatos Museum Association community who’ve demonstrated “exceptional commitment to the museum and community by giving generously of their time, energy, and leadership.”
The Leo and Leona Awards for art and history recognize those members of the museum community who’ve contributed to preserving (or presenting) Bay Area history, or shown a commitment to fostering the arts in the community through exhibitions, mentorship, education or public engagement.
The awards are named for “The Cats” statues, which have stood along Highway 17 guarding the entrance of a renowned estate since 1922—and stand as a symbol of the Town of Los Gatos and the more than 100-year history of our residents’ deep commitment to the arts.
Dinah Cotton/Los Gatan
FROM AN EARLIER ERA These cameras were donated by Betrand Dorian photographer and teacher at Los Gatos High School. He also was a yearbook advisor in the 60s and 70s.
DOWNSTAIRS NUMU Development and Communications Manager Jamie Donofrio points to a train in a painting located in the historical area of the museum. Coming up on Sept. 19, at 11am, guest speaker Roland Hsu will speak about Chinese railroad workers.
STREAMING GIANT TEAMS UP WITH THEATRE TO OFFER POPCORN IRL
Taste of LG, from page 4
Lin said. “The Chamber is very much about a community celebration, but we’re always trying to bring in new visitors and drive new traffic.”
After all, she adds, who wouldn’t want to come here?
“We’re like this idyllic, charming oasis,” Lin said. “At this festival, it’s going to be a warm, welcoming atmosphere.”
This year’s event will feature an interactive digital map to make wayfinding easier.
“People will actually go to the business locations. They will go to the restaurants to go to get their bites, and they will go to our stores who are hosting the wineries to do their wine tasting,” Lin said. “The restaurants will be marked with a red flag outside their entrance, and the wine tasting locations will be marked by a blue flag.”
None of this would’ve been possible without the help of sponsors, including 2025 Chamber Title Sponsors El Camino Health, Good Samaritan and Netflix, all of whom came in at the $8,000+ “diamond level,” adds Lin. Netflix is even partnering with Cinelux to hand out popcorn at the Los Gatos Theatre during the festival.
“Having their trust and financial support, it enables us to offer a lot of things to the community,” Lin said, noting Netflix increased their community involvement this year. “Timing was right.”
The Chamber is encouraging people to purchase their wristbands early, as last year they did sell out.
It’s selling a Bites and Libations tasting ticket for $95 (presale price), and a Bites Only ticket for $75.
Cutlines: (train painting point)
DOWNSTAIRS NUMU Development and Communications Manager Jamie Donofrio points to a train in a painting located in the historical area of the museum. Coming up on Sept. 19, at 11am, guest speaker Roland Hsu will speak about Chinese railroad workers.
Credit: Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan (cameras)
FROM AN EARLIER ERA These cameras were donated by Betrand Dorian, a photographer and teacher at Los Gatos High School. He also was a yearbook advisor in the 60s and 70s.
Credit: Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan (Cut for Print)
LG history exhibits, with a special focus on the history of the newspapers here in town.
MAPPING IT OUT Beth Foley, multimedia designer for the Chamber, prepares a visual list of participants to send to the Town. Drew Penner / Los Gatan (Rita Kelly)
BRANDING Rita Kelly, the Chamber’s events and marketing coordinator, holds a souvenir Taste of Los Gatos glass.
Drew Penner / Los Gatan (Jennifer Lin)
CHAMBER CEO Jennifer Lin says she’s grateful for the support of the community partners who steppedup to help make Taste of Los Gatos a reality.
Drew Penner / Los Gatan
Let us help you with your next rebranding, product launch, media campaign, digital initiative, website redesign or image refresh.
identity + strategy + design
BRANDING Rita Kelly, the Chamber’s events and marketing coordinator, holds a souvenir Taste of Los Gatos glass.
Cutline: (Beth Foley)
MID-WEEK N. SANTA CRUZ AVE FUN
COMMISSION RECEPTIVE TO RH
Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO of RH, shared his vision for commercial design, during his initial public comments.
“If you think about it, most retail stores are somewhat archaic,” he said. “We say we don’t build retail stores, we build inspiring spaces.”
He ran through slides showing a portfolio of previous projects that include the renovation of the Bethlehem Steel Building in San Francisco and a 73-acre English estate.
A key focus of the hearing was whether or not RH should be allowed to remove the current illusion of different buildings and create something that’s more symmetrical and cohesive.
Staff had initially recommended denial of the project, as the Historic Preservation Committee members had expressed concerns about the proposed standardization (though it reversed its position before the discussion got going, after reviewing what aspect of the project the HPC has jurisdiction over).
The HPC wasn’t thrilled that RH didn’t want to conform to the current rules that require a varied front façade.
Commissioner Jeffrey Barnett was curious about this.
“Why not?” he asked Friedman.
“It’s kind of a cacophony of a single building,” the businessman stated. “To me, this is bad architecture.”
He said he was surprised their project had to go before the HPC at all.
“We don’t do bad architecture,” he said. “We’re here to do something spectacular.”
Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce CEO Jennifer Lin said she believes a new RH location will add needed sales tax revenue to Town coffers, serve as a regional magnet with spillover benefits for nearby small businesses, fill a dormant corner with something dynamic and boost the overall Los Gatos brand.
She said the company’s leadership had already reached out to get a better sense of how they can support the local business community in the days to come.
“What’s proposed is an elegant Mediterranean-inspired design,” she said.
Commissioner Burnett said, while she knows RH can do impressive work, she raised concerns with the eagerness to do
away with the prior rules that served to help establish the current downtown character.
And she asked Christian Irwin, vp of leasing for Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns the property, about it.
“I personally believe…that storefront will be magnificent,” he said. “It’s been an absolute passion project for me.”
He reflected on his now-fire-ravaged hometown of Pacific Palisades in the Los Angeles area, and how—when future-LA-mayoral-candidate Rick Caruso came in with a major commercial development proposal—it rubbed some the wrong way.
But, he said, as time went on, many naysayers came to love what was built.
The fact the company has selected Los Gatos for its next location says a lot, he added.
“Your community has momentum,” he said. “That resonates with retailers.”
Taylor Burke was one of the Los Gatos residents who urged Planning Commission to support the upscale retail-restaurant-studio project.
She moved her family here from New York during the pandemic and says the community could benefit from some of the things that city does right.
“We want to be able to walk downtown and run into people we know,” she said, noting when planning a recent outing with other local moms, it was hard to think of Los Gatos meet-up spots that would be appropriate for their outing.
In an interview with the Los Gatan after the vote, Friedman said he was “delighted” with the result.
“We’re deeply appreciative of the support of the community,” he said. “We look forward to being here for generations.”
He said, having spent his whole life in Northern California, he’s been coming to hang out in the community for years.
“We’ve enjoyed our first 15 years here, and we look forward to the next 15, or 30—or 50,” he said, referring to their current space on North Santa Cruz Avenue. “The question we have now is, Do we keep our existing location and turn it into an RH Outdoor store?”
*The story has been updated to reflect the company has changed its name from Restoration Hardware to RH.
RH , from page 1
MAKING THE CASE RH CEO Gary Friedman in front of Planning Commission on Aug. 27.
PICKING IT UP Ska band Slow Gherkin played live on KPCR 92.9 FM ahead of a reunion show in Santa Cruz.
VIDEOGRAPHY Mike Park of Asian Man Records live streamed the whole event. Slow Gherkin was inspired to form after seeing Park's band Skankin' Pickle play at the London Nelson Center in Santa Cruz. Park later signed Slow Gherkin to his record label.
FINDING HAPPINESS IN LAUGHTER
Enjoying everything from silly walks to Rotary jokes
Jeffrey Blum, Contributor
Happiness is something we all pursue, but sometimes we take it too seriously. Some people treat happiness as a goal to be achieved, while others treat happiness as if it is a key business performance indicator. But in doing so, we miss the things that make us happy. Humor, play, silliness, and connection
often sneak up on us when we’re not trying so hard.
Years ago, one of my favorite comedy sketches came from “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.” In “The Ministry of Silly Walks,” John Cleese exaggeratedly marched across the stage, his long legs swinging in awkward arcs. It was ridiculous and brilliant, and it made people laugh.
Before Monty Python, I grew up loving the Marx Brothers. Harpo, the silent clown with the mischievous grin, was my favorite. In one scene, when a hobo asked him for a
saw my body shaking with stifled giggles under the covers.
Somewhere along the way, that kind of carefree laughter became less common. Maybe that’s the reality of adulthood, or maybe it’s the times we live in with more stress, more news, less silliness. Or maybe our humor evolves as we age.
However, laughter often shows up in new places. For me, it can happen at Rotary Club of Los Gatos meetings. My fiancée, Lissa, a former radio host, has sharp wit and impeccable timing. She can’t resist tossing in a quip that leaves everyone laughing. The running joke is that she and the microphone should be kept apart. That, of course, only makes her funnier. And while I try to keep up, she’s the star comedian in our household.
Happiness indeed is often about pausing to enjoy the laughter right in front of us. Urban legend holds that children laugh about 400 times a day, while adults average closer to 15. UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center reports that shared laughter improves mood and strengthens social bonds, lowers stress and helps people recover from conflict more quickly. In other words, laughter is medicine, community glue, and resilience rolled into one. Here in Los Gatos, we don’t need a formal “Ministry of Silly Walks.” We already have many opportunities for joy. Stroll through Oak Meadow Park and you’ll hear the laughter of children on the carousel or the Billy Jones Railroad Train. Walk downtown on a Friday night and you’ll catch families and friends swapping jokes over dinner. Even at our Town Council meetings, you’ll occasionally hear a witty aside that lightens the tone of serious deliberations. As a community, we sometimes underestimate the value of humor. We devote endless energy to traffic, housing and policy debates. These are important issues, but how often do we stop to ask: are we also making room for happiness? Happiness is a collection of small moments strung together. A joke told at the right time, a silly family ritual, or a shared smile with a neighbor may not solve our biggest challenges, but they make those challenges easier to bear. Humor reminds us we’re not alone. And it often gives us a fresh perspective on problems that seem immovable.
dime for a cup of coffee, Harpo reached into his oversized coat and pulled out an actual steaming cup of coffee. That kind of absurd, unexpected humor still makes me smile. I never connected with the Three Stooges, but my college roommate was obsessed. In fact, he occasionally appeared on television as a Stooges expert. At night, he would break into his Moe, Larry and Curly routines as I tried to sleep. Even though their slapstick wasn’t my style, he had me laughing despite myself. He knew he’d succeeded when he
In Los Gatos, those small moments add up. Whether it’s Music in the Park, the holiday parade, a Rotary gathering, or simply bumping into someone at the farmers’ market, laughter is never far away if we allow ourselves to notice it. Life will always provide reasons to frown. But happiness means balancing hardship with doses of levity, humor, and human connection.
We may not all be Marx Brothers or Monty Python, but we all have the power to make someone laugh. And in doing so, we make Los Gatos a little happier. So next time you’re downtown, at a park, or in a meeting, don’t hold back the smile or the silly comment. Happiness often starts with the sound of laughter.
JOYFUL NOISE Patrick Minnifield of Santa Rosa playing the balafon. People from around the Greater Bay Area avoided Labor Day Weekend traffic while jamming with African instruments at Plaza Park on Sunday.
PUBLIC NOTICES
Fictitious Business Name Statements
File Number: FBN718522. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: TRYCATCHVIBES LABS, 3857 Via Salice, Campbell, CA 95008. This business is conducted by: An Individual, DZMITRY BACHKO, 3857 Via Salice, Campbell, CA 95008. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 08/04/2025 and 08/04/2025 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Nina Khamphilath /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Dzmitry Bachko /s/. (Pub LGN: 08/13, 08/20, 08/27, 09/03/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #718468
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Math Camps International, 2. Talent Search International, 823 Ames Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, 94303, American University Partners, LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 02/02/2021. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Hyongbum Kim. Member #202103610609. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 07/31/2025. (pub LG 08/13, 08/20, 08/27, 09/03/2025)
File Number: FBN718479. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: GymKids USA, 1875 S. Bascom Ave. Suite 2400, Campbell, CA 95008. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Melinda Beason, 242 Wren Way, Campbell, CA 95008. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 4/18/2005 and 08/01/2025 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/ Melinda L. Beason /s/. (Pub LGN: 08/13, 08/20, 08/27, 09/03/2025)
File Number: FBN718595. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: LOS GATOS HAIR BAR, 114 Rotce St Ste A, Los Gatos, CA 95124. This business is conducted by: An Individual, RENEE KEARNEY, 114 Royce St Ste A, Los Gatos, CA 95030. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 08/06/2025 and 08/06/2025 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. /s/ Renee Kearney /s/. (Pub LGN: 08/13, 08/20, 08/27, 09/03/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #718678
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Purple Lotus, 2. Blue Chip, 3. Astro, 4. Purple Lotus Patient Center, 5. The High Spot, 6. Bay Life, 7. Bodega, 8. Power Buds, 9. Purple Lotus Downtown San Jose, Dispensary, 10. Purple Lotus Santa Clara St., 11. Purple Lotus San Jose Cannabis Dispensary & Delivery. 752 Commercial Street, San Jose, CA, 95112, VMK, Inc. This business is being conducted by a Corporation. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 12/15/2015. Above entity was formed in the state of California. /s/Dan Georgatos. Chief Legal Officer and Director. #C3255329. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/08/2025. (pub LG 08/20, 08/27, 09/03, 09/10/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #718564
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: California Vehicle Registration Services, 930 S. Bascom Ave, Suite 1016-B, San Jose, CA, 95128, Farzad Bigdeli Rad. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 08/04/2025. /s/Farzad Bigdeli Rad. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/05/2025. (pub LG 08/20, 08/27, 09/03, 09/10/2025)
File Number: FBN718743. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: LOS GATOS SMILES DENTAL CARE 540 N. Santa Cruz Ave, Suite B1, Los Gatos, CA 95030. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, GATOS DENTAL EXCELLENCE PC, 2275 E. Dunne Ave, Unit A, Morgan Hill, CA 95037. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 04/09/2025 and 08/12/2025 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. Gatos Dental Excellence PC, Article/Reg #B20250067856, Above Entity was Formed in the State of California. /s/ Gurjinder Ghuman /s/ Secretary. (Pub LGN: 08/20, 08/27, 09/03, 09/10/2025)
File Number: FBN718097. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: DREAMLUX DESIGN AND BUILD 1058 Salerno Drive, Campbell, CA 95008. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, KIGA DEVELOPERS INC., 1058 Salerno Drive, Campbell, CA 95008. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 07/10/2025 and 07/21/2025 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. KIGA Developers Inc., Article/Reg # B20250199178, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Kimberly Frost Arviv /s/ President. (Pub LGN: 08/20, 08/27, 09/03, 09/10/2025)
legals@losgatan.com
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #718841
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Ohay Consulting, 2819 Meadowfaire Dr., San Jose, CA, 95111, Francis Trinh. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant began business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on 08/08/2025. /s/Francis Trinh. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/14/2025. (pub LG 08/20, 08/27, 09/03, 09/10/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #718810
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Acheter Pour Toi, 116 Via Collado, Los Gatos, CA, 95032, Allison Donohue. This business is being conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. /s/Allison Donohue. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/14/2025. (pub LG 08/20, 08/27, 09/03, 09/10/2025)
File Number: FBN718657. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: MYOFASCIAL THERAPY CENTER 201 E. Hamilton Ave, Campbell, CA 95008. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, DERYKE & ASSOCIATES PHYSICAL THERAPY, INC, 201 E. Hamilton Ave, Campbell, CA 95008. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 09/25/2001 and 08/07/2025 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. Deryke & Associates Physical Therapy, Inc, Article/Reg # 2348751, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Sandy Deryke /s/ President. (Pub LGN: 08/20, 08/27, 09/03, 09/10/2025)
File Number: FBN718814. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: LIQUID SUNSHINE AIRBRUSH
TANNING, 338 Village Lane, Suite A, Los Gatos, CA 95030. This business is conducted by: An Individual, LUCY AMIRKHANIAN, 19955 Oakmont Drive, Los Gatos, CA 950330000. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Not Applicable and 08/14/2025 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/ Lucy Amirkhanian /s/. (Pub LGN: 08/20, 08/27, 09/03, 09/10/2025)
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT #718776
The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Sonesta Select San Jose, 1727 Technology Drive, San Jose, CA, 95110, 1727 Technology Drive Property Owner LLC. This business is being conducted by a Limited Liability Company. Registrant has not yet begun business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Above entity was formed in the state of Delaware. /s/Jayesh Keshav. Manager. #20250202270. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 08/12/2025. (pub LG 08/27, 09/03, 09/10, 09/17/2025)
File Number: FBN718964. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: Lotus Dental Group, 1374 East Hamilton, Campbell, CA 95008. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, Aman Bhullar, DMD, Inc, 18693 Carriage Hill Drive, San Jose, CA 95120. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 06/14/2025 and 08/18/2025 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Nina Khamphilath /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. Aman Bhullar, DMD, Inc, Article/Reg # 4106497, Above Entity was Formed in the State of CA. /s/ Aman Bhullar /s/ Owner. (Pub LGN: 08/27, 09/03, 09/10, 09/17/2025)
File Number: FBN718805. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: NICK MILLIGAN CONTRACTING, 2974 Aulin Drive, San Jose, CA 95125. This business is conducted by: An Individual, NICHOLAS JOSEPH MILLIGAN, 2974 Aulin Drive, San Jose, CA 95125. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 06/07/2025 and 08/13/2025 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/ Nicholas Joseph Milligan /s/. (Pub LGN: 08/27, 09/03, 09/10, 09/17/2025)
File Number: FBN719031 . The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: REVIVED RIDES, 956 Harliss Avenue B, San Jose, CA 95110. This business is conducted by: An Individual, FLORENT FABIEN DAVID PAZ, 956 Harliss Avenue B, San Jose, CA 95110. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 08/01/2025 and 08/20/2025 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Nina Khamphilath /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Florent Fabien David Paz /s/. (Pub LGN: 09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24/2025)
File Number: FBN718273. The following person (persons) is (are) doing business as: 1. Shapestry, 78 Bentley Ave, Apt 9, Los Gatos, CA 95030. This business is conducted by: An Individual, Robert J Harbison, 78 Bentley Ave, Apt 9, Los Gatos, CA 95030. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 07/25/1999 and 07/25/2025 is the file date. Statement filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara: /s/ Nina Khamphilath /s/ Deputy, 110 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. /s/ Robert J Harbison /s/. (Pub LGN: 09/03, 09/10, 09/17, 09/24/2025)
Join us for an evening of CircleSinging with VOICES, led by David Worm. CircleSinging is a participatory form of community singing that emphasizes improvisation and collaboration. Sometimes called vocal jamming or vocal orchestra, CircleSinging dates back to the earliest forms of human singing and is practiced all over the world.
Register in advance for faster check-in. Performance starts at 7pm.
Swing by El Cafecito by Mezcal Restaurant for light bites, specials,
